Quotes - 2011, Stillness

Where Does Creativity Come From?

June 21, 2011 Manu 1 Comment

It is only when the mind is still and empty, when it is not creating a problem, in that alert passivity there is creation. – Krishnamurti

stillness

There’s a gap, a quietness, between two thoughts. These gaps when cultivated reveal a groundswell of joy and peace. It’s just under the surface and it’s another muscle that can be developed with awareness and practice. Try it.

unleashing high thinking

I’m not in the camp of ‘empty minders’. This camp states that we should ‘empty’ our minds consistently and constantly. In fact it is such a mind that can also be termed the ‘Zen mind’. It’s a great place to be and wonderful to experience; here’s how to take it a notch higher…

When we start dwelling in that gap between thoughts we become capable of accessing a higher mind. This is where creativity is unleashed and we become capable of thinking in tandem with the ‘Universe’ even as we tap into the source itself. It’s here where we can employ our thinking for higher societal purposes rather than just to obtain self-peace.

Daily Affirmation: Today I AM creatively still!

Recommendation: Awakening of Intelligence by Jiddu Krishnamurti

Quotes - 2011, Stillness

What Makes Us Come Alive?

June 20, 2011 Manu Leave a comment

Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive. – Howard Thurman

ask

In some ways the Universe is like a computer. It responds with an output when it receives an input! The best kind of input is a clear, well-intentioned question. Other inputs can be our beliefs, assumptions, intentions and actions. So one smart thing to do is to ask questions, lot’s of them and then be still to receive the Universal output. The output will come in a myriad ways so we need to be aware of such feedback. As we tune that muscle we become increasingly better at understanding the language of the Universe.

becoming alive

What does becoming alive mean? It can mean so many things, here’s my stab at the question:

Become more aware
Be passionate about what matters
Understand and live our life purpose
Become an active seeker
Become socially active
Learn to play our music

A clarion call has gone out, which we can hear if we choose to, that it’s time to awaken and be more alive!!

Daily Affirmation: Today I AM alive to my calling!

Recommendation: Change Your Questions, Change Your Life by Marilee G Adams

Gita, Quotes - 2011

The Truth We Often Overlook

June 19, 2011 Manu Leave a comment

10.10 To those who are ever in harmony, and who worship me with their love, I give the Yoga of vision and with this they come to me.

10.11 In my mercy I dwell in their hearts and I dispel their darkness of ignorance by the light of the lamp of wisdom. – The Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 10)

harmony and love

Harmony in mind and body allows us to focus on that which matters. We then realize that love is the way forward. Love of God and love of everyone else in our lives. Love becomes the means as well as the end…

the god within

It’s no small Truth that God resides within us. Just accepting this fact, in faith, opens new doors. When we accept this Truth, we give the Divine permission to be active in our lives. The more the Divine participates in our lives, the better off we are if we only allow it. Let’s remember this salient Truth, of God residing in our hearts, and accept the wisdom that can come our way!

Daily Affirmation: Today I AM with the God within!

Recommendation: The Bhagavad Gita (Penguin Classics) by Juan Mascaro

Quotes - 2011

Why We Must Examine Our Beliefs

June 16, 2011 Manu Leave a comment

You are free to believe what you choose and what you do attests to what you believe. – A Course in Miracles (ACIM)

belief

Consciously or not we choose our beliefs about everything. If we are to grow in any sphere of life, it’s important to examine such beliefs. How can we become more aware of such beliefs?

growth

We gain a deeper insight into our beliefs by examining our thoughts and their origins. There are two essential practices that allow us to do that:

Stillness or Meditation
Active Journaling

We can rapidly deepen our understanding of beliefs and of self when we combine the two practices. Great strides can then be made as we draw closer to the divine self within.

Daily Affirmation: Today I AM more attentive.

Recommendation: A Course in Miracles by Dr. Helen Schucman

Quotes - 2011

How To Grow Spiritually…

June 15, 2011 Manu Leave a comment

Think of yourself as if you were the only un-enlightened person in the world. Everyone else is your teacher, doing what is right to help you acquire consummate peace of mind, consummate wisdom, consummate compassion. – The Buddha

life

Life’s experiences, which consists of dealing with and relating to other individuals, are the big teachers. Let’s consider everyone around us as being the perfect people for our own best development. Let us regard each person as being the ‘enlightened’ one and each encounter as holy. Then, not only do we learn what we need to learn most, we can appreciate how others add to our lives even when they’re irritating!

peace, wisdom & compassion

If we have peace of mind, we’re happy and in a great place to learn from life and others. From that comes wisdom, which allows us to make the right choices not just in action but also in thought. Add to this a compassionate outlook, where we think of serving others before serving self, and it makes for a recipe for an amazing life! This recipe guarantees happiness and wonderful relationships! Do we need anything else?

Daily Affirmation: Today I AM a learner!

Recommendation: Awakening: A Daily Guide to Conscious Living
by Shakti Gawain

Meditation Tips, Quotes - 2011, Stillness

What Is Meditation?

June 14, 2011 Manu Leave a comment

So meditation is a process of freeing the mind from systems, and of giving attention without either being absorbed or making an effort to concentrate. – Krishnamurti

conditioning

We are thoroughly conditioned beings. We get conditioned by our surroundings, our culture, our parents, friends and innumerable other sources. We think in certain ways and find it hard to break out of our self-created molds. When we start becoming aware of such conditioning then meditation is truly happening.

effortless awareness = meditation

Krishnamurti describes meditation very beautifully and succinctly in this quote. If we can practice awareness, full awareness, without any effort then we’re in the state of stillness. This is the state in which transformation of self can occur. Transformation happens as we become more aware of our conditioning and also when we readily receive divine inspiration during meditation. Armed with what needs to change and how, all we need to do is act on this knowledge!

Daily Affirmation: Today I AM blissfully aware!

Recommendation: Awakening of Intelligence by Jiddu Krishnamurti

Meditation Tips, Quotes - 2011, Stillness

How To Live A Full Life…

June 13, 2011 Manu Leave a comment

The first rule is to keep an untroubled spirit. The second is to look things in the face and know them for what they are. – Marcus Aurelius

tackling life

These two principles are all we need to live life fully. We ought to keep our equanimity, which becomes possible after much practice and meditation plus we ought to be able to look at life objectively. When we’re calm we’re able to receive divine help, we’re able to make better decisions and we’re more easily headed in the right direction.

practice

To gain equanimity practice is essential. Here are some stillness practices. The basic idea is simple:

Find 5 minutes 2-3 times a day to be with self
Relax your body and mind
Focus attention on breathing

Self-knowledge is required if we’re to face life squarely. Self-knowledge comes from attention. Attention to how we react to events and attention on why we do what we do. Marry these two principles and we have the perfect recipe for handling any situation!

Daily Affirmation: Today I AM still and attentive.

Recommendation: Meditations by Marcus Aurelius

Namaste Now!

Monthly Archives: June 2011