When you smile at the world, the world does tend to smile back

Image result for smileAs the Archbishop has said, “We are all cousins, really, perhaps just a few thousand times removed.” Think of someone you love—a child, parent, close friend, or even a cherished pet. Bring their image into your mind and allow yourself to feel the love that you have for them. Notice the sense of warmth and openheartedness that comes from feeling your love for them. Imagine their desire to be happy and to avoid suffering. Reflect on how they live their life to achieve these aspirations. Continue reading

Book Recommendation – As One Is: To Free the Mind from All Conditioning by Jiddu Krishnamurti

Image result for As One Is: To Free the Mind from All Conditioning by Krishnamurti, J. (Jiddu) (2007) Paper
As One Is: To Free the Mind from All Conditioning by Jiddu Krishnamurti
In this series of 8 talks, given in Ojai, California in 1955, Krishnamurti confronts the confusion, habits, and assumptions of the human mind, and claims these lie at the root of all violence and suffering in the world. While these reflections were offered over 50 years ago, their meaning is as fresh and as relevant heard today.

Continue reading

The spirit is the life, mind is the builder, and the physical is the result…

Image result for power of intentionYou can begin now with the following next steps:

First, take a piece of paper, a journal or diary or a dream recording book. Write a list of words which have an impact upon you, elicit a sense of high or proper motivation. Choose one word and begin to dwell upon it, making decisions based upon the quality of motivation which is awakened by that word. Continue reading

when we heal something in ourselves, we heal it for the world

Image result for when we heal something in ourselves, we heal it for the worldWe learn that the answer to the problems we face is within us. By letting go of the inner blocks to it, the truth of our inner Self shines forth and the path to peace is revealed. Other spiritual teachers have emphasized the cultivation of inner peace as the only real solution to personal difficulties, as well as collective conflicts: “Inner disarmament first, then outer disarmament” (The Dalai Lama); “Be the change you want to see in the world” (Gandhi). Continue reading

Nothing in all this is yours….

When you were born you didn’t come with a name. A name was given to you and you became that name. You didn’t come with any knowledge when you were born. You were taught and made to study, you went to school, to college. Many thoughts were poured into your brain. You were thrown into knowledge. Then you began to think it is your knowledge. Image result for drop and the ocean Continue reading

Parable of Change – The Road to Davy’s Bar

Image result for The Wicklow MountainsThe Wicklow Mountains lie just outside Dublin, Ireland. It is an area of wild beauty, a place to which, as an Irishman born there, I return as often as I can. It is still a bare and lonely spot, with unmarked roads, and I still get lost. Once I stopped and asked the way. “Sure, it’s easy,” a local replied, “just keep going the way you are, straight ahead, and after a while you will cross a small bridge with Davy’s Bar on the far side. You can’t miss it!” “Yes, I’ve got that,” I said. “Straight on to Davy’s Bar.”  “That’s right. Well, half a mile before you get there, turn to your right up the hill.” Continue reading

We Were Made for These Times…..

Image result for great ship is in harborMy friends, do not lose heart. We were made for these times. I have heard from so many recently who are deeply and properly bewildered. They are concerned about the state of affairs in our world now. Ours is a time of almost daily astonishment and often righteous rage over the latest degradations of what matters most to civilized, visionary people.

You are right in your assessments. The lustre and hubris some have aspired to while endorsing acts so heinous against children, elders, everyday people, the poor, the unguarded, the helpless, is breathtaking. Yet, I urge you, ask you, gentle you, to please not spend your spirit dry by bewailing these difficult times. Especially do not lose hope. Most particularly because, the fact is that we were made for these times. Yes. For years, we have been learning, practicing, been in training for and just waiting to meet on this exact plain of engagement…….

Continue reading

Observe Feelings rather than Thoughts

Image result for feelings“Self-awareness is increased much more rapidly by observing feelings rather than thoughts.

Continue reading

“Behind all of the “I can’ts” are merely “I won’ts.”

Image result for Behind all of the “I can’ts” are merely “I won’ts.Behind all of the “I can’ts” are merely “I won’ts.The “I won’ts” mean “I am afraid to” or “I am ashamed to” or “I have too much pride to try, for fear I might fail.” Behind that is anger at ourselves and circumstances engendered by pride. Acknowledging and letting go of these feelings brings us up to courage and, with that, finally acceptance and an inner peacefulness, at least as it regards the area which has been surmounted. Apathy and depression are the prices we pay for having settled for and bought into our smallness. Continue reading