Choice

We have a choice.

We can choose to live a conditioned, unconscious life, living our life in accordance with what we have been taught, and attempt to meet the expectations that others have for us.

There is great comfort and safety in conforming to the beliefs of the various groups that we belong to, such as our religious organizations, our schools, our economic and geographic peer groups, our gender identity, etc. It is frightening to stray from the course that other group members follow.

Or we can be choose to be like Neo of THE MATRIX, and search for the truth of our existence and become conscious.

Some people have to reach a low point before they search for answers outside of their familiar beliefs. Others have a nagging thought that there is something more to life than following the path they were assigned, and have a consistent desire to find their own way.

Once we decide to seek a different path, the Universe will offer us the means to awake. Some of us read books, such as Eckhart Tolles', some attend alternative churches like Agape for inspiration. Some find peace by being in solitude or nature. The truth is all around us.

My favorite films are ones where the main character becomes conscious and learns how to love, like THE MATRIX, ON THE WATERFRONT, CASABLANCA, JERRY MAGUIRE, AS GOOD AS IT GETS, AMERICAN BEAUTY, SIXTH SENSE, THE YEAR OF LIVING DANGEROUSLY, etc.

We make the choice. The path we choose is ours alone. Let's create whatever life we choose to create.

Thought

If we pay attention to our thoughts, we will discover that 90% of them are gibberish. The problem is, this gibberish controls what we think, how we feel and what we do. Conditioned thinking is why we are so often angry and unhappy.

We can loosen the grip of our conditioned thoughts by bringing our attention to them without judgment. By becoming aware of our thinking, its ability to control us lessens. Once we realize that so much of our thoughts and beliefs are stale, silly and do not reflect what we want ourselves to be, we can release them.

Let's release our attachment to compulsive thinking by becoming aware of it.

Judgment

God does not make judgments. There is nothing that we can do to fall out of Grace.

We have complete freedom to live in harmony with our Divine Nature. Or we can continue to live unconsciously, experiencing the cycles of desire and frustration, elation and depression.

How do we know that our thoughts and actions are in alignment with our Divine Nature? We know that we are aligned with Source when our thoughts and actions bring us peace, love, and/or joy.

Let's choose.

Surrender

Our beliefs are created by programming that we are exposed to from birth by our families, schools, the media, etc. The programming is reinforced daily. We carry around stale beliefs which have been with us since childhood, and do not serve us anymore. The beliefs about our gender, our identity and judgments about other people and things limit our options and cut us off from the life force which is our true nature.

The old beliefs, which often operate below the level of consciousness, cause us to continually repeat patterns of behavior. We keep having the same reaction to situations until we break the cycle of our patterns by becoming aware of the underlying beliefs which control us.

It is time to let go of our stale beliefs which do not bring us what we want in life.

By bringing awareness to our thoughts, feelings and actions, we can release our beliefs and judgments and be aligned with the Infinite Energy Source, which is life itself. Our lives will become peaceful as we give up the things that frustrate and irritate us.

Let's surrender all of our judgments about people, situations, and ourselves and embody the peace which we crave. We no longer need to seek it as it is what we truly are.

Mindfulness

Are we aware of what we are doing? Do we examine our thoughts and feelings? Or do we sleepwalk through life like programmed robots, doing mindless activities and bouncing from envy to frustration, from elation to anger, from adoration to resentment.

Do we say what we mean? Does everything we do and say reflect our true intentions? Do our actions enhance our lives and the lives of others in a meaningful way?

We can break the bonds of our programming and conditioned responses by being aware of our actions, thoughts and emotions, without judgment. The light of awareness reprograms our lives and allows us to live in alignment with our true selves. Stale beliefs fall away, and peace, love and joy enter our lives.

Traditionally, in Japanese culture, people are mindful of every activity they do. They put their full attention to whatever they are doing and try to make it as perfect as possible.

We should be mindful in every activity as well. Every action and every thought should reflect our intentions.

Let's bring our attention to every activity we do. Let's be aware of our feet touching the ground when we walk, let's chew every bite of food that we eat and be grateful for the nutrition it provides.

Let's be present, beyond thought.

Peace

Living in a major city, it can be difficult to find peace. The constant noise and concrete contribute to feelings of unease and frustration. Many people living in close proximity with each other increases the chattering of our minds. Thoughts and beliefs are also constantly reinforced.

We can be peaceful in any situation by silencing the turmoil within us. We can be peaceful in any situation, on an isolated beach or on a crowded subway. We can silence the mind and not be lost in our thoughts by bringing our attention to our thoughts without judgment. Our attention is the light of awareness which dissolves stale thoughts and beliefs.

It requires courage and discipline. We have the courage to look at our thoughts and beliefs which have not been examined for a long time. There is nothing in our thoughts which can harm us. Some unexamined thoughts are painful. These thoughts are far more harmful to ourselves when we do not acknowledge them. They cause us to unconsciously live our lives in frustration and fear. By merely bringing our attention to these thoughts, they lose the power to control us and eventually dissolve.

We need discipline to consistently keep our focus on the moment despite the strong pull of outward distractions and inward unconscious thinking. It is like exercising a muscle. The more we practice being present, the easier it becomes.

Let's surrender to peace regardless of where we are or what circumstances we are in.

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.