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The expansiveness of your inner world is far greater than the expansiveness of your outer world.

We are amazed by the Earth’s physical beauty

Most are in complete awe of their physical world. Consider the visual delights that await you when you stroll along a clear-blue mountain stream or hike through a peaceful green forest in the spring time. Surely, you are appreciative of experiencing the natural wonders given to us by the benevolent Source?

Ancient Pompeii, a snap-shot in time 

Or wander through ancient Pompeii and marvel at the architecture of our glorious past. Glimpse into a time capsule as you are mesmerized by the same colorful wall paintings that our ancestors marveled at almost 2000 years ago.

Swirling colors…a delight to our eyes

Spend time experiencing the artwork of one of the greatest artists of all time. Be in wonder at the thick, swirling colors laid-down by our beloved Vincent who never sold a single painting he labored over when on this physical plane of existence.

Social networking has shrunk the world 

And think about what social networking has done to our circle of friends and acquaintances: one minute you can be writing to a friend in Norway, the next with an acquaintance in Qatar, and then with a former colleague who has moved to China. There is also our family who often must move abroad to find meaningful employment; as such, my family is now in Canada, England, Australia, New Zealand, and Thailand.

Experience various cultures…but never leave home

In order to stay connected, we can simply access the Internet or easily board an airplane and within a few hours enjoy fish and chips in the UK, savor prawn-soup in Thailand, or delight in lamb from New Zealand. Hence, with a more mobile workforce and improved technological innovations, we can experience a wide range of cultures and traditions in virtually every country on Earth. Still, while these wonders of our outer world are breathtaking, nonetheless, they pale to the wonders of our inner world.

Some never appreciate the beauty that exists around them

Although our Earth is seemingly large and offers untold experiences for each of us, nevertheless, we share an earthly existence with others who lack appreciation for the opportunities and are instead filled with anxiety, fear, and envy. At times, the negative things that happen in the world can overshadow and even rob you of your positive words, thoughts, and actions. Think about the topics that many talk about at work – the economy is weak, the company is bad, and the future is glum. While meaning well, these people are limiting their own lives and goals by this approach to life.

We limit our opportunities in life by the language we use 

They are limiting their achievements by measuring their opportunities with the physical world that they exist within. They are focusing upon the noise of their outer world which robs them of the peace, quiet, and joy which can lead them to their earthly goals. They are living in a small world, a physical world that holds them in chains and fetters their true Self. Their world may appear to be large, but it is indeed made small by their thoughts, their words, and their actions.

Our inner world is more expansive than our outer world 

How can we immerse our Self in the expansiveness of our inner world? There are a number of paths we can focus upon to experience the hidden magic that rests deep within our very souls. In order to put the differences between your spiritual and physical worlds in true perspective, it is key to mediate on a regular basis. Meditating helps you block-out the noise of your outer world and find the peace in your inner world. In this state, you can then experience unlimited space and tranquility which you are able to leverage to achieve the goals that you have set your heart upon.

Meditation opens your metaphysical door to success

As you find quietude, you find the unlimited potential that is innate within your Self. Meditating helps you to relax and see the beauty that exists within you which can be hidden from you when you are not in a peaceful state of being. A positive perspective on life is far better than a negative perspective since this approach attracts additional positive events, people, and circumstances into your life.

The daily news is not the path to fulfillment

Most need to watch the nightly news to help them unwind before slipping off to sleep. I challenge this idea: how can you possibly unwind and enjoy a peaceful sleep when you have just experienced the latest tragedies, human and economic, just before retiring for the evening? It appears to me that watching the negative events that have horrified your city, state, country, or world is not the ideal way to wrap-up a day of your life.

Retire at night with a positive message reverberating in your mind

Rather than watch the nightly news and allow any negative thoughts to occupy your Self while you sleep, pick-up a positive book by some of the greatest authors of our past and present including Neville (The Power of Awareness), Raymond Holliwell (Working with the Law), Ralph Waldo Trine (In Tune with the Infinite), and Napoleon Hill (Think and Grow Rich). After retiring for the evening with the wise words from these renowned authors occupying your sleep time, your Self will have engaged with their words and will have cultivated increased awareness of the true expansiveness and innate possibilities within your inner world.

Subliminal affirmations help you walk down the path to joy 

There are also a number of companies that market CD’s which contain subliminal affirmations that can be listened to before or during your sleep time…these are highly effective and once again invoke positive thoughts within our Self instead of the negative images we often decide to close our day with.

Eternal connections manifest from meditating, reading and listening to positive messages 

As you are practicing meditation, reading positive books, and listening to silent affirmations, you are creating a profound and eternal connection with the Source. As you build your sacred passageway to the One and with the One, you are developing a greater sense of awareness and alignment with the immense power of the universe and the enormous power within your Self. A deep connection with the Source can only manifest a greater abundance of love, compassion, and understanding which in turn reveals the true expansiveness that is harbored deep within your Self. It is love, compassion, and understanding which unveil the infinite space, the enormous quietude, the inestimable relaxation, and unbounded solitude which are tantamount to experiencing the possibilities that abound within the expansiveness of your inner world.

 Your inner world usurps your outer world 

Regardless of the number of times you have flown around our Earth; regardless of the number of friends that you have scattered throughout our Earth; and regardless of the number of cultures, food, and languages you have experienced throughout our Earth, these physical manifestations fall short of what awaits you in your inner world.

Your inner potential is limitless when you pursue a divine connection 

The potential for your life is limitless when you spend time in deep thought in your inner world. Your inner sanctum holds divine power, divine connection, and divine unity with the Source. This divine trilogy is merely the reflection of your true potential and as such, holds unlimited possibilities for your physical health, your material wealth and your spiritual Self.

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What is life?

2. The only God is life itself

(Osho’s Second New Commandment)

Misguided love 

It appears that we in this modern era have turned our love of the Source to the love of things and science. The focus of our affection and adoration has turned from a caring, compassionate entity to cold, inanimate objects of steel and gold. However, it is our new found love that has left us deeply scarred and longing for what we know is the pathway to joy and a meaningful life.

We pass with only our souls  

header16Many believe that they can find true happiness from owning the latest purse, watch, car, or mobile phone. They rush out and attempt to find their lost identity in a particular model of phone or purse, spurred on by a feeling of emptiness and want. That new purchase may temporarily fill their needs, however, it can never fill them long term…all new goods soon become out of date, old, not ‘in’ anymore and then the carousel of buying to feel whole starts again with a new one of this or a new one of that. We can never take any of our physical possessions with us when we pass to the next level of existence.

Science is not the answer 

Then there are others who rationalize that science can fill their needs, answer all of their questions about life, our reason, and our purpose to be here in our present physical manifestation. They reason that only the seen, those objects that can be measured, and quantified are the ‘real’ things in life. The unseen is not real, it is a canon of fiction and fallacy that poets write about, lover’s dream about, singers sing about, and religious people pray about. However, this idea loses it shine when analyzed critically, after all, we cannot see electricity or gravity but we enjoy the benefits from these two great forces of nature each and every day of our lives. Science may help you live more days, but in the end even this miracle no longer can keep you alive.

Nature is created by a loving Source 

The rest of us have a firm belief that there is a wondrous power in nature, a strong force, a timeless energy that has been present since the universe was formed billions of years ago. That force is life itself, and it comes in all shapes and sizes, in all places and at all times. How can we not marvel at a clear blue mountain stream or a stand of stately sequoia trees…both testaments to the oneness of nature, the miraculous plan from our Creator. And nestled in amongst those beautiful moments of nature, we find humankind; our life a miracle, a planned miracle, a marvelous product created by the Source. The belief in a force other than yourself provides long term joy and meaning to this life and those that follow.

Things and formulas cannot fill the hole that exists within your soul, these things can only temporarily mask the emptiness that exists within, they can never truly satisfy a person for long in this life.

Worship life

We should worship life; it is a miracle in whatever form it takes… an eagle, a flower or a human life. Every minute that your hearts beats or you take a breath of air, it is an amazing miracle and we should express our deepest gratitude to feel joy and purpose in our life. Life is the Source…it was, it is, and it will be.

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How do we achieve TRUE happiness?

A miraculous study that spanned over 75 years!

Recently, I had the privilege of watching a TED Talk podcast by psychiatrist, Dr. Robert Waldinger, director of the Harvard Study of Human Development (https://www.you tube.com/watch?v=8KkKuTCFvzI).

If you haven’t heard, this podcast is about an amazing 75-year study that tracks the lives of hundreds of men in America…yes, over seven decades! It’s a remarkable achievement. Think about the logistics involved in such a long-term research project.

This study survived over time and the results appear to resonate with many people…there are over 1.4 million views on You Tube in just a few short weeks and increasing daily.

When possible, I recommend you set aside 13 minutes of your time to have a listen. The results might surprise you and even change your ideas about life and the goals you hold close to your heart.

How to achieve a ‘good’ life?

Our modern media constantly tells us that we need a more expensive car, a larger home, a brand name watch and purse to be happy in life. More this…more that…more of anything and it seems many of us buy into this idea to achieve our ideal life.

A recent survey of millennials revealed that 80% of the respondents’ main focus in life was to become rich, and 50% reported that they wanted to become famous.

Pryor et al (2007), uncovered that today’s college students believe ‘being well off financially” is more important than “developing a philosophy of life”, this is the reverse of what college students from the 1960’s and 1970’s reported.

In these two examples, it appears that we have moved away from believing that intrinsic goals are more important than extrinsic goals.

What are we doing to ourselves?

Are we happier with more of everything?

Unfortunately, a number of the indicators point that our general level of happiness is decreasing; sadly, over 36,000 Americans commit suicide every year (emoryuniversity.com), and the incidence of diagnosed depression is on the rise (www.psychologytoday.com).

As we push harder for a promotion, more money or recognition, we are simultaneously pushing our happiness aside.

We’ve missed something…our values are turned upside down.

The results of the Harvard Study of Human Development

The Harvard Study did not find that wealth and fame were the most important paths to life-long happiness.

After investigating the lives of hundreds of men for over seven decades, to live a happier, healthier, longer life the researchers found that:

  • social connections are really good for us
  • the quality of your close relationships matter most
  • good relationships protect our bodies (and brains)

Our social connections help us to live a happier, healthier life. It appears that loneliness kills our spirit and our bodies. As we age, those who suffer from loneliness record brain functions that decline earlier than those who are strongly connected.

It seems that the quality of our close relationships is more important to our health and happiness than the quantity. Overall, those who have warm relationships with a few are better off emotionally and physically than those with a higher number of relationships that are not that meaningful.

‘Good’ relationships buffer us from what life can deal us; in other words, when we can count on others around us we are more secure and therefore happier.

Our brains respond positively with the feelings we have from our sense of security, our minds remain sharper and over a longer time when we have someone whose “Got our back.”

Tips to create happiness in your life

Dr. Waldinger concluded his Ted Talk presentation with a few easy to implement tips to turn your life around and create the real happiness that you deserve. Consider the following:

  • experiencing new things as a couple
  • taking long walks in nature
  • having date nights
  • resolving long-standing family feuds

If you follow these four simple yet effective ideas, your body and your brain will thank you for it!

Why do these ideas result in a happier, healthier life?

It’s about the flow of energy; happiness creates a flow of positive energy while feelings of isolation and loneliness results in a flow of negative energy.

Tip Number 1: It’s important to experience new things as a couple. After a while we may feel the routine, the grind of everyday life is stripping us of our happiness.

There are unlimited possibilities if we are opened minded and willing to explore new things. New challenges can create waves of positive energy that end up being shared between two people.

Tip Number 2: We can connect or reconnect with nature by taking long walks in the park or woods near our home. Out in the woods, we are flooded with the positive energy from the trees. How can you not be consumed by euphoric feelings in such a setting?

Tip Number 3: Then there are date nights. Research has shown that it is not our minds but our hearts that are by far the largest energy field in our body. It’s real joy when we feel our hearts share positive energy with someone we love.

In the end, our unique frequencies meet and produce this amazing synchronicity that allows each to be dependent and independent upon each other. It’s exhilarating!

Tip Number 4: If you feud with our siblings or hold grudges for other family members you are keeping yourself in a quagmire of negative energy that can and will result in a variety of physical and psychological aliments.

When we resolve family disagreements or long time misunderstandings we flush the negative energy from our mind and body and welcome the return of positive energy.

Put family feuds behind you. Take action. Do something about it right now, get on the phone or even better go visit in person to overcome the problems that have causing harm to your mind and body.

We are social beings

Ultimately, should we be surprised that relationships have been the main priority of the countless subjects interviewed for over seven decades, after all, we are social beings first and consumers second. According to the research, that is how we should live to have a happier, longer life.

Here’s that link again: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KkKuTCFvzI

                                               “The good life is built on good relationships.”