tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70641123765506410682024-02-20T02:10:51.996-05:00The 5 GiftsThe 5 Giftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09606410078970346085noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7064112376550641068.post-17958036147663963632011-08-13T11:48:00.000-04:002011-08-13T11:48:31.015-04:00I want to Live until I die<br />
I find myself looking squarely at the possibility of my own death. Last month, the cancer in my body almost killed me. Twice. Most people who have cancer as advanced as is in my body don't live very long. I am fully aware of the danger of this disease.<br />
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I also know that I came into this world to be an agent for good. I am here to make the world a better place. In the context of this mission, my death right now would be meaningless. <br />
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If I die now, people will be sad. Among those closest to me there might be some long lasting hurts. But everyone would, I hope, in time, reconcile the pain and move on. Any positive impact I could have in this world would cease.<br />
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My death would be of no benefit to anyone. I can't do good in the world by dying. Only by living in this world can I make things better, can I have a positive impact, can I express and fulfill the mission that brought me here. So, I choose to live. <br />
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People talk of dying very casually. "Anyone of us could die at any time," is a common aphorism. True. But this is a theoretical understanding, and it is different and somehow less tangible than the very real possibility of death faced by one who has a serious illness. When one has a life-threatening illness, the reality of death becomes, by necessity, more serious. Thoughts of death become more common and more real. In my case, I find myself thinking about death too much. I've fallen into a trap of dwelling on death rather than focussing on living. The more I think about death, the less I think about life. I call this trap "dying before I die." By dwelling too much on death, it is easy to forget about living.<br />
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I want to live until I die. I may have 30 days or 30 years. I want to fill the time I have with living. Death will come when it comes, there is no need to dwell upon it until then. My focus is on living, and on fully engaging in the life and time I have remaining.<br />
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I'm delighted to be alive. And I intend to live.<br />
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Namaste<br />
Joe<br />
The 5 Giftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09606410078970346085noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7064112376550641068.post-5143482163881776072011-07-14T23:19:00.000-04:002011-07-14T23:19:22.256-04:00Thank-you for the LoveIt is now 8 days since I had surgery, and I'm becoming cognitively capable of sharing with you again. I want to share with you what happened just as I went into surgery.<br />
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As I was drifting away under the anesthesia, there was a brief terrifying moment when I realized that I would soon experience a period of time, measures in days, where I would lose all capacity to act or think on my own behalf. Soon, I would lose every skill and strength I had in this world. Then, as physical sensation departed, and thought began to drift away, the self that remained, the true self that remains when all else is stripped away, this self felt something. It was like a cushion of air, only it was more palpable and powerful than the brick and steel of the hospital building I knew my body was in. <br />
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This "cushion" was love, the love generated by all of the blessings and prayers and thoughts that were being sent to me by all of the people who cared. And, I knew then, with a knowing beyond thought, that love was the most powerful energy in the universe, and that this love I was receiving would nurture and sustain me through the surgery and difficult time that followed.<br />
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And now I know, in a knowing beyond words, that love, your love, the love you sent to me, is what sustained me. Without your love, I would not have made it through.<br />
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My heart is bursting with gratitude. I'm happy to still be here. And I know what got me through - your love.<br />
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Thank-you for the love.<br />
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Namaste<br />
JoeThe 5 Giftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09606410078970346085noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7064112376550641068.post-49210316502642470122011-07-04T23:23:00.000-04:002011-07-04T23:23:23.986-04:00Surrender to Grace<div style="background-color: transparent; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.20218751137144864" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">4 July 2011</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Independence day? Hardly. Today is about surrender. I'm in surgery prep, including a bowel cleanse - very unpleasant. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I'm also spending the time writing, meditating, and communicating with family. It's a good day.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I realize that I must, for the next few days, completely surrender. Once the surgery starts, I will be asleep. Even when I awake, I will be physically weakened, and cognitively impaired by the medications. For some time, I will be unable to help myself in any way. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the past, this would have scared me deeply, and I would be lying if I said I had no anxiety today. I do. At the same time, I feel myself uplifted by grace, and I see divine grace everywhere.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I see grace in the skillful surgeon's hands.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I see grace in the knowledge and commitment of the professionals who will be caring for me while I'm in the hospital.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I see grace in the loving support I've received from Cathy and my family, and in the blessings and prayers I've received from many, many people.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And I see grace in the innate healing capacity and impulse that is within me, that I know will begin to take me along a path to healing, even before I'm able to assert myself.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I feel showered in grace, and I'm grateful to be able to surrender, and to know that grace will sustain me, and that all will unfold as it should.</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Namaste</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Joe</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></div>The 5 Giftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09606410078970346085noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7064112376550641068.post-90189185275285927972011-06-28T10:06:00.000-04:002011-06-28T10:06:15.959-04:00Illness as a Gift<div style="background-color: transparent; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.9949505557306111" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Seeing Illness as a Gift</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It has been a couple of weeks since I received a tumor diagnosis, and much has happened in that time. Most importantly, I've come to be at peace with what's happening. My spiritual practice has become stronger, and I've gained some powerful insights. I want to share one with you today.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I've come to see this illness as a gift.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Now, let me be clear. I would not choose to have cancer, and I certainly wouldn't wish it on anyone else. It is one of the leading causes of death in our culture. I recognize that I need to respond actively and energetically to this illness, and I'm doing just that. My intention is to heal, and I'm acting on this intention.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At the same time, I'm living in this moment, and in each moment, with this tumor. I see it as a gift from the divine source. Everything comes from this same source, and everything we receive is a gift of love and grace. I know this, with a knowing that is beyond thinking. And I know that when I say "everything," it doesn't mean "everything except the things I don't like." Everything, even this, is a gift from the divine source.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Beyond this understanding, I've come to see this illness as a blessing in many ways. Here are a few examples:</span><ul><li style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have received an outpouring of support from family, friends, students, and even some people I don't know very well. I feel immersed in love and grace, and for this I am grateful.</span></li>
<li style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This condition has drawn my wife and I closer to each other, and for this I'm grateful.</span></li>
<li style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have become more present in each moment, and for this I am grateful.</span></li>
<li style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I know that many people with cancer suffer horrible pain. I'm fortunate: the pain I've experienced has been easily managed with simple breathwork, magnetics and modest amounts of over-the-counter medication. For this I'm grateful.</span></li>
<li style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This situation has been a catalyst for my spiritual growth - growth in awareness, and for this I'm grateful.</span></li>
<li style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have experienced wonderful care from healthcare professionals and those in the healing arts, and I'm grateful for this.</span></li>
<li style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have learned so much more about wellness, nutrition and healing, and for this I am grateful.</span></li>
</ul><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">These are just a few of the many blessings I've received as a result of this illness. With so many blessings, my heart is filled with gratitude. Each moment is filled with grace.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This illness is a gift.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Namaste </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Joe</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></span></div>The 5 Giftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09606410078970346085noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7064112376550641068.post-37891539630769801382011-06-20T11:54:00.000-04:002011-06-20T11:54:41.877-04:00HealingHealing and the Five Gifts<br />
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I am writing this at the beginning of my healing path. Let me explain. Over the past month, I've experienced a lot of discomfort and pain. I sought and received the benefits of some healing arts, and I worked on the discomfort in my yoga practice. Yet, the incidents of pain grew more frequent and more acute. A few days ago, I went to a doctor, and, after a series of tests, I was given a diagnosis of a 9 cm renal mass, which is a large tumor on a kidney. This diagnosis makes one thing very clear: I need to find a path to healing.<br />
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Healing is needed whenever something is out of alignment or amiss within ourselves. We tend to think of healing as a process that occurs in the body, which is true. It is also true that we can be out of alignment energetically, in our thoughts, or in spirit. Any and all of these misalignments require healing.<br />
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For me, the first step to finding a path to healing is acceptance of what is. Would I prefer that circumstances were different? Sure. Yet, here I am, in this moment, and this is what's showing up for me. I could pretend this isn't happening, or become angry, upset or frightened. All of these are choices in how I respond to this situation. But, none of these reactions is very useful. The best response is to realize that what is, is. Accepting this, I can calmly seek understanding and map out the best path forward.<br />
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I'm finding it helpful, also, to use an understanding of the five gifts as a model for viewing my current situation. For example, western medicine focussed almost entirely on the structures of the gift of the physical body. The diagnosis I received from my family doctor and the medical testing is essentially an abnormality in the structure of one of the organs in my body - the kidney. The medical approach is to remove or eliminate the abnormality. In my case, the doctors are saying surgery is the answer to this problem. This is one solution, from one point of view.<br />
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The five gifts reminds me that there are other perspectives as well. The physical body is one gift we've received, and examining the structures of the body is one lens through which we gain understanding. The gift of life is another lens, another perspective. Looking through this lens, we see ourselves as an energy system. There is movement and energy flow, a dynamic and ever-changing picture. Life animates our bodies and communicates through our emotions. When the energy flow is constricted, trapped or blocked, we experience dis-ease. The solution from an energy practitioner - an acupuncturist, reiki master, reflexologist, ayervedic physician, or one of many other healing modalities - is to un-block the energy flow to allow healing to occur. Emotional intelligence is also a tool for healing that focusses on the gift of life. Louise Hay's wonderful book, <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1561706280/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=jo04e-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1561706280">You can Heal Your Life</a></i>, gives us powerful insights into how our emotions - especially ones we harbor for long times - cause illness that manifest in the body.<br />
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Looking through the lens of the gift of thought, we gain another insight into dis-ease and healing. Our thoughts lead to emotions, which have powerful impact on our energy wellness. What's more, our thoughts guide our use of the physical body, and our thought habits directly affect the micro, cellular and macro-structures of the body. Mindfulness is a powerful healing approach. Many people, most notably <a href="http://www.eomega.org/omega/faculty/viewProfile/a274a257be0c65faeca0ec1277c22ec1/?content=PPC&source=1G.SEF.KBZNJ.bio&gclid=CP6g5_HYxKkCFUlx5Qod2SsXgg">Jon Kabat-Zinn</a>, have been working to integrate mindfulness practice with western medicine, with positive results.<br />
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The gift of awareness is a high-powered lens, the most powerful one within our dominion. Present moment awareness is inclusive, integrative, holistic. By being present, in the here and now, and by accepting what is in this moment, we are able to guide our thoughts, emotions, energy, and actions along a holistic healing path. Two examples from my own case are illustrative. First, all of the medical scans and tests I've had over the past few days have been physically and energetically challenging, and seem to have produced a torrent of bad news. Through awareness, I've been able to remain grounded and calm, and not get swept away by the negativity. Secondly, my awareness practice - meditation and yoga - has helped me to reduce the pain, calm and expand the breath, and clear the mind. <br />
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The gift of divine grace is the most powerful source of healing. Indeed, it is the only source. All healing comes from this gift. The surgeon's skill, the reiki master's hands, the healing ideas we receive, even our own being - all are manifestations of divine grace. We cannot harness this power. This gift is not ours to control. What we can do is ask for grace, and open to it, receiving whatever the divine universe sends our way. When I open to grace, I see this tumor as a gift of grace, sent into this world to help me, and others around me. I'm grateful for it. And when I ask the divine source, "guide me," I begin to see the path I must follow to healing.<br />
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So, what do I do with these views, the five lenses that help me to see what is? I create a multi-dimensional path to healing. Within the gift of the physical body, I see that surgery is likely to be necessary. The physical body has enormous self-healing capacity, but this capacity is over-stressed by such a large tumor within the body. It will be helpful to remove the tumor, and allow the healing powers of the body to flourish.<br />
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Through the lens of the gift of life, I see that the tumor is alive, consuming Prana and other energy in an unnatural, unhealthy way. I need to reinvigorate and nourish my life energy system, through reiki, acupuncture, or other energy-centered healing modalities. And, I need to clear away the emotional energy - anger, shame, frustration and hatred - that are blocking the flow of healing energy.<br />
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The gift of thought gives me the ability to discern and decide what information is helpful, and what is not. Through the lens of thought, I put the puzzle pieces together, choosing what healing approaches I will do, and which ones I will abandon. And as I discern the success of the steps I'm taking, I can adjust my approach in each moment.<br />
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The gift of awareness allows me to see and guide my use of thought. Through awareness I can let go of thoughts that resist my progress or disempower me, while allowing thoughts that support and nurture me to dwell in my mind. Also, through awareness, I see the whole picture. I see myself as a whole, healthy person, in the present moment. I guide all of my resources toward an outcome of wholeness and wellness.<br />
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When I awaken to the gift of grace, the right path is revealed to me, and I am able to walk the path in gratitude and peace. With each step I take, I trust that the next one will be revealed. I experience many gifts of grace along the way.<br />
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My intent is to do all of these things, simultaneously, in each moment, and as time progresses. I accept all of the gifts I receive with gratitude. The result is simple and profound: healing.<br />
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I am deeply honored to meet you along this life path. I'm grateful to each of you for the support and love you've offered me. Be well. I'll see you along the way.<br />
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Namaste<br />
JoeThe 5 Giftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09606410078970346085noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7064112376550641068.post-17440600627583482402011-05-22T09:56:00.000-04:002011-05-22T09:56:08.508-04:00Conditions of Thought<b>Conditions of Thought</b><br />
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Much of what we do in meditation practice is about breaking our patterns of thought. In my view, spiritual growth comes through recognizing the limits of our thinking, and transcending these limits. When we do, we experience the gift of awareness, unencumbered by thought.<br />
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In meditation classes, I'm often asked, "why is it so hard to clear the mind? Why is it such a challenge to stop the incessant stream of thinking, or, at least, to stop being taken over by thought?" The answer to these questions comes from understanding the mechanisms of thought, and how our thoughts are conditioned. When we understand how our thoughts work, we are better able to make choices in our use of thought.<br />
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The first key to understanding is to be clear about where thought comes from. In the west, the popular idea is that thought originates in the brain. This is untrue. Thought originates in the same source of all the gifts we receive - divine consciousness. The gift of thought is a subtle energy that is offered to us to help us comprehend our existence in this world. The brain is the physical anchor for thought, the receiving mechanism. I think of the brain as a complex sensing organ, like the eyes. Our eyes sense electromagnetic energy - light - and the visual cortex processes the eye inputs into images of what we see. But we know that there is a vast spectrum of EM energy that we don't see. In fact, the visible light that we can see is a tiny slice of the entire spectrum. What's more, the processing of the images by the visual cortex adds another filtering layer, further limiting what we perceive. This process is necessary, to avoid sensory overload. What we need to remember is this: we don't see most of what is there. Much of the spectrum is invisible to our eyes, and most of what is visible is filtered out as unimportant, so we don't see it.<br />
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Our thoughts work by a similar mechanism. Thought is another energy spectrum, analogous to, but not the same as the light spectrum. Thought energy is all around us, and thought energy comes into the space in our awareness we call the mind. But, not all thought energy can be received and processed by the mind. Some thought energy lies outside the range of our minds, just like some electromagnetic energy is outside the visible range of our eyes. Many more thoughts simply don't pass through the mind's filtering mechanism. These thoughts are accessible to us, but we remain unaware of them. Many thoughts that pass us by unawares would not be useful to us anyway, so no harm done. Yet, some thoughts that are filtered out may be creative and useful - we simply never know. What's more, when our mind is crowded with conditioned thinking, new ideas are blocked, limiting our access to creative thought.<br />
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The challenge, put simply, is that the filtering process happens automatically, unconsciously, and as a result of our conditioning. Where does this conditioning come from? Many sources: thousands of years of human evolution have conditioned us to think as we do. Early humans lacked the physical strength and speed to survive in the natural world. Only by outsmarting predators and creative use of resources did humanity manage to thrive. So, naturally, much of our conditioned thinking patterns are survival-oriented. For each of us, our cultural and family influences have conditioned our thinking, in ways we barely know. And the individual circumstances and experiences in our lives, especially in childhood, have a powerful impact on our thought-filtering processes. All of these conditioning affects - human evolution, cultural norms, and childhood experience - combine to create a set of filters that determine what thoughts enter our awareness, and which do not.<br />
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We should note that this conditioning has a physical basis, too. Neural scientists tell us that, over time, our thought patterns become 'wired' into the neural network. The network of connections between neurons determines what thought signals our brain is most likely to receive, and conditioning over time causes some connections to be very stable. The brain, as a sensing organ, is more able to capture and process thoughts and ideas that match these more stable neural connections. Thoughts that don't match are less likely to get through.<br />
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So, is our thinking just a product of our conditioning? No. While it is true that much of our thinking happens automatically as the result of unconscious conditioning, it is also true that the brain is highly plastic, and we can break the patterns of thinking. Through the gift of awareness, we can observe the stream of thoughts that enter the mind space, notice the patterns, and change them.<br />
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The gift of awareness expands beyond the limits of thought. In meditation, we become centered in this gift. It then becomes possible to notice the thoughts that pass through the mind-space. Centered in awareness, we aren't controlled or defined by thought. We simply observe them. Is this always possible? No, of course not. Meditation is a practice, and with practice we become more awareness-centered, and more able to observe the stream of thought. Meditation is not the only path to awareness, but it is very powerful.<br />
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Take time each day to be silent and observe the thoughts as they enter and pass through the mind. Notice the patterns, the conditioned thinking. With practice, you begin to see the spaces between thoughts. And, you begin to be able to choose what thoughts you dwell on, and what thoughts you let go of. Choose to dwell on thoughts that empower and evolve you, and let go of the ones that are not useful. In this way, you re-condition you thinking to support and nurture your self.<br />
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Namaste<br />
JoeThe 5 Giftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09606410078970346085noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7064112376550641068.post-37953876136927885382011-04-20T15:00:00.000-04:002011-04-20T15:00:58.451-04:0011 Wellness Habits<i>A special note to readers of this blog. I am very excited to announce that my new book: <b>The Five Gifts: Experiencing the Divine in Everyday Life</b> has been published by Balboa Press, and is now available in paperback. Electronic versions are still in the works, and will be available, soon. Learn more at <a href="http://the5gifts.com/">www.the5gifts.com</a>. Namaste, Joe.</i><br />
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<b>11 Wellness Habits</b><br />
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In a recent wellness course I led, we talked about how we can improve our wellness by moving away from habits that weaken us, and creating new habits that strengthen and support wellness. Lately I have been thinking about the habits I want to cultivate. I've decided to share these ideas with you, to help you enhance your well-being. Using the Five Gifts as a guide, here are 11 wellness habits that will empower your life.<br />
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<b>The Gift of Divine Grace</b><br />
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Habit #1: Intention<br />
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Divine consciousness is the source of all that is manifest, including all of the gifts we receive. When we wish to manifest something new, the most powerful approach is to return to the source. We do this through intention. Intention is more than just setting goals. With intention, we place our wishes in the field of consciousness that creates each moment, and we allow the outcome to unfold in this field of intention. Cultivate this habit by creating a short list (not more than 5) of what you wish to see manifested, and review this list each morning, offering your intentions to the divine source. Here's an example of an intention I express each day: <i>Divine Spirit, make of me an open channel of love and grace, and let divine grace flow through me into this world.</i><br />
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Habit #2: Gratitude<br />
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We could define intention as asking for the gift of divine grace, and gratitude is receiving this gift. Gratitude opens the channel, allowing the fountain of grace to flow freely to us. With gratitude, we simply acknowledge the gifts we have received as coming from the divine source. Since all that we are and all that we have comes from this source, we can express gratitude for anything and everything. Cultivate this habit by ending each day with an expression of gratitude for the gifts in your life. And, when you receive something new - perhaps in response to your intention - be thankful. Here's an example. This past week I was pondering what to write next in this blog, and I asked for guidance. This morning, the ideas you are reading now came to me in a flash of insight, along with the impulse to share them. I recognize this insight as a gift of grace, and am thankful, as I write, for the capacity to express them.<br />
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<b>The Gift of Awareness</b><br />
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Habit #3: Be Present in this Moment<br />
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Much of what we do in meditation and spiritual practice is about cultivating the habit of present moment awareness. Practice is necessary because we have many influences that take us out of this moment. While it is useful to think about the past and the future, dwelling on such thoughts only serves to cloud our awareness in the present. Many of our daily activities - driving, watching TV, surfing the internet (yes, that includes this blog!), working with numbers, and much more - draw us into a mind-space that is disconnected from the present moment. What's more, we live in a culture that is thought-centered, and not grounded in the now. Cultivate the habit of presence by practicing silence every day. This does not need to take a lot of time - a ten-minute meditation is a very powerful practice if done each day. Also, find moments during the busy day to pause and return to the present. I find that I can do this while stopped at a red light. I pause, breathe, become aware of my body, quiet the mind, and allow myself to simply be.<br />
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Habit #4: See the Divine Light in Other People<br />
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Twenty-plus years of exploring spiritual traditions from around the world has helped me recognize a common thread in the messages of the great spiritual teachers. Now, my personal theology can be stated in the following simple phrase: <i>Each of us is a unique and beautiful expression of the divine source, and we all share the same divine light.</i>. When we are centered in the gift of awareness, we feel the glow of grace within ourselves, and we can see this same glow in others. Even persons who commit horrible acts have this light within them, though they may not be able to see it. Our task is to see it in everyone. This is the key to all relationships. And, this is the habit that allows for non-violent conflict resolution. When we recognize the light in others as the same light within ourselves, we no longer have any harmful intent. Not everyone will acknowledge this shared light, so those of us who see our lives as a journey of the spirit must lead the way. Cultivate the habit of seeing with the heart more than the eyes. And at times when you can't - maybe somebody just cut you off in traffic - remind yourself that, even when you can't see the light in another person, it is still there.<br />
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<b>The Gift of Thought</b><br />
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Habit #5: Understand the Usefulness and the Limits of Thought<br />
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In the book <i><a href="http://the5gifts.com/">The Five Gifts</a></i> I describe the uses of thought as the four D's - discern, describe, design and decide. These thought uses help us to comprehend the world we live in, and our own experience. From the gift of thought, we get language, which allows us to communicate our ideas to others. Everything written in this blog is created and understood in thought. Through the gift of thought, we can set intention, make plans, and choose actions that will move us in the direction of our goals. Thought is a very powerful gift. Yet, thought has limits, and it is a good idea to be aware of the limits of thought. When we use thought to judge others, we are mis-using this gift. Furthermore, when we allow our thoughts to define us, we are creating limits for ourselves. Thought can become a straight jacket which binds and limits the spirit. So, cultivate the habit of recognizing when your thinking is useful, and when it is not. Meditation practice is helpful, here; in meditation, we learn to observe the stream of thought that enters into the mind space, and to choose to let go of the thoughts that don't serve us, while dwelling on thoughts that empower us. Take a few moments throughout the day to be present and observe the thoughts that you are experiencing. Notice when thought serves you and when it doesn't. And, practice replacing non-useful thoughts with ones that nurture and empower you.<br />
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<b>The Gift of Life</b><br />
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Habit #6: Breath Awareness<br />
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We all know that we need to breath to survive. Without oxygen, the body will fail to support life in a few minutes. Yet, the breath is more than just a source of oxygen for the body. In the ancient tradition of India, where yoga originates, the breath is called <i>prana</i>, or life energy. The breath is our connection to life itself, the gift of life that animates all living things, including us. When we are aware of the breath, we can choose to move the breath with intention, and thereby expand our access to this empowering energy field. Cultivating this habit is fairly easy. Take a few moments throughout the day to simply be aware of the breath. When you do, if you find that the breath is shallow or ragged, consciously expand the breath, making the flow long and gentle. Breath for five cycles of the breath, making each breath longer and deeper than the one before it; use this simple approach several times a day. You can also learn many techniques of breath expansion - called <i>pranayama</i> in yoga. Use these techniques in your daily practice, and remember to be aware of the breath all day long.<br />
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Habit #7: Movement<br />
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We live in a sedentary society. Much has been written about the negative impact of this lifestyle on our physical health, and I won't repeat it here. My point is this: we are given the gift of life, which is a moving, flowing energy. To fully experience the delight of this gift, we must move. What's more, the life energy must move, to keep us alive. When energy stops moving, it ceases to be energy. Our bodies are designed to move, and when we move well, we expand the gift of life and empower our wellness. The best way to cultivate this habit of healthy movement is to practice yoga. I say this, not only because <a href="http://yoga.joehahnryt.com/">I am a yoga teacher</a>, but because I have seen the powerful wellness benefits of yoga in my own life, and in the students who come to my classes. Cultivate this habit of moving well by learning yoga. (There are, of course, other practices like Qi Gong, T'ai Chi, etc., that you can learn that are healthy movement practices. Yoga is the one I know best.). <a href="http://yoga.joehahnryt.com/">Take a yoga class</a>. Learn to move with healthy alignment, and with the movement of the breath. And, practice each day. Fifteen minutes of yoga each morning will energize you for the day. You may choose to pursue a more rigorous practice, too. My yoga practice is 60 minutes, 3 to 4 times per week, plus 15 to 30 minutes on other days. And, you can move with the breath all day long. For example, in the time I have been writing this, I have stopped twice to stand an move a bit. It has helped me stay focussed, and kept the energy flowing.<br />
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Habit #8: Water for Wellness<br />
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In the Holistic Wellness workshops that I teach, I often say, "water is the most important substance you put into your body." So, why do I talk about water here, instead of as part of the physical body? Actually, I had a difficult time deciding where to best fit this habit into the model of the five gifts. Since 60 to 70% of our physical bodies are water, this habit has a profound physical impact. Beyond the physical, water is essential for life. Water is key to movement, and the dynamic life processes within the body cannot take place without water. What's more the work of <a href="http://www.hado.net/">Masaru Emoto</a> shows us that water is the medium for awareness within us. The water we drink affects our life energy field, our thoughts, even our awareness. Again, I say that water is the most important substance you take in. Cultivate the habit of water for wellness by making sure your water is fresh and clean. Don't drink unfiltered tap water, or water that is stored in plastic bottles. (In my opinion, bottled water is worse than tap water, and there is lots of research to support this. So, don't drink bottled water.) And, remember that most other drinks are not good substitutes for water. So, drink water. Pure and simple. <a href="http://resourceforwellness.com/water">Here's a link that can help you understand water better</a>.<br />
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<b>The Gift of the Physical Body</b><br />
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Habit #9: Create Body Balance<br />
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I don't like to talk about diet or weight loss, because much of the diet discussion in our culture leads to unhealthy habits. We have an excessively thin ideal of what is healthy, and, at the same time, we have an obesity epidemic. Both of these extremes are caused by the way we eat and the ideas we have about food. Both are out of balance. Each of us has an optimum body weight, which we achieve by creating a balance between what we eat and what our body needs. Creating body balance is a dynamic process; our ideal weight can and should change over time. Our physical bodies are in constant, dynamic exchange with the environment. Molecules and atoms come and go with each breath and in each moment. Over a couple of years, every atom in our bodies is replaced. We can't control this process - in fact, we are usually completely unaware of it. What we can do is take in what is needed to keep the body in balance. Nutrition is the source for the building blocks of the molecular structures of the physical body. Contrary to popular ideas, food is not only about calorie needs. Cultivate this habit be eating only what you body needs to be in dynamic balance. Organic, natural whole foods and supplements are the best sources for your body's nutrition. Avoid putting toxins in the body. This includes alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, refined sugars, and the artificial sweeteners, flavors and colors found in processed foods. All of these are all toxic, creating imbalance in the body. What's more, over-eating creates imbalance, too. Eat to create balance. <br />
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Habit #10: Alignment of the Structures<br />
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The gift of the physical body is consciousness expressed as structures: macro structures, cellular structures, and molecular structures. Much of what we discussed for habit #9 is about molecular structures, so I won't repeat it here. But what about the macro structures of the body? Clearly, are bodies are designed to be a certain way, and when we align the structures of the body with their intended design, we experience greater wellness. How do we do this? Through our yoga practice. I know, I talked about yoga as a movement habit, and it is. Yoga is also an alignment practice. When we learn the alignment principles of yoga, we can apply them in all movement, on and off the yoga mat. Make sure the yoga you study includes an understanding of alignment. Anusara and Iyengar styles are both steeped in alignment, as are other yoga styles. Make this part of your daily practice.<br />
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<b>And, finally...</b><br />
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Habit #11: Take a Holistic Approach <br />
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One of the challenges we face in using the five gifts as a model for wellness, is our propensity to see the elements of the model as separate from each other. In our culture, we are steeped in the scientific method, which breaks everything down to its component parts to facilitate understanding. Looking at the different parts is useful. But, we must not carry this view too far. Remember that there are no separations. It is only our thoughts that perceive divisions. All of the five gifts are inseparable from the whole, and the whole is who you are. What happens in your body affects your life, thoughts and awareness. Your wellness is a whole-person affair. Keep this perspective as you move along your path to greater wellness. <br />
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Be well. Thanks for reading. Please share any comments you may wish.<br />
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Namaste<br />
Joe<br />
<a href="http://the5gifts.com/">http://the5gifts.com</a>The 5 Giftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09606410078970346085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7064112376550641068.post-87347615454981538282011-04-07T07:33:00.000-04:002011-04-07T07:33:15.131-04:00Never Judge the Day by the Weather<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Never judge the day by the weather" - Earl Nightengale</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I first heard this years ago, listening to one of Earl Nightengale's many recordings, and then, as now, it struck me as very powerful advice. The weather is a metaphor for that which is not ours to control. This includes most everything that happens to us. Mr. Nightengale's message is that, since we can't control what happens to us, we ought not let what happens control us. If we allow the weather to determine how we feel, then we will feel bad about half the time. What's more, since there is almost always something to complain about, if we allow what happens to determine our mood, we'll spend most of our time in a bad mood.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Recently I have come to appreciate this metaphor with a deeper meaning than when I first heard it years ago. It is easy for us to see the uncontrollable effects of external phenomena like the weather. But, what about our inner world</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">? What about the "inner weather," as <a href="http://www.tarabrach.com/">Tara Brach</a> puts it. Are we any more in control of what happens inside us than we are of what happens outside? We like to think so, but I am not so sure. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We cannot, for example, control what happens within our bodies. Most processes within the body - digestion, circulation, immune function, temperature regulation, waste removal, cell replication, and so on - happen automatically. We can't control these, even if we want to. What's more, the molecules and atoms of your body are in constant exchange with the environment around you. You are completely unaware of this exchange, and it is totally beyond your control. Your physical body is a gift for you to use, but what happens within your body is like the weather - mostly beyond your control.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We experience more inner weather with the gift of life. Our emotions are an important element of life's survival mechanism. We are designed to react to what happens as if our life depends upon it. In humanity's past, survival depended on the speed and energy (emotion) of a person's reaction. Now, for most of us, the most life-threatening activity we have is driving. Yet, we still have the same survival reactions of our ancestors. Can we control our emotions? No. We can surpress them, ignore them, or allow them to control us. Or, we can simply acknowledge that our feelings simply happen. Emotions are there to tell us something, and to enhance our life experience. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">All in all, we have very little control of our lives. We don't get to decide when life begins, when it ends, or most of what happens in between these two times. Life energy flows through and animates our bodies in ways we barely understand, and this life is certainly not under our control. Life is a gift we receive, for our joyful experience. It is very much like the weather.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well, at least we can control our thoughts, right? Can we? Not in my experience. Thoughts come into the mind-field from a place beyond our control. Our brains are tuned to receive certain thoughts, and we tend to dwell on some thoughts while allowing others to pass, but we don't control the stream of thought. In fact, more often than not, the thoughts control us. Thinking is inner weather. It happens.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">To be clear, I am not saying that we have no choices in what we think, say or do. Nor am I saying that we are not responsible for our actions. We have choices, and we are responsible for the choices we make. We are given these gifts - the physical body, life, and thought - and what we do with these gifts is up to each of us. What I am saying is this: most of what happens within us is beyond our control.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Here's a story from the Buddhist tradition that can help us better understand. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><i>The Buddha was talking with students one day, and he asked this question, "if a man gets shot by an arrow, will he experience pain?"</i></span><i><br />
</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><i>A student answered, "yes, he will."</i></span><i><br />
</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><i>The Buddha then asked, "if he gets shot by a second arrow, will he experience more pain?"</i></span><i><br />
</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><i>The student said, "yes, he will."</i></span><i><br />
</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><i>To this the Buddha replied, "the first arrow is unavoidable; the second arrow is optional."</i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The first arrow is the weather, outside or inside. The second arrow is our response. We don't get to choose the first arrow, but the second is under our control. Or, as Victor Frankl said, "in between the stimulus and the response there is a space, and in that space lies our freedom and our power". </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">How do we exercise this freedom and power? Through the gift of awareness. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If I stub a toe, or injure the body, I don't get to choose the body's painful experience. However, through awareness I can choose how my respond to it. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When you get cut-off while driving, and must swerve to avoid an accident, you will have an emotional reaction - fear or anger. The emotion is automatic, part of life's survival mechanism. You can't choose the emotion. Your response, though, is up to you.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Thoughts come into the mind space as a result of many complex conditioning factors from our early life, the culture we live in, and thousands of years of human evolution, all of which is beyond our control. When we are centered in awareness beyond the limits of thought, we don't choose what thoughts come to us, but we can choose what thoughts we dwell on, and what we let go of. We can choose thoughts that empower us, and let go of thoughts that limit us. We can also decide what ideas we expose ourselves to, and surround ourselves with a thought-environment that is nurturing and supportive. The best news is that, with practice, the gift of awareness allows us to change the conditioning, which, in turn, changes the thoughts that come to us. Through our practice we can change the inner weather.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Embrace the gift of awareness, the limitless expression of being yourself. Centered in awareness beyond thought, you come to know that the inner and outer worlds are not separate, but one. The distinction exists only in thought. Being whole, you realize that what happens is just the weather, and you can choose how you respond. And you know that, through awareness, you can change the weather, too.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Namaste</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Joe </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>The 5 Giftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09606410078970346085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7064112376550641068.post-17873817567808967902011-03-14T11:14:00.000-04:002011-03-14T11:14:36.073-04:00Dealing with DisasterThis weekend, we were all shocked and saddened by the enormity of the disaster in Japan, and the losses suffered by people there and elsewhere along the Pacific Rim. All of humanity is affected by an event of this magnitude. We cannot have so much loss experienced by so many on the planet, without all of us feeling it in our hearts. <br />
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As I've struggled to understand what has happened, I've been pondering this question: what can I do? How can I best respond to this event? How can I help?<br />
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If you are in a location or position to be able to go to Japan (or one of the other places affected by the earthquake and tsunami), then you can directly assist the people who are suffering right now. Most of us, especially here in the US where I live, are not able to do this. So, what do we do? Send money? Japan is one of the richest nations on the planet. Do they need financial help to deal with this catastrophe? I'm not sure, but it seems unlikely. So, what do we do?<br />
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In my meditations, I've come to think that there are three key things we can all do in response to this disaster. First, we can choose not to increase the suffering. There is so much suffering in the world right now, experienced by those who are directly affected by this event (or other tragedies of many kinds) that it is important NOT to add our suffering to it. This is hard, because we live in a culture that encourages us to suffer in response to other people's pain. Let me explain this by an example. On Friday evening, I was waiting in a restaurant for take-out food. They had a large-screen TV, with one of the 24-hour news channels showing the video footage of the tsunami in Japan. The first time I saw the video was informative, helping me to better understand the magnitude of the event. However, over the next 20 minutes, this video was shown on the TV at least eight times. (The event itself happened once in 20 minutes.) Rehashing and replaying the event over an over does not increase awareness; it only causes viewers to suffer. Now, I don't want to be too harsh on the news networks reporting this event. They are in an unenviable position of trying to raise awareness without raising suffering. I have no idea how best to do this. What I do know is this: it is important that you and I do not add our suffering to the suffering that is already there. Adding to the suffering is unhelpful. And, it reduces our ability to respond to what has happened. Be informed, certainly. Just be careful not to drag yourself into a place of suffering.<br />
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The second way we can help with this disaster is to re-center ourselves, get ourselves grounded, and get ourselves into a state of empowerment that allows us to respond to this disaster. Each of us must do this for ourselves. Come back into the core of your being, the awareness that is centered in your heart. Use your yoga, meditation or spiritual practice to ground yourself in awareness. Reconnect to the gift of divine grace. Allow yourself to experience the power of this gift, and allow it to flow through you into this world. When we are centered, grounded, and empowered by grace, we are much more effective in helping others, than when we are suffering. <br />
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Finally, for those of us who can not respond directly to the disaster, we can gather in groups and offer our gifts of grace to others in need. Over the past few days, millions of people have joined together in prayer groups, meditation groups, blessing groups, yoga classes, and many other spiritual gatherings, to offer support to the suffering people in Japan. When we gather, with grace in our intentions, we generate a powerful response that makes a difference. In much the same way that we all feel the suffering of those in need, others feel the power of grace when we offer it to them. That's why this past Saturday, our yoga class offered our practice to all those who are suffering. And, this Tuesday evening I'll be hosting a <a href="http://deeksha.joehahnryt.com/">Deeksha Gathering</a> dedicated to providing support and love to the people of Japan. Join with others to make a difference.<br />
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It is not easy to explain why disasters occur. Nor is it easy to respond. We can choose, however, to limit the suffering by not adding ours to what's already there. We can center ourselves to be empowered in our response. And, we can gather with others to offer blessings of love and grace to those who are suffering. We can make a difference. Please, join me, in your own way, in love.<br />
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Namaste<br />
JoeThe 5 Giftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09606410078970346085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7064112376550641068.post-79230432251829975022011-03-10T07:49:00.000-05:002011-03-10T07:49:52.392-05:00Joy in UsWhen we allow ourselves to be open to the gift of divine grace, goodness comes into our lives. Actually, I would define grace as the goodness in life that flows to us unbidden. We don't need to ask for grace; nor can we reach out for it and draw it to us. When we receive the gift of grace, we owe nothing in return. Grace is everything in our lives that supports, sustains and nurtures us. To receive this gift, all we need do is align with the flow, and open up to it.<br />
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When we open to grace, we experience joy. And, since all of the five gifts come to us from the same divine source, we can experience the joy of divine grace in each gift. Within the gift of the physical body, joy is experienced as comfort and ease. This gift is essentially matter (<i>ana </i>in Sanskrit) arranged in complex structures. Consciousness is expressed as structure. Opening to grace in the gift of the physical body means aligning the structures with the way they are designed. When we are in alignment, the body functions at its peak. There is comfort and a sense of ease within the body. Misalignment is a block to experiencing joy in the physical body leading to discomfort, even pain.<br />
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Joy is experienced within the gift of life as flow, pleasure and happiness. The gift of life animates the body. This gift compels us to remain alive, to survive. Consciousness is expressed in this gift as motion and emotion. When we open to grace, our movements flow with grace, we feel the pleasure of being alive, and we experience positive, happy emotions. All of this is joy.<br />
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Many of us have difficulty finding joy in the gift of thought. With this gift, like the others, we experience joy by opening to grace and using the gift as it is designed. Joy in the gift of thought comes to us in two ways. The first is when we use thought effectively as a tool for awareness. The "4 Ds", as I describe them in <i><a href="http://www.the5gifts.com/">The Five Gifts</a></i>, are effective uses of thought: discern, describe, design, decide. The second way we experience joy in thought is by putting the tool down when we don't need it. Peace of mind and contentment are expressions of joy, and these joys only come when we clear the mind and quiet the gift of thought. When our thoughts separate us from grace, we experience stress. We experience stress when we judge and define things and other people (judgment and definition are ineffective uses of the gift of thought), or when we dwell in our minds on thoughts that don't serve us in the present moment. A noisy mind is stressful; a quiet, focussed mind is joyful.<br />
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The gift of awareness allows us to experience joy in all that we think, experience and do. Within this gift we experience the simple joy of being, in the moment, uncluttered by thought, emotion or doing. And through this gift, we are able to guide the gift of thought so our thinking brings us joy; we are axle to guide the gift of life so our experience brings us joy; and we are able to guide our use of the gift of the physical body so our doing brings us joy.<br />
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The gift of awareness is also the gateway to an even greater source of joy - divine grace. The gift of divine grace comes to us lovingly from the divine source. This is the source of joy. When we open to this gift, we are flooded with grace, flooded with joy. We know ourselves to be one with the divine and inseparable from each other. We delight in being here. And we use all of the gifts we've received with joy.<br />
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Here's wishing you an abundance of grace and joy.<br />
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Namaste<br />
JoeThe 5 Giftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09606410078970346085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7064112376550641068.post-16187195489071439722011-03-02T13:45:00.005-05:002011-03-02T13:53:06.792-05:00War of the Words<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I must admit that I rarely watch TV or listen to the radio. I scan the headlines most days, but I rarely go deeply into the news. Still, on occasion I find myself listening to a newscast, reading an article or watching a television news program. What I find most striking, on these occasions, is the acrimony and belligerence that is so much a part of our public discourse. Much of what is said is downright mean-spirited. It is as if we are making war with words.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I am convinced that we won't solve the problems we face by continuing to debate them, by using words. Why? Because we've reached the limits of what we can do with words. Let's look at the issues we face today to see what I mean. One of the issues getting a lot of attention is the right of workers to unionize. In Wisconsin, newly elected officials are trying to take these rights away, sparking angry protests from the same people who elected them. Tempers are flaring, but are there any new arguments being made? No. This issue of labor unions has been discussed, debated and fought over for more than 50 years. All the points on both sides of the debate have been made many times before, and the issue remains intransigent, unsolved. Yet we continue to make war with words.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;">What about other issues? Let's look at the issue of abortion. We could fill a stack of books as high as the mountains in Colorado with all of the ideas that have been used to argue against abortion rights, and an equally high stack of ideas in favor of these rights. We've been arguing this issue for sixty years. Have we resolved anything with our arguments? No.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We can see the same dynamic in all of the never-ending issues our culture is faced with. The environment, economics, property rights, gun control, animal rights, foreign policy - all of these issues are like pendulums, with our approach swinging from one side of the argument to the other, and no real resolution in sight.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The difficulty is with words themselves. Words, ideas, language, all of these are tools of thought.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The gift of thought is a very powerful one - and a limited one. Let me illustrate. When I use the word "chair", for example, most of us can conceive a thought-image of a chair. If we were in the same room together, and I pointed to an object and said "chair", you would easily understand my meaning. This is the power of thought, of language. When I use the word "chair," I am actually describing two things: what is included in the word, and what is excluded. The table and the floor, for example, are not included in the thought-word "chair." With my word, I describe an object and a set of limits. Ancient wisdom and modern physics both tell us that there are no real separations between objects. It is the word-thought that puts the limits in place. This is a useful process. If I wish to sit down, it is useful to perceive the limits of the chair. It is also helpful to remain aware that the limits are created by my thoughts.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thought creates limits. The gift of thought is useful, powerful, and limiting. Words, ideas, paradigms, arguments - all of these are tools of thought, and therefore subject to the same limits as the gift of thought.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To understand the limits of thought better, I often refer to the work of Dr. David Hawkins, a spiritual teacher and author of the book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0964326116?ie=UTF8&tag=jo04e-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0964326116">Power vs. Force</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=jo04e-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0964326116" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> In his studies and teachings, Dr. Hawkins has created what he calls the Map of Consciousness. The map is a continuum, from 0 to 1,000, representing the scope and range of human awareness. (Note that the numbers themselves are not very important. The scale was chosen for it's ease of use.) Dr. Hawkins asserts that the human intellect, which I call the gift of thought, calibrates on the scale to a maximum of 499. This, he says, is the limit of thought.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have done my own studies using the tools and techniques Dr. Hawkins describes, and I've come to agree with him on this key point. Thought is limited. So, if the only tool we have is words (which are thoughts), and the power of our thinking maxes at 499 (using Dr. Hawkins' scale), and the issue we are dealing with requires an solution of higher awareness, say 600, are we going to find a solution through argument and debate? No.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;">So, maybe the war of words hasn't helped us resolve the issues we face, because it can't. Words are too limited.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We face another challenge in the use of our thoughts. Our survival instincts, which come to us with the gift of life, cause us to think about things as threatening or non-threatening. Even ideas can be threatening. When we hear an idea we disagree with, we have a natural reaction to see it as threatening. This reaction is automatic, and normal. Observing nature, however, we see what happens when an individual organism perceives a threat. Often, the individual will lash out violently and destroy that which it perceives as threatening. In our society, where weapons of violence are easily available, is it any surprise that the war of words often degenerates into horrible actions?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;">So, what do we do when the war of the words is failing us (as it so often does)? What do we do if the answer to our questions lies in a consciousness beyond the limits of thought? We need to transcend the limits of thought. We need to grow in awareness beyond the limits of thought. We need to evolve to a point where the gift of thought becomes a tool for awareness, and we know a truth that cannot be understood with thought alone. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dr. Hawkins is not the only one to tell us this. Every competent spiritual teacher throughout history has told us that our human awareness expands beyond the limits of thought, and all of the great religions teach us that the answers lie in transcending these limits. This is the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;">perennial teaching: we need to transcend the limits of thought.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Every spiritual tradition has it's own language to describe the process of transcending. My favorite word is awakening. Awakening implies that we've been asleep; we've been in a thought-induced trance, a stupor wherein we believe our own thoughts above all else. When we awaken, we experience the gift of awareness, beyond the limits of thought. We awaken to the awareness that all limits, all boundaries, all borders exist in our thoughts only. We awaken to the knowing of wholeness and oneness: wholeness within ourselves, oneness with each other, oneness with all of life, oneness with the divine. We awaken to the gift of divine grace, and our hearts fill with love and joy.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;">When we awaken, we still use the gift of thought. We continue to think, to use language, share ideas, words. The gift of thought becomes a tool for awareness, and like any tool, we recognize its usefulness and limitations. We find new ways to solve problems, and many issues simply disappear, or become unimportant. This is not passive, or complacency. When awakened, we are actively engaged in life, and life in us. We are simply more aware.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;">There is a global evolutionary shift in awareness happening, right now, and the number of awakened individuals is growing at an accelerating rate. Humanity must move forward. To grow, we need to transcend the limits of thought. We need to end the war of the words. And why not? It isn't really serving us anymore, any way.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;">So let's stop the war of the words, and move forward together in grace.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Namaste</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Joe</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>The 5 Giftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09606410078970346085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7064112376550641068.post-79057969622755923122011-02-23T09:02:00.000-05:002011-02-23T09:02:20.666-05:00Snow Shoveling & Divine ManifestationThis morning, we woke to about five inches. Snow, that is -- not a huge snowfall, but enough to require shoveling. As I was out this morning, working in the driveway, I noticed something wonderful. When I shoveled, there would be some frozen residue on the concrete that the shovel did not clear away easily. I thought I might need to do some tough scraping to remove the ice. However, as I worked for a while on a patch of the driveway, then paused to look behind me, I noticed that the part I had already done was being further cleared and dried by the sunlight. My efforts were combined with the radiation from the sun - and the driveway was being cleared. As I observed this, I began to see it as a metaphor for how intention works in our lives. <br />
<br />
As a Yoga teacher, I often talk about intention. A yoga practice is a reflection of life, and when we wish to create something, we begin with intention. Of course, setting intention is only the first step to manifesting. In my modelling, there are three steps to create something new:<br />
<br />
1) Set an intention;<br />
2) Use your energy to make effort in the direction of the intention, and;<br />
3) Let the divine universe work on your behalf; allow the outcome to happen.<br />
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In my experience, there are two myths floating around our western culture about the creative process. The first is the traditional idea of do-it-yourself. This myth says that, if you want to create something, you set a goal and then work hard to blast through all of the obstacles that might be in your way to meeting your goal. This is the myth of the self-made man, the lone ranger. My problem with this myth is that it ignores the power of the universe as a partner in creation. It is possible to do many things on our own. However, we are much more empowered when we open up to the infinite creativity of the universe itself. <br />
<br />
The second myth is one promulgated by recent popular movies like <i>The Secret</i>. This myth says that <i>all </i>we need do is set an goal, and hold this goal firmly in our thoughts until the outcome we want appears in our reality. While I believe in the power of intention, I have two difficulties with this idea. The first is that thought alone is not always enough to activate the universe towards our intention. Thought is a powerful gift, but not that powerful. We may get lucky and get what we want, or we may not. The intention is the beginning of the process, not the end.<br />
<br />
Additionally, I believe we are designed to be actively engaged in manifesting our intentions. Look at your physical body: what a wonderful gift. This gift is given you so that you can DO things. The body is designed to move, to manipulate objects in the world around us, and to engage. We feel better when we are active, moving and working, than when we sit idle and wish for things to happen. Our thoughts are given to us to empower us to do more than just set goals. With our thoughts, we can plan, design and choose actions that will take us closer to our goals. <br />
<br />
We are meant to be partners in the creative process. The universe acts with us - and through us - to make things happen in this world. Our actions, when inspired by intention for good, are works of the divine, since each of us is a manifestation of the divine source. <br />
<br />
What's more, when we act in the direction of our intention, our actions act as a catalyst for divine action. It is as if our actions demonstrate our commitment to the intention, and the universe responds. The sun shines on the driveway, helping me in my work.<br />
<br />
Of course, the outcome is not always exactly as we had planned. The universe has its own plans. Our intentions will manifest in a way that is in alignment with the divine evolution of the universe. We need to allow the process to unfold in it's own way. Our goals and intentions will be realized, and something more, something wonderful will blossom.<br />
<br />
Want to create something new in this world? Intention. Action. Allow the unfolding. <br />
<br />
And, enjoy the sunshine.<br />
<br />
Namaste<br />
JoeThe 5 Giftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09606410078970346085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7064112376550641068.post-14825519880677389642011-02-22T11:05:00.000-05:002011-02-22T11:05:07.384-05:00To my blog readers<i>Hi Everyone</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>This is a special note to those of you who have been reading this blog. As you have probably noticed, I have not posted for a couple of months. During that time, my writing time has been spent preparing The Five Gifts for publication. I'm happy to say that I have a publisher - Balboa Press - and that the book will be published soon. I'm finished with writing, and the effort I need to put into getting the book published is reduced. Of course, promoting the book - that's a whole new chapter. </i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>My intention now is to begin writing in this blog regularly, once again. I thank you for your patience, and I look forward to your comments going forward.</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>One other note: this past December, I included in this blog a post called "The Paradox of Our Time", which was sent to me as a writing by the Dalai Lama. I posted it without researching it, and I regret that. I have done some research, and have been unable to find any evidence that this was written by the Dalai Lama. Indeed, I have read some troubling comments about the source of this work - though I have been unable to verify that, either. So, I've removed this post from the blog. My apologies for posting something without researching the source. I will be more careful in the future.</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>Be well. More to some, soon.</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>Namaste</i><br />
<i>Joe</i>The 5 Giftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09606410078970346085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7064112376550641068.post-78387618310254367072010-12-10T10:31:00.001-05:002010-12-10T10:31:55.267-05:00Sharing Thoughts<div class="Style-1" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I will be sharing a few thoughts with you in this blog. As you read, you will agree with some of these thoughts, but not all. There will be an impulse for you to share your thoughts, and if we were together, we would compare thoughts. You would say what you think, and I would say what I think about what you think, and so on. If we agree in our thinking, we would create a pleasant ego boost for each other. If we disagree, our egos would clash in unpleasant conflict.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="Style-1" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="Style-1" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Whether we agree or disagree, I do not to go with you into the place of 'I think.' Rather, I invite you to go with me to a place of 'I am.' 'I am' is an opening to awareness beyond the limits of thought. In this new, expanded awareness, we can each be aware of the thoughts that enter into our minds, and recognize that the gift of thought is a useful tool, and, at the same time, a limited one.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="Style-1" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="Style-1" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">From this place of expanded awareness, we can each observe in two directions - let's call these directions <i>inward</i> and <i>outward</i>. Our observations engender two key understandings. It is difficult to describe our observations and understandings, because words are tools of thought, and we are observing from an awareness beyond the limits of thought. Any description we use will be self-limiting. Nevertheless, I will try.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="Style-1" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="Style-1" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Looking inward, we see the manifest world as we know it. We observe the thoughts that pass through the mind-space, the experiences we have in our lives, and all that we sense and do with our physical bodies. Looking inward, we realize that the manifest world is all that we see most of the time, and our awareness is dominated by 'I think'. Most significantly, we realize that what 'I think' isn't all that important.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="Style-1" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="Style-1" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Looking outward offers a more profound understanding. When we <i>turn the camera around</i> from what we focus on most of the time, we catch a glimpse of the divine source. This is the source of 'I am.' It is the infinite, unmanifest source of all that is manifest. Beyond words, beyond thought, beyond our capacity to comprehend, the divine is the source of all the gifts we receive. When we open to the source, we come to know that <i>every individual is a unique and beautiful manifestation of the divine source, and each of us shares the same divine light</i>.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="Style-1" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="Style-1" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">This knowing is called <i>awakening</i>. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="Style-1" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="Style-1" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">We are all invited to awaken. In the past, only a small number of individuals were capable of expanded awareness. We called them sages, saints, avatars. Today, this awareness is available to everyone. All of humanity is awakening to oneness. Of course, some will choose to remain asleep. Some will resist the shift in awareness. That's sad. But, it is not so important, for, when the water level rises, all the boats float higher.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="Style-1" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="Style-1" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The water level is rising. The awakening of humanity is underway. You and I are invited. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="Style-1" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="Style-1" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The ideas in this blog are designed to help you along your path of awakening. My intent is to help you know the truth: that all we have is a gift from the divine, that each of us is an expression of divine grace, and that we are one in the divine light. Please enjoy these gifts.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="Style-1" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="Style-1" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Namaste</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="Style-1" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Joe</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>The 5 Giftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09606410078970346085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7064112376550641068.post-79067646199168512482010-11-07T19:27:00.000-05:002010-11-07T19:27:30.012-05:00Spiritual Confusion<div style="background-color: transparent; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.9772493494674563" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We live in a time of great spiritual confusion. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The current milenium opened with a massive terrorist attack committed in the name of one of the world's great religious traditions. This was followed by an even more massive and terrifying retaliation, led by a president who is deeply committed to another of the world's great religions, spawning two wars which continue almost ten years later. Of course, we could define human history as the history of conflict where one concept of the divine is pitted against another, leading to atrocities on an unimaginable scale. The confusion comes because, while many of us believe that such wars should be part of history only, they persist all over the world today.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nothing is more spiritually confusing than the current talk about the year 2012. On one side, we hear predictions of global-scale calamity. These apocalyptic predictions seem to be supported by reference to ancient spiritual traditions, most notably the Mayan astrological calendar, which ends in the year 2012. The ancient Vedic tradition of India also supports this idea (so it appears to many) with the current 10,000 year epoch, or </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">durga</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, expected to end around the same time. Of course, nearly every spiritual tradition predicts an end time, though most are not so specific about the date.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The other side of the 2012 spiritual prediction is gathering momentum as more and more people become enamored with it. The argument, here, is that 2012 is to be a time of spiritual transformation for humanity. As an growing number of individuals become spiritually awakened, we - meaning all of humanity - will pass through a tipping point, and human awareness will expand on a global scale. All of our problems will be dissolved as we evolve from </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">homo sapiens </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">to </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">homo spiritus.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> This utopic vision is certainly more attractive than the opposing apocalyptic ideas, but is it more realistic?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Not really. Both of these sets of ideas are highly speculative, and proponents of both forget one key truth: human beings have an almost unbroken track record of failure when it comes to predicting the future!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Having said that, I will share my future vision with you in the following points.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><ul><li style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I do believe we are in the midst of an evolutionary shift in human awareness. Does this relate in any way to 2012? I neither know nor care. What seems significant to me is that a expanding number of people are experiencing spiritual growth, and that the flowering of human awareness is under way on a global scale. There are hundreds of organizations - some reputable, some not - that are working on the awakening of humanity as their primary mission. (One of these is Oneness University in India which offers the oneness blessing. <a href="http://onenessblessing.joehahnryt.com/">You can learn more about the oneness blessing here</a>.) The "awakening movement" is a positive development that is gaining momentum.</span></li>
</ul><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><ul><li style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I also believe that the evolution of human awareness is not optional, it is imperative. We, humanity, have reached a point where our current state of awareness, which is thought-centered, is no longer serving us very well. Our thinking is creating as many problems as it is solving. Many of the intractable problems we face are unsolvable at our current, thought-centered level of awareness. We are perfectly capable of thinking our way into self-destruction. We can only evolve our way beyond it.</span></li>
</ul><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><ul><li style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The divine, conscious universe is a driving force for evolution. The universe is growing towards ever greater awareness, and the evolution of human awareness is one manifestation of this growth. We come from, and are one with the divine source, which is pure consciousness, and which seeks to know itself through our awareness. It is inevitable that we continue to evolve, and that human awareness continues to flower.</span></li>
</ul><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Confusion is often the dominant experience at a time of break-through. The spiritual confusion we are experiencing now, while uncomfortable, is a good sign. Clarity comes with expanded awareness, with spiritual growth. My intent, through my writings and teaching, is to be a catalyst for awakening. My hope is that the ideas I share with you are useful to you, and that we can help each other bear the discomfort of confusion, and experience the joy of evolving in spirit.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Namaste</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Joe</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>The 5 Giftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09606410078970346085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7064112376550641068.post-34366763362596423032010-10-04T15:41:00.000-04:002010-10-04T15:41:12.246-04:00We are ready to evolveWe are ready to evolve.<br />
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We have reached a point where thinking, which has served humanity so well for thousands of years, is now creating as many problems as it solves. Where we can create a stack of books, as high as the mountains, filled with logical thoughts supporting one side of an issue, and an equally high, equally logical stack supporting the other side, and the debate gets us no closer to resolving the issue. Where great institutions, based entirely on scientific research (a set of ideas), like western medicine, now cause as much harm as good. (Did you know that the number three cause of death in the USA is western medicine?) Where governments and organizations based on the rule of law (another set of ideas) have become mostly disfunctional, unable to meet the needs of their people or resolve the issues they face. (in the US, congress changes from one party to the other every two years, and is gridlocked during the time in between, unable to function in any meaningful way.)<br />
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We are ready to evolve.<br />
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We have reached a point where our thinking can destroy us, as easily as it can save us. We are fully capable of thinking our way into self destruction. Are we capable of thinking our way out of it?<br />
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We are ready to evolve.<br />
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We have reached a point where every major religion based on a set of beliefs (thoughts) has internal factions that use their beliefs to justify killing and destroying. Where the spiritual messages of the great teachers on whom these religions are founded have been lost in a jumble of dogmas (thoughts) and rules that serve the religious hierarchy, but little else. Where religion is used to justify harm as often as for healing.<br />
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We are ready to evolve.<br />
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We, humanity, are ready to grow beyond the limits of our thinking. Thought, which has empowered human evolution for ten millennia, no longer serves us in this way. We have reached a glass ceiling, were our thinking limits our evolution.<br />
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We are ready to evolve beyond these limits. This does not mean that we will abandon thought. Rather, we are ready to grow in awareness, to be aware of both the way that thinking serves us, and how it limits us. <br />
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We are ready to experience an expanded, spiritual awareness. Through this awareness, we will guide our thoughts, our experiences, and our actions, to create a better world for humanity, and for all life.<br />
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In the past, such expanded awareness was accessable to just a few individuals. We called these people enlightened, Buddha, Christ, saints or sages. Now, the gift of awareness is offered to us all. We are all ready to evolve. <br />
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As Dr. David Hawkins says, homo erectus evolved into homo sapiens, and now we are ready to grow, to become homo spiritus. This step in evolution requires us each to evolve personally - and for us to evolve together in community, in humanity. <br />
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We are ready! Will you join us?<br />
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Namaste<br />
JoeThe 5 Giftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09606410078970346085noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7064112376550641068.post-49378237562521722312010-08-18T15:44:00.001-04:002010-08-18T15:47:06.786-04:00The Limits of ThoughtThe Limits of Thought<br />
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Thought is a infinitely powerful gift, and I am deeply grateful to receive this gift. At the same time, I have come to understand that thought is limited in power. There are many things that cannot be explained or understood with thought alone. <br />
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How can thought be both infinite and limited at the same time? Let me explain using some simple math concepts. Let's imagine a line between two points. For simplicity, we'll label these two points 0 and 500. How many points exist between these two? The answer is - an infinite number of points. We have all of the whole numbers - 1, 2, 3, and so on up to 499. And we have all of the fractional and decimal numbers, square roots, and so on, that make up an infinite number of possibilities. <br />
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The set of numbers between 0 and 500 is infinite. And yet, 600 lies outside this infinite set of numbers. So, the set is limited. There are many numbers that lie outside the limits of this infinite set.<br />
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Thought is like this set of numbers. Using <i>the gift of thought</i>, we can discern and dissect to an infinite degree those ideas and concepts that lie within range of consciousness that thought encompasses. At the same time, there is a vast understanding that lies beyond the limits of thought. Thought cannot reach into this vast domain, nor can we use thoughts to describe or explain it.<br />
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Language is a tool of <i>the gift of thought</i>, and subject to the same limitations as thought. We can describe most things in the physical world using language, without difficulty or problems. For example, when I say "car keys", it is easy for you to understand what I mean, and the consequences of misunderstanding are small. All we need is to speak the same language with some shared cultural understanding, and the meaning of "car keys" is clear enough.<br />
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However, when we use words like "faith", "grace", "love", or "God", we get into difficulty. These words have many varied meanings both within and outside culture and language. More importantly, these words, and others with spiritual context, point to a consciousness beyond the limits of thought. Such words, as Eckhart Tolle says, are like signposts, each pointing to a meaning beyond the limits of the word itself. <br />
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I find it helpful to remember that <i>the gift of thought</i>, powerful though it is, can not be used to explain spirituality or consciousness. It is only through <i>the gift of awareness</i>, which includes and expands beyond thought, that we can come to know the true nature of reality, which is divine. Thoughts and words are useful tools. But, all thoughts and words - even the ones I use to write this - are limited, and can not express or encompass the boundless divine source.<br />
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This is not to say that we should abandon thinking. We are given <i>the gift of thought</i> for its usefulness. Yet, in much the same way that we should not try to use a hammer to wash the windows, so we ought not to use thought beyond its usefulness. Through daily practice, we can center ourselves within <i>the gift of awareness</i>, and be aware of both the power and the limits of thought. And, through awareness beyond the limits of thought, we can come to know the limitless joy of the presence of the divine.<br />
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Here is an affirmation I use each day.<br />
<br />
<i>Thought is a gift of divine love and I am grateful and honored to receive it.</i><br />
<i>I commit this day,</i><br />
<i>to strengthen and nurture this gift I've been given, and</i><br />
<i>to guide my thinking with awareness.</i><br />
<i>I allow all thought to come from a divine source. And,</i><br />
<i>I offer all thought to divine service.</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
Namaste<br />
JoeThe 5 Giftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09606410078970346085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7064112376550641068.post-47535991315649614312010-07-09T08:59:00.000-04:002010-07-09T08:59:06.616-04:00How do I get rid of the ego?"How do I get Rid of My Ego?" I saw an internet video the other day with this as the title. I did not watch the whole video, but what I saw talked about the need to rid ourselves of the ego. The ego, the video said, causes many problems in the world, and we would all be best served by getting rid of it. This is a common theme in many contemporary spiritual teachings. The ego has become the pariah of new age spirituality. Its as if, if we could just all get rid of our egos, everything would be fine.<br />
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So, how do you get rid of your ego? You don't. Don't even try. Here's why.<br />
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To me, the question "How do I get rid of my ego," is analogous to "how do I get rid of my mouth?" Many people have challenges in using their mouths. They either don't control what they take in through their mouths, or what comes out of their mouths, or both. But the problem isn't the mouth. We don't say "how do we get rid of our mouths?" Such a question would be absurd. <br />
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Each of us has an ego. And we are <i>intended </i>to have an ego. The ego is not inherently bad. The challenges created by the ego are not because we each <i>have </i>one, but because of <i>what we do with it</i>. <br />
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To transcend these challenges, we must first understand what the ego is, what is useful for, and where we go wrong in our use of the ego. Simply put, the ego is nothing more than a set of thoughts that we use to describe ourself in this world. For example, I can discern a difference between the fingers of my hands, and the keyboard I am using to type this message. The fingers are part of me; the keyboard is not. This discernment is useful, and the thoughts (words) I use to describe how I am in this world are also useful. I also use thoughts to describe what is mine. The concept of mine (ownership) is an egoic concept. Ownership is a useful idea in our society. (Though, my belief is that we overuse this concept to the point where ownership becomes harmful to society - but that's a commentary for another post.) It is helpful to say "these are my car keys," because if I try to use "your car keys" to start "my car", it won't work. "Me" and "mine" are useful concepts for getting along in the world.<br />
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In <i><a href="http://lifeflowyoga.com/the5gifts.htm">The Five Gifts</a></i>, I talk about the usefulness and limitations of thought. It is useful, for example, to describe things. However, there is a fine line between "describing" and "defining". We can not use our thoughts to define anything, and when we do so, we cause difficulties. These same limitations apply to the ego. Remember, the ego is nothing more than a set of thoughts that describe our presence in this world. The difficulty arises when we allow ourselves to be defined by the ego, or when we define others. Doing so creates problems in our lives.<br />
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You are not what you think you are. You can not be defined by the ego, or by any other set of thoughts. You are a piece of the infinite, a wave of awareness rising from the infinite ocean of divine consciousness, a manifest expression of the divine source. Even these descriptions are limiting, for no words can define your true self, or that of anyone or anything else. All thoughts are limited. You are infinite. How can any set of thoughts define you?<br />
<br />
There is no need to "get rid" of the ego, only to use it as it is designed to be used. "Me" and "mine" are useful ideas. Let go of the impulse to use these idea to define your self. This sounds simple, but it is not easy, especially for those of us who live in a thought-centered, strong-ego culture (like the USA). For me, managing the ego is a daily task - one that never seems to go away, though it does get easier with practice.<br />
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One more comment. The concept of the ego is just that - a concept. A concept is nothing more than a set of thoughts. Since the concept of the ego was introduced by Sigmund Freud, psychologists and spiritual teachers have used this concept to help many people. While this is a useful concept, it is still only a set of thoughts. When we say things like "the ego is a cause of too many problems in the world," or, "how do we get rid of the ego," we give this concept more solidity and power than it merits. In other words, if we believe (think) that the ego is a real, negative force in our world, it will be. To reduce the power of the ego, we simply need to let go of the concept.<br />
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Letting go of the ego begins with awareness. Become aware of the ego as a set of thoughts. Recognize the ego's usefulness. And, know that, as a set of thoughts, the ego is limited. When you have ego thoughts that are useful (e.g. it is useful to discern the separation between my fingers and this keyboard), then use them. When you have ego thoughts that don't serve you, let go of them. Don't let the ego define you. <br />
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This is the practice. When you let go of the limiting thoughts of the ego, you become free to experience your selves as a divine manifestations. <br />
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Namaste<br />
JoeThe 5 Giftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09606410078970346085noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7064112376550641068.post-53222154883881419772010-07-02T17:11:00.000-04:002010-07-02T17:11:28.334-04:00Move Toward what Strengthens You and Away from what Weakens You<b>Move Toward what Strengthens You, and Away from what Weakens You</b><br />
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I'm not sure where this idea originated, but has been on my mind lately. What a simple, yet profoundly powerful idea. I've been reflecting on this principle in my meditations, and in my writing. And, I've experienced its power in my life.<br />
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Here's an example. As some of you know, I have a sweet tooth. I am careful not to over-indulge in sweets, because I know that, for me, sugar is addictive. Nevertheless, I've been in the habit of having something sweet at the end of the evening - a treat at the end of the day. Recently I've noticed that when I eat something with refined sugar - cookies or cake or ice cream - at the end of the day, I feel weaker in my yoga practice the next morning. I'm less able to focus in meditation, my breath is compromised, and I feel lethargic in <i>asana </i>practice. So, while I get a burst of energy right as it happens, my habit of eating something sugary at the end of the day weakens me. This makes sense, in hindsight. We know that refined sugars give a quick high, followed by a precipitous drop in energy. And, we know that the body struggles to deal with the rapidly rising and dropping blood sugar levels that a diet high in refined sweeteners causes. Yet, this was the first I've noticed a direct connection between my evening habit and my morning practice. <br />
<br />
Following the principle: move toward what strengthens me and away from what weakens me, I've decided to replace the evening cookies with a piece of fruit or some fruit juice. (This is a good idea at any time of the day, not just in the evening.) I still get my sweet tooth satisfied. Without the high and low that comes with refined sugar treats. In fact, I'm finding that I sleep better, and I feel stronger in my practice. Now, I know that part of the fun of eating a sugary treat is the high that comes with it. I simply need to let that go, because, for me, it is simply not healthy.<br />
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Now, this is not to say that I never eat anything with refined sugars. When I go to a party, I'll eat the birthday cake. And, I still enjoy ice cream. I'm only saying that, with greater awareness, and a simple application of this principle - move toward what strengthens you, and away from what weakens you - I can improve my overall wellness. <br />
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To me, this principle is about wellness. What strengthens us improves our well-being; what weakens us opens us to dis-ease and illness. If we combine this principle with our understanding of the five gifts, we get a table that looks like so:<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .25in; text-indent: .25in;"><br />
</div><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; margin-left: .2in; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-insideh: .5pt solid black; mso-border-insidev: .5pt solid black; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;"><tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;"> <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 145.2pt;" valign="top" width="194"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .25in;"><br />
</div></td> <td style="border-left: none; border: solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" valign="top" width="213"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .25in; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Move Toward<o:p></o:p></span></b></div></td> <td style="border-left: none; border: solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 140.7pt;" valign="top" width="188"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .25in; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Move Away From<o:p></o:p></span></b></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;"> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 145.2pt;" valign="top" width="194"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .25in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Gift of the Physical Body<o:p></o:p></span></b></div></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" valign="top" width="213"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: .25in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">¨<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Structural alignment<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: .25in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">¨<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Healthy “building blocks” for molecular structures of body<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 140.7pt;" valign="top" width="188"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: .25in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">¨<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Physical pain<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: .25in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">¨<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Toxins & poisons<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;"> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 145.2pt;" valign="top" width="194"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .25in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Gift of Life<o:p></o:p></span></b></div></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" valign="top" width="213"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: .25in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">¨<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Healthy breath (prana)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: .25in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">¨<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Natural, nurturing energy fields<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: .25in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">¨<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Positive emotions<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 140.7pt;" valign="top" width="188"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: .25in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">¨<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Toxic energy environments<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: .25in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">¨<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Negative emotions<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3;"> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 145.2pt;" valign="top" width="194"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .25in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Gift of Thought<o:p></o:p></span></b></div></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" valign="top" width="213"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: .25in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">¨<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Calmness<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: .25in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">¨<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Mental clarity and focus<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 140.7pt;" valign="top" width="188"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: .25in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">¨<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Stress<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: .25in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">¨<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Agitated thinking<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 4;"> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 145.2pt;" valign="top" width="194"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .25in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Gift of Awareness<o:p></o:p></span></b></div></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" valign="top" width="213"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: .25in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">¨<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Holistic awareness<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: .25in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">¨<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Loving relationships<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: .25in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">¨<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Community<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 140.7pt;" valign="top" width="188"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: .25in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">¨<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Reductionist paradigm<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: .25in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">¨<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Toxic relationships<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 5; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;"> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 145.2pt;" valign="top" width="194"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .25in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Gift of Divine Consciousness<o:p></o:p></span></b></div></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" valign="top" width="213"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: .25in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">¨<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Oneness<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 140.7pt;" valign="top" width="188"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: .25in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">¨<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Separation <o:p></o:p></span></div></td> </tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .25in; text-indent: .25in;"><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">Using this table, we can grow in awareness and well-being with a holistic understanding. I'll be writing more about the ideas in this table in the future. For now, I'd love to hear your comments on its contents.</div><br />
Move toward what strengthens you and away from what weakens you. And, be Well. Thanks for reading. <br />
<br />
Namaste<br />
Joe</div>The 5 Giftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09606410078970346085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7064112376550641068.post-28456917176895381862010-06-04T16:46:00.000-04:002010-06-04T16:46:43.485-04:00Heaven and HellTwo quotes for today:<br />
<br />
<i>If you are going through hell, keep going</i>.<br />
- Winston Churchill<br />
<br />
<i>Let's bring heaven down here</i>.<br />
- Tuck & Patti<br />
<br />
I want to share a personal story. A couple of nights ago, I wakened from a dream. I don't remember the details, except that in my dream I was trapped in an air conditioned straight-jacket, and there was no god in the universe. I woke with a feeling of deep despair. For the next few hours, through most of the night, I felt myself trapped in a mind-field of unhappy thoughts. My breath was shallow and strained, and I felt tortured to be in this body. I moved from the bed into our meditation room, and sat for a long time on a cushion. A part of me realized this was an irrational experience, and I thought that, using my <i>pranayama </i>and mediation practice, I could break the pattern. Not so. I was trapped in a thought-maze of despair and self-loathing that was more intense than anything I can ever remember.<br />
<br />
During this experience I remember two clear thoughts. The first: <i>this is hell</i>. And then, I remembered the above quote by Winston Churchill. While travelling through hell, there is no good place for a rest stop. So, keep going. I let go of all my resistance to the experience, and let it unfold. I surrendered and allowed myself to be in hell. After some long time - I'm not clear how long - the experience slowly let go of me, and I was able to come back to myself.<br />
<br />
Throughout this experience, I remember having a space of awareness around the thoughts and feelings that were so painful. It is this spacious, calm awareness that I returned to as myself. Centered in awareness, I have a serene, clear and joyful connection to the divine source. This is heaven. Oh, the potential to experience hell is still there. I can still think thoughts of despair and self-loathing, and the egoic part of me that believes these thoughts - what Eckardt Tolle would call <i>the pain body</i> - that part remains. Yet, I know myself to be a wave rising up on the ocean of divine consciousness, and this awareness fills me with joy.<br />
<br />
Not long ago, I taught a yoga class with a theme inspired by the Tuck & Patti song, <i>Let's Bring Heaven Down Here</i>. I asked my students to open themselves to the source, the universal divine consciousness, and to let love flow to them from this source. Then, about half-way through the class, we paused. Each person, in this room full of strangers, silently walked around the room. To each other person they encountered, they offered this love. No strings, no expectations, no words - just love. We were bringing heaven down here. The result was beautiful.<br />
<br />
I find my thoughts drawn to the memory of this class, juxtaposed with the experience I had a couple of nights ago. Heaven and hell. I don't know about an afterlife, or past lives, or future lives, or anything that happens before or after we come into this world. I do know this, though. While we are here, in this human form, on this planet, we have choices. We can experience hell. And heaven is something we create, together. <br />
<br />
Try this today. As you walk or drive down the street, to every person you meet, make a silent offering of love. If we all do this, we'll all be in heaven.<br />
<br />
Namaste<br />
JoeThe 5 Giftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09606410078970346085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7064112376550641068.post-81812340607072420602010-05-20T14:51:00.000-04:002010-05-20T14:51:51.167-04:00Why are we given these gifts?A couple of notes about this post. First, this insight came to me in my meditation a few days ago. I've taken some time to get this posted, as the ideas were easier for me to understand in my own awareness than to get into words. Much of this is still a bit rough around the edges. Yet, I think it is worth sharing. In fact, I plan to add these ideas to <i><a href="http://www.lifeflowyoga.com/the5gifts.htm">The Five Gifts</a></i> as I work to get it published.<br />
<br />
Additionally, I've decided to make a change to <i>The Five Gifts</i> prior to publishing. I now talk about <i>pure awareness</i> as simply <i>The Gift of Awareness</i>. Since awareness surrounds and permeates the other <i>koshas</i> (layers), this gift of awareness contains, holds and empowers the physical body, the life energy field, and the mind-space. This change in language is intended to convey that awareness both contains and includes thought, and expands beyond it. Beginning with this post, I'm using this new language in my writing.<br />
<br />
Remember that you can still download an unpublished draft at <a href="http://www.lifeflowyoga.com/the5gifts.htm">www.lifeflowyoga.com/the5gifts.htm</a>. I'd love to here your feedback. Thanks for joining me on this journey of exploration.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">* * * * * * * </div><br />
Here's an insight that came to me in my meditation one morning. I have long believed that each of us, and everything around us, is here for a purpose. The divine universe is field of <i>intention</i>; not just a series of fortunate accidents. I can't, of course, prove this. But, my spiritual experience can't be explained any other way.<br />
<br />
So, if everything is for a purpose, why are we given these gifts? I don't pretend to know or understand the intent of the universe. I don't think it is possible to know, as long as we are in this form. However, we can explore <i>the five gifts</i>, and understand in a broad sense, what each is given us for. <br />
<br />
<b><i>Why are we given the Gift of the Physical Body?</i></b><br />
<br />
The physical body is a gift, a collection of atoms and molecules, structures and physical "stuff" that is ours to use. This body is how we interact with the world - how we <i>do</i>. The intent of the physical body is for <i>doing</i>, for <i>action</i>. <br />
<br />
We are each given a body so we can act in the world. The atoms and molecules that makeup this body come and go, and we don't have control over this. Yet, we are each free to act with this body. The physical world responds to the actions of our bodies. Our actions have impact on the world. <br />
<br />
It seems to me that the universe is not dictating how we act in the world. We can choose actions that bring joy and happiness to ourselves and others. Or, we can make war with the world, as many people do. We can even choose to do nothing. <br />
The universe is not telling us what to do. Our actions, however, have consequences (in Sanskrit, this is called <i>kharma</i>). The world around us responds to our doing and we must live with these outcomes.<br />
<br />
<b><i>Why are we given the Gift of Life?</i></b><br />
<br />
Life is an energy that flows through and animates all living things, including our bodies. Life organizes the processes that keep the atoms and molecules and structures of the body alive. And it is through this gift of life that we <i>experience </i>the world. <br />
<br />
The intention of the gift of life is <i>experience</i>. The life energy surrounds and permeates the physical body. Within this energy system is the processing of all sensory input in our experience, as well as the emotional responses that govern our experience. Our experience, in other words, is the experience of life itself.<br />
<br />
This may sound simplistic, yet it is quite profound. We are intended to experience the world. And we are given this wonderful gift of life so we can have this experience.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Why are we given the Gift of Thought?</b></i><br />
<br />
Sometimes thought doesn't feel much like a gift. The mind can chatter on and on, and my thinking can be muddled and negative. This happens when I'm allow thoughts to happen without awareness, instead of taking an active role in the process of thinking.<br />
<br />
We are intended to <i>think</i>, and we are given the gift of thought for this reason. We do not always have control of what thoughts enter into our minds, but we have the ability to choose what thoughts we dwell on, and which ones we let go.<br />
<br />
In <i><a href="http://www.lifeflowyoga.com/the5gifts.htm">The Five Gifts</a></i>, I describe the gift of thought as a tool with four uses: discerning, describing, designing and deciding. These four Ds, as I call them, represent the intention of the gift of thought. We are given this gift so we can use it to discern and describe the world we experience, design our life and decide on our actions and words. <br />
<br />
<b><i>Why are we given the Gift of Awareness?</i></b><br />
<br />
In my modeling, we are given the gift of awareness for two reasons. The first intention is existence, or <i>being</i>. Awareness is the field within which all of the other gifts we receive come into being. Each<b><i> </i></b>of us is like a wave of awareness rising up on the ocean of consciousness. Awareness is what allows the "wave" to exist.<br />
<br />
The second intention is that we use this gift of awareness to guide our use of the other gifts. When we are centered in the gift of awareness, our awareness guides our thinking. Awareness-guided thinking, in turn, guides our experience, which, in turn, guides our action.<br />
<br />
Another key intention of this gift is that, through awareness, we connect with the divine source. Awareness is the gateway to God. We are meant to know our source, for this is at the core of knowing ourselves. And, though awareness, we experience the intention of the divine itself.<br />
<br />
<b><i>Why are we given the Gift of Divine Consciousness?</i></b><br />
<br />
Einstein once said, "I want to know the thoughts of God." This impulse to understand the intention of the divine source is, I think, universal. Unfortunately, as finite beings, we cannot fully understand the infinite. We can only make our best guess of what the divine intention is.<br />
<br />
Two things I know about the divine source. One is that, when we connect to divine conscousness, through awareness, love and joy come to us and through us into the world. We are intended to experience joy, and to share divine love with each other.<br />
<br />
What's more, when we are aligned with source, our process of manifesting in the world flows with ease and grace. So, we know the divine intent, indirectly, through the joy and flow of grace in our lives.<br />
<br />
Ultimately, we could say that we are intended to experience joy and love.<br />
<br />
Namaste<br />
Joe<br />
<b><i><br />
</i></b>The 5 Giftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09606410078970346085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7064112376550641068.post-17950808064366630172010-04-25T17:30:00.000-04:002010-04-25T17:30:08.058-04:00Little Princess, Little PrinceIn the ancient tradition of India, where yoga comes from, there is a Sanskrit term: <i>rajanika</i>. The literal translation of this word is "little princess" or "little prince." In the Sanskrit language, however, there is often a deeper meaning attached to words, a spiritual meaning. Like the English word <i>lord</i>, the word <i>raj </i>in Sanskrit refers to both royalty, and to divinity. <br />
<br />
In a spiritual context, <i>rajanika</i> could be translated as "a little piece of the divine source," or "a little bit of god." Each of us is <i>rajanika</i>. Each one of us is a manifestation of the divine. What's more, each of us has dominion over our little piece of life.<br />
<br />
<i>Dominion </i>is a tricky word. We tend to think of dominion as synonymous with control, but it is not. Here's how I explain it. If I were to give you a cell phone, you wouldn't be able to control how the programming of the phone works, or how the electrons move through the silicon within the phone. Yet, you can control how you use the phone, what numbers you dial, who you text or talk to, and so on. You would also be responsible for keeping the phone charged, and for taking care of it so it continues working. You don't have complete control, but you do have dominion. <br />
<br />
Similarly, we have dominion in our lives. Each of us is <i>rajanika</i>, and each of us is given gifts over which we have dominion. We have the ability - and the responsibility - to use the gifts we've been given. <br />
<br />
<i><b>The Gift of the Physical Body</b></i><br />
<br />
Each of us is given the gift of the physical body, and we have dominion over the body we've been given. I can't control the atoms and molecules of my body, nor can I change many of the characteristics and structures of the body. Nevertheless, with this gift, I am <i>rajanika</i>. I can choose what I do with this body. I can choose how I use this gift in my actions in the world I live in. <br />
<br />
Dominion over the gift of the physical body allows each of us to make the following choices:<br />
<ul><li>choosing what we do with our bodies - our actions in the physical world</li>
<li>choosing what we put into our bodies - food, water, and so on. Ideally we make choices that sustain and nurture the well-being of the body</li>
<li>being in the physical body - bring our awareness into the body, and </li>
<li>using awareness to align the structures of the body.</li>
</ul><div>Each day in my devotional practice, I say the following, to guide my actions for the day:</div><div> <i>This physical body is a gift of divine love, and I am grateful and honored to receive it.</i></div><div><i> I commit this day</i></div><div><i> to strengthen and nurture the physical body</i></div><div><i> to align these structures with awareness</i></div><div><i> And I offer all of my actions to divine service.</i></div><div><i><br />
</i></div><div><b><i>The Gift of Life</i></b></div><div><br />
</div><div>Each of us is given dominion over the life we lead. Life is the energy that animates all living things, including us. Life comes to us as a gift; it is the source of all motion and emotion. Through this gift of life, we experience the world around us. <br />
<br />
We don't get to choose everything that happens in our life. As with the physical body, life deals us a set of cards, and we don't have control over what we're dealt. We do, however, have dominion over our life experience. Wa have choices:<br />
<ul><li>choosing how we respond to the events in life, choosing the perceptual filters on our experiences;</li>
<li>choosing to be fully open to life's experiences</li>
<li>choosing to live an energized life</li>
<li>choosing to move and breath with joy and vitality</li>
<li>and surrounding ourselves with life enhancing energy fields that nurture and support our experience, while at the same time removing ourselves from low energy, draining energy sources</li>
</ul><div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Each day in my devotional practice, I say the following, to guide my life experiences for the day:</div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> <i>This life is a gift of divine love, and I am grateful and honored to receive it.</i></div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i> I commit this day</i></div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i> to strengthen and nurture the life I've been given</i></div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i> to energize this life experience with awareness</i></div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i> And I offer this life to divine service.</i></div></div></div><br />
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<b><i>The Gift of Thought</i></b><br />
<br />
One of the myths of western culture is that we can choose the thoughts that come into our minds. We can't; thought comes to us as a gift from beyond ourselves. Nevertheless, we have dominion over our thoughts. <br />
<br />
The mind is a space within which thoughts occur, and each of us has dominion over this space. We have choices we can make to strengthen and nurture the thoughts we're given:<br />
<ul><li>when a thought enters the mind, choosing to dwell on the thought, or to let it pass</li>
<li>choosing to bring full awareness to our thinking</li>
<li>choosing to dwell on thoughts that strengthen and nurture, and to let go of thoughts that weaken</li>
<li>not allowing ourselves to be defined by thought</li>
<li>accepting the thoughts we're given as gifts to teach us and help us grow in awareness</li>
<li>surrounding ourselves with a "thought environment" - sayings, books, readings - that support and nurture ourselves.</li>
</ul><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Each day in my devotional practice, I say the following, to guide my thinking for the day:</div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> <i>Thought is a gift of divine love, and I am grateful and honored to receive it.</i></div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i> I commit this day</i></div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i> to strengthen and nurture this thought-gift</i></div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i> to empower this mind-space with awareness</i></div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i> and I offer all thought to divine service.</i></div><div><i><br />
</i></div><div><i><b>The Gift of Pure Awareness</b></i></div><div><br />
</div><div>Awareness is the essence of our being; this is the gift of <i>rajanika</i>. The more we grow in awareness, the more expansive is our dominion. For, whatever is within the field of your awareness is within your dominion.<br />
<br />
Let me repeat something said earlier, to make sure there is no confusion. Dominion is not the same as control. I am aware of the weather outside. It is within my dominion. Yet, I cannot control it. I can choose how I respond to the weather, how it affects my experience, and my perception of it. I have volition and influence.<br />
<br />
Our spiritual practice, then, is about growing in awareness, expanding dominion, <i>Rajanika</i>. And, our practice is about knowing the difference between dominion and control, and choosing to use our volition within the limits of our dominion. </div><div><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span"></span><br />
<br />
<i><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Each day in my devotional practice, I say the following:</span></div></div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> <i>Awareness is a gift of divine love, and I am grateful and honored to receive it.</i></div></div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i> I commit this day</i></div></div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i> to grow in awareness</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i></i></span></i><br />
<i><i><div style="display: inline !important;"><div style="display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><i><div style="display: inline !important;"><div style="display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="display: inline !important;"><i>to empower all that I think, all that I experience and all that I do with awareness</i></div></div></div></div></i></i></div></div></i></i></div></div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i> and I offer my entire being to divine service.</i></div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><br />
</i></div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><b>The Gift of Divine Consciousness</b></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><b><br />
</b></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i>Rajanika</i> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">is the recognition of the divine source in each of us. We are each a wave rising up from the ocean of divine consciousness, and each of us is given a little piece of the infinite within which we have dominion. Each of us is individual and one with the infinite at the same time.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">When we understand our source as unlimited and divine, we know our selves as both limited and unlimited. Our dominion is limited as an individual, but when we allow divine grace to flow through us, our capacity to create goodness in the world is infinite.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i></i></span><br />
<i><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Each day in my devotional practice, I say the following:</span></div></div></div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> Divine spirit of life</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i></i></span></div><i><div style="display: inline !important;"><div style="display: inline !important;"><div style="display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><div style="display: inline !important;"><div style="display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i> Make of me an open channel of love and grace</i></div></div></div></div></i></div></div></div></i><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i></i></span></div><i><div style="display: inline !important;"><div style="display: inline !important;"><div style="display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><div style="display: inline !important;"><div style="display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i> and use me this day to create a sacred experience for all I encounter.</i></div></div></div></div></i></div></div></div></i><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i></i></span></div><i><div style="display: inline !important;"><div style="display: inline !important;"><div style="display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><div style="display: inline !important;"><div style="display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i> Let divine grace flow through me into this world.</i></div></div></div></div></i></div></div></div></i><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i></i></span></div><i><div style="display: inline !important;"><div style="display: inline !important;"><div style="display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><div style="display: inline !important;"><div style="display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><br />
</i></div></div></div></div></i></div></div></div></i><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div style="display: inline !important;"><div style="display: inline !important;"><div style="display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="display: inline !important;"><div style="display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>Namaste</b></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div style="display: inline !important;"><div style="display: inline !important;"><div style="display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="display: inline !important;"><div style="display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Joe</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></i></div></div></div></i></div></div></div></div></div>The 5 Giftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09606410078970346085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7064112376550641068.post-13257327669238452712010-04-13T07:33:00.000-04:002010-04-13T07:33:21.043-04:00PerseveranceI read the following taoist saying recently:<br />
<i>People are constantly spoiling projects that are only one step away from completion.</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
Whatever we wish to accomplish in life, there will be obstacles along the way that must be overcome. It is how we face these obstacles that will determine whether we succeed in our endeavors, or not. In my experience, it seems that the largest, most challenging obstacles come right before we reach the end point. It is as if we are expected to demonstrate - one last time - that we really intend to complete the project we've taken on.<br />
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Perseverance is the most important quality in accomplishing any goal or intention in life. Very few projects we take on are actually impossible, unless we give up before we finish. Our ability to "hang in there" until we've completed something will determine what we accomplish.<br />
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In our spiritual practice, too, perseverance is essential. There is no end point in our spiritual practice - no specific goals. Our practice is only about a continuous expansion, a growth in awareness. Yet, the challenges we face in our practice require as much "stick-to-it-iveness" as any in our life.<br />
<br />
There are days when the day's events overwhelm all that I experience in my practice; times when I feel trapped in unhelpful thoughts. Even after years of practice, I sometimes experience frustration in my meditation, unable to calm the mind or the relax body. This is when I most need to persevere in my practice. I've learned that the most powerful insights and breakthroughs on my spiritual path often come as a result of moving through a difficult time period. <br />
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The most challenging times are, of course, when we most want to give up. Don't. Instead, use these times as a chance to show yourself that you can persevere. When you are struggling, spend more time on the yoga mat, not less. When you are having difficulty concentrating or relaxing, return to your meditation practice, and give it another chance. Stay with it, and something wonderful will happen. <br />
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Namaste<br />
JoeThe 5 Giftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09606410078970346085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7064112376550641068.post-51094989696956133482010-03-29T07:35:00.000-04:002010-03-29T07:35:12.359-04:00The I of Identity"I think therefore I am" - Descartes<br />
<br />
True or false? Many contemporary spiritual teachers will tell us that this classic statement by Descartes is the root of our spiritual difficulty. When we equate the <i>self </i>with <i>thought</i>, we limit the self. In my meditations on T<i>he Five Gifts</i>, however, I've come to a new understanding. While I believe it is not helpful to be trapped in a mind-based identity (the ego), it is also unhealthy to deny the existence of such an identity. Each of us exists as "I" on many levels. To deny any of it is to deny our existence, at least in part, and to deny the divine source from which we all come.<br />
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As we explore the five gifts, we find the self in each of the gifts. The amorphous physical world, for example, coalesces into a unique physical identity as the gift of the physical body. The body is an expression of consciousness. The body has awareness, a sense of self, an I. The body's I is unique to the identity of the person who has received the body, distinct from all other physical forms. What's more, for each of us, our awareness is anchored in this physical body, as long as we exist in this form. We could say, "I have a body, therefore I am." Such a statement would be as true as Descartes'.<br />
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Similarly, the gift of life has identity. For each of us, life is a node in the vast living energy field that permeates and animates all living things. This living I is with us, part of us, as long as we are in this form. And each of us identifies with, and experiences life in a unique, personal way. "I live, therefore I am," is also true.<br />
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Identity with the gift of thought is our most familiar I, and is the source of Descartes' famous quotation. When we identify only with thought, we get trapped in this identity. This is unhealthy ego. Yet, each of us experiences thought in a unique way, and the mind's I has its place within our awareness. To deny this identity is to deny the gift of thought we've been given.<br />
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It is within the gift of pure awareness that a unique sense of I emerges. We each experience our unique self, as a wave rising up on the vast ocean of consciousness. "I am" becomes our statement of truth, without qualification or need for proof. In awareness, we each experience our whole, unique self. And in pure awareness, we know our non-separation from each other or from the wholeness of infinity. <br />
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When we open our awareness to the gift of divine consciousness, we experience self as the the divine source. All separations fall away; even the "I am" of pure awareness is known as limited. The I of identity and the I of infinity become one, and we know the self to be one with all that is. <br />
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Our spiritual practice is about awakening, an ever-expanding growth in awareness of the self. As we grow, we don't dis-identify with the physical body, or with life, or with thought. Rather, we understand each of these gifts, each of these identities, as essential to the whole. Ultimately, we experience oneness with the infinite. Identity becomes <i>sat-chit-ananda</i> (sanskrit) which translates as "I am (sat) consciousness (chit) eternal bliss (ananda). <br />
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Namaste<br />
JoeThe 5 Giftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09606410078970346085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7064112376550641068.post-12214110539440457172010-03-15T08:10:00.000-04:002010-03-15T08:10:27.822-04:00A Breakthrough<i>"A breakthrough is always a break-with"</i> - Eleanor Roosevelt<br />
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As we grow in spiritual awareness, there are times when we struggle to continue our growth. Our path seems blocked by conditions we are experiencing or ideas we are holding on to. Sometimes we feel stuck - we just can't find a way to move beyond our limits.<br />
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I've found the quote by Eleanor Roosevelt (above) to be helpful at such times. When I feel blocked, I ask myself, "what do I need to break with?" Or, "what do I need to let go of?" Most often, the answer to these questions lies in the realm of thought. I find that I'm holding on to a set of ideas, and to grow in awareness, I must break with these ideas. <br />
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In western culture, which now influences most of the planet, we live in thought-centered awareness. Science, medicine, education, economics and governance are all guided by ideas, paradigms, and thought structures. Even our religious institutions tend to be based on sets of ideas that are strongly held beliefs. We've come to believe that thought can solve all of our problems. This belief itself is a paradigm that we cling to tenaciously. <br />
<br />
Of course, on reflection, we realize that our thinking creates as many problems as it solves. The economic challenges we face today are the result of rigid adherence to a set of economic ideas that are no longer serving us well. The crisis we face in health care - especially in the U.S. - is the result of our thinking, our clinging to a paradigm of health and economics that doesn't work any more. Congressional gridlock, climate crisis, the decline of education - all of these are the result of our thinking, and our clinging to thought patterns. And of course, we know we can "think" our way into war or even a nuclear conflagration. <br />
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It is time for a breakthrough. Culturally and globally, as a species, we need to become aware of the limits of our thinking and move beyond them. It is time that we break with the idea that thought can solve our problems <i>by itself</i>, and bring a new awareness to our experience. An awareness beyond the limits of thought.<br />
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Let me be clear: I'm not suggesting that we stop thinking. The gift of thought is given to us as a powerful tool, one that we can and should use. My point is that we need to remember - and most of us have forgotten this - that our awareness goes beyond thought. Thought is powerful, and, at the same time, limiting. The breakthrough we need is a recognition of the limits of thought, so we can grow into awareness that transcends these limits.<br />
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This can only happen, of course, if you and I are willing to expand beyond the limits of our thinking. We are part of an increasing number of individuals who are growing, experiencing the gift of awareness beyond the limits of thought. By working through our own limits, breaking with thought-centered awareness, we will bring about the shift in consciousness that humanity so badly needs. <br />
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As Gandhi once said: "<i>we must be the change we wish to see in the world.</i>"<br />
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Namaste<br />
JoeThe 5 Giftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09606410078970346085noreply@blogger.com0