Discipline

Sunset near Russell, Bay of Islands, New Zealand

There are three things necessary to become self-realized: desire, technique and discipline. If we do not have a very strong desire to become integrated, we will never overcome the present and historic pull of our compulsive thinking. The material world is designed to keep us from realizing who we really are. Our desire must be strong, sincere and consistent.

Once we have the desire, we need to utilize the simple tools to achieve oneness. When we become aware that our attention is lost in thought, we can bring our attention back to the present. Awareness is simply our attention without judgment. Actions such as meditation, yoga, being in nature can help us remain present.

Because the pull of compulsive thinking is so strong, we need discipline to continuously utilize the tools that we have every day.

Let's be present.

Peace

Sunset over Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown, New Zealand

It is easier to feel peaceful in nature. However, if we are lost in thought and not aware of the silence within us we will not experience peace. If our attention is on the present moment, we will feel peaceful in the middle of a crowded, noisy city.

Peace is not something to be sought in the outside world. We need to recognize it within ourselves.

Our addiction to compulsive thinking keeps us from being peaceful. By constantly drawing our attention away from our thoughts and towards being present, we will be one with our true nature.

Let's embody peace.

Being

If there was an activity which, by doing it a few minutes a day, would lower our blood pressure and make us healthier, would we do it? If there was an activity which would improve our relationships, would we find time to do it? What if this activity would make us happy and peaceful, and rid us of our depression, frustration and neuroses?

Unfortunately, there is no such activity which can achieve these results. However, there is a non-activity that will accomplish these things and more.

If we take only a few minutes a day to sit in stillness, all of these things will occur in our lives. Becoming aware of our breath, our thoughts and our emotions, without judgment, takes courage and discipline.

Numerous studies have proven that meditation lowers blood pressure, enhances health, and increases well-being.

Is it worth a few minutes out of our busy day to benefit every aspect of our lives and indeed change the world?

Let's allow ourselves the gift of stillness.

Silence

We are constantly distracted by television, the computer, music, idle chatter with friends, etc. The noise of the city is deafening. The media bombards us with advertising, publicity and sordid revelations about shallow celebrities.

It is not surprising that we are driven to desire and fear in a constant cycle of dissatisfaction and unease. The non-stop advertising from drug manufacturers is very well designed to keep us in a constant state of worry about our health and well being. The fast food industry makes sure that we will need the drugs that the pharmaceuticals sell.

The external noise creates the most disturbing noise of all, the noise within our heads. Our thoughts are programmed by the non-stop conditioning of input from the outside world.

We can free ourselves from this bondage of which we are scarcely aware, and transcend the noise and the never-ending cycles of fear and desire, boredom and escape.

We can rise above the noise by observing the noise within us and outside of us without judgment. By observing the noise, we break our attachment to the messages contained within it. We become comfortable with silence and lose the need to be distracted.

Let's embrace silence.