Like several hundred thousand people around the world, I'm attending on an online virtual class with Oprah and Eckhart Tolle every Monday night for ten weeks as they engage listeners in discussing the content of Eckhart's book,
A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose. I first read this book in 2006, a year after its publication date. I am an avid fan of his previous book,
The Power of Now, and looked forward to continuing the journey with this somber, yet insightful being. I wasn't sure, having gone through a 15 hour review, the book would provide any more value for me, but I'm glad I took this opportunity. Like any powerful book, each reading reveals new experiences and deeper relevance.
Today, I want to talk about one element of last night's class. It's funny how a simple word can have such profound significance in the context of one's life. Resistance. According to Eckhart, A Course in Miracles, Buddhism and just about every other spiritual source you'd ask, resistance is the root of all suffering. Yet, we seem convinced that resistance to what we don't want will make it go away. Perhaps it's our childhood remnants of hiding beneath our bed-sheets until the boogieman left? Denial at its best.
But, in the most fundamental sense, what is IS. Oh, we'd love to push the rewind button or grab the Swiffer and make it all vanish. And it feels so powerful to fight against a reality we won't want. But, it's futile to channel all our energy and attention into resisting what already exists.
Does this mean we have to suffer through it for life? No. But, it does mean we must surrender to it first. Another concept that seems so perverted to our human mind. Surrender to what we don't want? Doing that seems to invite it to stay.
But, I've found many erroneous cause-effect misunderstandings since looking at the world through a different lens. The very thing we think makes the situation remain is what will help diffuse it and allow us to move on.
Stop Resisting - Surrender - Accept
Nothing in our ego-centric mind will tell us that acceptance is the path to freedom. Which is why so many of us are still stuck in lives and situations we don't want. Resisting puts all our attention on the problem and directs all our energy into trying to change history. To accept what is as reality allows us to turn our creativity and power in the direction of solution.
This may seem like a subtle exercise in semantics, but it's not. When our creativity and action are steeped in the anxiety of resisting what already exists, our results are weakened, our focus is diffused, and our experience is struggle. But, when we accept the Now, we focus on what's next, not what is. We aren't plagued with resentment or hatred or righteousness. With our minds clear and our emotions clean, the power to take effective action is far greater.
What are you resisting? Is that working for you? If not, and I'm guessing it isn't, then you might try something that seems counter-intuitive. All things make sense when viewed through the right lens. You're struggling unnecessarily. Struggle will achieve little more than emotional exhaustion. Turn your energy into pro-activity, not reactivity. Accept what is and then envision and take action on what you want instead. You'll be amazed at how quickly things change.
Karen is author of The Sequoia Seed: Remembering the Truth of Who You Are, a great read for anyone who is seeking understanding or guidance, inspiration or clarity in his or her life. Waking Up, the free bi-monthly ezine, was created to help you activate your natural motivation to move beyond mere existence and to really LIVE your dreams. Contact by tel: 509-633-2255 or email.
'Remembrance: Letters to My Soul' is the first of a new series of e-books by Karen... a profound journey through the challenges we all face with fear and doubt that brings us to the remembrance that we are safe, strong, and spiritually eternal. 54 pages of inspiration that will touch your heart and steady your path. For the true seeker. Normally it is $12.00 but Karen is kindly offering it freely to Cultivate Life! subscribers: Download here.
Daring to be Yourself
The aim of the new book, Daring to be Yourself by Peter Shepherd, is to help you achieve a 'wide-awake' state of consciousness, with integrated use of left and right brain abilities, forming the bedrock for breakthroughs in personal consciousness and spiritual insight. The practice is based on the premise that we have learned disabilities that set boundaries to our action and knowing. But no one need accept that they must remain as they were shaped by their hereditary body-mind and by the conditioning of their childhood and culture.
This 264-page eBook is like a "best of" the Trans4mind site, all brought together for your convenience. But much more than that, it's also an incredibly powerful program for personal growth. Remove the barriers to self-knowledge and reveal your full potential with this step-by-step approach... Daring to be Yourself. Also available for Kindle (or the free Kindle Reader application for all platforms) at Amazon.com.
Our Blog features excerpts from the book plus current news, views and links.
More Trans4mind eBooks: Click here to download the Trans4mind eBook Catalog + complimentary eBook!
"I realize many people use praise in ways that sound frivolous...but I must tell you that your book has changed my life AND I mean that in all ways. I found the entire work wonderfully upbeat, readable and valuable! It really was quite a wakeup call. In the midst of my "trials and tribulations" I had failed to be "me." Anyway, this "talk with you" really did change my life. Thank you! I needed this kind of "kick in the pants." It worked. WOW! You made a huge difference in my world."–Becky, USA
A digital copy of Daring to be Yourself is included with purchase of the Start a New Life! home-study course - which is effectively the practical "workbook" that accompanies the book by Peter Shepherd.
Working through this course enables you to dare to be yourself and design a brand new life. Expressing your true needs, wants and feelings, you can start to live your life's purpose!
After you have purchased the course, Peter Shepherd is available whenever you wish by email, to guide you every step of the way from where you are now, until you are established in a brand new life - the life that you have designed... Start a New Life!
|
