Fear is an intense emotion which seems to rule our lives. It keeps us stuck. It influences our behavior and decisions in ways that often cause more harm than good. And often it seems unshakable. We try to manage it, to suppress it, to escape it, but it creeps back in. The problem with these … Continue reading Understanding FEAR
spiritual living
When to Say “You’re Welcome”
I’ve often noticed a very interesting thing take place when someone receives a compliment. Most people will usually respond by saying “thank you”. But there was a time not so long ago when the common response would have been “you’re welcome.” And I often suggest to people that we return to that response. Now I’ve … Continue reading When to Say “You’re Welcome”
The School of Life
During times of difficulty people will often tell us that everything happens for a reason. And whether or not everything is purposefully imbued with reason, we can choose to see purpose within it. When we’re faced with challenges we have a choice to see those challenges as unfortunate dilemmas or as opportunities for personal growth. … Continue reading The School of Life
Know Yourself, Love Yourself
While embarking upon a journey, someone offered me a word of advice; “Be careful,” he warned, “Wherever you go, there you are.” These words didn’t mean much to me at the time, but I would later reflect back on them. I had traveled down into Central America to chase after my dream of living a simple … Continue reading Know Yourself, Love Yourself
Relinquishing Sin & Shame
Today I would like to talk about the concept of Sin. Because even if you aren’t religious, this concept has rooted itself very deeply in the culture. We may not always call it by that name, but the concept is there… the idea that certain thinking and behavior is shameful and wicked. The word “sin” has taken … Continue reading Relinquishing Sin & Shame
The Wisdom of Unknowing
There are many who believe that they have all the answers, but the answers they have are often borrowed from others. And when we hold to such information with unwavering conviction we leave little room for true understanding. There was a professor who had been studying Zen philosophy for many years, and one day … Continue reading The Wisdom of Unknowing
EGO
The ego is that function of consciousness by which we identify with the mind and the material body, the material world and our roles within it. It sustains in us the illusion of duality. It is the very idea that we are separate from the creation, separate from one another, and separate from God. But … Continue reading EGO
The Difference Between Spirituality & Religion
When I talk of Religion I mean more specifically organized religion, whereas spirituality is a very personal experience. But as soon as you try to organize it into a set of beliefs and create around it an institution, you have a religion. Institutions are prone to corruption, which is often the case, and can be … Continue reading The Difference Between Spirituality & Religion
