Author: Firoozeh

How love is trying to find us

How love is trying to find us

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How does coming to understand who it is we are created to be change the way we see ourselves, each other, and our world?

Perhaps this understanding welcomes in a new way of thinking and perceiving that flows out of love and attraction toward the latent spiritual gifts in myself and others that are waiting to be revealed.

Do I remember that I can always choose this love and attraction over the kind of near-instinctual reactions that arise from a fear that’s rooted in the mind’s preoccupation with mortality and physical survival? That crippling fear has kept humanity, human thinking, and our greatest possibilities entrapped for eons.

I’m not going to survive physically forever, nor is anyone else. I wonder why that aspect of life receives so very much attention? Might it be that some believe that’s all there is? All that we are here for?

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Very possibly, however, we may have the chance to begin living in an eternal kind of way as we invite and employ what lasts forever – those gifts and qualities within us that await discovery, like gems in a mine.

“Only our spiritual nature can look beyond outward appearances, first impressions and personality flaws to see `all the virtues of the world of humanity latent within’ ourselves and each other,” I’m reminded. It’s this core part of my self that has the capacity to “perceive honor and nobility in every human being”, including this one who looks back from the mirror each day.

For the first time, the realization of human oneness, in reality, is within our grasp. And each of us is invited to discover our unique, true identity as a soul, as well as our unique purpose, and our unique way of solving problems as a part of what is one reality, whatever kinds of separations we  may dream up or imagine.

“Happy are those who spend their days in gaining knowledge, in discovering the secrets of nature, and in penetrating the subtleties of pure truth,” ‘Abdu’l-Bahá has reminded in a book called Some Answered Questions.

Happy indeed.WTOEimage.php

Excerpted from With Thine Own Eyes: Why Imitate the Past When We Can Investigate Reality?

More information: http://www.amazon.com/With-Thine-Own-Eyes-Investigate-ebook/dp/B00I1JPC7I/ref=pd_sim_kstore_11?ie=UTF8&refRID=0TQC490J7FVBRTJWM70H

Print version at: http://www.bahairesources.com/with-thine-own-eyes.html

LEAF OF THE TREE

Finding the Divine in the Details

10 Truths Wise People Know (But Don’t Talk About)

10 Truths Wise People Know (But Don’t Talk About)

 

 

1. There are no mistakes, only growth.

2. You will keep repeating the same patterns until you get the lesson.

3. Whatever you believe about yourself on the inside is manifested on the outside.

4. The more you approve of yourself, the less you need others’ approval.

5. All situations are pathways instead of problems.

6. Things don’t happen to you — they happen for you.

7. There is no “there” to get to — it never ends.

8. Where you are today is preparing you for tomorrow. Everything is connected.

9. You will always get what you need. It might not be what you want, but it is always exactly what you need.

10. What you make of your life is up to you.

by Shannon Kaiser

Ten Ways To Bring Mindfulness Into Everyday Life

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By Dr. Elise Bialylew

Guest Writer for Wake Up World

Many people think that meditation is a practice which involves emptying your mind of thoughts. This misconception can leave beginners feeling like ‘bad’ meditators. Mindfulness meditation is not about emptying the mind, but rather stabilising our attention and training our minds to be more focused, effective and skillful in everyday life. You can bring mindfulness to everyday activities simply by tuning in to your senses which helps you to actually be present to what you are doing, rather than lost in thinking.

Here are ten steps to bring mindfulness into your daily life.

1. Be mindful in conversation

Use listening as a meditation. Pay attention to the whole person speaking. Notice the sound and rhythm of their voice and their facial expressions. Notice your mind drifting off into fantasy or thinking whilst the person is speaking. Notice your urge to speak, is it easier for you to listen or talk?

2. Be mindful when eating

Notice the food on your plate, pay attention to colours, shapes and smells. Bring awareness to the sensation of chewing and the flavours, textures and temperatures in your mouth. Notice any urge to eat quickly or swallow your food without chewing it completely. Be aware of the mind being hijacked from the experience of eating and gently bring it back to the food.

3. Be mindful in supermarket queues

Tune in to the body. Notice your feet on the ground, the sounds, and your breath. Check in with how you are feeling, notice any irritation or impatience in the body and using the breath, see if you can let it go.

4. Be mindful on social media

Before checking in to facebook or twitter, bring a conscious intention to the amount of time you are intending to spend engaging on social media. Notice the urge to keep checking and scrolling through the feed. Notice any emotions that arise as you experience other peoples lives.

5. Be mindful while driving

Notice your hands on the wheel, feel your posture. Notice any tension in the body and actively relax the body, let your shoulders be soft, perhaps turn off the radio and be in silence. Notice any urges to use your phone.

6. Be mindful in confrontation

Tune in to the body, notice any sensations that come with anger or fear as you are in a difficult conversation: heat, tightness, a rapid heart beat? Notice your urge to defend or react in some way. Anchor your attention to sensations in the body as you negotiate.

7. Be mindful at the gym

Tune in to the sensations of your body while exercising. Notice the kind of thoughts that arise when you are exerting yourself. Take a moment to be grateful for the capacity of your body to so miraculously function.

8. Be mindful in bed

So many people use digital technology, whether laptops or phones in bed. Phones are commonly used as alarm clocks these days. Notice how you relate to technology in the bedroom and whether this impacts on your ability to fall asleep.

9. Be mindful in the shower

Choosing something you do regularly each day can be a helpful way to remember to practise mindfulness. Tune in to the sensations of water and temperature on your skin. Notice when your mind wanders off and gently bring it back to the sensations of your body.

10. Be mindful when walking

These days we often do many things while walking – we listen to ipods, text message, speak on our phones. Try using walking as a mindful practice. Feel your feet making contact with the ground. Notice what it feels like to walk a little slower if you’re not actually in a rush. Take in your surroundings, the smells, the colours, the sounds. Use mindful walking between meetings to create a moment of mindfulness in your day.