Author: Posts

Relate compassionately with where we find ourselves and begin to see our predicament as workable.  When we see this even for a second once a week, we will discover the knack of making things solid and therefore stepping into new territory.

A crucial part of life is seeking knowledge.  The practice of self-cultivation makes us a fit vehicle for that search.  Sometimes what we learn is not pleasant, but with the learning we get a glimpse of life as it really is.  This is what makes us human.

Our path in life is to live in harmony with all others, the environment and one’s self, to live in synchronicity with process and to be completely authentic, sincere and natural.  The ancient teachings provide us with a practical guide to an alternate way of thinking, feeling and behaving.

Don’t let yourself get swept away by unfavorable circumstances, or let your steadfastness be shaken.  You can avoid this by maintaining your inner peace, remaining outwardly calm and yielding.  By doing this and being cautious and reserved we can overcome the greatest adversaries.

Quote: We cannot solve our problems in the same state of consciousness in which we created them.  Einstein

The journey to peace and happiness is a process of opening up and surrendering.  But we cannot just surrender on certain occasions or situations, our surrender must be constant and genuine all the time.

All our efforts are temporary, they borrow from pre-existing forces, ride the current of natural events and disappear according to the dictates of the situation.  It is best to realize the transitory nature of things and work with them.  Understanding the world’s ephemeral nature can be the biggest advantage of all.

Never hoard anything.  Share your possessions; the more you share the greater your abundance.  The more you do for others, the happier you will be because you are doing it for yourself.  The less you hold on to, the easier it is to give to others.

To make successful progress you must be in harmony with the natural laws.  In times of progress and successful development it is necessary to work and make the best use of the times.  These times of increase do not endure; therefore, they must be utilized while they last. 

Quote:  Look at the whole picture.

We can dissolve the sense of dualism between us and them, between this and that, between here and there, by moving forward to places that scare us, what we find difficult and wish to push away.  We must befriend the idea we can be wrong, and also the feelings of guilt or shame.

Each day set goals for yourself and organize activities to be accomplished.  You will learn to improvise when unpredictable things happen or things that don’t go according to plan.  If circumstances change immediately, do not hold on to your plans.

Relinquish your negative habits and attitudes and strengthen your sincerity. Live in the real world and extend your virtue to it without discrimination.  Shoulder whatever responsibilities come to you and make virtue your only goal.

Contemplation of the meaning of the underling workings of the universe will enable you to apprehend the universes’ natural laws.  It will enable you to give expression to those laws in one’s own person.  Contemplation of these laws will enable you when called upon to help others.                                                

Quote: A good attitude is the number one thing essential to healing.

Our self-cultivation practice is not about accomplishing anything, but ceasing to struggle and to relax as it is.  This is what we do when we sit down to meditate and then this same attitude will spread to the rest of our lives.

We want to utilize all parts of our being, body, mind and spirit, when we do our self-cultivation practice.  This will produce a state of being and understanding of life rather than just a mere intellectual understanding of it.

If you blame someone else for your failures, there is no end to the blame. The wise see failure as an opportunity and accept all responsibility for their failures.  Fulfill your own obligations, correct all your mistakes, do what you need to do without demanding from others.

Our destinies are subject to immutable laws that must fulfill themselves.  You still have the power to shape your fate, by exposing yourself to the influence of benevolent and destructive forces.  Using this power, you learn the nature of all beings and influence the hearts of all, thus attaining world peace.

Quote: Don’t be satisfied with stories, how things have gone with others. Unfold your own myth.

Negative shame is accompanied by guilt and self-denigration, it is pointless and no help to us.  In fact, it will cause us harm.  Positive shame is when we have harmed ourselves or someone else and feel sorry for having done so.  This allows us to grow from our mistakes.

Maintaining flexibility, both literally and metaphorically, is a necessary part of life.  The more flexible you keep your mind and body, the greater your physical and mental health. More self-cultivation as we age will maintain our flexibility of mind, body and soul.

Some say it is useless to accept responsibility for the calamities and toxicities of the world.  By taking such responsibility might just lead us on the road of living a more joyful and abundant life.  Remember truth often masquerades as falsity and falsity as truth.

People will give up counselling you if you think you know everything, so keep your mind humble and free so it can remain receptive to good advice.  If we cannot be influenced ourselves, we cannot influence the outside world.

Quote: Be empty of worrying. Think of who created thought.

Hope and fear come as a sense that we lack something, that something needs to change.  Abandon hope.  Everyday just say to yourself that I am getting better and better; relax and be yourself. Holding on to hope and fear robs us of the present moment.

Preparation and perseverance are a major part of any new endeavor.  We need to cultivate patience, planning and timing to succeed.  Even when circumstances seem against us, we need to persevere in the plans we have set in motion then we will succeed.

As society grows more intelligent there seems to be less happiness and more trouble each day, because intelligence is not the same as wisdom.  To create change, first liberate yourself by living a plain and natural life, living simply, modestly and truthfully, discovering your original wise, pure nature.

When we are dealing with mistakes and errors of others, do not dwell on them, just simply pass them over, that is if they are unintentional transgressions and forgive misdeeds right away.  Then conditions will ease, and we can make our way back to ordinary conditions as soon as possible.

Quote: There is only one way to happiness and that is to cease worrying about things which are beyond the power of our will.

Letting go of your security may seem uncomfortable and frightening, but it gives you a chance to see the world as it is.  Be inquisitive about the unknown and the unanswerable question of what comes next because this awakens your own wisdom mind.

Walking in nature creates a unity of mind, body and spirit.  Away from the rush and bustle of society one is free to observe natures lessons. There are a thousand meanings in every view, just open yourself up to see the scripture of the landscape.

To save the world develop an awareness of the subtle truths, calm your mind, follow the ancient teachings, merge your virtue with the universal virtue and extend it to the world without expectations of reward.

Political structures change as do nations, but life and our life’s needs remain eternally the same.  These needs cannot be changed no matter our disposition or education.  Your real education comes from self-development, this way our learning will penetrate the roots of humanity.

Quote: Thanks for everything, I have no complaints whatsoever.  Sono

Letting go, let things fall apart, this will let fresh air into your stale old heart.  You can open your heart and your mind by knowing what falling apart feels like.  Do this by sharing your feelings, don’t be stingy or fearful about this practice.

We let thoughts and doubts from past activities carry over into the present.  By resolving problems each day to our utmost satisfaction will keep our mind free of lingering impressions.

To eliminate suffering in the world, eliminate all that is dark and negative in yourself.  If you want to awaken all of humanity, then awaken all of yourself.  The greatest gift you have to give humanity is your own self-transformation.

The beginning of all things lies still in the form of ideas that have yet to become manifest.  We have the creative power to lend form to these archetypes of ideas.  Once you see causes and effects with clarity, you will have success in giving actuality to these ideas.

Quote: To change the world, first we must change ourselves to reflect that change. Gandhi

Patience is the antidote to anger; by patience we don’t mean “grin and bear it”.  Instead of reacting suddenly, look at it and open yourself to seeing what’s there.  The journey of patience involves relaxing, opening to what is happening with a sense of wonder.

We are the battleground for good and evil, there is no need to look beyond our world.  All that must be transcended, understood, the pain and the scars of the past, are within us.  Tap into this internal power and you tap into the divine.

Realize that all things change, then there is nothing you will try to hold on to.  You cannot control the future; you might as well relax into it and accept it no matter what it brings.  There is an ancient tale that says whatever happens you look at it without judgement and say, “some good some bad”.

The best way to fight evil is to make energetic progress towards the good.  If we try to fight or compromise with evil, we lose, because we get entangled in hatred and passion.  Our own faults and shortcomings should be handled the same way, if we wrestle with them, they will remain victorious.

Quote: It’s your road and yours alone, others may walk it with you, but no one can walk it for you.

When we feel inadequate or unworthy, we want to hold on to what we have and are afraid of feeling worse than we do already.  When we can start to let go and relax, we move past this poverty of holding on to things, both physical and mentally.

Worry is an addiction that interferes with compassion.  Keep walking your path, changing what you can; the rest must be dissolved in compassion.  Taking care of yourself and doing good for those you meet is enough, that is compassion.

The world we live in takes great courage and patience.  Giving your talents and resources to the world without restraint, the barriers of individuality breakdown.  You then become one with the receiver and both become the giver.

The words and deeds of the past can be used to strengthen and elevate your character.  When you study the past, do not confine yourself to knowledge of history, but apply that knowledge to give actuality to the past.

Quote: Start a huge, foolish project, like Noah…it makes absolutely no difference what people think of you.