It's almost Christmas!
The past few days have been filled with shopping, shopping, and more shopping. Why? For presents, presents, presents of course!
We enjoy buying gifts for the ones we love, and let's all be honest, we love receiving gifts too. We delight in seeing the eyes of a young child light up as he or she opens up colorfully wrapped boxes on Christmas morning.
If only the act of giving could be carried on throughout the year...
If only we could maintain that level of joy and excitement with EVERY gift we are given, regardless if it's wrapped in a bow or not...
Happiness is something that comes from within. It cannot be found outside of yourself. I have always found this concept to be very interesting.
For example, the sun would have no warmth without your skin. YOU are the creator of warmth within yourself (thanks to fancy receptors in your skin, of course). A flower would have no scent, unless you were there to smell it. YOU are the creator of the smell within yourself.
Both the sun and the flower, in this example, are not separate entities; they combine into one being through the actions and observations in the PRESENT moment. Present...get it? Gift? Ho ho ho
So be in the present...always, and be thankful for everything because everything truly is a gift from the divine...
...or it could be a gift from Oprah.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Thursday, December 17, 2009
A Wrinkle in Time
...I heart that book by Madeleine L'engle, but this entry isn't really about time travel and tesseracts...I think?
Last night I was reading a book that brought up the topic of Jyotish. It's basically Indian/Hindu astrology. Pulling it up on wikipedia reveals a whole mess of stuff that I'll probably never understand, but the event described in the book I was reading goes beyond "normal" Jyotish.
In the book, the author describes how a friend of his had tracked down a Hindi monk that happened to have the author's Jyotish scroll.
According to the book, these scrolls were written hundreds of years ago. They were writings that described the life of a person that would be born at a specific point in time. Many of these writings were lost and are scattered throughout the world. The real kicker is, these ancient seers didn't write a scroll for everyone that would ever be born. They only wrote them for the people they KNEW would seek these scrolls out.
The author's scroll was so exact it predicted his father and mother's names, the name of his children...even the day he would die.
Shivers ran up my spine as the list of accuracies went on and on.
But the ability to see the future is not so strange to these ancient mystics. They believed we are all connected--one universe. They were simply adept enough to tap in to a small pattern in the tapestry of time and see a future self that was also a part of them.
It's sort of like life is one huge fractal. I am a part of you, and you are a part of me. We really aren't that different...only different forms of the same type of energy.
Monday, December 14, 2009
The Gift of Release
Three days ago, I started a 21-Day Consciousness Cleanse. It's the first book by Debbie Ford that I've read, and I thoroughly enjoy her method of bringing light to one's inner light.
The 21-Day Consciousness Cleanse is, in my opinion, a revolutionary DIY manual to greater awareness. Covering the past, present, and future, Ford brings to light a new gift for each day of the week for three weeks. These gifts allow one to access the hidden obstacles of the psyche, "cleansing rituals" to overcome those barriers, and ultimately a better understanding of who we are.
Each day begins with a morning practice. The reader is required to describe the state of one's emotional, spiritual, or physical flame. The reader sets an intentions for the day, how they will achieve that intention, and create their own healing mantra that they must repeat throughout the day.
Following this morning practice is a "cleansing ritual," which is usually some form of a journal activity.
Today's (Day 3) ritual, for instance, was about the Gift of Release. I was required to acknowledge all of the toxic events of my past, how they made me feel, physically manifest them into a drawing, and ultimately destroy that physical manifestation by burning it and offering a prayer to God, letting go of those toxicities and using those past events as fuel for a greater future.
I find this entire process to be extremely helpful and quite fun! It's one thing to read a book, but to actively participate in the process through these simple exercises is enthralling and unique to this genre.
I still have 18 days to go, and I look forward to learning more about myself and sharing what I learn with you. ^_^
The 21-Day Consciousness Cleanse is, in my opinion, a revolutionary DIY manual to greater awareness. Covering the past, present, and future, Ford brings to light a new gift for each day of the week for three weeks. These gifts allow one to access the hidden obstacles of the psyche, "cleansing rituals" to overcome those barriers, and ultimately a better understanding of who we are.
Each day begins with a morning practice. The reader is required to describe the state of one's emotional, spiritual, or physical flame. The reader sets an intentions for the day, how they will achieve that intention, and create their own healing mantra that they must repeat throughout the day.
Following this morning practice is a "cleansing ritual," which is usually some form of a journal activity.
Today's (Day 3) ritual, for instance, was about the Gift of Release. I was required to acknowledge all of the toxic events of my past, how they made me feel, physically manifest them into a drawing, and ultimately destroy that physical manifestation by burning it and offering a prayer to God, letting go of those toxicities and using those past events as fuel for a greater future.
I find this entire process to be extremely helpful and quite fun! It's one thing to read a book, but to actively participate in the process through these simple exercises is enthralling and unique to this genre.
I still have 18 days to go, and I look forward to learning more about myself and sharing what I learn with you. ^_^
Saturday, December 12, 2009
New Beginnings and Endings
Today is a both a day for celebration and a day of great sadness for me.
Yesterday was my last day of classes for this semester. As of now, I've passed all of my classes, and I am quite happy with my grades. I'm just waiting for one more grade to be posted.
Sadly, on the heels of this semester's end comes the news of a dear friend and classmate's passing.
He was on his way home to his family when he and a friend were involved in a tragic car accident. The other passenger survived, but it was too late for my friend. Details of exactly what happened remain unclear at this time.
I wasn't necessarily close friends with this person, but I knew him fairly well. He was always kind and had a smile on his face. He would always ask how I was doing every time he saw me.
The news of his passing was shocking and hard for me to believe. Even as I type this, my hands are still shaking.
This event only reminded me how quickly everything can change in an instant. Our time on this earth limited, and we need to live each moment in appreciation for the people in our lives.
I still don't want to believe that our friend is gone. He was such a bright light in our lives, but I know that his light will shine on.
Yesterday was my last day of classes for this semester. As of now, I've passed all of my classes, and I am quite happy with my grades. I'm just waiting for one more grade to be posted.
Sadly, on the heels of this semester's end comes the news of a dear friend and classmate's passing.
He was on his way home to his family when he and a friend were involved in a tragic car accident. The other passenger survived, but it was too late for my friend. Details of exactly what happened remain unclear at this time.
I wasn't necessarily close friends with this person, but I knew him fairly well. He was always kind and had a smile on his face. He would always ask how I was doing every time he saw me.
The news of his passing was shocking and hard for me to believe. Even as I type this, my hands are still shaking.
This event only reminded me how quickly everything can change in an instant. Our time on this earth limited, and we need to live each moment in appreciation for the people in our lives.
I still don't want to believe that our friend is gone. He was such a bright light in our lives, but I know that his light will shine on.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Doubt
It's been a long while since I've posted.
Preparing for the gauntlet of tests has been taking up most of my time, and with that, I feel as though I've lost sight of many things.
Take a look at what I call the "chalkboard of my life." For one week, I would write down random words, phrases, events, and images that would pop into my head. Such documentation is only a fraction of the thoughts and ideas our brain processes every day! But I'll save talk of this for another entry...
I was asked an interesting question yesterday. "What do you need to give up in order to experience peace?"
From the above image, my mind seems to be anything but peaceful. Not surprisingly, the common thread among many of those scribbles involves things that are school related.
That gave rise to numerous questions... Would I really be willing to give up school in exchange for peace? Would that solve the problem, or only create more problems? Would I be quitting just because it's challenging? What are the pros and cons of such a decision? Is there an alternative?
At many points in our life, I believe we doubt ourselves and our abilities. We wonder if we are on the right path, if we are making an impact in society.
It is my opinion that a certain level of doubt is actually quite healthy. It shows that we are thinking; we are conscious of the changes that are occurring in our mind and in our lives. Doubt shows a willingness to observe a possible change of course in action. It is a sign that we are human.
"Aim with your heart, adjust with your head, and always, always, always, do all you can."
Regardless of the situation, peace is always just a breath away.
Time to wipe the slate clean.
Preparing for the gauntlet of tests has been taking up most of my time, and with that, I feel as though I've lost sight of many things.
Take a look at what I call the "chalkboard of my life." For one week, I would write down random words, phrases, events, and images that would pop into my head. Such documentation is only a fraction of the thoughts and ideas our brain processes every day! But I'll save talk of this for another entry...
I was asked an interesting question yesterday. "What do you need to give up in order to experience peace?"
From the above image, my mind seems to be anything but peaceful. Not surprisingly, the common thread among many of those scribbles involves things that are school related.
That gave rise to numerous questions... Would I really be willing to give up school in exchange for peace? Would that solve the problem, or only create more problems? Would I be quitting just because it's challenging? What are the pros and cons of such a decision? Is there an alternative?
At many points in our life, I believe we doubt ourselves and our abilities. We wonder if we are on the right path, if we are making an impact in society.
It is my opinion that a certain level of doubt is actually quite healthy. It shows that we are thinking; we are conscious of the changes that are occurring in our mind and in our lives. Doubt shows a willingness to observe a possible change of course in action. It is a sign that we are human.
"Aim with your heart, adjust with your head, and always, always, always, do all you can."
Regardless of the situation, peace is always just a breath away.
Time to wipe the slate clean.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Vodka
K...this post isn't really about vodka, but it is about alcohol...sort of.
Recently, I've been getting a lot of questions about my choice not to drink alcohol. I was never a heavy drinker or anything, but now people give me a funny look when I say, "I don't drink."
"Why?" is always the question that follows. It's simply a personal choice. I have nothing against people that drink; it's just something I choose not to do.
People are often confused or offended as though I'm doing this to "prove" that I'm above them or drinking. That couldn't be further from the truth.
Yogi Cameron and I share the same view that "Physically, mentally and spiritually there is no part of alcohol (fermented fruits and vegetables) that the body can use or wants."
If there is no benefit to drinking, then why drink? Some do it for the "buzz"--that temporary high or a relief from anxiety.
Personally, I would rather work through anxiety issues in a clear state of mind. Alcohol may be a temporary fix, but if you can work on yourself without relying on external substances, you free yourself from that reliance. You become stronger and are able to face difficult situations knowing that the ability to do so resides within your own being!
TRUST ME!!! No matter how much you drink, sorrows will never drown. It takes something much greater than alcohol to do that.
So, I think alcohol is fine, as long as we don't abuse it. I don't think you have to drink a lot in order to abuse alcohol; simply using it for the wrong reasons is bad enough, so pay attention to your motives. ;)
Mazel Tov
Recently, I've been getting a lot of questions about my choice not to drink alcohol. I was never a heavy drinker or anything, but now people give me a funny look when I say, "I don't drink."
"Why?" is always the question that follows. It's simply a personal choice. I have nothing against people that drink; it's just something I choose not to do.
People are often confused or offended as though I'm doing this to "prove" that I'm above them or drinking. That couldn't be further from the truth.
Yogi Cameron and I share the same view that "Physically, mentally and spiritually there is no part of alcohol (fermented fruits and vegetables) that the body can use or wants."
If there is no benefit to drinking, then why drink? Some do it for the "buzz"--that temporary high or a relief from anxiety.
Personally, I would rather work through anxiety issues in a clear state of mind. Alcohol may be a temporary fix, but if you can work on yourself without relying on external substances, you free yourself from that reliance. You become stronger and are able to face difficult situations knowing that the ability to do so resides within your own being!
TRUST ME!!! No matter how much you drink, sorrows will never drown. It takes something much greater than alcohol to do that.
So, I think alcohol is fine, as long as we don't abuse it. I don't think you have to drink a lot in order to abuse alcohol; simply using it for the wrong reasons is bad enough, so pay attention to your motives. ;)
Mazel Tov
Friday, August 28, 2009
Bleepity-do-dah
I just finished watching What the Bleep Do We Know?
It's been over three years since I've last seen it, and my opinions have really changed.
It was also strange how I began noticing things in the film that I had never noticed before, things that now correspond to what I believe to be "true".
At some points during the film, I feel as though the science was being stretched a bit, but I do believe the overall message they were trying to present is ultimately true.
The universe is teeming with infinite possibilities, and it is up to us to choose and "collapse reality" on to one event.
For example, I have grown as a person over the past few years. I know more, my way of thinking has changed; ultimately, my own paradigm or the way I view the world has shifted. Because of this shift in state of mind, I "see what I want to see." My reality has collapsed in such a way that what I want most in my life is able to manifest itself.
Sounds a lot like The Secret mumbo-jumbo, right?
I don't necessarily believe we can manifest things like money, love, or our dream homes simply by thinking about them. It takes much more work than that.
As mentioned in What the Bleep, our body releases hormones. Our bodies naturally crave a state of homeostasis; it doesn't like to be in discomfort. As a result, our body releases peptides and chemicals that make us feel good. These peptides bind to receptors. In some cases, they bind to the same receptors that heroin binds to. So like a drug addict addicted to drugs, we too can become addicted to emotions, whether they be positive or negative emotions.
From experience, I've found that is important to catch ourselves when negative thoughts begin to arise. If we actively change the way we think, our brain will begin to literally rewire itself. Over time, we become accustomed to seeing the positive rather than always seeing the negative. We see things that were always right in front of us, but we were never able to notice them before because our way of thinking was limiting our vision.
Happiness is something that is cultivated from within, not something that inherently exists.
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