Integrity

Pohutukawa Tree, Coromandel, New Zealand

We are not living with integrity when our words or actiions are not consistent with our deeper being. If we feel hesitant, annoyed, frustrated or afraid, we are not in synch with who we are.

When we act in concert with our higher selves, we speak with authority, act with conviction and the energy flows through us.

If we are deciding between two courses of action, we should not try to figure out which we prefer. Thought can only get us so far. If we are still, we will make the right decision that will benefit ourselves and those around us.

Sometimes it is best to not make a decision and see how we feel when we awaken. Often it is the less obvious choice. If our decision brings us peace, makes us feel strong or feels right, we are making the right decision. If we decide based on what we think that other people expect, we are cutting ourselves off from the wisdom that resides within us.

Let's live life with integrity.

Enlightenment

Rangitoto, New Zealand

We believe that achieving enlightenment is impossible. We think that it has only happened a few times in history. Perhaps only Jesus, Buddha and a few gurus in India have achieved it. We believe that it takes years of being cut off from society, practicing meditation or yoga to even see a glimmer of it.

This is not true. The word "enlightenment," like the word "God," is so loaded with beliefs and judgments, that it is almost impossible to see the truth behind the concepts.

All that we have to do is to stop believing that we are what we think we are. We cannot think our way out of our problems, because our thoughts are the problem.

We need to have the courage to turn away from our thoughts, our stale beliefs, our expectations, our judgments and our labels that we use to define ourselves and the rest of the world, and open our eyes to what is.

We do this by bringing our attention to the present moment. It is simple, but it is not easy. It is like a muscle. The more we use it,the easier it becomes. And we will not be alone. The universal energy is waiting for us to awaken and will welcome us with open arms. Life will unfold before us in profound and unexpected ways. We will enmbark on a new adventure.

Millions of us are awakening all over the world. It does not matter what we call it. Enlightenment, awakening, self-realization, living mindfully. Words cannot describe it. It must be experienced to be understood.

Let's wake up to what is.

Life

Sunrise, Hana, Maui

We assume that life is one bad event after another, and that the universe is out to get us. We assume this because of our expectations and assumptions.

The world is a glorious place and life is joyous. We can recognize this by appreciating the simple things. Do we really need an impressive job and car to be happy, or are we actually covering up the fact that we feel inadequate without those things?

Once we stop striving and desiring more, more, more, we can begin to receive pleasure from all that life gives to us. The simple act of breathing and being alive is worthy of celebration. Walking in nature, watching the clouds move across the sky, or looking at the simplicity in which an animal interacts with its environment is joyous. Watching a bird in flight can be exhilarating. If we are thinking too hard about what we have to do tomorrow or worried about how we can afford the things we desire, we will never appreciate such a simple and beautiful thing as a bird flying.

Let's enjoy the simple things in life.

Freedom

Fletcher Bay, Coromandel, New Zealand

We are programmed robots. The sooner we realize this, the sooner we can choose to be free. We are living in THE MATRIX, except that instead of being programmed by machines, we are being programmed by society, with our acquiescence.

When we consider purchasing a product that we see on a commercial, we are being programmed. When we go to church, we are being programmed. When we go to the doctor, we are being programmed. When we gossip with friends, we are being programmed. When we watch a movie or a television show, we are being programmed. When we enter a supermarket or pharmacy we are being programmed. When we go to a wedding or a funeral, we are being programmed.

The first step towards breaking the cycle of programming is realizing that we are constantly being programmed. Then we can bring our attention to our thoughts and emotions without judgment. Our lives will then be in harmony with our true Selves and we will be acting in accordance with our life's purpose. Our neuroses, obsessions and fixations will begin to fade and a sense of calm will pervade our lives. For the first time, we will be free of the shackles of our conditioning.

Let's choose freedom.

Presence

Whangapoua Beach, Coromandel, New Zealand

Every moment of every day we make a choice. One choice brings us peace, love and joy. The other choice keeps us in a cycle of desire, fulfillment and frustration, anxiety and avoidance, fear and hope. We can choose to be identified with our thoughts and beliefs, or we can bring our awareness to the Present. There is no judgment. Either choice is fine. There is nothing we can do that will cause us to fall from Grace.

We choose whether we know it or not.

Let's choose consciously.

Being

Long Bay, Coromandel, New Zealand

Is it worth it? Is it worth giving up all of our thoughts and beliefs about ourselves, our desires, our likes and dislikes and our social identities? If we are generally contented, our relationships are satisfying, we are passionate about our careers there is no need to change anything as we are already living in harmony.

However, if we are often unhappy, frustrated and angry, dissatisfied with our lives and wish that there was another way to live, there is! We can change in an instant. We only have to be who we truly are, not who we think we are.

By bringing our attention away from compulsive thinking and towards the present moment, our lives will be in harmony with the infinite energy source, which is what we are. We will experience the peace, love and joy which cannot be taught or understood through thought. It can only be experienced by surrendering to the now.

Let's be what we really are.

Meditation

Kamakura, Japan

Over time, stress builds on itself until we have layer upon layer of unresolved issues. It causes us to lose perspective and view the world as our enemy. We are often not even aware it. It can kill us and, at the very least, causes nervousness, anger, frustration and unhappiness.

The quickest way to relieve stress is through meditation. It is quicker than any other activity, including exercise, being in nature, talking to a psychiatrist, etc. Of course, meditation is not an activity. It is the opposite of activity. It is stillness. It is being. Thirty minutes of meditation can release a lifetime of stress. If we incorporate a daily practice into our lives, everything will be better. We will be relaxed, think clearly, and always keep things in perspective. People will react differently to us, as we react differently to them. We will see the beauty in simple, every day things. We will treat our loved ones and ourselves better.

Study after study has proven that meditation has an enormous beneficial effect on our health and well-being. How do we meditate? It is easy, but not simple. It is like a muscle. The more we exercise it, the better it is. We can sit with our back stright and bring our attention to our breathing. As our mind wanders and we are distracted, we gently bring our attention back to our breathing, without judgment of any kind.

Let's have the discipline and the courage to be still in meditation.