Monthly Archives: May 2010

Meditation Tips, Quotes - 2010, Stillness

FLaG It!

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The affairs of the world will go on forever. Do not delay the practice of meditation. – Milarepa

the steps

Meditation is that one practice that’ll help you center; help you connect; help you find your self and put you on the path to true happiness.

Here’s a quick easy to remember practice: Settle down first, become physically comfortable, but not so comfortable that falling asleep would be easy! Now take 3 deep breaths and devote the following to God, the Universe or your inner holy self:

F is for Forgiveness: Forgive all the people in your life. Especially those who are always on your mind and with who your relationship isn’t the best. Forgive all past circumstances that also occupy mindal real-estate. Even forgive God or the Universe. Do forgive your own self. Remind yourself to not be harsh and instead be gentle with self instead.

L is for Love: Now that you’ve opened spiritual and physical channels in your being through forgiveness, seek the love that’s inside your heart. Seek God’s love. Ask that your being be filled with this ever present love. Receive this love and become a channel for this love at the same time. Imagine yourself as a bucket, love flows into you from the top of your head, fills you up, quenches your thirst and then flows out of your heart into everyone around you, your loved ones, your neighbors and the whole world! Revel in this love, it’s palpable!

a is for &

G is for Gratitude: Now that you can feel this love. Be grateful for everything. Your body, mind, whole being, family, circumstances, health, job, you name it. Be thankful for it all!

ps: Thanks to my friend Mick Das for coining the acronym FLaG!

practice

5 minutes in the morning, 5 in the evening and possibly 5 during the day. That’s all it takes, make it a life habit and you’ll never look back. Don’t make it any longer initially unless you feel up to it, increase the time spent as you wish, but don’t make it a compulsion that’ll keep you from undertaking this practice.

Daily Affirmation: Today I AM still, I devote time to connect.

Recommendation: Meditation for Beginners by Jack Kornfield

Meditation for BeginnersKindle Wireless Reading Device (6" Display, Global Wireless, Latest Generation)

Quotes - 2010

Believe But Verify

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Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense. – Lord Buddha

trust

In the spiritual economy, faith, belief in an idea or a possible reality must come first. Faith means trusting something before you see it. Buddha cautions us to ensure that our beliefs agree with our own common sense.

then verify

Faith, trust and belief lead to the experience of that in which we believe. That’s a spiritual law. Eventually your belief or trust will materialize the object of your faith.

Daily Affirmation: Today I AM trusting but real.

Recommendation: Here Be Dragons: An Introduction to Critical Thinking

Here Be Dragons: An Introduction to Critical ThinkingKindle Wireless Reading Device (6" Display, Global Wireless, Latest Generation)

Articles, Quotes - 2010, Stillness

What is Zen?

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Zen opens a man’s eyes to the greatest mystery as it is daily and hourly performed; it enlarges the heart to embrace eternity of time and infinity of space in its every palpitation; it makes us live in the world as if walking in the garden of Eden – D. T. Suzuki

zen

Zen is.

If you spend time analyzing Zen then in Zen you’re not!

everywhere, now

Zen is in the eternal now. It’s connecting to what is, around you, inside you. The Zen mind allows you to:

  • see beauty where it’s not
  • enjoy peace amidst turmoil
  • feel wonder during a routine day
  • live a truly satisfying life

Daily Affirmation: Today, I AM, I see.

Recommendation: Arriving at Your Own Door by Jon Kabat-zinn

Arriving at Your Own Door: 108 Lessons in MindfulnessKindle Wireless Reading Device (6" Display, Global Wireless, Latest Generation)

Articles, Quotes - 2010

What Will You Risk?

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And the trouble is, if you don’t risk anything, you risk even more. – Erica Jong

risk what?

Not talking about commercial or business risk here. I’m thinking about taking a chance when:

  • We love a dear one and we hesitate to express our love.
  • We could help someone but don’t because we’re shy.
  • We could go that extra mile but don’t because we like the beaten path.

comfort zone

Getting out of our comfort zone is taking a risk. There’s not much growth staying inside this warm and routine place. How can we motivate ourselves to venture out more often? How can we be less afraid? Journal that.

Daily Affirmation: Today I AM bold, I step out, into Life!

Recommendation: The Shift By Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

The Shift: Taking Your Life from Ambition to MeaningKindle Wireless Reading Device (6" Display, Global Wireless, Latest Generation)

Articles, Quotes - 2010

Can You See It?

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If you can’t see it, before you see it, you’ll never see it. – Dr. Jack Graham

conception

An idea before it takes shape and solidifies into reality, must in some form have been conceived, first. From conception to rich visualization is the path that should be traversed before the idea can materialize. Action comes next.

visualization

The more accurately we can visualize the concept, what it looks like, feels  like, the experience it provides, the audience it touches, the effect it produces, the better the chances of it showing up in our lives! And that’s the idea.

Daily Affirmation: Today I visualize and create my future.

Recommendation: Notes from the Universe by Mike Dooley

Notes from the Universe: New Perspectives from an Old FriendKindle Wireless Reading Device (6" Display, Global Wireless, Latest Generation)

Quotes - 2010

Serving

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The biggest problem in the world could have been solved when it was small. – Lao Tzu

look within

  • Where are you not shining a spotlight?
  • What part of you, do you continue to ignore?
  • How can you get that log out of your eye?

Turn you gaze within. Become aware of your motives and thought process.

now look around

  • How can you help the person you’re engaging with?
  • What problem, around you, needs addressing most?
  • How can you be of most value to others?

Daily Affirmation: Today I AM a servant. I look for opportunities to serve.

Recommendation: Peace Pilgrim by The Peace Pilgrim

Peace Pilgrim: Her Life and Work in Her Own WordsKindle Wireless Reading Device (6" Display, Global Wireless, Latest Generation)

Articles, Quotes - 2010

The Little Things

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Everyone is trying to accomplish something big, not realizing that life is made up of little things. – Frank A. Clark

big dreams

We all have big dreams. To make lot’s of money, be famous, be heard and to make a significant impact on the world. Are we too focused on the destination rather than the journey?

long term view

This life time is miniscule when compared with the eternity that lies in front of us! What will our strivings mean, say 200 years from now? What’s truly important for you, today, right now?

Daily Affirmation: Today I AM here and now.

Recommendation: The Power of Small by Linda Kaplan Thaler

The Power of Small: Why Little Things Make All the DifferenceKindle Wireless Reading Device (6" Display, Global Wireless, Latest Generation)