Daily Meditations

December 9, 2009 1 Comment

Tao gives birth to one. One gives birth to two. Two gives birth to three. Three gives birth to ten thousand things. Ten thousand things find harmony by combining forces of positive and negative.

 

A violent man will die a violent death. That will be the essence of the teaching. The wise person embraces the one and sets an example to all. Not putting on a show, he shines; not justifying himself, he is distinguished; not bragging, he receives recognition. He does not quarrel, so no one quarrels with him.

 

We barely know that which is highest. We know that which we love, that which we fear, and that which we despise. Who does not trust enough will not be trusted. He who knows others is wise. He who knows himself is enlightened. He who has little shall receive. He who has much shall be embarrassed. Those who know honor but practice humility will be as a valley receiving all the world into it. Achieve, but do not glory in the results. Achieve, but do not boast of the results. Achieve results, but not through violence. Force is followed by loss of strength. The way is sacred; you can not own it He who would win it would destroy it. He who would hold it would lose it. You will find, therefore, that sometimes things are in front and sometimes they are behind. Sometimes there will be strength and sometimes there will be weakness. Thus, the sage avoids extremes, indulgences, and complacency. Understanding comes to those who have realized their true selves. Realization of their true selves comes to those who have gained understanding.

 

To him who has reached the Tao and is master of his true self, the universe shall be dissolved. Should he find himself in the company of loud and aggressive persons, he is like a lotus flower growing in muddy water; touched by it but unsoiled. With deep self-realization, a person influences the universe with his subtle vibrations, and is less affected by the flow of events. Those who attain self-realization on earth live a twofold existence. They conscientiously perform their work in the world, but are inwardly immersed in spiritual peace. Human life is full of sorrow, until we know of the “Way” whose “right course” may be confusing to the egoistic intelligence. To reach the goal of perfect peace empty yourself of all things. All of nature stands before your eyes. The ten thousand things grow and flourish, and then return to the source, regaining perfect peace. This is the way of Nature: the way of nature is unchanging. He is enlightened who has learned this well. And he who knows of it will be tolerant; and being tolerant is therefore just. Being just you will have an open mind. With an open mind you will be open hearted. With an open minded and open heart and acts of grace you will attain the divine. Being divine, you will be at one with the Tao. Being at one with the Tao is eternal. And though he body dies, the Tao will never pass away.

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A Separate Reality

December 9, 2009 Leave a Comment

A Separate Reality
Disconnecting From The Source

We all experience periods where we feel separated from the loving ebb and flow of the universe. These times of feeling disconnected from the source may occur for many reasons, but self-sabotage is the most common cause for us choosing to cut ourselves off from the flow of the universe. We purposefully, though often unconsciously, cut ourselves off from this flow and from the embrace of humanity so we can avoid dealing with painful issues, shun the necessary steps for growth, or prevent the success that we are afraid of achieving from ever happening. When you choose to disconnect from the source, you block the flow of the universe’s energy from passing through you. You become like a sleepwalker who is not fully awake to life, and your hopes, plans, and dreams begin to appear as distant blurs on a faraway horizon. Universal support has never left you, but if you can remember that you became disconnected from source by choice, you can choose to reconnect.

Reconnecting with the universe grounds you and is as easy as you making a concerted effort to become interested in the activities you love or responding to what nurtures or stimulates you. You may also want to make a list of the activities and kinds of experiences that touch your soul. Try to pinpoint the times when you have felt fully engaged and aware and ask yourself what you were doing. But one of the easiest ways to reconnect is simply by stating the intention of doing so.

When you disconnect from the universe, your sense of purpose, creativity, and ability to be innovative are not as easy to access. You may also experience a deep and empty sense of longing or feel devoid of ideas or unworthy of love. It’s important, however, to recognize that being disconnected from the universe is never a permanent state, and it can be reversed any time you decide that you are ready to reconnect. When you are connected to the universe, all aspects of your being will feel alive as the flow of the universe pours through your being and into your life.

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Beginnings And Endings

December 9, 2009 1 Comment

Beginnings And Endings

Cycle Of Life

As we walk through the world, the people we encounter appear so different from one another. We see babies, old men, pregnant women, and teenaged boys. We know couples on the verge of marriage and lonely widows. We interact with toddlers and the terminally ill. As different as each person seems, they are all living the human experience. They are just at different places in the cycle that begins with birth and ends with death. Every phase of the cycle of life has its gifts and its challenges. Each stage is temporary and ultimately gives way to a new phase. This ephemeral quality makes each phase precious, because it will never last. One of the wonderful qualities possessed by babies and young children is that they are unaware that a cycle of life even exists. They simply are present to wherever they happen to be right now, and they don’t give much thought to the past or future. Being around them reminds us of the joy that comes from living fully in the moment. On the opposite end of life’s cycle are our elderly role models. They are a reminder that each phase of life should be treasured. Time does pass, and we all change and grow older. Being aware of the cycle of life and our place in it makes us wiser. As we develop a true appreciation for the phase we are in, we can savor it more. A new mother going through a difficult time with her infant can more easily embrace her challenges because she knows that her child will grow up, and she will long for this time again. Difficult and challenging periods are inevitable, but – like everything that is a part of the cycle of life – they are temporary. When we are fully engaged with life, we get to savor and grow from each phase, and we are ready for the next one when it arrives. Fully embracing wherever you are in the cycle of life is the very essence to happiness.

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Do Unto Others

December 9, 2009 Leave a Comment

Do Unto Others
The Golden Rule

All over the world, there exists a simple precept that, when followed, has the power to end conflict and banish strife. It is the Golden Rule, a key concept in many philosophies and spiritualities that admonishes us to “do unto others as we would have them do unto us.” Its meaning is clear: treat others only in ways that you would want to be treated. However, the golden rule is not always easy to follow. It can be a challenge to honor others as we wish to be honored. Yet, when we do so, we bestow a gift of loving kindness on our fellow human beings. And, in honoring others, we honor ourselves.

It is as uncomplicated a tenet as one could wish for. When we live by it, harming another person becomes nearly impossible. The Golden Rule is rooted in pure empathy and does not compel us to perform any specific act. Rather, it gently guides us to never let our actions toward others be out of harmony with our own desires. The Golden Rule asks us to be aware of the effect our words and actions may have on another person and to imagine ourselves in their place. It calls on us to ask ourselves how we would feel if what we were about to do were directed toward us. And yet this rule invites us to do more than not harm others. It suggests that we look for opportunities to behave toward others in the same ways that we would want others to act toward us. Showing compassion, being considerate of others, caring for the less fortunate, and giving generously are what can result when you follow the Golden Rule.

Adhering to the Golden Rule whenever possible can have a positive effect on the world around you because kindness begets kindness. In doing so, you generate a flow of positive energy that enfolds everyone you encounter in peace, goodwill, and harmony

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Evolution Through Exploration

December 9, 2009 Leave a Comment

Evolution Through Exploration
Purpose

Most living things belong to a particular soul group and are born knowing their purpose in life. An animal will spend its day foraging for food, taking care of itself and its young, and creating a home. No one tells an animal to do this, yet it instinctively knows how. Humans, for the most part, are not born consciously knowing what their purpose is. Purpose gives our life meaning. When you discover your purpose, you can live your life with intention and make choices that serve your objective for why you are here on the planet. Finding your purpose is not always easy. You must embrace life wholeheartedly, explore many different pathways, and allow yourself to grow.

Your purpose is as unique as you are and will evolve as you move through life. You don’t need anyone’s permission to fulfill your purpose, and no one can tell you what that purpose is. Finding and fulfilling your purpose can be a lifelong endeavor. To figure out what your purpose is, ask yourself what drives you – not what forces you out of bed in the morning, but what makes you glad to be alive. Make a list of activities that you wish you were involved in or think about a career path that you would love to embark upon. These are the endeavors that can help you fulfill your purpose and bring you the most satisfaction.

Picture yourself working on projects that don’t interest you or fulfill your purpose, yet they help satisfy your basic survival needs. Imagine how living this way each day would make you feel. Next, picture yourself devoting your time to projects that spark your imagination, inspire, excite, and satisfy you. More often than not, these activities are some of the ways that you can fulfill your life purpose. Time spent on these endeavors will never feel like a waste. Live your life with purpose, and you will feel significant and capable because every action you take and each choice you make will have meaning to it.

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