With intent one steps forward. With awareness one modifies their step so as to avoid a pothole. This leads one in a slightly different direction. The intent may still be similar, though now the environment has changed. And so it goes.
The steps of one's life are executed constantly often taking one to a point never imagined. As John Lennon sang "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans".
Even if the five year plan is on target, the reality of the arrival rarely meets expectations. What the original you ( five years less life- experienced) envisioned, is now felt within the skin of a modified you with five more years of life experience. This is why the arrival is rarely what was pictured.
With acute awareness, one is less likely to experience a sense of 'How did I get here?' because when choosing in the moment the appropriate response, all is experienced as process. All is becoming. In every moment there is arrival. In every moment the goal is met.
The five year plan happens as it should with present moment awareness being the driver. Obstacles are faced directly and overcome. Creative solutions are found as one can only react to an action. As much as one's intellect may want to anticipate and plan; something called life interferes.
Twists and turns. Chance and fate. Destiny and plot changes. Responding and growing. Learning and growing. Erring and repeating the error. Erring and correcting.
Take a moment and think back to five years ago. As close to the day as possible. Where were you? Who had not yet entered your life? Who had not yet left your life? What were your dreams and desires? Have they been fulfilled? What didn't happen ? What did instead?
Isn't it remarkable? So much you could not have imagined. Even today may bring a change like no other. Be ready. Be open. Be real.
At this moment you are choosing a direction. Even doing nothing is a choice. At this moment you have arrived. Dissatisfaction compels us to move towards satisfaction. What do you seek? Where are you headed? A multitude of choices present themselves daily, whether there is awareness or not. The point between the now and the then will always involve a choice; conscious or otherwise.
Grasp the immensity of this. To the degree you are able to stay within the here and now, to that degree you are able to respond with clarity to the world passing by. It is that simple and that difficult. It can take a lifetime or a moment to understand. Don't force; let it wash over you.
We find ourselves in five year or five second increments together underneath the sheltering sky. Let us help and support one another in our quest to find truth in our lives. Every five seconds. Every five years.
Friday, August 17, 2007
Fireflies
The firefly makes itself known for an instant to those who have eyes. Then in a moment, the opportunity to see is lost, possibly forever. One never knows.
How many flashes will present themselves whilst you yet can see? How many flashes will you notice? How many of those that are noticed will also find you ready and capable to seize the beauty of it all?
Love is like that. It appears for a moment. Then it appears again...or maybe not. Others may tell you what they saw. What beauty they seized. Though it is like recounting a delicious feast to another. Salivate as they may, they can only wait for the next invitation. Or maybe not. One never knows.
They may become bitter in their waiting or numb beyond disappointment. Their eyes and hearts closed forever. Choose to be open and ready for what might appear in a moment. Then again...maybe not. Take your chance. Take your chances.
How many flashes will present themselves whilst you yet can see? How many flashes will you notice? How many of those that are noticed will also find you ready and capable to seize the beauty of it all?
Love is like that. It appears for a moment. Then it appears again...or maybe not. Others may tell you what they saw. What beauty they seized. Though it is like recounting a delicious feast to another. Salivate as they may, they can only wait for the next invitation. Or maybe not. One never knows.
They may become bitter in their waiting or numb beyond disappointment. Their eyes and hearts closed forever. Choose to be open and ready for what might appear in a moment. Then again...maybe not. Take your chance. Take your chances.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Fear of the unknown (Or how to self-sabotage in 10 easy steps!)
Fear of the unknown. Fear of the never encountered. Fear of the yet to happen. Whenever we leave the security of the here and now, we tread into uncharted waters. The mind with it's fertile imagination mostly chooses catastrophic images.
Why does this seem so? In childhood when we are most open and reality based, the messages begin flooding in from our mostly well intentioned parents, other relatives, friends, and teachers. "Be careful!", "you remember what happened last time...", "you'll end up getting hurt", "I wouldn't if I were you", and so on.
Even as adults, these mental "tape loops" will begin playing in our minds at the first scent of an unknown situation or strange environment. Each new moment approached free of memories and anticipations will always allow for the proper response. However we will block the proper and natural response if we are not operating from our center of strength, our source of power, our optimum self if you will.
During the meditation process, the observation of and distancing from thoughts, fears and anticipations allows one to separate from the stranglehold they can have in our lives. Once we become aware and can observe these thoughts, immediately we see that there is both the thought AND the observer of the thought. Separated from the negative thought AND staying solidly in the moment, there can be no fear.
You become fearless when you can separate your inner self from the pesky habitual thoughts that seem to emerge when you are about to enter a unique, unknown situation.
Regular meditation and usage of the observation techniques will increasingly strengthen your ability to halt these "tape loops" in their tracks. If you haven't already, I suggest you begin using the technique outlined here.
If you have already begun using the observation and awareness technique, then you are likely to have already identified and isolated some personal thoughts which have immobilized you to this point.
Realize once and for all that they are only thoughts and not reality, and that only you ultimately have control over allowing them to continue to sabotage your pursuit of happiness and inner peace.
By calm observation and awareness, these thoughts will melt away like snowflakes beneath a blazing sun. This continued control you will exert will bring an inner peace and strength beyond words!
Why does this seem so? In childhood when we are most open and reality based, the messages begin flooding in from our mostly well intentioned parents, other relatives, friends, and teachers. "Be careful!", "you remember what happened last time...", "you'll end up getting hurt", "I wouldn't if I were you", and so on.
Even as adults, these mental "tape loops" will begin playing in our minds at the first scent of an unknown situation or strange environment. Each new moment approached free of memories and anticipations will always allow for the proper response. However we will block the proper and natural response if we are not operating from our center of strength, our source of power, our optimum self if you will.
During the meditation process, the observation of and distancing from thoughts, fears and anticipations allows one to separate from the stranglehold they can have in our lives. Once we become aware and can observe these thoughts, immediately we see that there is both the thought AND the observer of the thought. Separated from the negative thought AND staying solidly in the moment, there can be no fear.
You become fearless when you can separate your inner self from the pesky habitual thoughts that seem to emerge when you are about to enter a unique, unknown situation.
Regular meditation and usage of the observation techniques will increasingly strengthen your ability to halt these "tape loops" in their tracks. If you haven't already, I suggest you begin using the technique outlined here.
If you have already begun using the observation and awareness technique, then you are likely to have already identified and isolated some personal thoughts which have immobilized you to this point.
Realize once and for all that they are only thoughts and not reality, and that only you ultimately have control over allowing them to continue to sabotage your pursuit of happiness and inner peace.
By calm observation and awareness, these thoughts will melt away like snowflakes beneath a blazing sun. This continued control you will exert will bring an inner peace and strength beyond words!
The eyes have it
How are you utilizing your eyes? Are they turned inwards or outwards? Are you looking OUT at the world or is it looking IN at you?
I mean, do you use your eyes naturally to perceive, identify and navigate your surroundings or do they seem as if they are turned inward? As if the world looks through your eyes and into you, where you are constantly judged and assessed. How much energy is expended battling these judgements?
Regain proper use of the eyes simply by remaining in the here and now. Become aware anytime you allow your eyes to "turn inward".
The "eyes are the window to the soul" is a romantic ideal indeed. Just become aware that you're not using one way window glass!
I mean, do you use your eyes naturally to perceive, identify and navigate your surroundings or do they seem as if they are turned inward? As if the world looks through your eyes and into you, where you are constantly judged and assessed. How much energy is expended battling these judgements?
Regain proper use of the eyes simply by remaining in the here and now. Become aware anytime you allow your eyes to "turn inward".
The "eyes are the window to the soul" is a romantic ideal indeed. Just become aware that you're not using one way window glass!
Every moment...this is it!
In every successive moment you find what truly is. In every moment the truth is boldly revealed. In every moment that you attend to, your destiny is there also.
In every moment that you are aware, escape is neither desired nor possible. In every moment, without reference to past or future, there you will find timelessness.
In every moment you observe a thought, that is another moment in which you realize you are not the thought. In every moment that you give up the need to be somewhere; in that moment you will realize you are where you should be.
In every moment that you give up trying to better yourself, in that moment you will be your best. In every moment that you are not able to close off the flow of life, in that moment you will be completely open. In every moment that you truly do nothing, you will accomplish everything.
In every moment that you are aware, escape is neither desired nor possible. In every moment, without reference to past or future, there you will find timelessness.
In every moment you observe a thought, that is another moment in which you realize you are not the thought. In every moment that you give up the need to be somewhere; in that moment you will realize you are where you should be.
In every moment that you give up trying to better yourself, in that moment you will be your best. In every moment that you are not able to close off the flow of life, in that moment you will be completely open. In every moment that you truly do nothing, you will accomplish everything.
Monday, August 13, 2007
Essence of who you are
If you choose (and it is a choice) to remain convinced that you are what your mind tells you that you are, then try to realize just how tenuous your self-image really is.
Lose or find a job, lose or find a lover, or have your ego praised or insulted and watch your self-image change rapidly and at times radically. The ramifications of these events cause the mind to constantly redefine who you are. The mind will tell you that you were once this or that, and now you are this or that. Clearly see that it is merely an image.
All the ideas your mind has about you are perilously hinging on ever-changing circumstances and events.
Do you think the essence of who you are can suddenly change because someone hires or fires you, loves or hates you, or insults or praises you?
Realize that the essence of who you are (the witness of these thoughts) is infinite and changeless. Recall that you are able to observe your thoughts so in fact you are separate from them. That which does the observing is changeless and unaffected by the events unfolding around you.
If you remain engrossed in your thoughts then it follows that you will be tossed to and fro. Remain objective to your thoughts, tame your ego and you will be at peace. This inner peace may be achieved with sincerity in your heart and daily discipline. Practice present moment awareness at all times and mediate regularly to still the restless mind.
If you aren't already, try practicing the daily meditation exercise located at here and allow simple awareness to be curative. See for yourself!
Lose or find a job, lose or find a lover, or have your ego praised or insulted and watch your self-image change rapidly and at times radically. The ramifications of these events cause the mind to constantly redefine who you are. The mind will tell you that you were once this or that, and now you are this or that. Clearly see that it is merely an image.
All the ideas your mind has about you are perilously hinging on ever-changing circumstances and events.
Do you think the essence of who you are can suddenly change because someone hires or fires you, loves or hates you, or insults or praises you?
Realize that the essence of who you are (the witness of these thoughts) is infinite and changeless. Recall that you are able to observe your thoughts so in fact you are separate from them. That which does the observing is changeless and unaffected by the events unfolding around you.
If you remain engrossed in your thoughts then it follows that you will be tossed to and fro. Remain objective to your thoughts, tame your ego and you will be at peace. This inner peace may be achieved with sincerity in your heart and daily discipline. Practice present moment awareness at all times and mediate regularly to still the restless mind.
If you aren't already, try practicing the daily meditation exercise located at here and allow simple awareness to be curative. See for yourself!
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Energy loss when unaware in the moment
It really is quite remarkable when we begin to consider the vast amounts of energy we consume needlessly. Large amounts of energy are used to sustain our delusions, fantasies and various levels of unawareness.
When we are centered and remaining in the moment as much as possible, then our energy flows smoothly from one moment to the next. When we are able to approach each moment from our center (our source), the appropriate response to the actions of others and events around us will occur quite naturally. This skill will sharpen through the continued use of the meditation techniques.
When we choose (and it is a choice) to leave the safe haven of the present moment and become caught up in our thoughts, imaginings and fantasies, our naturally flowing energy now is diverted. In order to maintain these illusions, our mind will construct elaborate schemes and rationalizations to justify our behavior.
For example, you feel slighted or treated unfairly by someone, and the image of the event gets replayed in your mind until resentment builds. Now your imagination begins to envision and create scenarios like "next time I see him/her I'm going to tell them..." and "if they respond in this manner then I'll respond with....".
On and on, the multiple possibilities of various confrontations and interactions that may or may not even occur are visualized, analyzed, and replayed.
The energy that would normally flow naturally and allow you to rely on your immediate intuitive abilities becomes blocked. That energy is now required to sustain this continued layer of fantasy between your true self and the other individual.
Furthermore, feelings of guilt may arise upon being aware of these resentments and these guilty feelings further tax your psyche and require yet more energy to keep you from spiraling out of control.
These false layers block true, direct communication between individuals and can become habitual patterns. You may unconsciously extend these feelings towards other individuals you encounter in the future. To illustrate this point consider the following example.
Lets say the individual with whom the current resentment involves, happens to have a reddish beard. Three years later you happen to be introduced to a stranger with a reddish beard and immediately you feel a sense of uneasiness. All the while you are completely unaware as to the basis of this feeling.
Be careful to note what you assume are merely "first impressions" may possibly be impressions from a previous experience dating back days, months or even years!
To prevent the unnecessary depletion of your vital life energy, try to commit to remaining centered in the present moment. This will prevent the bottling up and misuse of the very life force that will propel you from moment to moment with ease.
When we are centered and remaining in the moment as much as possible, then our energy flows smoothly from one moment to the next. When we are able to approach each moment from our center (our source), the appropriate response to the actions of others and events around us will occur quite naturally. This skill will sharpen through the continued use of the meditation techniques.
When we choose (and it is a choice) to leave the safe haven of the present moment and become caught up in our thoughts, imaginings and fantasies, our naturally flowing energy now is diverted. In order to maintain these illusions, our mind will construct elaborate schemes and rationalizations to justify our behavior.
For example, you feel slighted or treated unfairly by someone, and the image of the event gets replayed in your mind until resentment builds. Now your imagination begins to envision and create scenarios like "next time I see him/her I'm going to tell them..." and "if they respond in this manner then I'll respond with....".
On and on, the multiple possibilities of various confrontations and interactions that may or may not even occur are visualized, analyzed, and replayed.
The energy that would normally flow naturally and allow you to rely on your immediate intuitive abilities becomes blocked. That energy is now required to sustain this continued layer of fantasy between your true self and the other individual.
Furthermore, feelings of guilt may arise upon being aware of these resentments and these guilty feelings further tax your psyche and require yet more energy to keep you from spiraling out of control.
These false layers block true, direct communication between individuals and can become habitual patterns. You may unconsciously extend these feelings towards other individuals you encounter in the future. To illustrate this point consider the following example.
Lets say the individual with whom the current resentment involves, happens to have a reddish beard. Three years later you happen to be introduced to a stranger with a reddish beard and immediately you feel a sense of uneasiness. All the while you are completely unaware as to the basis of this feeling.
Be careful to note what you assume are merely "first impressions" may possibly be impressions from a previous experience dating back days, months or even years!
To prevent the unnecessary depletion of your vital life energy, try to commit to remaining centered in the present moment. This will prevent the bottling up and misuse of the very life force that will propel you from moment to moment with ease.
Doubt not
Doubt not.
When you are able to disengage from unhealthy attachments to certain people, places and things in your life, what remains is your essence or higher self.
This detachment will allow your motivation to come from within and be genuine, rather than from without which can mislead and lacks inner support. The directions you take in this higher state and the choices you make will occur naturally and seemingly without effort.
A certain gracefulness will ensue when you are not restrained from stifling outer imposed limitations. If the direction you should move in is not clearly illuminated...wait. Do nothing. In stillness and meditation, the answer will appear.
When the response is appropriate, you will have no doubt. Doubt is our enemy. It disdains all that is possible and immobilizes the self. Isolate doubt and remain objective to it and its harmful effects.
Where doubt exists, clarity cannot be present. Clarity is wordless and comes from within. There is nothing to for you to seek; this inner vision and clarity waits quietly for you to overcome doubt and then it will make itself known.
When you are able to disengage from unhealthy attachments to certain people, places and things in your life, what remains is your essence or higher self.
This detachment will allow your motivation to come from within and be genuine, rather than from without which can mislead and lacks inner support. The directions you take in this higher state and the choices you make will occur naturally and seemingly without effort.
A certain gracefulness will ensue when you are not restrained from stifling outer imposed limitations. If the direction you should move in is not clearly illuminated...wait. Do nothing. In stillness and meditation, the answer will appear.
When the response is appropriate, you will have no doubt. Doubt is our enemy. It disdains all that is possible and immobilizes the self. Isolate doubt and remain objective to it and its harmful effects.
Where doubt exists, clarity cannot be present. Clarity is wordless and comes from within. There is nothing to for you to seek; this inner vision and clarity waits quietly for you to overcome doubt and then it will make itself known.
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