There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. …[A]s we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others. ~Marianne Willamson I had a friend who, although barely five […]
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Every time I drive to my forest cabin in the mountains, I pass a hand painted wooden sign nailed to a tree that says “Wake up, America!” While I don’t necessarily agree with the sentiments of the person who posted this sign, I do support the idea of inviting people to wake up. Spiritual teacher
I am never upset for the reason I think. ~A Course in Miracles What happens when we feel disturbed? The mind starts thinking. Emotions flood the body with sensation. At least that is what happened to me recently when I got upset after a conversation with someone. I was upset about what the other person
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I could see peace instead of this. ~A Course in Miracles A friend of mine some years ago had worked very hard to get to a position of success. He had a good job and was well respected in his professional community. One family member, however, was in a difficult situation, mostly of their own
The Power of Choice Read More »
I don’t need to go there. ~Swami Khecaranatha When I use my car’s GPS to set my route to a particular destination, sometimes I miss a turn or even intentionally take a little detour, distracted by one thing or another. The nice computer lady who gives me directions never fusses at me. I see the
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When Love crashes through mind’s familiar understanding of how things ought to be, mind can only cry out, “That’s a miracle!” “No,” Love answers, “that’s just the way I am.” ~Emmanuel’s Book III This whimsical quote always makes me smile. Love, apparently, has some attitude, and delights in expressing itself, sometimes to everyone’s surprise. Yet,
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When pushed and pulled to make differentiationsSimply say “Not two” This quote is from a 5th century Buddhist poem by Sengan, Third Chinese Chan Patriarch, translated by Dan G. Reid in The Thread of Dao. The words reach across the centuries as the perfect reminder for today, election day in the United States, a day
Greetings to all and wishes for a good start to the new year. I was at my cabin for New Year’s Eve. I did my usual ritual of writing a letter to the old year thanking it for its blessings, and a letter welcoming the new year. It’s normal as a year ends to reflect.
I began this year every morning saying a prayer I wrote asking for liberation, whatever it takes. When people asked me what I meant by liberation, I said I wanted to release anything and everything that blocked my awareness and experience of union with the divine. I recommitted myself to my practice of allowing, trusting,
Liberation Looks Like Love Read More »
Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on these things. ~Philippians 4:8 Since the beginning of the year, I have paid a lot more attention to my thoughts. Many of us
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“Judge not,” said Jesus. Two words, not hard to understand. Yet, by all appearances, almost impossible to obey, even by, sometimes especially by, those who claim to follow the teacher who said them. I don’t think this teaching discourages using good judgment or discernment. I think it is cautioning us against setting ourselves apart by
I’m Here to Love You Read More »
We are here to awaken from our illusion of separateness. ~Thich Nhat Hanh Several people have asked me recently how I cope with all the sh*t going on in the world. They want to know how I find compassion for all the people saying and doing things that, at least to some, seem, hmm, how
Recently someone said something to me that upset me. It was not meant to upset me, but I experienced it somewhat like an intrusion, even a violation, although that might be too strong a word. However well intended, it was too personal and crossed a boundary I had not even known was there. Having heard
It Does Not Touch You Read More »
Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it. ~George Santayana Oops! I did it again. ~Britney Spears Many of us have caught ourselves at one time or another repeating a pattern or a mistake, and thinking, “I knew better. Why did I do that again?” Our history can teach us to
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I’ve mentioned the technique I used for years of writing with my non-dominant left hand to respond to prayers or questions I addressed to the Universe or God or whatever name you prefer. I found that my left hand accessed a source of wisdom in some mysterious way that I can’t explain. I don’t think
Message from the Universe Read More »
A few nights ago, my grandson called me. He was crying so hard I could not understand the words he was gasping through his sobs. I thought something horrible had happened. Trying to stay calm, I asked him to tell me again what happened. “Mom…put…lettuce…on…my…taco,” he wailed. Um, really? My anxiety melted
The most important decision we make is whether we believe we live in a friendly or hostile universe. ~Albert Einstein What power we hold, and most of us don’t even know it. We mistake our lens of judgment for objective reality and fall victim to it. I remember a furious friend telling me that a
A person at birth is soft and gentle At death is hard and unyielding Sprouting plants are tender and supple At death are brittle and dry Stiff and unyielding are associated with death Soft and gentle with life The wisdom in this chapter is easy to understand from our own observations. Babies learning to
Tao Te Ching – Chapter 76 Read More »
What is the difference between an enlightened person and an unenlightened person? The unenlightened person sees a difference.I read this joke recently in Miracles Magazine. I wanted to find the source for it, so I Googled the question. And what do you know? I found LOTS of answers seriously offering a variety of litmus tests to
Just the Way They Are Read More »
I must not fear. Fear is the mind killer. Fear is the little death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone
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