Category Archives: Stillness

How Can Joy Be Experienced?

Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.Thich Nhat Hanh

joy

When it comes to joy does it matter why it exists? It only matters how we can create more joy, in us and around us… Joy is a function of human-hood, of association with other persons and of setting and achieving goals. As humans we can experience joy inherently. It’s something we were born to discover and experience.

stillness

We are not our thoughts. We identify with our thoughts and feel uncomfortable in silence or if our minds are not constantly engaged. What we can discover is that when we cease thinking, even if momentarily, we are nothing but pure awareness. This witnessing awareness, a faculty that is simply consciousness, must be nurtured. It’s here, in this stillness that pure joy can be experienced…

Daily Affirmation: Today I discover joy when I AM still!

Recommendation: Essential Writings by Thich Nhat Hanh

Thich Nhat Hanh: Essential Writings (Modern Spiritual Masters Series)Kindle Fire, Full Color 7

Why We Must Thank YOU!

But now," says the Once-ler, "now that you’re here, the word of the Lorax seems perfectly clear. UNLESS someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.Dr. Seuss, The Lorax

you’re here!

You are here. You are listening. You know something’s afoot. Bigger changes have occurred in the last 50 years than in the preceding centuries. More changes are headed our way. How will we support the world-wide transition that’s underway? How will we individually and collectively act and collaborate?

thank you!

Thank you for being you! Thank you for having an ear out for what’s going on. Thank you for participating…

Let’s keep our focus on what we care about individually and find opportunities to hook into larger efforts. With everyone participating according to their passion, the world is headed towards the transformation we’ve all sought for a long time. It’s coming, let’s be ready!

Daily Affirmation: Today I AM Ready!

Recommendation: The Lorax (Classic Seuss) by Dr. Seuss

The Lorax (Classic Seuss)Kindle Fire, Full Color 7

Do We Care Enough?

Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, Nothing is going to get better. It’s not.Dr. Seuss, The Lorax

nothing will get better

Nothing, unless we care, unless you care…

you care?

We may care about just one thing. Let’s identify what that one thing is and devote a part of lives to it. Simple. Small steps taken daily achieve great results over time. Let’s just do it!

Daily Affirmation: Today I identify what I care about…

Recommendation: The Lorax (Classic Seuss) by Dr. Seuss

The Lorax (Classic Seuss)Kindle Fire, Full Color 7

What Can It or I Be?

It’s not about what it is, it’s about what it can become.Dr. Seuss, The Lorax

what is

It’s not about what we are today or what we think we are. It’s not about what a situation is today or what we think it is.

We should stop thinking about the ‘problem’. We may approach life as if it’s a game, because it is a massively simulated reality in which we play pivotal roles… We can never be lost, we can’t ultimately be hurt, we are like children in a playground…

vs. what can be

It’s all about potential, it’s about dreams, it’s about our vision, it’s about what tomorrow can be. It’s about us on this planet.

It’s about what’s possible…

So let’s play as though there’s nothing to lose, there is nothing to lose. But a whole lot to gain! We ultimately gain us, our complete self. We understand, finally, how this all fits in and how we’re all related… We gain a brand new world, one of very own dreams!!

Daily Affirmation: Today I AM possibilitarian!!

Recommendation: The Lorax (Classic Seuss) by Dr. Seuss

The Lorax (Classic Seuss)Kindle Fire, Full Color 7

Unless!

Unless!Dr. Seuss

question

Had the pleasure of watching The Lorax this past weekend. It’s not the best movie out there but certainly one that carries a message that deserves to be heard… The kids loved it!

Unless we start to…

  • Think about things
  • Find time to acknowledge what’s missing in our lives
  • Figure out what plagues society

We won’t really change anything

act

Once we know what’s missing or what’s wrong we can start to figure out what we might do. What any one of us does is better than all of us thinking that not much can be done…

Daily Affirmation: Today I AM thinking about things…

Recommendation: The Lorax (Classic Seuss) by Dr. Seuss

The Lorax (Classic Seuss)Kindle Fire, Full Color 7

Why No One Is Ever Wrong!

You cannot teach a man anything. You can only help him find it within himself. Galileo

you’re wrong

We’re told that we must be transparent and say it like it is. Nothing wrong with that sentiment however it never helps to inform someone that they’re wrong! Especially when it’s done in a very direct non-emotional way. We don’t have to skirt the issue but like with most things in life, balance is necessary. How can we let someone know that they’re wrong? 

life principles

11th Dale Carnegie Principle: Show respect for the other person’s opinion. Never say, “You’re wrong.”

Here’s an excerpt from the book attributed to Carl Rogers who wrote the book ‘On Becoming a Person

Our first reaction to most statements is an evaluation or judgment, rather than an understanding of it. … Our tendency is almost immediately to feel, "that’s right," or "that’s stupid," "that’s abnormal," that’s unreasonable," "that’s incorrect," "that’s not nice." Very rarely do we permit ourselves to understand precisely what the meaning of the statements is to the other person.

Daily Affirmation: Today I truly understand what others say!

Recommendation: How To Win Friends And Influence People by Dale Carnegie

How To Win Friends And Influence People, Revised EditionKindle Fire, Full Color 7

Who’s At Fault?

I searched for the crooked, met not a single one
When searched myself, I found the crooked one!

Kabir

crooked?

Our ego plays games with us. We always find fault in the others’ behavior. It’s not us, it’s the other who ought to change. What’s going on?

moi?

Kabir is not saying that we’re despicable & devious and therefore should we sulk in shame. He’s suggesting, IMO, that we consider changing our own perspective before jumping to conclusions and always attributing fault outside of self. We ought to change our own perspective and consider how we are looking at things. Like Gandhi said ‘We must be the change we want to see in the world’…

Daily Affirmation: Today I AM reflective…

Recommendation: Kabir – Spiritual Commentary by Yoga Niketan

Kabir - Spiritual Commentary by Sri Sri Shyama Charan Lahiri MahasayaKindle Fire, Full Color 7