SUCCESS - A Paradox

THE SUCCESSFUL PARADOX

So often in modern life we are judged by our successes, whether that be in sport, our job, our career, our relationships etc. The impetus and cultural 'message' is to ' Seek Success'.

The same message is often given to ,or taken on by,  the Spiritual Seeker. 

However, the wisdom of the sages reminds us that there is a strange paradox to success. The more one seeks it the less likely one is to find it. 

This paradox is eloquently shared by Viktor Frankl in his great work - Man’s Search for Meaning. and an excerpt is shown below. However, to follow his advice takes patience and a great deal of humility!

  

A Life Lesson from Autumn

AUTUMN - A SEASON OF CHANGE

 

Life is constantly changing and these changes can be a mixture of challenges and opportunities. As we mature these changes face us with new challenges. I find this quotation helpful and therefore share it. I hope that you too, may find it helpful.

 

LOOK TO THIS DAY

THE IMPORTANCE OF EACH DAY

Both Ancient Wisdom and modern Neuroscience and Psychology, remind and advise us of the importance of remaining in the Present Moment.  a wise truism is ' The Present Moment is the ONLY Moment' 

 Modern life and its values has lured us into a false state. This is a state that emphasises constant noise, movement and  ( so called) progress. The end result is a pandemic of mental illness, DIS - ease and restlessness.Staying in the Present Moment ( a difficult practice of Mindful Presence) is an antidote to this dis-ease.  

  

The great Spiritual Traditions advise us to begin each day anew and with a simple spiritual pracgtice that involves a sense of both GRATITUDE and JOY.  Thus they advise some form of daily Spiritual ( Sadhana) or Practice. 

In the Hindu tradition, this is often a dawn ceremony of the AARTI flame, a way of greeting each day. I would like to share a poem from the Indian Sage Kalidasa,  that succinctly reminds us of the importance of EACH day and of staying in the Present.   It is a lovely SALUTATION to the Rising Sun.

This is a poem that I have previously posted. However, our world and our human family perhaps benefit from  regularly reminding ourselves that EACH DAY is a precious gift to be cherished, en-joyed and savoured with GRATITUDE.

PEACE IN EVERY STEP

A SHORT REFLECTION ON PEACE

A short reflection on the 'Dove of Peace' so desperately needed by our Human Family. It emphasises the twin wings of KINDNESS and COMPASSION ( both for SELF and OTHERS)

So much of our hatred , lack of tolerance and prejudices, originate inside our hearts and are often projected out on to others; particualrly of the poor, marginalised and those of 'difference'.

I Trust you find this short reflections  both challenging and helpful

 

Returning to Our True Source

RETURN TO YOUR TRUE SOURCE

The wisdom of all the great Spiritual Traditions forms a 'source' of truly Universal Wisdom. This is often referred to as 'The Perennial Tradition'

In times of great evolutionary change,the Human Family has always found both wisdom and comfort in the teachings of the Perennial Tradition. We are currently going through another great Evolutionary Change ( or Growth in Human Consciousness) and that is contributing to the many crisis that face our Human Family and the Planet. 

In times like these our World desperately needs more people to .... PAUSE... Take Time to go within .... and to discover ..  The True Source of All Being.

Only then can we access the wisdom of our ancestors and its direct link , back through the eons of time, to the Beinmg, Consciousness and Bliss vof the SOURCE of all WISDOM and Creation.

I find the following words from the Spiritual Tradition of China very helpful.

Our World needs the wisdom and input that comes from those of us who regularly take time to pause and be more Contemplative. These words of Lao Tzu succinctly state and describe what Contemplation  is.

 

The Importance of Non-Attachment

NON-ATTACHMENT

Non-attachment ( in Sanskrit ' Aparigraha) is a highly prized and important aspect of Hindu Spirituality. In Western terms it is related to finding the True Self and losing the False Self with its attachment to the ego.

I love this quote from the Hindu Scripture which outlines the stance of one who is practicing non-attachment

  We in the West can learn much from the richness of Eastern Sprituality.

Shanti- Peace - Siochana to all who read this.