Life Flows On Your Thoughts

How does your life flow? Do you go through life in fits and starts? Does it seem as if you're jumping from one situation into another? We have a tendency to create drama even when there's no call for it. I have found myself, at times, focusing my thoughts on negative outcomes in order to 'be prepared' for that anticipated eventuality. More often than not, that sort of 'preparation' brought about the focused upon outcome. But recently I've been pleasantly surprised by events because of my change in focus. I still will delve into the negative anticipation of an event on occasion, but I no longer maintain focus on the negativity. Instead I channel my focus and energy on the outcome that I desire to experience; I focus on already being in the situation that I desire to be in. Consequently, outcomes have become quite positive and in some cases even unanticipated. This is a testament to the practice of living in the now. I keep reinforcing the fact that FEAR (Future Events Appearing Real) presents an illusion that prevents the creation of the actual outcomes we desire. What we focus on is what we create. Fortunately, creation requires sustained focus. So the occasional negative thought does not necessarily translate into the outcome. However, continued focus on a fear can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. So how do we avoid creating what we don't want? Well, take out the "don't" and focus on the desired outcome. 'Wanting' implies lack and wanting something does not provide anything. It focuses your thoughts on what you do not currently have. Being grateful for what you have now expresses to the universe that you are ready for more to be grateful for. Feeling grateful places you in a positive vibration, whereas wanting is a negative energy that sucks the life out of the present moment. If you're going around constantly thinking about what you don't have, you aren't providing any energy towards attaining the thing you desire. You are only providing energy to the 'want'. Wouldn't you prefer to put your energy to better use? Life definitely flows better when you aren't constantly thinking about all the scenarios that might happen (and haven't).

Gratitude is an Attitude for every day

Thanksgiving Day in the United States is a holiday celebrated by the majority of people in the country. The original intent has been overshadowed by commercialization and modern traditions. However, my intent here is not to rant negatively, but to focus on the Attitude of Gratitude that seems to be celebrated only once a year in this country. We have so much to be thankful for EVERYDAY. A beautiful sunrise. The smile of a friend, spouse, lover, stranger. Friendship. Family. A roof over your head. Running water. Electricity. FREEDOM. Power of choice. It goes on and on and on.... Taking things for granted prevents us from activating the The Law of Gratitude (The more you give, the more you will receive. The more you assist others, the more you will assist yourself. The power of this Law works in your day-to-day life.). It doesn't hurt to take a moment every now and then to reflect and give a silent Thank You for what is transpiring in that moment. When we focus our attention on what we are thankful for, we raise that positive vibration into the universe and are thus helping humanity in general. Quantum Physics has demonstrated to us that what we think and focus on becomes our reality. Maintaining a positive vibration no matter the circumstances in life helps us all; therefore, your gratitude becomes "the gift that keeps on giving". That's easy now, isn't it? So let's keep this attitude going everyday. You have a choice to see things in a different way, no matter what the circumstance. Be thankful for the lesson and the opportunity to learn. We are here to experience life, so let's be thankful and grateful for this wonderful experience. Thank YOU for sharing and being. Namaste.

Mother Nature's Correction in San Diego

I am just now being led back to creating an entry here. It has been difficult to capture all the feelings and thoughts flowing through me during the past couple of weeks. Living in San Diego during the recent Wildfire event has brought many challenges, blessings, and lessons. The initial challenge for me was to "walk the talk" of choice. Choosing to view this occurrence just as it is without judging it was especially difficult during the 24-7 news coverage. For some reason, I have been having resistance to writing in this blog for the past few weeks. The intention has been there, but the desire and energy has not. I have given up on forcing myself to do anything I do not want to do or feel like doing. I haven't tried to understand why I wasn't in the right vibration for communicating in this space; I leave that up to the Divine. The only thing to focus on now is that I AM back to this. So I will attempt to catch-up on the past few weeks and provide some pics that will help to illuminate this part of my journey. This one is of the sunrise (taken from Cowles Mtn) the morning of the 21st (Sunday). The fires would begin this day in the east county area (the mountains you see the sun coming up behind). The Wild Fires occupied attention and focus (and continue to do so) during this time. It is very ironic that my previous post was about resiliency and renewal from the previous fire event (Cedar Fires) that occurred here in 2003. Fortunately my friend's rebuilding efforts were not destroyed as her area was spared this time. That can not be said for quite a few folks in this area. Although the Cedar Fires were the largest in our local history, they had the unintended benefit of reducing the amount of possible damage during this event. Kind of gives a new perspective on fire damage, eh? Not to belittle the trauma that has been caused to many, but the fact is these events DO have a purpose. If we come from a perspective of responsibility, Divine purpose, and non-judgement, we can view this event as an opportunity. An opportunity to express our best selves. An opportunity to learn. An opportunity to be more than how we view ourselves. This is a picture of the sunset Sunday evening (21st), taken from Fiesta Island (Mission Bay area). Smoke from the fires was drifting towards the ocean. At this point the fires were beginning to rage out of control and Mother Nature was exerting her muscles via strong Santa Ana winds (up to 70 mph gusts). Those winds drove the fires through the Rancho Bernado, Rancho Santa Fe, Poway, and Ramona neighborhoods. The scope of the fires hadn't really begun to hit home to those in the immediate San Diego area; people were pretty much going about their daily routines. The evacuation calls would go out this evening as these pics illustrate. We went to bed concerned, but not alarmed, as this is the fire season in SoCal. The media hadn't gotten into the full drumbeat of hysteria as yet. The morning greeted us much differently with constant updates of road closures and mandatory evacuation notices broadcast continuously via the airwaves and internet. The air was acrid and dense with smoke. We had to close up all windows and openings to the outdoors, which emphasized the dire warnings to stay off the roads and indoors. The 24/7 news coverage fanned flames of a different sort as our media types raced each other to bring us the latest information first and best. In fairness to them, I personally believe they provided good service to the area. I was pretty addictive to find out and view the latest images and info as it was presented. I normally don't watch TV, but found myself either in front of it or viewing newscasts online. It did get pretty repetitive after awhile and began to get numbing over time. At home I was safe and relatively unaffected, while other fellow citizens were being evacuated from their homes or were fighting to save them. One of the lessons for me during this time was the fact that the universe decides what/when is good timing. I was in the process of finalizing job prospects between two companies and the outlook was very positive in both cases. I ended-up with offers from both companies, but the fires disrupted what I thought the timing should be. So even though I was being provided with great opportunities, I was reminded emphatically that the timing is not on my schedule. These shots are of the sunset on Tuesday (23rd) taken from Rancho Mission Canyon. The smoke was in full flow and made for interesting colors. At this point I was busy helping manning the phone banks of Volunteer San Diego's disaster response team. I also helped at the Qualcomm evacuation site distributing food to the evacuee's. It was very rewarding to see my community respond to the disaster as it did. We were turning volunteer's and food donations away due to the huge response. It was such a great feeling to be a part of the energy of giving that permeated Qualcomm. VSD's phone lines and website were inundated with prospective volunteers and we were hard-pressed to keep pace. In a sense it is unfortunate that it took a disaster to transform the normally disinterested, self-absorbed SD community into a caring, giving populace. But that's my judgement and something I must let go of. Things finally got back into a slight semblance of control on Friday (26th) as the winds began to shift to a more normal westerly direction. The fires weren't out, but we could sense the change in intensity. We began to think in terms of recovery (and that is ongoing now). People were being allowed back into their neighborhoods to assess damage and recover what was left. The news stories were focusing on the heroics and also some of the negativity began to creep back in; life was getting back to normalcy. The majority of San Diegans were physically unaffected by these events and it was evidenced in the return of normal modes of behavior. The fires would not be officially contained until the 29th. So now the community is in lessons learned mode. The 2003 fire lessons helped us to get through this one in a more effective manner, but there is still much to improve. The VSD Disaster Cadre set-up was a big help and I am very grateful to be a part of it. Being of service is one of the purposes of this life (IMHO). The feelings that I receive from helping are more than enough compensation and fulfill the essence of joy of living. If all of us made the effort to give to one another, what would this world be like? So, I am very thankful for the lessons provided during this time. I am continually amazed by the universe's diverse ways of providing us with experiences to grow from. What a wonderful opportunity we have been given to examine our lives and realize that there is more to it than chasing things external to us. Many folks here have been given the opportunity to see their life in a different manner and to realize what is truly important in their lives. What would you deem important enough to keep if you had to evacuate your home in 15 minutes? Who/what is most important to you? Could you start over now? The universe will test you on that someday.

Resiliency to recreate

I had a chance to spend some time this weekend helping a friend of a friend in rebuilding her home. Her original home had been destroyed in the Cedar fires that ravaged the San Diego County area in 2003. She lives near Julian, CA which is near the Cleveland National Forest and Cuyamaca Rancho State Park. The area where her home is located is beautifully situated (and isolated) among the hills and what used to be forest. Mother Nature is showing her resiliency in the growth that you can see among the burnt tree skeletons that has occurred in the 4 years since the fires.

It was fun and rewarding to be part of a group of people coming together to be of service to a friend. It helped to be in a beautiful, natural, setting even though it drizzled for a good part of the morning. We kept a fire going the whole day from the brush and deadwood that had accumulated and was still available as a result of the fires over 4 years before (irony indeed). Resiliency was a theme that kept recurring during the time spent helping: Carmen's attitude about the fire and rebuilding, the group's attitude about the rain and getting some work done, the way we had to maneuver the pieces of the roof (Quonset hut) and bolt the pieces together, the way the stars finally pierced through the cloudy sky that evening.

That night I literally slept under the stars. Such an amazing and awe-inspiring sight! To see the multitude of light-pinpoints really me in a state of bliss in the realization that we really are part of a special, incredible, creation. No matter what your beliefs, looking at a spectacular night sky has to hit you at an emotional, primordial level. How can one think of him/herself as "special" when confronted with the representations of trillions of energy producing objects in a relatively small slice of viewpoint? It makes you face the infinite creation power of the divine source of it all. And, WE are a part of that source! We all are representatives of that creative power, here to experience all aspects of ourselves.

We experience our own resiliency in many instances throughout our days. Think about it. How many times have you had to 'adapt' to a new situation or circumstance? Did you survive? Learn? Grow? Thrive? Are you the same person you were yesterday? Really? We are in a constant state of change, whether we want to realize it or not. Cells are dying and regenerating within our bodies at a rate that we do not appreciate. That's just physically.... So what is your mental rate of change? Are you stuck or resilient in your ways of thinking?

Namaste

Flying free

There are times when being who you are goes against the expectations of all around you, sometimes even your own. Recognizing that those expectations do not really have anything to do with you can help put things into perspective. Ultimately, the only person you can answer to is yourself. Once that realization settles into your being, you are set free to live life without limitations.... the way we were meant to live.

I write this as a reminder to myself to recognize that there are no expectations to be met. I have set myself some goals to do certain things at certain times, but my soul seems to have a different time frame to follow. This journey I am on has been one filled with discovery and progressive enlightenment. Getting to the point of Allowing has been a rollercoaster of experience. My gratitude for these experiences expands daily. It amazes me at times the changes a shift in thought can bring about in your life. It also baffles me how easily one can revert to old ways of thinking and acting in a millisecond.

Life is such a gift. It makes you appreciate the divine design to experience one's self in all manner of circumstances. I finally realize the purpose in experiencing the low's in order to truly appreciate the wonder of the high's. Its amazing how we take things for granted until we experience the opposite condition.

But labeling these experiences in such a manner only perpetuates the judgements we place upon them. Experiencing without judging the circumstance provides an indescribable freedom. We humans seem to have a need to label and judge everything. Our cultures have trained us to be so. Think about that the next time you decide to chastise your child for acting or thinking in a manner that is contrary to 'expected' norms. Are we repeating teachings that have been perpetuated for the past decade, century, millenia? Twenty years ago the Internet was an academic exercise. Now we are in the beginnings of true global awareness and this awareness is accelerating despite the "old guard" efforts to hold things to the same ol same ol. Are you perpetuating this type of thinking?

The limitations we place upon ourselves are the only things truly holding us back. I am discovering this on a daily basis and have been working to get out of my own way. The path is clear for everyone who makes an inspired effort. It is that in-spiration that helps to show the way. It is only when we connect with our inner spirit that the way to true freedom becomes apparent. Realization that we are connected in spirit and are reflections of the divine gives the knowledge, the knowing, that we are more than the perpetuated illusion that is modern life. Each of us has the ability to choose how our life progresses, or not. Therein lies the free-will given to us, we get to choose. Be aware that you CAN choose, that you have chosen to this point. But now you can be aware of the choices that you make. I've chosen to see all things in my life as the gifts that they are. Everything I am and will be stems from the choices I have made and am making. This awareness gives me the freedom to live in this MOMENT and appreciate it. You can fly free as well.

Namaste

Following "The Way"

This shot was taken Oct 2nd as the sun began its journey from the east. It is looking toward Cuyamaca Peak which is northeast of the San Diego area. I've been listening to Dr Wayne Dyer's Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life: Living The Wisdom Of The Tao audio book on my treks up Cowles Mountain in the mornings to capture the sun's appearance over the eastern mountains. The Tao Te Ching is a classic Chinese text written by Lao Tzu which provides a road-map, of sorts, to living the inspired life. I will share some the teachings and perceptions I receive as I go along. A majority of the verses point towards water as an example of how to live life. The patience and the flow of water provide a great metaphor for how to deal with life's perceived troubles. Grasping and holding onto water does you no good, you can't do it. The only way to experience water is to place your hands in it and allow it to flow. Life is the same way; the more you try to force things to happen, the more resistance you encounter. The saying, Going with the flow, takes on more meaning when viewed in this light. I'm learning the difficulty of actually practicing this. It's not easy to just let things happen. The ego wants things to happen NOW. It wants to be in control. But there is a divine timing and rhythm to life. The key is to allow and surrender, understanding that everything is taken care of already.

Here's a shot of me taken this morning at the summit on my 49th b-day after the trek up Cowles mountain trail. The trail up is 1.5 miles long with an elevation gain of about 900 ft. Alot of people run up and down the trail. In the early morning, you'll see a number of people on the trail that make me feel young (looking anyways). The thing we all have in common is being in the moment as we hike up the mountain. That's another way of being in the flow. I'm fairly slow going up compared to most folks and even slower going down. That's okay by me. Sometimes its difficult to let go of comparisons to the other hikers when they are speeding past you. It's just another opportunity for me to allow myself to be me and not worry about other's perceptions.

So much to absorb and chronicle in the next year. One thing I know I'll be doing is learning and growing. So by the time next year's b-day comes along, I'm looking forward to all of us being another year wiser. I'll end here with a quote provided by Dr. Dyer:

"There is no way to happiness, happiness IS the way."

Namaste

Beginning a new journey with appreciation

When I quit my job as an engineer in March this year, I was driven by an urge to express my creativity and discover my spirituality. Here it is October 1st and I've manifested my desires. Granted, appearances to some may seem like I've taken a few steps backward. That's where the illusion of this existence can come into play. I haven't bought into the illusions of this physical realm and have surrendered to the Divine to show me the way. By surrendering, I have allowed circumstances to show me how things fall into place when you follow your dreams and desires. I offer my appreciation daily for the support I've received through my friendships and the synchronicities that show up constantly. Its amazing how things line up when you change you mindset and focus on the positive. I'll expound more on that in future posts.

So now I begin the journey of creating a book which will chronicle my transition into my 5th decade of physical existence. My intention is to capture sunrises and sunsets daily for the next year. This morning's sunrise was greeted atop Cowles Mountain in Santee, CA. I currently reside about 1 mile away from Cowles, so a majority of the initial day breaks will more than likely be from there; but ya never know what the Universe has in store for me. So from here on out, I'll be showing samples of what I've shot and share some of my thoughts along the way.

Why is this guy smiling???

He's broke, virtually homeless, and now without a car.... So why's he smiling?

Because all his creations are coming into fruition. Yes, that statement may seem out of sorts... however, if you look at things from a different perspective from what is considered the "norm" it makes perfect sense.

Taking responsibility for all of my actions is the start. Realizing that what can seem like 'darkness' is actually the chaos that precedes the light at dawn gives one the joy of anticipation. I know that everything works out in divine timing and I am taken care of. That has been self-evident from my journey thus far. I am truly appreciative of my friends and family who have supported me (even while holding back on their misgivings). My gratitude for everything in my life, helps give me the needed perspective to keep looking forward. I focus on being joyful and happy, knowing in my heart that is the natural state for this existence. Anything contrary to that is illusion and something that isn't in congruence with true purpose.

You might be shaking your head about now... well, that's the normal programming. We all have the choice to judge or not judge everything that comes our way. No, I didn't intend to be in the situation I am currently in. These results are due to choices I made while still unconscious and unaware of my negative thoughts. However, I was (and am now) following my intuition and now realize that I am receiving the lessons that I needed to grow. To realize who I really am. A creator of his life. Now I focus on where I am headed, not where I've been. Secure in the knowledge that I can create anything I desire. My focus is on my intention and part of that intention is to assist folks by sharing my journey. By assisting you, I help myself. Maybe my story will resonate with you, maybe not. At the very least, I will be putting some positive energy out into the world. Stick with me as I grow. Maybe I'll show you a way to grow too.

Namaste

The Light is Always Shining

Life is wonderful. How do you feel when you read that statement? For me, the truth is always shining through as I journey along on my path. Everyday is a blessing, a gift, and an opportunity for discovery. I was at a friend's home in the Escondido, CA area when I took this picture in the middle of what passes for a rain "storm" in SoCal. I was struck by the areas of light shining through the rain clouds. It brought to mind that darkness can only hide the light, not abolish it. Light is always there. There are situations in life where it can seem like there is nothing but darkness. But we have the choice to see beyond the darkness. Remembering that the light is always shining somewhere can assist us in seeing the truth of the situation. It's made a big difference in my attitude and Being to see all situations from this perspective. Everything is a gift and a learning experience that allows us to fulfill our purpose. You do believe you have a purpose, dontcha? There's much more to this existence than showing up for work everyday and living for the weekend (IMHO). If that is what you are experiencing, are you at least grateful for it? Your gratitude allows your light to shine through. The light of your gratitude will also bring more of what you are grateful for into your life. Interesting thought, eh? There are so many paths up the mountain. There is no wrong or right way, just your way. And You get to shine your light in any direction you choose. Just remember to allow it to shine through.... Namaste

The Comfort Zone

I've recently made some (more) big changes in my life. I have let go of the majority of 'things' I had been holding onto and moved out of the home I had been living in for the past 7 years. Many of the items I have let go of, had been in my possession for over 20 years. Why would I make such a change?? If you have been reading my posts, you'll note that I've been focused on personal development. My hope is that sharing my experiences will help you on your journey and reinforce the lessons I am learning on my path. Now, it isn't easy to make changes that take you beyond your comfort zone. You know that familiar place that we all live in.... that place where we know what will/should happen as we go about our daily routine. Well as I've become more aware and conscious of my day to day actions, my intuition has gotten sharper and more insistent about doing things out of the normal routine. Once I determined what my purpose and desire to do in life is, I've begun making decisions that reflect the person who I want to be. Part of that included the realization of the things that were holding me back. This required me to depart my comfort zone. One of the things emphasized early in James Ray's Harmonic Wealth Weekend is: "When we encounter something new, we either retreat or we take a leap of faith and push out of our Comfort Zone. Your Comfort Zone either holds you back or expands with power and opportunity. The person of power views change as an opportunity for adventure and growth." I've chosen to view all my challenges as opportunities for growth. That viewpoint gives freedom from stress and worry. It also allows you to realize that YOU have the power of creation. Expanding your comfort zone is not easy; nor is it meant to be. Resistance comes from all angles and even from those who support you the most. It is at those times that you reinforce the lesson that everyone in your life is a reflection of your inner state (more on that in the future). So what's holding you back? Are your things keeping you in the comfort zone? What opportunities are you missing out on? These are the questions that have lead me to release and move on from old habits and attachments. You can't imagine how good it feels to let go of things that you've held onto for a long time. The energy contained in the attachments can be transformed into something better. By releasing my attachments, I am allowing the universe to replace them with something more in alignment with my greater good and purpose. I can't wait to see what comes my way and I'll share my experiences with ya. Namaste.

An Amazing Experience...

I attended James Ray's Harmonic Wealth Weekend event held here in San Diego this past weekend. What an inspiring, exhilarating, and enlightening experience James facilitated. I came out of this intensive experience with so much its hard to encapsulate in this space. I will be sharing many of the principals and teachings over time. I will use this entry to provide a foundation for follow-up subjects. James teaches the Universal Laws from a practical level (MY perspective). During the weekend he teaches, walks us through various interesting experiential exercises, and tells stories that illustrate and amplify teaching points. He is a very dynamic, engaging, and powerful speaker who was able to keep the attention of the audience through many hours. James teaches how to create practical real world results using spiritual principles. Click here to learn more. There were many "aha" type of lines that were provided during the event. One of my favorites is: "If you aren't growing, you're dying". That is so profound on so many levels. To me, it reinforces my need to continue to learn, study, and practice spiritual principals to enable me to experience a deeper level of connection to the source of creation. This enables and assists me to continue the discovery of Who I Really Am in this human existence. I hope I can help you on your journey as well. Namaste.

Light or Dark? What's Your Habit?

How do you choose to walk through life? Do you ever awaken in the morning dreading the day ahead? Do you let circumstances get the better of you and react negatively?

I read a great article provided by Adam Eason called "How to develop the habit of Happiness". It is actually a chapter from a book written over 100 years ago. I found the article relevant and useful. Here are some excerpts:

Happiness is a condition we are all seeking.

Happiness comes from within, not without. It is not what we have, or what we possess that makes us happy: it's what we are. When we know ourselves thoroughly; can reason and philosophize, and are at peace with ourselves, and are busy thinking of making others happy, and have a perfect mastery of ourselves; live in harmony with our environments and cease to care whether we are or not, then we are happy and have found the summum bonum. If we are not happy with a little, we will be less happy if we have more. It is attitude of mind, more than circumstances, that gives happiness.The way to be happy is to take advantage of the little opportunities that come to us to brighten life as we go along. Live in the NOW. Happiness is contagious. Happiness, like unhappiness, is a state of the mind. To give a prescription that might be applied to the entire human race would be a well nigh impossibility. Yet a principle may be adopted that would be practical, from which each man can work out the problem of 'How To Be Happy'.

The language is, as expected, somewhat dated but you get the intent and meaning don't you? We are always in control of how we feel. It may not seem that way at times, but if you choose to, you can decide what your reaction to any circumstance will be. You will find that the Laws of Vibration and Attraction will come into effect when you get into the habit of happiness and you'll get more of it. Namaste

Are Your beliefs holding you back?

There always seems to be an excuse for holding off on doing something we need to do. Maybe 'need' isn't a good term to use here. But I believe you know what I mean. We all can relate to procrastinating on something. The past can be filled with shouldas, wouldas, and couldas when viewed with hindsight. Procrastination is nothing more than our internal resistance to something which we perceive or judge negatively. Sometimes for no real reason other than our own internal fear. Fear which we may be manufacturing based on old beliefs. The best way to get around this is to re-examine your beliefs. A belief is something that can truly limit you. When you are open to different ideas, you can change old beliefs with new ones via experience. Many times old beliefs aren't even based on OUR experience, but on someone else's; or even just a story. Beliefs of many kinds are perpetuated upon us from various sources such as religions, media, and schools. We tend to take in the information from many of these sources without question and adopt them as our truth. The good news is we have the choice of what to believe as our truth. Our emotions and feelings will tell us what is true for us. The next time you are questioning something, rather than using the mind to determine your truth, use your heart. Our heart will always give us the truth through the feeling we get when we think on a subject. Try it for yourself. This valuable insight was reinforced to me during a healing session I attended this past weekend facilitated by Daniel Schmachtenberger. He is a gifted healer with a wonderful soul. Daniel is leading a Global Solutions Initiative which will be a gift to humanity and the planet. You can find out more about Daniel and his work here: http://www.experiencethesource.com/index.html. Namaste

A real eye Opener!!!

I just finished watching a fascinating documentary movie called Zeitgeist that challenges popular beliefs about religion, government, and current events. It is being provided for free here.

The topics will challenge your beliefs about the origins of religion and the recent 911 attacks. I won't give it away, but highly recommend you check this film out. It'll make you think!

Even though the film does at times present its points from a fear-based message, it has great value for providing you with a choice of how you can view information presented to us by the mass media. I feel the last 6 or 7 minutes of the feature are the main point and are the basis for my sharing my thoughts in this space with you: We Are ALL One and have a CHOICE in how we live our lives.

I intend to do some follow-up research on some of the points made in the film. The points made in the film will be viewed as inflammatory by the majority of people, but will cause the aware (and those who are becomming aware) to re-examine some of their beliefs. I'd love to 'hear' your thoughts about the film once you see it.....

Namaste

How Far Is Heaven?

Do you believe that "heaven" is a reward for a life lived as dictated by religious or societal rules? Does this mean you have to wait to reach heaven? If that is your belief, I honor your choice but offer my opinion.... dangerous ground to tread on for some folks; however an open, non-judgmental, mindset is a key to becoming more aware. Whatever you may view as heaven, can you agree that a joyous state of being is the ultimate goal? We have the ability and the divinely-provided gift to achieve that joyous state in any given moment. It is a choice we can all make. Unfortunately, we have been taught beliefs that are contrary to making a choice. Beliefs that hold us back from seeing the light. These beliefs come in all kinds of forms and are reinforced through the media, religious dogma, and conformance style thinking. The media reinforces beliefs. If you take the time to truly observe and analyze what you are watching, listening, or reading, you will note the amount of negativism being broadcast to you. It is a fear-based message being presented most of the time. Not always, but a good majority of the information presented is subtly judgement-based. Popular sitcoms present parables that denounce rich people, ways of life, tolerance, ways of thinking, etc. Advertising constantly feeds fears of disease, lack, and inadequacy. The constant bombardment of these subliminal messages affect us on a subconcious level and feed/reinforce beliefs. These beliefs act as clouds that block the light from shining through. They promote the illusion that "heaven" is a faraway destination to be strived for or be denied from. Fortunately, we can choose to see the light. We can choose to create our own heaven in each moment by savoring each experience. Joy can be derived from any situation when perceived without judgement and appreciated for the blessing being provided. We have that choice available to us. Namaste

Are you flying in formation?

Following the crowd is easy and the path of least resistance. Do you notice how when you attempt to act in a manner that is not "normal" how much resistance you get from family and friends? The resistance may not necessarily be obvious. There may be subtle hints, body language, and other signs of disapproval that are 'beneath the surface'.

Going 'with the flow' is the norm these days and expected behavior. There is a comfort in knowing that everyone is doing, acting, and being the same. However, the truth is we are ALL ONE no matter how we choose to act and BE. Part of the joy of this experience is we have free-will to choose the life we wish to experience. Unfortunately, free-will has been dampened by our various societies and is frowned upon whenever it goes against the perceived norms dictated by societal beliefs.

I'm not saying or judging that "flying with the flock" is in any way bad or wrong. What does your heart say? Isn't there something within you that cries out for expression? Have you accessed that Power within? When you are doing something which feeds the joy within, you are living life as it was meant to be. Experiencing joy and harmony in life is the purpose for which we exist. As Dr. Wayne Dyer says the Seven Faces of Intention are: creativity, kindness, love, beauty, expansion, abundance, and receptivity. Living a life based on expressing these intentions will allow you to experience something "the flock" may not lead you to.

A quote by Pericles:

"What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others."

Namaste

Where is your power?

Power, you ask? Whadya mean by that? Sometimes we caught up in day to day routines without thinking about the creations we manifest on a daily basis. Yes we create our day. From the time we awake in the morning until we fall asleep at night, we are creating our reality through our thoughts and actions. It is the quality of those thoughts and actions which can dictate your perception/judgement of the day you are living. Therein lies your power. It is a power that comes from within. Your sure knowledge of who you are and what you choose to think. Your choice of how you view a situation controls how strong (and what type of) an emotional response to that situation will be. If you are looking at (or judging) external sources as the "cause" for a given situation, you are giving your power away. We always have a choice in how to react, judge, or label any situation. Realizing this, gives us the power AND the responsibility for everything we experience in this existence. Taking responsibility for everything in your life is a key component to utilizing your power. Examining and being aware of your thoughts will give a good idea of whether you are using your power or not. Your emotions provide guidance as to where your thoughts are leading you. The emotions are the key to letting you know what type of energy you are vibrating. Remember, whatever energy you are vibrating is what you will eventually attract more of. So the power is in you. It it is always there. It is up to you as to how you use it. Namaste

Meeting the challenge

from Shakespeare: "Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt."

Sometimes we can feel overwhelmed by circumstances appearing in our life. The temptation is to judge the circumstance and lay blame on an outside source. Maybe label it negatively and then feed that emotion with more negativity. These judgements of the circumstances can prevent us from moving forward with an action due to the emotional fear generated. Reacting to fear is our biggest inhibitor to reaching our potential.

I have been dealing with very interesting challenges in my life lately due to decisions I've made several months ago. I had a well paying job as an engineer that I gave up to "pursue my passion" and explore/discover my true nature. I was led to this action from a series of circumstances/events that occured over the previous few years (looking back on it). If you are familiar with the movie "The Secret" and its coverage of the Law Of Attraction, then you'll understand when I say it was a major catalyst for my decision. Being trained as an engineer, I felt the need to analyze and study the concepts till I fully understood what was being taught. I found this an all-consuming task (and a never-ending one). The main thing I've learned is that there is more to the Universal Laws than just the Law Of Attraction. So much more as covered in previous posts. The lessons and teachers I have come across during this study have been invaluable to me. While my understanding is at best grade-school level, the changes in my life and attitudes towards it have been amazing. These changes in me have allowed me to deal with my challenges in a completely different manner than I would have previously.

Using tools like the Ho'oponopono method described in Joe Vitale's book Zero Limits and the Manifesting Miracles course from Nick Arandes have enabled me to handle the 'waves' of challenge that have come my way since I took "the leap". The lessons (circumstances) I have manifested in the past few months are the stepping stones on my path to discovering who I really am. I know that the illusions of these circumstances will be revealed as I continue to travel on my chosen path. I recommend you meet your challenges head-on and use whatever tools resonate with you to help you along on your journey. Namaste

The challenge in seeing the light

Challenges are a part of this existence. How we deal with them can help us define who we are. I believe we are here to experience all that living has to offer in order to express the essence of our being. My current path has placed many different challenges in front of me to learn from. That's what challenges are... a lesson to be learned. What you learn is up to you and can always be of great value. If you choose to judge your challenge as something "bad" or "dark", you are preventing yourself from gaining from it. Placing such a judgement on our challenges places us in a negative space which attracts more of the same type of energy. It can be difficult to see the 'light' in any challenge but the effort is worthwhile. Finding the gift in the challenge you are facing will transform any negative energy you've attached to it into a positive. It gives a different perspective and helps you to stay in the present moment. One of the spiritual mentors I follow, Nick Arandes, has a great video addressing this topic. You can see it here. Nick has provided me with valuable insights on my journey and could also be of help to you. I completed his Manfesting Miracles course a few months ago and continue to refer back to it today. It is a great video and email course that really gives you a new perspective and approach to living life. I highly recommend it. Nick is just one of the teachers/mentors that I follow. I will be sharing more of the lessons I have learned from them in the future. I believe I am here to share what I know, what I have learned, and what I will learn. This purpose helps me to keep "seeing the light" where others would see nothing but 'darkness'. I know that the challenges I face now and the ones that will be placed before me in the future are nothing more than building blocks to the foundation of my spirit. Each challenge, or lesson learned, brings me closer to realizing Who I Really Am. Namaste

The View From Here

How do things look outside your "window"? I was talking with the some friends the other night about the difficulties we encounter from time to time with our past beliefs. Sometimes those beliefs rear their ugly heads at the most inopportune moments. Have you ever been in an argument with someone that kept going on and wondered why the emotions that came up were so strong and out of proportion to the moment? Could it be that the original situation is bringing up things buried in the psyche? Or maybe just an old rehashed complaint. The shade from that inner "window" can snap up occasionally to give a glimpse of something that really isn't there. It could be something far away and far removed from reality, but seem to be real and present. It's our job to be aware when this occurs. Being in the moment is key. Recognizing that our beliefs (and attachment to those beliefs) can prevent us from seeing reality and the other perspective will help to prevent the situation from getting out of hand. One way of clearing limiting beliefs is the practice of Self-Identity Ho'oponopono as suggested in the book Zero Limits, by Dr. Joe Vitale and Dr. Hew Len. I am not affiliated nor do i receive anything for recommending this book, but I do believe and practice what is discussed there. So much so that I share and recommend the information as much as I can. I believe that by improving ourselves, we make the world a better place. Good Luck in your journey.... Namaste

A Safe Harbor

Sometimes the darkness closes in upon us. Or so it seems at the time. Challenges always arise at one point or the other. Some days it may seem as if that is all there is. The thing to keep in mind during those moments is that you are providing the perspective on that challenge or ‘darkness’. It is just a situation that you created. You can un-create it. This is a difficult concept for most of us to accept. Taking responsibility for everything in your life is the first step to understanding. Most of us have a habit of blaming external sources for things that “happen” to us. I know did. There is always something (or someone) conveniently available to lay blame on. That is the path of least resistance. The harder path is to look in the mirror and accept that you created it. But this path also allows you to recognize your power as a creator. The vibrations that you create through your thoughts and emotions will match-up to your results. What are you focused on? Take a moment to examine (or re-examine) the conditions within you that led up to the situation. Can you find some correlation? These concepts reflect back to the Universal Laws of Vibration and Attraction. Realizing that you are a source rather than an effect of a situation puts you in control. You realize that, yes, you are responsible. The safe harbor is within you. It was there all along. You can make a difference in how you choose to view a situation. The darkness is merely something that can be pushed through to the light. The Law of Polarity tells you that there MUST be light if there is darkness; even if it is just perceived. One way of realizing the safe harbor within you is through the practice of Ho’oponopono. Through this practice you acknowledge your responsibility for everything in your world and cleanse the negativity from it. A book written by Dr. Joe Vitale and Dr. Ihaleakala Hew Len, titled "Zero Limits" provides a very good description of Dr. Len’s method and the benefits that can be attained from it. I have read it and highly recommend it. With some practice and application, you too can find that safe harbor within you. Namaste

Gratitude is the key

Are you thankful for the things that you have in your life? EVERYTHING? The Law of Gratitude states that positive energy that is given out eventually returns with rewards. The Law of Gratitude is your connection to the Source expressing thanks for the good in your life, thereby communicating your satisfaction and in return receiving even more to be thankful for. There's plenty of information on how to use gratitude as a tool for attracting more into your life. My perspective is that gratitude is an attitude to have as a way of life. Everything in your life is a creation. YOUR creation. You may perceive some things as 'bad' but the reality is that what ever the situation is, it is just what it is. "Bad" is a judgement that you attach to a situation to label it. There's quite a bit more to delve into along this line of thought (more in later posts), but I'll stick to gratitude. Being thankful allows you to be in a positive emotional space. Have you ever tried to be angry and grateful at the same time? I know I can't do it. They are opposite energies. Gratitude provides a nice warm glow inside. Being thankful puts things in perspective. Even things which may seem 'bad' can take on a different 'glow'. Gratitude allows you to recognize your power as a creator and spiritual being. It allows you to connect with positive energies and vibrate those positive energies out to the universe. This vibration then connects you to more positive energies through The Law of Attraction. The next time you react to a situation negatively, take time-out to try and see what lesson can be gained from it. If you can see it in a different light, you can cleanse that negative energy and transform it into a positive one. Seemingly, not an easy task but it does get easier with practice. I've found that it works for me and I am grateful for the lessons that come my way daily :-) Namaste

What are you connected to?

What are the connections in your life? We develop all kinds of connections as we travel along the path of life. There is the human kind: friends, family, co-workers, acquaintances, people who provide us various services. There is the material kind: money, home, cars, boats, furniture, TVs, PCs, food, drink, and drugs. And there is the spiritual kind: religion, spirituality, atheism, agnosticism. We tend to allow these connections to govern how we progress (or not) through life. Focus on any singular “connection” and loss of balance and perspective can occur. Balance is key. If you focus entirely on one aspect, the other areas will suffer. Can you think of some area that takes-up too much of your thoughts and energy? Looking at that area from an objective perspective (big picture) may be helpful. We see many examples of extreme 'connection' to substances, people, places, and/or things. The Law of Cause and Effect states that nothing happens by chance or outside the Universal Laws. Every action has a reaction or consequence and we “reap what we have sown.” If you focus on one area of your life and ignore others, the consequences of those actions will become apparent as you travel your path. The ancient Hawaiians practiced a version of spirituality that is called "Huna" today. Huna is a term coined by Max Freedom Long to describe the practices and teachings of the Hawaiian Kahunas. The Huna belief is that we are made up of 3 'selves': the low self or unconscious self(Unihipili), the mid self or conscious self (Uhane), and the high self or spirit (Aumakua). Our selves are connected via a "thread" called the Aka cord. It is through this cord that communication among the selves is accomplished. A clear and straight Aka cord indicates harmony within the self among the unconscious (body), conscious (mind), and spirit. Disruptions and blockages of the Aka cord occur when one or all three selves become misaligned through abuse (addictions, abusive behavior, negative thoughts) or neglect. This misalignment can be sensed through our physical feelings and emotions. That stomach ache or depression is simply a warning sign to us to pay attention. Which brings me back to "connections". What are you most connected to? Is your body/emotional state telling you anything? You have the power to correct any disruptions in your connections. Being aware is the first step. The next step is up to you.... I do not claim to be an expert on the topic of Huna or the Universal Laws. My intent is to share what I've learned, hopefully get some dialogue going, and help you in some small way on your journey through this life. Your feedback is welcome. Namaste

The Light is always there

I was walking along the Harbor Island sidewalk heading towards a point where I could take some photos of the San Diego skyline at dusk (you can see some of these shots at Flickr). I would turn around (I was headed in the opposite direction from this pic's viewpoint) occasionally to check on the sun's position and noticed the angle through the tree was creating an interesting highlight. I was moved to snap this shot even though it wasn't on my "agenda". Out of that inspiration came this example of the beauty that is all around us.

The Law Of Polarity says anything can be separated into two opposite parts with each part having its own essence. You can not have one part without the other being in existence.

When it seems like you are in 'darkness' remember that there IS light someplace in that situation; you just have to look for it and recognize it.

You can find examples of The Universal Laws everywhere/everyday in life. Being aware and conscious is the first step on the path.

I am constantly being reminded of the beauty of all creation in every manner shape and form. Its a wonderful way to walk through life. If you can get to the place where you can see the beauty in the 'dark places', your journey's path becomes much smoother....

Namaste

The View Always Changes

Here's a pic of the beautiful San Diego skyline taken from a sailboat in San Diego Bay. When you're on a sailboat the view always changes, but from a moment to moment basis. Life is like that if you allow it.

Which brings us to another Universal Law, the Law of Allowing. The Law of Allowing means dropping all judgments and all emotional attachments to what others are, have, or do. Practicing The Law of Allowing requires granting to others the same rights you ask for yourself -- the right to be, have, and do whatever you choose. QUITE difficult to do when you really think about it. We are always judging things, places, circumstances, people, etc. Think about it. If you monitor your thoughts, you'll find a judgement of some sort occurring. We can't help it because that is the way we are conditioned from the time we become able to think. The good news is we have control over how we perceive things. Once you recognize the judgement, you can change that viewpoint. Remember that your view is just that... your view. The other view is just as "right".

Thanks for reading. BTW, if you're interested in seeing more of my photos you can see some of my work at Flickr. I will be setting a group on Flickr for more discussion centered around photography and the beauty of creation.

Namaste

Robert

The Road Ahead...

Where does our path take us? What is the destination? What is the purpose of this journey? These are questions that come up occasionally when we actually take the time to contemplate. Many teachers attempt to answer these questions or attempt to show us the way. Some of the teachers I've studied are: James Ray, Joe Vitale, Nick Arandes, Bob Scheinfeld, Bob Doyle, John Assaraf, Bob Proctor, Serge Kahili King, Max Freedom Long, Deepak Chopra, Wayne Dyer, Mark Victor Hansen, Abraham-Hicks. There are more. But I will focus on some of these. You may recognize some of these names from the movie "The Secret" if you've seen it. If you haven't, I highly recommend it. It provides a high level peek at one of the Universal Laws, the Law of Attraction. A search of the web for Universal laws will bring-up quite a few sites listing various perspectives on this topic. A general overview shows that the following Universal Laws or Principles are commonly sited:

• The Law Of Vibration states that anything that exists in our universe, whether seen or unseen, broken down into it's purest and most basic form, consists of pure energy which resonates and exists a specific vibratory frequency or pattern.
• The Law of Attraction states that whatever energy is broadcast out into the universe is joined by (or attracted to) energies that are of an equal or harmonious frequency, resonance or vibration.
• The Law Of Cause And Effect states that any action produces or returns a result or outcome in exact proportion to, or greater than, the act which initiated it. Also referred to as Sowing and Reaping or Karma.
• The Law of Resonance is the Universal Law which states that all energy vibrates at a specific vibrational frequency and the result of this frequency can only harmonize with energies that vibrate at a harmonious frequency which create your physical results.
• The Law Of Abundance can best be understood by looking at the continual growth and unlimited resources available within our Universe. It is continuously producing and multiplying effortlessly through the power of the above Universal Laws, the abundance of which is determined only by the energy projected.
• The Law of Polarity says anything can be separated into two opposite parts with each part having its own essence. This law is essential to many mystical statements and arguments. Also, it is essential in denoting characteristics of objects. Examples of these are: white and black, up and down, right and left.

There are a few more, depending on who/where you read about them. I list these to give you a taste and will explore the Universal Laws more in depth as we travel along this path. So take a look at these laws above. I know they can seem somewhat technical when you start talking about energy and relating EVERYTHING to it. If you can grasp that concept, you have the baseline for understanding.

So... what have you been thinking about lately? See any connection to the recent occurrences in your life? That's one hint about the Universal Laws. It starts with your thoughts and the emotions attached to those thoughts. I'll leave you with that point to ponder. If you'd like more info about the Universal laws, leave a comment or email me and I'll provide some links to sites I've found helpful. Feel free to leave a comment on anything... I'd love to receive your feedback.

Namaste

Let's Explore

There are so many different "styles" of spiritual thought being expressed these days.

Everybody has a method that works for them. What I am discovering is the many similarities that are found within the various 'teachings' being provided. For the next few posts I will attempt to provide an overview of the different viewpoints I've run across in my journey. Be aware however, that this path will cover some diverse topics and viewpoints. I will discuss these from a perspective of discovering what these teachings have in COMMON and not whether any are right or wrong. So like the picture, we are travelling on a path that may lead into the eye of the needle... or not.

The main common thread I've come across all teachings is LOVE. Love is a necessary ingredient for any self-realization. Love of self, love of others, love of creation(s). It all starts there. More on this later... My next post will discuss the Universal Laws.

We create our drama and our reality

Life is what you make it.... I'm sure you've heard that one. Sometimes its easy to forget that little, but powerful saying. As we go about our day-to-day lives it's easy to move through on auto-pilot. That statement takes on even more meaning if you believe that YOU are the supreme creator of your existence. Take responsibility for everything in your life and watch the changes occur!

Reaching for Zero

Have you read Joe Vitale's latest book, Zero Limits? I finished it the other day and it is an amazing, informative read. I won't go into details, but the main focus of the book (my perspective here) is about attaining the balance point (Zero) within yourself that clears you of all limiting beliefs and memories. This is accomplished by taking responsibility for EVERYTHING that occurs in your world and 'cleaning' any perceived problems through the process of Self I-Dentity Ho'oponopono. If you're interested in learning more, leave a comment, email me, or check-out the book. I can provide what I've learned and experienced through my brief practice of this liberating modality. The essence of Self I-Dentity (again, my perspective) is your acknowledgement of Who You Really Are. By that, I mean your are in touch with your divine self and know that you are the creator of your world. Anything that occurs in your world is your creation and you have the ability and responsibility to change what isn't desirous in that world. This concept may be a bit out of the norm for you (for most actually). However, if you truly look at what is happening in your world, you may agree that everything you perceive is through YOUR thoughts. I am barely touching upon this concept here, but would love to have a dialogue with you concerning your thoughts and opinions on this subject. I have much more to say on this subject....

Challenges are a way of life....

Its how you deal with em that determines what you learn... If you're on a manifesting path, you know what I mean. We are living this existence to learn and experience who we really are. If you believe in a world of duality, then you'll agree that experiences interpreted as 'down' or negative, will require a ensuing experience interpreted as 'up' or positive. By duality, I mean you can't have a left without a right, good without, bad, etc. Our life experiences are like that. There are times when everything seems to fall into place and there are other times when... oh you know how that goes. I'm experiencing such a challenging time now. It is a challenge to remember that this is the world I've created and I am fully responsible for it. Why would I desire such an experience? Well, my soul has determined that this situation is what I needed for growth. Hard to accept, but keeping the "big picture" in mind helps. Doesn't make it easier to deal with, but it does provide expectation for a better outcome in the near future. I started reading Joe Vitale's new book, Zero Limits. It is about an aspect of the ancient Hawaiian practice of Ho'oponopono. The basic idea of Ho'oponopono is that we are responsible for everything in our world. Everything we experience is through our thoughts. If there is a problem you are experiencing, it is due to an erroneous thought within you. You can alleviate this problem by 'cleaning' the erroneous thought from your mind. This is a simplification of the concept and I do not recommend you take my word for it. There is a wonderful site that describes ho'oponopono here: http://www.hooponopono.org/. I definitely recommend you check this site out. I will discuss my work in this area and also some of the teachings of Huna in future posts. Back to challenges... While it may be very difficult, the best thing for dealing with a challenge is to remain in a positive state. Focus on the desired positive outcome rather than the appearance of a negative outcome. Remember that FEAR is nothing more than FutureEventsAppearingReal (IN YOUR MIND). No matter what the outcome, you WILL be fine. Live in the moment and know that everything happening is in your best interest. It is the Divine's way of helping you to know who you really are. How you deal with your challenges helps you understand and become the best YOU you can be. Does this post challenge you and your beliefs? It definitely challenges me. However, I choose to remain positive and expectant of better things to come. When you focus on negativity, that is what you attract. Manifesting what you want in life should not be difficult, but we make it so. Consider your thoughts and what you focus on, then compare to your current results. See the correlation? I've come to these conclusions through my work in the Manifesting Miracles course by Nick Arandes. You should check it out, it'll help you too. My next post will focus on what I've learned about Huna and Ho'oponopono. Till then....

Just a Guy on a Journey

Hello, my name is Robert. I am creating this blog to support my intention to help others on their path of discovery of Who They Really Are. I am on this path myself and have come across various teachers and resources that have helped me on my way. I intend to share these resources with you and provide examples of my experiences in the hope that this information will help You on your journey.

Since this is my first post, I'll provide a little background. I live in San Diego, CA. USA. Where the weather is beautiful nearly year round and the surroundings just as beautiful. I feel blessed to live in such a wonderful place.

I used to work as an Systems Engineer for a large corporation until 5 months ago, when I quit the job to follow my spiritual path. It is said that if you leap, the net will appear. That is what I have done and so far I haven't been allowed to smash into the ground. If you're not familiar with that saying, stick with me and I will cover that topic in a follow-on post.

So anyways, I was inspired to quit this job after months of study and contemplation upon this existence we call life on earth. Have you ever wondered why we do what we do? Do you think about your future and whether your job provides meaning to your existence? Well those questions, and more, were on my mind and were preventing me from focusing on my 'work'. One day after spending 8 hours in front of my terminal and not accomplishing anything, I made the decision to make a change. My goal was to focus on my spiritual development, photographic talents, and to be of service to others.

So here I am 5 months later. Most of those 5 months spent in intense study, contemplation, and discovery of topics covering aspects of spirituality and manifestation. Of course, these 5 months only represent a fraction of the actual time I've spent studying these concepts; I just felt the need/urge to make this study a full-time effort in order to proceed with my purpose in life. Yes, that is what ultimately drove me to this path. Once I discovered my purpose, there was no turning back. Now, I am in the process of practicing digital photography and syncing the photographic results with a spiritual perspective.

Which gets me back to my intention for this blog.... to support you on your path of discovery. My hope is that the information I provide in this space will provide some insight or pointer that'll resonate with you. I intend to entertain, inform, and hopefuly provide some beauty into your space through my photographs and verse.

To keep this short, I will close this post by referencing you to one of the teachers who I have found very a valuable and inspiring resource on this path. His name is Nick Arandes and he is also known as the Radical Kid. Nick's Manifesting Miracles course was a truly enlightening and helpful exprience. I highly recommend it for its simple and easy to understand presentation of one way to achieve your goals and desires. You can find out more about Nick here: http://www.theradicalkid.com/.

I'll leave you with one of my favorite sunset pics, shot in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Till next time....