Listening

Some of us love to talk and love the sound of our own voice, some of us are shy. But are we good listeners?

Do we listen to ourselves- to our body, our instinct and inner voice? Do we listen to others?

Next time observe when you're in a conversation. When we listen, it is more than just the words, sometimes it is being able to listen to what is unsaid but felt through actions and emotions.

Listening tunes us in to ourselves and intensifies our connection with others!

Answers

We all want or demand answers to our questions. Some say questions are asked when you know the answer or if you want to test the knowledge of a person.

When we face a problem we naturally look for a solution.

What is the meaning of life? Life is a mystery!! there is no right or wrong answer - we just have to live it. We are all connected yet we are unique. Our most profound questions may not have answers, they just have to be experienced.

Quit looking for answers. Live the possibility!

Extremes

Love-hatred, Anger-compassion, Day-night. If we are capable of loving someone we have the capacity for hatred. It is the flip side of the same coin which makes us whole.

Yet, we typically deny or want to change our dark side. By doing so we give it more emphasis and the cycle keeps repeating.

When we embrace our "total" self, we come into wholeness. We are complete and in balance!

Effort

No pain - no gain! Right from childhood we are conditioned to believe that if we want something we need to work hard towards it.

Have you come across situations which despite all your efforts the results don't manifest. Conversely, at times with little effort we get what we want. Is it destiny, luck or both?

Life is not meant to be an effort! When we are present and one with what we are doing ...it doesn't seem an effort at all. Lets become conscious!

Stillness

Meditation is stillness. We find stillness a challenge, physically, mentally and emotionally.

When we are still we are centred and connected. From that stillness can come action. Have you observed young children? Still from the inside although physically active- their being radiates their magnificence!

Once you connect even momentarily to your stillness, you can get the knack of going back to that point and start living in bliss!

Letting go....

Hollow and empty is the guidance we receive from spiritual masters.

What about all the knowledge, experiences, feelings et al that we have accumulated and stored? What happens if we let go off these experiences that clog our connection to our inner self?

Letting go sounds very easy but in practice..... one by one if we access each experience/feeling and complete anything that may be outstanding in that, without dwelling or avoiding it, we acknowledge its existence and move on.

Hollow and empty, let the breeze of life flow through us and play its divine music!

Instinct and Intuition

We often come across or use the phrase "animal instincts" What about our instincts and intuition? Our minds are so active that with all the chatter inside we cannot hear ourselves or our being speak.

Our intuition is a gift and to connect with it, all we need is to quieten the chatter. Don't you wish you can say sssshhhhh...... I want to hear myself reveal the answers to what I am asking.

Nothingness!!

We come from nothingness and go back to the same. At our very core there is nothingness.

We spend all our lives trying to define ourselves by something. Meaningless labels or are we on the wrong path?

What is nothingness? It is a space that has no expectation, no desire...

Goodness- no expectation, no desire, nothing....are we still alive? The truth is that when we experience nothingness we are most alive!

MYOB.......mind your own business

Its so easy for us to interfere and tell someone what or how they should be doing things ( better!). Conversely, when someone tell us what to do we don't like it.

Unless we are asked, what right do we have to advise or take any moral high ground. Rather than advise others on what to do, lets take a look at ourselves.... focus on what is within our own grasp and what we can change.

Next time, spare your partner, child, family or friend. Let them figure out life in their own way. We are all free souls, lets give each other the space and respect to blossom independently!!

Spontaneity

Planning is a part of our professional and personal lives. Our plans for the future are based on a combination of data gathered from the past and our expectations. Do the plans or our living in the past or future influence our behaviour and actions?

The only moment which is real is the present. Acting or reacting in the moment is spontaneous. When we are spontaneous we feel alive and are connected to our inner intelligence. Why would we want to dull ourselves by being otherwise?

Plans are very much needed  in some circumstances. Don't take the fun out of life by just measured or planned actions. Give your spontaneity the opportunity to show its magic....

Trust

We all have at least one person or if we're lucky a few people that we trust fully.

First, let me ask, do we trust ourselves? I am referring to our gut and our instinct. Second, do we trust existence? We are here because it supports and nurtures us.

If the answer to the above two questions is in the affirmative, why are we struggling and rushing all stressed from pillar to post? Why don't we just give up the resistance?

Lets remove our doubt. When we trust, we surrender. In surrender we are in tune with the universe.

Lets Celebrate

Each day is a new beginning and gives us reason to celebrate. However, we are used to celebrating only special occasions and the newly commercially exploited occassions ( Valentines, Mothers etc).

Lets not just get bogged down by our daily duties and routine and remember that everyday unfurls a reminder that we are here and now. Lets rejoice in this reality and be grateful for its gift rather than take it for granted.

When we awaken to this and rejoice.... listen to the song in your heart and observe the spring in your step.

Nature

Nature is existence. The trees, plants and animals exist in harmony. There is no competition or comparison.

For us.... competition and comparison is the basis of our existence. Life is a blessing not a struggle. When we find things difficult we are going against nature's flow. When we are tuned in to our true self we are one with nature. The struggle is within not outside!

Let go the angst and lets mirror the peace and beauty of a sunrise, the power and action of rain and
the serenity and grace of trees standing tall and majestic with their leaves dancing in the wind. 

Balance

Everything in life must be in balance - work, self, family, friends etc. Balance is the law of the universe. Observe the next time you are out in nature - the trees, the birds,  flora and fauna are peaceful in their own rhythm which leads to the balance of the whole.

With us humans given all our labelling of good and bad, we find it hard to balance the good. We want it in excess, which creates an imbalance. We should of course enjoy the good but also learn to let go of  it thus helping us back to balance.

Balance is where we are meant to be. Lets consciously balance our lives and regain our true power!

Hurt

We find it much easier to talk about others' feelings. When it comes to ourselves, we are more at ease discussing our  positive emotions. Why are we hesitant to speak about our true feelings? Are we being considerate, as our words may hurt someone or are we protecting ourselves for fear of being vulnerable and getting hurt?

Hurt can be physical and/or emotional. Our physical hurt is visible, we are comfortable to discuss it and at times we even brandish it as a badge of honour. The emotional hurt often gets buried, not dealing with it doesn't make us forget it or make it disappear, it makes us defensive and hurt keeps accumulating.

Feeling hurt is very natural, it serves as a indicator, alerting us to look further into our feelings,  understand the cause and then nurture ourselves back to our natural balance.

Can we start accessing our hurt that we have covered up one by one. The time has come to heal, be in balance and dance to life's music. 

Needs & Desires

We have needs and desires. Our needs must be satisfied for us to live and grow. Do we need our desires to be fulfilled for us to blossom?

It certainly seems so, as we feel small or unsuccessful if we haven't achieved our desire. Have you noticed as soon as a desire is met another one comes up and so on.

Why do we desire? Is it because we have a hunger for life and keep wanting OR are we falling victim to our ego. There is nothing wrong in wanting provided that you understand that one want typically leads to another and fulfillment is always "around the corner"

Lets be aware of our needs and desires and observe when we feel connected to our true self.  

Limited or Limitless

Have you seen an eagle soaring in the sky ...... the  vast sky seems limitless.

Why do we spend so much time imposing limitations on ourselves? The more we study and learn, and as we get older the boundaries keep being drawn. A time will come where we may feel claustrophobic or boxed in.

We are responsible for all this. How would you feel if you started removing these limitations one by one?

We can do anything if our heart is set on it. We need to believe and feel that and reconnect with our authentic self that knows we are limitless. Lets tune in and live the unlimited possibilities of life!

Perfection

How many times have you heard yourself or someone say "I'm a perfectionist." What is this need to be perfect?

Once we reach perfection......what next? How do we grow from there or is it the end of our growth? Everyday will be the same, it sounds quite dull. Imperfection is where life's energies are at. There is an aliveness, a sense of freedom and excitement

For all those of us that may be trying to be perfect, don't you want to just free yourself from that bondage and be perfectly imperfect!!.... allow your perfection to emerge from your imperfections.

Humility

We strive to create wealth and be successful. Power, money, success feeds our ego which can get larger as we progress and achieve more.

Being humble, whatever our situation, connects us to our true self. The moment we feel that we are extra special or more important than others we lose our connection and operate from the EGO.

What does it cost us to be humble in our interactions and treat people with respect no matter what their/our position?

Humility is much more endearing and magnetic than our wealth can ever be.

Lets try it today......... not only at the place of worship but also in our daily interactions.

Gratitude

We all have alot to be grateful for. Each of us experience and interpret our blessings differently.

Lets remind ourselves to be thankful everyday and enjoy the journey, the NOW, who knows what the destination will be like!!

Expressing gratitude is one of the strongest messages we send to the Universe. It may sound cliched, however, it is the one of the most meaningful acts when we show and share our joy with others.

Do not take anybody for granted, be present to their support and be grateful!  Express gratitude to the Divine and all the other beings that support our lives.

Aggression

In today's world aggression is deemed a necessity.

If you are not aggressive at work the inference drawn is that you lack ambition and the fire to succeed. However, in the personal and family context being aggressive is viewed negatively and instills fear.

A paradox?

Expressing our opinions passionately is a gift. However, when we express ourselves to intimidate we are using aggression to manipulate. When we manipulate we are coming from weakness rather than the strength we try to project. Assertiveness has no fear attached and doesn't intimidate, in all other respects when we are aggressive we lose our true power when ironically we are trying to show it!!

Opportunity ....part 2

Does opportunity come knocking on our door or do we have to go out in search for opportunities? The universe has its rhythm and if we are in tune opportunities present themselves when they are meant to. We need to be ready to accept and not question.

At times if you are feeling a lack of opportunities, ask yourself what is it that you are holding on to that may be blocking the flow? When we are ready to shift the universe will present what we need. We just need to trust and surrender!

Appreciation

Do you recall that expansive feeling inside when you have just been appreciated. We are social beings who blossom when we are nurtured and appreciated.

Being appreciated is a priceless feeling and ironically costs us nothing when we appreciate someone. Lets be conscious now and aware of how little we may appreciate the people and things that become part of our daily existence. We start taking them for granted and it feels like a jolt out of the blue if they are suddenly taken away.

Besides providing great positive reinforcement, appreciation also expands the boundaries of relationships. Lets start expressing our appreciation more - at home, at work, with friends and feel how expansive it makes you feel!