I was recently reading a book on endurance training for alpine climbing, and it evoked many resonant chords of awareness regarding spiritual practice. While the authors described the process of improving fitness for ascending (physical) mountains, a striking amount of their observations would apply to energetic and inner work. A key observation …
Read MoreAre your habits past their “expiry date”?
Are your “habits” up-to-date? That may seem like an odd question, but there’s considerable significance to the answer. A lot of our life is driven by habits, both beneficial and detrimental. We might call them different things in different contexts — routines, practices, preferences, or patterns. Simply speaking, most are actually different manifestations of physical, […]
Read MoreThe fine line between action, reaction, and stagnation in a troubled world
A few days ago, I was talking with someone, and mentioned the adjustments required for our orchid growing due to the increased seasonal variability that we are experiencing here in California, likely due to global warming. To my surprise, she immediately responded how overwhelming she found this observation; that is, the pervasiveness of planetary problems and […]
Read MoreGoing from child to adult: often a tough transition no matter your chronological age
Many people retain child-like views of life and creation into adulthood. Which leads to a lot of unhappiness, frustration, and even (bitter) disappointment. “Happily ever after” is an idea from a story. It doesn’t have much to do with the adult levels of relationship, spiritual maturity, authentic creativity, and evolution of consciousness. The inner/outer conflicts of […]
Read MoreStuck in a reality and not even realizing it. Are you observing “awareness filters” around you?
It struck me today how someone can be stuck in a perspective or world view, and not even realize it. I don’t even mean something as “simple” as a political standpoint or religious belief. I’m talking about comprehensive “awareness filters” that pre-select possibilities, both in the present, and for the future. Listening to someone […]
Read MoreWhy separation can be a good thing — discernment in connection and creation
I wish to put a proposal on the table for you to consider, that runs counter to prevailing social (and often so-called spiritual) notions: understood properly, separation is a good thing. In fact, it is the hallmark of mature discernment. Immature discernment leads you into the mush of “we are all connected” or “we […]
Read MoreGetting beyond “congratulations”: are you prepared to complete?
I’ve recently observed numerous “congratulations” being offered — cards, parties, etc. — for events such as weddings or the birth of a baby. I have to admit that I’m puzzled by the sentiments in a lot of ways. Yes, there’s a celebration for the start of something new, and well wishes, but starting something — […]
Read MoreAre you coming from nowhere?
Where are you coming from? That’s an interesting question. It can be asked on many levels, as a sort of slang, or a variant of the “small talk” question about where you live. But pause for a moment — where ARE you really coming from, in your words and actions? And, of course, are you […]
Read MoreAre you telling yourself — and everyone else — another “reality story” today?
Have you ever contemplated how much of your thoughts, communication, and (resulting) actions are based upon exchanging stories? We usually think of a “story” as fiction, and something separate to be read in a book or watched in a movie. But a lot of day to day life is fictionalized for various purposes …
Read MoreLooking carefully and clearly into the relationship mirror: are you the mirror?
Sometimes people have difficulty distinguishing between the reflection and the source of the problem. Particularly in relationships. Many people try to “fix” or work out relationship problems. Yet the relationship often doesn’t improve, or sustain itself; instead, there is a long process of repeating dramas, and recycling situations. Why? The relationship is a theater, […]
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