The world I see...: January 2010

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Bark...

To a tree, as I understand, bark is it's armor. It protects the tree from things that might harm the tree. It's almost like a tough skin which protects the smoothness underneath.

I feel sometimes that I too have bark. A tough exterior to protect me. A rough defense to cover my vulnerable soft parts.

What if this protection is unnecessary? What if I'm putting energy toward building up and maintaining this though exterior and there's nothing to actually protect myself against?

I know I have a ton of stories about this and that time I was hurt by so and so, by such and such. I can find evidence all over the place to justify my protections. My world is full of evidence. It simply depends on what I'm looking for evidence to prove.

If the threats are false, if I shift my attention to finding proof that the world is safe, do I need my bark anymore? And if not, will it fall away on it's own as I relate differently to the world?

What about you? What protections have you built up? Are they really needed? Is your world a dangerous place?

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Information...

How much information do we take in every day? And what type of information? How does that information effect us?

Have you ever had the experience of 'information overload'? There was so much information coming in that you just short circuited for a second, an hour, maybe even a day? Some people call this stress.

What if we became more intentional about the information we took in? What if we were selective about our input of information? Input determines output.

If I'm taking in information that points to how things are wrong in the world, I'm going to have a view of the world that everything is wrong. If I watch the news all the time, I would probably feel pretty stressed about life. What if I intentionally listened to beautiful music and watched funny movies? What might change in my world view? What if I started intentionally interacting with people who were making a positive difference in the world? Positive input, positive output.

In my experience, it is so easy to get sucked into the scandals, the strife, the gossip and turmoil of the world. It's shocking and illicit's a strong reaction. "Oh my gosh! This is awful! I need to pay attention to this!" It takes a conscious reminder to shift my attention. To direct my attention back to where it serves me.

Notice throughout the day the information you are taking in. Notice what your input is. Then notice how it feels. If it has a fear based feeling (anxiety, unease, restless, not enough, alarm, anger, jealousy, powerlessness...) and you would rather feel a different way, then intentionally shift your input. Look at introducing positive input. It may be a book, movies, music, spiritual teaching, being out in nature, painting, spending time with people who inspire you, petting an animal. Any number of things are possible. It becomes more about choice. So choose!

Friday, January 22, 2010

Time machine...

It occurs to me that our minds are like time machines. Our minds are constantly jumping to the past, or putting us in the future. And it's all happening from the present.

When I'm remembering a past conversation, I'm reliving it here in the now. And when I think about a conversation I will have in the future, I'm living it in my mind, here and now.

I've heard it's possible to have people plant memories that never happened. We tend to think the past is unchangeable and the future is open to be created. So if we can change the way we see the past and also implant memories, how unchangeable is it? And that future that is always out there, yet to come, how do our thoughts of the future effect the actual outcome? And how do our minds perceive the outcome?

Our minds have the incredible power to live in all three dimensions (past, present, future) at once. To take an event and perceive it on many different levels and shift that perception at any time. Of course feelings play a big part in our memories, perceptions and thoughts. They are useful anchors in some ways and constrictive ties in others. Feelings feed our mental constructs.

Are our minds time machines? And our feeling the fuel?

Monday, January 18, 2010

Presence...

I live by the Pacific Ocean. Every day before sunset I've noticed people gathering along the ocean. On the cliffs, in their cars, walking, riding bikes. In groups or alone.

It seems that taking the time to watch the sun setting is important for many people. A ritual almost. Something to plan into their day.

For the time it takes for the sun to set, people seem to be present. Gazing in wonder at the changing colors. Taking in the clouds and water. Sharing this time with those around them.

I've noticed people of a wide variety. Not just one "type" of person. This event that happens every day is bringing people together. The beauty of life touching humanity. A peaceful gathering.

I find great comfort in this coming together. This spontaneous audience to an ever changing display. If this is our future, I am glad. And I declare it is our future. We are gathering more and more to be present. To share in wonder and gratitude. This life is a gift.

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Thinking...

I've heard many times that the thoughts we think attract the things we think about. Especially if those thoughts are strong and reoccurring. The more force behind the thought the stronger the attraction.

It seems that, in this context, our thoughts are like seeds on the wind. If we put out many seeds there is more of a chance that they will settle and grow. If the forces of the winds are strong the seeds will travel farther.

Notice the seeds you are sending out. Notice how many take hold and grow. Notice what grows. Do you want more of that? If not, what do you want more of? What thoughts will create more of that? Send out those seeds. Direct the force.

The world is your garden.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Blossoming...

I've come to see the changing of seasons as similar to my processes. As I grow my awareness and transform as a person, it is much like the seasons.

In Spring, there is new life, new growth. The trees are dressed in beautiful fragrant blossoms. The bees are busy. The birds are mating. Life is waking up from the dream of Winter. There is color again. The air promises warmer days. Nourishing rains wash the world alive.

For me, this blossoming happens when I've finished a Winter period of my life. Everything was dark and cold. I was focused inward, dormant outward. Then the Winter faded. I worked through my inward processes. The energy shifted. It was time to blossom. Then share this new growth with the world. Awake, alive, revitalized.

After a time, my blossoms drop and bare fruit. The Summer of my life is here. Time to relax and enjoy the abundance. And after Summer, life slows down again. Autumn is next. Time to harvest and prepare for the Winter. Time to let go of what was and reflect. The inward journey begins again. Only to lead to another Spring and blossoming.

It is never one way all the time. I treasure the Springs and Summers. The Winters and Autumns are necessary. Without them, there would be no Spring and Summer. I've learned to relax into the slowing down. To embrace the harshness. Spring is coming.

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Rough edges...

What would life be like if there were no rough edges? If everything was smooth?

How are the rough spots in life teachers? How do these edges make life more interesting?

For an oyster, having a rough grain of sand irritating it's soft insides produces a pearl. If there was no irritation there would be no pearl.

In spiritual texts and common language I've heard 'pearls' used as an analogy for wisdom.

So do these irritating, rough edged parts of life put into motion our learning and becoming wise? And if I look at the rough times, the times of irritation with awareness that there is potential for a pearl, does it move the process along faster? When I stop resisting so much and allow, the pearls come from everywhere.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Washed clean...

There are times, in my life, when emotional storms drench me. The emotions are so strong. They wash over me, envelop me. It seems like a sea of feeling. I don't know where it ends. And yet, my inner knows reminds me that I've been through this before. There is and end. Nothing lasts forever in the same way.

With that knowing it's easier to ride the waves, to find peace in the storm. To allow my emotions. To notice my feelings and let them simply be feelings. As natural as the rain and thunder. As powerful and beautiful as the ocean.

Then, to work with my emotions. Find the points of resistance. Ask myself questions to facilitate learning and discovery. Sharing keeps me open and transparent. Creating space for the people around me to share what they're going through.

The storm recedes. The sun peeks through. My world is washed clean. A cleansing has taken place. It is my job to let it. To allow and experience. And like the world after a heavy rain, everything is sparkly. Everything is fresh, revitalized and clean.

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

What is real...

How do we know the trees reflected in the water aren't the real trees?

At times, in my life, I mistake the reflection of something for the real thing. In a romantic relationship, for example. I have at times mistaken the reflection of my commitment as actually existing in my partner. And when I relate to it as real, I'm confused. When my energy is down and my projection is weak, I am disappointed that the commitment seems to disappear in my partner.

I get that I am the source of my life. My life happens through me, my perceptions, my interpretations. I get that what reflected back is what I project. And at the same time, choosing how to relate to my projections seems important. If I take them as solid and real I am living in illusion.

If I try to put weight on the reflected limbs of trees in water, I'm going to crash through the illusion and be very wet. Using what is reflecting back to me as a tool to be aware of what I'm projecting supports me in adjusting my projections. To have my projections reflect my commitments and be clear that they are only reflections.

Wikipedia:

Narcissus or Narkissos (Greek: Νάρκισσος), possibly derived from ναρκη (narke) meaning "sleep, numbness," in Greek mythology was a hero from the territory of Thespiae in Boeotia who was renowned for his beauty. In the various stories he is exceptionally cruel, in that he disdains those who love him. As divine punishment he falls in love with a reflection in a pool, not realizing it was his own, and perishes there, not being able to leave the beauty of his own reflection.

The world I see...