Vet Judy

I wrote this one day after a discussion with my brother Gord. I dedicate this thought to him and may his life and “your” life always be a manifestation of the greater good.

Meditation (focused concentration) on getting things for ourselves for the purposes of comfort, security, pride, a sense of accomplishment is a very immature use of the true power within us.

Think of anything you do as affecting the people in the next lives (karma) and pray and meditate that your concept best serve the world and its people who all struggle for the same thing: happiness, purpose and freedom from pain.

Consider releasing the project (your life, your work, your efforts in your family) to the universe and work diligently in a direction to which you feel guided to work, but ask deeply for IT to be done through you (not because of you).

This is a mature use of the soul within us and brings quicker alignment to a vision that is usually bigger than the one we have in our head. I mean who can really know what is the best use of your life, your project or your skills. Life has a much bigger manifestation for us but we are usually stopping it by petty wishes for comfort in our physical lives (money and success).

Let positive loving thoughts predominate your thinking at all times. Quiet the ego and give your amazing talents to the universe to use and true happiness is yours for the taking. Did you know that the universe never gives us a big garden to tend to when we can’t tend to a small corner that is given to us every day from a loving heart and a sense of service.

Just a thought to contemplate today:)

This week is a week to practice Ahisma. The essence of Ahisma is the practice of non-judgement and non-harming. We have carried this into the subjects of judgement of oneself, judgement of others as individuals, and judgements of others as groups.

Today , consider the practice of Ahisma as it relates to the enviroment.  The practice of non violence, non harming towards the enviroment is essential to the preservation of our livelihood on earth. One way to consider the practice of Ahisma with reference to the enviroment is taking a break away from excessive consumption.  No matter how much advertising and marketing says you must partake, you have the free will to say no, if only for today.

Each and everyday we are taught, pressured, lured into the belief that we are what we do, what we have, and how successful we are. The level of consumption we have is equated with the level of success. The bigger the house, the fancier the car, the more gadgets and games we possess, the bigger the vacations, the more cell phones we can hook together in one plan…..are all indicators of our level of success. In a competitive world, we think we are in the lead if we have all these things. But really, are we?

Do you go through your day with a sense of accomplishment and peace because you have accumulated these many things? Or do you always have a sense of never enough, always chasing, always moving and yet never arriving? It is easy to see that joy and peace will never follow consumption, no matter how much we have been brainwashed to believe it is so.

The truth is, we are all vunerable. In the words of Byron Katie: Life is as it is. The only thing we can control is our attitude and actions. When you practice Ahisma, there are many obstacles.

So, for today, only for today: practice Ahisma or non-harming towards the enviroment. Take a break from buying something today, disposing of something that is still useful, or destroying something that no longer pleases you but is still functional. Consider a walk in nature and give thanks for the things the universe gives us for free everyday. We all get oxygen to breath today, the earth still has trees and water for us to drink and use and enjoy.

If we practice Ahisma towards others today, we can even enjoy what the universe offers us in terms of love and joy. Get out of your head and the ego’s need to get more and rest in the moment: looking for what has been graciously given for you to enjoy. No matter how rough it is for you, there is always something to be grateful for today. If you had a shower give thanks. If you had water to drink say thanks. If you had a home to live in says thanks. If you had some food today give thanks. It is said that if you have a dish full of change on your dresser night stand, you are more wealthy than something like 80% of the worlds’ population.

Today is a good day to practice Ahisma towards the enviroment. Have a great day.

Are you in NEED of INSPIRATION. Do you feel like the world has conspired to eat you up? Have you tried and tried again, only to find yourself in the same spiral and a similar circumstance. Ever wonder why you have seemingly failed so many times?

We have all been there. So here is a little reflection to help lift you up.

In YOGA,  Abhyasa refers to both the practice and the attitude of practice. In any case the “practice” is not limited to the physical practice of yoga. It really includes the bigger practice of life. Practice is supposed to be the unconditional and unswerving application of energy to what you believe in. Each of us must attend to our practice in our own way, giving and surrendering to the universe.  Doing so, does not however mean you will have a pain free life.

This commitment to life’s practice should not be based on results. At times your life will be great and it will seem as if cloud nine is your permanent address!

Then at others it will be unbearable, painful, and filled with mental, physical and emotional pain. It feels as if “this too shall pass” is a cliche that represents someones idea of a sick joke.

In the roughest parts, this is the time to let go, to surrender, to continue to “practice” and to know that there is a purpose outside that of your ego’s interpretation of life’s journey.

Practice does not mean you get free tickets to the pain free life, it just means you get to experience fully YOUR LIFE.

For an illustration of Finishing Strong: Take a look at this video. It will lift you up, help you reflect on your circumstance and how you too may have one more stand left inside of you!

Cheers to the power of the human will to survive and thrive! If you are still miserable after watching this, then you should stop believing your thoughts:)

FINISH STRONG