Sunday, November 22, 2009

Transparency

Black Swan and Babies, Lake Taupo, New Zealand

We act differently in front of our boss, our teacher, our parents, our friends, our loved ones, strangers, etc. We project what we think the other person expects to see. This is inauthentic living.

All of the manipulations, words and actions we show others are lies. We want to be liked, we want to be respected, we want things from other people. We are afraid that if people saw who we really were, that they would not like us.

Putting different faces on in different situations causes stress because we are not living authentically. We should not be afraid to show people who we really are. If we lose friends and people do not like us, it is time to move on from those people. We will attract new people, who resonate with our new energy.

Whom are we trying to protect when we tell white lies? Are we really doing our friends a favor by lying to them? Do we think so little of them, that we do not think they can handle the truth?

It is far less stressful and more relaxing to be who we are in all situations. Our thoughts and beliefs about who we think we are keep us from being who we are. If we let go of our beliefs about who we think we are, we will be who we really are.

Let's have the courage to be transparent.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Allowing

Nara, Japan

Whatever we think God is, it isn't. God cannot be understood through thought. Words cannot describe it. We can pray to it, but it will not work. Prayer consists of words and thoughts. It can, however, be experienced. Our conceptions, thoughts, speculations and faith in what God is are wrong. It is incapable of being described.

We can allow it to be what it is. We can surrender to it without understanding it. Understanding requires thought and it is incapable of being understood through thought.

God is an infinite, loving, energy source. It is also what we are. We do not have to look for it. It cannot be found. It is what we are. We just have to surrender to it.

Let's surrender our thoughts of what the Infinite is, and allow it to be what it is.

Friday, November 13, 2009

Surrender

Russell, Bay of Islands, New Zealand

If we only held on to the thoughts about the positive things in our lives that would be one thing. However, we hold on to the most miserable and frivolous thoughts as well. We believe that if we gave them up, that we would be lost and would have no identity.

Only by surrendering our thoughts and beliefs will we find ourselves. We believe that any role that we play is better than not having one. We love being the victim and telling everyone about our illnesses or the injustices that were done to us. We love bragging about our accomplishments and possessions in order to cover up our feelings of worthlessness and inadequacy.

If we find the courage to surrender all of our thoughts and beliefs about ourselves, we will find peace. We will not be lost if we give them up. We will be found.

Let's give up what we think we know and surrender to the divine unknown.

Friday, November 6, 2009

Gratitude

Qamea, Fiji

We are happy when "good" things happen to us, and angry or sad when "bad" things happen to us. In reality, we do not have enough information to determine what is "bad" and what is "good."

Often we look back on obstacles and disappointments and realize that we were better off from having gone through it. When we are fired from our job, we will often find a more suitable position. When our relationship does not work out, we often find someone who makes us happier.

Since we do not have knowledge of the "big picture," we should treat every event that happens to us with gratitude. When we realize that everything is a gift, we let go of the ups and downs that make us victims of our circumstances. By being grateful for everything, we become masters of our lives. We also will find that when we let go of our judgments and assumptions about events, things begin to flow more harmoniously. By not being buffeted by the winds of fortune, fortune smiles on us.

However, if we are grateful in order to receive the things that we think we want, it will only reinforce our feelings of lack. What we put out is what we receive. This is the law of prosperity and the law of karma.

If we would be grateful for just one day for everything that happens to us regardless of whether we believe the circumstances are "good" or "bad," everything will change. For example, instead of being frustrated or angry when we miss a traffic light, we can be grateful that we have a moment to practice presence. If a family member is ill, we could become despondent, or we could be grateful for all that we have learned from this person and thankful to be able to spend whatever time is left with them. If we lose our job, we could become fearful of what will happen to us, or we could be grateful for the opportunity to surrender our fears, appreciate the time that we have for ourselves, and look forward to obtaining a more meaningful job.

Let's be grateful for everything in our lives.