Devotion and Love
“True love is not a strong, fiery, impetuous passion. It is, on the contrary, an element calm and deep. It looks beyond mere externals and is attracted by qualities alone. It is wise and discriminating, and its devotion is real and abiding.” … Ellen G. White
Devotion and Love go hand in hand. When it comes to truly loving someone, devotion becomes our dedication towards their good. We wholeheartedly give our attention to this individual and in all levels of our being. We begin to live in continuous moments of awakening, guided by the virtues of devotion, balance, selflessness, equanimity and love.
We can determine what is important from superficial, what is true from the false and just like a bird that has developed wings of perfection, we create a space that Love has no purpose but to fulfill itself.
A Call for Changing the Way we View and Value Our World
CR: We have reached a choice point. In order to create something new, we have to let go of some things that do not work. Change or even death of something no longer useful can be painful. The capitalist system we currently have is not working.
It has created mass poverty, unprecedented wealth in the hands of a few creating inequality and systematic corruption. Some of our collective choices are damaging our Eco system. This has put our planet in peril, perhaps even putting humanities existence at risk.
Here are 7 “What If’s” to Shift to a New World!
Life is Based on what we believe. Some say life happens in cycles of 7. Perhaps a shift in our beliefs can also happen using the number 7.
When we look at the bigger picture in life it’s clear how the conditions that end one cycle can become the foundation that begins the next. It’s also clear that between the cycles is a space where neither is present. This is the moment of choice; a moment of opportunity.
What is BEAUTY?
“Beauty is how you feel inside, and it reflects in your eyes. It is not something physical.”
-Sophia Loren
“Remember that there are two kinds of beauty: one of the souls and the other of the body. That of the soul displays its radiance in intelligence, in chastity, in good conduct, in generosity, and in good breeding.”
― Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra
Some people say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, an experience of something held inside of us as beautiful. Others say that beauty is something or someone that appeals to the eyes or the heart. Yet there are others, like Christina and I, that believe that something is beautiful because of its relationship with the environment. The way it forms or unfolds itself among its surrounding elements just like a radiant rose or a sunset.
Awakening and Ripening
Spring is the season for renewal, we all know that if we keep fruits and vegetables covered too long, they ferment and rot. Often, we follow this same pattern of nature, if we stay stuck in old plans, once who we are has matured and ripened, we can begin to spoil within.
Re-Awakening to a New Reality
Most of us would like a happier, healthier, more harmonious reality. In order to improve our reality, we must understand the mechanisms of its creation. Most of us feel that “things simply happen in our lives,” or that we just feel “this way” or “that way.” Few of us investigate how our reality is created. Our behaviors come from complicated belief structures. Reality is different for each one of us, but how we perceive reality is how we create reality. Although it is difficult to define what is truth for us, we need to keep examining our beliefs and assumptions towards the intended outcome.
Effective Communications… What is Active Listening?
Our communication can have many different effects such as stress levels, relationships with others, level of satisfaction with our life, productivity and ability to meet our goals and solve problems. There are two components to effectively communicate verbally. One is to become mindfully present with what you are saying and this also include how you say it; your tone, speech, pitch and volume any your non-verbal communication such as gestures, and body language. The method in which we share our message is as important as the message itself. The second component is to become an Active Listener. When actively listening to others we use the senses of the body, the feelings of the heart, the logic of the mind and the stillness of the soul. The practice of active listening, will make your interactions and communications with others more successful.
DAVID, THE INTERPLAY OF FREEDOM AND FEAR
“Every block of stone has a statue inside it, and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it. I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.” -Michelangelo
At first glance the statue of David overwhelms you. Standing 17 ft tall of the floor of the Accademia Gallery, makes you feel small. It is difficult to believe that a twenty-six-year-old painter and sculptor named Michelangelo would be able to create such a marvelous masterpiece.
Michelangelo’s creation derives from the biblical story of David and Goliath. His sculpture of David reveals the precise moment that the young shepherd is getting ready to begin his battle with the giant Goliath. First, he envisioned the figure of this young athlete within a huge block of marble and then proceeded with a mere chisel and hammer to extract it, freeing it.
Life Force Energy … Creating a Solid Foundation
CR: A good strong foundation anchors our life force energy in the physical plane, it ensures our survival and the quality of the life we live. We thrive well with constancy and we function well with stability in our lives. When the foundation of our life is healthy; it expands and supports our life more fully. We can take on more responsibilities, be more creative and more playful. A healthy foundation is flexible, and at the same time enjoys the daily rhythms of life.
DS: This stability allows us to be more patient as our life unfolds; less reactive, less volatile to what is external to our being as we learn to accept life as it is. A strong foundation also helps us to maintain our spiritual connection when the winds of change blow in our lives. Without a strong foundation the irregularities and mishaps of life will blow us about and wreak havoc in our lives. Our Spirit will not survive well with constant change and we will be like a feather in the wind.
Healing the Wounds of the Heart
What seems to be currently setting the bar in our human evolution is our relationships with others. The most prevalent and basic human wound, one we might call “the relationship wound,” is the feeling of not feeling loved or lovable as we are. It is also about not feeling good enough or worthy enough. This is a WOUND of the HEART.
