Sunday, November 27, 2011

A World Of Thought

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

We live in a world of thought. Our entire lives exist within this world of conditioned thoughts and programmed beliefs. It is a limited world of fear, ego, regret, frustration and dread of the future. Every once in a while a sliver from the Ocean of Who We Really Are enters our world in the form of an intuition, premonition or feeling of love or oneness. We either forget about it ten minutes later or fail to acknowledge it at all. It is time to acknowledge and accept who we really are.

We are connected to and nourished by an Ocean of unlimited love, peace, joy and wisdom. It is our very nature, our very selves. All we have to do is remember it. By surrendering our thoughts, judgments and beliefs to the Great Unknown, we are one with the limitless Ocean of Being.

Let's remember who we really are.

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Being

Tongariro, New Zealand

When we bring our attention to the present, we experience the isness of life. We accept the world just as it is. We surrender all of our stale thoughts, beliefs and judgments. Once we accept life as it is, we can make conscious choices that we have previously made unconsciously. The best course of action for us becomes readily apparent. The world seems more alive. We do not feel the need for our senses to be stimulated all the time. Our bad habits fade away. Our relationships are different. We lose the desire to judge and criticize others (and ourselves) so harshly. We see the beauty in simple things. We are content just being. We do not have to constantly be doing something.

Let's explore the isness of life by being.

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Surrender

Yellowstone

If we were electricity instead of who we are, we would not be able to describe ourselves. We could say that we are very powerful and we provide the energy to make machines work, but it would be impossible to describe our essence accurately.

We are electricity and it is impossible to describe or think about who we really are.

Just as electricity animates machines, The Infinite Energy Source animates our physical instruments. The Source passes through the filter of our belief systems and comes out as happiness, unhappiness, frustration, rage, insecurity, joy, passion, fear, elation and all of the other manifestations of the human experience. The energy that we receive is filtered through our programming. We can receive unfiltered energy and wisdom from the Infinite Energy Source, which is our very essence, and experience joy, peace, love and freedom. We can receive the unfiltered energy and information and become one with the Source by surrendering all of our thoughts, judgments, ideas and beliefs about who we are and what we think the world is. We become pure awareness and experience the world as if we were born anew.

Let's surrender to the Infinite.

Freedom

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Freedom is the ability to make choices. We make choices hundreds of times a day whether we know it or not. Everything we experience is filtered through our belief systems. The vast majority of our choices are ones consistent with those systems. Our belief systems have been programmed into us since birth. Once we bring awareness to our thoughts and beliefs, we can begin to consciously choose which thoughts and beliefs help us create the life we intend to live. We can surrender and release those thoughts and beliefs which no longer serve us. The more we consciously choose our thoughts, beliefs and actions, the more life will unfold before us and we will discover our life's purpose.

Let's choose freedom.



Sunday, October 16, 2011

Recipe For Enlightenment

Waiheke Island

The recipe for enlightenment is simple. Becoming enlightened is difficult.

First, we need intention. We have to want to become enlightened. I say intention rather than desire because if we desire something, we tend to push it away from us.

Once we have the intention, we need to choose the tools we need to become enlightened (Eckhart Tolle calls them signposts). The tools available for us to choose are infinite. We can meditate, bring our awareness to the present, bring our attention to our bodies and release everything that we are holding, we can be fully aware of what our senses are experiencing, we can surrender all of our thoughts, beliefs and judgments, etc., etc. Finding the tools we are looking for is easy because once we are on the path to enlightenment, the Universal Infinite Energy Source is there to help us. We will find the tools that are perfect for us once we are open to finding them.

Once we choose our tools, we need discipline to consistently utilize them. The pull of compulsive thinking is strong. It is like a magnetic field. Our ego constantly tries to pull us back into the world of obsessive thinking, the belief systems of the various tribes that we belong to, and fear-based judgments about ourselves and the world.

Once we become aware and begin to release the thoughts that we have buried deep into our subconscious, it takes courage to be able to face them without judgment or fear.

Of course, there is no path to enlightenment. If we consider ourselves on the path, we will always be on the path. Enlightenment can only occur in the present moment. This is where words reach their limitations. Enlightenment can occur in an instant without any effort or intention.

Let's be enlightened now.

Abundance


Alpacas, New Zealand

The key to abundance is gratitude. The world that we experience is a perfect reflection of our inner thoughts and belief systems. If we are constantly in a state of desire and envy, we will always be frustrated and not experience fulfillment in the material world. When we are grateful for everything that we have, the universe will manifest that state by providing abundance. No matter how much money and material possessions a person has, if he is constantly unsatisfied and wanting more, he is poor. The person who is satisfied with what he has, as meager as it may be, is truly rich. If we want to be satisfied, we need to feel satisfied. If we want to be fulfilled, we need to feel fulfilled.

Let's be grateful.

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Love

Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown, New Zealand

There are two fundamental systems of belief: Love and Fear. Everything that we do, think and say can be interpreted as coming from one of these two root emotions. We have a choice. We do not have to respond compulsively out of fear. We do not have to react with anger. Our frustration, disappointment, feelings of worthlessness, helplessness, loneliness, and anxiety all come from fear.

We can choose a different course. We can choose a loving attitude towards every situation we face and every person we encounter. When we do, the world is brighter. People react differently to us. Most importantly, we owe ourselves the same loving attitude that we offer others.

Let's make every decision from love. Let's greet every person with a loving attitude. Let's treat ourselves the same way. We deserve it because love is our very essence.

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Acceptance

Coromandel, New Zealand

Our judgments and beliefs about the state of our lives are so strong that it is extremely difficult to accept reality just as it is. We adamantly refuse to surrender our conceptions about our lives and how they became this way. Even though we may be extremely dissatisfied and frustrated with the way things are, we would rather hold on to our beliefs than let them go.

This makes no sense. If we are entirely unhappy and fed up with our lives, it makes sense to try another way. Instead of trading one set of beliefs for another, what if we gave up all our beliefs about how things are and how they got that way? We would accept reality just as it is. We would not be overly concerned with how things got the way they are. We would surrender our lives to what is. Our lives would become synchronized with the Universal Energy of All That Is. Our frustrations would fade. We could begin to affect real change in our situation. Every activity we do would enhance our lives. We are in harmony with ourselves and Life. It all starts with acceptance.

Let's accept things just as they are.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Joy

Coromandel, New Zealand

Life seems so oppressive sometimes. It seems as though it is working against us. Sometimes the smallest thing will bring us to rage or depression. Life seems pointless and we are filled with frustration and hopelessness.

There is an escape from this belief system. It is a cliche, but it is also true. The answer lies within. Our natural state is joy. We can access our natural state of joy by shedding our beliefs about what we think life is. When we fearlessly surrender our thoughts and bring our attention to the present moment without judgment, we find peace, love and joy. It is not something that we have to look for because it is what we are.

Let's surrender to joy.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Courage

Te Kouma, Coromandel, New Zealand

It seems so simple. All that we have to do is bring our attention to the present moment and all of our problems will be solved. We will find our life's purpose. We will be as Gandhi was, as Buddha was, as Jesus was. We will be a light unto the world. People in our presence will start to awaken.

If it is so simple, why does it seem so difficult?

It is difficult because the pull of obsessive thinking is so strong that we believe that if we give up our thoughts and our beliefs that we will die. Our identity, everything that we believe that we are, is completely intertwined with our thoughts and belief systems.

How do we awaken? Once we make the decision to do so, there are an infinite number of tools available to assist us. There is yoga, meditation, nature, books, and films. Many films such as JERRY MAGUIRE, AS GOOD AS IT GETS, AMERICAN BEAUTY, THE MATRIX, STAR WARS AND AVATAR all share this theme of becoming conscious and learning how to love. Merely being in the presence of people who are awake triggers an awakening in us.

It requires discipline to continually bring our attention back to presence no matter how lost in thought we become. It requires courage to face our darkest thoughts, which we have pushed deep into our subconscious.

Let's have the discipline and courage to awaken to presence in this very moment.

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Awareness

Tahapuke Bay, New Zealand

Awareness is attention to the present moment without judgment. It is like working out a muscle. The more time we spend bringing our attention to the present, instead of being lost in obsessive thought, the easier it is to do. The more often we bring our attention to present, the more we are in harmony with Infinite Energy.

When we are aware of our thoughts, we soon realize that almost all of them are gibberish. The thoughts that we have make no sense and do not enhance our lives. Our thoughts primarily consist of remembering past events and imagining how the future will unfold. They are filled with regret, envy, worry and fear. When we bring our attention to what we are doing, our thoughts fade into the background. Our fear subsides and our compulsion to be lost in thought fades.

Let's bring awareness to our thoughts and actions.

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Peace

Zen Garden, Kyoto, Japan

Can we find peace in the turmoil of the city? Regardless of where we live, we are deluged with information nearly every moment of the day. The media tells us what we should be worried about and envious of. Corporations inundate us with ads confirming that who we are and what we have is not enough. Our friends and family want us to think and believe the same things that they do. Our churches, temples, clubs and schools instill their dogma in us and charge a mental and emotional price for belonging to each of the groups that we belong to and identify with.

The onslaught of information and conditioning is continuous and omnipresent. Never before in history have we been presented with this much information.

We can find peace. It does not require effort. However, it requires a determination to surrender all of our thoughts and beliefs and be open to what is. The information and advertising rolls off us and is never absorbed into our psyches. We consistently bring our attention to the present. We reject all thoughts and belief systems which we do not consciously choose to enhance our lives. We receive more joy from being present with Source than we can ever receive driving a new car or wearing new clothes. When we realize that, material things lose their pull over us.

We are immune to the overt and subliminal advertising and the thoughts of others. We have no need to convince others that what we believe is correct. We are fine with other people believing that we are wrong (or worse).

We find peace in the simple things of life. The simple act of breathing consciously makes us feel whole. Peace is not something that we have to find. All that we have to do is shed all of the extraeneous material clogging our minds. Peace is never far from us because peace is what we are. We only have to recognize it.

Let's surrender to peace.

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Gratitude

Coromandel, New Zealand

If we were terminally ill, and today was our last day in our physical manifestation, would we be able to feel grateful that we had one more day being present? If this was our last day, would we fritter it away with worry and fear, or would we embrace the beauty of Life. Gratitude is the key to abundance, peace and grace. We will receive everything we need, if we are grateful for what we have.

I offer this prayer of gratitude: Thank you Divine Spirit (which is what we are) for giving me the opportunity to recognize the peace, love and joy that I am in this very moment. And I wish for myself, and everyone who reads this, peace, grace and gratitude when it is our time to pass over.

Sunday, July 31, 2011

Surrender

Bay of Islands, New Zealand

We can bring our attention within and feel our bodies from the inside. When we do this, we can feel where there is tension, where we are holding. This tension is holding us back from living peacefully and in harmony with Source. By bringing our attention to where there is tension, we can begin to release our stress. It is our compulsive thinking which is causing the stress. At the same time that we release those parts of our body that we are holding, we surrender all of our thoughts, ideas and judgments. The more we do this the more open we will become.

Let's surrender to freedom.



Sunday, July 24, 2011

Mystery

Kereta, Coromandel, New Zealand

We cannot comprehend concepts of God, Nirvana, Heaven, Universal Energy, or whatever labels we use to describe our spiritual nature. We cannot explain what happens to us after we die. We know that Spirit seems to embody certain characteristics, such as Love. But the totality cannot be "figured out." Our labels and beliefs hinder our understanding.

It is not merely that it is too vast or complex to comprehend. It is that it cannot be understood through thought. It cannot be explained through language.

However, it can be known through experience. We can experience it by living beyond thought. We can become one with All That Is by releasing our thoughts, ideas, judgments and beliefs and becoming present. We can be comfortable with the idea of not knowing.

Let's surrender to the Great Mystery.

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Harmony

Qamea, Fiji

When we become more present and our neuroses begin to fade away, we "vibrate" at a frequency more aligned with Source. Things start to go our way. We are aware of more synchronicities in our lives. Even the traffic lights seem more green. As we cooperate with the universe, the universe cooperates with us.

Thoughts that used to bother us, don't seem so important. We begin to sympathize with those that we don't like or who don't like us. We don't always need answers, and we accept things just as they are. As old relationships fade away, new relationships are formed.

Let's recognize our oneness with all things.





Saturday, June 4, 2011

Joy

Dylan and Cocoa Puff

We walk around with a general sense of unease or discomfort. It is part of the malaise of the human condition. This malaise is caused by fear arising out of our thoughts and beliefs about reality, who we think we are, and what we think our place is in society. We can change this in a moment. Our natural state is joy. As the song goes, "I told you once, now I told you twice," Our natural state is joy. We can merge our current state of being into our natural state by surrendering all of our ideas and beliefs about who we think we are. We are not who we think we are. All of our beliefs about ourselves and our reality are programmed into us and are not true. We look at the world through a filter which does not allow us to see things as they truly are. Let's surrender our judgments and become one with the joy that is our heritage. Our natural state is joy. All we have to do is recognize it.

Friday, May 27, 2011

Grace

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Physics has determined that we are all part of the same energy. It is everywhere and encompasses all things. When we shift our attention inwards to become one with this energy, we discover that it has certain characteristics which we are all a part of. It always embodies joy, peace and love. By realizing that we are part of something greater than our physical selves, we experience Divine Grace. The thing that we have been searching for our entire lives is just inside us. All that we have to do is open ourselves up to it. When our lives are in harmony with Grace, we are overwhelmed with a feeling of gratitude. We don't have to define it. We don't have to understand it. We cannot comprehend its enormity. We just accept it without explanation, but with humble gratitude. The divine is no different than what we are. When we can look into the eyes of our enemy and see the Divine, we have awakened to the truth. God is what we are and we are what God is.

Surrender

Hakone, Japan

We can find our life's true purpose and be fulfilled by surrendering our ideas, thoughts and beliefs about how things are. Our belief systems were created by the conditioning that we receive from the media and our friends, families and others whom we encounter. Once we realize that we can only truly experience harmony with Universal Energy by seeing ourselves and the world without the filter of our belief systems, our lives harmonize with the Divine Energy which is everywhere and binds us to each other.

Let's surrender to the great mystery.

Acceptance

90 Mile Beach, New Zealand

In order enact real change in our lives, we have to first accept reality just as it is, not as how we wish it were or believe it to be. Once we accept reality as it is, without our judgments, beliefs or ideas about it, we can take steps to change our situation. If we try to change things without accepting things as they are, although our life may superficially change, we will still be repeating the same patterns and confronting the same challenges as we did before.

Let's accept things just as they are, not how we believe them to be.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Now

Cape Reinga, New Zealand

If we are "on the path" to awakening, our awakening will never come. The future does not exist, except as a mental construct. Tomorrow never arrives. Only the present moment is real. If we do not awaken now, we will never awaken. Our lives are a reflection of our present thoughts and beliefs. Believing we are "on the path" reinforces our never arriving. We will always be "on the path."

We can only awaken right now, this very moment. It is not something that we can work towards. It is not something that we can achieve in the future. Practice is not going to help us to awaken. It is now or never. The past is dead. The future is an illusion.

Let's awaken now.

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Freedom

Tuis, Waihihi Bay New Zealand

We are unaware that we are living in a prison of our own making. We are imprisoned by our thoughts and beliefs. We have been conditioned since birth to think and believe a certain way. The brainwashing continues every day that we watch television, speak with friends or family or surf the internet.

Even when we realize that freedom is just a moment away, we prefer the safety and comfort that we have when we share the beliefs of our various tribes. We would rather remain in our cell and continue to wallow in our fears and frustrations than live to our full potential without anxiety.

Once we experience freedom, which is our natural state, it is hard to continue believing the lies that we have been taught. Our dissatisfaction will grow until we realize that there is nothing to fear from freedom. When we surrender our thoughts, beliefs and judgments and turn our awareness to the present, we are comforted by Divine energy. Our lives will become harmonious and we will begin to fulfill our true purpose. The things that seemed so important to us no longer concern us. Our obsessions and neuroses fade away. We are energized by our connection with all things. We feel awake and alive. We get more enjoyment from watching an insect or an animal than impressing others with our material possessions.

Let's choose freedom.

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Courage

Kamakura, Japan

It takes courage to live mindfully for two reasons.

First, we have to be willing to give up the social, religious, and political structures which have comforted us our entire lives. Our entire identities are tied up in the belief systems to which we belong. If we surrender our religious beliefs, we are afraid that we will be punished some time in the future. If we surrender our social beliefs, our friends may not like us any more because the group supports each other with their shared beliefs. Our families may be threatened by the changes that we are undergoing.

Second, when we bring our awareness away from our compulsive thinking about the past and present and bring it to the present moment, painful memories will arise into our consciousness, memories that we have been hiding in our subconscious in order to protect ourselves from pain. We may feel abandoned and alone.

We are not alone. There is great power and wisdom flowing from being connected to All That Is. We will feel alive and energized by living in harmony with the Source. There is nothing to fear. As old relationships fall away, new ones that resonate with our new vibration will appear. We will find new careers and interests. A new world will open to us. One not based on fear, frustration, and anger, but on love, peace and freedom.

The pull of compulsive thinking is strong. The ego is afraid to give up its long held beliefs. The Divine Energy that we yearn for is much stronger. Once we start, we cannot turn back. There is nothing real to turn back to.

Let's embrace the present moment without fear, judgment, or expectation.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Stillness

Imperial Palace, Tokyo, Japan

It can't be stated enough. If we want to get rid of our neuroses, our frustrations, our anger, envy, obsessions, our unhappiness, lethargy, addictions, toxic relationships, our deepest fears, we can do it by simply spending 20 or so minutes in meditation. The benefits will be instantaneous. Stillness is a powerful force, with the ability to completely transform our lives. A new study has found that meditation is more potent than morphine in relieving pain. Several studies have shown that it activates portions of the brain that had been previously dormant. Can such a small investment of time bring such profound effects in our life. You betcha.

Let's enjoy stillness.

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Truth

Cocoa Puff

We project images of ourselves to the world that we believe best reflect what others expect to see. The images were created by societal programming.

We could change the images which we project to the world in order to create a better projection of who we would like to be. We could project images of positivity, courage, success, etc. However, whatever image we choose to project will be hollow and unconvincing because they are only thought projections. They do not have the power and energy to back them up.

When we release our images of ourselves, we can relate to the world as we really are. We cease to be an image. We become real. Our physical manifestations have the infinite energy of Source behind them. We project peace and quiet power. Our lives become more positive because we are in harmony with Source.

Let's release our thoughts about who we are or who we want to be or who we want others to believe that we are. We will be transformed by becoming who we truly are, beings of infinite energy manifesting our divine energy in the physical realm.

It takes courage to release our images of who we think we are. Painful memories that we have been repressing come to the surface. Thoughts of dread about the future may surface as well. We have nothing to be afraid of. No thought can harm us unless we let it. As we drop our belief structures about who we think we are and how we think the world works, we become one with the power of Presence. We will transform ourselves and the world.

Let's release our thoughts about ourselves and reality and allow Presence in.

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Inspiration

Qamea, Fiji

Inspiration is the flow of ideas from Source. We cannot force inspiration or make it happen. We can, however, create an environment for it to occur. Our thoughts and beliefs block the flow of inspiration. When we are lost in thought or carried away with our emotions, there is no room for energy to enter. By slowing our thoughts and surrendering our judgments, we allow inspiration to guide us. Letting go of our beliefs about reality and who we think we are allows true knowledge and inspiration to flow through our lives.

Let's surrender our stale beliefs and surrender to the great Mystery.

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Peace

East Cape, New Zealand

Peace is what we are, our natural state. If we do not feel peaceful, it is because we are telling ourselves stories of who we think we are. The stories often involve worry about the past or dread of the future. We tell these stories to people that we encounter and people repeat these stories back to us. The cycle of reinforcement (and conditioning) started when we were babies and continues until we wake up to what we truly are: love, peace and joy.

How do we break the cycle of addictive thought? By bringing awareness to our thoughts, our emotions and our actions. The light of awareness will allow us to release our stories and surrender to our natural state, which is peace. What is the light of awareness? It is simply attention without judgment. Let's be aware of our conditioned thoughts and beliefs, look at them without judgment or labels and let go of our stories, which are boring anyway.

Let's return to what we are. Let's embody peace.

Saturday, March 19, 2011

The Instrument

Sedona, Arizona

Our bodies are our instruments for interacting with the material world. When our bodies are operating at peak efficiency, it is easier for the energy to flow through us. When we clog our instrument with fast food, drugs or alcohol, our awareness becomes foggy. When we do not get enough rest, or stress is being held in our muscles and organs, our connection to the Infinite Energy Source can be blocked. We can nurture our body by being conscious about what we eat and drink, exercising, and getting sufficient rest and relaxation. In addition, unused parts of our brains can be activated through meditation. We should care for our bodies as we would a beloved classic car. On the other hand, some believe the physical vessel is of no importance whatsoever. Up to you.

Let's bring awareness to our physical manifestations.

Friday, March 11, 2011

Outside In

Nara, Japan

A way to access our inner selves is through fully inhabiting our outer selves. The way to activate our inner senses and experience our inner dimensions is to be fully aware of our 5 three dimensional senses. Let's see with our eyes, without labelling or judging what we see. Let's hear the sounds all around us without thinking about who or what is making them. Let's feel the ground below our feet and be aware of the taste when we chew our food. Let's bring our attention to our breath going in and out. When we are fully inhabiting our bodies without judgment or thought, we are in harmony with Source. Our awareness grows and new dimensions of being will be activated. We will see things we have never seen before.

Let's bring our attention to the present moment.

Friday, March 4, 2011

Stress

Waipoua Forest, North Island, New Zealand

Many experts teach us how to manage stress. They assume that there will always be a certain level of stress and that is a good thing as long as it is not too excessive. We try to make sure that our stress levels do not become so high as to be debilitating. We should not be managing stress, but eliminating it. No amount of stress is good. Stress literally kills. It can cause an otherwise healthy heart to shut down in a moment. Or it can kill us slowly over a period of years. 75% of doctor's visits are stress related. In addition to its adverse physical effects, stress makes us unhappy, frustrated and unfulfilled. Our relationships suffer. We are unable to communicate with others. We lose touch with our spiritual selves. Our lives are out of balance.

Stress is caused by the accumulation of "negative" thoughts (mostly fear) reinforced by our present thoughts. The only value stress has is to give us a shot of adrenaline when we are being chased by a sabre tooth tiger. We do not have to live with stress. When we surrender our thoughts and feelings and bring our attention without judgment to them, they will start to dissolve under the light of awareness.

Let's release our fears and replace them with love for others, for animals, and for ourselves.

Friday, February 25, 2011

Enlightenment

Waihihi Bay, Bay of Islands, New Zealand

The concept of "Enlightenment," like the word "God," is so loaded with judgment and dogma, as to be almost unusable. When we think of the concept, different stereotypes enter our mind. We may picture someone meditating Buddha-like in nature. This is an outdated and superficial description. It is much easier to be centered away from the media and other distractions of modern society. Those who are tested by society's relentless conditioning are often the ones who are truly awake.

Enlightenment is the realization and embodiment of who we truly are. It is not something that can be learned. It is not something that can be accomplished. There are no rules as to how to obtain it. How do we know when we meet someone who is enlightened? It is not simply someone who is charismatic and magnetic. Hitler was magnetic. Movie stars are charismatic, but often are devoured by ego. A CEO of a corporation could be as self realized as a zen monk living in a cave.

There are vast differences among people who are self realized. Their personalities differ wildly. However, as different as they are, there are several traits which are shared by all those who are self realized. They always embody peace, love and joy. We can spot enlightenment in others, as well as ourselves, when we are in the presence of those traits. When a leader does not embody those characteristics, they will not lead us where we need to go.

There is nothing we have to learn or do or be to become enlightened. It is what we are. The time is now to realize our true Selves.

Monday, February 21, 2011

Meditation

Russell, Bay of Islands, New Zealand

Meditation is the easiest and the hardest thing we will ever do. The most important rule of meditation is that there are no rules. We could sit on the floor, in a chair, lie down, walk, listen to music, be in silence, use candles, use incense, have our eyes open or closed. We have to discover what works for us.

People everywhere are beginning to awaken to the power of stillness. We can jumpstart our lives and rid ourselves of our neuroses and unhappiness by meditating. When we are in the present moment, the whole Universe seems to cooperate with us. Even the traffic lights turn green. When we devote even just 20 minutes a day, we are recharging our batteries by plugging into the Infinite Energy Source. Is it worthwhile to make room in our day for 20 minutes in order to make our whole day and even our whole lives better and more fulfilling? I would say so.

Let's take time to rest in stillness.



Saturday, February 12, 2011

Transparency

Bay of Islands, New Zealand

When we present a face to others that is different than who we are, we create a split in ourselves. There is who we are. And there is how we present ourselves to the world, who we pretend to be. This split cuts off our connection with Universal Source. When we are cut off from Source, we will become unhappy, our relationships will suffer, and our bodies may break down and we may become ill.

We pretend to be happy when we are not. We pretend to like someone when we do not. We keep our anger and frustration hidden from the person who is causing it. We may be afraid to express ourselves or not want to hurt someone's feelings. We may act the way someone wants us to act in order to have them like us. Every time we do this we create a split in our personalities.

We have the courage to be who we really are in all circumstances. When there is no difference between who we are and how the world sees us, we allow the energy to flow through us unimpeded. It is so much more relaxing to be ourselves. Our stress is released because it takes so much energy to pretend to be something that we are not. If people do not like who we are, that is their problem, not ours. We may lose friends, but we will find other friends, ones who resonate with us and who like us for who we are.

Let's be who we really are.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Awakening

Long Bay, Coromandel, New Zealand

As we grow older, the years of conditioned programming we have been exposed to take their toll. Our relentless thoughts and belief systems break down our bodies and our spirit. Our conditioning started at birth and continues year after year from the media, our friends and families, and our institutions. We begin to shrink from its weight. The expectations we had for ourselves were never fulfilled. We become frustrated and cynical. If we do not become aware, we will suffer. We will get a heart attack, a nervous breakdown, our relationship will be dysfunctional, or our lives will be dysfunctional. Life no longer seems to serve us. It seems like it has turned against us.

Relief is only a moment away. At any time, we can release all of our beliefs, ideas and judgments all at once, and immediately awaken to a new world. We can be reborn in this moment. All that we have to do is surrender our judgments and turn our awareness to the present. Awareness is simply our attention without judgment. Once we bring our awareness to the present, everything changes. The things that seemed so important no longer concern us. The things that frustrated and annoyed us do not bother us at all. We are in harmony with the Life Force. We glow from inside and from outside. Our health and vigor are renewed. We become stronger and more alert every day. We understand our life's purpose. Life unfolds before us in a fulfilling way.

Every moment is a new opportunity to be reborn. Why not this very moment?

Let's awaken right now.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Truth

Rangitoto, New Zealand

What we believe is true is not true. What society tells us is not true. What our teachers taught is, what our religious leaders tell us, what the media projects, all our not true. The world we believe is a hologram of our programmed beliefs and conditioned responses, just like in the MATRIX films. Truth can be experienced by surrendering all of our beliefs about what we think is true. By not knowing, we will know. By seeing without judging, we will know truth.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Meditation

Asakusa Festival, Japan

There are so many distractions and there is so much noise in our daily lives that it is difficult to appreciate stillness and silence. The media and information that inundates us every day rattles our brains.

If we take a few minutes of every day to simply sit in silence, everything will be different. There will still be the noise, but we will be less affected by it. We will be bemused by it instead of it carrying us away. We will choose to watch a pigeon or an insect, rather than the loudness of watching television. We will appreciate the simplicity of life. We will see through the conditioned layer of society to the inner core of our being. When we quiet the mind, thoughts that we have been avoiding come to the surface: thoughts that make us uncomfortable, thoughts that make us angry, thoughts that make us afraid. We acknowledge these thoughts without judgment and release them.

Let's choose stillness.

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Gratitude

Waihihi Bay, Bay of Islands, New Zealand

It always comes back to gratitude. It is the key to fulfillment and abundance. When we are constantly striving and desiring more, we are reinforcing our feelings of lack and we will always be frustrated and unfulfilled. When we surrender our envy, desire and ambition, and feel grateful for our many blessings, everything comes to us naturally. We are humbled by the richness in our lives.

Let's be grateful for all that is.