Open-Secrets

Month: April 2010

  • A Healthy Dose of Optimism

    Optimism Greets My Day

    I woke up today (Friday, April, 23, 2010) at 3:45am – not an unusual occurrence. I was feeling better, emotionally & physically,  than I had in several weeks (long story). Sent my sister in Petoskey, MI a quick text and then off to my meditation chair to begin the day.

    A great meditation was had by all – what’s that mean? Well, my body was more relaxed, my mind more settled and focused, my sense of me was more fluid and transparent, and reality seemed light & playful – if I may be so bold to say so 12 hours later.

    Some quick work on the computer and then it was off to my Friday morning BNI (Business Networking International) meeting in Pleasanton, CA – where I do my best to get referrals for people that want to buy or sell homes in Danville, San Ramon or Pleasanton, California.

    I’m about halfway to my BNI meeting, driving down I-680 from Danville to Pleasanton, when I realize – I’m feeling optimistic!

    This kind of surprised me – to the point where I had to ask myself what is optimism? Here’s what the dictionary says:

    op·ti·mism
    –noun

    1. a disposition or tendency to look on the more favorable side of events or conditions and to expect the most favorable outcome.
    2. the belief that good ultimately predominates over evil in the world.
    3. the belief that goodness pervades reality.
    4. the doctrine that the existing world is the best of all possible worlds.

    Well, I didn’t have my dictionary handy, only my experience that my mind was associating the word optimism with. So, I checked in with my experience to see what was happening that felt like optimism. Two things dominated my experience: 1) a sense of openness and 2) a perception of the good everywhere.

    It seemed impossible to look anywhere and not feel optimistic. And you know what? Twelve hours later, optimism is everywhere. I’m running off to the gym feeling very optimistic – about nothing in particular, but everything in general!

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  • Forget Struggle, Go Zen

    Is Life Meant to Be a Struggle?

    multi_tasking_om

    Life was never meant to be a struggle. Just a gentle progression from one point

    to another, much like walking through a valley on a sunny day. – Stuart Wilde

    I think this quote by Stuart Wilde bears some reflection. I don’t think it is the nature of life to be a walk in the park. If we observe the natural order of life, survival requires a great deal of effort on the part of most living things.

    I think much of the emotional and psychological struggle we human beings engage in can be lessened a great deal, but we’re still going to have to put forth effort to bring home the bacon or tofurkey.

    Zen is a school of Mah?y?na  Buddhism, translated from the Chinese word Chán to Japanese. This word is in turn derived from the Sanskrit  dhy?na, which means “meditation” (Wikipedia).

    Zen emphasizes experiential prajñ?, particularly as realized in the form of meditation, in the attainment of enlightenment. As such, it de-emphasizes theoretical knowledge in favor of direct, experiential realization through meditation and dharma practice.

    I enjoy hearing “zen” reified.” What is a “zen-like” life? Is it tranquil, unruffled and void of upsetting influences? Is 8 hours at a day spa with candles, hot rocks, wine and the works a moment of zen?

    Curiosity Quenchers

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  • Free Spirit Strength

    Undefeatable Strength – Are You A Free Spirit?

    strength free spirit

    To keep our faces toward change and behave like free spirits in
    the presence of fate, is strength undefeatable. – Helen Keller

    I’ve started a Facebook Fan Page for the Unfolding Now. Here’s today’s quote:

    Without heart, we are not really human. And the possibility of having an authentic and deeply satisfying human life is only a pipe dream when our love is not directed to what truly fulfills the heart. To find true fulfillment, many of us at some point in life turn to the spiritual search. But what is it in spirituality that gives this fulfillment? Where does this deep satisfaction come from?

    Curiosity Quenchers

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  • Peace – Inner – Outer – and Everything In Between

    Peace – Embrace Conflict

    peace_window_buddha

    Peace is the ability to accept and embrace conflict and not be threatened by it and thereby to use it in the interests of life. – David Spangler

    I’ve always been fascinated by violent people waging war for peace. The human psyche is filled with much more rage and hatred that most of us are willing to see – thank God for the unconscious mind!

    Curiosity Quenchers

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  • Path of Inner Discovery

    The Diamond Approach – A Path of Inner Discovery

    I’m working my way through a 6-CD set interview by Tami Simon with A. H. Almaas, originator of the Diamond Approach.

    A.H. Almaas, whose writings brilliantly illustrate the unity of modern depth psychology and traditional spiritual wisdom, is a respected, pioneering teacher. Jack Kornfield has called him “one of the most significant voices for a new and remarkably integrated spiritual vision.”

    Now for the first time ever, Almaas is creating with Sounds True an accessible audio introduction to his lifetime of work. Called The Diamond Approach, this program features insights refined from Almaas’ 30 years of teaching including how he has helped thousands around the globe “do the work” by investigating reality, developing emotional wholeness, uncovering their true essence, and realizing the non-duality of being.

    I’ve only listened to the first disc. Tami Simon is a great interviewer. Her questions are very insightful and I expect this will be the best interview of Almaas I have ever heard. It certainly is one of the clearest introductory elucidations of the Diamond Approach that is in the world.

    Importance of the Personal Life

    Order Here >

    Curiosity Quenchers

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  • Complaining as a Window

    Bitching About Others Is Insight into Us

    complaining judgment

    What we tend to complain about most in other people are
    those things we don’t like about ourselves.  –  William Wharton

    Curiosities

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