How does stress affect health and lifestyle?

Web 2.0, Social Networking and Enlightenment

2007-09-22T18:09:00.000-07:00

You know, I'm starting to see the whole Web 2.0/Social Networking light.

Craigslist, Wikipedia, del.icio.us, Skype, MySpace, Facebook, Digg, StumbleUpon, Twitter and on and on.

At first glance, it all seemed so inundating to one's personal life so I easily avoided it - then I looked a little deeper.

There's a massive transition in the way we use the internet. Key word use.

A few years ago websites were mostly non-interactive. Your input was limited - very limited. The net used us. We didn't mind so much, for it was so novel. Remember?

Flashing banner ads, immediate re-direction to a website you didn't want, pop-under ads, pop-over ads - yes I'll admit I used a few of these same techniques for a brief period, when I really just should have written better content.

Back then as a surfer, first you dealt with actually finding what you sought. This was compromised by so called "black hat" search engine techniques. The search engine results were manipulated by spammers so often that the results were rarely relevant.

If you were lucky - you'd find (or stumble upon) a website with value and then you'd likely email your friends with the site's link - or mention it face to face.

It remained word of mouth. Person to person. Group to group. Still, the human element had difficulty prevailing against what at times seemed like a massive techno-foe. Is that a word? ;-)

I guess dissatisfaction spawned the change that began. Instant messaging gained in usage. People began using the net to communicate with each other directly on a massive scale. Forums and newsgroups couldn't compete with real time communication.

Try this experiment. Next time you're in cafe with a wireless connection and you notice someone on a laptop - take a peek at what's on their screen. Odds are they're on a social networking site. They're communicating. Telling others what they like - and don't. Both things online and offline.

They'll also direct others to blogs/websites they've learned from, been amazed and inspired by - and also found to be a serious waste of time.

Sites like Digg, Reddit and StumbleUpon allow you actual input. You share, discover and vote on stuff that's meaningful to you. In turn these Web 2.0 properties (and others) use your opinions/ratings to form collaborative opinions on website quality.

In growing numbers these sites are appearing in search results. They are having a huge impact. The search engines are noticing and a massive shift is happening online.

Individuals and communities are determining what shape the internet will take next - not corporations. Of course they'll be there too but following the trends and catering to them.

Bad news travels fast on the net, and companies/individuals that fail to heed the opinions of the online community with perish.

So what does this have to do with enlightenment? Good question; I'm still trying to figure that out - but I think it goes something like this:

If you choose to sit on a mountain top - without a laptop and a wireless connection that is - you'll do just fine!

However more likely, the internet will continue to be - but not exclusively - a powerful means by which you manage, learn, interact and communicate with your world.

Your discoveries and insights - both online and offline - will find an audience in like-minded individuals. They'll be easier to find with Web 2.0 properties - and more are being added daily.

The potential to genuinely touch lives, teach and be taught - beyond your immediate physical space - will be realized. The ability to be influenced and inspired by others is growing exponentially.

It's happening now!

Free blogging sites and other tools allow you to communicate instantly. By the way, if you've started blogging and want more people to hear what you have to say, check out the last one of the links that follow.

Now back to enlightenment...if there's a moment where you wake up, have a flash of insight or simply find something inside yourself that you'd never seen previously - you can share it instantly with someone in your own online community who may be on the verge of their own discovery.

That "someone" who you've already established shares the same interests and pursuits as you. And they'll share with others. Across the street or halfway around the world - just as instantly.

Imagine... then do.

Here are a few links. Explore and add me if you'd like.

StumbleUpon

Then locate me at StumbleUpon through VinnieQ or webmaster@optimumself.com

Digg

Twitter

And don't forget to click here if you already have a blog and need some visitors.

Our Greatest Teachers...

2007-09-01T08:10:00.001-07:00

We all seemingly have an individual or individuals in our lives who can seemingly bring out the worst in us by his/her/their mere appearance. Understand that they are teachers in disguise!

Be grateful for these teachers, in that they give you a number of opportunities to both see your resentments clearly and therefore rid yourself of their destructive influences, as well assist you in developing your skills of observation and detachment.

See clearly that they do not drive you crazy, rather you drive yourself crazy, having been unable to detach from the ideas the very presence of these teachers stir up in your mind. Observe these disturbing thoughts and your subsequent habitual responses, and these thoughts (and these individuals) will begin to lose their negative influences over you.

These teachers and to what degree you are able to dispassionately observe your reactions to them, will profoundly influence your rate of growth. You may even discover some positive qualities they possess! Prior to your new awareness, you may have been far too involved in your own "going craziness" to notice!

Be here now. As you move about your world, treat others as though they are the most important person in the world. There are several fine reasons for this. The least of them being that your environment will begin to reflect that which you send out.

The golden rule is powerful indeed. There is a mirroring effect that takes place between you and your environment. You must give before receiving. You must create a little spark before a roaring fire can develop and provide you with great warmth.

Again, you will become what you think about all the days of your life. Have you treated others cruelly, without patience or compassion in the past? Does your life not reflect that prior treatment? Be honest enough to see previously hidden resentments as they bubble up to the surface, but remember not to judge yourself. Can you see how the judgment of others has kept you continually feeling judged? Eliminate your own judgments and notice the absolute freedom you will experience.

Again without effort, upon seeing these shortcomings, look at them dispassionately and return to the here and now. Just realize and let go. Be aware of the life force and again see in your mind's eye the desire you have by now established clearly and the fulfillment of that desire. Your life is and will continue to change! Be aware.

Develop simple triggers (like the hand trigger mentioned earlier) to constantly return to the meditative state. As you move through your daily world, you may fix a word or phrase ("I am here now" or simply "I am") in your mind and silently repeat it, all the while remaining aware. You may also recall and trigger a physical movement (as simple as a thumb softly touching a fore finger or a warmth or tingling feeling in your dominant hand), to again center yourself and return to a meditative state instantaneously.

The use of these triggers will allow you to become aware of the present moment despite the numerous distractions and trivialities that you will surely encounter. Your awareness will tend to be more heightened at these times.

As a result, you may notice irritations previously hidden and their dispassionate observation will nip negative emotional responses in the bud. Do not worry and strain. Remember to be as the river and its effortless flow. Bring yourself back to that zone, that flow, moment by moment, throughout your day!

Simplicity. The wisdom of the ages. The life force (or whatever you choose to call it) within, and the power to recreate your life is now yours for the taking. Today! Now it begins. Now after now after now. Step after step after step.

Do not become disheartened if your progress is not as quick as you had envisioned. Just continue earnestly to follow these simple steps. Remain patient with yourself at all times. Keep on the path. Awareness will come in increasing waves. Just be aware that you are aware. You will realize that you have all the time in the world. There is no need to rush. There is no need to worry.

You have come here, in this time and place, not by accident but for a purpose. Discover what that purpose is by using these tools. Freely take the wisdom that is presented here. Do you see that there is truly nowhere for you to go? You are here already. Realize that you are exactly where you should be.

The light within you waits ever patiently for you to recognize and bask in its warmth. You are it. Realize this. Practice these techniques regularly and diligently but free off any straining whatsoever. All you desire will arrive in due time. Just remember these simple steps.

You are presently the result of all your previous thoughts including the last one! You are swiftly developing the inborn ability to witness, separate and therefore choose your own thoughts. You do this in the here and now. You can begin fashioning your new life at this moment. Keep centering and drawing yourself away from distractions and back to the present moment.

You are dealing with an almost hypnotic, powerful pulling action towards fantasy, so you will have to be diligent to negate its effects. Remind yourself to always be patient in these efforts. You are dealing with a skillful adversary. Your ego is a worthy foe and has been around for a long time! Fortunately, as darkness can not exist in the light, so is your imagination rendered powerless when exposed by your inner guiding light.

This simplicity is powerful indeed. Constantly remember to remember. Begin your morning meditation shortly after rising. Use this technique to center yourself and then you can continue to draw upon it throughout your day.

Daily worries and concerns will seem less important and will even gradually melt away. Just let it happen.

Individual or dividual?

2007-08-24T18:41:00.001-07:00

Individual or dividual?

You have a clear cut choice. Awaken to the total sense of who you are, or remain in slumber.

Be an individual or a dividual. Divided into your social self, your work self, your family self, your friend self, your lover self, etc. Playing a role depending on the environment. Your life energy channelled in different directions to support various predictable and socially acceptable responses.

Being careful to fit in and properly play your expected role, giving up genuineness in the process. Willfully choosing to give up the uniqueness that is your birthright.

The choice is yours. With continued meditation, you will become increasingly aware. Whenever you are pulled away from your true self in order to take on some expected social role, you will begin to observe the mechanics involved.

In that moment of truth, you can choose to simply be. Aided by that simplicity, the correct response to any situation will emerge. It will be the correct response in that it will be naturally flowing and intuitive.

The Tao refers to wu-wei (non-doing) as action that is effortless and natural. Appropriate responses to any situation when we just flow moment by moment without purpose. Relying on our inner voice and intuition to respond without purpose or motivation. Simply responding. Simply being response-able.

Refuse habitual role playing in favor of expressing yourself honestly from moment to moment, regardless of social pressures. Any reward for "playing the game" will pale in comparison to the freedom gained when one is not being somebody, but simply being.

If you dreamt the same dream night after night

2007-08-24T18:28:00.000-07:00

If you dreamt the same dream night after night, returning to the same cast of characters, surroundings and situations AND you awoke to the same life day after day, returning to the same cast of characters, surrounding and situations...which would be the dream and which would be real?

And how would you distinguish the two?

And would you realize that both are but a dream, and THAT which witnesses both states and is itself changeless is the only reality?

Can you realize that now?

Can you BE THAT now?

Haiku - find you by being

2007-08-24T18:26:00.000-07:00

find you by being

then find love by giving love

nothing else to do

Don't just say it - always be grateful.

2007-08-24T18:22:00.000-07:00

Be grateful for the fact that you exist.

Be grateful for the health that you have.

Be grateful for the food that you eat.

Be grateful for the wonders of nature.

Be grateful for the senses that allow you to experience both pain and pleasure.

Be grateful for your innate ability to ultimately find creative solutions.

Be grateful for all the people in your life.

Be grateful for the kindness that some have shown you.

Be grateful for the ability to to forgive those who have not treated you well.

Be grateful to learn from both.

Be grateful that there are no insignificant moments.

Be grateful that you able to experience all of them.

Be grateful for your ability to learn from your mistakes.

Be grateful for your ability to focus on whatever you choose to focus on.

Be grateful that you have that choice every moment.

Be grateful for your ability to find inner peace.

Gratefulness is magical; in that the more you are grateful for today, the more that you will find you are grateful for tomorrow.

Get it now...Katha Upanishad and all...

2007-08-21T17:56:00.000-07:00

Get it now...

Katha Upanishad (circa 1400 BC)

"To many it is not given to hear of the Self. Many, though they hear it, do not understand it. Wonderful is he who speaks of it. Intelligent is he who learns of it. Blessed is he, who taught by a good teacher is able to understand it"

Buddha (circa 530 BC)

"I have taught the truth which is excellent in the beginning, excellent in the middle, and excellent in the end; it is glorious in its spirit and glorious in its letter. But simple as it is, the people cannot understand it. I must speak to them in their own language. I must adapt my thoughts to their thoughts. They are like unto children, and love to hear tales. Therefore, I will tell them stories to explain the glory of the Dharma. If they cannot grasp the truth in the abstract arguments by which I have reached it, they may nevertheless come to understand it, if it is illustrated in parables."

Tao Te Ching (circa 440 BC)

The Tao that can be followed is not the eternal Tao. The name that can be named is not the eternal name. The nameless is the origin of heaven and earth While naming is the origin of the myriad things. Therefore, always desireless, you see the mystery Ever desiring, you see the manifestations. These two are the same-- When they appear they are named differently.

This sameness is the mystery, Mystery within mystery;

The door to all marvels.

The Gospel According to St. Matthew - Chapter 13 (circa 70 AD)

10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? 11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. 12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. 13 Therefore speak I to them in parables; because seeing they see not, and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. 14 And unto them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall in no wise understand; And seeing ye shall see, and shall in no wise perceive: 15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, And their ears are dull of hearing, And their eyes they have closed; Lest haply they should perceive with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart, And should turn again, And I should heal them. 16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see; and your ears, for they hear.

4-8 year olds when posed question "What is love?"(circa 2000 AD)

"When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love." -- Rebecca, age 8

"When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You know that your name is safe in their mouth." -- Billy, age 4

"Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs." -- Chrissy, age 6

"Love is what makes you smile when you're tired." -- Terri, age 4

"Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK." -- Danny, age 7

"If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate." -- Nikka, age 6

"When you tell someone something bad about yourself and you're scared they won't love you anymore. But then you get surprised because not only do they still love you, they love you even more." -- Matthew, age 7

"Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well." -- Tommy, age 6

"During my piano recital, I was on a stage and scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling. He was the only one doing that. I wasn't scared anymore." -- Cindy, age 8

"Love is when mommy gives daddy the best piece of chicken." -- Elaine, age 5

"Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day." -- Mary Ann, age 4

"When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you." -- Karen, age 7

Freedom is always here and now and available to us

2007-08-19T08:42:00.000-07:00

Freedom is always here and now and available to us. We need only realize it. When locked into our thoughts and perceptions, freedom appears as but a dream. Separate and unattached from the mind and ego, freedom is found. Give up your strong attachments to desires and that is when you will find they will begin to be fulfilled.

Seeking more knowledge and information upon information only burdens the mind by its sheer weight. Beyond your mind and ego and fixed in the present moment, you will find everything you need to know. Wordless and intuitive. Your inner self will be your greatest teacher if you only remain still enough to hear it!

When you eliminate all the false ideas and notions you have about yourself through regular and earnest meditation, then what remains is the true Self. That is where freedom dwells as well.

Forcing change

2007-08-19T08:27:00.000-07:00

Forcing change

As you practice present moment awareness there is no doubt that you will see changes, but demanding immediate profound results is evidence of immaturity. Awareness will trigger change in due time. Don't force change. Forcing and manipulating have actually served to stunt real growth.

Here is the dynamic:

You are unaware of the resentment you have towards a co-worker. Carrying this resentment into a stressful situation, you lash out at this individual with an inappropriate response. You now add feelings of guilt to the mix. You get labelled a "hothead" who is incapable of dealing with stress and as a result, are continually passed over for promotion. This causes further resentment which carries over into your personal relationships.

You lash out again, but this time perhaps your partner is the recipient which causes more personal chaos. More guilt and resentment piled upon guilt and resentment. This in turn takes a toll on your body, resulting in sleeplessness. You are now even less prepared to deal with daily stresses. The situation becomes more volatile and this downward spiral continues.

Let's return to the scene of the crime. While in the present moment and in conversation with this co-worker, you become aware that you indeed harbor some resentment towards them. Simply because you are choosing to be aware in the present moment, you find you are able to remain objective towards this resentment. You observe it, keep separate from it and do not allow it to cause you to react emotionally.

When the stressful situation does arise, you do not lash out. The lashing incident never happens but instead true growth has occurred. A small portion of wisdom has been acquired. Positive developments ensue, all indirectly resulting from that one moment of awareness.

Make that choice to be aware this and every succeeding moment! There is no forcing or straining required. Just simply notice. Witness in the here and now. This is all that needs to be done. Why do you think we call it "the present" anyway?

The five year plan and the five second plan

2007-08-17T17:55:00.000-07:00

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.

Fireflies

2007-08-17T17:48:00.000-07:00

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.

Fear of the unknown (Or how to self-sabotage in 10 easy steps!)

2007-08-16T18:01:00.000-07:00

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!

The eyes have it

2007-08-16T17:53:00.001-07:00

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!

Every moment...this is it!

2007-08-16T17:50:00.000-07:00

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.

Essence of who you are

2007-08-13T19:08:00.000-07:00

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!

Energy loss when unaware in the moment

2007-08-12T14:34:00.000-07:00

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.

Doubt not

2007-08-12T14:05:00.000-07:00

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.

Disappointment

2007-08-11T15:45:00.000-07:00

What is disappointment but an expected happening or event that fails to materialize. Without expectation how can there be disappointment?

We set ourselves up for possible disappointment every time we leave the security and reality of the present moment to pursue fantasy. Failure to receive those expected results, can lead to resentment which further disables our ability to allow abundance to flow in our lives.

Fantasy and daydreaming are useful in pointing out gaps, needs and wants in our present circumstances. Rather then remaining fixated on fantasy, use its cue to determine what feeling is missing in the now that is being sought in the then. When you become aware of fantasy's appearance, you can determine if it is appropriate to pursue in the present moment.

There is a manifesting meditation technique detailed in the Optimum Self eBook that trains you to concentrate on the feeling that you believe will result when the thing you desire finally arrives. For example, you may have a desire to acquire a new home, when what you really seek are the accompanying feelings of comfort and security.

When practicing this technique, the concentration is placed on the attainment of the feeling without forcing, allowing the universe to unfold and look after the details.

Sweet Devotio...oh to what though?

2007-08-10T09:17:00.000-07:00

Sweet Devotio...oh to what though?

Latin derivative devotio: (Christian) piety, devotion, zeal.

What are you devoted to? You're not devoted to anything you say? Check again. You're living it out right now.

What do you have a zeal for? Where is your heart?

Are you devoted to reality or merely an image of who you believe yourself to be? Are you the "good girl" or the "bad boy"? The hero? The martyr? The hipster? The loser? The adult-child? The caretaker? If you label others easily, chances are you've got the bug too.

Do you knowingly play a role or have you turned a more horrible corner so that now the role plays you? Do you move from role to role and call it growth while it is merely substitution?

Does the current role include accoutrements to be acquired and then more still? Do you understand why we have the word 'trappings'? Can you admire and enjoy things, then detach and let go, or does envy and covetousness creep into your heart easily?

Does the need to have and possess things lead to worrying about and keeping those things? Then finally becoming a slave to them. Are you a slave to or the master of things?

Do you understand clearly that it is the love of money (ergo things) that is the root of all evil and not money (hence things) itself? So just where is your heart? What are you devoted to?

Are you an adult who just can't, actually just refuses to conceive of yourself as an adult? Psssst...if you can hang on to the image that you are a child, then you never have to take on the responsibility of an adult. You can ride that one out indefinitely. You just have to find "the caretaker" and hope they don't grow up either!

To grow up, mature and ripen may require periods of aloneness. Only then are we ready to emerge and make genuine contact with another. The rose will open when ready. Leave it be. Aloneness is very different from loneliness. With loneliness there still remains a neediness, a childish cry for support. Be first alone, then you shall be prepared to meet another fully.

So just where is your heart? What are you devoted to? Where do you place your attention? What do you treasure the most?

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21

Watch the ongoing battle between self-deception versus awakening to the fullness of who you actually are. Stop playing games and come to your senses!

This coming to one's senses, being who you truly are, involves pulling back the veil of illusion. Letting go of an image of yourself is not easy however once you start, life unfolds with a sweetness never known.

Explode into authenticity and richness of being. Begin to truly feel, taste and experience the world and others. Recognize your needs. Don't play roles/games to satisfy them. Be real before you demand the same of others. Say what you mean and mean what you say.

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. How perfectly beautiful!

You are the author of your own story

2007-08-09T06:36:00.000-07:00

Recently, Bill Harris sat down with Lisa Nichols from "The Secret". If you've seen Ms. Nichols her genuineness and joy are obvious. Below are some kep points discussed:

When we get - really get - that we are creating our story day by day, it instantly (and completely) shatters the belief that power is only outside ourselves.

Realize and reassert your strength by becoming aware of your thoughts and choosing what you focus on.

No longer choose to expend energy focusing on what you don't want.

1) Gratefulness is the starting point. Begin this moment to think of all you are grateful for. Don't minimize anything. Grateful that you have vision able to read this. Intelligence to understand these directions. And on and on.

2) Focus your mind on what else you'd be grateful for.

3) Take action! Take the most appropriate action you can think of - or model the actions of those that inspire you.

4) Make sure the action you take is in some way adding value to the lives of others.

Repeat 1-4 again - and again.

Step by step. It really is that simple in order to create a better story!

Deep sleep

2007-08-04T11:23:00.000-07:00

Our worldly experience is comprised of three states; waking, dreaming and deep sleep. When awake or dreaming one can witness that they are awake or dreaming. Where is the witness when in deep sleep?

If someone watches you while you are in a state of deep sleep, they themselves are aware of the passage of time. For you though there is only nothingness. There is "no - thing" in that state of deep sleep. No conscious witnessing of body or mind. Peaceful, perfect and undisturbed.

Ponder how this may relate to the death of our body as a vehicle for consciousness.

Crisis or opportunity?

2007-08-03T19:46:00.000-07:00

What now?

You may be faced with a crisis of some sort. Perhaps a major lifestyle change or personal loss.

There will be a tendency to question why this is occurring at this time and place. There are seldom suitable answers to these questions and that process alone is energy draining. You may feel unprepared to face a certain change. It can be overwhelming and anxiety causing.

It is vitally important at these times to remain quiet and depend on your inner resources. They may not have been tested to this degree before. This may be an opportunity in disguise. Our ability to respond appropriately at such times may later be viewed as crucial turning points.

Whether they be deemed positive or negative depends upon our ability to remain centered. Remaining centered, while easier said than done, is absolutely within your power. Beginning your day with a morning meditation will prepare you to respond calmly but decisively in any crisis you may face.

It is imperative to center yourself before the crisis hits, rather than reacting emotionally and trying to find your center afterwards. Scrambling back to find your calm center from that emotional state is very difficult indeed.

If you are centered when the metaphorical door closes shut, you will have the awareness to locate another opening that perhaps you had never noticed. Anger, panic and resentment effectively narrow your field of vision, while the absence of these creates a wide angle view and even allows for peripheral vision.

The world around you and the circumstances of your life will necessarily be ever-changing. Change is evidence of growth. What happens around you is often beyond your control however how you react to these inevitable changes is your choice.

Rest assured that the essence of who you are is changeless and timeless. Find this inner self daily and welcome change outside yourself and the accompanying new opportunities. Calmly see a new door open.

Courage to overcome your ego

2007-08-01T05:22:00.000-07:00

You have a rather serious battle in front of you.

As you begin to be inner rather than outer directed, expect to face opposition from your persistent ego. That same ego that has been calling the shots all along. This ego's very existence is threatened when you rely on and take your cues from your inner self. With survival at stake, don't expect it to disappear without a fight.

It will take courage to recognize and stop responding to the ego's habitual demands. Courage is needed to lose yourself initially, in order to find yourself ultimately. Courage to trust in the infinite life force within, to direct your life.

There is no program to follow. There are no deadlines to meet. Continue to return throughout your daily activities to the awareness of the here and now. Become increasingly objective to and separate from your thoughts. Positive changes will begin to occur merely by practicing present moment awareness.

At times you will feel as if in uncharted waters. Fear may arise when you no longer operate in the world through your unconscious habitual patterns. Yet you may not trust fully in the inner self's ability to guide. At these times, witness the fear and clearly observe the separation of your self and the fear. "There is nothing to fear but fear itself" still assumes that fear must exist. There is still fear; of what makes little difference. Try rephrasing this as "there is nothing to fear including fear itself".

Have the courage to nurture and respond to your intuitive stirrings. The gentle urging that will occur when the mind is still will never lead you astray. Have the courage to trust in your inner self. You will be tested often, but your resolve will strengthen with each small success.

Courage will be required to keep still as you witness various disturbing thoughts and images that may arise during meditation. This is necessary to grow and move beyond. Stop allowing the ego to have dominion over your life. Decide now to be IN-spired. Only but a little courage is needed to allow the free flowing magnificence of the inner self. Keep your ego out of the way and allow the inner self to lead you on this wondrous journey!

Clarity...not yet available in pill form

2007-07-31T04:43:00.000-07:00

Definition: Clar·i·ty from the Latin claritat-, claritas, from clarus, the quality or state of being clear.

Need a little clarity?

Sorry, but it's not for sale. Unless you find yourself strolling the streets of the futuristic thriller "Minority Report", where a drug called "clarity" can be bought quite readily. Coincidentally or not, off screen the film's lead actor Tom Cruise espouses the creed of the Church of Scientology, where the goal is to become "A Clear".

According to Scientology and it's core technique Dianetics, "The goal of Dianetics is a new state for the individual, sought throughout history but never attainable before Dianetics. This state is called Clear. A Clear is a being who no longer has his own reactive mind.

A Clear is an unaberrated person and is rational in that he forms the best possible solutions he can on the data he has and from his viewpoint. The Clear has no engrams which can be restimulated to throw out the correctness of computation by entering hidden and false data."

Now is that very clear? At least Dianetics doesn't take credit for the creation of this state called "Clear" (after all who can create a state of being?) yet until their arrival, this state was "never attainable". It's akin to saying "until you buy my map to San Antonio, you can't get there".

This Church goes on to pronounce that "The full glory of the state of Clear has no comparable description in any writings existing in our culture. The state had been long sought but was impossible to achieve without the researches and breakthroughs of L. Ron Hubbard."

It's a wonder anyone found contentment pre-Hubbard.

Do you want clarity? You won't come to it intellectually. No one can give it to you even if they tell you they are the only ones that offer it. To see yourself and others with clarity, you must first be very still.

The mind is as a body of water. If the water is turbulent then the surface reflection will be choppy and distorted. If the water is still, the reflection is clearly witnessed. It is imperative to first still the mind before a state of clarity can arrive.

Use whatever contemplative method/prayer/technique is most effective in quieting the mind. If you need a simple technique try the one located here.

There is no timetable to follow here. There is no need to judge your progress. Your ego wants you to master the mediation process quickly. It is not a game to be mastered but rather a process that with the passage of time and discipline, will become effortless and your ability to still your mind will increase.

When you are truly in the moment, fear and worry cannot touch you for they require past and future thought. Anticipating future events and the consequences of your past actions, catapults you from the safety of the present.

Once knocked off balance and removed from your center, these images you speak of now absorb your attention. You then come under their hypnotic power. Should this occur, simply realize it is happening and return to the present moment. This will occur countless times so don't keep a scorecard.

Move towards clarity while ever realizing it is process. In every moment there is potential for insight and growth. The map needed is gratefully already inside you. Know that you most certainly can get there from here.

You can always choose to make sure that you have "no engrams which can be restimulated to throw out the correctness of computation by entering hidden and false data" if that brings more clarity instead of confounding. Then again, when the Psalmist of the Old Testament says "Be still, and know that I am God..." the words are clarity itself.

A LITTLE 'BUT'. DON'T BLINK OR YOU'LL MISS IT!

2007-07-30T19:15:00.000-07:00

but \But\ 1. A limit; a boundary.

The last blog post dealt with boundaries. Now let's simply look at the word 'but'.

I am ready. Staying with a thought or feeling the expression is straightforward, direct and true. True that is, until negated by the dreaded 'but'. The expression hits a solid wall with 'but'. "I really want to learn to ski 'but' i just don't have the time."

Stop the self-con game. Stop tiring yourself and your listeners. Better to say "I ain't skiing" and move on.

Now let's look at the word 'and'. The difference is monumental.

I would like to learn to ski 'and' I just don't have the time. Both this 'and' that are true expressions of what is. They clash. Conflict is created.

The difference? With 'and' there is potential. There is room to move. With 'and' there is an opening, an opportunity. A solution. A basis for negotiation. No one has left the table.

Where can I find more time? How strong is my desire to ski? Is this desire intrinsic or is everyone else doing it? If only a minor schedule adjustment seems so daunting, why hold on to the skiing fantasy? Better to say "I ain't skiing" and move on to your daytimer.

Watch and free yourself from the tyranny of 'but'. It may be exhausting at first. Let your expression be true. Commit to stopping the 'but', 'and' with patience either the solution to express your desire will appear or you'll realize it lacks genuine depth.