Author: Posts

Sharing the heart is a practice that can be used any time or in any situation.   When you encounter pain in your life, breathe into your heart and recognize that others also feel this.  Whether it is a pleasant feeling or a burden, think of others.  This training will benefit us tremendously and everyone else as well.

Sunrise is all we need to bolster ourselves, to integrate ourselves, to fulfill ourselves in these troubled times.  Greet the dawn with the knowledge that life is not futile and is giving you meaning in life.  This is the ultimate beauty.

The character of your existence is determined by the energies you are connected to.  Attaching to gross energies will lead you to a heavy, detached life.  Attach yourself to higher energies, living in the world without attachments, without duality and you will feel free.

When you have learned in your heart what fear means, you will be safeguarded against fear produced by outside influences.  This learning produces an inner strength and composure that all fears glance off harmlessly.

Quote: It’s not the thing you fear – but the mother of the thing you fear.

The continual search for pleasure or security, searching for a more comfortable situation at the domestic or spiritual level are some of the things that keep us unhappy.  We will never have it all together, there is only this moment to live.  If you live in the moment, you will find the joy you are seeking.

At night we rarely take time to look at the stars and ponder the vastness of the cosmos. When we look at the moon, do we feel the pull and push the moon creates as it moves the oceans to rise and fall?  If you let go of it with your mind and surround it with your heart, you will know you are part of this and it all is part of you.

Knowing others is intelligence, knowing yourself is true wisdom.  When you master yourself, you do not have to master others. When you know you have enough, then you are truly rich. 

Human society should hold together through common interests that allow each person to feel part of the whole.  What is required is that we unite with others. This is accomplished by sincerity in forming relationships with a common goal.

Quote: To live life fully you must have patience with yourself.

Each day reflect on the day ahead, keeping a wide-open heart and mind.  Before retiring for the night reflect on what you have done.  If you did something you aspired to do, rejoice in that; if not, you can see what you did and you are no longer living in ignorance.

The only way to realize purity is to realize your essential oneness with all things.  For this to happen you need to transcend all distinctions in yourself, resolve all contradictions; then you dissolve into simple purity. 

We live a bewildered life, we struggle to know things, and whether there is a purpose to this existence.  Look behind all this and see the joy and simplicity in all things. Remain centered in your heart, all things will be in harmony; the world will be at peace and the natural laws will be written in your heart.

In difficult times do not allow yourself to be turned from your principles.  If you are unable to exert influence, because the fundamentals are wrong, and fruitful activity is rendered impossible, do not accept dazzling offers to take part in public activity.  Hide your work and withdraw into seclusion.

Quote: The greatest discovery of all time is that a person can change his future by merely changing his attitude. Oprah Winfrey

Difficult people teach us how to learn and grow.  We all know people that complain constantly or that are irritated by everything.  When we meet them, we should look for the lessons they can teach us; humility, patience, kindness just to name a few.

We forget purity in our lives, we allow our minds to be sullied with frivolous entertainment. We think loyalty is a charming but meaningless virtue.  Purity should be in all aspects of our lives. It is not easy, not common; it is a state we can attain without compromise. 

Our enemies are human beings just like ourselves, they have the same needs and desires that we do. As a last resort enter into conflict, but do so with the utmost compassion, do not rejoice in victory.  Peace is our highest value. If our peace is shattered, how can we be content?

If you are a stranger to a group do not give yourself airs, be cautious and reserved.  If you are obliging towards others, you will have success.  Sojourn only in proper places, associating with good people. This way you will be accepted by all.

Quote: Consider how hard it is to change yourself and you’ll understand what little chance you have in trying to change others.

You should never have expectations for others, just be kind to them.  If people mess up, do anything you can to bring some happiness into their lives.  Instead of having big expectations for them and wanting them to live up to our ideals, just be kind to them.

Words cannot convey the beauty of a tree; you must see it to understand it.  Language cannot capture the melody of a song; you must hear it to understand it.   The same with life; the only way to understand it is to experience it.  The words of the ancients are not the destination, just a map to help you reach it.

Achieve success without arrogance, without seeking glory, without violating others.  Aggression leaches our strength and humanity, this invites disaster. Believe in yourself, don’t wait for others approval.  If you accept who you are the whole world will accept you.

When you discover you are distancing and alienating yourself from others, you must set about dissolving these obstructions.  Rouse yourself inwardly, with moderation and goodwill.  Hasten to that which supports you, then all occasion for remorse will disappear. 

Quote: Act the way you’d like to be and soon you’ll be the way you’d like to act.

This day we acknowledge and give thanks for all that we have received materially, spiritually in so many ways.  A feeling we get on this day, that feeling of quietude, stillness and peace can feel like a release. All the stress of “doing” is over as we take this time to relax with family and friends and celebrate the birth of a new era in humanity. 

Take up the practice and bring these feelings of gratitude and celebrations every day of the year and you will find a way of living simply with the world and others.  Include in your celebration mother earth, giving thanks to her and all the abundance she gives you, without expecting anything in return. Treat her as you would any other person, with kindness, respect, not coercing, not demanding.  Just be there when she needs you. 

The name “Proceeding Until Apprehended” could, in one sense, be understood as an ongoing commitment to study and put into practice truths the ancestors of many cultures gave to the world. The daily posts and writings show these teachings in modern language and the photos celebrate the beauty of mother earth.   

We at Renasance.ca give thanks to our subscribers and wish you that feeling of peace and joy we receive each day by sending these ancient teachings to you.  Lastly, we are so grateful to the ancients and the valuable life lessons they bestowed on us, allowing our lives to be filled with joy and happiness.

Quote: A good conscience is a continual Christmas. – Benjamin Franklin

When we start to interrupt calling ourselves names or patting ourselves on the back, we are doing something extremely brave.  Slowly we move towards an open state, moving towards a place of no handholds, no footholds, no mindholds, giving us a feeling of freedom.

Old traditions were less complicated because everyone knew their role in society.  All you had to do was fulfill your role, knowing that your other needs would be met by the collective.  Today we pursue our own ends and must make choices and compete with everyone else for our needs. 

Discover your truth, then you will realize the world is perfect as it is, and it can’t be improved.  See things as they are without trying to control them, let things go their own way.  Just stay in the center.

When you undertake an enterprise in extraordinary times, you need to be very cautious.  Enterprises will not succeed unless the utmost caution is taken at the beginning and laying of the foundation.  Once you have a firm foundation the rest of the enterprise will fall into place. 

Quote: No matter what people will tell you; words and ideas can change the world.

When we have parts of ourselves we don’t know how to get rid of and thoughts and worry, we need to let go and surrender to them rather than fight or get angry.  There is a saying that “when the resistance is gone, so are the demons”.

Most of us live in the hustle and bustle of urban complexity.  That will collapse when we cease to make it real.  Living simply and connected with nature and all its wonders, we will gain a sense of well-being and understanding of life.

If you are a pattern to the world, you will have an inner strength and there will be nothing you can’t do.  Accept the world as it is and return to the innocence of childhood.  Become receptive to all that comes your way like a newborn.

Having the courage to face things exactly as they are without illusions, you will be able to recognize the path to success.  This recognition should be followed by resolute and preserving action.  This way you will be able to make the necessary decisions to surmount any obstacles in your path.

Quote: If you’re in a bad situation, don’t worry it’ll change. If you’re in a good situation, don’t worry it’ll change.

The more we get to know our judgementalness, pettiness and arrogance we realize they are not sins, but workable habits of the mind.  The more we know them, the more they lose their power, and we come to trust our basic simple nature free of all duality.

Give up worldly desires, live your life completely no matter your path or vocation.  Be the best you can at whatever you choose to do, you will only err when you try to be who you are not.

When you care for things, never waste anything; when you care for people, never abandon anyone.  If you are not attached to your own ideas and open to reality, you will be able to help all that come to you.  They are your sources of wisdom.

When opposition represents polarity within a comprehensive whole it has useful and important functions.  In visible things, the principle of opposites makes possible the differentiation of categories through which order is brought into the world.  

Quote: Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.  Albert Einstein

There are limits to everything, the cold, the darkness, even misfortune, like today the winter solstice the lowest turn of the wheel.  Everyday can be the beginning of brightening in your life, like today the beginning of light from the maximum of darkness.

There is an alternative to seeing ourselves as either right or wrong.  The alternative is a more tender, shaky place where we can live. This place will help us soften our habitual patterns and we will begin to see the faces and hear the words of people talking to us.

If you succumb to frivolities and agitated emotions, you will lose your inner strength and tranquility.  Participate directly in every moment and no mental concepts or attitudes will be able to dim your light or disturb your tranquility.

Every relationship between individuals bears within it the danger that a wrong turn may be taken, leading to misunderstandings and disagreements.  If you remain mindful and aware, you will succeed in avoiding the pitfalls that confront close relationships with others.

Quote: In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me an invincible summer.