Emotional pain
Spiritual practices can “brain wash” us.
I was once warned to be careful, that religion or spiritual people could “brain wash” me. This proved to be true but in a surprising way. My mind desperately needed cleaning. The filth of misery—resentment, anger, worry, fear, jealousy, envy, low-self-worth, and a myriad of others—stained and soiled most of my thoughts; this mental muck…
Read MoreWe can only see what is in front of our eyes; we cannot see the history.
We see anger but not the earlier years of abuse or fear We see selfishness but not the previous poverty of love We see self-centeredness and self-righteousness but not the low self-esteem or the despair of self-loathing. We see the inability to engage in healthy relationships but not the absence of spiritual core with lack…
Read MoreThe only fights I truly win are the ones I walk away from.
How important is it to prove we are right? We must not react while controlled by anger, guilt, self-pity, fear or other symptoms of misery. If we cannot respond with dignity, poise and love, we must walk away. This doesn’t mean that we allow other people to trample our dignity or diminish our self-respect, but…
Read MoreOur mind can be our best friend or our worst enemy.
Our mind can be our best friend or our worst enemy. The power and influence of our mind has been long recognized. Over 2500 years ago, The Dhammapada noted: Hard it is to train the mind which goes where it likes and does as it wants; but a trained mind brings health and happiness. Our…
Read MoreIf our day is dark, we can we can curse the darkness or we can seek illumination. One focuses on the problem; the other, the solution.
Adversity, grief, and challenges will darken every life. They may range from a shadow to the obliteration of all light, the terrible dark night of the soul from which relief seems impossible. But we always have a choice—do we stay in the darkness or do we move toward the light? Do we depend solely on…
Read MoreWhenever I am upset, there is something wrong with ME.
I must be responsible for all my feelings or forever feel un-peaceful. Yes, bad things happen; people inflict real or imagined wrongs, life is hectic and I get frustrated when people or events do not meet my expectations. I cannot control other people but I can choose how I react. I must slow down, take…
Read MoreMuch of our misery results from unconscious decisions.
We seldom make a conscious choice to worry or get angry or engage in many other emotional upsets. An event happens; we automatically react; we experience thoughts, feelings, and possibly take action without making a conscious decision; then, our mind justifies and reinforces our response. Past reactions to similar situations have become so deeply ingrained…
Read MoreShed the darkness of religious lethargy; Enjoy the amazing adventure of personally experiencing divine power
Religion without a vibrant, personal spiritual connection to the divine source is like the reflection of a flame in a mirror; it contains no heat. Some discover an exciting, intimate association with God through religious participation. Others may use such involvement as a substitute; they assume that attending church and participating in ritual constitutes a…
Read MoreThe value of a vessel is its emptiness.
Clay is formed into a vessel. The emptiness bounded by the clay creates the usefulness of the vessel. Walls, windows, and doors make boundaries of a room. The value is its emptiness, not the boundaries. — Verse 11, Tao Te Ching, Lao Tzu If I have a pitcher of dirty water and want to fill…
Read MoreLove people; use things. Don’t use people and love things
Our world focuses on “things.” We are bombarded with the concept that our life will be better if we just get this “thing”; we are told that we will experience love and exquisite bliss if we just buy this certain object. And it’s a lie. “Things” can make our life easier or more enjoyable; using…
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