Category Archives: Personal Development

Jan10

Troubling Thoughts

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The Danger of Repression

by Madisyn Taylor (Daily OM)

When negative thoughts arise it is best to address them rather than pushing them down where they will surface again.

For the last several years, there has been a lot of focus on the power of positive thinking. Many people have come to misinterpret this wisdom to mean that it is not okay to have a bad mood or a negative thought or feeling. This can lend a kind of superficiality to their relationship with life and relationships with other people. It can also lead them to feel that if a negative thought or feeling comes up, in themselves or someone else, they must immediately block it out. When they do this, they are engaging in the act of repressing a part of themselves that needs to seen, heard, and processed.

When we repress parts of ourselves, they don’t go away so much as they get buried deep within us, and they often come out when we least expect it. On the other hand, if we allow ourselves to be fully human, honoring all the thoughts, feelings, and moods that pass through us on a given day, we create a more conscious relationship with ourselves. Instead of blocking out thoughts and feelings that we label as negative, we can simply observe them and then let them go. They only get stuck when we react to them negatively, pushing them down and out of sight where they get lodged in our unconscious minds. A healthier solution might be to develop a practice of following any negative thought we may have with a positive thought. This works well because positive thoughts are many times more powerful than negative thoughts.

Rather than setting our minds up in such a way that we become fearful of the contents of our own consciousness, blocking out anything that is less than 100 percent positive, we might resolve to develop a friendlier attitude toward ourselves, trusting in our inherent goodness. When we recognize our true inner worth, a few dark clouds passing through our minds will not intimidate us. We will see them for what they are–small, dark figures passing through an expansive sky of well-being and truth.

Jan9

Simple Truths

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Below are five Yogic Sutras of the Aquarian Age given to us by Yogi Bhajan. A sutra is a ‘knot.’ It is a complex spiritual concept reduced to one sentence and later expanded upon by a spiritual teacher. Sutras allowed sacred teachings to be protected from harm (by appearing harmless to conquerors) and were brief enough to be remembered by students in ancient times.”

1. Recognize that the other person is you.

We can only truly see ourselves reflected in another person. If we admire qualities in another, we are only seeing those same qualities in ourselves. These qualities may not yet be developed or expressed. On the flip side, if we see qualities that we dislike in another—again, we are only seeing ourselves—perhaps a disowned part called the shadow.

The more we identify with our ego, the more judgmental we will be toward others and the more we will project our own personality traits onto others.  We are being called to take full responsibility for our experiences and to live the Truth—we are ALL ONE.

Reflection: Just for one day, own everything (good and bad) that you see in another person.

2. When the time is on you, start, and the pressure will be off.

The way that we perceive time is an illusion. There is no past and no future—only the present—Now. Time is only consciousness moving.

This expansion of consciousness is pressurizing you to change, grow, and evolve on your soul’s journey. It is foolish to hold back this process with procrastination. In truth, we all know within our deepest selves what changes need to be made.

Worry and stress about ‘what if’ scenarios will only lead to more suffering and paralysis. This is the mind’s play and you’ll end up like a dog chasing its tail.

Reflection: The Universe is change. Change is constant so why not embrace it? It is time for you to make changes in your life. Take the first step, no matter how small, and you will feel the pressure immediately start to ease up. This will give you the momentum to keep changing and growing.

3. Vibrate the Cosmos; the Cosmos shall clear the path.

All of the Universe is a vibration of energy. We are either vibrating in harmony or disharmony with the Universe. We vibrate frequency through our thoughts, words, actions, emotions, and feelings. What we put out to the Universe we receive back, much like a boom-a-rang.

When life seems to be continually placing blocks along your path and nothing seems to be moving, it may be showing that you are not vibrating in harmony with the Universe. To vibrate with the Universe is to vibrate the higher frequencies of love, compassion, and kindness.

One of the best ways to be in the flow of the Cosmos is through yoga, meditation, and chanting mantra—sacred sounds that attune you to the Universe.

Reflection: Are you in the creative flow of the Universe today? Do you feel that something isn’t moving in your life? Shift the frequency of your thoughts to be more aligned with the Universe. Bring in the higher frequency energy and then watch your path clear!

4. There is a way through every block.

It is guaranteed that challenges come into your life for your spiritual growth and healing. No one is exempt! In fact, the day you have no challenges is the day you are dead. Every challenge, no matter how great or small, has a solution or a way through. This solution, however, doesn’t come from the rational or logical mind. A pros and cons list will not work.

The solution will come bubbling to the surface through your intuition. How do you know the difference between intuition and thoughts from the mind? Intuition is neutral in energy; there is no judgment, no ‘shoulds,’ and no fear. Intuition is the creative energy. It is like a small soft voice in your ear.

Reflection: As you face a challenge in your life, take a moment and remember that there is a way through every block. Breathe long and deep for a few minutes and wait for the answer to come. Start acting from your intuition and trust that you will be guided to the next best step for you!

5. Understand through compassion or you will misunderstand the times.

We are being called to move out of the motto, “What’s in it for me?” and  into this motto, “How can my actions benefit the whole?”

Compassion is learning and acting from the heart. If we choose to go into judgment or look away from the suffering of our fellow human beings, we are misunderstanding the times. It is only the ego and mind that keep us separate from one another and in denial of the truth.

We are ONE human tribe on planet Earth, all of us brothers and sisters connected by ONE spirit. We are here on this planet to serve, uplift and help one another.

Reflection: Keep your heart open today as you approach people and challenges. Resist the urge to go into the mind and ego to become separate. Remember to look into the eyes of others to see the same light that lives in us all.

Jan5

Give Thanks to the Lord

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Thank you God for life. Thank you for the struggles I’ve endured that brought me out a stronger and better person. Thank you for putting me on the path to reach you and to achieve greater potential. Thank you for guiding me to the truth, to believe in you, and to be with you, in Jesus’ name, amen. ~dp

Aug16

Set Boundaries

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Wow… is it just me or does it seem like there is so much negativity these days?  People are ready to attack, lash out, and strike at any given moment.  Little do they know that they are not only hurting themselves, but they are also creating more negative energy within their circle.  These people will then be the first ones to complain about how things are not working right in their lives.  Everyone is entitled to their own opinions and beliefs, but be civil and have some class and respect when voicing them.  Besides, if you listen close enough to what is being said without being so critical and close-minded, you might truly learn something.  My circle of friends is getting smaller.  I refuse to support negative behavior.

Aug9

Dying for Attention

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So… how many likes/views/comments did your post/video get?  Who won the gold in the Olympics?  Which team is the best in football/baseball/hockey?  Who won the photo contest?  Who is the most beautiful, talented woman in the world?  I wonder what would happen if we took away all the needless competition?  I believe in striving for excellence and doing the best we can, but we go to extremes for attention and approval from others.  We should appreciate and take advantage of the unique, individual talents we possess, but why do we have to prove them to the world?  When we do get the most votes and win a contest, are we any happier?  It seems that our egos still need fed, and the bigger the ego, the more attention it demands.  Can we ever be proud and satisfied with who and what we are without any doubt or approval from others?  My grandson demands a lot of attention, and he is only five years old.  He always says, “Watch me Grammie. Look at what I can do.”  Constant praise and reassurance that he is so great and loved by so many people builds his self-esteem.

The presidential campaign has gotten way out of line. Yes, this country definitely needs leadership, and the American people have the privilege to vote for the most qualified candidate.  However, the process needs improvement, and the candidates should be presented in a respectful and honorable manner.  Attacking, bashing, or criticism from the candidates, public, or media should be prohibited.  We should be focused on the positive aspects and qualifications instead of who is the most flawed.