Sunday, May 23, 2010

Release

Yellowstone

Stress equals illness and death. It is caused by compulsive thinking about the past and the future and manifests in an unconscious holding of different parts of our inner body (including, our hearts).

Some say there is "good stress" and "bad stress." There is no such thing as "good stress." All stress leads to disease and death.

There is nothing "wrong" with illness or death. I am not making a value judgment. It is simply a choice. If we choose not to be ill or die at a young age, we must release stress.

We can release stress by stopping our compulsive thinking about the past and future and releasing our unconscious holding within our inner bodies. We can release our unconscious holding within our bodies by bringing our attention to the areas that we are holding, without judgment. We can only be conscious of what was previously unconscious by becoming still and moving our attention into presence. Once our holding becomes conscious, it will release. Breathing deeply into it also helps.

Let's release our stale thoughts and beliefs about the past and future, and surrender to presence.

Sunday, May 16, 2010

One

Sunrise, Hana, Maui

When presence comes into our lives, the neurotic parts of our identity begin to dissolve. The separation between ourselves and our world also begins to dissolve and we realize that we are one with everyone and everything.

Our fear of dying lessens, as well as our fear of future events. Once our attention remains in the present, we realize that the future is an illusion and worrying about it seems silly. Feeling guilty about actions that we cannot change and are not in conflict with our true selves, also seems pointless.

If we do not have "time" to do the work, to meditate, to practice yoga, to be mindful of what we are doing, to keep our attention in the present moment, to be kind and loving towards others and ourselves, we should not be surprised that we are frustrated, worried and stressed. Of course, it does not take "time" and there is no "work" that needs to be done. But we do have to wake up.

Let's realize the unity of all things.

Friday, May 14, 2010

Presence

Summer, Big Sur, California

We seek peace. We seek love. We seek joy. We never find what we seek. These are not things that can found.

However, if we surrender to presence, we will embody them without effort because peace, love and joy are our natural states.

We do not need to work at it, look for it, wish for it, hope for it. We cannot find it by thinking about it. When we bring our attention to the present moment and away from our unconscious thinking we will be home.

The pull of compulsive thinking is strong. Remaining in presence requires vigilant mindfulness and courage.

Let's surrender to presence.