Thursday, December 29, 2016

The Observer

Phantom

Do we sometimes (or often) feel a general sense of unease, as if something bad has happened or is going to happen?  Do we feel overwhelmed by all of the information we receive and decisions we have to make in a single day?  Do we sometimes feel like the deck is stacked against us, and that we are unable to find happiness or connect with people?

Stop.  Surrender.  Allow.

We do not have to look for a solution, because we are the solution.  We do not have to find what we are looking for because we are what we are looking for.  By observing our feelings and thoughts instead of reacting to them, they lose the intensity of their hold on us and easily pass through us.

What is destroying our mood is our instantaneous knee jerk reaction to a thought or feeling.  Our body constricts and the negative thoughts start to feed upon themselves.  We start spinning and the unease increases.  Our constricted bodies also accelerate the negative feelings.  We end up anxious and frustrated.

If we observe our thoughts or feelings without reacting, they soon pass like clouds moving across the sky.  The observer is who we really are.  When we are in a state of observing instead of reacting, we are in a state of peace, love, joy and freedom.

There is nothing that anyone can say to convince someone of the truth of this.  However, it is easy enough to try.  If we try it, we will soon see results when we experience "negative" events, thoughts or feelings.

Let's observe instead of reacting.


Sunday, December 11, 2016

Mindfulness

The Other Venice

How often do we actually pay attention to what we are doing?  Are we remembering past events with regret or wishing things would turn out a certain way in the future?  When someone is speaking to us, are we listening or waiting to say something?

So much of our thoughts are consumed with remembering the past or imagining the future with dread or hope that we lose sight of what is happening to us in the present moment.  We are sleepwalking through life.  Since our thoughts consist of lies and do not help us with our present situation, our time and energy is wasted.  We are missing out on the grace and beauty of Life.  Not to mention all the miracles we could be experiencing.

When we slow down and pay attention to what is happening in the present moment, we are in harmony with our Divine nature.  We see the beauty in small things.  We experience the peace which comes from slowing down and paying attention.  We are more productive.

Let's be mindful of what we are doing.


Sunday, December 4, 2016

Presence

Venus over Santa Monica Beach

It is extremely difficult to shed the belief systems which are so deeply ingrained in our consciousness.
We have been conditioned since birth to believe that we are a male or a female, of a certain age, of a certain religion, education, economic status, residence, political party, etc.  Each of these identities carries a complex and mandatory set of beliefs, which must be adhered to.

A series of thoughts emanates from these belief structures.  We have a constant internal mental monologue of thoughts, all arising from the belief systems which were created by our exposure to family, friends, teachers, the media and so on.

We maintain our identity and sense of safety from belonging to these various groups and belief systems.  However, most of these beliefs were not chosen by us and do not serve us.  Since these belief systems are built upon a foundation of lies, instead of feeling a sense of belonging and satisfaction, we are frustrated, angry and afraid.

What is the alternative?  We can live an authentic life of peace, joy, love and freedom by surrendering our beliefs and allowing Presence into our lives.  It takes courage and faith to take the leap away from our societal beliefs into the Unknown.  We believe that we will be lost without our identity.  We are afraid of losing what little we have.

We will not be lost.  We will not be alone.  When we surrender our beliefs and turn our awareness towards the Infinite Energy Source, it turns towards us to meet us.  In every single moment of our lives, God is whispering to us to join him/her.  God whispers, never shouts.  It can only be heard when we are still and quiet.  When our minds are filled with thoughts, we cannot hear the whispers.  When our awareness is in the present moment, we are in harmony with the Universe.  Things start to turn our way.  Good things happen unexpectedly.  We experience the peace, joy and love which are our natural state.

Let's turn our awareness away from thought and towards Presence.