Pause and Reflect

Put Down Those Rocks You’re Carrying

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Imagine that as a child you were issued a large backpack to wear at all times. At first you didn’t know what it was for, but then the adults around you started putting rocks in it that you then obediently carried around. After a while you followed their example and began to put rocks in there yourself. Over time, some of the rocks disappeared, but most didn’t, and by now that pack’s really, really heavy.

            You often pull out some of the rocks and look at them. They don’t make you happy. In fact they make you miserable. Some at the bottom you never pull out—you might not even remember you have them–but still you carry them. This seems inexplicable. Why would anyone voluntarily bear such a burden? 

Unfortunately these rocks are not chunks of shale or granite or sandstone. Those would be easy to get rid of! Instead they are bits of residual resentment, hatred, anger, guilt, and shame from injuries or injustices or mistakes you can’t or won’t or haven’t tried to let go of. The backpack is your mind; the weight of the load burdens not your back but your soul.

What follows are tips for cleaning out that backpack. If the pack’s stuffed full, it’ll take some mental elbow grease to do a good spring cleaning, but trust me, it’s worth it for the sunlight that will pour into your life. After that, there’ll be some ongoing maintenance to keep your pack light and your steps jaunty. Yes, there’ll be surprises. Rocks that you’ll swear you never picked up will somehow get in that backpack, and a few rocks will keep reappearing even after you put them down and down again. Still the effort’s worth it. 

So how to get rid of these rocks? The first step is to realize that anger, hatred, resentment, guilt, and shame are not just weight, they’re toxic, poisonous to a healthy life. They cloud your judgement; they sap your attention and energy. They lead to bitterness, depression and despair. If you feed these toxic emotions, the rocks will grow until they’re all you have left. At its most basic, carrying around these rocks is a form of self-harm.

Instead when these emotions arise, acknowledge them, learn from them. Take action if appropriate. And then let them go. This doesn’t mean you should allow people who’ve injured you to do so again. But caution, wisdom, and courage prevent injury better than anger and resentment.

~Karen Lynn Allen

The whole fragment of the book

https://karenlynnallen.blogspot.com/…/put-down-those…

How to Read a Book by Mortimer J. Adler

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Imagine a world where reading isn’t just passing words on a page, but a thrilling puzzle to be cracked, a conversation to be engaged in, and a treasure trove of knowledge to be unearthed.

This is the world promised by Mortimer J. Adler’s seminal work, “How to Read a Book”.

Here are 10 guiding principles of reading from “How to Read a Book” by Mortimer J. Adler:

Principle One: Active Reading

Imagine reading like a detective, not a spectator. Don’t simply let the words flow past you. Actively engage the text:

What is the author’s main point?

What evidence do they use to support their claims?

Are there any logical fallacies or inconsistencies?

Can I connect this to other things I know?

Take notes on key points, arguments, and questions. Highlight significant passages for later reference.

Principle Two: Purposeful Reading

What drives you to pick up a book? Identify your reason:

Enjoyment: Get lost in a story, laugh, or escape reality.

Information: Learn new facts, gain knowledge on a specific topic.

Understanding: Develop a deeper comprehension of complex ideas or philosophies.

Knowing your purpose guides your reading pace, level of analysis, and whether you annotate or simply absorb the story.

Principle Three: Diversity in Reading

Don’t get stuck in a reading rut! Explore different genres, authors, and topics. Reading a variety of books:

-Expands your knowledge base.

-Challenges your existing perspectives.

-Develops different reading skills for different types of texts.

-Think of it like exercising different muscles to become a well-rounded reader.

Principle Four: Syntopic Reading

Don’t read books in isolation. Look for other books on the same subject and compare and contrast them. This allows you to:

-See different perspectives and interpretations of the topic.

-Identify common themes and arguments across different sources.

-Form a more nuanced and informed understanding of the subject.

-It’s like having a conversation with several experts on the same topic.

Principle Five: Annotation as Memory Enhancement

Treat your books like active learning tools. Underline key passages, write notes in the margins, and even create diagrams to visualize complex ideas. This:

-Reinforces your understanding during and after reading.

-Provides a quick reference point for revisiting key points.

-Creates a personalized study guide for future review.

-Turn your books into active learning resources.

Continue reading →

Book of the Month – April 2024 : The Power of your Subconscious Mind – Joseph Murphy

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Dr Joseph Murphy spent a good part of his life studying eastern religions and was a scholar of the I Ching, the Chinese book of divination. He was also, for 28 years, minister at the Los Angeles branch of the Church of Divine Science, a New Thought church that promotes a practical spirituality, free of religious creed and dogma. He believed he had found secrets concerning the subconscious that were beyond time and culture. Many people say their lives were not the same after reading this book. The subconscious is powerful and what you get from Murphy is the realisation that unless you try to understand the non-rational mind, your rational desires and plans will be forever sabotaged.

“The Power of Your Subconscious Mind” is a remarkable book that delves deep into the inner workings of the human mind, providing invaluable insights into self-understanding and the art of controlling our thoughts on a daily basis. Authored by Joseph Murphy, this timeless masterpiece has had a profound impact on my understanding of myself and the power I possess within.

From the very beginning, I was drawn into the immense depth of this book. Murphy’s writing style is clear, concise, and accessible, allowing readers of all backgrounds to fully grasp the profound concepts he presents. He explores the intricate workings of the subconscious mind, shedding light on how our beliefs, thoughts, and emotions shape our realities.

What sets “The Power of Your Subconscious Mind” apart is its ability to bridge the gap between theory and practical application. Murphy provides a treasure trove of techniques and exercises to harness the immense power of the subconscious mind. From visualization and affirmations to the art of self-suggestion, readers are equipped with a comprehensive toolkit to take control of their thoughts and ultimately their lives.

One of the most significant takeaways from this book is the understanding that our subconscious mind is constantly at work, influencing our thoughts and behaviors. By becoming aware of our subconscious programming, we gain the ability to rewire and reprogram it with positive and empowering beliefs. This realization alone has transformed the way I approach challenges, enabling me to replace limiting beliefs with empowering ones that align with my goals and aspirations……

(Recommended by Mr.Maharaja)

Blueprints of Awakening

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When asked about his biography for the sake of publishing this book, Kiran Baba immediately gave us a straightforward answer:

“I have no biography. This body has a biography but this is not very important. Why insist on that? 
You can give your reflections about how it was when you met me and what you have seen here. That much you can share, but there is no need of describing what kind of dreams I was into, what kind of dreams I carried, now that the person to whom you are talking has no history, has no past and has no future. This person is just living into this moment and this is the expression of life. It is like a beautiful flower. You don’t have to ask anything to a flower. You enjoy the beauty and the fragrance of the flower, and that is enough.
 
If you ask me, I am a businessman, I go to the factory, I am a husband to my wife, I am a grandfather and father to my children, and that is it, that is all!

https://www.smashwords.com/extreader/read/574716/5/spiritual-game-kiran-baba-on-the-holy-business-of-enlightenm