All posts by Manu

Quotes - 2011

What Is It That?

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How is it possible that 6.9 billion people can all claim to want the same thing (peace, security, opportunity, prosperity, happiness, and love) and be singularly unable to get it? – Neale Donald Walsch

what we seek

We all seek ‘peace, security, opportunity, prosperity, happiness and love’. Do we not? Have we been able to achieve these goals personally? Collectively we have failed quite miserably to achieve these goals.

why?

What’s keeping us from achieving that which is most important to us? Why do we keep failing? Why do some societies achieve some of these goals and many don’t? Are there certain personal and societal assumptions that keep us from making headway? What are some possible solutions?

Daily Affirmation: Today I converse about important questions…

Recommendation: The Storm Before the Calm by Neale Donald Walsch

The Storm Before the Calm: Book 1 in the Conversations with Humanity SeriesKindle Fire, Full Color 7

Quotes - 2011

What Creates Diamonds?

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What is to give light must endure burning. – Viktor Frankl

light

We were born to be ‘lights’ to others around us. We already are. How? When we highlight the amazing strengths and creativity that we already possess and use them for others’ benefit. How can we transform our selves to burn even brighter?

challenges

Notice the challenges and travails that kids go through. They might be overwhelmed and feel as though their world was ending! But adults often know better … that a broader perspective might be applicable to their situation. We also know that the experience might be a teaching moment for them. No brain surgery here, the same logic applies to our own suffering and challenges. Let’s apply a higher perspective when we can!

Daily Affirmation: Today I see from a higher perspective!

Recommendation: The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success by Deepak Chopra

The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success: A Practical Guide to the Fulfillment of Your DreamsKindle Fire, Full Color 7

Quotes - 2011

Back To Square One…

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When we are no longer able to change a situation – we are challenged to change ourselves. – Viktor Frankl

square one!

Ever wonder where the phrase ‘back to square one’ came from? This phrase had popped into my head while writing this blog so I went and researched it. Apparently it came from games kids play like hopscotch or snakes and ladders! Makes sense. Also makes sense that whenever we’re straddled with a tough situation at hand we must hop back into square one!

change self

Square one is us. We must stare at the mirror and reaffirm that the main way we can approach life problems and challenges is by changing self. Life begins with us and ends back with us; we must get back to square one and ponder what needs to change!

Daily Affirmation: Today I AM at square one!

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

Arriving at Your Own Door: 108 Lessons in MindfulnessKindle Fire, Full Color 7

Quotes - 2011, Stillness

Why We Must Jump In…

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Only the spoon knows what is stirring in the pot. – Sicilian Proverb

step in

The reality of the pudding can only be found in tasting it. The best way to live a conscious spiritual life (the reason for this blog) is by stepping into the river that flows eternally…

what’s stirring?

Big changes are astir. When we pay attention we’ll notice that the current stream of events are changing our planet forever. We can be bystanders or we can be active participants. Because everything springs from a spiritual underpinning, we must apply ourselves spiritually. Let’s strive to understand:

  • What is it that’s gnawing at us?
  • What are we upset about?
  • What do we need?
  • What will satisfy us?

The answers and the direction will then be forthcoming!

Daily Affirmation: Today I AM stepping in!

Recommendation: Do It! Let’s Get Off Our Buts by Peter McWilliams

Do It! Let's Get Off Our ButsKindle Fire, Full Color 7

Quotes - 2011, Stillness

How To Solve Any Problem…

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It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer. – Albert Einstein

smart?

Am I smart? Let’s answer that question as truthfully as we can. While we’re at it let’s also answer questions like:

  • Am I creative?
  • Am I lovable?
  • Do I amount to anything?

Believing that we’re not capable or good-enough is the big problem! Accepting our creativity and God-given smarts is a sure way to achieve more than we can imagine!

the answer

The solution to any problem is discovered by staying with the problem. We may question what the problem means to us. How do we react to it? How does it impact others? If we accept first that we’re capable and don’t give up, we will fail not!

Daily Affirmation: Today I AM a solver!

Recommendation: Einstein on Cosmic Religion… by Albert Einstein

Einstein on Cosmic Religion and Other Opinions and AphorismsKindle Fire, Full Color 7

Gita, Quotes - 2011

Is God Real?

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Being can be felt in the silence of the soul.– The Bhagavad Gita

conclusion

It’s been a pleasure going through each chapter of The Gita ruminating on any verse that stood out. You may find all related posts here. Here’s what I conclude from this soul exercise:

God is present in our heart. He’s a partner in our daily strivings and accomplishments. Life is lived to the fullest when we accept his presence in faith and act accordingly while serving others lovingly.

the proof is in the pudding

God cannot be proved to anyone else. But his presence is very palpable. His presence is cultivated via Stillness, prayer and loving service. The proof is really in the pudding, let’s taste some of it!

Daily Affirmation: Today I AM.

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

The Bhagavad Gita (Penguin Classics)Kindle Fire, Full Color 7

Quotes - 2011

What Are The Most Important Questions?

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We must decide: is life something that is happening to us or something that is happening through us? – Neale Donald Walsch

decision time

In this ground breaking book, The Storm Before the Calm, Neale makes the point that the time has now come to make certain decisions individually and collectively. We must reassess the ‘story’ we’ve been living. We ought to realize that our current assumptions about life aren’t going to produce a much different world from the one we’re experiencing.

question time

To embark on this journey we must ask ourselves certain questions. I’ll be presenting these questions one at a time to highlight their importance.

It’s now time to understand that we’re responsible for our life. It’s also clear that as earthlings we’ve collectively created most of what we’re experiencing across the world.

  1. What should we do about this?
  2. How can we move forward more creatively?
  3. How can we solve this large problem as a family?

Daily Affirmation: Today I question what’s going on!

Recommendation: The Storm Before the Calm by Neale Donald Walsch

The Storm Before the Calm: Book 1 in the Conversations with Humanity SeriesKindle Fire, Full Color 7