Fear

Guy Finley is an author and spiritual teacher who is worth checking out. His website is http://www.guyfinley.com/. He also offers free email mailings, which are often quite good. The following wise words of Mr. Finley showed up in my inbox just the other day:

"No fact is frightening unless it runs into conflict with what we want. When this happens, the fear is not in the event, but in us--who have decided that in order to feel secure, life must jump through our hoop. So, the fear we feel is in our hoop, not the fact that life may have jumped unexpectedly."

This is one of the best things I have ever read on fear. The problem is not out there in the "fearful" condition, but in ourselves, in our attachment to some desire. Armed with this insight, the next time fear raises its scary head, maybe the shaking in my boots won't be quite so pronounced. Hope so.

Gratitude

Everyone knows that gratitude is a "good thing," and that we should all be (more) grateful. Even though the notion that "gratitude is good" is rather cliche, I wonder if we can be reminded often enough of this great truth. I know I can't.

I shall never forget a marvelous line I read somewhere (I believe it was in Doctrine and Covenants) which proclaimed unabashedly, "He who is grateful in all things shall be made glorious." The incomparable Rumi also has some good words on gratitude:

Be grateful for your life, every detail of it,
and your face will come to shine like a sun,
and everyone who sees it will be made glad and peaceful.
Persist in gratitude, and you will slowly become one with the Sun of Love,
and Love will shine through you its all-healing joy.
This path of gratitude is not for children;
it is the path of tender heroes, of the heroes of tenderness who,
whatever happens,
keep burning on the altar of the hearts the flame of adoration.

To all those who read this blog (and those who don't), I thank you!

The Key to Forgiveness

If you are anything like me, there are times, more than you would care to admit, that you find it difficult to forgive. I know I sure do. "How could they do that?! It's just wrong / bad / stupid / inconsiderate!! Grrrrrrr." I rarely have been able to see past and let go of my judgment that they were wrong and I am right and entitled to my righteous judgment. And then I came across these wise words of Eckhart Tolle in his marvelous little book, Silence Speaks. On page 92, he writes:

"If her past were your past, her pain your pain, her level of consciousness your level of consciousness, you would think and act exactly as she does. With this realization comes forgiveness, compassion, peace."

Isn't that marvelous? Now, if anyone should cross me or do or say anything stupid or bad, bad, bad, I feel that, armed with this realization, there is the chance that I may not succumb to the temptation of righteous judgment, but instead forgive, and even act out of compassion. Wouldn't that be wonderful?

The Smallest Things

Surfing the web this afternoon, I chanced upon an interesting little book titled, The Smallest Things Make the Biggest Difference, by Raymond V. Haring, Ph.D. The book is all of 160 pages, with most chapters being one, or in some cases two, pages. Here's a peek into a chapter dealing with values:

*****
Service or courtesy, like any other value, must be supported with absolute conviction. Yet a value unsupported by actions is much like a table without legs. There is nothing to stand on.

Thinking about a value is actually much different from living it. If you are unsure about your values, all you need to do is look at what you are doing, because it's your actions that reflect your values. "What you value," writes Joel Weldon, "is what you think about. What you think about is what you become." Simple values have far-reaching consequences.
*****

This is such a big issue for me. I often think about the issue of values, and how important they are in determining the course of our lives. But the values I espouse are all too often not the values I live. Therein lies the rub. This, of course, is a matter of integrity, character, virtue, and I, unhappily, fall short, far short, of demonstrating the kind of character I would like to have. But what can I do except to continue to struggle with the issue, and with my own weaknesses, until such time as I finally manage to bring the values I profess into alignment with the values I live? Very difficult and challenging. But whoever said a life of virtue is an easy thing? Today is yet another opportunity to see if I can get it right. God help me.

Anxiety and Trouble

For a few days now I have been reading a most interesting book on Morita Therapy by David K. Reynolds, a book with the unlikely title of "Playing Ball on Running Water." To give the briefest of summaries of Morita therapy, we might say that, in the author's own words, "The purposes of Morita therapy are quite clear. They are to teach students to accept feelings as they are, to know their purposes, and to do what needs to be done." Well, that's straitforward and pedestrian enough. But later in the book Mr. Reynolds has this to say about anxiety:

"It is not a new idea that difficulties in life generate the construction of purpose. Happiness, peace, and a life of ease would destroy us. [What a concept!] Without anxiety and trouble, we could not survive. Without conflict and struggle, life would not choose to continue. It is not that suffering is good; it is necessary for our existence. To say this is not to say that all pain must be passively accepted. We are responsible for doing battle with the ills that plague us and others. Yet, if we were ever to succeed in eliminating all discontent, our human species would be doomed. We struggle, and in that struggle lies life's meaning. We are born fighters; we will find something to oppose. If we cannot find a worthy foe, we create one, even if that foe is ourselves. When our last enemy is vanquished, we shall die -- as individuals, as a species.

"So don't seek anxiety-free living; don't strive for constant bliss. Choose rather to continue your struggle. Resolve to react forcefully to the challenges of reality. Hold to your goals. Fight your fight. And live with purpose."

Now how's that for provocative? And I always thought that anxiety and trouble were my enemies. I am going to have to rethink this whole thing all over again.

The Choice

I went and heard Leonard Jacobson speak a couple weeks ago. I had read one of his books a few years ago and thought it excellent, and so I had high expectations for his talk. Even so, I was not disappointed. This fellow really seems to have awakened. I picked up his latest book the same evening, and find it, like his other book and talk, to be first-rate. Here is a brief excerpt from "Journey into Now":

"Each moment you have a choice. Will you be in the present moment in the truth of life or will you be in the illusory world of your thinking mind? With gentle remembering, you can choose to be present.

"You are not trying to stop thinking. You are not trying to escape from the mind. You are not trying to become enlightened. You are making a choice to be present, simply because the present moment is the truth of life and you are free to make that choice.

"As you choose the present moment, your mind will become silent. Relax into the silence. Deepen into Presence. Enjoy all that God has to offer you in this moment. Enjoy the fullness and abundance of this moment."

The subtitle of his book is "Clear Guidance on the Path of Spiritual Awakening," and this is exactly what Jacobson offers readers in his latest book. Highly recommended.

The Secret of Greatness

Religious leaders may disagree about some things, but they all have one thing in common. They all recommend you do one important thing in your life. You might find this recommendation difficult to follow. For a few, it's nearly impossible to live this way. However, when you use this advice, you earn the most wonderful gifts in the world.Not only does this advice make you happy, it lowers your stress and boosts your intelligence. You face difficult situations with less fear. You are much more successful.

What Is Greatness?

"The hardest task one can have is to continue to love his fellows despite all reasons he should not. For the one who can achieve this, there is abundant hope. For those who cannot, there is only sorrow, hatred and despair. And these are not the things of which greatness, or sanity or happiness are made.

"A primary trap is to succumb to invitations to hate. Never use what is done to one as a basis for hatred. Never desire revenge. It requires real strength to love man. And to love him despite all invitations to do otherwise, all provocations and all reasons why one should not.

"Happiness and strength endure only in the absence of hate. To hate alone is the road to disaster. To love is the road to strength. To love in spite of all is the secret of greatness. And may very well be the greatest secret in this universe.

"To love in spite of all is the secret of greatness." -- L. Ron Hubbard

Excerpted from "What is Greatness?" by L. Ron Hubbard. You can read the full article at http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=y4xcgbcab.0.yhvjlrbab.n55yivn6.54054&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.realhubbard.org.
Copyright © 2007 TipsForSuccess.org. All rights reserved.

No Self

I can't anticipate how these words of John Wheeler (http://thenaturalstate.org/) will strike you, but I found them positively enlightening:

"You are not creating thoughts. They happen spontaneously. Then we say, “I am thinking,” “I am deciding,” “I am remembering.” This is totally false. That “I” is not present in those things. It is only assumed afterwards. This assumed “I” is the ego, and it is the cause of our problems. There has never been an ego, except as an assumption."

Angela's Ashes

If you have been reading my blog for awhile, you may have noticed that I am not big on fiction. I guess I am one of those who prefers "just the facts, ma'am." But this lack of appetite for story doesn't keep me from opening up a novel now and then and reading the first page. Which is just what I did the other day with the #1 New York Times bestseller, Angela's Ashes, by Frank McCourt. On page one we find:

"When I look back on my childhood I wonder how I survived it at all. It was, of course, a miserable childhood: the happy childhood is hardly worth your while. Worse than the ordinary miserable childhood is the miserable Irish childhood, and worse yet is the miserable Irish Catholic childhood."

I'm not really sure why this excerpt delights me as much as it does. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that I am half Irish and was raised Catholic, and didn't exactly have the happiest of childhoods. But in any case, I find this eloquent passage so deliciously funny and clever that I am inclined to read the whole novel, but doubt if I will. Who's got time for storytelling? Not me, despite the fact that man has been defined as "the story telling animal." But that's another story....

Psychosynthesis

Browsing through the library rather aimlessly awhile back, I chanced upon a short little volume titled, "The Elements of Psychosynthesis," by Will Parfitt. I first heard about Psychosynthesis more than 30 years ago, but have never looked very deeply into it, so I thought maybe it was time I had. Chapter 1 opens with this definition: "Psychosynthesis is a comprehensive approach to self-realization and the development of human potential." Well, that's just fine, I thought: that's exactly what my life is about, or at least aims to be about. Several pages later we find the following notion:

"We can know what we want, and have an idea of where we are going in life, but once we start moving in that direction we find there are all kinds of blocks that stop us. Psychosynthesis says these blocks are our helpers. Through looking at them and dealing with them, we can move more effectively in the direction in which we desire to go. The blocks are the very energy of our being, so the more we deal with the blocks the more we are moving towards our true being, rather than cutting off from ourselves and not allowing our potential to grow and blossom."

So the next time we confront those infernal blocks, perhaps we will remember this and, instead of cursing them, we will celebrate their very existence. Ya think so?

Where is the Person?

John Wheeler, whose website, http://www.thenaturalstate.org/, I have referenced before, asks a few very pointed questions in the following missive:

"Where is the person? Is it real? Did you ever find it? For example, in any given moment there may be a few thoughts, feelings or sensations appearing. Do any of those constitute a person, a separate self ? They are simply momentary objects appearing and disappearing in present awareness. How could they be a substantial self or independent person? If you set those aside and continue to investigate, you will find that there is nothing else present at all to investigate! All there is, is wide open, clear, obvious presence-awareness itself. And that is not a limited person or entity."

I am reminded of Osho's recommendation that we ask not so much "Who am I?" but "Where am I?" Where indeed is the person we take ourselves to be? Nasargadatta says simply, "You are not a person." And of course Buddha 2,500 years ago denied the reality of a self. The Buddhist tradition also teaches us that "There is suffering, but no one who suffers." Again, no self. Hmmm.

Look to This Day

Look to this day:
For it is life, the very life of life.
In its brief course
Lie all the verities and realities of existence.
The bliss of growth,
The glory of action,
The splendour of achievement
Are but experiences of time.

For yesterday is but a dream
And tomorrow is only a vision.
But today, well-lived, makes
Yesterday a dream of happiness
And tomorrow a vision of hope.
Look well, therefore, to this day.

-- Kalidasa

Awareness

TheNaturalState.org currently has this juicy little tidbit on its homepage:

It is not that "you" can be or become aware. That divides something that can not be divided. You are awareness. You are constantly that. That is the necessary ground from which all arises. What can there be without awareness? Everything arises and sets in awareness and has no independent existence apart from it. That is the substance of which everything is made, including you. It is you. That awareness is pure peace and happiness because in it there is no separation, no isolation, no fear, no past, no future, nothing to obtain and nothing to lose.

Nonduality

Just tonight I happened upon a wonderful book while surfing the web -- One: Essential Writings on Nonduality, by Jerry Katz. The few pages I read of this book (at Amazon.com) indicate that it is a real gem. The essential truth of nonduality is that all is one; there is no separation or duality; our true nature (the Self) is one with all that is. To realize this is liberation, enlightenment, nirvana, the end of suffering. We fail to realize the nondual nature of reality because

"Ignorance supervenes and draws a veil over the pure Self which is bliss. Attempts are directed only to remove this veil of ignorance, which is merely wrong knowledge. The wrong knowledge is the false identification of the Self with the body, mind, etc. This false identification must go, and then the Self alone remains."

One explores the nondual dimensions of Hinduism, Sufism, Jainism, Taoism, Native American Tradition, Christianity, and Buddhism. This is my kind of book: an exploration of the essential truth within the various religious traditions.

The book enjoys a number of strong endorsements, including this one from A. Walker:

"Jerry Katz has ceased to become an editor and has transformed into an inspired guide into the world of nondualism and the search for truth. Any reader interested in finding the enlightenment that links us all together would greatly enjoy this book. It is a fascinating read from beginning to end and every step along the way."

The Silent Question

Toni Packer is yet another of our blessed female, spiritual teachers, who speaks as one who knows. Her latest book, "The Silent Question," is an anthology of talks and dialogues she has had with various seekers on retreat with her. The following excerpt from her book presents a "radical perception," of which I have long been enamored.

"It is a radical perception that there is absolutely nothing to gain, nothing to get, nothing to be, nothing to hold on to. As I say this, do you already notice a subtle resistance to it? Or is there simply thinking, "Yes, it's OK." Nothing to get. Nothing to be. Nothing to understand, for that matter. Being here is totally sufficient. It doesn't need to be understood."

Action!

Being the born contemplative that I am, who loves nothing more than a beautiful idea, but am not particularly inclined to do anything about it, I have slowly come to realize that ideas are fine, but we must act in the end. Nevertheless, I continue to struggle with that action part. Then, as fate would have it, I stumbled upon a book at the library not long ago, titled, Action! Nothing Happens Until Something Moves, by Robert Ringer. Hmmm, I thought, catchy title, maybe there is something in there I would do well to consider. (You can see my predilection for the thinking part.) And indeed there was something in there of significant value for me to ponder: the inestimable value of "Action!" The inside jacket cover sums it up nicely:

"Action! Nothing Happens Until Something Moves acknowledges that ideas can be precious commodities that can change the world, sound preparation is invaluable, and knowledge and wisdom are essential when it comes to giving one an edge in the pursuit of great achievements. But ideas, preparation, knowledge, and wisdom are all but useless without action, because action is the starting point of all progress."

So, with that, I must leave this fascinating world of ideas and go take some "Action!" After all, "nothing happens until something moves." Lights, camera, . . .

Compassionate Self-Discipline

A friend of mine recently told me about a new book by Cheri Huber, Making a Change for Good: A Guide to Compassionate Self-Discipline. Cheri Huber had been for some years a favorite author of mine, so naturally I traipsed off to the bookstore to look at her new book. I was particularly drawn to the title of the book, as self-discipline, or rather the lack of it, has long been a real stumbling block for me. Leafing through the book, it was not long before I realized she had another winner. Early on Cheri describes compassionate self-discipline:

"Compassionate self-discipline is nothing other than being present rather than engaged in distracted, unfocused, addictive behaviors."

What a marvelous concept! Just think: if I could manage to be more present -- something I aspire to anyway -- then maybe I could naturally develop more self-discipline. I am thrilled with the promise this holds out. She continues her description:

"Compassionate self-discipline is simply allowing the innate intelligence and generosity that is your authentic nature to guide you in every moment."

Who wouldn't want to be guided by their innate intelligence? She goes on to describe the fruits of following this guidance:

"With this guidance you will be not only disciplined, you will be spontaneous, clear, awake, aware, efficient, appropriate, respectful, grateful, kind, honest, sincere, expressive, steady, dependable, responsible, peaceful, joyful, and satisfied."

What a fantastic path! By simply following our inner guidance, not only will we be self-disciplined (which would be reward enough), but our lives will be marked by great virtue. And we'll be happy as clams. Sign me up.

Mindfulness, Bliss and Beyond

Philosopher that I am, on the back burner of my mind is an ongoing investigation into this marvelous experience we are all sharing called Life. (In fact, that's what this weblog is largely about.) There is a program running in the back of my mind -- always running! -- that is trying to figure it all out. I think that if I keep on thinking about it all long and deep enough, I'll finally breakthrough and Understand the Mystery.

Then a few mornings ago I opened up "Mindfulness, Bliss and Beyond," by Ajahn Brahm, a marvelous "meditator's handbook." I turned to page 12 and read the following:

"Sometimes we assume it is through the inner commentary that we know the world. Actually, that inner speech does not know the world at all. It is the inner speech that spins the delusions that cause suffering. Inner speech causes us to be angry with our enemies and to form dangerous attachments to our loved ones. Inner speech causes all of life's problems. It constructs fear and guilt, anxiety and depression. It builds these illusions as deftly as the skillful actor manipulates the audience to create terror or tears."

This hit me like a splash of cold water on my sleepy face. So, this instrument, the mind, with which I have been trying to understand life and the world, "does not know the world at all"! It "spins delusions" and "causes all of life's problems." Hmmm, seems I'm going to have to recalibrate my strategy for discovering Truth. I am confident Brahm has it right, as his assertions align with the teachings of spiritual masters down the ages: it is mindfulness rather than thinking that reveals the Truth. I am reminded of the words of Sri Aurobindo, "There is nothing that mind can do that cannot be better done in the mind's thought-free stillness." So off with the thinking and the endless train of words. Time for silent awareness.

Do It Now

There are many values, virtues, principles, and lessons I need to learn, but the one I seem to be most in need of learning, and the one with which I struggle the most, is Do It Now. Ralph Marston (http://greatday.com) puts it well:

"Things you're always going to do later never do get done. What you put off until someday will always be out of your reach.

"If anything is important enough to do someday, then it is worth starting on right now. If you're going to actually do it, then you must do it in the moment you're in.

"Procrastination may seem like an easy way to avoid taking action. What it really is, though, is an ever-increasing burden of guilt and regret that you place on yourself.

"Think of how awful it feels to know that you could have done, or could be doing, but instead you waited until too late. Fortunately, there is a simple and highly effective way to ease that burden.

"Take action now. Choose something that you have continued putting off, and go ahead and get it done.

"You've made many great plans and promises. Go ahead, act on them, and see how great it is to make them real."

These wise words are now posted on my office wall. Maybe that will help me get it.

Be Suspicious of Yourself

A friend of mine sent me this marvelous poem by the incomparable Rumi. Take a deep drink and enjoy!

Everything you do has a quality
which comes back to you in some way.

Every action takes a form in the invisible world,
which may be different from how you thought

it would appear. A crime is committed,
and a gallows begins to be built. One does not

look like the other, but they correspond.
Accept the results of what you've done in anger,

or for greed, or to elevate your ego. Don't blame
fate! That dog lies in the kennel

and will not respond to anyone's calling.
Be suspicious of yourself! Inquire

about your hidden motives. It takes courage
to repent, and more courage to change.

But realize this: just as dustgrains shine
in sunlight coming through this window,

so there's a light of reality, within which ideas,
hidden hypocrisies, and the qualities

of every action become clear. All you've done
and will do will be seen in the light of that sun.