You can reach altered states of consciousness in deep meditation: Spaciousness. Expanded Awareness. Silent Calm. Simple Unconditional Beingness. Deep Presence. Love.
Continue reading “The Value Is In The Experience—Not The Dogma”
Nearly a decade ago, I had a dream that stuck with me over the years. It showed me that Presence is the difference. Life is not about where we think we need to go. Or where we think we should be. It’s about being in this moment.
Continue reading “Presence Is The Difference”
I am often shocked at the amount of misinformation I encounter online. Many videos and articles promote blatant propaganda.
One way to tell propaganda from, say, an article that seeks to inform, is to work out if the content is nuanced or merely seeks to paint someone (or something) as a villain. That is one way. These victim / villain narratives never seek solutions. Its main goal is to enrage or instil fear.
That said, there are two very effective ways to safeguard against propaganda and misinformation.
Continue reading “Misinformation”
When you solve a substantial amount of mathematical problems in a certain domain, you cultivate a sense on whether a solution is correct or not. This is an intuitive feeling that says, Yes, this answer is right. It isn’t quite a cognitive understanding. It’s much more feeling based. It’s much more body based.
Continue reading “The Answer Should Feel Right”
The over-emphasis on progress in society is troubling because often people and groups do dubious things to get to some idealised destination. Clear examples of this can be found in every area of life. Health: Take a pill to lose weight instead of taking the difficult path of persistent lifestyle changes. Education: We want more students to pass. Let’s lower the standards. Business: Let’s aim for money without adding value. Politics: Let’s aim for quotas without considering competence.
Continue reading “Progress without Presence”I’ve been critical about the Law of Attraction in the past. The biggest reason for this is because experience has taught me that denial of difficult truths can have devastating consequences. This is especially true if major problems are ignored for years or decades.
This view has made me overly critical about things like vision boards and manifestation. However, I realise that I’ve not written about this effectively in the past. I tend to be a little too ranty and charged when it comes to ideas concerning the Law of Attraction. This post is an attempt to leave my judgements at the door, but still give a perspective that people might find useful.
Continue reading “Why Your Vision Boards Aren’t Working”
We have been told that the goal of the game is getting ahead. Getting richer. Getting further up the career ladder. Getting a better car. Making more money.
Fast forward to when you’re eighty years old. Does the best car matter? Or the most money? Or the biggest house? What was truly gained?
It’s worth it to reflect on this. Set your ladder on the right wall at least. Bring your unique gifts to the world. Invest in things that bring you joy. Build something that shows you have soul in the game. And, as always, be present for every step.
I’ve struggled with sciatica for a number of years now. I have to do various things to counter back pain and weakness in my left leg. This includes back exercises, mobility work, not sitting too long, not standing too long, the list goes on.
Last year I realised that my impatience to fix this thing was actually a major hindrance to resolve the issue on a more permanent basis. I was expecting quick results. I wanted to be done with this irritating condition. I was often not receptive to aches and pains. And, I wasn’t gentle enough with my body.
Continue reading “Patience”In last week’s post I argued that we should not buy into spiritual teachings that do not resonate with us. We should not buy into prescribed doctrines simply because it’s the norm. Or because it’s old. Or because we fear punishment.
It is better to connect with our own inner wisdom on a deep level. But this takes time. It often requires journalling, asking questions, listening to dream messages, and being receptive to intuitive nudges and insights. It might involve reading a particular author. It might involve meditating. It might involve painting or drawing something. It also might involve cultivating silence and being receptive to a visionary image.
There really are countless of ways to connect to our own wisdom. This post discusses a few ideas and methods.
Continue reading “How To Connect To Your Own Inner Wisdom”In my twenties I sought advice from various people in spiritual positions. I wanted to resolve my inner turmoil. My sense was that I was missing something fundamental: purpose, connection, and inner peace. I also had an enormous amount of latent trauma beneath my awareness.
But no one that I came into contact with ever really helped me. Many people in authority positions were sorely disappointing. The majority of them were controlling and tried to force compliance by instilling fear in me and others. Some were dangerous. Many lacked compassion. Nearly all of hem lacked true wisdom and presence.
But something good came from all those years of searching. I learned discernment. A foundational thing when it comes to the religious or spiritual teachings of others. Today, I only take in those teaching that resonate with me. I do not force myself into some prescribed doctrine that stands completely separate from experience and my own inner knowing.
Here are a few specifics to watch out for.
Continue reading “Fear, Control, and Spirituality”