How is your weekend going so far? Are you concerned about what is going on in this country? What happened to the higher values we all learned? These values seem to have been lost by those in this campaign, those in corporations, those in the media and those in our government who are spreading hate, acting from greed, being dishonest, not paying attention, and pursuing power recklessly. This is all about unchecked egos.
• This inciting of crowds towards hate of Obama by McCain and Palin is as low as I have ever seen in politics and is pure desperation. This is sad and the work of their egos and a rabid hunger for power winning out over wisdom and true heart.
• The CEO’s who lie to their employees and the media and take huge payouts before they declare the bankruptcy of their companies are more examples of the ego driven by greed and a complete disconnect from the heart and human decency.
• The Media people like O’Reilly, Hannerty, Limbaugh who make things up and rant away out of some arrogant need to be noticed or have people think they know what they are talking about, are other examples of heartlessness and ego driven personalities that hurt this country.
• Then there is this administration and the Congress that just sat there and let our nation be destroyed by a war, a huge budget mess and no regulation. These people were suppose to lead our nation not trash it. Where are their higher values? How come they all sold out to the influence of power and money?
These are points I am making because, we all know better than to act in hate, in greed, and out of wanting more power. How come these ego driven, hateful, and greedy people missed out on learning the basic essential values of all human beings? How could they be so disconnected from the compassion and consciousness that is their higher nature.
We need heartfelt and thoughtful people speaking up. Today I have Donna Brazile with an important message about America having come too far to make our choice in this Presidential election based on racism.
We all have higher values and let’s make sure this nation adopts them as a new administration is sworn into office. The election is just the beginning. Real change will take all of us moving forward to shape our future and guide our leaders.
Are you ready to do what you can with a real commitment to positive change?
Barack Obama, The Great Listener
I was listening to the radio on my drive home from work and someone was talking about Barack Obama and his ability to communicate with the people. The person said Obama won’t be called the Great Communicator because that was Reagan’s title (falsely I must add). He suggested Obama might be called the Great Listener.
What a wonderful name in a time where we have to listen to each other. Where leadership has to listen to the needs of the people not just cater to those with money to influence. Where Congress has to listen to what is best for the nation not the corporate state. Where religions need to listen to each other. Where nations need to listen to each other. Together we can solve any problems including terrorism if we really listen.
The Great Listener is what our President should be and Barack Obama has the qualities to make a very positive difference. Good listening takes an open mind, an ego in check, real compassion for the struggle of others, being present to what people are saying, and a willingness to engage in a dialog in pursuit of ways to work together and come up with solutions.
People that are sure they know what is best for the people usually have no idea. To often leadership is doing what they think is for the good of the people but in fact more for their own good. A good listener pays attention to what matters to people. A good listener is able to be of service to others in times of need. This is a time of need and listening will bring positive change to the nation.
Have an enjoyable weekend and take some time to listen to the people around you. They will be very appreciative.
Mindfully Possible In Each Of Us
Nightly news is scary because it seems that all the fears are real but they are not. There is really nothing to fear but ourselves, our egos, our closed minds, our contracted hearts, our greed and our need for power and those are just faulty thoughts. In other words if we are truly mindful of our thoughts and our heart we have nothing to fear.
Yes there are people out there who have little if any mindfulness and inevitably they will trip themselves up. Yes our government needs fixing but mindful leadership combined with a mindful nation can transform this mess into something that will be much better. Mindful people get involved because they know they are needed. Mindful people have the wisdom and compassion to make the decisions we need to make and take the necessary actions to change course and steer us in the right direction.
10 qualities of Mindfulness in leadership and citizens
• Have the humility to see beyond one’s own agenda
• Able to see the bigger picture
• Have an open heart and knows how to be joyous
• Have a mind that is flexible and expansive
• Thinks and plans for future generations
• Cares about those who struggle
• Able to listen and hear the real concerns
• Gives for the sake of giving and making a difference
• Is passionate about being a positive force for change
• Able to be creative in ideas and solutions
Today let’s all sit down for a few minutes of quiet contemplation. In those quiet moments there is true wisdom and inspiration that comes from within and our connection to the Source of all creation.
Take a little time right now to explore this method:
Listen to the stream of breath as it flows through this living being called you. In each breath allow inspiration to fill you so that every particle of your being is full of the light of potential and possibility. Awaken to all that is you in your highest and fullest expression. On the breath out, share that inspiration with the world. Imagine all the inspired and awakened women and men sharing their light with the rest of the world. Imagine ignorance is replaces by a deeper knowing. Imagine fear is replaced by love. Imagine struggle being replaced by effortless flow. Imagine doubt being replaces by the confidence of self-realization.
That is the kind of world that will bring the change we all know are needed. Can you imagine this type of world? If you can, you and I can make it happen.
Blazers, Debate, Compassion for Struggle
Yesterday was an excited day for me. I have to admit to having a secret passion, which my wife knows about so it is not totally secret. I am a huge of fan of the NBA Portland Trailblazers and last tonight was their first game of the preseason. My favorite sports team ever is so exciting this year and they won their first game by 29 points. Sports are rarely if ever my focus here at my blog and it won’t be tonight, but I wanted to share my excitement.
The debate was last night also but I missed it because I was at Tuesday evening Messiah Choir practice. My wife watched the debate and I caught the CNN after the debate show. It seemed like almost everyone was in agreement that Obama won and that McCain has to come up with something fast if he is going to have any chance to win. The post debate polls were not kind to McCain; in almost all of them, about a variety of questions, Obama won. Obama even won the question about who people think will be a better leader which McCain lead a month or two ago. Obama seems steady and presidential; McCain seems entitled and just asks people to trust he can do the job. These are not ordinary times and more than trust is needed for people to vote for who they think can lead our nation out of the mess Bush/Cheney put us in.
It is hard to believe that some people haven’t decided who to vote for since it seems really clear that these two men have very different ideas for this country. Does McCain look healthy to you? That too me is a very serious questions with Palin waiting in the wings.
Last night it got into the 30’s here. Yikes this is where I wish I had other homes like McCain and could go where it is warmer. Yes it is a bit of a dig on McCain because he has so much more than most people, he really has no idea what it is to struggle economically. Sure he struggled in captivity but he is no hero when it comes to compassion for the struggles of others. He is out of touch with how most of us live. His insurance idea is just plan ridiculous. He will stay in Iraq in occupation forever, which has always been the GOP plan. His economic policy is to continue Bush’s direction with deregulation and more and more benefits for the rich like himself.
Tomorrow, I will return to more about mindfulness and the power of compassion. Until then, please do more than just vote in the next 4 weeks. Get involved and make a difference.
Debate Tonight, Less Dirt More Plans?
Does McCain actually have a plan other than mud slinging? If so why doesn’t he talk about them or is it the more of the same like the Bush administration. This election is slipping away and all that he really says is Obama is a bad guy and he is a prisoner of war and should be president. That is not enough to convince anyone that he represents positive change from where this country is now. The polls are not good for McCain and he seems to think his only chance is smearing his opponent. That alone should make most people question his ability to have successful plans for our nation’s future. People everywhere are tired of negative campaigning. I wonder when politicians will finally wake up to that?
One thought on the condition of our democracy, we must all come together and work to eliminate the forces of greed and power. As long as the greedy and the power hungry rule our government and our corporations, the world will be a mess. There are many of us who have strong positive values and they are what is needed. What values do you think are important in the world we live in today?
Here are values I see as important:
• Honesty, speaking truthfully
• Having compassion
• Listening and communications to work through issues
• Keeping future generations in mind
• Considering People and Planet first
• Influencing others by good ideas not money
• Treating all people with respect
• Having open mind and heart
• Courageous and willing to stand up for what is right
• Enjoying life and being grateful
• Be generous to those who truly need help
• Being humble and always open to growth
• Expressing our creativity
• Doing no harm
• Living and leading by the highest values
• Willing to love and forgive
What would you add to this list? Have a thoughtful day and a compassionate heart.
Personal Note: My brother Jim and my sister Joan completed a marathon on Sunday. They walked in the rain and it took about 6 hours and 42 minutes. That is amazing determination. I am really proud of their efforts. Good job you two and lots of love.
My brother is running for Clackamas County Commissioner and he has a very good change of winning. Our family has always been involved in politics. My dad was mayor as is my brother now. So you can see my passion for writing about politics makes sense.
Heart, Mind, Flow and The Election
If you have been reading my blog lately, you see that I have been focused on the election, on the power of the heart and on mindfulness. I have not forgotten about the importance of flowing downstream as a radically different way of living. What I have been writing about lately is related to this downstream idea at least in my unique way of seeing the world. Let me show you my exceptional way of looking at things.
What I mean by exceptional is no one on the planet is just like me. That is frankly true for each of us. My perspective is a combo of progressive politics, human potential, solution oriented, athletic passion, fitness enthusiast, runner, extensive reader, creative painter, writer, songwriter, nature lover, endless questioner, caring and loving partner, life long learner, tai chi and yoga student, meditator, peace activist, sense of humor, speaker/teacher, addiction/recovery counselor, main household cook, recovery Catholic, oldest of 6, spiritually focused with no faith in organized religion, presently living in the now, and a doctor of psychology. Now do you know anyone who is just like me? I write in the downstream flow of my life’s experiences.
Anyway so my viewpoint is not like anyone else. What makes up your, no one ever on the planet like you, way of seeing things?
This election is about the power the heart and the mind. Those who are in touch with their hearts and have true compassion are the ones that need to show up in this election to move this country forward. Those with open minds and are free of limited and fear based beliefs are essential also to the future of our nation and the planet. Those of free minds and loving hearts can be in the downstream flow of life because they know what is right, true and without limits.
So if your heart is available and your mind is present to the truth that comes through mindfulness, you are on the doorstep of positive change and you will be part of the evolution of this planet. Let me see if I can restate that more simply. If you are mindful with an alive heart, you have access to the higher knowing necessary to be in the effortless flow of moving this planet forward.
Yes it can be effortless if we all tune in where our combined consciousness flows. Mindful, heartfelt people are the light of the world.
I hope your Monday is a successful one and that in the moment you sense the flow and light and spread it wherever you go.
Mindfulness In The Moment
It is a cool shiny Sunday morning here in Boulder. Soon I will head out on a run into the mountains. I look forward to the challenge of pushing myself to keep fit. That run is for my body and health. My mind also needs nurturing today and that will happen through the practice of mindfulness. The practice involves being mindful in whatever I am doing. This includes being mindful while I write this blog. Let me share more of this practice with you.
Mindfulness in the moment is what I will call this practice. It is a simple practice like most mindfulness exercises. In this method, I pay attention to what I am doing not matter what it is. It is as if I have an observer in me that follows along and just notes what I am doing. This practice brings me fully into the moment. It is simple but not easy because: the mind wants to buzz off in all kinds of directions and the ego dislikes being in the moment so it pushes me think about the past or the future.
Instead I bring my focus to whatever I am doing. If I am eating, I eat with awareness. If I am cleaning up my house, I do so with awareness. As I run, I do so with awareness. Running a rocky path is definitely a mindful practice or else I will trip and do a face plant. If I am cooking, I do it mindfully. If I am playing with Pax our dog, I do so with awareness. If I am brushing my teeth, taking a shower, going shopping, looking at art, or whatever, I do it mindfully.
This practice of mindfulness in the moment turns life into a meditation of eating, shopping, cleaning, exercising, loving, and all our doings. Even the rising and falling of emotions become just a drama I watch in mindfulness much like sitting down and watching me on TV except instead of being mindless, I am being mindful.
Here is a brief account of the mindfulness of the moment as I write this blog today. Pax is near by looking out the window hoping to see his friend Peaches. My wife is upstairs moving things around so we can clean later. The computers and equipment downstairs, where I am writing, are buzzing quietly. My left foot is sensitive to the floor underneath as part of my practice. My right ear itches and I scratch it. Pax’s dog tags jingle as he scratches. I drink a sip of Licorice Spice Tea. All of this is noticed as I am fully aware in the moment. And still the writing goes on as a testimony to being mindful and still being able to do what you want or need to do.
Now there is more banging going on upstairs and I must be going to see if I can help. Have a good Sunday and bring yourself fully into your life by being mindful.
Our Nation Needs Open Hearts
One month to go until this election is over. McCain has gone 100% negative in his ads. The Republicans have no new plans for America so they attack Obama and try to eliminate eligible voters. There are a number of reports of attempts to reduce voters, a tactic used by the Republican Party in the last two presidential elections. Check out the BradBlog.com article about a CBS reports on voting problems where you can also make sure your voter registration is in order.
Another tactic was a notice found circulating in Philadelphia, which stated those with outstanding warrants or fines would be arrested at the polling places if they came to vote. This strategy was used in the last election to scare people away from voting. A third odd attempt was again in Pennsylvania where Republicans are trying to enforce a dress code at the polls. Someone in a primary was refused the right to vote with an Obama t-shirt on. These sorry attempts show the insanity of humans who want power at any cost. Is this kind of behavior, in any way, ok with you?
The hunger for power is very corrupting and too easily rationalized in the human mind. Our minds and egos have been the cause of most human suffering including wars and other human caused disasters. None of these would have happened if those involved hadn’t lost touch with their hearts.
This world is in dire need of people who have hearts. Hearts that are open and able to feel love and compassion. Without our hearts engaged the world will continue to be run by the lust for power and greed that runs Washington DC and most of corporate American today.
My request is to open your heart as fully as you can and keep it that way. Your open heart is needed by your family, your community, your nation, and your planet. Here are 9 ideas to open or keep open your heart:
1. Love and accept yourself today and each day
2. Forgive yourself and others today and every day
3. Let go of the past and move on to the present
4. Stop holding in emotions, instead express them in healthy ways through communications
5. Tear down the wall of resentments you have, unexpressed emotions become resentments
6. Love your family and friends even if they are not they way you want them to be
7. Stop trying to control everything
8. Take time each day to make contact with your heart, get to know its capacity for compassion and true understanding
9. Always respect your hearts desire to love
Let's let our hearts show the way and then true leadership with the capacity for genuine love and compassion will show up as a reflection of the consciousness of the people.
Debate, Sore Shoulder, And Addiction
Today, I want to share with you a mix of thoughts, determinations, impressions and concerns.
Isn’t it great to live in a country where we can see our politicians up close and personal? The debate was, as a friend stated beforehand, “better than a sporting event.” I thought it lived up to the expectations in general. Both candidates did better than expected. Biden was very factual and to the point, with policies spelled out in key areas. Palin was folksy and pleasant with generalities about change and the every present reminder of their so called, “maverick status.” Palin didn’t look like a fool and Biden didn’t get too wordy. The outcome of this election however was not influenced by this debate. Palin will stay on the ticket and Biden will be a good vice president.
It is Friday and I am grateful for the end of the week and some time to just relax. My pace since vacation has slowed down a little here and there mainly because I have been taking more time to tend to my health. I have has a “frozen shoulder” problem that is now turning around thanks to some help from my D.O. and because each day I have been working my shoulder until it hurts in almost every direction. This self-abuse is what I understand is the only remedy except knocking me out and tearing my shoulder loose from the what is holding it. My shoulder is doing better because I am pushing myself because frankly I don’t like the other option. Where do you need to push yourself to take good care of your health?
Today one of the clients I work with at my job will complete our four-week addiction recovery treatment program. All the staff appreciates the work he has done and the kind of person he seems to be. Yet each of us feels there is something going on with him that is still beyond what we can get him to talk about. Maybe he doesn’t know himself? We all have our theories and have all given him our best shots.
As my workday wound down yesterday, I gave him one more shot at talking about the real issue driving his drug use. The talk went well but nothing new surfaced. So, I let go and hope that whatever is the psychological imbalance is, it will not sabotage his recovery efforts. If it does, maybe next time he will be able to come fully clean with himself.
Doing this work is very challenging for us but not nearly as challenging as it is for our clients. The staff all root for our clients when they leave and hope to see them when they stop by to tell us how well they are doing. It’s almost like being a parent as they go out the door. We hope they will be ok and do well with their lives. This work in addiction recovery is much like re-parenting since almost all come from very damaged childhoods. Our hope and the tools we gave them is what they leave treatment with. In this kind of work we too often see them again when they fall and then we have to help them get up and try again.
Have a very good weekend and take a moment to be grateful for who you are, your health, and all that makes your life what it is.
Remember The Power Of Love
Yesterday was my second wedding anniversary. Bobbi and I met later in life and that has turned out to be a wonderful blessing for us. We found each other after we had worked through many of our own issues and got clear what was important to us. We were both attending a 10-Day conference on social activism put on by Jean Houston when we got to know each other. After we met friendship came easily and we stayed in touch even though I lived in Santa Barbara and she in Denver. After connected in Portland four months later we decided there was more happening between us than just a friendship. Seven months passed and I loaded up my little truck with all I had and headed to Colorado.
Now two years of marriage later our hearts are even more connected, our passion for peace and making a difference in the world continues to grow, and our lives work very well together. The quality of life is really enriched by loving relationships. The support, encouragement and love we share make us both better people and more open in our hearts. Statistics seem to point to the fact that people in loving relationships tend to be happier and live longer. I hope you are blessed with a loving relationship in your life.
Love is a powerful force for good on the planet. How do you give love in your life? Is your heart open or needing to open more? What protects your heart? Is being cautious about love a good idea? Is the world a better place if your heart is open? Is your ability to love limited or unlimited? How would you like to express more love in your life? What holds you back and what will it take to let go and love? Love seems to be the answer to all the world problems, can you think of anything more important than love?
Now take a few minutes to: imagine your heart as a shining star of love and let it spread through you until it fills your entire body and mind. Feel the power of that love in you and sense the forces for healing flowing through every cell of your being. Next imagine that love in you spreading to your family, friends, community, state, country, continent and planet. Now imagine that love taking in the sun and the solar system and spreading out to fill this universe and beyond. That unlimited capacity to love is inside of you. You have as part of you unlimited love and the combined love in all beings. You could love for eternity and never run out.
Let your love shine today in any ways you can. Lots of love to you Bobbi.
October Is Follow Your Wisdom Month
October is here and frankly it seemed that September was only a few short days. Having a vacation and so much going on in the news and in life that time does fly by. What do you want to focus on as the summer drifts into past memories? What are you thinking about as the financial situation appears so unstable? It may be a time for put your energy on what matters most to you. What seems like priorities to you and your family?
Let’s get clear that things are unsettled but it doesn’t mean that you should be afraid. Often times when things are challenging, people rise to what is needed and even do better than expected. Take a few days to think, listen, and sense what needs your attention. In times when things are uncertain, it is best to tune-in instead of getting caught up in the hurry, worry, and media barrage.
If you listen to what you know at a deeper level of consciousness, you will see there can still be peace, joy, success and purposeful action in times of uncertainty. There is this knowing inside that is waiting to intuitively guide you toward the best outcomes if you listen inward. That is why I am calling this Follow Your Wisdom Month, as a reminder to let yourself be guided by what you know deep inside.
Here is another mindful practice that can be very helpful for listening inward. The goal of this practice is to create a vehicle for you to let your inner knowing come out. Take a few minutes to slow down by simply following the cycle of your breath. Pay attention to the moment when you shift from exhale to inhale and inhale to exhale. This brief transition in your breath is a time when you can feel deeply connected to a greater knowing.
After you slow down, take out your pen/pencil and begin to write down questions that you have. Having a journal for this exercise can be very helpful. After posing the questions(s), take another few minutes to again follow your breath and be open to guidance. Then let you pen begin and see what messages come into your awareness. With practice you can have a very strong intuitive flow of information and knowing that will be an invaluable guide for creating the life you want.
Listening is powerful, writing it down helps clarify and the more your practice this the better the flow. There is always a source that wants to guide you. If the messages feel right they are, if they do not then most like your ego is trying to insert it’s control.
You know what is best if you listen to your inner knowing, your heart, your gut, your higher self or whatever you recognize as the source intuitively. This knowing can guide you to the life you want and if it is paid attention to, you will always be shown the way. Listen, love and prosper and have a wonderful month.
Replace Capitalism With Compassionism
We live in a democracy where capitalism is king. Capitalism is based however on a fallacy,
which is: given total freedom, capitalism will regulate itself. That
fallacy is made obvious by the recent financial crisis. This
administration has taken deregulation to the point that no one is
watching out for the people. When banking (insurance, oil, energy,
investment/securities etc.) have no accountability then greed wins out. Greed is powerful force and that is why regulation is necessary. Capitalism must be regulated or greed wins every time.
Let
me propose another idea as a guiding force for the way we do business.
Capitalism is too easily run by greed so why not try Campassionism.
There is no such term but that doesn’t stop us from inventing it. Compassionism is about making economic decisions based on the impact it has on people and the planet.
Profits that benefit the people and the planet such as green products,
alternative energy, affordable health care, employee ownership of
companies, sustainable businesses and much more would be part of the
compassionate economy. Compassion based economies would make giving
rather than taking as an important value. Compassionate employers
would provide those that work for them with the best possible benefits
and wages. Compassion based government would make people the top
priority and hunger and homelessness would be eliminated. There would
be no wars; no needs for power grabbing in a world based on compassion.
This
is kind but radical idea in the present atmosphere of rampant
unregulated competition, power hungry leadership and the pursuit of
profit at any cost. If people actually returned to their real values
this is not a big leap at all. We all value in our hearts: compassion, kindness, the looking out for each other and the joy of a meaningful life. What do you think of this new way of doing commerce in America? If not this, what ideas do you have?
If
you have doubts about this proposed bailout plan, search the Web for
other points of view. Here is one I find very interesting from an
interview on Democracy Now of Congressman Kucinich who is an elected official guided by strong values.
Let's hope this financial crisis inspires the Congress to bring about real and positive change for the good of the people.
Is Your Ego Running Your Life?
The mindfulness exercise I shared with you yesterday is simple but not easy. The ego in the form of thoughts or emotions wants to keep you from being quiet. Our egos very much dislikes being in the present, in the now. In the now the ego has no power because our higher wisdom is what guides us. The past and the future are the places the ego wants us to focus on because then it is running our show. When we are focused on the past, we easily get caught up in what wasn’t ok, what we learned to fear or dislike, how we would handle things differently etc.
When focused on the future we miss out on the opportunities in the moment. The ego feels more powerful planning to control tomorrow. Future focus keeps us from enjoy that life we have now. Many of us hold off the pleasures and joys of life with the thought that waiting is better. This false idea of many of us is when we get certain things (the right partner, job, income, car, house, and friends) life will finally get to be like we want it to be. This is the restless ego that is never satisfied and makes our lives a mess of unhappiness.
So we don’t want to let the ego win this battle. Return to the mindful awareness of the rising and falling of the chest as the breath flows through us. This practice and other mindful practices make the ego powerless because you are in the moment. Over time the ego will shrink and you will be much happier.
Signs the ego is running you:
• You fight to be right
• You really are concerned about what people think about you
• You need the approval of others
• You feel you are better than others
• You hate to lose in competition
• You get angry when things aren’t going well
• You don’t let people get close
• You find yourself anxious often
• You have rigidity in your thinking
• You don’ like to be questioned
• You feel entitled
• You often blame others
• You spend a lot of time complaining
• You need alcohol or drugs to make your life feel ok
• You don’t have many friends
• You have trouble being in relationships
• You have little or no peace of mind
• You lack compassion
• You dislike or make fun of people who are kind or humble
• You use sarcasm as your method of humor
• You find yourself restless and impatient often
• You have lots of fears
• You prefer the past to the present
Yes some of these may fit you but don’t worry. Instead turn yourself into an experiment and find out what part your ego plays in shaping your life’s experiences. The more you find out, the more aware you will be. The more aware you are, the better you will be at changing the parts of you that are getting in your way.
The opposite of an ego driven life is one in which you are comfortable with yourself, you appreciate the moment and you find lots of joy in life. Have a week where you ego becomes less powerful and your sense of self is one of appreciating and purposeful expression in the now.
Sunday, Politics, True Nature
How are you this Sunday as the world of politics and finance seem to be in an uproar? The Web is a great place to go to get a variety of perspectives on how to view all that is going on. Take some time to go exploring. Even Saturday Night Live has jumped into the politics of one of the Vice Presidential Candidates.
There is much to sort through if you for some reason are undecided about who to vote for. The bailout talks are heading the way of oversight by Congress but over the past eight years they have provided almost no oversight in times it was badly needed. Changes are needed that are thoughtful, innovative, progressive and compassionate. Without those positive changes look for more of the same collapse we have suffered through in this administration. Does anyone really feel our nation is better off now compliments of deregulation and the war in Iraq?
That’s enough politics for today. Returning from vacation, I jumped right back into my life, work, blogging and exercise. I love almost all that I do but I have been busy from getting up in the morning until I drop into bed to sleep. That busyness is something I enjoyed breaking away from on vacation. My goal was to have time each day to break the cycle of go, do, more, and instead I got back on the habit train. The slowing down has happened working on my sore shoulder that is getting better but needs to be pushed to the pain limits. That, believe me, is not really slowing down.
Today is a Sunday, and I commit to some time for quiet contemplation, meditation and relaxation. I want to build that into each day. My goal this week is to take timeouts each day for my mind, body, heart and spirit. The benefit of slowing down and relaxing is that in those quiet moments, we can actually return to our true nature. This nature is calm, connected to all things, expansive in heart, open in mind, one with source, peaceful, and joyous in who we are and what is possible. This is where I want to be.
Checkout the following simple practice to assist you in achieving your natural state of expansion: Find a comfortable place to sit and begin to follow the inhale and exhale of your breath. As your thoughts come, let them go, and return to paying attention the cycle of the breath. As feeling come up, acknowledge them and then return to the breath.
Do this mindful practice for 5, 10, 15, 20, 30 minutes at least once each day. If you do this practice daily for one week, you will know the benefits.
I will give you more practices to try in the weeks to come. Be calm, sit in silence, listen inward, and be the love, joy and peace that are inside of you.
The Debate and Alan Watts
How do you feel the debates went? Obama seemed very well prepared to talk about all the issues. McCain was prepared too. I thought there were a couple of things that stood out to me. One was that McCain seems focused on the past and his only statement about what he would do different is to cut the budget. That will mean four more years of the same except less for programs that are really needed. We need to move forward with progressive thinking not hold on to what is not working.
The second point is that he refused to look at Obama and seemed kind of mad. This got me thinking is he just mad at Obama for questioning his right to be president or is he sadly too arrogant and thinks he is superior to Obama. I for one have had enough arrogance from Bush and Cheney to last a lifetime. Why do you think he was so uncivil?
That is enough comments for my busy Saturday. We are promoting peace at market next to the Farmers Market today in Boulder. I must be off so I want to leave you with this nice little animation, which includes the wisdom of Alan Watts. Enjoy your first weekend of fall. Here it is a very nice day.
Peace, consciousness and joy to you on this sunny day.
Closed Minds And False Beliefs
How come people are so set on holding to their beliefs? What is wrong with questioning what you think to see if it is true? Isn’t science about questioning what is known? Isn’t innovation about asking how to do things differently? New businesses are started every day based on questioning what is and how to do it better or more successfully. The whole space program has been about going beyond what we thought possible. Cures for disease is always about looking for new solutions many of which happen by changing thinking. Sports is a great example of a superior team being defeated by one that doesn’t let the polls get in their way of winning despite the odds (last night my undergrad Oregon State beat the heavily favored USC in college football).
Yet people still hold fiercely to what they believe is right, how come? Several clear examples are in politics. Many people still believe the false information promoted by Fox Network that Saddam Hussein was involved in the attacks on 9/11. The President and VP and others started the lie and Fox played it over and over. Now Bush has said Hussein was not involved and so did a Special Investigative Bi-Partisan Committee come up with the same conclusion. But people still refuse to give up this false belief.
Another example is the lie that Barack Obama is a Muslim. This misinformation has been restated so many times that people belief it. This is not true yet those that believe seem to also believe he is part of a worldwide movement by Muslims to run the world. Yes, there are very misguided Muslims but most are loving people just like you and me. Did you receive a DVD in your paper about the Muslim world take over? This fear generation piece of nonsense was produced by Karl Rove and associated. As I have said often before, the use of fear has been used for centuries to control the people.
This “emergency” financial crisis that Bush and crew want to bail out is another one of those fear driven situations. They are trying to buffalo the people into thinking this idea of helping these poorly run companies is a really essential to saving us from disaster. Actually this is for one purpose, as far as I can see, and that is for making rich people richer at our expense. This is just foolish to belief another bunch of falsely drummed up fear to manipulate us. They have cried wolf and started the war in Iraq, started torturing prisoners, started spying on us, started give huge no-bid contracts to their friends, started suppressing opposition, started taking away more of our rights, now they want to start a socialistic corporate financing on the backs of us taxpayers. Frankly I have had enough of taking it on the backside, how about you?
So what will it take to ask what the heck is going on? How come we are going to give billions of dollars to these wealth companies and their rich CEO’s? How come this unnecessary war is still going on? How come Congress just sits there and lets this all go on? What happened to the US budget that was in great shape when Clinton left office? How can one president be such an incredible wrecking ball on our country and we let it happen? That is the power of fear. Do we want to be run by fear?
This is all about questioning our beliefs. If we don’t go looking for the truth we may not find it and spend our lives limiting ourselves by what we think is true and it isn’t. You know if tomorrow you found out clearly that eating the fattest ice cream would make your heart stronger and you would live longer, you would go to the store and load up and enjoy. That old belief about high fat, sweet food being bad for you, would be tossed in a minute. Beliefs are just thoughts and they can be changed on a dime. Make sure your not betting on a belief that is false and detrimental to you, your family, and your nation. Ask and be informed and everyone will be better off.
Support, Encouragment And Acceptance
The work of recovery from alcohol or drug addiction is a very challenging one. The use and abuse of substances causes the person to loose touch with him or herself. This numbing may be a coping mechanism to deal: with feelings, with confusing inner messages, with the fearful unknown, with the mistreatment of parents or partners, and other hurtful and challenging experiences. Once numb it takes more use to keep the person that way.
Once the decision is made to try and break the cycle of such self-destruction, there needs to be a defrosting of sorts. The mind needs to be brought back from its foggy state. The body must release the grip of the destroying substance. The heart must thaw out from the frigid winter of withdrawal. The soul must be contacted to once again tune into the journey you came in this life to travel. Also there needs to be some way to forgive yourself and find acceptance of who you are again. This being OK with self is one of the most difficult tasks to accomplish both because of the substance abuse and the difficult childhood most have had.
As these aspects of self are rediscovered, one can start to rebuild the burned out basement of his/her life and their sense of self. This rebuilding is long and is best done with the help of others as mentors along the way. AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) and NA (Narcotics Anonymous) are support groups for those in recovery. There are AA meetings in every community so encouragement and compassion is available. This network of others in recovery is unlike any other support/get healthy system in the world. There are no fees and few rules and no primary care people or gatekeepers. There are peoples with clean time and people willing to act as sponsors. There is a 12 step program that when worked can be transformative. Wouldn’t it be nice for all people to have this free brother/sisterhood of people who want to help us be healthy?
Maybe we need to have PA (People’s Anonymous) meetings for us who just want to have support as we struggle with the challenges of life. Wouldn’t it be nice to be traveling for business, on vacation or just to get away and having a place to go to meet others who care about us doing well, who want to give us support and encouragement so that we can find joy that day. Maybe it should be called JA (Joy Anonymous).
As a counselor with many years experience, I sometimes wish there were nightly meeting in my community for support of my work, of my writing, of my life’s roadblocks. Or maybe we can just keep an eye open for each other and reach out for those in need and give some help. What do you think?
Support and encouragement are wonderful gifts we can always give each other. Acceptance is another gift worth giving. What gifts can you give today?
Sing And Have Some Fun
Last night I returned to singing. This is my second year in the Boulder Handel’s Messiah choir. I joined this choir because it is a wonderful piece of music and so beautiful to sing. Singing is so uplifting and energizing.
What do you do that uplifts you, energizes you, makes you feel alive? I ask this question because life happens so fast sometimes that we don’t get around to appreciating it or having much fun.
Here are some activities I suggest you explore and do soon:
• Take a walk in nature
• Turn on some favorite music and sing along
• Go play ping pong, tennis, golf or some other fun games
• Make love to your partner more often
• Take a class about something you have wanted to learn about or do like: cooking, writing, dancing, pottery, paper making, journaling, gardening, music appreciation, and an endless number of other options
• Go for a bike ride and enjoy the fall
• Rent a humorous film once a week
• Go out and hear some live music
• Invite friends over for a discussion about politics, religion and other lively topics
• Explore ideas that seem foreign but intriguing
• Go on a retreat to enrich your life
• Talk to a coach or counselor to encourage further growth
• Listen to what is calling you inside so you can fully express your uniqueness
• Be grateful each day for something you take for granted.
I hope you find at least some of these ideas inspirational. Please leave a comment below with any suggested activities you recommend for enjoying life more fully.
There I did it, not a single comment about what is going on in the drama of politics and this election. I feel some comments coming right now so I will end today’s blog with this question: What keeps you from fully loving and accepting yourself today? Isn’t it time to let that go? Have a wonderful day.
Money Can Be A Positive Force, Greed Cannot
It is proving a challenge to not get pulled into the drama of politics. There is so much going on that needs to be questioned. If the oldest generation doesn’t question authority then it leaves it to us from the 60’s to speak up, or for those around college age. Those in the midst of careers and family tend to not speak up. Those in the upper 5% income are happy as can be and won’t question. Active engaged citizens are a must for this democracy to survive unchecked capitalism and the greed that drives many of those in charge.
Money is a wonderful thing but many that have much want a lot more; too many without money settle for little. What do you want? Is it ok to be wealthy and use what you have to make a positive difference? Will you be a better person for having less money? Will you have less influence with less money? Money is a positive force for good if it used as that.
In your life, would you rather have or not have? Most likely you are like the majority of us who would like more financial resources. Wanting more resources is a healthy desire to more fully express yourself. The unhealthy aspect is when money is about your ego, your pride, your need for control, or your unquenchable greed.
During these really interesting times when money is one of the main issues, our country needs people who are looking out for the people not those who use money for influence and to dominate. Congress’s job is to look out for the people but from the Reagan era onward, the financial industry have been less and less regulated and the people have gotten the short end of the stick.
The present US Treasury Secretary Paulson was paid 18.6 Million as an executive by one of the financial services at the time he was nominated to be the Secretary. Is conflict of interest no longer a concern with Congress?
Yes there are many things to question. Even diehard capitalist are beginning to wonder if self-regulation isn’t a myth when it is obvious that greed is a more powerful force. Can anyone truly argue that this is working, letting those who control the flow of money do so without restraint? The White House proposal supposes that we citizens are ignorant and or unable to see a total sham. They want us to give the Treasury Secretary 700 billion of dollars to bail out the rich and to be free of any kind of oversight and accountability. This proposal is by rich people wanting more, not in any way what is best for the country.
Well that is enough of my politics. I keep on setting my intention to steer away from the politics of this election year but then something outrageous is proposed or stated and I can’t keep my keyboard contained. What I encourage you to contemplate is that money is neither good nor bad but more what we make of it. If you use money for the good of your family, community etc than unquestionably it is positive force. The thoughts and actions of the greedy and the ego driven are a negative force and give money a bad name.
It is more than ok to have lots of money because there are so many ways to use it for the benefit of yourself and others. Having money comes from allowing the flow in your life. Allowing starts in your heart, in your mind and comes richly when you are open. A good practice for abundance is simply to see yourself in the stream of goodness from the Source where all you want and need flows. In that stream you can imagine wanting something and having it manifest in your life. This takes some practice but it always works when you find the way to be fully open.
The Milky Way, Moose and Me
The last night of our little retreat was spectacular, as I looked upon the Milky Way feeling both very small and expansive at the same time. Small because we are part of such a magnificent universe; our planet literally is just a minute dot in the greater scheme of things. Yet somehow we think of ourselves as so important. This inflated ego nature, in all of us, is a dysfunction of our thoughts. I sometime think if people could only see how insignificant and amazing we are then everything would be ok. The chaos of human life would subside if we could only be both something special and not inflated about it.
Unfortunately most people are not the least acquainted with their amazing nature nor do they realize with genuine humility their true insignificance. Each of us is so much more than we truly understand. Our potential is limitless, our ability to be creative knows no limits, our heart can love ceaselessly and without restrictions. Yes all that possibility is within us. Instead too much time gets spent trying to pump up the fragile ego, which is often attempting to offset the modeling we received by other fragile egos. That is human nature yet the evolution of who we can be, makes more possible.
The greater possibility resides someplace beyond our thoughts and conditioning. The quantum leap of human understanding seems to be around our true nature. I invite you to try on the following ideas and to take the next step in your conscious expansion:
• We are all one, (no matter your beliefs, religious affiliation, nationality, color or sexual preference) interconnected in consciousness, heart, and spirit, constantly exchanging the particles that make up everything.
• There is an intelligence, a knowing (in you, find it) that is beyond our thinking, that wisdom is free of the ego and our conditioning.
• This moment each of us can set ourselves free by going beyond the daily dramas, by seeing beyond our limited thinking, and instead reside in our higher nature, which is here in the silence of impartiality.
• We are all here to love and be joyous, there is no higher calling than expressing these two ways we can be.
Have a good week. It sure feels nice to be writing again.
One last reporting: The other morning up in the mountains, as we prepared to leave for the Sustainability Festival in Ft Collins, we came outside to see a family of four moose in the yard eating away at the leaves. I have only seen a few moose in my life and that number doubled here only 30 yards away. They are beautiful creatures and in a moment of realization, I saw we were connected.