A huge problem for many people consists in the self-defeating habit
from which they procrastinate and continually put off till tomorrow
what they can do today. Add to that the fact that most people
suffer from anxiety--a debilitating emotion that usually accompanies
their procrastinating behavior--and live anywhere but in the present
moment.
Stop, put everything else away and read this important message to
find out why some people succeed and live a happy life... and
others don't.
Those who succeed decide their problems are their own, while others
blame them on their father, the ecology, or the president. Those
who succeed also know that they control their own destiny, while
others believe their destiny lies in circumstances outside of
themselves.
I know how frustrating this can be, but it doesn't have to be like
this for you. Over the last decade, Chantal has developed fool
proof methods for any person who is serious about stopping
procrastination and living a happier life to do so.
Here's another secret to put an end to procrastination and be happy
from the inside out: discover, challenge, and change the
anxiety-creating ideas that lead you to procrastinate.
Wednesday, 5 January 2011
Extract: Some Simple Mantras, If You Are Just Starting Out
A Selection from The Ancient Power of Sanskrit Mantra and Ceremony, Volume I
By sanskritmanrtra.com
Some of you may be interested or even fascinated by the discipline of mantra, but feel somewhat overwhelmed by the array of mantras and disciplines, astotaras and pujas you find in these pages. If so, then this chapter will be of use to you. The next few pages contain some simple mantras and their common application. They have been compiled from other chapters throughout the rest of this book, drawn from the various headings of the deities or principles involved. These mantras address various life issues which we all face from time to time. If you want more information or more mantras relating to the deities or principles involved, consult the appropriate chapter.
Ganesha: Om Gum Ganapatayei Namaha
Rough Translation: 'Om and salutations to the remover of obstacles for which Gum is the seed.'The story of Ganesha is found in the chapter devoted to this principle. But for your immediate need, you need only know that for seen or unseen obstacles which seem to be standing in the way of your progress or achievement, either specifically or generally, this mantra has proved invaluable. It has been used it with great success not only in India, but here in the West dozens of people have related to me their success in turning things around in their life by using this mantra.
Lakshmi: Om Shrim Mahalakshmiyei Swaha
Rough Translation: 'Om and salutations to that feminine energy which bestows all manner of wealth, and for which Shrim is the seed'This mantra has not only been used for the purpose of attracting prosperity, but also for drawing in proper friends, clearing up family misunderstandings and quarrels, and smoothing some health problems. As we all know, there are many different kinds of wealth. As you use this mantra, focus on the kind of wealth you wish to manifest in your life.
Durga: Om Dum Durgayei Namaha
Rough Translation: 'Om and Salutations to that feminine energy which protects from all manner of negative influences, and for which Dum is the seed.'Durga is the Divine Protectress. Typically shown riding a lion or a tiger, Durga has a hundred arms, each with a different weapon of destruction. Yet her face is exquisitely beautiful to behold. The interpretation is that to the pious and the sincere seeker after truth, her sight can produce ecstacy and a variety of beautiful forms. But the negative, harmful or demonic, her countenance is as terrible as Kali, except she shows more weapons of destruction than Kali (who is described later).
Saraswati: Om Eim Saraswatyei Swaha
Rough Translation: 'Om and salutations to that feminine energy which informs all artistic and scholastic endeavor, and for which Eim (pronounced I'm) is the seed.'Saraswati holds a musical instrument, the vina, in one hand and a rosary in another hand. She spans the world of mundane knowledge and spiritual understanding. Those pursuing any artistic or educational endeavor whatsoever will gain greatly from the practice of this mantra.
Shiva: Om Namah Shivaya
This mantra has no approximate translation. The sounds related directly to the principles which govern each of the first six chakras on the spine...Earth, water, fire, air, ether. Notice that this does not refer to the chakras themselves which have a different set of seed sounds, but rather the principles which govern those chakras in their place. A very rough, non-literal translation could be something like, 'Om and salutations to that which I am capable of becoming.' This mantra will start one out on the path of subtle development of spiritual attainments. It is the beginning on the path of Siddha Yoga, or the Yoga of Perfection of the Divine Vehicle.Rama: Om Sri Rama Jaya Rama, Jaya, Jaya Rama
Rough Translation: 'Om and Victory to Rama (the self within), victory, victory to Rama.'Rama was an Avatar who came several thousand years ago. His sole purpose was to show how a person should live a Divine Life while living in a human body. A short story about the esoteric meaning of his life is found in the chapter devoted to him. You will recall from the previous chapter that Mahatma Gandhi practiced this mantra for over 60 years. This mantra will 'take one across' the ocean of rebirth. In a more immediate way, it is most powerful in reducing negative karmic effects no matter in which life they might have occurred. I have also had a powerful spiritual healing experience (for another person), while using this mantra intensely
Tuesday, 4 January 2011
Inner Feng Shui
By tracy lyndon
If it feels like life is on an unpleasant tape loop from which you can’t escape, perhaps you are indulging in the addictive practice of self-deception.
According to some experts and psychologists, self-deception is an unavoidable human trait that has allowed us to survive as a species. We tell ourselves we are invincible to motivate ourselves to overcome “adversaries”; we tell ourselves that things aren’t so bad so that we can “carry on.” However, some wise folk would argue that just the opposite is true. Bertrand Russell once wrote that “no satisfaction based upon self-deception is solid, and however unpleasant the truth may be, it is better to face it once and for all, to get used to used to it and build your life in accordance with it.” There is a saying that if you remove the rock from the flower that it will grow all on its own, and self-deception is certainly one of the biggest “rocks” we have going.
Lying to oneself can be used in the service of paranoia as much as it is denial, and if it becomes habitual, our lives become constricted, stuck and usually miserable. Perhaps it’s time to throw out some old perceptions in order to plug into your own life force; perhaps you’re ready for some inner feng shui so that your life can be the gratifying experience it was meant to be. What follows are some signs that you’re on the self-deception treadmill and what you can do to get off it.
1. You’re constantly telling yourself you’re not good enough. Unfortunately, we’re pelted all day long with messages from the media that we’re never thin, pretty or rich enough. Compound that with negative messages we received as children from family or school, and there’s a recipe for lifelong low-grade depression. Cut down on television and fashion mags. Take note of all the positive things people have said about you, and keep them in a folder so that you can refer to this information when you feel low. Be your own mother, the one you’ve dreamed of, and refute the negative voices that keep you down. Talk to supportive friends as a reality check. Take on small projects and goals, and validate yourself for taking them on, as a good parent would.
2. You’re better than them, and it’s always “their fault.” If you find yourself constantly remarking internally on the idiocy and insensitivity of others, perhaps it’s time to look in the mirror. Blame is incredibly addictive and allows us to bypass the truth of our own motivations. If this blame enables rages or tantrums, you’re now using your perceptions of blame to manipulate and control others around you, which then empowers the self-fulfilling prophecy that indeed they “don’t like” you. Slow down, and breathe. Make sure you’re eating properly and keeping hydrated. Are you in some physical pain that’s making you irritable? Are you expecting people to take care of you in ways you need to take care of yourself? Write an inventory of your own behaviors. Try communicating before blowing up. Try delegating tasks instead of controlling the situation.
3. You have a drug or alcohol problem. Your spouse or mate has a drug or alcohol problem. The very core of addiction is denial of reality, an insidious form of self-deception that is actually deadly. If you have a full-blown habitgoing on, you’re masking old hurts and resentments that are taking their toll on your physical body and exponentially hurting those around you. Ask for help. Go to an AA or Al-Anon meeting. You can’t do this alone. Seriously.
4. You make sweeping generalizations about “how people are.” Generalizations make us feel safe from the uncertainty of life, but it is a deadening safety that closes off our minds and spirits. We are taught to generalize from a young age, so it is a hard habit to break. Interacting with people on an individual-to-individual basis, recognizing that they need and feel all the things you do, is hard but liberating work and effortlessly opens up new possibilities.
5. You’re incapable of trusting yourself. Nothing is as dispiriting and lonely as being unable to trust your own perceptions. Self-deception in all its forms estranges us from ourselves and similarly from others. We are born with a sense of what and who is good or bad for us, and over time, trauma and misunderstanding can strip us of our own intuition. As cliched and mushy as it sounds, acquainting ourselves with and loving “the inner child” can bring us back to the right place
According to some experts and psychologists, self-deception is an unavoidable human trait that has allowed us to survive as a species. We tell ourselves we are invincible to motivate ourselves to overcome “adversaries”; we tell ourselves that things aren’t so bad so that we can “carry on.” However, some wise folk would argue that just the opposite is true. Bertrand Russell once wrote that “no satisfaction based upon self-deception is solid, and however unpleasant the truth may be, it is better to face it once and for all, to get used to used to it and build your life in accordance with it.” There is a saying that if you remove the rock from the flower that it will grow all on its own, and self-deception is certainly one of the biggest “rocks” we have going.
Lying to oneself can be used in the service of paranoia as much as it is denial, and if it becomes habitual, our lives become constricted, stuck and usually miserable. Perhaps it’s time to throw out some old perceptions in order to plug into your own life force; perhaps you’re ready for some inner feng shui so that your life can be the gratifying experience it was meant to be. What follows are some signs that you’re on the self-deception treadmill and what you can do to get off it.
1. You’re constantly telling yourself you’re not good enough. Unfortunately, we’re pelted all day long with messages from the media that we’re never thin, pretty or rich enough. Compound that with negative messages we received as children from family or school, and there’s a recipe for lifelong low-grade depression. Cut down on television and fashion mags. Take note of all the positive things people have said about you, and keep them in a folder so that you can refer to this information when you feel low. Be your own mother, the one you’ve dreamed of, and refute the negative voices that keep you down. Talk to supportive friends as a reality check. Take on small projects and goals, and validate yourself for taking them on, as a good parent would.
2. You’re better than them, and it’s always “their fault.” If you find yourself constantly remarking internally on the idiocy and insensitivity of others, perhaps it’s time to look in the mirror. Blame is incredibly addictive and allows us to bypass the truth of our own motivations. If this blame enables rages or tantrums, you’re now using your perceptions of blame to manipulate and control others around you, which then empowers the self-fulfilling prophecy that indeed they “don’t like” you. Slow down, and breathe. Make sure you’re eating properly and keeping hydrated. Are you in some physical pain that’s making you irritable? Are you expecting people to take care of you in ways you need to take care of yourself? Write an inventory of your own behaviors. Try communicating before blowing up. Try delegating tasks instead of controlling the situation.
3. You have a drug or alcohol problem. Your spouse or mate has a drug or alcohol problem. The very core of addiction is denial of reality, an insidious form of self-deception that is actually deadly. If you have a full-blown habitgoing on, you’re masking old hurts and resentments that are taking their toll on your physical body and exponentially hurting those around you. Ask for help. Go to an AA or Al-Anon meeting. You can’t do this alone. Seriously.
4. You make sweeping generalizations about “how people are.” Generalizations make us feel safe from the uncertainty of life, but it is a deadening safety that closes off our minds and spirits. We are taught to generalize from a young age, so it is a hard habit to break. Interacting with people on an individual-to-individual basis, recognizing that they need and feel all the things you do, is hard but liberating work and effortlessly opens up new possibilities.
5. You’re incapable of trusting yourself. Nothing is as dispiriting and lonely as being unable to trust your own perceptions. Self-deception in all its forms estranges us from ourselves and similarly from others. We are born with a sense of what and who is good or bad for us, and over time, trauma and misunderstanding can strip us of our own intuition. As cliched and mushy as it sounds, acquainting ourselves with and loving “the inner child” can bring us back to the right place
8 Bedroom Feng Shui Tips
By Eric J. Leech
Feng Shui is the coordination of the direction, color, and clutter of items around your home in order to have a lasting effect on the flow of chi energy in your life. Depending on the type of flow that’s being stimulated, this can cause either good or bad fortune. Despite whether or not you believe in the ancient thinking of “yin and yang,” there is actually some science behind Feng Shui, how our surroundings affect our mood, and the way we feel about ourselves and others.
Today, we’re going to focus on one particular area of the home: the bedroom. We’re not talking so much about getting a good night’s sleep or finding tranquility, however, but rather improving what goes on between the sheets!
1. Clutter Be Gone. According to Feng Shui guidelines, clutter in our homes produces clutter in our minds, while hindering our emotional state of being. Too much stuff sitting around the bedroom, in the closet, and on top of the bed can block the flow of sexual energy, stifling romantic thoughts with reminders of laundry, dirt, and taking out the garbage.
2. Only the Lonely. While there’s certainly nothing wrong with being alone, the constant reminder can become a real downer in one’s love life. To keep your focus on the union of two passionate lovers, it’s suggested that the items around your bedroom be equally paired together. This includes mated mirrors, paintings, lamps, vases, side tables, and… well, you get the point.
3. Fuel the Fire, Not the Electric Bill. Another downer in the bedroom is electronic devices, such as televisions, computers and cell phones. These items are considered to be distractions from the two most important things that are supposed to be going on in the bedroom—sleep and sex… or a combination of the two.
4. Only One Kind of Exercise. Another bad habit that Feng Shui guidelines frown upon is keeping any form of exercise equipment in the bedroom. This is unfortunately quite common in many relationships and households, but the only exercise that should ever be going on behind closed bedroom doors is the horizontal mambo.
5. Make the Bed Your Focal Point. When looking to give your love life a boost, you should place a great deal of importance on the detail and placement of the bed. For one, it needs to be clutter free, including no junk underneath. The bed should be placed away from all doors and windows, the headboard grounded against a sturdy wall, and equal space should be left on either side. Any mirrors directly reflecting the occupants should be angled towards the entrance of the room (that means no ceiling mirrors).
6. Monkey See, Monkey Do. Another aspect of Feng Shui in the bedroom is the colors that saturate the eyes. You want to think fire, heat, and passion when coordinating colors, which means lots of reds, browns, oranges, and yellows. Keep the cool, neutral colors outside in the hallway.
7. Recharge Your Bed’s Batteries. You probably didn’t know that your bed had batteries, but according to Feng Shuitradition, it does. Opening the curtains every morning will help bring warmth, comfort, and positive vibes to any room in the house, but in particular will bring heat and affection to the bed.
8. Family Photos Prohibited. While Aunt Bessie might have an open invitation to visit your home any time, the one place her face should not be allowed is on the bedroom walls. What I’m referring to here is family photos, which can be an inhibiting factor while trying to arouse your partner. This rule also extends to pictures of pets and kids. The only photos allowed within the boundaries of the bedroom should be of you and your lover engaging in a happy activity (and I said happy, not naughty
Today, we’re going to focus on one particular area of the home: the bedroom. We’re not talking so much about getting a good night’s sleep or finding tranquility, however, but rather improving what goes on between the sheets!
1. Clutter Be Gone. According to Feng Shui guidelines, clutter in our homes produces clutter in our minds, while hindering our emotional state of being. Too much stuff sitting around the bedroom, in the closet, and on top of the bed can block the flow of sexual energy, stifling romantic thoughts with reminders of laundry, dirt, and taking out the garbage.
2. Only the Lonely. While there’s certainly nothing wrong with being alone, the constant reminder can become a real downer in one’s love life. To keep your focus on the union of two passionate lovers, it’s suggested that the items around your bedroom be equally paired together. This includes mated mirrors, paintings, lamps, vases, side tables, and… well, you get the point.
3. Fuel the Fire, Not the Electric Bill. Another downer in the bedroom is electronic devices, such as televisions, computers and cell phones. These items are considered to be distractions from the two most important things that are supposed to be going on in the bedroom—sleep and sex… or a combination of the two.
4. Only One Kind of Exercise. Another bad habit that Feng Shui guidelines frown upon is keeping any form of exercise equipment in the bedroom. This is unfortunately quite common in many relationships and households, but the only exercise that should ever be going on behind closed bedroom doors is the horizontal mambo.
5. Make the Bed Your Focal Point. When looking to give your love life a boost, you should place a great deal of importance on the detail and placement of the bed. For one, it needs to be clutter free, including no junk underneath. The bed should be placed away from all doors and windows, the headboard grounded against a sturdy wall, and equal space should be left on either side. Any mirrors directly reflecting the occupants should be angled towards the entrance of the room (that means no ceiling mirrors).
6. Monkey See, Monkey Do. Another aspect of Feng Shui in the bedroom is the colors that saturate the eyes. You want to think fire, heat, and passion when coordinating colors, which means lots of reds, browns, oranges, and yellows. Keep the cool, neutral colors outside in the hallway.
7. Recharge Your Bed’s Batteries. You probably didn’t know that your bed had batteries, but according to Feng Shuitradition, it does. Opening the curtains every morning will help bring warmth, comfort, and positive vibes to any room in the house, but in particular will bring heat and affection to the bed.
8. Family Photos Prohibited. While Aunt Bessie might have an open invitation to visit your home any time, the one place her face should not be allowed is on the bedroom walls. What I’m referring to here is family photos, which can be an inhibiting factor while trying to arouse your partner. This rule also extends to pictures of pets and kids. The only photos allowed within the boundaries of the bedroom should be of you and your lover engaging in a happy activity (and I said happy, not naughty
9 Feng Shui Home Tips
By Psychic Marin ext. 5113
Think about the homes of people you know. There will be a broad range, from cozy homes to horrid environments you’ll never set foot in again. Some houses feel inviting, and upon stepping inside you feel warmth and friendliness, and are likely to smell the aroma of freshly baked treats. Other homes may appear cluttered, and well-lived in, but if you’re sensitive to surrounding energy, you may find this type of environment frazzling. Perhaps you have been in a house that looks like it was straight out of a magazine – so pristine that you felt as if you were in a museum, a show piece that you may find it hard to imagine living in. After taking note of all the possibilities, realize that your home is a unique reflection of yourself. How do you want to be perceived?
Geomancy is the sacred art of understanding and aligning your surroundings with elemental energies. The ancient Chinese Feng Shui system that has gained popularity in the Western hemisphere is probably the most well known form of Geomancy. Feng Shui means “wind and water.” In this system, principles are derived from the Taoist belief system, whereby the focus of life is balancing the yin and yang energies to create comfort, yet a feeling of active energy. In layman’s terms, this means that in a home, it is arranged to avoid energy from becoming stuck, while steering the energy in a gentle flow throughout the home, and removing any energetic leaks.
If you want to adopt some basic Feng Shui principles to increase balance and flow in your environment, either your workspace or home, follow these inspiring yet simple steps:
1. Scaling Down
Walk around your house, and take a look at your possessions. Don’t be afraid to dig deeper into cupboards and closets. Are items neatly arranged within an organized fashion, or toppling over? Old stacks of exposed magazines, bills, and obsolete VHS tapes can be the worst culprits for interfering with energetic flow. Ask yourself, “Do I use this?” “Do I need this?” “What is the item’s purpose?” “Does it enhance my environment?”
The first rule of creating a more balanced home is to eliminate the clutter that interrupts the flow. Dissect your environment, room by room, and eliminate the things you do not need. You may wish to make several different piles: garbage, recyclables, donations to thrift stores, items to hand down to a friend, and items you want to store away that have sentimental value but are not necessarily for display.
2. Exterior Décor
Fountains, lush plants, and birdbaths along an inviting walkway to your front door will bring a feeling of pleasure to your doorstep. Wind chimes placed outside your front door or on your porch will distract and capture any negative energies prior to them entering the house.
3. Color
What colors are in your environment? Color creates the mood and freshness in a home. Quite often, painting is one of the last things you may consider when redecorating, but you may want it to come first. A new color can dramatically change the undertone of the energy in your surroundings. Perhaps you may want to invest in one of the digital computer remodel programs where you can upload images of your house and sample the wall colors. This can be an instant method for capturing the energy you want to permanently create.
4. Toilets
Always keep the toilet lid closed. If not for sanitary purposes alone, keeping the toilet lid down prevents the positive energy from going “down the toilet.” As water is an element to carry energy away, you don’t want the positive energy in your home to inadvertently be flushed away.
5. Hallways
In Feng Shui, the hallway is an important location within the home. It should reflect your personality. Is your hallway dark and gloomy, or cheery with appropriate lighting and wall decor?
6. Doors
Can visitors see into your front door? Can they see into your front door, and all the way into your home through the back door? If this is the case, you may feel that there is an energy vacuum, or draft. On a visual level, it directs the energy to what lies on the outside and around the home as opposed to what is in the home. To correct this problem, you can close any interior doors, or place furniture in between the direct pathway.
7. Red Door
Some Feng Shui practitioners say the only appropriate color for a front door is red, because it represents an invitation to happiness and prosperity. In ancient China, red is associated with wealth and the upper classes, therefore red is often utilized in decor to create a sense of prestige.
8. Crystals
A crystal on the desk is believed to dispel negativity, and bring about clarity and focus in business. Throughout the home, crystals can be placed to move energy, as they act as distractions if there is a protruding corner or an awkward hallway. If you sense that there is a feeling of “broken energy” in the flow of your home, or a wall that is a burden, simply place a quarts crystal at the base of the wall or dangle a crystal from the ceiling to redirect the energy flow.
9. Desk Position
In office settings, the most important factor is the chair. The chair commands power and attention. Not only may you want to opt for a fancy leather chair, you will want to avoid placing your chair where the back is facing the door. As the animal instinct in us will always want to “see what is coming,” placing your back to the door may make you unknowingly feel a little anxious, or constantly on alert, both leading to emotional exhaustion, which is not productive for the workplace.
Your home is a reflection of your inner world. When your energetic flow is blocked in your physical surroundings, it is difficult to achieve a rhythm in your life. Victorian Master Craftsman William Moore had a golden rule for homemaking; “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.
Monday, 3 January 2011
The Weather in Your Head
Hans Decoz
It is usually not the case that a situation or a problem is too complicated to see how we can change or resolve it, but that it is actually too simple. We tend to get all caught up in details and obscure stuff, while the obvious escapes us. The saying that we can’t see the forest for the trees applies to our own lives in ways that would be comical, if the result wasn’t often so tragic.
Ask a person, anyone, among your circle of friends, family or acquaintances, what is most important to them, and you will get answers such as: a satisfying career, a loving relationship, a soul mate, financial security, health, success, world peace and so forth, in as many variations as the number of people you ask. If one of them answers happiness or contentment or inner peace, you are looking at a member of a small minority. That’s because most people believe that success or money or a loving relationship brings them happiness and inner peace. Fortunately, that is not the case (please note use of the word “fortunately,” not “unfortunately”). There are plenty of people who have financial security and are miserable. There are people in loving relationships contemplating suicide. There are people with successful careers who are unhappy. In fact, there are even people who have all of the above and still require a dose of Prozac to get them through the day.
This, I am sure, is not news to you. If you are a mature person living life with eyes wide open, you have known this for some time. Which begs the question: If this is common knowledge, how come we have not been able to change it? The answer, I believe, is that to make that insight a reality in our lives, we have to rise above the trees in order to see the whole forest. We must stop running from tree to tree.
First, accept the fact that in order to be happy, content, fulfilled, etc., we don’t need any of the aforementioned properties. We don’t need a soul mate (okay, this is going to get me in hot water). We don’t need financial success (hurrah, say all of us enlightened folks). We don’t need world peace (more hot water). We don’t need a satisfying career. The fact is, we don’t needanything.
Second, reverse the essence of the previous paragraph. Having all of the above will not guarantee us happiness. Even the Beatles’ claim that “all you need is love” is an illusion if that love is nothing more than what you feel when you look at the person who is the object of your love. That kind of love is fickle, no matter whether it lasts a week or thirty years or a lifetime. Besides, ask anyone who has been married for many years and that person will be the first to admit that there were plenty of times when life was miserable, empty and lonely.
So what do we need in order to be truly content, truly happy? First, we need to adjust our concept of happiness. We accept happiness as something that comes and goes depending on certain circumstances, which is like the weather in your head. If the sun shines between your ears, you are happy, if it rains, not so much. Stormy weather in your mind equals tons of misery and anger. Your boss gives you a bonus, et voila, the sun breaks through the clouds. A romantic encounter can be like a gorgeous spring day, divorce, on the other hand, brings hail and ice and tornadoes.
You get my drift. The kind of happiness that is a consequence of something is as unreliable and changeable as the weather. And that is not the happiness I am talking about. What I am referring to is a state of being, an awareness of what it means to be alive that falls outside the boundaries of whatever circumstances happen to be in place today or tomorrow. Perhaps you think that is reaching too far. It is certainly outside the accepted norm and very, very far from where many of us are sitting. But it is not too far. It is within your reach. In fact, it is so close to you that its proximity is the reason it is so hard to find.
Look at it this way: we all want to feel physically good. We don’t like toothaches, headaches, internal ailments of any kind, broken bones, or anything else that causes pain or discomfort. When there is nothing going on with the body, everything functions as it should and no pain or discomfort makes us aware of a particular part of our body … we feel “good!” In fact, in order to feel good, you don’t have to add anything. When your body is healthy and you experience no discomfort whatsoever, you don’t wait for a leg to start pulsing energy to your brain to make you happier. You don’t expect your thumb to produce some kind of pleasant feeling. No, you are already feeling okay, at least physically. You might say you are in “neutral.” Nothing is added, nothing is removed. The same is the case with your mental state, when nothing is bothering you, no desires causing you to feel that anything is lacking in your life, no oppressive notion that without a soul mate your life is not complete, no expectations that might not be fulfilled. When you don’t produce thoughts telling you that something is lacking or insufficient or wrong, you are in neutral and that equals happy
See what I am getting at? It is not necessary to add anything to your life in order to be happy. All you need is to recognize that everything you need is right here. That may sound like an empty, useless, apathetic life, and it would be, if not for one little detail. It is impossible to attain that state of being unless you have encountered the full measure of who YOU are. All the scriptures talk about “going within.” All the masters who have roamed the earth during the last half a dozen or so millennia, taught their disciples a way to find their true essence “within.” Everywhere you look, at least outside churches, mosques, and other houses of make-believe, that is the singular message. Precisely because everything you need is right there. You are complete.
This brings us back to the simplicity of life. Apparently, all the chaos, complications, conflicts, concepts, dogmas, books, gazillions of variations of variations, thousands of gods and deities, old men in velvet robes waiving incense, school children memorizing thick books while nodding back and forth to speed up the brainwashing, brutes draped in sheets killing those who believe different or not at all, masochists whipping their own backs with cattails, men and women locking themselves in small brick rooms, obese people chanting over dead chickens, and all the other stuff, are unnecessary. All you need is to understand, accept and then go in search of this one simple thing: the real you.
Keep in mind, I said that understanding the need and the message to finding what you really want is simple, I didn’t say it was going to be easy. There is nothing easy about reaching that stage and making it your one and only goal. Because that is what it takes: everything else has to take a back seat. You have come to a point where you realize that nothing that this world has to offer will give you what you really need. You have also come to understand that probably everything you know, everything you have been told, is a bunch of baloney. There is nothing left to do but go in search of your true self. And don’t get off the bus halfway, if all you encounter on your quest are words and theories, you are not there yet. But don’t worry, when you do get introduced to yourself, you will know. Beyond a doubt. You will not be asked to believe. You will see yourself for what you are; a small piece, a small part, of something that has been around for as long as time, and longer. Something that existed before darkness and light. Something so miraculous that all the imagination of all the people alive is not remotely capable of envisioning it. Something that will never change, yet changes everything. A timeless part of the most primal energy that exists; that is who you are. Merge with that and mortality becomes a thing of the past. Sure, this body goes back to where it came from: dirt. You, on the other hand, not only get to travel on, you get to enjoy it, all the way into eternity.
Here is a cute analogy: one of the things Numerology attempts to tell us is to understand the real meaning of the number 1. This is how that goes. We will give every existing object, from a particle to a human to a star to a water molecule a number. There will be trillions upon trillions upon trillions of numbers, some of them so long you would need all the ink in the world to write it down. You would be a number as well, of course. We assign the numbers in chronological order, from earliest to latest. Of course, the first thing that came into existence is given the number 1 and has the unique properties that it was not created (if there was something that created it, it wouldn’t be the number 1; the thing that created it would be 1), is not dependent on time, and cannot be altered or destroyed or affected in any form or fashion by what came behind. It also, by definition, is the building block of every other number, meaning everything that came into existence after the 1 consists of nothing more than a huge clump of 1s — as many as the number assigned to it. You are that, a humongous and complex number, and yet nothing but a clump of 1s, hence the expression you were made in His image; it’s all you are, made in and from His Essence.
This is why it is fortunate that none of the things this world has to offer — great career, soul mate, loving relationship, financial success, fame, etc. — is ever enough. If it was, none of us would keep searching and searching in hopes of finding the Holy Grail, the essence of what you are. But not Monty Python’s Holy Grail.
By the way, once you find that, all the things people want, soul mate, career, etc., all falls into place. I promise. Happy hunting.
Connect to Your Inner Warrior
By Holly Allender
I’ll admit it – I’m a very passionate, strongly opinionated and motivated woman. However, I have found that these endearing traits can be misunderstood and seen as aggressive, unfeminine and unwarranted – especially in the workplace. At times, when I acted as a leader or problem-solver, my intentions were met with mistrust and apprehension. When I said “No” to taking on extra work that would overload me, or asked to commit to the fourth party in a weekend that would drain me, I was met with shock and dismay. Some folks were offended that I wasn’t “giving it my all.” I went through a period of time where I hid myinner warrior, took on all those extra projects, worked seventy hours a week and attended every invitation that was extended to me. I was miserable. I was living my life for them, not me. It completely threw me off balance and I felt stifled. Then I read a wonderful story about the Indian Goddess Durga.
An evil demon, Mahisa, wanted more power to become invincible, but this could throw off the balance of life and enslave all of mankind. In order to be awarded this gift (boon), he had to perform many feats of devotion. He succeeded and was granted the additional power with one stipulation – he could live forever but could be killed by a woman (very similar to Lord of the Rings, where a woman kills the wraith). When the other gods found out, they engaged him in battle, but found it was impossible to defeat him. They all gathered to discuss the problem, and it was decided to combine their powers to create a new warrior, Durga. With her multitude of arms, she could use all the weapons from each of the gods. After hearing their plea, she assented with her own stipulation. Although she was created by the gods, they did not own her. She made it clear that she was her own person. The gods agreed – what else could they do? Durga went off to battle, defeated the evil Mahisa and restored balance and life to all.
I’ve learned that I can be a strong, liberated, unstoppable, and terrific woman. I can work on a team, lead the team or walk away from it. Accepting additional work, assisting others and being there for my friends is all about balance and liberation. Being comfortable with knowing how much time you have available and being able to say “No” when necessary are the cornerstones to keeping your inner warrior alive.
It’s Not About Them – It’s About You
We allow ourselves to think of others first and put ourselves second. Finding the balance between the two is difficult. Instinctively, we immediately try to their solve problems without taking a moment to look at the big picture. The next time you reach out to help someone or take on an extra project, stop. Take a moment to see what will happen if you head down that road. Will you be taking on too much? Will you overextend yourself? What else do you need to do with the time at hand?
But It’s Expected…
No, it isn’t. You might think they (your boss, fellow workers, family, parent, or lover), expect you to always available, but they don’t. Let me clarify, people who love you for you will understand that you are not always open like a 7-Eleven. You have needs and expectations just like they do. Be honest with them (and yourself). Know they will love you the same if you help or not. You just might find out who truly appreciates you for you.
Re-Align Your Deadline
Find out when the project or assistance is needed. Don’t commit until you get all the facts. Too often, we say “Yes” to please the other person. People often don’t really need something done this instant. Ask the person when it needs to be done before making a commitment.
Stop Yourself
Today, stop yourself from overextending and over-committing yourself. The next time someone asks if you could help them, take a moment, a long deep breath and think of what you want and need
An evil demon, Mahisa, wanted more power to become invincible, but this could throw off the balance of life and enslave all of mankind. In order to be awarded this gift (boon), he had to perform many feats of devotion. He succeeded and was granted the additional power with one stipulation – he could live forever but could be killed by a woman (very similar to Lord of the Rings, where a woman kills the wraith). When the other gods found out, they engaged him in battle, but found it was impossible to defeat him. They all gathered to discuss the problem, and it was decided to combine their powers to create a new warrior, Durga. With her multitude of arms, she could use all the weapons from each of the gods. After hearing their plea, she assented with her own stipulation. Although she was created by the gods, they did not own her. She made it clear that she was her own person. The gods agreed – what else could they do? Durga went off to battle, defeated the evil Mahisa and restored balance and life to all.
I’ve learned that I can be a strong, liberated, unstoppable, and terrific woman. I can work on a team, lead the team or walk away from it. Accepting additional work, assisting others and being there for my friends is all about balance and liberation. Being comfortable with knowing how much time you have available and being able to say “No” when necessary are the cornerstones to keeping your inner warrior alive.
It’s Not About Them – It’s About You
We allow ourselves to think of others first and put ourselves second. Finding the balance between the two is difficult. Instinctively, we immediately try to their solve problems without taking a moment to look at the big picture. The next time you reach out to help someone or take on an extra project, stop. Take a moment to see what will happen if you head down that road. Will you be taking on too much? Will you overextend yourself? What else do you need to do with the time at hand?
But It’s Expected…
No, it isn’t. You might think they (your boss, fellow workers, family, parent, or lover), expect you to always available, but they don’t. Let me clarify, people who love you for you will understand that you are not always open like a 7-Eleven. You have needs and expectations just like they do. Be honest with them (and yourself). Know they will love you the same if you help or not. You just might find out who truly appreciates you for you.
Re-Align Your Deadline
Find out when the project or assistance is needed. Don’t commit until you get all the facts. Too often, we say “Yes” to please the other person. People often don’t really need something done this instant. Ask the person when it needs to be done before making a commitment.
Stop Yourself
Today, stop yourself from overextending and over-committing yourself. The next time someone asks if you could help them, take a moment, a long deep breath and think of what you want and need
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