Are there circumstances in which you almost always get nervous? Do you question your ability to meet a challenge? I know I've felt this way many times. I get that adrenaline rush, that queasy feeling in my stomach, a racing heart. Even after I have attempted and successfully completed the same thing many times. What gives?
Listening to a neurologist the other day, he said it has something to do with our brain's wired response to avoid a perceived loss -- this is an automatic function based on dopamine. Okay. That at least helps me understand . . . a little. I still feel it. So, I have come up with different coping tools -- reframing the situation in my mind into something nonthreatening, getting support from friends, de-emphasizing "me" in favor of "them," not making a story out of it. That helps with self-consciousness.
However much all these help, I am finding one way that seems to be the best -- see it as service. Find your heart in your endeavor, and see yourself as the vehicle to deliver a service in whatever form that is appearing in that moment. For me, I see myself delivering love. This takes the focus off of me. I shift my thinking and thus my perception to how my contribution is meaningful, and I open and accept myself as a "love" deliverer.
Next time you find yourself feeling nervous about anything, I invite you to try this, and please, let me know what happens.
Love,
Andrea
Friday, August 27, 2010
Friday, August 6, 2010
Working ourselves to death
Are you on the hamster wheel? Are you working yourself literally, "to death?" Do you know someone who is?
I've known several someones who have or are doing this. It is really quite remarkable to see a beautiful soul clutch the belief that if I just work myself to the point of exhaustion where I'm falling asleep at my desk, that that is somehow necessary and normal. Just amazing, and, quite honestly, a little sad.
I surely could guess at what is behind this -- fears about survival, a desire to escape the present, a need to validate one's worth or existence, or any other number of things. Plus, our culture is so workaholic. Have you seen the latest show from Tony Robbins? Breakthrough? I watched it for the first time the other night. He arranged for a man who needed a job to go to work for this maniac restaurant owner in NYC who was an extreme workaholic and expected that of his employees. He was unpleasant to his employees, to say the least. Tony Robbins obviously saw this as a good thing, or he wouldn't have recommended this. Somehow, this was going to make things right for this man and his family. This man was certainly happy to have a job! But, what are the values expressed in this? In order to succeed, one must subject oneself to an angry, abusive boss, and become a slave to the work. It's all or nothing. All this was justified by the idea that this is what it took to be "great." It is the quest for perfection.
I don't buy it. I'm not saying this isn't what this individual needs. Obviously it is, because it is happening. I am saying that there is a cost. Perhaps there will be success in the short run, but what about the long run? No human being can survive that for long and maintain wellness. We wonder why people are suffering from chronic illness, obesity and mental health issues.
I understand the fear that drives one to become what a wise spiritual master calls "feverish" -- that frantic energy that comes from fear and need and pain and desire. I've been a victim of this myself. I don't think it's worth it. It's not loving to yourself, or the people around you. The cost is very high.
Of course, you can't tell someone who is suffering from this to stop, or change. They have to come to that themselves. Sometimes you can make an observation, or suggest they take a look. Sometimes this works, depending on how open that person is. But, if they are caught in the grips of fear, and trying to take control, I wouldn't count on it.
It's best to accept that what is, is. It is exactly what must happen. Then choose to love. Your thoughts?
Love,
Andrea
I've known several someones who have or are doing this. It is really quite remarkable to see a beautiful soul clutch the belief that if I just work myself to the point of exhaustion where I'm falling asleep at my desk, that that is somehow necessary and normal. Just amazing, and, quite honestly, a little sad.
I surely could guess at what is behind this -- fears about survival, a desire to escape the present, a need to validate one's worth or existence, or any other number of things. Plus, our culture is so workaholic. Have you seen the latest show from Tony Robbins? Breakthrough? I watched it for the first time the other night. He arranged for a man who needed a job to go to work for this maniac restaurant owner in NYC who was an extreme workaholic and expected that of his employees. He was unpleasant to his employees, to say the least. Tony Robbins obviously saw this as a good thing, or he wouldn't have recommended this. Somehow, this was going to make things right for this man and his family. This man was certainly happy to have a job! But, what are the values expressed in this? In order to succeed, one must subject oneself to an angry, abusive boss, and become a slave to the work. It's all or nothing. All this was justified by the idea that this is what it took to be "great." It is the quest for perfection.
I don't buy it. I'm not saying this isn't what this individual needs. Obviously it is, because it is happening. I am saying that there is a cost. Perhaps there will be success in the short run, but what about the long run? No human being can survive that for long and maintain wellness. We wonder why people are suffering from chronic illness, obesity and mental health issues.
I understand the fear that drives one to become what a wise spiritual master calls "feverish" -- that frantic energy that comes from fear and need and pain and desire. I've been a victim of this myself. I don't think it's worth it. It's not loving to yourself, or the people around you. The cost is very high.
Of course, you can't tell someone who is suffering from this to stop, or change. They have to come to that themselves. Sometimes you can make an observation, or suggest they take a look. Sometimes this works, depending on how open that person is. But, if they are caught in the grips of fear, and trying to take control, I wouldn't count on it.
It's best to accept that what is, is. It is exactly what must happen. Then choose to love. Your thoughts?
Love,
Andrea
Friday, July 30, 2010
Joy and gratitude within
Last Sunday, I did my regular Kriya practice. After the practice, we watched a webcast of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar at the annual Gurupurnima event, this time held in Connecticut. Gurupurnima is an annual celebration where one reflects on the past year's growth, and recognizes all the master teachers who have come to earth to share their truth. It is also the time to make your request for the upcoming year. The greatest request, of course, is for liberation -- for enlightenment.
I was very comfortably sitting on my back-jack (a yoga "seat" that supports your back) watching as Sri Sri entered the room and greeted the thousands of people in attendance, who were also sitting on their back jacks, yoga mats and blankets. Many were on their feet to greet the guru.
I had just completed my two-hour practice, so was very calm. I felt great. When Sri Sri walked in, I started crying. Even though he was in Connecticut, and I was in Tempe, and I was watching a webcast, my soul felt his soul. My heart opened, and I cried at the love I felt. The love that someone who has let go of everything that stands in the way of his connection to divine love is and can share. I could not hold it back. My tears flowed.
In that moment, I felt nothing but love, joy, and gratitude. Gratitude that I was experiencing the love that I am, and for what he is doing in the world -- helping others to experience that for themselves, and helping the world heal in other more practical ways through the foundation. Contributing money and volunteers to help people in need in so many parts of the world. I felt deep gratitude for what all the people involved in this organization are doing for our earth and all the people on it.
I love it when this happens. Just like those times when I have meditated and experienced the deep joy that already exists within me, it reminds me that I have all I need, right now. And so does everyone else. It is just a matter of unlearning and opening.
Of course, that also means that I am part of the love -- I am part of the healing of our planet and of the people who I touch. We are all connected. We are one. So, whatever we can do to allow that which we truly are to surface, the better are our lives and everyone else's. For me, that involves doing Kriya, meditation, gaining knowledge and expressing the God-given gifts I've been given.
I've also found that embracing this life and living it to the fullest is part of the divine plan. We are human. Experiencing our humanity is why we are here. So, I embrace my humanness and want to experience the most I can out of this trip to earth. I want it all. But what is "all?" It is loving the experience, whatever it is. It is loving, period.
We don't need to "try" to be joyful or grateful. When we place our attention on love, it happens. Just like that. In the moment. Because that is what we are. Nice to know, huh? Your thoughts?
Love,
Andrea
I was very comfortably sitting on my back-jack (a yoga "seat" that supports your back) watching as Sri Sri entered the room and greeted the thousands of people in attendance, who were also sitting on their back jacks, yoga mats and blankets. Many were on their feet to greet the guru.
I had just completed my two-hour practice, so was very calm. I felt great. When Sri Sri walked in, I started crying. Even though he was in Connecticut, and I was in Tempe, and I was watching a webcast, my soul felt his soul. My heart opened, and I cried at the love I felt. The love that someone who has let go of everything that stands in the way of his connection to divine love is and can share. I could not hold it back. My tears flowed.
In that moment, I felt nothing but love, joy, and gratitude. Gratitude that I was experiencing the love that I am, and for what he is doing in the world -- helping others to experience that for themselves, and helping the world heal in other more practical ways through the foundation. Contributing money and volunteers to help people in need in so many parts of the world. I felt deep gratitude for what all the people involved in this organization are doing for our earth and all the people on it.
I love it when this happens. Just like those times when I have meditated and experienced the deep joy that already exists within me, it reminds me that I have all I need, right now. And so does everyone else. It is just a matter of unlearning and opening.
Of course, that also means that I am part of the love -- I am part of the healing of our planet and of the people who I touch. We are all connected. We are one. So, whatever we can do to allow that which we truly are to surface, the better are our lives and everyone else's. For me, that involves doing Kriya, meditation, gaining knowledge and expressing the God-given gifts I've been given.
I've also found that embracing this life and living it to the fullest is part of the divine plan. We are human. Experiencing our humanity is why we are here. So, I embrace my humanness and want to experience the most I can out of this trip to earth. I want it all. But what is "all?" It is loving the experience, whatever it is. It is loving, period.
We don't need to "try" to be joyful or grateful. When we place our attention on love, it happens. Just like that. In the moment. Because that is what we are. Nice to know, huh? Your thoughts?
Love,
Andrea
Friday, July 23, 2010
The thing about flakiness
While I was hiking up a mountain with a friend, getting a good sweat going, we were talking about flakiness. That tendency by some to not do what they say they are going to do. To not "show up" as they had committed. All of us do this sometimes. We either think we have a good reason, or something happens outside of our control. Whatever. Some of us do this a lot of the time.
This has been a pet peeve of mine for as long as I can remember. I think it goes back to wanting to feel secure -- to hold on to something, or someone, so I feel safe. Plus, it is inconvenient sometimes, and downright frustrating at other times, to count on, or depend on, someone and then they don't deliver when they said they would, or at all.
I've tossed this around for a long time, and I've come to this: This is part of the human experience. To believe that this "shouldn't" be this way is insane, because it is, and a set-up for frustration. Better to accept that, for whatever reason, this is necessary and let it be.
Now, I do have choices. I can choose to associate with people who mostly do what they say they will, because no one, including me, can be 100 percent. People will let you know early on the degree to which this is their M.O. However, I can remember that just because someone says they will do something, I need to wait and see. This is not a problem, just reality. There's no need for judgment. Every individual has the right to live his or her life however it makes sense to them. That is respect. I do not have the right to decide what someone else "should" do. That's disrespect.
This reality is so much kinder. I would so much rather know and make a choice, then want things to be different and spend a lot of mental time and energy on it. It frees me up to make a new choice based on the way things are, and thank them for that.
Feels much better this way. This feels like love. Love for what is. Love for myself. Love for others. Who knows? Maybe I'm flaky in someone else's book. I'd sure rather be treated with respect and love than judgment and disapproval. Your thoughts?
Love,
Andrea
This has been a pet peeve of mine for as long as I can remember. I think it goes back to wanting to feel secure -- to hold on to something, or someone, so I feel safe. Plus, it is inconvenient sometimes, and downright frustrating at other times, to count on, or depend on, someone and then they don't deliver when they said they would, or at all.
I've tossed this around for a long time, and I've come to this: This is part of the human experience. To believe that this "shouldn't" be this way is insane, because it is, and a set-up for frustration. Better to accept that, for whatever reason, this is necessary and let it be.
Now, I do have choices. I can choose to associate with people who mostly do what they say they will, because no one, including me, can be 100 percent. People will let you know early on the degree to which this is their M.O. However, I can remember that just because someone says they will do something, I need to wait and see. This is not a problem, just reality. There's no need for judgment. Every individual has the right to live his or her life however it makes sense to them. That is respect. I do not have the right to decide what someone else "should" do. That's disrespect.
This reality is so much kinder. I would so much rather know and make a choice, then want things to be different and spend a lot of mental time and energy on it. It frees me up to make a new choice based on the way things are, and thank them for that.
Feels much better this way. This feels like love. Love for what is. Love for myself. Love for others. Who knows? Maybe I'm flaky in someone else's book. I'd sure rather be treated with respect and love than judgment and disapproval. Your thoughts?
Love,
Andrea
Friday, July 9, 2010
If we really trusted . . .
If we really trusted . . . what would be different?
What would be different in what you choose to do, who you choose to love, how you spend your time, where you spend your resources? What would be different? Or would anything be different?
Have you considered this? What does it mean to trust? What, or who do you trust? These questions can elicit some very deep responses -- sometimes deep enough to ignite a realization.
If I really trusted, I would live in the moment and "do" whatever that all-knowing consciousness "asks" to be done, and then be done with it. I would repeat this process over and over again, never questioning, always surrendering to that source to direct my actions, and experiencing joy along the way. I wouldn't look to the future for that fulfillment. Everything is now. This is what it would look like if I really trusted. Okay then.
Sometimes I do this, and there is such a feeling of joy, and amazement at what is happening. Most of the time, I'm thinking, planning, striving. In other words, not trusting.
How about you? What do you experience?
Love,
Andrea
What would be different in what you choose to do, who you choose to love, how you spend your time, where you spend your resources? What would be different? Or would anything be different?
Have you considered this? What does it mean to trust? What, or who do you trust? These questions can elicit some very deep responses -- sometimes deep enough to ignite a realization.
If I really trusted, I would live in the moment and "do" whatever that all-knowing consciousness "asks" to be done, and then be done with it. I would repeat this process over and over again, never questioning, always surrendering to that source to direct my actions, and experiencing joy along the way. I wouldn't look to the future for that fulfillment. Everything is now. This is what it would look like if I really trusted. Okay then.
Sometimes I do this, and there is such a feeling of joy, and amazement at what is happening. Most of the time, I'm thinking, planning, striving. In other words, not trusting.
How about you? What do you experience?
Love,
Andrea
Friday, July 2, 2010
Summer time, physics, and other time-less thoughts
Does it seem to you as if everything has slowed down in the last couple of weeks? Literally, as if someone put life on slow-mo? That's not true. Time is still time. But, because so many people are on vacation, there is not as much activity, and so it seems as if "time" has slowed down. It is a perception.
I listened to a speaker the other day talk about saving time and losing time, and it just struck me as funny. He was talking about being more efficient, and then having time to do other things. But time actually did not change. His perception of it did, and what he did in it did.
I am not a physicist. I've been watching the science channel lately, learning some new things. Some physicists have developed something called the "M" theory, in which there are 11 dimensions to reality, not three. "Time" is one of them. I believe Einstein had something to do with that. That's as far as I'm willing to go with the science on time. Instead, I'm noticing our language about time, and how, based on our language, we can actually talk ourselves into believing things that are not true. Are we really "saving" time, or "spending" time?
The spiritual teacher, Eckhart Tolle, talks and writes about the Now. The Now is all there is, and never changes. The Now is the only moment, and that moment never changes. What changes is what happens in the Now -- what happens in the moment -- and that can feel like time is speeding up, or slowing down. It is our perception. I've also noticed that when I am not "in the Now," but rather in my head thinking about things, time seems to go faster. Being in the present moment seems to slow time down.
Summertime, and the livin' is easy. A thought about that song lyric is what started this whole blog about time. It's as if, in the summer, we all give ourselves permission to slow down and go with the flow. Maybe it's the heat. Whatever it is, it seems as if time has slowed down.
What does any of this have to do with love? Whatever "time" is, what is true is the existence of the Now. And, the Now -- that thing that never changes -- is love.
Love,
Andrea
I listened to a speaker the other day talk about saving time and losing time, and it just struck me as funny. He was talking about being more efficient, and then having time to do other things. But time actually did not change. His perception of it did, and what he did in it did.
I am not a physicist. I've been watching the science channel lately, learning some new things. Some physicists have developed something called the "M" theory, in which there are 11 dimensions to reality, not three. "Time" is one of them. I believe Einstein had something to do with that. That's as far as I'm willing to go with the science on time. Instead, I'm noticing our language about time, and how, based on our language, we can actually talk ourselves into believing things that are not true. Are we really "saving" time, or "spending" time?
The spiritual teacher, Eckhart Tolle, talks and writes about the Now. The Now is all there is, and never changes. The Now is the only moment, and that moment never changes. What changes is what happens in the Now -- what happens in the moment -- and that can feel like time is speeding up, or slowing down. It is our perception. I've also noticed that when I am not "in the Now," but rather in my head thinking about things, time seems to go faster. Being in the present moment seems to slow time down.
Summertime, and the livin' is easy. A thought about that song lyric is what started this whole blog about time. It's as if, in the summer, we all give ourselves permission to slow down and go with the flow. Maybe it's the heat. Whatever it is, it seems as if time has slowed down.
What does any of this have to do with love? Whatever "time" is, what is true is the existence of the Now. And, the Now -- that thing that never changes -- is love.
Love,
Andrea
Friday, June 25, 2010
Being tormented, or being educated, by the mind
Have you noticed that you have two choices when it comes to your mind? You can be tormented, or you can be educated. You can use your thoughts to make yourself crazy, or you can use them to bring greater understanding about yourself and how you see the world. The more loving option is number two.
I have believed my thoughts without question for a good part of my life. Most of us do. Even with all the personal growth work and spiritual growth, I still find that I believe my thoughts most of the time. We don't know any differently. We don't know they are mostly fiction. We don't know they are just our interpretation of events, as seen through our filters, and very rarely have any legitimacy whatsoever. It is not until we start to question them that we realize, we've been living under a veil of confusion. That veil of confusion causes our pain, our sadness, our anger -- all our unhappiness. When the veil is lifted -- when we see reality for what it is -- we experience peace of mind, joy and love. We experience kindness, for ourselves, and for others. We cease to be the victim, and see that everything that happens to us, happens for us. We experience the truth.
Putting our thoughts to the test takes a commitment of time and energy. It takes a desire to know the truth, and a willingness to let go of anything else that is not truth. Of course, having a way to do this is essential. I've experienced and experimented with several, and they have all been beneficial.
Right now, I am doing the work of Byron Katie and using her process of inquiry. I continue to learn from the knowledge and do the spiritual kriya/meditation practice shared by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, which has enabled me to experience myself as love and peace at a much deeper level than before. I also love the people I meet. And, on occasion, I meet with a Unity minister when I want to talk with someone in the flesh.
In the past, I have benefited from the work of Don Miguel Ruiz, Eckhart Tolle, the Course in Miracles, the Bible, the 12-Step program, Religious Science, Parmahansa Yogananda, and other representations of the same truth. While this might seem kind of strange to some, this has been my journey and it has brought me to this point of understanding, so it is all good.
This process of self-realization is the greatest path of love. It is returning to the love you are, in your mind anyway. Because, we can never really "leave" our reality, even when we are unaware.
Every moment, I have the choice of whether to be educated, or tormented, by my mind. Right now, I choose to be educated and receive the love, peace and joy that brings. It's a thought-to-thought choice.
What's your choice?
Love,
Andrea
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
