Category Archives: Quotes – 2011

Quotes - 2011

Why We Must Examine Our Beliefs

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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:

  1. Stillness or Meditation
  2. 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

A Course in Miracles: Combined VolumeKindle Wireless Reading Device, Wi-Fi, 6

Quotes - 2011

How To Grow Spiritually…

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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

Awakening: A Daily Guide to Conscious LivingKindle Wireless Reading Device, Wi-Fi, 6

Meditation Tips, Quotes - 2011, Stillness

What Is Meditation?

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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

Awakening of Intelligence, TheKindle Wireless Reading Device, Wi-Fi, 6

Meditation Tips, Quotes - 2011, Stillness

How To Live A Full Life…

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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

Meditations (Penguin Classics)Kindle Wireless Reading Device, Wi-Fi, 6

Gita, Quotes - 2011

The Grand Poobah!!

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10.3 He who knows I am beginning-less, unborn, the Lord of all the worlds, this mortal is free from delusion…

10.8 I am the One source of all… – The Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 10)

free

According to The Gita and some other holy texts, there’s essential knowledge that sets us free. Knowing that there’s one creator and one upholder is one such Truth. It frees us to not be fearful. This knowledge can add a spring to our walk. A whistle blows more easily through our lips when we feel ultimately safe. We’re now like children who know their parents are ever watchful and that there’s a home to always go back to!

now what?

With that freed state of mind as our daily possession, we can set our minds on that which is important. We can search and find our specific place in the Universe. What’s our daily purpose? What’s our life purpose? What mission are we to work on? What unique gift do we bring to the world? What adventure can we embark on next?

Daily Affirmation: Today I am Free!

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

The Bhagavad Gita (Penguin Classics)Kindle Wireless Reading Device, Wi-Fi, 6

Quotes - 2011, Stillness

How To Waste Life!

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There is nothing that wastes the body like worry, and one who has any faith in God should be ashamed to worry about anything whatsoever . Mahatma Gandhi

worry worry worry

  • Why do we worry so much?
  • What are we truly afraid of?
  • What’s the worst that’ll happen?
  • Will what we worry about matter in 50 or 100 years?

safety

Ultimately we’re safe. We feel afraid and spend time worrying because we live the illusion that we are responsible for self. That’s simply not true. If we only rely on self we’ll never get over our fear and insecurity. We must pay allegiance to a higher order. That higher order may be God or a philosophy. The concept of God works really well for me. I like to think that a divine parent is responsible for her kids on Earth. I feel safe and worry less whenever I can remind myself of this Truth.

Daily Affirmation: Today I AM safe.

Recommendation: Autobiography of a Yogi by Yogananda

Autobiography of a YogiKindle Wireless Reading Device, Wi-Fi, 6

Quotes - 2011

What It Takes To Be King!

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When the sun rises, I go to work.
When the sun goes down, I take my rest.
I dig the well from which I drink.
I farm the soil which yields my food.
I share creation. Kings can do no more. – Chinese Proverb

the eternal now

When we inhabit the eternal moment we can be kings of our domain. We can recognize that very wealthy or powerful people are really no different. They live, work and sleep in many similar ways. We are as important as anyone else so let’s not idealize anyone to our own detriment, let’s discover the value that we bring to the Universe!

sharing creation

We all occupy the same space and time on this planet. Our role is two-fold in my opinion:

  1. Discover self: through enquiry and patience
  2. Discover others: through love and service

In the thick of such discovery is our relationship to self and to others. And that’s exactly where life is lived, discovered and shared. Kings are born from such trials, you and I!

Daily Affirmation: Today I AM King!

Recommendation: Release Your Brilliance by Simon T. Bailey

Release Your Brilliance: The 4 Steps to Transforming Your Life and Revealing Your Genius to the WorldKindle Wireless Reading Device, Wi-Fi, 6