Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Embrace the healing

Shedding Light On Ourselves
Parts That Don’t Want To Heal


When we choose that which is not best for us, there can be a deep seated part of us that does not want to heal.


In almost every case, we know what is best for us in our lives, from the relationships we create to the food we eat. Still, somewhat mysteriously, it is often difficult to make the right choices for ourselves. We find ourselves hanging out with someone who leaves us feeling drained or choosing to eat fast food over a salad. We go through phases where we stop doing yoga or taking vitamins, even though we feel so much better when we do. Often we have no idea why we continue to make the less enlightened choice, but it is important that we inquire into ourselves to find out.

When we choose that which is not best for us, the truth can be that there is a deep seated part of us that does not want to heal. We may say it’s because we don’t have the time or the energy or the resources, but the real truth is that when we don’t take care of ourselves we are falling prey to self-sabotage. Self-sabotage happens unconsciously, which is why it’s so difficult to see that we are doing it. The important thing to realize is that this very part of us that resists our healing is the part that most needs our attention and love. Even as it appears to be working against us, if we can simply bring it into the light of our consciousness, it can become our greatest ally. It carries the information we need to move to the next level in our healing process.

When we recognize that we are not making healthy choices, we might even say out loud, “I am not taking care of myself.” Sometimes this is the jolt we need to wake up to what is actually happening. Next we can sit ourselves down in meditation, with a journal, or with a trusted friend to explore the matter more thoroughly. Just shining the light of our awareness on the source of our resistance is sometimes enough to dispel its power. At other times, further effort is required. Either way, we need not fear these parts that do not want to heal. We only need to take them under our wing and bring them with us into the light. 

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Nothing - enjoying the gap

I'm supposed to have lunch with my boss to discuss my future.  What should I tell him?

I want a raise, I want a promotion, I want to know what options are out there in case the pitch fails...

The cards say "Nothing" right now.  I need to sit and listen when I'm in Sedona.

I'll have answers by Monday....


5. No-Thingness
Try Again

Zen Tarot Card
No-Thingness

Buddha has chosen one of the really very potential words - shunyata. The English word, the English equivalent, "nothingness", is not such a beautiful word. That's why I would like to make it "no-thingness" - because the nothing is not just nothing, it is all. It is vibrant with all possibilities. It is potential, absolute potential. It is unmanifest yet, but it contains all.

In the beginning is nature, in the end is nature, so why in the middle do you make so much fuss? Why, in the middle, becoming so worried, so anxious, so ambitious - why create such despair? Nothingness to nothingness is the whole journey.
Osho Take it Easy, Volume 1 Chapter 5

Commentary:
Being "in the gap" can be disorienting and even scary. Nothing to hold on to, no sense of direction, not even a hint of what choices and possibilities might lie ahead. But it was just this state of pure potential that existed before the universe was created.

All you can do now is to relax into this no-thingness...fall into this silence between the words...watch this gap between the outgoing and incoming breath. And treasure each empty moment of the experience. Something sacred is about to be born.

Lottery Tickets?

Hmm, it's raining today.

Should I buy a lottery ticket?

Friday, April 16, 2010

Property and building

I met some friends who were able to build a fabulous house inexpensively.

Tonight we will be visiting a property with a tear-down house.

If we can get a good deal maybe we'll build another home this time with a better location and school district.

Fingers crossed.

Meetings get in the way of thinking

It's weird how days can run away due to meetings.  It is also weird how little progress can be made in meetings.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

A dream or a reality?

I am being challenged to think whether my objective is a dream or a reality?  Do I need concrete financial objectives?  Or is being so rich that you don't have to worry enough?  Is it too much to ask?  Don't all great things start with a dream, a vision?

Be the change

It seems like I need to be the change I want in my life.  There is no point waiting for it to happen.  By being the change I'll attract the people and things I need.

***



April 13, 2010
Owning the Roots
Leading by Example
Often the best way to create change is not to try to convince others to change, but to change ourselves.


We all know from experience that we can’t change other people, yet most of us have a tendency to try. This is because we naturally feel the need to do something to change situations that we find troubling. It often doesn’t occur to us that the best way to create change is not to try to convince others to change but to change ourselves. When we make adjustments from within, we become role models for others, and leading by example is much more inspiring than a lecture or an argument.

We sometimes look outside ourselves for what’s wrong with the world, but the outside world is really just a mirror reflecting us back to ourselves. When we encounter negativity—anger, depression, fear—we empower ourselves by looking for its roots inside of ourselves. For example, if you have a friend who is unreliable, observe yourself and notice if there are ways in which you are unreliable. You may be surprised to discover that you have your own struggles with this issue in ways you weren’t able to see. Once you own the issue for yourself, you can begin to work for change within yourself. This will also enable you to have more compassion for your friend. At the very least, as you strive to become more reliable, you will become more of the person you want to be. In the best-case scenario, you will be an inspiration to others.

You can apply the same method to larger issues. For example, if there is something you see in the larger world that you would like to change—let’s say, greed—try taking responsibility for changing it in yourself. Instead of being angry with those you see as greedy, seek out the roots of your own greed and come to terms with your power to transform it. This may be the best way to lead the world toward greater moderation and generosity. 

Holding the space

Last night I fell asleep at 9:30pm.  I was so tired from holding this new intention.  Meeting people, opening myself to possibilities took energy.

Monday, April 12, 2010

Meditation

Today, I sat down to meditate for 30 minutes.  It was surprisingly easy when it is usually a struggle to sit for more than 11 minutes.

It is time to shield myself from external pressures to succeed.  Finding happiness and financial freedom will require a strong core.


Osho Zen Tarot

2. Inner Voice
Try Again


Zen Tarot Card
Inner Voice

If you have found your truth within yourself there is nothing more in this whole existence to find. Truth is functioning through you. When you open your eyes, it is truth opening his eyes. When you close your eyes, it is truth who is closing its eyes.

This is a tremendous meditation. If you can simply understand the device, you don't have to do anything; whatever you are doing is being done by truth. You are walking, it is truth; you are sleeping, it is truth resting; you are speaking, it is truth speaking; you are silent, it is truth that is silent.

This is one of the most simple meditation techniques. Slowly, slowly everything settles by this simple formula, and then there is no need for the technique. When you are cured, you throw away the meditation, you throw away the medicine. Then you live as truth - alive, radiant, contented, blissful, a song unto yourself. Your whole life becomes a prayer without any words, or better to say a prayerfulness, a grace, a beauty which does not belong to our mundane world, a ray of light coming from the beyond into the darkness of our world.
Osho The Great Zen Master Ta Hui Chapter 23

Commentary:
The Inner Voice speaks not in words but in the wordless language of the heart. It is like an oracle who only speaks the truth. If it had a face, it would be like the face at the center of this card - alert, watchful, and able to accept both the dark and the light, symbolized by the two hands holding the crystal. The crystal itself represents the clarity that comes from transcending all dualities.

The Inner Voice can also be playful, as it dives deep into the emotions and emerges again to soar towards the sky, like two dolphins dancing in the waters of life. It is connected with the cosmos, through the crescent-moon crown, and the earth, as represented by the green leaves on the figure's kimono.

There are times in our lives when too many voices seem to be pulling us this way and that. Our very confusion in such situations is a reminder to seek silence and centering within. Only then are we able to hear our truth.

Daily energy



Osho Zen Tarot

11. Breakthrough
Try Again

Zen Tarot Card
Breakthrough

To transform breakdowns into breakthroughs is the whole function of a master. The psychotherapist simply patches you up. That is his function. He is not there to transform you. You need a meta-psychology, the psychology of the buddhas.

It is the greatest adventure in life to go through a breakdown consciously. It is the greatest risk because there is no guarantee that the breakdown will become a breakthrough. It does become, but these things cannot be guaranteed. Your chaos is very ancient - for many, many lives you have been in chaos. It is thick and dense. It is almost a universe in itself. So when you enter into it with your small capacity, of course there is danger. But without facing this danger nobody has ever become integrated, nobody has ever become an individual, indivisible.

Zen, or meditation, is the method which will help you to go through the chaos, through the dark night of the soul, balanced, disciplined, alert. The dawn is not far away, but before you can reach the dawn, the dark night has to be passed through. And as the dawn comes closer, the night will become darker.
Osho Walking in Zen, Sitting in Zen Chapter 1

Commentary:
The predominance of red in this card indicates at a glance that its subject is energy, power and strength. The brilliant glow emanates from the solar plexus, or center of power on the figure, and the posture is one of exuberance and determination.

All of us occasionally reach a point when "enough is enough." At such times it seems we must do something, anything, even if it later turns out to be a mistake, to throw off the burdens and restrictions that are limiting us. If we don't, they threaten to suffocate and cripple our very life energy itself.

If you are now feeling that "enough is enough," allow yourself to take the risk of shattering the old patterns and limitations that have kept your energy from flowing. In doing so you will be amazed at the vitality and empowerment this Breakthrough can bring to your life.

Day One - help from the stars





I was just thinking last night that the way I would get financial freedom would be with the help of people that I had been genuinely nice to.  Other people have a way of accelerating our lives.


This is an amazing horoscope from the Los Angeles Times.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22): A huge project may technically be over, but there are still many loose ends to wrap up.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): You will be extraordinarily lucky, and it will all stem from your compassionate thoughts and deeds.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23): Match the intensity and tone of your partner. Relationship harmony paves the way for good fortune.