So, just what do we need to do to change? Well, the first step to change is awareness and this will be the basis of this post. Sure, we can debate whether or not awareness is actually the first step but the point is that it is important to possess awareness if we want to change. If we are not aware of what needs to be changed, how shall we change? Read more…

I realized that in some of the articles I write, I do not actually outline a specific means by which to address a problem or improve one self. I instead suggest reading the other posts on this site, as spiritual and psychological well being is a result of practicing many spiritual and psychological principles in our lives. So, there may not be necessarily one answer to a given problem but a problem may be solved indirectly as a result of the culmination of our practice. And sometimes the answer lies in simply being aware.

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I am my biggest problem. I can blame life all I want but the real problem lies within. I believe this to be true of most people. Life is as good as we make it and how we view life is directly related to our spiritual and psychological condition. There are some people that are naturally healthy spiritually and mentally, whether due to their upbringing, their genes or their karma. They are naturally accepting of life and maintain relative peace and contentment, no matter what there lot. Others will need to work at being happy and peaceful. Read more…

How often have we heard the statement, life is short? My question to you is… do you realize it yet? We never do know when our last breath will take place which is all the more reason why it’s important to make the most of every precious moment that we have in this life. Read more…

This post is about meditation, but not in the way that you may be accustomed. Sitting and walking meditation can be very helpful in many ways but what helps me the most is being mindful and aware of this moment as it is. Read more…

Most of us would say that I am sad, I am angry, I am in pain or I am suffering when we experience such feelings and emotions. Are feelings and emotions such as sadness, anger, pain and suffering original to each of us or are they shared by us all? It seems to me that feelings and emotions were here long before we came around and will be here after we’re gone. Why then do we make them so personal? Read more…

Do you think you can be positive for one day? Absolutely no negativity allowed from the time you wake to the time you go to bed. As you make a conscious effort to do this, you will be more aware of your negative thoughts, speech and feelings that occur throughout the course of the day. You may be surprised as to just how negative you can be. Read more…

How do you feel after you react to a situation with anger? Does anger make you feel powerful and in control or embarrassed and out of control or both? However anger makes you feel and whether you know it or not, anger is not conducive to peace and happiness. Read more…

Teaching and explaining forms of breath meditation, believe it or not, can consume many chapters in a book. This is my first post on mediation and this is a blog, not a book, so I will stick to the basics.

A meditation cushion and pillow are ideal so if you want to get serious about meditation, I would suggest you pick up a set. You could try www.dharmacrafts.com. You’ll at least need a soft area to sit, perhaps some pillows on the carpet and on top of that, a harder pillow, just large enough on which to sit and six to eight inches tall would be ideal. The idea is to put your but on the harder taller pillow while sitting cross-legged or in the lotus position. Because your but is up on a taller pillow, your knees should be below your hips. See the image which also indicates various hand positions. If you cannot get your feet up onto your legs, that’s OK, just do the best you can. Keeping your hips higher than your knees though is important to maintaining a proper, comfortable position. When we keep our hips above our knees and our shoulders back, not rounded forward yet not forced back too far, our body will better support itself and it will be much easier to maintain an erect posture. If you cannot sit cross-legged, get into a kneeling position, straddling the cushion of where your but will be. Then from there, bend your knees until your but is on the pillow. Your feet will be just to the sides of the pillow upon which you are sitting, just below the sides of your but. Read more…

Part II of “Emotional Stability in the Observer”

In my last post, “Emotional Stability in the Observer”, I talked about the observer being aware of our thoughts and actions. Let me expound a bit on just how this awareness increases our peace and happiness.

It’s important to first understand why we experience discord and unhappiness. Basically put, when we don’t get what we want or we lose something or someone that we covet, we get upset in some way. We also get upset at the mere thought of losing what what have and not getting what we want. We’re not usually happy and peaceful while we’re upset as we are angry, afraid, sad, jealous, disappointed, etc. Read more…