If we are to have true peace in the world, we must first find it within ourselves.
Most people agree that a more peaceful world would be an ideal situation for all living creatures. However, we often seem stumped as to how to bring this ideal situation into being. If we are to have true peace in this world, each one of us must find it in ourselves first. If we don’t like ourselves, for example, we probably won’t like those around us. If we are in a constant state of inner conflict, then we will probably manifest conflict in the world. If we have fighting within our families, there can be no peace in the world. We must shine the light of inquiry on our internal struggles, because this is the only place we can really create change.
When we initiate the process of looking inside ourselves for the meaning of peace, we will begin to understand why it has always been so difficult to come by. This in itself will enable us to be compassionate toward the many people in the world who find themselves caught up in conflicts both personal and universal. We may have an experience of peace that we can call up in ourselves to remind us of what we want to create, but if we are human we will also feel the pull in the opposite direction—the desire to defend ourselves, to keep what we feel belongs to us, to protect our loved ones and our cherished ideals, and the anger we feel when threatened. This awareness is important because we cannot truly know peace until we understand the many tendencies and passions that threaten our ability to find it. Peace necessarily includes, even as it transcends, all of our primal energy, much of which has been expressed in ways that contradict peace.
Being at peace with ourselves is not about denying or rejecting any part of ourselves. On the contrary, in order to be at peace we must be willing and able to hold ourselves, in all our complexity, in a full embrace that excludes nothing. This is perhaps the most difficult part for many of us, because we want so much to disown the negative aspects of our humanity. Ironically, though, true peace begins with a willingness to take responsibility for our humanity so that we might ultimately transform it in the light of our love.
We can improve our overall physical well-being by first starting to notice our thoughts and our reactions to our thoughts.
The power of the mind is a curious thing, because it is so powerful yet so difficult to control sometimes. We find ourselves thinking a certain way, knowing that this thought may be creating trouble for us yet we find it difficult to stop. For example, many people have the experience of getting sick at the same time every year or every time they go on a plane. They may even be aware that their beliefs impact their experiences, so continue to think they will get sick and then they do.
Sometimes we need to get sick in order to process something or move something through our bodies. But often we get sick, or feel exhausted, because we don’t make the effort to galvanize the power of our minds in the service of our physical health, which is one of its most important functions. We really can use it to communicate to our bodies, yet we often regard the two as separate entities that have little to do with one another.
Knowing this, we have the power to create physical health and mental health, simply by paying attention to the tapes running in our minds. Once we hear ourselves, we have the option to let that tape keep running or to make a new recording. We harness the power of the mind in our defense when we choose supportive, healing words that foster good health and high spirits. All we need to do is remember to tend the field of our mind with the attentive and loving hand of a master gardener tending her flower beds, culling out the weeds so that the blossoms may come to fruition.
Remembering the Moment, Enjoying Life: by Madisyn Taylor
It is only in the present moment that we experience being alive.
Life, in all of its fullness, is happening right now. While our thoughts are sometimes elsewhere, beautiful opportunities and moments are being passed over and lost to the flow of time. And though we cannot possibly fully experience each leaf that falls to the ground, sometimes we get so attached to reaching our goals that we don’t pay attention to the wonder all around us. When we do that, we live in a world that exists only in our heads, while we miss life itself.
There is so much to be enjoyed and appreciated that we need to remember to pay attention to the present moment, because it is the only space in which we can experience being alive.We learn from our past, but dwelling on it keeps us from being fully present to life in the moment. We create our lives with our thoughts, but focusing so firmly on our imagined future keeps us from co-creating with the universe, so we might never allow ourselves to live our dreams as they manifest. It’s possible to be so happy and comfortable in our inner worlds that we lose touch with the business of life. We may enjoy spending large portions of time in meditation, or focused on our thoughts.
Life must be attended to, and if we are wise, we can enjoy it at the same time. We can awaken ourselves to the moment we are living right now by taking a deep breath and simply looking around. In doing so, we refocus our attention to our location in the real world. Then we can learn to appreciate the process of working toward our goals as much as their attainment. Balancing ourselves between the present moment and eternity, we can experience and enjoy the full range of reality available to us as spiritual beings living on earth.
Visiting a sacred site can be a useful tool to open something within you that has remained inaccessible.
From time immemorial, the hands of men and women have built sites guided by both the earth’s life force and benevolent beings of light. It is because of this guidance that the sites we deem sacred have long served as repositories of wisdom, energy, and illumination that can be accessed by all. The needs that inspire seekers to converge upon sites known to be sacred vary by individual. Some crave spiritual fulfillment above all else, while others hope to draw upon a site’s energy for the purpose of enlightenment, healing, or deep meditation, awareness and knowledge of information long gone.
Sacred sites can appear insignificant to those who close themselves off from the notion of a living earth. But sites can provide us with a link to a unified consciousness that involves the living and the dead, infinite cultures, the physical plane, and the spiritual world. When we look beyond well-known sites like Stonehenge, we discover energetically active sites such as the Iron Age fogou caves of Cornwall, England, or the pyramids of Meroe in the Sudan. Similarly, it is easy to imagine that hallowed places exist only in remote or exotic locales. Yet many of the most richly vital sites are easily accessible, and visiting these lesser-known sites can be a profoundly moving experience. One such site, Serpent Mound in Ohio, was thought to be created by the ancient Adena peoples nearly 1,000 years ago to align with the summer and winter solstices. Its precise purpose remains unclear, but many who visit the site conclude that it was meant to be a conduit through which cosmic en! ergy could flow into the earth.
The sacred sites that call to you from afar—capturing your imagination and resonating deep within your soul—will nearly always be those that can help you forge a deeper connection with the divine energy that sustains all life. During your pilgrimage, reaffirm your intention to accept whatever gifts are conveyed to you through the sites you visit. Your receptiveness will help you establish lasting relationships with these sites so that you can draw upon their peace and their power from wherever you are.
Lao Tzu is the author of– Tao Te Ching. It contains many words of wisdom about life, introspection, reflection, personal discovery and natural laws.
Here are just 7 of my favorite life changing lessons expressed by Lao Tzu- along with my personal insights/reflections on each of them.
1. The world is won by those who let it go.
“By letting it go it all gets done. The world is won by those who let it go. But when you try and try. The world is beyond the winning.” ~ Lao Tzu “Therefore the Master acts without doing anything and teaches without saying anything. Things arise and she lets them come; things disappear and she lets them go. She has but doesn’t possess, acts but doesn’t expect. When her work is done, she forgets it. That is why it lasts forever.” ~ Lao Tzu “He who clings to his work will create nothing that endures.” ~ Lao Tzu
To me this means compassionate detachment. When you give without expecting anything in return, then you are able to freely give – from the heart.
2. Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom.
“Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power.” ~ Lao Tzu
One of the most profound statements is : Know Thyself .
I think it takes great courage to look at yourself with honesty and great awareness to see the many characteristics we possess.
3. At the center of your being you have the answer to all life’s questions.
“At the center of your being you have the answer; you know who you are and you know what you want.” ~ Lao Tzu
This statement really resonates with my motto: All you need is within you
4. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you. “If you realize that you have enough, you are truly rich.” ~ Lao Tzu “Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.” ~ Lao Tzu
Being/Feeling rich or poor is a state of mind. I have seen kids playing in the streets with a ball – full of joy and having fun, and I have also seen children with rooms full of gidgets and gadgets complaining to their parents ‘‘I am bored”. It’s all a state of mind. You are as rich as you feel.
5. Non-being is the greatest joy.
“Health is the greatest possession. Contentment is the greatest treasure. Confidence is the greatest friend. Non-being is the greatest joy.” ~ Lao Tzu
I read this a few times and reflected on how we are socialized to give ourselves ‘labels’ – such as mother, husband, writer, sister, son, poet, and practitioner. But have you ever stopped and asked yourself – who are you without the ‘labels’? Who are you without your name (which you were given by the way). Non being to me means to remember your true essence , without the ‘labels’, hats you wear or roles that you play. Just be.
6. If you realize that all things change, there is nothing you will try to hold on to.
“If you realize that all things change, there is nothing you will try to hold on to. If you are not afraid of dying, there is nothing you cannot achieve.” ~ Lao Tzu
This statement reminds me of a Native saying: ” when you live in the natural giving and receiving of life, stress does not exist. “ When we allow things to unfold and flow freely, without resistance, without strife- knowing that nothing lasts forever, we reduce inner turmoil, anxiety and suffering.
7. Be good to all.
“Treat those who are good with goodness, and also treat those who are not good with goodness. Thus goodness is attained. Be honest to those who are honest, and be also honest to those who are not honest. Thus honesty is attained.” ~ Lao Tzu
Kindness can be contagious! By choosing to be good, and speak and think positively, we can create a ripple affect (laws of vibration) to influence others to do the same. Try it and see the results!
What’s new with Dawn
Enjoying my first grand child who turns one year old next month. It’s a joy and blessing to see the world through his eyes. Thanks to my daughter and son in law – here is my NEW NICK NAME
Live your Best Life – are you ready?
Live Your Best Life!
3-Day Women’s Conference & Retreat March 2016 (Isla Mujeres) Be inspired, feed your mind, nurture your body, uplift your soul and Live Your Best Life! You will experience all of this and more during the 3+ day Women’s conference and retreat. Daily keynote addresses, interactive workshops, choice of movement sessions, and fun socials make-up this “crazy amazing” and “life-affirming experience.”
Save your seat today and be among us March 3 – 6, 2016.
Here’s where event takes place ( Mia Reef Resort)
CONTACT ME for more information on this 3-Day Women’s conference & retreat
Location: Isla Mujeres (Island of Women) Mexico
Most of you know I LOVE to hibernate or write during the winter, and this year is no exception. I look forward to speaking and hopefully seeing you again in 2016.
