Q: how does a spiritual practice actually result in change? What are the psychological mechanisms? How can one change from a ‘this’ to a ‘that’? Continue reading
personal transformation
Figure out some way you get ‘Paid for Playing’ by Alan Watts
Book Recommendation – Transcending the Levels of Consciousness: The Stairway to Enlightenment by David R. Hawkins
Transcending the Levels of Consciousness: The Stairway to Enlightenment
Explores the ego’s expressions and inherent limitations and gives detailed explanations and instructions on how to transcend them. It expands the understanding of the levels of consciousness as presented in the widely-acclaimed Map of Consciousness. The book focuses on the individual, and studies the experiential subjective blocks to the advancement of awareness, at each level of consciousness. This leads to progressive spiritual awareness and on to higher levels of consciousess, providing specific steps for transcending each level, preparatory to advanced states such as Enlightenment itself. By analyzing the various obstacles and levels to be transcended, certain principles that support spiritual evolution are self-revealing. This book is therefore a practical manual rather than a comprehensive analysis.
Am I just kicking the can down the road?
Change can often be difficult, and it will probably seem easier to just stick with what you are already doing. That thinking can be dangerous. You’re only kicking the can down the road, and you risk waking up one day, years later, looking into the mirror, asking yourself: “What am I doing with my life?”….. Continue reading
Book Recommendation : Hope for the Flowers by Trina Paulus
“My parents have had “Hope for the Flowers” on their bookshelf for as long as I can remember, and I have always loved reading it (and having it read to me). I found my own copy a few years ago at a garage sale and treasure it. I read it to my son (now seven) a few times a year. We read a chapter each night before bed and both love the story and the pictures. Although I don’t think my son catches the greater meaning, I love knowing that as he grows he will come to love the book not only because of the pictures and the miracle of the catepillars’ transformation into a butterfly, but also because of the feeling of peace and hope it brings to the life of the reader”
“What a fantastically simple book with a life changing message! It really makes you think and I’m certainly not going to be one of those crawlers trying to get to the top of the tower trampling on everyone to get to the top only to find…(can’t say what as it it would ruin the impact of the story). If you have ever thought “why am I doing this day after day?” or feel there’s more to life you should read this book. Its very easy to read, illustrated throughout and very thought provoking- can’t recommend it more.”
“Drop the Rock!”
Our fear of change, our fear of stepping into new realities, is so deep that we desperately cling to the world we know. We often mistake familiarity for safety. The perceived comfort we derive from what is familiar keeps us living in the illusion of our stories. But the question we should ponder is, Are we really safe inside our stories? Instead of risking change, we hold on for dear life and resist the uncertainty of the unknown.
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Three Steps to Success: What one ‘has’, ‘does’ and ‘is’
The ladder of success seems to have three main steps:
(1) Initially, it’s what one “has” that counts-that is, status depends upon visible signs of material wealth; Continue reading
Insight is enough
You have to see what I am saying, you are not to learn what I am saying. Here, sitting with me every day, listening to me, don’t start collecting knowledge. Here, listening to me, don’t start hoarding. Listening to me should be an experiment in insight. You should listen with intensity, with totality, with as much awareness as is possible for you. In that very awareness you will see a point, and that very seeing is transformation. Continue reading
Great Mother Questions
“WHAT ON EARTH HAVE YOU DONE?” This is one of the great Mother Questions. The second great question mothers ask is the theological one: “WHAT IN THE NAME OF GOD ARE YOU DOING?” Another Mother Question anticipates the future: “AND WHAT WILL YOU THINK OF NEXT?” (My father rolled all these questions into one—only the tone changed: “WHAT THE HELL . . . ?”) Children know these questions have no reasonable answers. Any child who has half a brain will go mute or mumble, “Nothing. Nothing.” Or resort to pity-invoking sobs that plead innocence, ignorance, and helplessness: “I don’t know (snork) I don’t know (snork) . . .” And the child is telling the truth. Most of the time a kid doesn’t think about what he’s doing, or why. This is the privilege of childhood………
Create the energy to act against cruelty
To be hopeful in bad times is not just foolishly romantic. It is based on the fact that human history is a history not only of cruelty, but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage, kindness. What we choose to emphasize in this complex history will determine our lives. Continue reading
ONE TUSK 