I believe that to meet the challenge of our times, human beings will have to develop a greater sense of universal responsibility. We must all learn to work not just for our own self, family, or nation, but for the benefit of all humankind.
Universal responsibility is the key to human survival. It is the best foundation for world peace, the equitable use of natural resources, and through concern for future generations, the proper care of the environment.
The Dalai Lama
This worries me deeply.
Please watch this short video and pass it on to your friends.
We need to try and encourage our children to get out more, to break away (at least for short periods of time) from their addiction to technology, to on-line gaming, to fast food, to one-dimentional communications via text messaging and social networking in the place of real communication and for them to enjoy mother earth and the wonders that it brings to our lives, to feel the wind in their hair and the warmth of the sun on their skin, to hear the sounds of nature and smell the scent of the flowers and trees.
Nature is truly fantastic, it can be found or re-created everywhere, even in the smallest inner city areas, even in small window boxes on a high-rise apartment building window or balcony. We owe our existance to it and we need our children to cherish it and for them to help educate the next generation and the generations to come to also enjoy it and protect it.
Please do your best to help promote this video and all it stands for.
Namaste
Mark
You don’t need anything except yourself and your totality.
Going beyond the mind..is not dropping the mind
it is going beyond the mind..into a state of no mind.
Just accept yourself exactly how you are
and the struggle will disappear
and your energy will become a vast reservoir of love
settled and relaxed
then you can listen deeply
and trust your inner being.
Love yourself..accept yourself..be yourself
these qualities will create for the first time
an individual whose inner flame is un-dividable
a great pool of energy will gather and surround you
with this an inner trust will arise from within you.
The journey is simple
from the fragmented many..
to the individual one..to the cosmic all
live life..love life..accept life with laughter and joy
life is a pure celebration of you..a celebration of your being
being alive each moment in this dance of the universe.
Swami Rajneesh
Namaste
Mark
Gautam Buddha – The Forty-Two Chapter Sutra
Having attained Buddha hood, the World-honored One thought thus:
“To be free from the passions and to be calm, this is the most excellent Way.” He was absorbed in Great Meditation, subdued all evil ones, and in Deer Park caused to revolve the Wheel of Dharma, which was the Fourfold Truth, and converted the five Bhikshus, Kaudinya, etc., inducing them to attain Enlightenment. Again, there were other Bhikshus who implored the Buddha to remove their doubts, which they had concerning his doctrine. The World-honored One illumined all their minds through his authoritative teachings. The Bhikshus, joining their hands and reverentially bowing, followed his august instructions.
(1) The Buddha said: “Those who leave their parents, go out of the home, understand the mind, reach the source, and comprehend the immaterial, are called Çramana. “Those who observe the two hundred and fifty precepts of morality, who are pure and spotless in their behavior, and who exert themselves for the attainment of the four fruits of saintship, are called Arhats.
“The Arhat is able to fly through space and assume different forms; his life is eternal, and there are times when he causes heaven and earth to quake.
“Next is the Anâgâmin. At the end of his life, the spirit of the Anâgâmin ascends to the nineteenth heaven and obtains Arhatship.
“Next is the Skridâgâmin. The Skridâgâmin ascends to the heavens [after his death], comes back to the earth once more, and then attains Arhatship.
“Next is the Srotaâpanna. The Srotaâpanna dies seven times and is born seven times, when he finally attains Arhatship.
“By the severance of the passions is meant that like the limbs severed they are never again made use of.”
(2) The Buddha said: “The homeless Çramana cuts off the passions, frees himself of attachments, understands the source of his own mind, penetrates the deepest doctrine of Buddha, and comprehends the Dharma which is immaterial. He has no prejudice in his heart; he has nothing to hanker after. He is not hampered by the thought of the Way, nor is he entangled in karma. No prejudice, no compulsion, no discipline, no enlightenment, and no going up through the grades, and yet in possession of all honors in itself, –this is called the Way.”
(3) The Buddha said: “Those who shaving their heads and faces become Çramanas and who receive instruction in the Way, should surrender all worldly possessions and be contented with whatever they obtain by begging. One meal a day and one lodging under a tree, and neither should be repeated. For what makes one stupid and irrational are attachments and the passions.
(4) The Buddha said: “There are ten things considered good by all beings, and ten things evil. What are they? Three of them depend upon the body, four upon the mouth, and three upon thought. ”Three evil deeds depending upon the body are: killing, stealing, and committing adultery. The four depending upon the mouth are: slandering, cursing, lying, and flattery. The three depending upon thought are: envy, anger, and infatuation. All these things are against the Holy Way, and therefore they are evil. “When these evils are not done, there are ten good deeds.
(5) The Buddha said: “If a man who has committed many a misdemeanor does not repent and cleanse his heart of the evil, retribution will come upon his person as sure as the streams run into the ocean which becomes ever deeper and wider. ”If a man who has committed a misdemeanor come to the knowledge of it, reform himself, and practice goodness, the force of retribution will gradually exhaust itself as a disease gradually loses its baneful influence when the patient perspires.”
(6) The Buddha said: “When an evil-doer, seeing you practice goodness, comes and maliciously insults you, you should patiently endure it and not feel angry with him, for the evil-doer is insulting himself by trying to insult you.”
(7) The Buddha said: “Once a man came unto me and denounced me on account of my observing the Way and practicing great loving-kindness. But I kept silent and did not answer him. The denunciation ceased. I then asked him, if you bring a present to your neighbor and he accepts it not, does the present come back to you?’ The man replied, ‘It will.’ I said, ‘you denounce me now, but as I accept it not, you must take the wrong deed back on your own person. It is like echo succeeding sound, it is like shadow following object; you never escape the effect of your own evil deeds. Be therefore mindful, and cease from doing evil.'”
(8) The Buddha said: “Evil-doers who denounce the wise resemble a person who spits against the sky; the spittle will never reach the sky, but comes down on himself. Evildoers again resemble a man who stirs the dust against the wind; the dust is never raised without doing him injury. Thus, the wise will never be hurt, but the curse is sure to destroy the evil-doers themselves.”
(9) The Buddha said: “If you endeavor to embrace the Way through much learning, the Way will not be understood. If you observe the Way with simplicity of heart, great indeed is this Way.”
(10) The Buddha said: “Those who rejoice in seeing others observe the Way will obtain great blessing.” A Çramana asked the Buddha, “Would this blessing ever be destroyed?” The Buddha said, “It is like a lighted torch whose flame can be distributed to ever so many other torches which people may bring along; and therewith they will cook food and dispel darkness, while the original torch itself remains burning ever the same It is even so with the bliss of the Way.”
(11) The Buddha said: “It is better to feed one good man than to feed one hundred bad men. It is better to feed one who observes the five precepts of Buddha than to feed one thousand good men. It is better to feed one Srotaâpanna than to feed ten thousands of those who observe the five precepts of Buddha. It is better to feed one Skridâgâmin than to feed one million of Srotaâpannas. It is better to feed one Anâgâmin than to feed ten millions of Skridâgâmins. It is better to feed one Arhat than to feed one hundred millions of Anâgâmins. It is better to feed one Pratyekabuddha than to feed one billion of Arhats. It is better to feed one of the Buddha’s, either of the present, or of the past, or of the future, than to feed ten billions of Pratyekabuddhas. It is better to feed one who is above knowledge, one-sidedness, discipline, and enlightenment than to feed one hundred billions of Buddha’s of the past, present, or future.”
(12) The Buddha said: “There are twenty difficult things to attain [or to accomplish] in this world:
(1) It is difficult for the poor to practice charity
(2) It is difficult for the strong and rich to observe the Way
(3) It is difficult to disregard life and go to certain death
(4) It is only a favored few that gets acquainted with a Buddhist sutra
(5) It is by rare opportunity that a person is born in the age of Buddha
(6) It is difficult to conquer the passions, to suppress selfish desires
(7) It is difficult not to hanker after that which is agreeable
(8) It is difficult not to get into a passion when slighted
(9) It is difficult not to abuse one’s authority
(10) It is difficult to be even-minded and simple-hearted in all one’s dealings with others
(11) It is difficult to be thorough in learning and exhaustive in investigation
(12) It is difficult to subdue selfish pride
(13) It is difficult not to feel contempt toward the unlearned
(14) It is difficult to be one in knowledge and practice
(15) It is difficult not to express an opinion about others
(16) It is by rare opportunity that one is introduced to a true spiritual teacher
(17) It is difficult to gain an insight into the nature of being and to practice the Way
(18) It is difficult to follow the steps of a savior
(19) It is difficult to be always the master of oneself
(20) It is difficult to understand thoroughly the Ways of Buddha.”
(13) A monk asked the Buddha: “Under what conditions is it possible to come to the knowledge of the past and to understand the most supreme Way?”
The Buddha said: “Those who are pure in heart and single in purpose are able to understand the most supreme Way. It is like polishing a mirror, which becomes bright when the dust is removed. Remove your passions, and have no hankering, and the past will be revealed unto you.”
(14) A monk asked the Buddha: “What is good, and what is great?” The Buddha answered: “Good is to practice the Way and to follow the truth. Great is the heart that is in accord with the Way.”
(15) A monk asked the Buddha: “What is most powerful, and what is most illuminating?” The Buddha said: “Meekness is most powerful, for it harbors no evil thoughts, and, moreover, it is restful and full of strength. As it is free from evils, it is sure to be honored by all. “The most illuminating is a mind which is thoroughly cleansed of dirt, and which, remaining pure, retains no blemishes. From the time when there was yet no- heaven and earth till the present day, there is nothing in the ten quarters which is not seen, or known, or heard by such a mind, for it has gained all-knowledge, and for that reason it is called ‘illuminating.”
(16) The Buddha said: “Those who have passions are never able to perceive the Way; for it is like stirring up clear water with hands; people may come there wishing to find a reflection of their faces, which, however, they will never see. A mind troubled and vexed with the passions is impure, and on that account it never sees the Way. O monks, do away with passions. When the dirt of passion is removed the Way will manifest itself.”
(17) The Buddha said: “Seeing the Way is like going into a dark room with a torch; the darkness instantly departs, while the light alone remains. When the Way is attained and the truth is seen, ignorance vanishes and enlightenment abides forever.”
(18) The Buddha said: “My doctrine is to think the thought that is unthinkable, to practice the deed that is not-doing, to speak the speech that is inexpressible, and to be trained in the discipline that is beyond discipline. Those who understand this are near; those who are confused are far. The Way is beyond words and expressions, is bound by nothing earthly. Lose sight of it to an inch, or miss it for a moment, and we are away from it forevermore.”
(19) The Buddha said: “Look up to heaven and down on earth, and they will remind you of their impermanency. Look about the world, and it will remind you of its impermanency. But when you gain spiritual enlightenment, you shall then find wisdom. The knowledge thus attained leads you anon to the Way.”
(20) The Buddha said: “You should think of the four elements of which the body is composed. Each of them has its own name, and there is no such thing there known as ego. As there is really no ego, it is like unto a mirage.”
(21) The Buddha said: “Moved by their selfish desires, people seek after fame and glory. But when they have acquired it, they are already stricken in years. If you hanker after worldly fame and practice not the Way, your labors are wrongfully applied and your energy is wasted. It is like unto burning an incense stick. However much its pleasing odor be admired, the fire that consumes is steadily burning up the stick.”
(22) The Buddha said: “People cleave to their worldly possessions and selfish passions so blindly as to sacrifice their own lives for them. They are like a child who tries to eat a little, honey smeared on the edge of a knife. The amount is by no means sufficient to appease his appetite, but he runs the risk of wounding his tongue.”
(23) The Buddha said: “Men are tied up to their families and possessions more helplessly than in a prison. There is an occasion for the prisoner to be released, but householders entertain no desire to be relieved from the ties of family. When a man’s passion is aroused nothing prevents him from ruining himself. Even into the maws of a tiger will he jump? Those who are thus drowned in the filth of passion are called the ignorant. Those who are able to overcome it are saintly Arhats.”
(24) The Buddha said: “There is nothing like lust. Lust may be said to be the most powerful passion. Fortunately, we have but one thing, which is more powerful. If the thirst for truth were weaker than passion, how many of us in the world would be able to follow the way of righteous?”
(25) The Buddha. said: “Men who are addicted to the passions are like the torch-carrier running against the wind; his hands are sure to be burned.”
(26) The Lord of Heaven offered a beautiful fairy to the Buddha, desiring to tempt him to the evil path. But the Buddha said, “Be gone. What use have I for the leather bag filled with filth which you have brought to me?” Then, the god reverently bowed and asked the Buddha about the essence of the Way, in which having been instructed by the Buddha, it is said, and he attained the Srotaâpanna-fruit.
(27) The Buddha said: “Those who are following the Way should behave like a piece of timber which is drifting along a stream. If the log is neither held by the banks, nor seized by men, nor obstructed by the gods, nor kept in the whirlpool, nor itself goes to decay, I assure you that this log will finally reach the ocean. If monks walking on the Way are neither tempted by the passions, nor led astray by some evil influences, but steadily pursue their course for Nirvâna, I assure you that these monks will finally attain enlightenment.”
(28) The Buddha said: “Rely not upon your own will. Your own will is not trustworthy. Guard yourselves against sensualism, for it surely leads to the path of evil. Your own will becomes trustworthy only when you have attained Arhatship.”
(29) The Buddha said: “O monks, you should not see women. [If you should have to see them], refrain from talking to them. [If you should have to talk], you should reflect in a right spirit: ‘I am now a homeless mendicant. In the world of sin, I must behave myself like unto the lotus flower whose purity is not defiled by the mud. Old ones I will treat as my mother; elderly ones as elder sisters; younger ones as younger sisters; and little ones as daughters.’ And in all this you should harbor no evil thoughts, but think of salvation.”
(30) The Buddha said: “Those who walk in the Way should avoid sensualism as those who carry hay would avoid coming near the fire.”
(31) The Buddha said: “There was once a man who, being in despair over his inability to control his passions, wished to mutilate himself. The Buddha said to him: ‘Better destroy your own evil thoughts than do harm to your own person. The mind is lord. When the lord himself is calmed the servants will of themselves be yielding. If your mind is not cleansed of evil passions, what avails it to mutilate yourself?” Thereupon, the Buddha recited the gâthâ, ”Passions grow from the will, The will grows from thought and imagination: When both are calmed, There is neither sensualism nor transmigration.” The Buddha said, this gâthâ was taught before by Kâshyapabuddha.
(32) The Buddha said: “From the passions arise worry, and from worry arises fear. Away with the passions, and no fear, no worry.”
(33) The Buddha said: Those who follow the Way are like unto warriors who fight single-handed with a multitude of foes. They may all go out of the fort in full armor; but among them are some who are faint-hearted, and some who go halfway and beat a retreat, and some who are killed in the affray, and some who come home victorious. O monks, if you desire to attain enlightenment, you should steadily walk in your Way, with a resolute heart, with courage, and should be fearless in whatever environment you may happen to be, and destroy every evil influence that you may come across; for thus you shall reach the goal.”
(34) One night a monk was reciting a sutra bequeathed by Kâshyapabuddha. His tone was so mournful, and his voice so fainting, as if he were going out of existence. The Buddha asked the monk, “What was your occupation before you became a homeless monk? “Said the monk, “I was very fond of playing the guitar.” The Buddha said, “How did you find it when the strings were too loose?” Said the monk, “No sound is possible.” “How when the strings were too tight?” “They crack.” “How when they were neither too tight nor too loose?” “Every note sounds in its proper tone.” The Buddha then said to the monk, “Religious discipline is also like unto playing the guitar. When the mind is properly adjusted and quietly applied, the Way is attainable; but when you are too fervently bent on it, your body grows tired; and when your body is tired, your spirit becomes weary; when your spirit is weary, your discipline will relax; and with the relaxation of discipline there follows many an evil. Therefore, be calm and pure, and the Way will be gained.”
(35) The Buddha said: “When a man makes utensils out of a metal which has been thoroughly cleansed of dross, the utensils will be excellent. You monks, who wish to follow the Way, make your own hearts clean from the dirt of evil passion, and your conduct will be unimpeachable.”
(36) The Buddha said: “Even if one escapes from the evil creations, it is one’s rare fortune to be born as a human being. Even if one were born as human, it is one’s rare fortune to be born as a man and not a woman. Even if one were born a man, it is one’s rare fortune to be perfect in all the six senses. Even if he were perfect in all the six senses, it is his rare fortune to be born in the middle kingdom. Even if he were born in the middle kingdom, it is his rare fortune to be born in the time of a Buddha. Even if he were born in the time of a Buddha, it is his rare fortune to see the enlightened. Even if he were able to see the enlightened, it is his rare fortune to have his heart awakened in faith. Even if he has faith, it is his rare fortune to awaken the heart of intelligence. Even if he awakens the heart of intelligence, it is his rare fortune to realize a spiritual state which is above discipline and attainment.”
(37) The Buddha said: “O children of Buddha! You are away from me ever so many thousand miles, but if you remember and think of my precepts, you shall surely gain the fruit of enlightenment. You may, standing by my side, see me always, but if you observe not my precepts, you shall never gain enlightenment.”
(38) The Buddha asked a monk, “How do you measure the length of a man’s life?” The monk answered, “By days.” The Buddha said, “You do not understand the Way.” The Buddha asked another monk, “How do you measure the length of a man’s life?” The answered, “By the time that passes during a meal.” The Buddha said, “You do not understand the way.” The Buddha asked a third monk, “How do you measure the length of a man’s life?” The monk answered, “By the breath.” The Buddha said, “Very well, you know the Way.”
(39) The Buddha said, “Those who study the doctrine of the Buddha’s will do well to believe and observe all that is taught by them. It is like unto honey; it is sweet within, it is sweet without, it is sweet throughout; so is the Buddha’s’ teaching.”
(40) The Buddha said: “O monks, you must not walk on the Way as the ox that is attached to the wheel. His body moves, but his heart is not willing. But when your hearts are in accord with the Way, there is no need of troubling yourselves about your outward demeanor.”
(41) The Buddha said: “Those who practice the Way might well follow the example of an ox that marches through the deep mire carrying a heavy load. He is tired, but his steady gaze, looking forward, will never relax until he come out of the mire, and it is only then that he takes a respite. O monks, remember that passions and sins are more than the filthy mire, and that you can escape misery only by earnestly and steadily thinking of the Way.”
(42) The Buddha said: “I consider the dignities of kings and lords as a particle of dust that floats in the sunbeam. I consider the treasure of precious metals and stones as bricks and pebbles. I consider the gaudy dress of silks and brocades as a worn-out rag. I consider this universe as small as the holila (?) fruit. I consider the lake of Anavatapta as a drop of oil with which one smears the feet. I consider the various methods of salvation taught by the Buddha’s as a treasure created by the imagination. I consider the transcendental doctrine of Buddhism as precious metal or priceless fabric seen in a dream. I consider the teaching of Buddha’s as a flower before my eyes. I consider the practice of Dhyâna as a pillar supporting the Mount Sumeru. I consider Nirvâna as awakening from a daydream or nightmare. I consider the struggle between heterodox and orthodox as the antics of the six [mythical] dragons. I consider the doctrine of sameness as the absolute ground of reality. I consider all the religious works done for universal salvation as like the plants in the four seasons.”
When you feel down, feel rejected and feel hopeless take stock of what you have in your life, be truly grateful for what you have right now and look forward to our future, open your eyes and your heart to a new life filled with love, compassion, joy, happiness and abundance. Only YOU can make a change in your life!
This short video shows one man’s determination to make a change to his life and his drive to Never, Ever give up!
Namaste
Mark
Please sit back, close you eyes, relax and enjoy the angelic Agnus Dei performed by the Choir of New College Oxford, absolutely beautiful 🙂
It matters not what your beliefs are or what religion you follow, this is purely angelic 🙂 I do hope you all agree?
Namaste
Mark
Be Thankful and Be Inspired a fantastic inspirational video of Nick Vujicic.
My tears flow freely while watching this video-not out of sympathy but out of respect and admiration for his strength and courage to make a difference in this world.
No arms, no legs – no worries! Nick Vujicic uses his story to inspire and inform people all around the world. Don’t let this life-changing message pass you by. Share this with everyone you know!
Namaste
Mark
Please click the image to watch the video.
Namaste
Mark
Kindness in words creates confidence, Kindness in thinking creates profoundness, Kindness in giving creates Love.
Kindness can restore hope to many hearts through a single act.
Kind words can be short and easy to speak but their echoes are truly endless.
Spiritually, Kindness is also considered to be one of the seven Divine Virtues.
We need to assume our responsibilities on bringing kindness and compassion to this world,
to bring justice,
to bring peace
and true fraternity among men.
Today, give a stranger one of your smiles. It might be the only sunshine he sees all day.
If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.
Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.
Namaste
Mark
Knowing others is to be clever.
Knowing yourself is to be enlightened.
Overcoming others requires force.
Overcoming yourself requires strength.
Lao Tzu
A Person of high virtue is not conscious of virtue
and therefore possesses virtue.
A person of little virtue tries to be virtuous and
therefore lacks virtue.
Lao Tzu
Those who look only at themselves see little.
Those who justify themselves are not distinguished.
Those who brag have no merit.
The work of prideful people will not endure.
Lao Tzu
When desires are restrained there will be peace,
and then all under heaven will be at rest.
Lao Tzu
This short Video is simply Stunning:
Namaste
Mark
At the start of the new millennium the Dalai Lama issued eighteen rules for living.
1. Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
2. When you lose, don’t lose the lesson.
3. Follow the three Rs: 1. Respect for self 2. Respect for others 3. Responsibility for all your actions.
4. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.
5. Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.
6. Don’t let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
7
. When you realize you’ve made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
8. Spend some time alone every day.
9. Open your arms to change, but don’t let go of your values.
10. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
11. Live a good, honourable life. Then when you get older and think back, you’ll be able to enjoy it a second time.
12. A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life.
13. In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation. Don’t bring up the past.
14. Share your knowledge. It’s a way to achieve immortality.
15. Be gentle with the earth.
16. Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before.
17. Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.
18. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.
Namaste
Mark
THE PAST IS ALREADY GONE,
THE FUTURE IS NOT YET HERE.
THERE’S ONLY ONE MOMENT
FOR YOU TO LIVE,
AND THAT IS THE PRESENT
MOMENT.
BUDDAH
Namaste
Mark
Hi Everybody,
I thought that for the November Energy Forecast I wanted to treat you to this view (Lee points to hillside behind him in the video). It’s unbelievable. It’s in Boulder, Colorado, where I live, and this is a place that I come and walk to rebalance myself. So for those of you who aren’t living in the countryside at the moment, or don’t get to experience something like this very often, I wanted to share it with you the best way I could.
I’m recording this message on October 31st and we’ve just gone through Hurricane Sandy in the US in the last couple days. And it was energetically very, very intense the whole day that we were waiting for the storm to hit. I found it very hard to disconnect from New York and the hurricane, even though I wanted to try and stay centered to hold as much positivity as I could for what was going to happen. But at the same time, I felt incredibly affected by it.
I’m living in America now, so it’s easy when you’re on the same land mass to feel it. But I also know that New York was symbolic of certain things that we’re going to go through in the next few years. We’re going to see more of these dramatic weather incidences. And the reassuring thing for me about New York was the amount of preparation and planning that went into how everybody navigated it. Because if you think about a hundred years ago, there wouldn’t have been any warning – there wouldn’t have been any preparation plans, and people would have just experienced that kind of storm without any forewarning.
Secondly, the thing that is so vital for all of us at this crazy time on Earth, is the power of community and the love and support of community. I’ve emphasized this several times in recent months. It’s going to be those connections with each other that get us through the next few years and some of the challenges that are going to come up.
And what’s interesting with Hurricane Sandy is – nature spoke very loudly, whereas it feels for the last several months, politics, the economy and the media have spoken very loudly, to create fear. And this was instead a very natural experience of human fear of death – the actual fear of death, rather than death of your financial life or death of the politician that you would like to be in power.
So it brings fear home in a very primal way when these kinds of things happen. I’ve talked a lot about primal fear this year and the one really useful thing about primal fear is it’s even stronger than the fear that comes from the mind.
The fear that comes from the mind and the fear that can be created between thought and emotion tends to sit higher in the body, it doesn’t tend to go all the way down to the base chakra. It tends to sit heart and up, and sometimes accessing the stomach. But the base chakra is where our whole life force center is. So, when you have primal fear, there is this flush through the base.
So in some ways primal fear can be incredibly useful and incredibly powerful. It’s why people like watching horror movies – really scaring yourself gives you a flush of fear, so that you are then left clearer.
We know that on this planet we live on, there is duality, there is fear and love, light and dark, and everything in between. The other thing that we know through energy science and understanding, (which is fantastically growing more and more in the last few years), is that we can direct energy.
And that’s what this month is really about. I tuned-in this morning and I was wondering, what’s the theme, of this month’s forecast, and I very clearly was told “leadership and direction.” And it comes from within each of us.
When you’re having a difficult time in life, it can be hard to find your direction and so the kinder you can be to yourself and the less judgmental, the quicker you recover. Just recognize where you’re at – if you’re feeling down or feeling low, ask ‘what can I do to support myself?’ Maybe I need to stay at home for a few days, maybe I need to get some support, maybe I need to go for a walk. Try out all the maybes and keep trying the maybes. Don’t give up on allowing yourself to recognize you’ll come through it, because you will. We all do.
This is really a month where you’re going to want your leadership to come to the forefront. Over all of the Energy Forecasts this year, I’ve spoken about several areas and elements of leadership that we are being allowed into as a shifting world. So this ranges from the energetic and the spiritual, right through to the practical human, such as finding your voice where your voice has been suppressed.
Suppression is rising now at a world level and so too is all the suppression that you may have carried in yourself – remember that it’s not just a personal upshift.
We have been a society that has been under the suppression of certain structures, certain beliefs. And as things have got crazier in the last few years, and things are imploding and exploding left and right, what this allows is the energy to return to the body. Sometimes it’s a baptism of fire and many of us already know that, sometimes it’s excruciating.
But if you work with the mind when in fear, and try and identify when the mind is telling you negatives – thoughts like ‘things are going to be awful’, then you can shift.
The way I really worked with this was a couple of years ago I went into deep fear about what might happen in the world. I really went there in my fear body, and I played out all the worst case scenarios and the decision that I finally gave myself was, well, I could either live in fear for the next few years and not truly live; or if the worst is going to happen in a few years time I can live now and actually say I truly lived in the last few years of my life.
And that worked for me, as then I had burnt through layers and layers of fear.
And of course, I do not believe that the world is going to end in December 2012 and I do not believe the world is going to end in December 2015. I believe the greatest challenge we’re facing now, is how to rebalance the planet and also navigate a time that, in terms of cosmic events and in terms of the position of the planet, will be challenging, weather-wise and the rest.
It’s not a coincidence that things are falling apart in the structure of humanity, because we respond a lot more (than many people would like to believe) to everything that’s going on on a planetary level and in the stars. Because we are as connected to the stars as we are to the Earth – again, many people don’t believe that and that’s fine. But for those of you who watch this and who are empathic or sensitive, I’m aware you will already be aware of that.
So on that note, this month bathe yourself in nature as much as you can, and I don’t just mean in the daytime. As much as you can be out under the moon and under the stars, it’s going to help you to rebalance. And people like me, who live in a very open place, will have to go through his fears of bears and mountain lions visiting him if he’s sitting outside (laughter). But that’s also useful for me and my ego to get over my fear and my programming, and also to embrace the fact that maybe I will be eaten by something, and that may be the way I go this time. But am I going to stop myself living in the meantime? No.
So, it’s interesting, the leadership piece seems very, very strong as a message this month. Many of you will already be noticing amazing, amazing times. Yes, even amid the chaos. For me personally this month has probably had more of the happiest expanded moments I can ever remember in my life. And then I’ve also yo-yoed the other way which is natural.
So, you have the expansion, then you come down into a smaller place in the ego or the spirit and you have to deal with that (a nearby machinery noise starts in the video) – perfect timing a machine starts coming into nature at the very moment when I talk about going from expansion into being drilled, whether it’s your mind drilling you, whether it’s your energy drilling you.
We could not be going through this period in history right now and having ourselves stay completely stable and centered the way we were while everything around us that held us in place is changing. We are not separate from the external world.
So the thing to do around leadership is to choose. This is very important for all of us.
And we will forget, and we’ll have moments where we’re consciously choosing and directing energy and thoughts, and we’ll have moments where we’re in older parts of ourselves that we’re trying to bring up to date. But if your mind starts going, talk to it. It’s a really useful practice. If your mind is saying, “You’re not good enough to do that,” say “Who says? Where did that come from?” That thought may have come from seven years ago, but imagine you could be dead in a week, don’t you want to try that thing? Don’t you want to just go and live?
And this is a great time for busting through fear, for going and doing things that you wouldn’t normally do or give yourself permission to do. And the reason it’s important to be this way is that it creates life.
We need life on the planet right now. We’re facing so much death and destruction around us – actions that carry the energy of death and fear that carries the energy of death, that those people who are alive and living with spirit, not only infuse others with a positivity and a spirit that’s important for building, but more importantly, the planet itself is positively affected.
We are not separate from these trees, we are not separate from this ground – we are all in energy response to each other. However much you may have liked to believe that you as a human are separate from everything else – it just doesn’t work like that on energy terms. Your identity may feel separate but you really aren’t.
So, the more you can actually bring life through you and be alive in this moment and in this process;
A) The better you are going to feel;
B) The more is going to move for you in your life, and
C) The more you will contribute to the planet right now.
I’ve said this before but many of you will be coming to the end of the road with things that you were doing. And saying/realising, “I don’t want to do this anymore. This isn’t what I’m here for.”
And as you go to step into what it is that you want to do, there will be some fear, there will be some – “Whoa” from inside you. It’s great, it’s great, and you’re bang on point if that’s what’s going on. Because you don’t tend to get there without going through some of this stuff. But the beauty is, by going through some of this stuff and being aware that that’s going to be the dance you go through and being positive with that and actually going “No, I’m going to walk through some of my fear this month”, you will come out the other side bigger.
The opposite is to stay suppressed. And if you stay suppressed you will stay in fear. And again let’s be clear – some of you watching this might be going through a really hard time right now as a result of something you’ve just been through. That’s a different case. If you’re simply trying to bring yourself back to zero point, that’s enough, so you just keep working on bringing yourself back to zero point and you’ll get there.
But for the rest, who are kind of in the middle, and you’re kind of ok, but there’s fear in you or there’s fear around you, be very aware of empathy.
Empathy is getting higher on the planet all the time. As we get to join into a state of oneness more, we all get better at feeling and picking up and reading other people. So, if you go to friend and a friend gives you an opinion, and you went to the friend feeling fine, and you leave feeling as if you’re ‘in’ their opinion, don’t judge it – because maybe you needed to try on their opinion to get clear about yourself.
But do be aware of it. Be aware, “Ah I was fine before I went there, and now I’ve walked away from him I don’t feel so fine, is that me or is that him?” And see where you feel, ask yourself, “Do I agree with his opinion, do I agree with my opinion?”
And opinions are stronger than ever right now and they’re very diverse and people who you’re close to will surprise you with what they say. But this is where you have to be a leader with your voice.
We are community based. But for the longest time, we have been to some degree, community controlled. Our fear of being abandoned or pushed out by the group has made lots of us in the past play roles that fitted a certain jigsaw. The jigsaw has crumbled; the jigsaw’s not here any more. The jigsaw’s gone. It’s a very new jigsaw now in an energy term.
So what you have to do is trust yourself to lead. And what will surprise you is a lot of what will come back through you are seed energies of who you were as a child. So if you liked playing the guitar as a child and you haven’t done it for 15 years, why not pick it up again and just see what happens? Or, you’ll transfer that creativity to something else. Creativity as an energy can be transferred to any area. And it will be important for people to be doing new things at the moment. Creating new life.
So, be a leader of yourself this month and trust that you leading yourself is exactly what you’re supposed to do for everyone else around you. Even if you slightly piss off your friend, who thought the two of you were very close in opinion, that’s important.
If you express something that’s very much your truth, you give your friend an opportunity to feel his or her truth around yours. And then we all move forward into a different place together. But if you stay safe and you play it safe and you censor yourself, you and your friend are being held back.
So that’s the message for this month.
Love to all in New York and everywhere else around the world where there are great challenges going on. Hold love for each other in our hearts. We’ll keep moving, we’ll keep going, we’ll keep adapting, we’ll keep moving with these times. And as it’s revealed to each of us what our personal role in the next few years is, we’ll activate those roles.
We’ll keep trucking and we’ll see where we can go as a planet and as a people. But the most important thing, regardless of your attachment to future outcomes or not is to live – to really live.
I invite you to do this.
Lots of love, see you all next month.
The sun is shining brightly, the sky is clear and blue, it’s a beautiful morning here in Shanghai. I can hear the sounds of children laughing as they play in the kindergarten below, the distant hum of cars travelling on to their destinations and the birds singing in the trees.
Oh I have so much to be grateful for, my life is filled with love from family and friends, I live with joy happiness and peace, so why do we allow our Ego’s (our inner voices) to take control of our lives?
‘This is bad, he/she is bad, don’t do that, don’t go there, I hate this or that, rushing here, rushing there, never stopping to take time out and look at what is all around us, taking a moment to feel the breeze on our face, the warmth of the sun on our skin, to touch and feel the delicate texture of flowers, trees or grass.
Stop! Take five minutes to look, listen, smell and to feel…
Take a look at the faces around you, what do you see? Some faces are filled with happiness, love, joy and peace, smiling faces, they exude happiness in their voices as they speak, they take the time to interact with others, to communicate and enjoy their day, that moment in time because it’s special and it will never be repeated….
While others have a stern look, furrowed brows, contempt and anger in their eyes and mistrust for everyone they meet, they rush here and there, barging into people as they go, without a care in the world!…..
Which do you prefer?…It’s your choice, you are in control of your life, your future and your destiny…. Choose a life of love, compassion and happiness, a life of joy, of communication, live in the moment and enjoy everything that comes to you for what it is…a gift from a higher place, from your God.
Start today with a smile, greet your day with thanks, be grateful for what you have and start living your life to the full.
☺
Namaste
Mark
Endless Light and Love 