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.