How to Find Spiritual Enlightenment Anywhere
By Eric J. Leech
The Truth is Everywhere if You Know How to Look
I would hazard a guess that the majority of you know someone who has embarked on a pilgrimage to achieve spiritual enlightenment. It has become a common belief, that in order to find our destiny, sometimes we need to travel across the world. This implies that we may have left a part of ourselves somewhere in a small Italian cafe. Perhaps, in an old English manor, or better yet, in some romantic tropical getaway, where the men and women roam free and naked. These trips may bring a certain amount of spiritual enlightenment. However, if we had to make such a pilgrimage each time we felt like we were losing our mind (or love), a good portion of us would be in the poor house by the end of the month.
J. Z. Knight, a mystic, teacher, author, and expert in the 2004 film, What the Bleep Do We Know?, has been all over the world. She has experienced the Nazca Lines of Peru, the Glastonbury Tor of England, and the Chartres Cathedral of Paris. However, out of all these great spiritual destinations, one of her favorite places to retreat is her own mind, as the sun is casting its farewell across the evening sky.
“I’ve been to just about every other place in the world—to the most powerful places,” says Knight. “There are many incredible sites to see, but the one place we are always welcome, is in our own backyard (mind)—contemplating the beauty and restoring hope.”
“It is not so much that a place heals us,” explains Knight. “It is our reaction to these places.” Whether you’re witnessing the Divine light of the Emei Shan mountains, or a simple cloud making its way across the sky, you are consciously making the decision to either see the moment as a gift, or a break in the day to think about your troubles, worries, and fears.
People often get the idea that the only way to escape their problems, is to go far away where their troubles can’t reach them. What they soon find out, is their miseries follow them no matter where they go. You can’t run from something that is such a huge part of you, and nor can you ignore its (your) effects without experiencing some sort of consequence.
“Spirituality is in our super consciousness,” says Knight. “We have in every moment of our life, the ability to contact our inner hero, our own awareness, and be our greatest defender.” How can you accomplish this? You can decide that you’re not going to be judgmental today. You are not going to live in fear. You can make the decision to reverse the negative flow of defeat and failure, and see yourself as a winner. You can treat yourself with respect, honor your needs, and allow yourself to make the right choices, not because you’re told they are what you have to do, but because you know they’re what’s best for you.
Our body experiences everything we think, and those thoughts are interconnected with our DNA and cellular response. “The moment we consciously make the decision to live for ourselves, we start to heal,” explains Knight. In a sense, our mind is the ultimate destination, where we can whisk ourselves away anytime to nourish the soul and replenish our spirit. Considering our body listens to what we tell it, if you choose to feel depressed and trapped, it will respect your wishes, and adapt itself to your woes. However, if you choose to walk outside your dome of negativity and breathe the wonder and mystery of everyday life, it will adjust to this rational, allowing the positive flow of energy to become the norm.
“You don’t have to be spiritual at a site (place). You can be spiritual on your way to the bathroom from your coffee break. You can say I have always been a genius. I have always been filled with joy. People think that if you wear a certain color, it makes you spiritual. If you wear a crystal, somehow you are going to be enlightened. If you do a certain diet, it will purify you. You can be the purest person, with the worst personality, and that is not going to wash the inner you. It doesn’t matter what you’re wearing, and it doesn’t matter what you look like. What matters is that you care enough to ask the great questions inside of yourself, and you can do that at any moment. We only need to be told we can.” — J. Z. Knight
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Change Your Perspective, Change Your Life!
Change Your Perspective, Change Your Life!
By S.K. Smith
How Your Point of View, Not What You See, Shapes Your Experience
Sometimes things happen that are beyond our control. The accidental death of a loved one, getting rear-ended at a red light or unfairly fired from a job when you didn’t deserve it. However, as traumatic as events like these may seem, on their own, they don’t actually hold any power over your life. It’s how you choose to interpret what goes down every day that matters.
Translation? If you can learn to look at the bright side when life hands you lemons—or at least seek out the lesson—you can change your life for the better.
Here are three simple ways shifting your perspective can improve your experience.
A Sunnier Outlook Equals a Happier Life
If you’re looking to for a general sense of well-being, optimism rules the day. How? For starters, like attracts like. Thereby, if you look for the gold in any given situation (no matter how buried), you’re more likely to find it. On the other hand, douse yourself in self-pity and bury your head in the sand, and you’ll find that you’re just in the dark. No matter how bad things seem, remember that the only constant in life is change. By combining positive thinking with active steps toward your goals, you’ll ensure that you meet them eventually—and feel a lot better in the process.
Honesty Doesn’t Have to Be Brutal
Sometimes we mistake beating ourselves up for being honest with ourselves. Sure, we all screw up sometimes and it’s vital to our personal and spiritual growth to acknowledge our mistakes. However, self-flagellation is no way to advance our own cause. If anything, it’s a surefire way to destroy self-esteem and ensure that our efforts stall out. Once you’ve admitted your mistakes, make it your point to learn from them and move on. That’s real honesty. After all…
Lessons are Given Until You Learn Them
Finally, there is one fundamental truth we should all understand no matter what happens in life. We will be presented with the same lessons over and over again until we learn them. The universe is funny that way—giving us what we need whether we ask for it or not. So, whether an event in your life was foreseeable or a freak accident, it’s important to take what you can from it and change accordingly. One of the definitions of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. Thereby, it’s not just your perspective that will make a difference in your experience. Your actions impact your circumstances, too.
By S.K. Smith
How Your Point of View, Not What You See, Shapes Your Experience
Sometimes things happen that are beyond our control. The accidental death of a loved one, getting rear-ended at a red light or unfairly fired from a job when you didn’t deserve it. However, as traumatic as events like these may seem, on their own, they don’t actually hold any power over your life. It’s how you choose to interpret what goes down every day that matters.
Translation? If you can learn to look at the bright side when life hands you lemons—or at least seek out the lesson—you can change your life for the better.
Here are three simple ways shifting your perspective can improve your experience.
A Sunnier Outlook Equals a Happier Life
If you’re looking to for a general sense of well-being, optimism rules the day. How? For starters, like attracts like. Thereby, if you look for the gold in any given situation (no matter how buried), you’re more likely to find it. On the other hand, douse yourself in self-pity and bury your head in the sand, and you’ll find that you’re just in the dark. No matter how bad things seem, remember that the only constant in life is change. By combining positive thinking with active steps toward your goals, you’ll ensure that you meet them eventually—and feel a lot better in the process.
Honesty Doesn’t Have to Be Brutal
Sometimes we mistake beating ourselves up for being honest with ourselves. Sure, we all screw up sometimes and it’s vital to our personal and spiritual growth to acknowledge our mistakes. However, self-flagellation is no way to advance our own cause. If anything, it’s a surefire way to destroy self-esteem and ensure that our efforts stall out. Once you’ve admitted your mistakes, make it your point to learn from them and move on. That’s real honesty. After all…
Lessons are Given Until You Learn Them
Finally, there is one fundamental truth we should all understand no matter what happens in life. We will be presented with the same lessons over and over again until we learn them. The universe is funny that way—giving us what we need whether we ask for it or not. So, whether an event in your life was foreseeable or a freak accident, it’s important to take what you can from it and change accordingly. One of the definitions of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. Thereby, it’s not just your perspective that will make a difference in your experience. Your actions impact your circumstances, too.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Speaking Your Truth
Keep Your Power!
By Carmen Honacker
Don’t Give Away Your Keys!
Speaking your truth is one of the most important keys to getting the life you want and the happiness you deserve. When I talk about speaking your truth, though, I’m talking about setting boundaries and sticking to them. I’m not talking about spewing whatever comes to mind whenever you feel like it, and to whomever you want to in order to get your point across!
So what’s the difference, you may ask? Speaking your truth doesn’t have an attachment to outcome! We don’t speak our truth in order to manipulate, persuade or force someone to do things our way, see things the way we want them to, or even agree with us. To speak your truth means to stand in your own power and to not allow anyone to take your power away. It has nothing to do with aggression, manipulation or being stubborn, selfish and mean-spirited.
Having an attachment to someone else’s reaction turns your “truth speaking” into an act of trying to get things your way and moves the focus away from you, i.e. holding someone else responsible. To be honest does not mean we have to be mean, a bully, manipulative or unkind, because in a way, we couldn’t care less what the other “feels” about it. It means that you have stated what is and what is not acceptable to your well-being and your own self and that should never be reliant on an outside source.
People are whatever they are and choose to be. Confronting those who have wronged you, or are still wronging you, won’t create peace of mind. The reason is that most people are absolutely unwilling to change or even see their part in an argument, problem or issue. But when we set our boundaries and claim our power, it doesn’t matter if a person changes their mind or point of view, because their action or reaction does not influence our happiness or our peace.
I used to have this very wrong. My idea of always being honest backfired big time, each and every time I would confront a person with their (in my mind) bad attitudes or unacceptable behaviors. I figured, if I speak clearly they’d get it. But they never did and the struggle, fights or arguments would continue. The more someone would misunderstand or misinterpret me, the more I would attempt to “set them straight.” Needless to say, this almost always failed completely. In the past, my “honesty” made quite a few enemies and the feeling of being seen completely distorted, or having been treated unfairly, weighed on me heavily.
To be honest, it’s hard for me to understand that not everyone likes or will like me. There are a lot of people who claim that they don’t care how others perceive them, but to me, and I would argue to most, it does matter. It matters because I’m actively attempting to make a difference in the world and I am actively attempting to be my higher self; and for all of us who take on these roles, we have to be mindful of our choices, words, actions, thoughts and emotions. We do not get to spew bad energy, we don’t get to be passive aggressive and we don’t get to manipulate others and be victims.
Making this decision makes it even more important to fully accept and love yourself. Accepting who you are and stopping to make excuses for it will allow you to keep your power and your peace of mind; as a permanent state of being. When you state and live your boundaries consistently, you will find no need to manipulate anymore. It doesn’t matter if someone agrees or doesn’t agree, because at the end of the day, it isn’t up to others to validate who you are! This power is given to you alone, my friend.
Living your life with honor, integrity, courage and kindness will, in return, attract those who do not require explanations. You will find yourself surrounded more by those who won’t continuously challenge, misinterpret or suck the life out of you and less by those who do not live by the same principles. The universe has a way of weeding out those who no longer belong or serve your growth anymore. So when you “lose” someone to your newly found ability to live in power, let it go and trust that another who has no problem with it will emerge. There is no empty space in the universe. Alas, getting rid of space occupied by those who do not deserve it, will allow a spot for those who do.
Creativity Coach Sherrie says: You also might try wearing more blue and singing or chanting. That helps keep the throat chakra in balance!
By Carmen Honacker
Don’t Give Away Your Keys!
Speaking your truth is one of the most important keys to getting the life you want and the happiness you deserve. When I talk about speaking your truth, though, I’m talking about setting boundaries and sticking to them. I’m not talking about spewing whatever comes to mind whenever you feel like it, and to whomever you want to in order to get your point across!
So what’s the difference, you may ask? Speaking your truth doesn’t have an attachment to outcome! We don’t speak our truth in order to manipulate, persuade or force someone to do things our way, see things the way we want them to, or even agree with us. To speak your truth means to stand in your own power and to not allow anyone to take your power away. It has nothing to do with aggression, manipulation or being stubborn, selfish and mean-spirited.
Having an attachment to someone else’s reaction turns your “truth speaking” into an act of trying to get things your way and moves the focus away from you, i.e. holding someone else responsible. To be honest does not mean we have to be mean, a bully, manipulative or unkind, because in a way, we couldn’t care less what the other “feels” about it. It means that you have stated what is and what is not acceptable to your well-being and your own self and that should never be reliant on an outside source.
People are whatever they are and choose to be. Confronting those who have wronged you, or are still wronging you, won’t create peace of mind. The reason is that most people are absolutely unwilling to change or even see their part in an argument, problem or issue. But when we set our boundaries and claim our power, it doesn’t matter if a person changes their mind or point of view, because their action or reaction does not influence our happiness or our peace.
I used to have this very wrong. My idea of always being honest backfired big time, each and every time I would confront a person with their (in my mind) bad attitudes or unacceptable behaviors. I figured, if I speak clearly they’d get it. But they never did and the struggle, fights or arguments would continue. The more someone would misunderstand or misinterpret me, the more I would attempt to “set them straight.” Needless to say, this almost always failed completely. In the past, my “honesty” made quite a few enemies and the feeling of being seen completely distorted, or having been treated unfairly, weighed on me heavily.
To be honest, it’s hard for me to understand that not everyone likes or will like me. There are a lot of people who claim that they don’t care how others perceive them, but to me, and I would argue to most, it does matter. It matters because I’m actively attempting to make a difference in the world and I am actively attempting to be my higher self; and for all of us who take on these roles, we have to be mindful of our choices, words, actions, thoughts and emotions. We do not get to spew bad energy, we don’t get to be passive aggressive and we don’t get to manipulate others and be victims.
Making this decision makes it even more important to fully accept and love yourself. Accepting who you are and stopping to make excuses for it will allow you to keep your power and your peace of mind; as a permanent state of being. When you state and live your boundaries consistently, you will find no need to manipulate anymore. It doesn’t matter if someone agrees or doesn’t agree, because at the end of the day, it isn’t up to others to validate who you are! This power is given to you alone, my friend.
Living your life with honor, integrity, courage and kindness will, in return, attract those who do not require explanations. You will find yourself surrounded more by those who won’t continuously challenge, misinterpret or suck the life out of you and less by those who do not live by the same principles. The universe has a way of weeding out those who no longer belong or serve your growth anymore. So when you “lose” someone to your newly found ability to live in power, let it go and trust that another who has no problem with it will emerge. There is no empty space in the universe. Alas, getting rid of space occupied by those who do not deserve it, will allow a spot for those who do.
Creativity Coach Sherrie says: You also might try wearing more blue and singing or chanting. That helps keep the throat chakra in balance!
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Live Your Best Life by Taryn Galewind
Live Your Best Life
By Taryn Galewind
Building the Foundations of Joy
Believe it or not, it’s easy to live in your best life. When you build a house, you want it to stand strong and shelter you from adversity for a long time. Your best life is like such a shelter. You just have to use the right corner stones, and the rest will follow naturally.
Be Faithful — Make sure your word is your bond. Cheat no one. Treat others as you wish to be treated. Be sure to count yourself among the faithful who believe in nurturing their spiritual selves.
Make Your Contribution — Every day for the rest of your life, contribute something to your own betterment, to the assistance of others, or to a charitable cause. Not all contributions are financial.
Engage With Others and With Life — No man, or woman, is an island. To live your best life, it is essential that you form strong, healthy bonds with others. You can’t reach your personal pinnacle without making commitments and connections to your friends and family, your work life, your spiritual life, and your life of joy. Reach out and you’ll find solace among others.
Explore Your Passions and Dreams — No matter how busy you are, make time to pursue your dreams and embrace your passions. Those are the things that fuel your psyche.
Be Frugal — Use your resources wisely, sharing what you can. Acquire only what you can use, conspicuous consumption may be toxic. Reign in your spending, simple living is filled with beauty.
Trust Your Inner Voice — Never stifle that quiet, persistent voice inside you. It speaks the truth for you. You know that, don’t you?
Forgive — Forgive us our transgressions, as we forgive those who transgress against us. No one ever moved forward by carrying a grudge.
Polish Your Personal Bests — Rev up your energy and designate regular time to exploring and recognizing your personal best assets in every aspect of your life. Shine them to a dazzling glow.
Feel and Express Gratitude — Give thanks in your head, in your heart, and with your voice for every blessing bestowed on you. Never overlook the simple fact that those around you shower blessing on you. Say thank you.
Live Tranquilly — Quiet your monkey brain. Take time to rest. Meditate and bring peace to each day. Pass this on to others.
Respect Humility — No matter how impressive your skills, no matter how great your beauty, no matter how massive your wealth, there is always room for you to improve.
Maximize Your Righteous Power — Some kinds of power corrupt, but power from kindness, sharing, self-knowledge, love, and spiritual dedication are unbeatable.
There. Those are the strong stones upon which to build the foundation of your best life. I defy you to be unhappy or unfulfilled if you embrace these powerful tenets and put them to their proper uses. Namaste.
By Taryn Galewind
Building the Foundations of Joy
Believe it or not, it’s easy to live in your best life. When you build a house, you want it to stand strong and shelter you from adversity for a long time. Your best life is like such a shelter. You just have to use the right corner stones, and the rest will follow naturally.
Be Faithful — Make sure your word is your bond. Cheat no one. Treat others as you wish to be treated. Be sure to count yourself among the faithful who believe in nurturing their spiritual selves.
Make Your Contribution — Every day for the rest of your life, contribute something to your own betterment, to the assistance of others, or to a charitable cause. Not all contributions are financial.
Engage With Others and With Life — No man, or woman, is an island. To live your best life, it is essential that you form strong, healthy bonds with others. You can’t reach your personal pinnacle without making commitments and connections to your friends and family, your work life, your spiritual life, and your life of joy. Reach out and you’ll find solace among others.
Explore Your Passions and Dreams — No matter how busy you are, make time to pursue your dreams and embrace your passions. Those are the things that fuel your psyche.
Be Frugal — Use your resources wisely, sharing what you can. Acquire only what you can use, conspicuous consumption may be toxic. Reign in your spending, simple living is filled with beauty.
Trust Your Inner Voice — Never stifle that quiet, persistent voice inside you. It speaks the truth for you. You know that, don’t you?
Forgive — Forgive us our transgressions, as we forgive those who transgress against us. No one ever moved forward by carrying a grudge.
Polish Your Personal Bests — Rev up your energy and designate regular time to exploring and recognizing your personal best assets in every aspect of your life. Shine them to a dazzling glow.
Feel and Express Gratitude — Give thanks in your head, in your heart, and with your voice for every blessing bestowed on you. Never overlook the simple fact that those around you shower blessing on you. Say thank you.
Live Tranquilly — Quiet your monkey brain. Take time to rest. Meditate and bring peace to each day. Pass this on to others.
Respect Humility — No matter how impressive your skills, no matter how great your beauty, no matter how massive your wealth, there is always room for you to improve.
Maximize Your Righteous Power — Some kinds of power corrupt, but power from kindness, sharing, self-knowledge, love, and spiritual dedication are unbeatable.
There. Those are the strong stones upon which to build the foundation of your best life. I defy you to be unhappy or unfulfilled if you embrace these powerful tenets and put them to their proper uses. Namaste.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
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