In the opening sequence of the 1960s TV show Star Trek the voice over said: “to boldly go where no man has gone before.” It takes a certain kind of determined mind to take on such a task. Some might consider it arrogance, but when we think about anything great that has ever been accomplished – whether on the grand global scale or in our personal lives – it usually requires a level of boldness. Ernest Holmes, author of the... Read more
It has been said that the only constant is change. That’s a paradox, but quite true. We humans are linear time beings. We tend to fret about what happened in the past and worry about what is to occur in the future. But in truth we have only the present since the past is gone and the future yet to come. Perhaps that’s one of the reasons we often feel so agitated or unsettled: We can be so busy pining... Read more
It’s a common theme to talk about spirituality as being a journey. The metaphor works because there is so much change that takes place in everyone’s life that to call it a journey takes some of the pressure off. Lately, the journey metaphor is even being used in business circles where long, drawn out projects are being viewed through the lens of a journey, rather than offering up a finite end point. In this case, the usefulness provides everyone a... Read more
There appears to be an ongoing opportunity to become more, or to evolve into a better version of yourself and to get somewhere in life. At the same time there appears to be an ever present opening to step back from any effort associated with becoming, evolving and arriving, and instead to rest in the awareness of what it is like to be. Look Instead At Being Being is a not a destination, or an outcome. It’s not a goal... Read more
I really wish I could take credit for the title, but I have to attribute it to my friend and colleague, Edwene Gaines. Edwene has to be one of the most authentic persons I know on planet earth. Those of you who know her are already nodding your head. One of the many things this wise woman has taught me is that if you want to have a fulfilling life you must be authentic. “This is NOT an option!” she... Read more
The other day I caught myself thinking about a conflict I was having with another individual. It wasn’t a serious conflict, but something that was causing my mind some dissonance. As I started to pay attention to the direction of my thought, I noticed that the more I concentrated on the conflict, the more the conflict escalated in my own mind. At one point, I even realized that my heart was racing just a little faster. My mind had managed... Read more
When people wear the green in celebration of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, perhaps they should consider whether the name of this favourite of holidays really should be Patrick. One could almost argue that it could equally be Palagius Day – the name of a relatively obscure Celtic ascetic who was stirring up a lot of controversy way back around 400 AD. You see, Palagius was in opposition to Christianity of the day that said we are all... Read more
We’ve heard it before. Most if not all of us have done it before. What is “it”? It’s whining for what we want. Fill in the blank anyway you choose: I wanna new job. I wanna new boyfriend. I wanna a new/young/slimmer body. Whine, whine, whine! (Be sure to look pathetic while you’re whining – it’s almost required for the full, desperate effect.) There’s nothing wrong with wanting more out of our lives and embracing change to have it happen.... Read more
For the last 10 days now the world’s eyes have been on Ukraine. And in the eye of that storm has been a spiritual community with a special heart that is gifting the world with a new vision. Barbara Leger leads the Temenos Center for Self-Realization, and during this tense period this Centre for Spiritual Living community has been sharing its message that even this time is perfect. Barbara holds that there is a “Conscious Knowing” that is available to... Read more
The other day when I was in Atlanta, I was approached by a panhandler and as always, I paused for thought. These are moments when we get to consider what we believe, and how we wish to apply it in our lives. Some people approach the situation from the standpoint of personal responsibility – as in the panhandler is responsible for their own situation, and should be doing something to change it. But in that moment of potential exchange, there... Read more
The Principles of Spiritual Living
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