Blessing must arise from within your own mind. It is not something that comes from outside. When the positive qualities of your mind increase and the negativities decrease, that is what blessing means. The Tibetan word for blessing … means transforming into magnificent potential. Therefore, blessing refers to the development of virtuous qualities you did not previously have and the improvement of those good qualities you have already developed.
― Dalai Lama XIV
Today’s meditation shows us a vision of life beyond the freedom of getting unstuck. This is the vision of a life of creative evolution where our spiritual growth is not directed from outside forces, or even our internal beliefs and ideas. When the evolution of our awareness is directed from our higher self, we experience a limitless life, a life filled with joy, love, beauty, and peace. This is the life you were always meant to live.
Our centering thought for today is:
I realize every day that my true purpose is to evolve.
“When you do things from your soul, you feel a river moving in you, a joy.” – Rumi
Stay Grateful, Walk in Beauty - You Have Everything You Need
Each of you is discovering the truth of your nature, that you already have everything that you see...k, and that it is all vibrationally focused at your center. That stuff that appears to you in the outside world is just the outward manifestation of something you have already gestated vibrationally on the inside for a long time, in your imagination, in your beliefs, in your musings.
The Source of Everything is focused through your center of being. And if you want to change the shape of your world, that is the place to go to do it. Everything you might pursue on the outside—money, food, relationships, sex—throws you off balance. There’s nothing bad about any of it. Its not a question of this is good and this is bad. That’s irrelevant. What is relevant is if you call it to you through your center of being, and allow it to be delivered by Source; or if you go out on a journey or an action quest to try to find fulfillment outside of yourself.
You already have everything within. You have been given everything. So when you go out on a quest you are giving up everything to try to catch something that is really just an elusive physical shadow of the real world of vibrational essence. You have the real world within. Your time within is worth a billion of whatever you might catch without. Stay focused, stay centered—much more important than anything you might pursue. Stay centered even when you are in pursuit. Walk in Beauty. That’s what that expression means. And where is Beauty? It lies within. Bright blessings on your time-space journeys,~Twelve www.TwelveSpirit.net
David Brooks is an American conservative political and cultural commentator who writes for The New York Times. He has worked as an editorial...Wikipedia
— Donald Trump has found an ingenious way to save the Democratic Party. Basically, he’s abandoned the great patriotic themes that used to fire up the G.O.P. and he’s allowed the Democrats to seize that ground. If you visited the two conventions this year you would have come away thinking that the Democrats are the more patriotic of the two parties — and the more culturally conservative.
Trump has abandoned the Judeo-Christian aspirations that have always represented America’s highest moral ideals: toward love, charity, humility, goodness, faith, temperance and gentleness.
He left the ground open for Joe Biden to remind us that decent people don’t enjoy firing other human beings.
Trump has abandoned the basic modesty code that has always ennobled the American middle class: Don’t brag, don’t let your life be defined by gilded luxuries.
He left the ground open for the Democrats to seize middle-class values with one quick passage in a Tim Kaine video — about a guy who goes to the same church where he was married, who taught carpentry as a Christian missionary in Honduras, who has lived in the same house for the last 24 years.
Trump has also abandoned the American ideal of popular self-rule.
He left the ground open for Barack Obama to remind us that our founders wanted active engaged citizens, not a government run by a solipsistic and self-appointed savior who wants everything his way.
Trump has abandoned the deep and pervasive optimism that has always energized the American nation.
He left the ground open for Michelle Obama to embrace the underlying chorus of hope that runs through the American story: that our national history is an arc toward justice; that evil rises for a day but contains the seeds of its own destruction; that beneath the vicissitudes that darken our days, we live in an orderly cosmos governed by love.
For decades the Republican Party has embraced America’s open, future-oriented nationalism. But when you nominate a Silvio Berlusconi you give up a piece of that. When you nominate a blood-and-soil nationalist you’re no longer speaking in the voice of Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt and every Republican nominee from Reagan to McCain to Romney.
Democrats have often been ambivalent about that ardent nationalistic voice, but this week they were happy to accept Trump’s unintentional gift. There were an unusually high number of great speeches at the Democratic convention this year: the Obamas, Biden, Booker, Clinton, the Mothers of the Movement and so on.
These speakers found their eloquence in staving off this demagogue. They effectively separated Trump from America. They separated him from conservatism. They made full use of the deep nationalist chords that touch American hearts.
Trump has allowed the Democrats to mask their deep problems. A Democratic administration has presided over a time of growing world chaos, growing violence and growing anger. But the Democrats seem positively organized and orderly compared to Candidate Chaos on the other side.
The Sanders people have 90 percent of the Democratic Party’s passion and 95 percent of the ideas. Most Sanders people are kind- and open-hearted, but there is a core that is corrupted by moral preening, an uncompromising absolutism and a paranoid unwillingness to play by the rules of civic life.
But the extremist fringe that threatens to take over the Democratic Party seems less menacing than the lunatic fringe that has already taken over the Republican one.
This week I left the arena here each night burning with indignation at Mike Pence. I almost don’t blame Trump. He is a morally untethered, spiritually vacuous man who appears haunted by multiple personality disorders. It is the “sane” and “reasonable” Republicans who deserve the shame — the ones who stood silently by, or worse, while Donald Trump gave away their party’s sacred inheritance.
The Democrats had by far the better of the conventions. But the final and shocking possibility is this: In immediate political terms it may not make a difference.
The Democratic speakers hit doubles, triples and home runs. But the normal rules may no longer apply. The Democrats may have just dominated a game we are no longer playing.
Both conventions featured one grieving parent after another. The fear of violent death is on everybody’s mind — from ISIS, cops, lone sociopaths. The essential contract of society — that if you behave responsibly things will work out — has been severed for many people.
It could be that in this moment of fear, cynicism, anxiety and extreme pessimism, many voters may have decided that civility is a surrender to a rigged system, that optimism is the opiate of the idiots and that humility and gentleness are simply surrendering to the butchers of ISIS. If that’s the case then the throes of a completely new birth are upon us and Trump is a man from the future.
If that’s true it’s not just politics that has changed, but the country.
One of life's most fulfilling moments occurs in the split-second when the familiar is suddenly transformed into the dazzling aura of the profoundly new.
Edward B. Lindaman(gratefulness.org)
No need to fear... Don't be afraid. You needn't slay the beast or scale the entire mountain. That's not how it's done. You only need to move through today, Ron....
Think of the distance you've already covered. Focus on your strengths. Let each new step remind you of your freedom. Let your every breath remind you of your power. Seek out friends and guides; they're anxious to help. You're not alone. You're understood. This road has been walked before. Dance life's dance, just a few steps at a time, and in the wink of an eye you will wonder to yourself, "What beast, what mountain? Was I having a dream?" Love you, The Universe
We are all Buddha's. Even if you have no desire to become a Buddhist or follow that path, within your heart lies the buddha. It is your enlightened state of awareness and consciousness, and we can live from an enlightened place no matter what path we choose to follow.
"As long as you don't forgive, who and whatever it is will occupy rent-free space in your mind." -- Isabelle Holland
We cannot avoid daily resentment and thoughts of guilt. They are a part of human nature. What we can do is release their grip on us. We can forgive others and ourselves daily. Forgiveness requires nothing in return. There are no conditions. It gets rid of old baggage and clears up unfinished business. It leads us to a life of authenticity, lightness and directness. Forgiveness is the highest form of letting go of resentment and ego. True forgiveness is more than an apology, understanding and acceptance. There is an element of recreating and re-imagining. There is a need to envision ourselves as more loving, interdependent, courageous and compassionate. Forgiveness requires honouring the sacred journey of learning about life - our life and others'. "Whatever we have done, we can always make amends for it without ever looking back in guilt or sorrow." -- Eknath Easwaran
Every day, whether we consciously realize it or not, we are growing into a more complete and fulfilled self. To develop our self-awareness most effectively requires our deepest creativity. With our creative self, we participate in the shaping of our experiential reality. We are not mere spectators in an objective world; we are co-creators involved in forming not only what we experience, but also how we experience it.
Today’s meditation shows us that the skill of this creative contribution comes through the expanded and heightened awareness of meditation.
Our centering thought for today is:
I participate to the fullest in creating my personal reality.
“The closer you come to knowing that you alone create the world of your experience, the more vital it becomes for you to discover just who is doing the creating.” – Eric Micha'el Leventhal
Om Brahma Namah I invoke the creativity of the cosmos in my life.
Moving Beyond Romanticism Posted July 26, 2016 As you become more conscious in a relationship, you can no longer milk it for its romanticism, because it is more interesting than that. It really is, but people keep wanting to romanticize their lives all the time. It’s…
Along the road to finding creative solutions, it is inevitable that there will be some challenges that cross your path. To address these obstacles that arise from other people, it is important to always maintain an attentive and respectful awareness.
Today’s meditation shows us that creative solutions overcome difficulties through listening, respecting, and opening up to a broader perspective that incorporates and supports both points of view. This is what it means to get to “yes” in a creative way.
Our centering thought for today is:
I want a “yes” that’s good for everyone.
“Deep listening is miraculous for both listener and speaker. When someone receives us with open-hearted, non-judging, intensely interested listening, our spirits expand.”– Sue Patton Thoele
As we experience greater joy and ease in our lives, it is natural to want to share this experience of expanded awareness with others. But even well-intentioned sharing can feel intrusive and unwelcome if it doesn’t build on the other person’s own curiosity and interest. Today’s meditation shows us that the best way to share the gift of expanded awareness is to simply let your awareness speak for itself, and then respond to other people’s curiosity and interest accordingly.
Our centering thought for today is:
I bring to others the same joy and fulfillment I want for myself.
“The best teachers show you where to look, but don’t tell you what to see.” – Alexandra K. Trenfor
Today’s meditation is about learning to access the creative solution to any challenge you may face. This begins with the recognition that the solution can never be found at the level of the problem. We must expand awareness beyond the conditioned perspectives, opposition, and confusion of our limited minds. By opening awareness through meditation, we come to know our essential self to be the source of all creative solutions.
To make a creative space we need to encourage appreciation, openness, and acceptance. If we are too rigid, closeminded, and judgmental, then the flow of creativity is restricted and blocked. Today’s meditation teaches us to listen to and respect everyone’s contributions. When we can show gratitude and appreciation for all the gifts that are offered in the present moment, we will have an environment where creative solutions always flow.
Akhando Hum My awareness is unlimited.
Our centering thought for today is:
I create a space around me that is open and appreciative.
"Accept what is in front of you, without wanting the situation to be other than it is. Nature provides everything, without requiring thanks and provides for all.” – Lao Tzu
I Have Limitless Faith My knowledge that the Essence of my being is Love, and is ever available to me, gives me an increasing capacity to draw upon It. And to ...become increasingly aware of the presence of this Essence, this Spirit. There is something at the center of my being that is absolutely certain of itself. It gives me complete assurance that all is well. I am a Divine Being here and now. I know that in this consciousness of Reality is the supply of my every need – physical, mental or spiritual – I accept that supply in deepest gratitude.
I am thankful that this is the way Life fulfills my needs, through the doorway of my inner self, and I am thankful I know how to use this perfect Law. I come to this great Fountain of supply, in the very center of my being, to absorb that for which I have need, mentally, physically, and I am filled with the sense of Reality of that which I desire. I know that Love is at the root of everything, regardless of its seeming absence. Since there is but one Spirit and this Spirit, this Essence is in me and in everything, then wherever I go I meet this Divine Essence. I meet it in all people, in all places, and in all things. There is a Essence of Love permeating everything, flowing through everything, becoming all things. I that limitless faith in this unconquerable Presence. (Ernest Holmes/Ron Alexander)
Remember, Ron, the whole point of this "drill," besides the daily adventures, falling in love over and over again, and the color purple, was simply to give you a little vacation from being Me. You don't have to take everything so seriously.
Bring out Goodness from Everywhere
Goodness Grace - Us! Seek goodness everywhere, and when it is found, ... bring it out of its hiding place and let it be free and unashamed.
"But what if I fail of my purpose here? It is but to keep the nerves at strain, to dry one's eyes and laugh at a fall, and baffled, get up and begin again." - Robert Browning
“I must say a word about fear. It is life's only true opponent. Only fear can defeat life. It is a clever, treacherous adversary, how well I know. It has no decency, respects no law or convention, shows no mercy. It goes for your weakest spot, which it finds with unnerving ease. It begins in your mind, always ... so you must fight hard to express it. You must fight hard to shine the light of words upon it. Because if you don't, if your fear becomes a wordless darkness that you avoid, perhaps even manage to forget, you open yourself to further attacks of fear because you never truly fought the opponent who defeated you.” ― Yann Martel
“I must say a word about fear. It is life's only true opponent. Only fear can defeat life. It is a clever, treacherous adversary, how well I know. It has no decency, respects no law or convention, shows no mercy. It goes for your weakest spot, which it finds with unnerving ease. It begins in your mind, always ... so you must fight hard to express it. You must fight hard to shine the light of words upon it. Because if you don't, if your fear becomes a wordless darkness that you avoid, perhaps even manage to forget, you open yourself to further attacks of fear because you never truly fought the opponent who defeated you.”
