Source: http://spiritfeast.blogspot.com/2012/04/full-of-miracles.html
Sunday, 29 April 2012
Saturday, 28 April 2012
Friday, 27 April 2012
Guided Meditation for Compassion
Compassion, like gratitude, is something we love to feel. Even though compassion arises as we witness and empathize with another’s pain, it is satisfying to feel this response in our hearts. It feeds our hearts. Hopefully, this new podcast meditation will help strengthen and develop your capacity for compassion, not only for others, but more [...]
Source: http://www.meditationoasis.com/2012/01/22/guided-meditation-for-compassion/
article on positive thinking articles about positive thinking
Tuesday, 24 April 2012
The Dalai Lama: Buddhism's Teddy Bear.
When my world-weary eyes fall upon the aura of the Dalai Lama, it has the same effect as a light dose of the anti-anxiety medication I take. It is so powerfully calming and soothing to meditate upon his image that I can't imagine the energy that must warm the space when in his presence. Yet, truly he seems to regard everyone with the same reverence as we regard him. It's always a dicey endeavor to speak of someone as "enlightened" because it's simply a word, whereas the pure state of enlightenment appears to be indescribable. However, his face smiles with such genuine happiness and radiant compassion that it's hard not to see him as more than a "simple monk" as he so humbly refers to himself.
I have a picture of his glowing face above my beside table and every morning when I look at that picture, I instantly smile. I find it hard not to beam a grin when gazing upon him. He's has all the innocent delight of a child, combined with the intelligence of a professor emeritus and the warmth of your favorite grand-father!!
But, I must admit, being someone who likes to hug people, I always look at a picture of him and just want to hug him like a child would embrace a stuffed animal. He looks like someone who would give good hugs!! I bet he'd be o.k. with a respectful embrace, and probably he'd laugh the whole time with that infectious chuckle he's known the world over for having. I'd laugh back, being a good-humored person myself. What a happy thought -- two spokes of the same wheel embracing, smiling at each other and simply taking joy that we are apart of the great wheel of consciousness, together, as it twirls through the mists of time.
That's partly why I think the Dalai Lama laughs, the humor of it all!! That, and I think he's extremely content with life and is thrilled by even the smallest of insects or humblest of human beings. I've heard that when you meet him, you feel as though he is as happy to meet you as any of the other millions of people he meets, and I think that speaks to his absolute love of people. He has mastered the practice of being present. I think, in his life, the moment in which he finds himself breathing, is truly, the only moment. And, you get the idea that it is also, always, the best moment of his life and that allows for his genuine energy to wrap you in its warmth.
I wasn't going to post anything today but then when going through some saved pictures, I came across this one of the Dalai Lama and felt inspired to share my admiration for such a great energy. The world is truly a better place with him apart of it. I bow to him with deep respect, admiration and honor. His presence and wisdom is a gift that will enlighten generations of people. May he always know of the love this world has for him.
And may you all know how much I appreciate your willingness to read my blog. I am far from perfect but that's why we're all here in this life, and may I say, I am grateful to have my life blessed with being in touch with such great people as you all. I truly am humbled by your kindness and you always make me think. I have the best readers in the blogosphere. Stay healthy. Smile and know that you are appreciated--and loved. Be well.
~may all beings know peace~
Source: http://thebuddhistblog.blogspot.com/2011/11/dalai-lama-buddhisms-teddy-bear.html
Sunday, 22 April 2012
positively present picks: my weekly favorites
LookBook “Watch your thoughts -- they become words. Watch your words -- they become actions. Watch your actions -- they become habits. Watch your habits -- they become character. Watch your character -- it becomes your destiny." Lao Tze Happy...
Saturday, 21 April 2012
Friday, 20 April 2012
10 Exercises for Your Brain
The brain is the organ in our body which allows us to think and interact with the environment; through perception and cognition. Our brain constantly builds neurons while learning from the new challenges we face each day. Just like the physical body, our brain also needs to be exercised, if it is to perform at [...]
Source: http://www.exploremeditation.com/10-exercises-for-your-brain/
spiritual inspirational stories spiritual inspirational words
Thursday, 19 April 2012
Wednesday, 18 April 2012
EGO FEARS AND THE METAPHYSICAL SIDE OF LIFE
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| Giorgio De Chirico: The Tower, 1913 This is one of my absolute favourite paintings. I love the foreboding green sky, though it's all really bathing in a warm light, and it's not cold or frightening, in spite of oozing solitude. There is comfort in the silence, you can almost hear the figures whispering... or just silently contemplating something on their own, yet in harmony with each other. And the architecture provides a sense of security, as it rightly ought to do. |
Metaphysical painting was invented by Giorgio De Chirico in Florence 1907. It actually has nothing directly to do with the otherworldly, but rather a sense of mystery behind the objects of our day-to-day existence. I have been at a loss for a while, not feeling particularly spiritual in any way whatsoever. My days are full, thanks to my husband various things are going on a lot of the time, and apart from that I am struggling with the relentless insomnia and the fact that medicines have stopped working for me. It is really all consuming. Apart from this, I am thinking a lot about art. What is it to me?
Yet there are two things regarding my spirituality that are quite obvious to me. One is that my ego is struggling with the fact that I am less recognized as an artist than I used to be back in Finland. It lead me to say to my husband, "No one seems to realize how famous I really am" - and of course he burst out laughing and added it to the sayings of Vivi-Mari. I'm embarrassed! I also fear that I will never leave that mark on the world that I always hoped to, that mark that was supposed to justify my sufferings in this life. It's an awkward conflict and I naturally hope to see it resolved at some point in the near future. I am now middle-aged and hence all too aware of the shortness of life... of the little that is left.
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| Giorgio De Chirico: The Secret of Love 1914 |
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| Renee Magritte: The Secret Life 1928 |
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| Max Ernst: The Sea 1924 |
The other issue is more positive. Well, let's start with the fact that I want to make art about life here on Earth, and so I feel that I will fall out of favour from anyone who feels that the purpose of art is to point at higher levels of consciousness. The integral community is really promoting art these days as well as debating what exactly comprises integral art. It's worth having a look at integralllife.com.. Because we are speaking of integral art rather than mystical art, I venture to say that it is an art that has a broader spectrum of interest. In all honesty I find a lot of the art presented in their gallery emotionally cold, analytical - and male. Whether talking about chronic illness and similar issues in order to raise awareness of the challenges of the physical reality could be seen as integral remains to be seen, but of course I think it can be the expression of a very profound vision with deeply spiritual implications and it should encompass our human emotions. It's what I feel called to do, in spite of the fact that it is a form of risk taking for me. Not only is it very self-disclosing and this I have trouble with these days, but it may also simply not work out very well and it may gain no audience whatsoever. There's my ego all fear struck again...In fact, I have to concede that I am not necessarily any more important than anyone else, shock horror!
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| Giorgio De Chirico: The Tower, 1913 I love the way the shadows are mysterious and comforting rather than scary or in any way negative. |
Anyway, the other issue is that of the metaphysical point of view, which has recently become much clearer to me than ever before. For one, I started to read the exhibition catalogue about Giorgio De Chirico and the artists he influenced (A Look Into The Invisible). I am still digging through some rather tedious scientific article in the beginning but believe there will be revelations to be had if I persevere. Can you not hear the silence and life of the objects above? And note that they are all about the sphere and the circle, perhaps meant to symbolize unity, harmony; in a sense the most perfect of forms? Perfection can be found in the most unlikely of places. Yet I prefer when it is imbued with human emotion; compassion, connection and warmth. The most abstract one is the one by Max Ernst, and while it remains intriguing to me, it also keeps me the coldest.
Can symbolism exist without a reference to the physical world? We tend to interpret the world symbolically, language being a basic form of symbolism. Yet how someone understands symbolism as a language and puts deeply meaningful symbols together to create bigger wholes is an art all its own, something not everyone is capable of. I think abstract art can only go so far in referring to something universal and deeply meaningful in a humanistic sense.
At the same time, I started photographing objects in my studio. Since that worked out quite well, I continued by taking photos of other parts of the house. In the end, I had a portfolio which was good enough to send off to a journalist who blogs about interior decoration, despite the fact that our house is very far from being completed. I've just always wanted to be able to do this and ended up doing it in spite of all the "buts". I guess this is how you proceed in life: you don't wait for things to be perfect before you act. You just do what you feel driven to do in spite of all the imperfections. This is largely how I lead my life as someone with a chronic illness. I try my best to make the most of what I have. Working around things is my speciality...
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| Martin had renovated the bedroom walls, and painted them a yellow ochre, some of them have a saffron coloured glaze. It's reminiscent of a Buddhist temple. This is the notion I worked with, introducing all my red and turqoise fabrics, as well as more black and gold. The floorboards will eventually be painted black. |
Here are some of the close ups that give me a deeper sense of the mystery of objects and how they relate to each other (there are more in previous posts).
Photographing objects (I am calling the series "The Secret Lives of Objects") gave me this very strong sense of the being-in-the world of all these physical things and their interrelationships. This probably occurred because the objects were highlighted and isolated from their expanded environment. Suddenly I was able to grasp what Giorgio De Chirico was going on about. There is a mystery to be experienced right here, even in your very own home. There is a spirituality to be sensed where you least think to look for it. Everywhere is mystery. Colours and forms interact in harmony or disharmony, depending on the creator. It all reflects your soul, even the arrangements of fruit (often round!) in a fruit bowl.
Source: http://vivi-mari.blogspot.com/2011/09/ego-fears-and-metaphysical-side-of-life.html
Tuesday, 17 April 2012
Teaching Kids to Pack Ultralight
Post written by Leo Babauta. Eva and I and our five kids (the sixth is in college) just got back from a 4-day trip to gorgeous San Diego, and instead of being exhausted from wearying travel, we came back with smiles on our faces. This is despite four days of walking for hours as we [...]
Monday, 16 April 2012
The Tao of Joy Every Day by Derek Lin.
The beauty of Taoism is that the wisdom is simple yet profound and that is the strength of Derek Lin's book, The Tao of Joy Every Day: 365 Days of Tao Living. Its easy reference style makes it a great gift for those who are often too busy for deep, extended, contemplative meditation. The book offers up easily digestible wisdom for when you need a quick bit of inspiration. It is a great way to start the day, and it's small size makes it ideal for a nightstand book. It's short but powerful entries are great for settling the mind before bedtime, or on nights when you can't sleep.
Another aspect of the book that I enjoyed was the ancient, Taoist wisdom is translated for a modern audience and tailored for today's society. Therefore, it's quite easy to see how the Taoist wisdom can be applied in our every day actions and situations. It's a great "stocking-stuffer" gift for this, and any other holiday season. It's a great addition to any Eastern wisdom book collection.
~I bow to the Buddha within all things~
Source: http://thebuddhistblog.blogspot.com/2011/12/tao-of-joy-every-day-by-derek-lin.html
Sunday, 15 April 2012
Saturday, 14 April 2012
Peaceful Revolution & the Potential for World Peace
EBTV presents host Evita Ochel with special guest Paul K. Chappell – author, former military captain and leadership director for the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation. The interview covers major topics from Paul’s newly released book, Peaceful Revolution,...
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/EvolvingBeings/~3/2G8LlVDC6XA/
Friday, 13 April 2012
Monarch Meditation: Joyfully Embracing Transformation
What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls a butterfly. ~Richard Bach Monarch butterflies go through an incredible journey. They start out as larvae; next they become caterpillars and they eat a lot of milkweed. They romp on the stalks and leaves and finally they attach to a leaf and enshroud themselves with a fine and strong cocoon. Then they appear to sleep. But during this time when they remain out of sight, they’re silently transforming. Read the full post here »
Thursday, 12 April 2012
Teaching Kids to Pack Ultralight
Post written by Leo Babauta. Eva and I and our five kids (the sixth is in college) just got back from a 4-day trip to gorgeous San Diego, and instead of being exhausted from wearying travel, we came back with smiles on our faces. This is despite four days of walking for hours as we [...]
Wednesday, 11 April 2012
You are right
Whatever you say or do not, you are right. Express whole-heartedly that love is the answer and be that. Then, this is all you experience. If you experience something other than your dream, you know precisely why and you are right. Your energy vibration invites it all for reasons that are growing more conscious. Sense the lesson, accept you know. Embrace it.
In other words, unless your full attention is focused in this moment, and you find a blessing in whatever is happening, what your heart and soul are telling you is not yet registering at a conscious level. Imagine digesting the revelation that you only ever get precisely what you ask for. Tired of perceived challenges? Stop seeing them. You only make right choices in the right places with the right intentions.
"There is no inferiority or depravity about the man God made. The only inferiority in us is what we put into ourselves. What God made is perfect. We think ourselves into smallness, into inferiority by thinking downward. We ought to think upward... Right thinking and right living make a right life." - Orison Swett Marden, The Miracle of Right Thought
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/DreamBuildersAustralia/~3/uGknQoD7vZY/you-are-right.html
Tuesday, 10 April 2012
positively present picks: my weekly favorites
“So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart. Trouble no one about their religion; respect others in their view, & demand that they respect yours. Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things...
Monday, 9 April 2012
"How Can I Make My Morning Easier?"
2012 Happiness Challenge: For those of you following the 2012 Happiness Project Challenge, to make 2012 a happier year—and even if you haven’t officially signed up for the challenge—welcome! Each week, I post a video about some Pigeon of Discontent...
Source: http://www.happiness-project.com/happiness_project/2012/04/how-can-i-make-my-morning-easier.html
Sunday, 8 April 2012
How to Veto Your Self Doubt and Live An Awesome and Bold Life
The creative, authentic you is ready to take center stage. Get out of the way and let it happen.
Source: http://theboldlife.com/2012/03/how-to-veto-your-self-doubt-and-live-an-awesome-and-bold-life/
Saturday, 7 April 2012
A Survival Guide for Beating Information Addiction
Post written by Leo Babauta. Are you suffering from information addiction? It’s a growing problem as people spend more and more of their time online — and while online tools are amazing, being addicted to checking them can steal most of your day. You know you’re an information addict if you: Check email, Facebook, news, [...]
Source: http://zenhabits.net/infoholic/
A Powerful Three-Step Algorithm for Happiness
Post written by Leo Babauta. Today I’m going to share a really simple secret that can make your day instantly better. If you’re feeling down, it can make you happier, all day long. It’s something I’ve been trying myself, with great results. It’s three steps, and anyone can do them. This is an algorithm that [...]
Source: http://zenhabits.net/3-steps/
Friday, 6 April 2012
Make sense of emotions
Notice how emotions unfold in your life, how you react or respond to them. Notice where emotions come from. Track them back, see how they arise. Sense how, why they build up. What do they teach you? What do they invite you to see within and about yourself?
Notice how you respond to others when they get emotional or remain indifferent. Notice whether you allow your emotions to escalate and affect your health and well-being or, whether you observe quietly, respond slowly and calmly. As you respond without anxiety or agitation, you help another to be more with peace because you respond from this state of being yourself.
Why is it do you figure that people often focus on negative emotions and complaints in their lives? Why do people create unskillful thought patterns? Each of us has a choice to be mindful and to understand the origins of our thoughts and emotions. If you are angry or afraid, ask why.
Consider that you always have opportunities to respond differently to comments and behaviours than you are taught. Be aware of emotional triggers and conditioned habits that do not serve you. Be are that peace is itself an emotion that empowers and inspires you, come what may.
"Everytime you allow someone to trigger a negative emotion or anger or ill will, you do not have to follow that path. Why do you get angry? Anger arises from a series of agitations you think about or dwell upon. Anger is like a fire. It starts like a spark. If you catch it quickly, its easy to put out. Through your mindfulness, awarenss and mental training, it is not hard to transcend emotions like anger, frustration and grief. Its not a training of will power, but of wisdom power to see where things come from so you can catch them earlier." -Ajahn Brahm
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/DreamBuildersAustralia/~3/uPjeGHTh30A/make-sense-of-emotions.html
Thursday, 5 April 2012
Wordless Wednesday: which path
Five years from now if you don’t change your thinking your life will pretty much be the same as it is now.
Is that what you want?
Where is your path leading your?
Where are your thoughts taking you?
Do you fully feel your connection to the angelic...
Source: http://blog.beliefnet.com/angelsonyourshoulder/2012/02/wordless-wednesday-which-path.html
Wednesday, 4 April 2012
27 Top Bloggers and Writers Share About Fearless Living
Fear often has us feeling very alone. If we have experienced trauma in our life, this sense of vulnerability multiplies to a panic. Some of us isolate ourselves, which only makes the situation worse. Others feel an intense need to be around someone who loves them and cares.
Source: http://theboldlife.com/2012/03/27-top-bloggers-and-writers-share-about-fearless-living/
Monday, 2 April 2012
HOW DO YOU KNOW YOU'RE A SPIRITUAL PERSON?
I'm sure many of us question our spiritual path at times. In spite of much effort there isn't always that much to show for. Or so it seems. In times of doubt, I've had to go back in time to the moment I had my own personal "revelation"which lead to a lot of research into esotericism and soul searching. The revelation was just an insight, nothing very spectacular. I recently watched some episodes of the iconic TV series "Kung Fu" from 1973, the one that made me cry buckets because the perfect use of the body and the disciplined mind in synergy was something that I really wanted for myself. I wanted to do Kung Fu but knew my back problem wouldn't allow it. Well, in the end I did it anyway; I did a first part and received the first belt. It was incredibly hard work, more than I was physically capable of, and it cured my desire for more. I got it out of my system - fortunately, because I wouldn't have been able to go onto the next stage because of my back problem being more obviously in the way.
So now I have revisited the TV series, but this time it just made me sad that my life is far removed from the ideals presented there. Rocked by emotions, temper and judgmental thought, and at the mercy of physical ailments I am... while desperately trying to raise the level of chi and trying to fit in some creative work into the day, I become aware of all the strife involved in the pursuits of a better life or way of being. Illness can force you onto your knees, as managing yourself and your attitudes becomes oh so much harder. It's easy enough to be positive and generous towards life and other beings when you're well and strong. Doubt about yourself and others creep in more easily when you're weak and tired. There are many challenges to face on a daily basis. There is very little time for all the things I should do in order to keep fit, to balance the energy level, to raise chi and to purify the mind through meditation practice, work with emotions, mindfulness, and simply talking sense to myself. Of course, if you believe in reincarnation then you will have faith that this was meant to be, that these collectively hard times are helping you grow as well. As someone recently comforted me, it isn't the weakest students that get the hardest lessons..
Ironically, the challenges are sometimes quite the opposite to what we think they are supposed to be. For instance, positive thinking is not an end in itself, because that would just be a way of denying the negative that is intrinsic to a polarised attitude. You can't become an unconditionally loving person just by willing it, because you will be a fake and you will simply be suppressing negative tendencies. Sooner or later it will become apparent. The process is much trickier, as you must gradually work your way through the inner bullshit and find a way out of false or fake attitudes. Meanwhile, trying not to be so hard on yourself as you recognize that a judgemental attitude towards the self is just as detrimental as it is towards others. Does this sound familiar? Then you are no doubt a spiritual person. You're such a person because you care about these things. You want to get it right. And you may not even know exactly why. Perhaps you had some deep mystical experience that helped you in this direction, maybe not. It's not important. What matters is the way you feel about the purpose of your life when you are being really honest.
There are people who engage in spiritual or religious activities for a while but then turn their back on them in disillusionment. If you don't feel the calling of spirit that persists through adversity and set backs, then it's not your path. Sometimes I wish I could turn my back on all of it, as it creates much trouble in my life! Sometimes I think I have actually done just that, because momentarily I don't feel the compulsion to bring spirituality into something I'm doing or working on. I wonder though if maybe it's a healthy way of being, as not only do you need to give yourself some respite, but you also need to take stock of life on a practical level and all the elements that make up our day-to-day reality. Sometimes a bit of "normality" can be very restful. But it may also allow you to look at spirituality in a new light, and discover how it's intrinsic to all these elements and that your compulsive attention is not always required. If spirituality is your path, the spirituality will be there regardless of your efforts to engage in it. I think in life we need a balance between ordinary life and the grand spiritual ideals, otherwise we might become obsessed and out of sync with the way things really are. The fact that someone is doing meditation three hours a day is no guarantee that their life is any more spiritual than that of someone who just lives life mindfully regardless what comes along.
Then, to finish this off, there is the issue of mystical experiences. Remember, that as long as they have a beginning and an end, they are part of illusory reality. Some people have them, others don't. I don't think that is a measure of spiritual success. I think it just depends what kind of life you have chosen to live (since I believe there is a path of destiny). I know that people who seem genuinely psychic can seem intimidating, as if they have gained some great spiritual wisdom that you are not ready for yet. But this is just an assumption on your part, and may not be true at all. Being psychic can be just as much a challenge to deal with as anything else in life. It's easy enough to beat yourself up because you don't have them like some other people, or allow yourself to feel inferior. Well, maybe that's your spiritual challenge!
Artwork: "Forgotten Heart", digital abstract photograph, all rights reserved 2011.
Source: http://vivi-mari.blogspot.com/2011/08/how-do-you-know-youre-spiritual-person.html
Sunday, 1 April 2012
Deepening Spiritual Practice through Break Ups, Separation and Divorce
During break up, separation and divorce, we are tested to the extreme. Through relationship challenges we gain a chance to test the depth of our spiritual practice. It becomes an opportunity to use the practices and live the situation fully aware and awake. If the practices are well integrated, then we can reflect and act with wisdom and restraint rather than allow the lower, instinctive, fearful self to take over. Read the full post here »
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