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Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Buddhist Wisdom

The Buddha was asked: "To what extent can a person be a speaker of the way?" He answered: "If a person teaches the way in order to transcend the tyranny of material things and to teach how to transcend feelings, perceptions, impulses, and consciousness--teaching nonattachment with regard to these--then that person can be called a speaker of the way. If he is himself trying to transcend the pull of the material world and to feel nonattachment toward it, then it is fitting to say he is living in accordance with the way. If he is liberated by this transcendence and nonattachment, then you can say he has found nirvana here and now.

- Samyutta Nikaya

Monday, December 28, 2009

To learn the path

To learn the path it is important to be sharp yet inconspicuous. When you are sharp, you are not confused by people; when you are inconspicuous, you don't contend with people. Not being confused by people, you are empty and spiritual; not contending with people, you are serene and subtle.

Liao-an

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Spiritual Wisdom

"I am not, I will not be. I have not, I will not have." That frightens all the childish And extinguishes fear in the wise.

- Nagarjuna

Friday, December 25, 2009

Friday Meditation Thought by Lao Tzu

I am hesitant, and I move alertly in life because I don't know what is going to happen.
And I don't have any principle to follow.
I have to decide every moment.
I never decide beforehand.
I have to decide when the moment comes!

Lao Tzu

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Wednesday Meditation Thought by Rumi

Take someone who doesn't keep score,
who's not looking to be richer
or afraid of losing,
who has not the slightest interest
even in his own personality:
He's free.

Rumi

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Eckhart Tolle is considered one of the world's most influential spiritual teachers - a master of inner calm and peace. In a nutshell, he teaches that you are not your mind. In fact, Eckhart says, your mind is your worst enemy. It overtakes the real you and creates thoughts that make you miserable. So if you want to achieve peace, you've got to disassociate yourself from your mind. The key ? Live in the present.

Monday, December 21, 2009

Monday Meditation Thought by Shoseki

Truth only reveals itself when one gives up all preconceived ideas.

-- Shoseki

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Introduction to Zen Meditation: The Still Point

Friday, December 18, 2009

Friday Meditation Thought

The enlightened mind is like an unceasing flow
and has no fixed abode.
It does not identify itself with things
and therefore there is no attachment.

Such a mind is a liberated mind.

Huineng

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Wednesday Meditation Thought

Under blue sky, in bright sunlight, one need not search around.
Asking what Buddha is is like hiding loot in one's pocket and
declaring oneself innocent.

Zen

Monday, December 14, 2009

Monday Meditation Thought

Pick up a flower in a field
and you may disturb a star in the sky.
All is interconnected.
Nothing is separate.
Everything has its place, its function.
Nothing is here for nothing.
Be aware.

Dharma

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Spiritual Wisdom

When they lose their sense of awe,
people turn to religion.
When they no longer trust themselves
they begin to depend upon authority.
Therefore the Master steps back
so that people won't be confused.
He teaches without a teaching,
so that people will have nothing to learn.

Lao Tzu

Friday, December 11, 2009

Tai Chi

Tai chi chuan is a Chinese martial art often practiced for health reasons. Tai chi is typically practiced for a variety of other personal reasons: its hard and soft martial art technique, demonstration competitions, health and longevity. Consequently, a multitude of training forms exist, both traditional and modern, which correspond to those aims. Some of tai chi chuan's training forms are well known to Westerners as the slow motion routines that groups of people practice together every morning in parks around the world, particularly in China.

Today, tai chi has spread worldwide.

Read more at wikipedia

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Meditation Tip

Meditation is first learning how just to be, secondly learning through your daily actions to keep yourself centered.

Dharma

Monday, December 7, 2009

Meditation Thought on Fear

Whoever can see through all fear will always be safe.

- Tao Te Ching

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Awakening to Deep Time

When we become aware of the vastness of the entire evolutionary process—from the big bang to the present moment—that is called awakening to Deep Time. It means having the capacity to assume a perspective that is nothing less than cosmic and being able to see whatever’s happening to us personally from its lofty vantage point. It is also the profound recognition that our very own present-day highly evolved capacity for consciousness, cognition, introspection, compassion, empathy, and even spiritual insight has all been produced by this deep-time developmental process. This means so much! It means that our personal experience is not half as personal as it seems to be. It also means something that is so startling it is hard to let in. It means that human beings, because of our highly developed brains, are the very leading edge of the entire panoramic unfolding. And as far as we know, we are the only life-form in this vast process that has gained the capacity for self-reflective awareness. The personal implications inherent in this truth are enormous. When we ask the question “Who am I?” from the perspective of cosmic evolution, the answer comes back: “I am the universe becoming aware of itself in human form.”

Andrew Cohen



Friday, December 4, 2009

Meditation Thought

Due to having many parts there is no unity, There is not anything without parts. Further, without one, there is not many. Also, without existence there is no non-existence.

- Nagarjuna

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Meditation Thought

If one does not think about right and wrong,
then the mind is naturally at ease.
If one has no thought of peace of mind,
that is true peace.

Chuang Tzu

Monday, November 30, 2009

Food for Thought

Whether you and I and a few others will renew the world some day remains to be seen. But within ourselves we must renew it each day.

- Herman Hesse

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Free informal Webinar "Meditation, Spirituality & Leadership"

What do YOU think I need to say about “Meditation, Spirituality & Leadership”?

Thank you for all the suggestions you made about future events you’d like to see.

Are you ready to help me make my next program better?

“Part of the problem is that everyone is in such a hurry. People haven't found meaning in their lives, so they're running all the time looking for it. They think the next car, the next house, the next job. Then they find those things are empty, too, and they keep running. ..... So many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half-asleep, even when they are busy doing things they think are important. This is because they are chasing the wrong things. The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning. “ (From: Tuesdays with Morrie)

Perhaps our study of leadership has caused us to focus too much energy on the mechanisms instead of the essence – the sunset data rather than the joy, beauty, and experience of the sunset.

But, “the significant problems we have cannot be solved at the same level of thinking with which we created them." (Attributed to Albert Einstein)

So maybe we have to use a completely different approach. And what could it be? A program on Meditation, Spirituality & Leadership?

What? You haven’t heard of this program? I’m not surprised. Because it hasn’t been publicized yet! And believe it or not, that’s even better news. Why? Because you, my blog readers, will get to give your input before you and anyone else will be able to participate. You’ll get a chance to tell me what you think it should include; which topics should be covered; which questions addressed. And if you give me your input, you’ll receive a “Thank-You!” gift!

Here’s the plan. There will a brainstorming webinar on December 6th, 7th or 8th, 2009 (you decide the date and time). I’ll encourage you to give me your feedback and comments at this event. You’ll be able to tell me exactly what you want to be included, in which format, when, and at what time schedule. I’ll make changes based on the feedback that will add value to the program. And I’ll quote you in the future program invitation.

The first step? Watch this short trailer (1,30 Min.)

And if you can’t make it to the webinar leave your suggestions here at this blog.

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Meditation Thought

When I was, Hari was not,
now Hari is and I am no more:
All darkness vanished,
when I saw the Lamp within my heart.
The effulgence of the supreme Being
is beyond the imagination:
Ineffable is His beauty,
to see it is the only 'proof'.
Him whom I went out to seek,
I found just where I was:
He now has become myself
whom before I called 'Another'!


Kabir

Friday, November 27, 2009

Food for Thought

"You are what your deep, driving desire is. As your desire is, so is your will. As your will is, so is your deed. As your deed is, so is your destiny. "

-The Upanishads

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

The Legal System – Revenge or Compassion?

Most interesting article at http://bit.ly/5oRmQP

Meditation Tip

"Be here now."

Ram Dass

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

How to Meditate

Check out "How to Meditate", a new Recommended Website (>>>)

Monday, November 23, 2009

Meditation

Meditation means to me, witnessing on three levels: action of the body, thoughts of the mind, feelings of the heart. Once a person becomes aware of these three things, the fourth step happens on its own accord. You can call it his soul, his being, and it is the greatest bliss in existence. There is nothing above it.


Osho

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Heaven and Hell (OSHO Meditation Minutes)

Book Recommendation

Experience Beyond Thinking: A Practical Guide to Buddhist Meditation



A simple guide to Buddhist meditation with easy-to-follow instructions on both sitting and walking meditation, plus insightful reflections on how to live a Buddhist way of life. Initially, Buddhist meditation is a process of freeing the mind of its entanglements, of learning how to undo the knots and getting beyond thinking. When we live with our minds full of thoughts, we don't sense much more than those thoughts; objects are not seen very clearly because the focus of our attention is directed towards what is in the mind rather than what is in front of us. Meditation allows us to see ourselves plainly as we are, as if standing before a large clear mirror. Nothing is hidden. When we do this, it is like waking up from a dream into a new way of life completely free of all self-imposed restrictions and conflicting states of mind.

Book Recommendation

The Pocket Zen Reader






This miniature book presents a thousand years of Zen teaching for the modern reader in a way that preserves the dynamic flavor of these talks, sayings, and records of heart-to-heart encounters. From the earliest adepts to the last of the great masters, The Pocket Zen Reader is a pocket-sized compendium of Zen at its best. This collection is edited by Thomas Cleary, the translator of over fifty volumes of Buddhist, Taoist, Confucian, and Islamic texts.



Friday, November 20, 2009

Food for Thought

What a lovely surprise to finally discover how unlonely being alone can be.

- Ellen Burstyn

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Meditation Thought

"Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and right-doing, there is a field. I will meet you there."

Rumi

Monday, November 16, 2009

Buddhist Wisdom

Standing or walking, sitting or lying down, during all these waking hours, let him establish mindfulness of good will, which men call the highest state!

- Buddha

Saturday, November 14, 2009

A Taste of Freedom: Ajahn Chah

Entire text online: http://bit.ly/1SOmlg Very inspiring; strive diligently!

Friday, November 13, 2009

Meditation Tip

That man is richest whose pleasures are cheapest.

- Henry David Thoreau

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Food for Thought

. . . a man can have no other vocation than to awaken that light on the faces surrounding him. . . -- Albert Camus

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Meditation Thought

There are flowers everywhere, for those who bother to look.

- Henri Matisse

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Leading from the Soul (by Lance Secretan)

Friday, November 6, 2009

Food for Thought

The truth indeed has never been preached by the Buddha, seeing that one has to realize it within oneself.

- Lamkara Sutra

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Meditation Tip

Irrigators guide the water. Fletchers shape the arrow shaft. Carpenters shape the wood. The wise control themselves.

- Dhammapada

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Food for Thought

If the doors of perception were cleansed, everything would appear to man as it is, infinite. - William Blake

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Food for Thought

"Life does not consist mainly, or even largely, of facts and happenings. It consists mainly of the storm of thoughts that is forever blowing, through one's head. "

-Mark Twain

Monday, November 2, 2009

Food for Thought

The more you try to fix, the more you find to fix. Only wholeness heals.

-- Alan Cohen

Saturday, October 31, 2009

20 Meditation Tips For Beginners

Although a good number of people try meditation at some point in their lives, only a small percentage actually persist with it. This is unfortunate, as the benefits are enormous. One possible reason is that many beginners do not start with an appropriate mindset to make the practice sustainable.

The purpose of this article is to provide 20 practical recommendations to help beginners get past the initial hurdles and integrate meditation as an ongoing practice in their lives.

1: Make it a formal practice. Set aside a time in the day that is your meditation practice time.

2: Only meditate for as long as you are enjoying it. It is especially important in the beginning that meditation is not a chore.

3: Do yoga or stretch first. Firstly physical activity will draw your own awareness into the body and away from your mind. A practice like yoga loosens the muscles and tendons allowing you to sit more comfortably. Additionally, yoga opens the body not only at the physical level but also at subtle level, which facilitates movement of energy in the body.

4: Pick a specific location in your home to meditate. Ideally the place you choose will be somewhere that does not have much activity at other times. Two reasons for doing this are, the subconscious is conditioned by repetition, so by going to the same place at the same time each day to meditate you can get in yourself to expect to meditate when you are there. The second reason is that when you meditate you begin to create a particular vibration in that spot. With time and meditation and place will become increasingly attuned to this energy of meditation, again making it easier for you to meditate when you are there.

5: Make sure your will meditation time is respected. if you live with others make sure that they understand that you are not to be disturbed while you are meditating. Equally for yourself make the same commitment, for example if your phone should ring, be aware of it and continue your meditation.

6: Create some representation of sacred space in your meditations spot. This should obviously be what is meaningful for you, maybe an actual altar with pictures and objects, or maybe just a special rug and your meditation cushion.

7: Use ritual if it helps you. This doesn't have to be elaborate it could be as simple as lighting a candle, or a lighting incense. The repetition of a ritual before you meditate, is again conditioning preparation for your body and mind.

8: Commit for the long haul. When you begin with the clear idea in your mind that the greatest benefits from meditation will accumulate with time, and see it as an ongoing process, you are less likely to give up in frustration.

9: Meditate with understanding. Get clear in your mind exactly what you think meditation is and what it will be like before you start. Invariably everybody does have ideas and expectations like this, it is very helpful to make them conscious before you start.

10: Be clear of your motivation to begin meditation. When you understand your reasons and objectives in beginning meditation you are more likely to find a practice or technique that will work for you at that time.

11: Begin with a particular practice that you have actively chosen and commit to doing it for a given time period. Many beginners are constantly jumping from one to type or technique of meditation to another. Your meditation practice is a relationship with yourself, it will not deepen if it consists of one night stands. This is not to say that the practice or technique you begin with is the one you stay with for the rest of your life, but a relationship is best left when you know exactly why it is that you are leaving, and not done simply on an impulse.

12: Educate yourself. Confusion and misunderstanding is primarily caused by ignorance. Find a good teacher, or online community where you can get answers. Read some books on meditation and spiritual practice.

13: Notice if frustration starts to creep into your practice. If you notice this happening take some time to explore what is going on for you, what expectation is not being fulfilled. Then examine the expectation itself, what is it based on.

14: Be honest with yourself. As I said meditation is a relationship with yourself, you are the most important person you need to be straightforward with, and meditation is a key place to practice this.

15: Be prepared for some discomfort. It is normal in the beginning to experience some physical discomfort when sitting to meditate. Most people are not accustomed to sitting still, other than maybe slouched on a couch. Your body needs time to develop strength and openness in the right places to allow you to sit comfortably and alert. Sooner or later discomfort will also be experienced at the emotional and mental levels. If you are not consciously prepared for this it is likely to deter you from continuing.

16: Until you are well versed in your meditation practice it can be very beneficial to use a recording to guide you. This will help your mind to let go of concern about what you are doing, and the recording can act as a guide until you no longer need it.

17: Start to look for moments of awareness during the day. Finding space to be consciously present during everyday activities is a wonderful way to evolve your meditation practice. Take advantage, of the time spent waiting in traffic, waiting in line, waiting for anything, to become present to yourself and what you are experiencing within yourself. Look for such opportunities in your day, however brief, simple as they are taken radically change or experience of life.

18: Do it together. Meditating with a partner or group can have many wonderful benefits, and can improve your practice. When meditating with others many people say that it improves the quality of their meditation. However, it is necessary to make sure that you set agreed-upon ground rules before you begin.

19: Don't stress about it. This may be the most important tip for beginners, and the hardest to implement. Many people in beginning meditation become anxious about whether they are doing it right or not, or whether something they experience should be happening or not. The article, meditation is practice, goes into more detail regarding this.

20: Invest in a good, comfortable meditation cushion. If you need other things to allow your body to sit comfortably in without strain, get them. If you set yourself up with the things that you need, you are removing a future potential pitfall to your practice.

Meditation is one of the greatest gifts that you can give yourself, like any lasting and meaningful relationship it takes energy and commitment, it takes understanding and tolerance. If you put these things in to your practice meditation will become your best friend, and powerful resource.

Ray Baskerville is a healer, meditation teacher, certified hypnotherapist, yogi and proud father. He has worked as a healer, taught meditation and yoga worldwide. Ray is also the creator and editor of lifedivine.net an online magazine for yoga, meditation, spirituality and personal development.

Friday, October 30, 2009

Food for Thought

Today is the absolute day,
the only day in the eternity of time.
Everyday is fresh and new
just as one's life is new everyday.
The past is only reference.

The future is hope.
Today is real.

Unknown

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Empty Mind

"If your mind is empty, it is always ready for anything, it is open to everything. In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, in the expert's mind, there are few. That is the real secret, always be a beginner. "
-Shunryu Suzuki

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Meditation and Reason

Meditation is not concerned with reason; it is irrational.
The only way to know it is to do it.

Dharma

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Meditation

Meditation means to me, witnessing on three levels: action of the body, thoughts of the mind, feelings of the heart. Once a person becomes aware of these three things, the fourth step happens on its own accord. You can call it his soul, his being, and it is the greatest bliss in existence. There is nothing above it.

Osho

Monday, October 26, 2009

Meditation Thought

The real seeker of truth never seeks truth.
On the contrary, he tries to clean himself of all that is untrue, inauthentic, insincere, and when his heart is ready, purified, the guest comes.

Dharmapa

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Workshop Meditation, Spirituality & Leadership

“In our culture, managers think that a fast decision is what counts. If the situation is new, slowing down is necessary. Slow down. Observe. Position yourself. Then act fast and with a natural flow that comes from the inner knowing. You have to slow down long enough to really see what’s needed. With a freshness of vision, you have the possibility of a freshness of action, and the overall response on a collective level can be much quicker than trying to implement hasty decisions that aren’t compelling to people.” (Otto Scharmer)

4 days retreat "Spirituality & Leadership, Introduction to Meditation", Lake Constance, Switzerland,
Jan 6th - 10th, 2010. Visit www.langenecker.com for more information

Meditation

Meditation is when the infinite variety of the phenomenas of life
passes though us without dominating or tormenting us.

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Too Busy to Be Present? 9 SELF Training Rituals to Practice Throughout the Day

SELF Training for tapping in to the power of the present.
S= Sati (mindfulness)
E= Empowerment
L=Lifestyle
F=Facilitator

I developed SELF training exercises to help my students become aware of how many opportunities we actually have everyday to practice “being in the moment” . I am sure most of you can list some of the benefits of being present, meditation or mindfulness practice there is simply always the question, how do I fit it in?

I would like to remind you that it is not simply putting aside a time to mediate every day but really how to tap into the power of the present moment many times throughout your day. A regular seated meditation practice is powerful but the SELF exercises I am going to suggest are to give you more opportunities to reconnect to your inner guru in all you do.

By adding SELF exercises to your regular daily routine you will see how easy it can be.
Like most of you I live a busy life. I wake up at 7am and go about a busy day until my head hits the pillow between 10 and 11pm. I have found that giving priority to being present helps me do everything better. Here are some things I do.

1. Morning Ritual. While I am still in bed, I take a couple of minutes before I get up to think about my dreams and see if I felt there were any messages in them and intend my day. I picture the outcome I want in any particular event I have planned.

2. Teeth Brushing Ritual. As I take my first glance in the mirror I take some extra time to look at myself in the eyes and remind myself, “you have everything you need for a great day”

3. Meditation Ritual. I then get up while still sleepy and go to the couch and sit for my morning meditation. I meditate for about 30 minutes.

4. Breakfast Ritual. Before I choose what to have for breakfast I ask myself, “What would be the best breakfast for me to have today so that I feel full of energy?"

5. Shower Ritual. Either while in the shower while washing my body or afterwards, while applying lotion, I adore my body. I thank it, I massage it, and if I feel any aches, pains or soreness, I send a loving message of well-being. Sometimes simply saying, you will heal soon, you know what to do.

6. Commuting Ritual. I drive a vespa from New Jersey to New York City everyday. I started my safety ritual when I first began driving and I was nervous. As I prepared to get on my bike I would intend a safe drive. I would simply see myself already at my destination on time and safe with a smile on my face. I do this especially if I feel I am running late and have the urge to speed.

Once I am on the road I use it as my time to either repeat a mantra, affirmations or simply fill my lungs with fresh air.

7. Starbucks Ritual. During the day I often feel like I need a little break from what I am doing. If I am in the city I usually find a Starbucks or out door spot where I can sit comfortably and I put on my headphones. I simply take a minute to listen to a song. I close my eyes and withdraw all of my attention from the city, from my work or anything that has my attention swirling and focus simply on hearing the lyrics and the music. Usually this works quite well to bring me back to my heart.

8. Evening Ritual. Just about every evening I am at the gym. Working out is one of my favorite ways to bring myself to the present moment. Whether I am teaching or simply working out, it is a great way for me to be in my body and simply recharge it with love, oxygen and light.

9. Bedtime Ritual. One of my favorite times of the day is simply lying in bed and reflecting on the day. I let my mind wander looking back at what happened and what I loved about it. I end my day with a simple moment of gratitude. As I drift off to sleep I ask for answers to any questions I have and ask that my dreams reveal the best solution for me and that I will easily remember them in the morning.

www.intent.com

Friday, October 23, 2009

Food for Thought

Only one problem: ego
Only one solution: meditation

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Beyond Intellectual Discussions

When we try to understand higher levels of consciousness and spiritual realms and planes that cannot be seen with the physical eyes, we go around and around in intellectual discussions. Ultimately it may be that the only way to understand Higher Consciousness is to go beyond mind and experience this level of consciousness.

Here is a quote from the writings of Sri Aurobindo, from a small booklet entitled "The Riddle of this World."

"But it is better not to enter into sterile intellectual discussions. The intellectual mind cannot even realize what the supermind is; what use, then, can there be in allowing it to discuss what it does not know? It is not by reasoning, but by constant experience, growth of consciousness and widening into Light that one can reach those higher levels of consciousness above the intellect from which one can begin to look up to the Divine Gnosis"

www.intent.com

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Meditation Tip

Meditation is
simply a support
for encouraging us
to let go of ego
and just be
with things as they are.

Dharma

Monday, October 19, 2009

Food for Thought

Do not be idolatrous about or bound to any doctrine,
theory, or ideology, even Buddhist ones.
All systems of thought are guiding means;
they are not absolute truth.

Thich Nhat Hanh

What's Your Spiritual Type?

"What's your religion?" It used to be such a simple question to answer. But now you might be "spiritual but not religious"--or raised in one faith but practicing another. Maybe you're a Methodist but think of yourself more as an evangelical, or a seeker who is anti-religion--or born again. The old categories don't seem to work because the religious landscape has changed so much. The quiz is meant to help you learn about your self, see how you compare with others, and have a little fun.

What's Your Spiritual Type?



ZEN

"A heavy snowfall disappears into the sea. What silence!"

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Inspirational Thought

Three things that make us human: our longing to know the meaning of life, our capacity for love, and our ability to laugh. Dharma

Food for Thought

Manifest great deeds by breaking the rules. - Awa Kenzo (1880-1939), "Zen Bow, Zen Arrow"

Spiritual Wisdom

"You are what your deep, driving desire is. As your desire is, so is your will. As your will is, so is your deed. As your deed is, so is your destiny. " -The Upanishads

Food for Thought

"We are not human beings having a spiritual experience; we are spiritual beings having a human experience." Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

Food for Thought

When nothing is sure, everything is possible. -- Margaret Drabble

Food for Thought

What is wanted is not the will to believe, but the will to find out, which is the exact opposite. - Bertrand Russell

ZEN

"To a mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders."

Food for Thought

"Every person, all the events of your life are there because you have drawn them there. What you choose to do with them is up to you. " -Richard Bach

Cosmic Support: Allowing the Universe to Support Your Life Purpose

The Universe's Plan for You -The path that speeds us toward our dreams can be a challenging and complex one, so it’s easy to get bogged down in confusion and insecurities. We often hesitate at the start of that path, questioning our purpose or our capabilities. Yet we should be moving forward joyously, eager to discover what destiny has in store for us. The universe has plans for us that eclipse anything we have dreamed of thus far. Though we must work diligently to fulfill our potential and to accomplish our individual missions, the universe is aware of both the quests we chose before birth and the goals we have formulated in adulthood. If we accept that it us watching over us and believe that it will facilitate our eventual success, the universe will provide us with the assistance and opportunities that enable us to make significant progress on our journeys of ambition.

Nothing happens without a purpose. Whether we attract success or repel it depends on our willingness to stay open to a wide range of possibilities and to embrace concepts like synchronicity. The universe is always ready to care for our needs, but we must not write off its loving attention as mere circumstance or chance. Likewise, we must endeavor to ensure that our egos do not become a barrier that prevents us from recognizing that even perceived mistakes and strife can be profound lessons that smooth the progress of personal evolution. When we understand that we only need to enthusiastically try our best to realize our objectives, the universe will take care of the details, propelling us forward in its unstoppable current. We may not always immediately understand the significance of certain experiences, but our trust will help us choose wisely at each crossroads.

The universe wants to see you accomplish your goals. No matter how long you’ve dallied or hesitated, it will always be there to put its plan for you in motion at the first sign of your faith. You can make the most of this aid by acquiescing to it rather than fighting it—nurture your dreams but do not attempt to micromanage every detail along the way. The universe will provide you with guidance and, if you heed that guidance, you will find your formerly stressful quest for success will become a journey of great joy.

Daily OM

The Importance of Recharging Your Spirit

We are so driven to do more, see more, be more, that we can lose sight of what we have and who we are. Without taking regular time to reflect and recharge, we can quickly burn out.

Stephen Covey called this "sharpening the saw" -- if you take good care of your tools, you will get better results with them.

Recreation is important. Let's look more closely at the word itself: RE-CREATION. These activities are ones that should help you recreate yourself. They are not necessarily the ones you fill your leisure time with.

So how can you tell truly re-creational activities from not? Chances are if the activities wear you out and drag you down, they are not.

I can tell when something recharges me. I am relaxed. I can lose myself in the activity. I look forward to doing it, and I can put it down without regret.

However you find your recharging, make sure it is truly re-creational, and do it regularly.

My goal for this week is to make sure I do something that recharges me at least once a day.

Laura Earnest

Inspirational Thought for the Week

Don’t confuse having less with being less, having more with being more, or what you have with who you are.

Noah Benshea