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 This is an outdated and superficial description.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.