Paul Cavel, Contributor
Waking Times

Emancipation or freedom from slavery and bondage is ultimately what the human spirit craves. From the perspective of your spirit, slavery encompasses how the attachments in your life—such as sex, material items, money, power and all that they bring—prevent you from being free. Bondage has to do with the ways in which your ego (or collection of identities) and your karmic loops bind you into the reality you experience, and thereby limit your human growth. So the question is: How can you free your spirit and, in so doing, realise your human potential?

Making The Body Conscious

In Taoism, whether you meditate for your health, stress relief, high-performance goals or more lofty spiritual pursuits, the journey commences by progressively and systematically making the body conscious...

Video - Dr. Josh Axe suggests five essential oils that are a must-have in your medicine cabinet and the best way to administer them. How many of these do you have in your home?

1.) Tea Tree Oil (disinfects and cleans)
2.) Peppermint Essential Oil (soothes, cools, and freshens)
3.) Lavender (heals skin, relaxes, calms)
4.) Lemon (invigorates, cleanse, fat loss)
5.) Frankincense (boosts immune system, reduces inflammation, increases brain function, decalcifies the pineal gland)

ONE WITH NATURE   “Isn’t Earth a lovely place to spend some time? Take a few moments to drink in the beauty of this planet. Focus on the flowers and plants. Feel gratitude for the animals that hold everything in balance. Be appreciative of the water sources that provide nourishment for your body and soul. Feel the magnificence of the mountains, the prairies, the seaside and deserts. Breathe it all in and receive the nurturance that Mother Nature provides for all.

We offer you an exercise to help become more in tune with the energies and sentience of the Beings around you. The best place to do this is in Nature, away from the noise and interruptions of humankind. If you have trees nearby, choose one for this activity. Second choice would be a bush or perennial flowers. If you are in a place that has no outdoor space or you must remain indoors, then cozy up to a houseplant. Lean with your back against the tree or sit near the plant.

Take several deep breaths while relaxing your muscles and clearing your mind of the day’s activities. As your mind clears, focus on the plant. Scrutinize the plant, looking carefully at each part, including the underside of its leaves. Notice the coloration of the various parts, the shape of the leaves, the bark or stem, each section of its blossoms. Are there any insects on the plant, if so, what are they doing?

I love you. End of story. That’s it. That’s all you have to know. This is enough to make you a knight who rides through life the way a fish swims through water.

With My love increasing in your eyes, what can hold you back? What can stop you or delay you? With My love strongly supporting you, what is there you cannot do? What is not a blessing no matter what it may look like to you or to others? Who is not your brother? Who is there that your heart cannot send blessings to? Who is there that you cannot give a moment of love to or share a moment of love with?

What comes before love, dear ones? Anything?

Please do not misunderstand Me. I am not advocating that you be on a Love Campaign or Love Parade. Quietly go about your day and allow love to usher from you. You don’t have to say a word about it. Just let love come forth from you as you live your life. You are not making love a project. You are simply being without resistance to giving love while you are at it.

There is nothing hard about it. You think there is. If love is too hard for you to put your arms around, then simply think in terms of friendliness or courtesy or even grace. Be not a withholder of love. Love from you could be looking straight into someone’s eyes.

HJ: This is a great article with fresh, inspired and thoughtful insights on how to substantially improve the quality of your life through Zen practices, specifically inspired by Susan Harrow’s lifelong martial arts practices.

Great read.

- Truth

Don’t Fake it Until You Make It: 7 Zen Habits

“Fake it ’til you make it” is so unneeded. Here’s how to end it:

By Susan Harrow | Psychology Today | Susan Harrow

–

I abhor the phrase, “Fake it ‘til you make it.” The very fact that anyone would want to fake anything is intrinsically dishonest and feels bad.

Why not re-imagi...

Feelings are feelings………..just notice, honor and release.  Holding onto any one emotion will eventually make it a part of who you are, a static creature of your own invention.  It is far better to be free flowing as The Universe intended you to be. ~ Creator