Video: Whose Business Am I In?

This is a really short video by Byron Katie on being mentally centered in your own business. You may be familiar with the concept already, but it is a great one to practice and internalize!

I love the "turnaround" part of Byron Katie's four step process called "The Work"; it always brings me back to my own business. Mental complaints like, they should accept me, or, they should like me, or, they should believe in me, all turn around to: I should accept me, I should like me, and I should believe in me. Clarity! In reality, you don't need anything from others in order for you to feel good - that is, until you believe in thoughts that say that you do. Whenever you are off worrying about the thoughts of others, you have given your power away. You leave your opinion of yourself, up to their determining. If we really were to do this with everyone we met, and occasionally we do, we would have hundreds and hundreds of different opinions about ourselves. And then our mind has the job to juggle them, rate them, and decide who might be right? It's no wonder our self-esteem lowers, or we begin to feel lonely and confused! There really is never any way to know for sure what others are thinking and feeling, so why waste time wondering! And besides that, the only way people can form opinions other than love, is through their own confused projections; so you never have to take anything personally. Like yourself, believe in yourself, accept yourself, and even love yourself. It is always enough! And if ever you begin to feel otherwise, I suggest putting your stressful thoughts up to The Work.

Just A Thought.. Spiritual to Feel Good!

"Feeling good is feeling God—our good feelings align us with Spirit." ~ Dr. Wayne Dyer

I believe it's important to be conscious of our motives for spirituality. Sometimes the ego can creep in with it's various forms of perfectionism and self-righteousness. The ego is always about building up a false sense of self, or deteriorating a healthy sense of Self. When either is occurring, if you are really in tune with your feelings, you will notice both situations weaken your sense of well-being. When you become aware of this occurrence, simply recognize it as ego and shrug it off; it is not Who You Really Are. No person is above you or below you. Love sees with eyes of equality.
I believe that our only motive for Spirituality should be to feel good! If it doesn't feel good, then the ego's stepped in somewhere. Don't worry about your own progress in relation to others. There would never be any real way to judge that anyway. Why serve others? Because you love the way it makes you feel. Why love others? Because you love the way you feel when you love them. Why pray and meditate? Because you love the way it feels to be present and connect with inspiration. Why be grateful? Because it feels so good to give thanks. Be "spiritual" to feel good.

Quote: Powerful Peaceful Action

"Action you take on the basis of acceptance of Now is far more powerful than action that arises out of denial of Now. Action that arises out of a dissatisfaction or denial of Now is poisoned and will have many karmic effects. Action that arises out of a state of acceptance has no poison to it, no side effects--and is far more powerful. Peaceful action is much more powerful than fearful action or self-seeking action. You will not become a passive vegetable by accepting the Now. A state of presence is one that has risen above thought, in which thought can still operate beautifully if it's needed. You will no longer have your home in thought." ~ Eckhart Tolle
Oftentimes, when a certain moment requires action, our action can tend to come from a low-energy sense of duty or drudgery. At times like this we must know that we are taking life much too seriously. Don't work because you need the money, don't eat to simply satisfy your growling stomach (and these are just examples). But if you are hungry, or have a low bank account, the first step is to accept the circumstances as they are. The seemingly parochial saying, it is what it is, actually contains deep wisdom. Once the Now is fully accepted and there is peace, one can decide to proceed with a new energy; an energy that is proactive, creative and meaningful--rather than one that is simply reactive. With acceptance, you can go to work to be creative, to interact with others, or to enjoy utilizing specific talents or skills. You can eat to actually enjoy the food, and to experience all the different flavors and textures it has to offer. Life becomes much lighter when you choose in, make peace with the Now, and act out of acceptance.

Focus: Letting Go of Attachment

I heard this podcast by Marianne Williamson the other day and thought it was a great reminder. A lot of the time in life, we can tend to just rely on ourselves: our plans, our thoughts and ideas, what we want. When really, if we were to just stop and listen, we'd discover much easier routes, and even better routes. When we let go of our attachment to things, the fear is that everything will fall apart, when really, things are allowed to fall into place. The universe doesn't work with force or control; the universe simply allows. "By letting it go it all gets done. The world is won by those who let it go. But when you try and try, The world is beyond the winning. When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be." - Lao Tzu
So along with the previous post, simply find ways to go with the flow, follow inspired action, and enjoy the present moment as you do so!
CLICK HERE: for the 3min Marianne Williamson podcast.

Quote: The Flow of Life

"That is your only choice. Upstream or not. Of course it's nice when you're choosing downstream and you're so good at it that you can really choose it. But your choice in any moment is really, to feel worse or better. Worse or better. I could beat the drum of this situation and make it worse, or I could just stop talking about it and make it better." ~Abraham Hicks (on moving with the flow of life)
I love this quote. Today I had a couple of things not work out exactly as I would have wished them to, and I was beginning to feel worse and worse about them as I continued to "beat the drum" of how bad I thought my situation was. When I caught myself. I realized I had a choice in that moment, to either let petty circumstances affect me and distort my view of the world, or to just let them go and feel good anyway! Upon this realization, playing the victim started to seem a little bit silly, which honestly frustrated me a little, but there was only one obvious answer. So I let it go! Or rather, "it" let go of me; the story inside my head that is.
If what we desire more than anything is to feel good, then we have to accept that feeling anything else is a trade-off we are making, for something we think is more important at the time. If you want to feel bad, or sad, or angry, then by all means feel it! Just know that you're choosing it. Once there is the space and knowledge of the choice regarding our reactions to circumstances, the emotional suffering immediately begins to lessen; we are no longer the victim. When we realize we have choice, we are liberated and empowered. Know that you always have a choice.

The Work - Byron Katie

Byron Katie

So I just wanted to share a new "tool" that I was recently introduced to. And I love it! Byron Katie is a spiritual teacher who developed the brilliant process called The Work. It's purpose is to cut through the pain-causing thoughts and stories our minds like to play with or hold onto, and to help us uncover truth. It's so simple; just four questions to honestly ask yourself, in regard to something that is causing you pain.
1. Is it true?
2. Can I absolutely know that it's true?
3. How do I react when I think this thought?
4. Who would I be without this thought?
And then a turnaround...

To watch some short video examples of The Work in action, visit her homepage here: THE WORK (or just YouTube her name). Also on her web page is a link to an hour-long interview with Oprah that is really worth checking out.
After seeing how it works, I highly recommend taking out a pen and paper and trying it yourself —but only, if you want more peace and clarity in your life.

"I invite you not to believe me. I invite you to test it for yourself. I invite you to the work." ~Byron Katie

Focus: Peaceful Decision Making

~ Thank you, I love you, but I choose not you. ~

When making decisions between two or more things, choose to do it with love. Whether it's deciding which house to buy, which school to attend, or which friends to spend time with, pay attention to your thoughts after you've made your decision. Do you feel a need to prove that you made the "right" or best decision by vilifying the other options? I've personally discovered that decision-making is a big opportunity for the ego to come in. The ego is interested with being "right" while making others (people or things) wrong. One of the enjoyable aspects of life is developing preferences, and the ability to seek out and create more of what we prefer. It is from the opposites in the universe that make this possible. However, the ego would have you believe that you have the ultimate preferences, that your way is the only right way, because you prefer it. The above statement came to me in a meditation and I found it to be an excellent reminder while making decisions, to do it in a way that doesn't harbor resentment for what I do not choose to create or participate in. I believe it's important to thank and honor all non-chosen pathways as they help us to more finely determine what it is that we individually prefer. Rather than seeking to make "the right" decision, seek to make the best decision for you. True freedom to choose (without ego), is to do so with peace and love.

Quote: Remember Who You Are.

“The stream of thinking has enormous momentum that can easily drag you along with it. Every thought pretends it matters so much. It wants to draw your attention completely. Here is a new spiritual practice: don’t take your thoughts too seriously.” ~Eckhart Tolle
Remember as often as possible, especially in moments of suffering, that you are not the thinker inside your head. You are the limitless, expansive awareness behind it.
Oftentimes our thoughts that cause us pain, are far from reality, but we become so identified with them that we can't see outside of them. When a pain-causing thought comes into your mind, it's most likely not aligned with what is, or truth. It probably has a should or shouldn't tagged in it somewhere. "This should be happening instead of this (what is)", or "this (what is) shouldn't be happening at all." To the universe there is no such thing as should or shouldn't, there is only what is. It's normally your negative response to your thoughts that alert you of their false nature. Don't allow passing thoughts to dictate your reality; but rather recognize them for what they are: simple passing thoughts.

Just a thought... Releasing the past.

My personal life situation is currently undergoing some pretty large changes. I know that change is simply an aspect of life and that all things are transient. But the biggest question I've been asking recently is, "Why can letting go of good things in the past be so hard?" In asking this question in my prayers and meditations, these are the answers I've received:

The main reason we refuse to let go of the good in the past, is we doubt we'll find something just as good or better in the future. It's this fear of scarcity that creates the inner-resistance. Life is eternal. There are infinite amounts of beautiful experiences and relationships to be had in our future. However, it is our openness in the Now that allows them into our life.

Letting go of good things in the past does not diminish their meaning or value in any way, but liberates them to contain more.

It sort of goes along with the old saying, "When God closes a door, somewhere he opens a window." If our main focus is on the closed door, we will never notice a new opportunity. Don't fear change, and be patient with it. As ACIM says, "Infinite patience produces immediate results." Embrace the Now fully, and you'll discover that the door to life, peace, and possibility is always open and waiting. There are infinite amounts of beautiful experiences and relationships to be had in your future. Be present, and they'll discover you.

AFRM: I love and am grateful for _______. I embrace the new and do so now. More good is coming my way.