This site has definitely turned into a grass roots site, where only those interested in the progression of the book come and check wonder what will come next. Which is why I started this site, and why I continue it. I haven't had much time to write down my contemplations, as many events have unfolded that require my attention. But not to worry, the books are always in my thoughts, and really and truly is the only real work that needs to be done, as far as I'm concerned. I've definitely felt as if there has been a force pulling me towards completion of the book. The force could be my own determination, will power, or something more.
As I look back at how far I've come over the last couple years, I see that this was all meant to be. I was meant to have the friends that have helped encourage me, edit, review, offer suggestions, and I'm thankful for that. As Christmas approaches, I look back at my target dates, and wonder how long it will really take to pull all of this together. The current process to bring this through to completion has been moving steadily along. I've been reviewing and changing small things in the material to ensure consistency, and continuity, as well as generally proof reading to enhance quality. The next stage of events will include the following:
- Finish my personal review
- Collect my editors reviews and final edits
- Collect my peer reviews
- Integrate changes
- Compare and contrast to the original unedited version
- Prepare strawman proposal
- Finalize proposal
- Prepare a short list of Publishers to pursue
- Mass proposal printing
- Sending it out / Meeting with prospective Publishers
As I'm working on the above, there I am diligently collecting my thoughts for Book 2. I have many of the events within the timeline plotted out. Many of the main ideas and concepts that I'm bringing forth have been contemplated and learned, and will eventually be integrated. Rough ideas for Book 3 have also come through, as I am coming to understand the entire breadth of knowledge that will be contained within the stories belief system.
I will be going on vacation in February for two weeks... back to where I finished Book 1. Mexico. I plan on not only having the proposal completed by then, but to have started Book 2, and laid down a few chapters as well. I need to finish Book 1 and get a better feel for the ending, as that will be a crucial step as to how I'd like to begin Book 2. All in all, it's moving quite well, and I'm happy with the progression. It's almost as if the book is evolving at the pace that I am. The faster I evolve, the faster the book evolves... so the only person I have to light a fire under is myself. So consider this messages not only an update, but a revitalizing fire that will bring the project closer to completion over the Christmas break. Thanks for all of your support.
Rob Graham
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Priorities
It's been awhile since I've had time to write. I'm not only referring to posting to this site, but also writing in general. My life has taken a strange turn of events lately, and things have become more clear.
Several relationship learning have taken place, as well as several formal courses dealing with Personality Theory, Abnormal Psychology, and topics of that nature. All of these things serve the creative process... but how could they not? I create as I live, and I live what I create. Whether the topics are deep, surface level, or what have you. I consistently will learn something new everyday. I will remember something new about myself everyday, and in that I have the opportunity to create myself a new every day. That process is difficult however, as I must fight through a belief system that hinders me. Weeding through it all from a logical stand point is one thing, but dealing with the emotional attachments to the beliefs is something entirely different.
It can be the difference between motivated action, and lethargic contemplation. I continue to look within for inspiration, and consciously do not let it turn to desperation regardless of the life events which surface around me. I am a better person for the days events, and I will continue to improve as the years pass me by.
The progress of Book I has slowed somewhat, but there is movement. My editor is nearly complete with the final parts of her work, meaning the last Part evaluation, and the last edits of the epilogue. The book is in the hands of someone who is helping me along with the Proposal process, as I continue to proof read my work once again. I would like the proposal to be complete by January, so that 2007 can be dedicated to shopping it around, as well as putting pen to paper for Book 2.
Book 2 will go deeper into the story of course, but specifically will speak to multidimensional theory and how the characters interact within the worlds in which they live. There will be several surprises, and the much awaited conclusion to a devastating conflict which appears in Book 1. Thoughts of Book 2 are always with me, and I always think of how life will unfold for me, either in waking life or in dreams, so that I may write what needs to be said. So I can do what needs to be done; complete the trilogy and publish it.
Time management has become an issue however, as there are many goals that lay before me, and many things that need to be done. In that space there is still me, a human being, attempting to live, and attempting to experience joy and love within a process which unfolds almost on its own. A process that involves me, consumes me, overtakes me and guides me down the path towards completion. Rest and fun have become foreign words at times, but I continue to press on, and grab my happiness here and there as it presents itself.
The fear I have however, is that neutrality... my main defense against the sometimes lack luster events which unfold before me, my main weapon in my fight to be detached from the world and the circus of events that unfold. I fear that my neutrality is robbing me of my humanity. Does it mean that because I am neutral to all life events, that I cannot enjoy life? Upon reflection of this paragraph, I say no. I say the ability to remain neutral allows me something that most people do not have. Clarity. The ability to selectively engage my emotions and gauge my response to events as they unfold. The clarity that this brings to any situation is invaluable. And when I decide that it's time to enjoy love, to live, and to have fun, I actively engage. Where neutrality allows me the ability to consciously disengage when needed, and to have the clarity to engage and use my energy when necessary.
I'm at a period in my life where life altering decisions happen on an almost daily basis. The ability to remain calm under that kind of duress is critical, albeit sometimes frustrating as well. I manage the frustration and stress in a few different ways, as my main outlet (writing) has taken the back seat. Time management will be more and more critical in the coming months, as I wrap my brain around a plan to have all of this come together by January, while still training Kung Fu and Guitar... and of course balancing all of this against the energy drain of my day job as a Process Analyst.
Several relationship learning have taken place, as well as several formal courses dealing with Personality Theory, Abnormal Psychology, and topics of that nature. All of these things serve the creative process... but how could they not? I create as I live, and I live what I create. Whether the topics are deep, surface level, or what have you. I consistently will learn something new everyday. I will remember something new about myself everyday, and in that I have the opportunity to create myself a new every day. That process is difficult however, as I must fight through a belief system that hinders me. Weeding through it all from a logical stand point is one thing, but dealing with the emotional attachments to the beliefs is something entirely different.
It can be the difference between motivated action, and lethargic contemplation. I continue to look within for inspiration, and consciously do not let it turn to desperation regardless of the life events which surface around me. I am a better person for the days events, and I will continue to improve as the years pass me by.
The progress of Book I has slowed somewhat, but there is movement. My editor is nearly complete with the final parts of her work, meaning the last Part evaluation, and the last edits of the epilogue. The book is in the hands of someone who is helping me along with the Proposal process, as I continue to proof read my work once again. I would like the proposal to be complete by January, so that 2007 can be dedicated to shopping it around, as well as putting pen to paper for Book 2.
Book 2 will go deeper into the story of course, but specifically will speak to multidimensional theory and how the characters interact within the worlds in which they live. There will be several surprises, and the much awaited conclusion to a devastating conflict which appears in Book 1. Thoughts of Book 2 are always with me, and I always think of how life will unfold for me, either in waking life or in dreams, so that I may write what needs to be said. So I can do what needs to be done; complete the trilogy and publish it.
Time management has become an issue however, as there are many goals that lay before me, and many things that need to be done. In that space there is still me, a human being, attempting to live, and attempting to experience joy and love within a process which unfolds almost on its own. A process that involves me, consumes me, overtakes me and guides me down the path towards completion. Rest and fun have become foreign words at times, but I continue to press on, and grab my happiness here and there as it presents itself.
The fear I have however, is that neutrality... my main defense against the sometimes lack luster events which unfold before me, my main weapon in my fight to be detached from the world and the circus of events that unfold. I fear that my neutrality is robbing me of my humanity. Does it mean that because I am neutral to all life events, that I cannot enjoy life? Upon reflection of this paragraph, I say no. I say the ability to remain neutral allows me something that most people do not have. Clarity. The ability to selectively engage my emotions and gauge my response to events as they unfold. The clarity that this brings to any situation is invaluable. And when I decide that it's time to enjoy love, to live, and to have fun, I actively engage. Where neutrality allows me the ability to consciously disengage when needed, and to have the clarity to engage and use my energy when necessary.
I'm at a period in my life where life altering decisions happen on an almost daily basis. The ability to remain calm under that kind of duress is critical, albeit sometimes frustrating as well. I manage the frustration and stress in a few different ways, as my main outlet (writing) has taken the back seat. Time management will be more and more critical in the coming months, as I wrap my brain around a plan to have all of this come together by January, while still training Kung Fu and Guitar... and of course balancing all of this against the energy drain of my day job as a Process Analyst.
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Dipping into the Negative
At times, throughout this process, I come to realize the experience of the Negative. Negative emotions, thought patterns, stories we tell ourselves, or even aversions to negative behaviours such as dominance or violence will be experienced by the self at some point along the path.
I often spent time wondering... how in the face of all of this "Goodness" that I have done, or that I am bringing and sharing with others in the world around me... how can I allow myself to experience these negative states? Over the years, I've shifted through several paradigms and theories as to why these cycles exist, and why I... "of all people" should have to experience them? Although I've experienced these negative cycles throughout all of my life, I never became so aware of it, as I have through the writing of these books.
During my writings of the more evil villains of the story, I've had to delve deep into the inner recesses of my mind, to extract the negative, and to play with it. To experience it, to embrace it, in order to write of it. I had to personalize it, in order to personalize it for my characters. In other words, I had to become evil, in my thoughts, in my perspective, and even in my behaviours... and I did so deliberately, in order to make the experience authentic for the reader. It was during this exercise that I realized that "evilness" can be picked up and dropped from the ego, or the self... just as easily as one would pick up a hammer, or a screw driver, or any other tool. Use it for the purpose in which it is required, and put it back in the tool shed until needed.
It was never put so crudely as it was when an old teacher of mine used to say... "Somebody's gotta be the asshole." I didn't quite understand what he meant at the time, but as my depth of comprehension as it relates to relationship dynamics grows and deepens, I'm beginning to understand.
And in this space, especially when I'm in this space of negativity, the questions arise as to ... "Why me?" So I plunge deep into the depths of Psycho Dynamics, and begin with my childhood. Were there specific reasons as to why I may dip in and out of the negative? Perhaps, but no greater or lesser than the experiences of any other average adult my age, or gender. So is it something that is "not unique?" Is this an experience that exists as the rain does... as the sun does... as simply what "is" in our realities. The eternal cycling from positive polarities to negative ones?
I think even greater still, these experiences are with me to help me understand the multifaceted depths of who I am, and in doing so, I'm able to illustrate the journey of myself, through myself, in my books. Without many of these experiences, my books wouldn't be nearly as engaging as they are. So, then the question comes to mind, did I do this to myself? Am I forcing myself through these experiences in order to help create an even more impactful work? Or is it greater than that, or perhaps more dimensional than that. Perhaps the works... the books are an aspect of the learning, but perhaps the real work lies in attaching meaning, and then evolving from these experiences.
And so I continue, I continue to attach meaning, and analyze the various thoughts that come into my head. I try to rationalize them, understand their origins, and then organize them according to my belief system. Why do the extremes have to be so great? I ask myself... why on the one hand is there the never ending urge to rescue all of us from ourselves, and in the other... perhaps a more self serving urge. Have I not adopted the concept of helping the all is helping the self? Why do the questions linger? In my understanding, they linger because I have not dealt with them yet.
Even more interesting, is my dream life is now more active than ever. And at times, more disturbing than ever. As I dip into the negative, so too does my dream life. Only to over emphasize my needs, or to highlight my dilemmas, or to put me in purposely uncomfortable situations to show me what is left to confront. What remains to be "worked out." Perhaps, the dreams are visions of the past, showing me exactly why these issues need to be worked out in this life. Sometimes these visions are so disturbing, that I force myself to awaken. Sometimes these dreams are so opposite of who I have created myself to be, that I wonder... why the dip into the negative? Why now? Why like this?
My mind then wanders into another paradigm of thought. If I exist in a realm where nothing is intrinsically meaningful. Meaning, nothing actually has any meaning at all, then why do I continue to hold myself hostage to the idea of "good and bad?" All of the evils all of the goods, all of the anythings that have ever occurred or will occur, are aspects of the human consciousness. Aspects of who I am, and where I came from. They are who I am. But then why do I continue to act as though these meaningless events, especially dreams, actually have any bearing on my day to day existence?
I think of the Yogi's, who are free to sit in a specific environment, which sets them up for success. They are alone, with nothing but spiritual aids around them. Nothing but devotee's around them, nothing but proper food and exercise around them, and the concepts of God and the Universe to feast on, all day long. When being so purposely setup for success, how can one fail? It is easy to reach enlightenment under these conditions. But give them a mortgage, a wife, a family, a job. Put the survival of their young on the line, and increase the pressure. How will they handle it? How real and applicable are their teachings then?
Perhaps they'll hold up. Perhaps they won't. One thing is for sure, they will need to adapt. And adapting in this realm, sometimes requires you to dip into the negative.
I often spent time wondering... how in the face of all of this "Goodness" that I have done, or that I am bringing and sharing with others in the world around me... how can I allow myself to experience these negative states? Over the years, I've shifted through several paradigms and theories as to why these cycles exist, and why I... "of all people" should have to experience them? Although I've experienced these negative cycles throughout all of my life, I never became so aware of it, as I have through the writing of these books.
During my writings of the more evil villains of the story, I've had to delve deep into the inner recesses of my mind, to extract the negative, and to play with it. To experience it, to embrace it, in order to write of it. I had to personalize it, in order to personalize it for my characters. In other words, I had to become evil, in my thoughts, in my perspective, and even in my behaviours... and I did so deliberately, in order to make the experience authentic for the reader. It was during this exercise that I realized that "evilness" can be picked up and dropped from the ego, or the self... just as easily as one would pick up a hammer, or a screw driver, or any other tool. Use it for the purpose in which it is required, and put it back in the tool shed until needed.
It was never put so crudely as it was when an old teacher of mine used to say... "Somebody's gotta be the asshole." I didn't quite understand what he meant at the time, but as my depth of comprehension as it relates to relationship dynamics grows and deepens, I'm beginning to understand.
And in this space, especially when I'm in this space of negativity, the questions arise as to ... "Why me?" So I plunge deep into the depths of Psycho Dynamics, and begin with my childhood. Were there specific reasons as to why I may dip in and out of the negative? Perhaps, but no greater or lesser than the experiences of any other average adult my age, or gender. So is it something that is "not unique?" Is this an experience that exists as the rain does... as the sun does... as simply what "is" in our realities. The eternal cycling from positive polarities to negative ones?
I think even greater still, these experiences are with me to help me understand the multifaceted depths of who I am, and in doing so, I'm able to illustrate the journey of myself, through myself, in my books. Without many of these experiences, my books wouldn't be nearly as engaging as they are. So, then the question comes to mind, did I do this to myself? Am I forcing myself through these experiences in order to help create an even more impactful work? Or is it greater than that, or perhaps more dimensional than that. Perhaps the works... the books are an aspect of the learning, but perhaps the real work lies in attaching meaning, and then evolving from these experiences.
And so I continue, I continue to attach meaning, and analyze the various thoughts that come into my head. I try to rationalize them, understand their origins, and then organize them according to my belief system. Why do the extremes have to be so great? I ask myself... why on the one hand is there the never ending urge to rescue all of us from ourselves, and in the other... perhaps a more self serving urge. Have I not adopted the concept of helping the all is helping the self? Why do the questions linger? In my understanding, they linger because I have not dealt with them yet.
Even more interesting, is my dream life is now more active than ever. And at times, more disturbing than ever. As I dip into the negative, so too does my dream life. Only to over emphasize my needs, or to highlight my dilemmas, or to put me in purposely uncomfortable situations to show me what is left to confront. What remains to be "worked out." Perhaps, the dreams are visions of the past, showing me exactly why these issues need to be worked out in this life. Sometimes these visions are so disturbing, that I force myself to awaken. Sometimes these dreams are so opposite of who I have created myself to be, that I wonder... why the dip into the negative? Why now? Why like this?
My mind then wanders into another paradigm of thought. If I exist in a realm where nothing is intrinsically meaningful. Meaning, nothing actually has any meaning at all, then why do I continue to hold myself hostage to the idea of "good and bad?" All of the evils all of the goods, all of the anythings that have ever occurred or will occur, are aspects of the human consciousness. Aspects of who I am, and where I came from. They are who I am. But then why do I continue to act as though these meaningless events, especially dreams, actually have any bearing on my day to day existence?
I think of the Yogi's, who are free to sit in a specific environment, which sets them up for success. They are alone, with nothing but spiritual aids around them. Nothing but devotee's around them, nothing but proper food and exercise around them, and the concepts of God and the Universe to feast on, all day long. When being so purposely setup for success, how can one fail? It is easy to reach enlightenment under these conditions. But give them a mortgage, a wife, a family, a job. Put the survival of their young on the line, and increase the pressure. How will they handle it? How real and applicable are their teachings then?
Perhaps they'll hold up. Perhaps they won't. One thing is for sure, they will need to adapt. And adapting in this realm, sometimes requires you to dip into the negative.
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Book 1 Update
So the time has come to finally present some status to my readership. All 2 of you :)
I've been working diligently with my editor over the past summer to get the manuscript to a polished and properly edited space. The good news is... Michelle informs me that the manuscript has been completely edited, and I now only away the few remaining Chapter and Part evaluations that are still outstanding.
This will give me a great lead into where the book may need strengthening prior to my inevitable presentation to various publishers. I will be taking the next couple months to completely review the manuscript, and ensure that the proper messages are delivered, with the appropriate balance of grammar and style that will attract a reader without getting in the way. With the edited manuscript, and chapter evaluations from my editor and another close friend of mine, I'll have a good deal of ammunition to polish the book as it should be.
After I've surfaced with a completed and 'ready for distribution' manuscript, I will be working diligently to create my book proposal, and will seek to find various publishers within the New York, and Chicago areas... and I'll go from there. This will be the beginning, where the world takes it after that is up to them.
I'm just thankful and happy to be apart of the process. Thanks for reading, more to come as the days unfold.
I've been working diligently with my editor over the past summer to get the manuscript to a polished and properly edited space. The good news is... Michelle informs me that the manuscript has been completely edited, and I now only away the few remaining Chapter and Part evaluations that are still outstanding.
This will give me a great lead into where the book may need strengthening prior to my inevitable presentation to various publishers. I will be taking the next couple months to completely review the manuscript, and ensure that the proper messages are delivered, with the appropriate balance of grammar and style that will attract a reader without getting in the way. With the edited manuscript, and chapter evaluations from my editor and another close friend of mine, I'll have a good deal of ammunition to polish the book as it should be.
After I've surfaced with a completed and 'ready for distribution' manuscript, I will be working diligently to create my book proposal, and will seek to find various publishers within the New York, and Chicago areas... and I'll go from there. This will be the beginning, where the world takes it after that is up to them.
I'm just thankful and happy to be apart of the process. Thanks for reading, more to come as the days unfold.
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Fully Present
What does that mean? It means something to me, but the question is what does it mean to you. What is your depth of comprehension when those two words are used in conjunction with each other.
FULLY - completely, entirely, wholly
PRESENT - right here, right now, aware
The simplicity of these two words is incredible, yet the implications are enormous. Can you do this? Can you be here, right now?
If you can, you'll suddenly discover something... beyond the wondrous feeling of being free of your past, of your neuroses, your analysis, your second guessing, and essentially your mind. You'll discover that there is nothing left... nothing left to think about, nothing to worry about, nothing to do... except be. Just exist.
Does the wind ask the trees to dance in its presence? Do the blades of grass ask not to be eaten? Do flowers require coaching to bloom? Do seeds require anything beyond what is contained within their tiny selves to become the mighty oak? All of the wisdom that created that seed, is present, always in that seed... and so the seed becomes. It grows, it flourishes, and it bends to the will of the sun, it bends to the will of the wind, yet never breaks. It simply decides how it needs to grow, and grows. So you too, decide how you want to grow, but always be aware that you are the seed. You have all the wisdom of life within you, and the same wisdom that created the seed, the grass, the wind, the world, created you. You are so much greater than what you think you are.
By virtue of you thinking at all, you've limited your experience. A great many masters have said "you must be out of your mind to discover yourself", and a truer statement has never been uttered. Be what you were intended to be... human. Be what you have always been... unbridled potential, inexplicable energy, unfathomable wisdom, unleashed passion, and an unknowing GOD.
You've forgotten something... you're caught up in the drama. You're caught up in the play... you're an actor who lives the role, and has become the character, losing all remembrances of the self. You forget that you've always lived, you'll always live, and that life is an eternal experience that you cannot be denied. You are an experience, you are an aspect, you are a life lived... just do so fully.
I had a talk last night with a really good friend of mine, and we discussed the barriers we put up for ourselves, and the ways in which we shelter ourselves from ourselves. We put up road blocks, to dissuade us from experiencing the now, fully. Why do we do this? Because for some, we dare not break the illusion. We dare not disturb the mystery, we dare not experience life in its fullest, out of fear. Fear of mistakes, fear of death, which of course, translates into a fear of life.
When the fallacies of the mind melt away, when the mind ceases to be present (a state accessible via the meditation techniques I've already provided in previous posts), there exists only emotion. Which emotion you ask? Well there are only two. Fear, and Love. The two essential polarities of energy in life. In all situations, we make either a fear based decisions (as a result of a fear based belief system) or a love based decision (which fully embraces life, realizing that we have been, and always will be love). All emotions are a derivative of these two. Think about it... jealousy... is that fear based, or love based? If you're confused, here's how you can tell which polarity you're swinging to...
Love - sets free, embraces, caresses, forgives, and surrenders.
Fear - confines, rejects, hurts, never forgets, and defends.
If you feel confined in your decision, it is fear based. If you feel rejuvenated, and set free by your decision, it's love based. If it is the best interests for all people involved, it is love based. If it is in the best interests of the self, and restricts you, it's fear.
Which side of the fence are you on?
A technique that I provided my friend... to experience the essence of who she is, and to experience the love in which the universe has for her, and the love she has for herself... I've given the following exercise:
Look into a mirror, look deeply into your own eyes. Never look away, regardless of how uncomfortable you might feel. Keep looking, look deeper, and surrender to the exercise. Look deep into your own eyes, and notice your feelings... notice that you will soon be embraced by a magnificent love that will permeate throughout your entire body.
If you can do this for longer than 10 seconds, you'll begin to feel this. If you can do this for 5 minutes, you will experience a warmth that you've sought after all of your life.
In combination with this exercise, the following word must be pronounced:
WHO
But stretch it out, as if it was a mantra of sorts, elongate the OOOOOOO sound. Take a breath, and repeat.
Example: WHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO?
You may do the exercise with or without saying WHO, but I recommend trying both... especially for those who are not sure who they really are.
For my friend however, I suggest you try this initially for.... 55 seconds.
Namaste.
FULLY - completely, entirely, wholly
PRESENT - right here, right now, aware
The simplicity of these two words is incredible, yet the implications are enormous. Can you do this? Can you be here, right now?
If you can, you'll suddenly discover something... beyond the wondrous feeling of being free of your past, of your neuroses, your analysis, your second guessing, and essentially your mind. You'll discover that there is nothing left... nothing left to think about, nothing to worry about, nothing to do... except be. Just exist.
Does the wind ask the trees to dance in its presence? Do the blades of grass ask not to be eaten? Do flowers require coaching to bloom? Do seeds require anything beyond what is contained within their tiny selves to become the mighty oak? All of the wisdom that created that seed, is present, always in that seed... and so the seed becomes. It grows, it flourishes, and it bends to the will of the sun, it bends to the will of the wind, yet never breaks. It simply decides how it needs to grow, and grows. So you too, decide how you want to grow, but always be aware that you are the seed. You have all the wisdom of life within you, and the same wisdom that created the seed, the grass, the wind, the world, created you. You are so much greater than what you think you are.
By virtue of you thinking at all, you've limited your experience. A great many masters have said "you must be out of your mind to discover yourself", and a truer statement has never been uttered. Be what you were intended to be... human. Be what you have always been... unbridled potential, inexplicable energy, unfathomable wisdom, unleashed passion, and an unknowing GOD.
You've forgotten something... you're caught up in the drama. You're caught up in the play... you're an actor who lives the role, and has become the character, losing all remembrances of the self. You forget that you've always lived, you'll always live, and that life is an eternal experience that you cannot be denied. You are an experience, you are an aspect, you are a life lived... just do so fully.
I had a talk last night with a really good friend of mine, and we discussed the barriers we put up for ourselves, and the ways in which we shelter ourselves from ourselves. We put up road blocks, to dissuade us from experiencing the now, fully. Why do we do this? Because for some, we dare not break the illusion. We dare not disturb the mystery, we dare not experience life in its fullest, out of fear. Fear of mistakes, fear of death, which of course, translates into a fear of life.
When the fallacies of the mind melt away, when the mind ceases to be present (a state accessible via the meditation techniques I've already provided in previous posts), there exists only emotion. Which emotion you ask? Well there are only two. Fear, and Love. The two essential polarities of energy in life. In all situations, we make either a fear based decisions (as a result of a fear based belief system) or a love based decision (which fully embraces life, realizing that we have been, and always will be love). All emotions are a derivative of these two. Think about it... jealousy... is that fear based, or love based? If you're confused, here's how you can tell which polarity you're swinging to...
Love - sets free, embraces, caresses, forgives, and surrenders.
Fear - confines, rejects, hurts, never forgets, and defends.
If you feel confined in your decision, it is fear based. If you feel rejuvenated, and set free by your decision, it's love based. If it is the best interests for all people involved, it is love based. If it is in the best interests of the self, and restricts you, it's fear.
Which side of the fence are you on?
A technique that I provided my friend... to experience the essence of who she is, and to experience the love in which the universe has for her, and the love she has for herself... I've given the following exercise:
Look into a mirror, look deeply into your own eyes. Never look away, regardless of how uncomfortable you might feel. Keep looking, look deeper, and surrender to the exercise. Look deep into your own eyes, and notice your feelings... notice that you will soon be embraced by a magnificent love that will permeate throughout your entire body.
If you can do this for longer than 10 seconds, you'll begin to feel this. If you can do this for 5 minutes, you will experience a warmth that you've sought after all of your life.
In combination with this exercise, the following word must be pronounced:
WHO
But stretch it out, as if it was a mantra of sorts, elongate the OOOOOOO sound. Take a breath, and repeat.
Example: WHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO?
You may do the exercise with or without saying WHO, but I recommend trying both... especially for those who are not sure who they really are.
For my friend however, I suggest you try this initially for.... 55 seconds.
Namaste.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)