A Brand New Day January 27, 2016
Posted by nrhatch in Fiction, People, Spirit & Ego.comments closed
“When is the viewing?”
“No viewing. He’s already been cremated. All that’s left is ash.”
“WHAT?! How could you do that?! You knew we’d want to see him again. And that we’d want to bury him in the family plot next to mom and dad.”
“Hmm . . . to be honest, I didn’t consider what you wanted. HE wanted to be cremated. I arranged for his cremation.”
“But you should have let us view him first!”
“Why? That’s not what HE wanted. HE didn’t want people admiring the work of a mortician, talking about how peaceful HE looked.”
“But we wanted to see him again!”
“Too bad. Too little. Too late.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means HIS wishes trumped yours.”
“That’s not good enough. How could you ignore what WE wanted?!
“I’m sure you can figure it out.”
“Spell it out for me anyway. I want to understand why you chose to disregard OUR wishes.”
“OK. Here goes: He called you. And called you. And called you. And YOU did not call back. YOU didn’t write. YOU didn’t visit. YOU ignored him while he was alive so I felt no need to accommodate YOUR egocentric desires once he died. HE asked to be cremated. I honored that request. Case closed.”
“But you had no right to cremate OUR brother!”
“Of course I did. If I didn’t have the legal right to dispose of his remains, the funeral home would have refused my request.”
“That’s not what I meant! You should have called US to see what WE wanted.”
“I don’t see it that way. And, even if you could somehow convince me now, it’s too late. It’s a done deal. Deal with it.”
“He never should have married you!”
“But HE did. And now he’s dead. It’s a brand new day.”
Aah . . . that’s better!
When someone dies . . . should the wishes of the deceased trump the desires of the mourners?
What Does Green Mean? December 15, 2015
Posted by nrhatch in Humor, Magick & Mystery, Mindfulness, Spirit & Ego.comments closed
If we are busy thinking, analyzing, judging, comparing, contrasting, or ruminating on Rumi, we have stepped out of pure awareness.
Instead of experiencing “this moment” directly, we are filtering “this moment” through the cloudy lens of past experience and future expectation.
We lose touch with the Now.
As we SIFT through Sensations, Images, Feelings, and Thoughts, a ticker tape of memories broadcast from the cluttered storehouse of our monkey minds causes our consciousness of experience to SHIFT.
No longer fully present in the fullness of the present moment, we hurl through crowded mental corridors populated by echoes of the past.
Now, let’s mindfully shift gears.
Imagine trying to explain “green” to someone who is color blind and has never experienced any of the colors of the rainbow.
Wow! That would be . . . challenging.
We’re apt to become “lost in space” as we consider what “green” might mean to Hueless Hugh.
It’s no wonder we get bogged down when we ask questions like, “Who Am I?”
Instead of experiencing “I” directly, by letting go of thought (perhaps while meditating on the mantra, “I am that I am”), we engage in amusing musings about what “I” might mean.
But if we can’t explain what something as simple as “green” might mean to someone who has never experienced it, how can we hope to comprehend what “I” might mean without first experiencing it?
To shift back to pure awareness, we might follow Lao Tzu’s thread instead:
Just remain in the center, watching.
And then forget that you are there.
~ Lao Tzu (c.604 – 531 B.C.)
Aah . . . that’s better!
Attempting to understand consciousness with your mind is like trying to illuminate the sun with a candle. ~ White Fire, Mooji
Related post: Mindfulness is the Opposite of Neediness (Raptitude)
Plugged Into The Source December 3, 2015
Posted by nrhatch in Life Balance, Magick & Mystery, Mindfulness, Spirit & Ego.comments closed
Intuition. Gut Instinct.
The Sixth Sense.
A little birdie. God.
The Universal Internet.
Having a hunch.
The Still Silent Voice.
Call it what you will, intuition grabs what the conscious mind cannot grasp and clues us in.
Guided by intuitive impulse, I flow with effortless ease from where I am Now to where I am Now.
Unconcerned about veering off course, I “let go” and “go with the flow,” confident that intuition will speak up if a course correction is needed.
Instead of a white-knuckled death grip on the rudder, I allow myself to be steered . . . like a river, wave, cloud, or breath.
In Practical Intuition, Laura Day describes 7 Steps to harnessing intuition ~> Opening, Noticing, Pretending, Trusting, Reporting, Interpreting, and Integrating.
Of course, intuition isn’t a horse to be harnessed. Like a cat, our sixth sense arrives on silent paws at its bidding, not ours.
To encourage it:
- Be Open ~ Remain awake and aware.
- Notice ~ Pay attention. Listen. Observe.
- Trust ~ Accept that sometimes “we just know.”
If you hear a whisper in the wind, relax. And give the Universe some room to work its magic.
Aah . . . that’s better!
That’s Just Ducky! June 2, 2015
Posted by nrhatch in Happiness, Life Balance, Mindfulness, Spirit & Ego.comments closed
Ego (the false self, the illusionist, the imposter, the story-teller) will do anything to keep us off balance.
It is always churning the waters.
When we practice mindfulness, we no longer believe all the thoughts we think.
We let go of the notion that “I think IT, therefore IT is.”
Instead, our authentic self (the still silent observer) watches the ticker-tape parade of thoughts pop up in rapid-fire succession.
As our awareness increases, our aim improves. We get better at shooting toxic thoughts down as soon as they pop up.
Instead of being thrown off balance by non-productive thoughts, we watch Ego’s ineffectual attempts to “stir the pot” with detached amusement.
We see that Ego is just a big fat QUACK!
Once we “wake up,” the stormy seas left in Ego’s wake dissipate.
Instead of getting worked up over this, that, and the other thing (or even nothing at all), we mindfully manage our thoughts.
I am not the thoughts I think.
My thoughts are not “me.”
I am the silent observer of thoughts that arise.
The detached witness.
I can identify with the thoughts Ego tosses at me.
Or allow them to drift away.
”What are you ~ a god, an angel, a saint?”
“No,” replied The Buddha, “I am A-W-A-K-E.”
Aah . . . that’s better!
A Pelican, A Gator, and An Elephant April 7, 2015
Posted by nrhatch in Happiness, Magick & Mystery, Spirit & Ego.comments closed
The pelican leaned back and relaxed as he spoke with his friends, flip-flops flapping in time with the Eternal Now.
“When we reflect on our lives, and what we want, the goal behind most other goals is simply happiness. We want to be happy. But, we have a tendency to look for happiness in all the wrong places.”
The gator nodded, her agreement impossible to miss given her prominent jaw.
“We look for happiness outside of ourselves, instead of looking within. We look for acceptance and approval from others, rather than accepting and approving of ourselves. We get caught up in daily dramas and lose touch with the present moment.”
The elephant, resplendent in his attire as self-appointed court jester, laughed in agreement.
“It’s Ego that gets in the way! It pretends that its defending us from the unwarranted attacks of others while acting the part of the Trojan Horse.”
His stalwart companion neighed support, choosing to ignore the disparaging comparison between Ego and his distant kith and kin.
Seeing all eyes upon him, the pelican reclaimed the floor. “Ego is a story-teller, spinning webs and stirring up conflict by encouraging us to look to others to define our selves and delineate our relevance.”
Pelican reached into his pocket and pulled out a sheet of paper, worn at its creases. He glanced over his bill at his companions before continuing.
“In Power, Freedom, and Grace: Living from the Source of Lasting Happiness, Deepak Chopra explained the distinction between Ego and Spirit in a way that really spoke to me. Here’s the passage:
Behind the curtain of your intellect and emotions is your self-image or ego. The ego is not your real self; it is the image of yourself that you have slowly built over time. It is the mask behind which you hide, but it is not the real you. And because it is not the real you, but a fraud, it lives in fear. It wants approval. It needs to control.
The ego is the prison you have built around your-self, and now it holds you captive within its walls.
And how do you break free from captivity? You break free by choosing to identify with your inner self, the real you.
You know you are free when you feel happy and at ease instead of fearful and anxious. You know you are free when you are independent of the good and bad opinions of others, when you have relinquished the need to seek approval, when you believe that you are good enough as you are.
You know you are free when you surrender to the moment, to the what is, and trust that the universe is on your side. You know you are free when you let go of resentments and grievances and choose to forgive.
As the pelican refolded the sheet of paper and stuffed it back into his pocket, a transvestite bullfrog (in full regalia) hopped over to join the conversation.
“I overheard what you said about Ego. I agree. Now that I use an internal yardstick to measure my worth, I am happy. I no longer get offended if THEY don’t approve of my lipstick. I don’t feel the need to defend myself if THEY criticize my weight, my attire, or my life choices. What THEY think of me is none of my business. I don’t need a signed permission slip from THEM to live MY life.”
With that, the bulging bullfrog (and his bulbous gilded lips) morphed into a Golden Egret.
As the transformed frog lifted off the ground to soar on an unseen breeze, it tossed out a golden nugget for the pelican, gator, and elephant to digest:
The key to lasting happiness is to identify with the unchanging essence of your inner self, your source. Then you no longer look for happiness because you know you already have it.
This happiness is true bliss, and it follows you wherever you go.*
Aah . . . that’s better!
* What is the key to lasting happiness?, Power, Freedom, and Grace: Living from the Source of Lasting Happiness.
Virtual Reality: Kings & Pawns March 28, 2015
Posted by nrhatch in Humor, Joke, People, Spirit & Ego.comments closed
When the white missionaries came to Africa they had the Bible and we had the land. They said ‘Let us pray.’
We closed our eyes.
When we opened them we had the Bible and they had the land. – Desmond Tutu
* * *
Kill one man and you’re a murderer, kill a million and you’re a conqueror. – Jean Rostand
America is so advanced that even the chairs are electric. – Doug Hamwell
We are here on earth to do good unto others.
What the others are here for, I have no idea. – W.H. Auden
Lawyers believe a man is innocent until proven broke. – Robin Hal
A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kickboxing. – Emo Philips
After the game, the King and the Pawn go into the same box. – Italian proverb
Aah . . . that’s better!
Source: e-mail from unknown author (sent by Granny1947)
Crossing “Feed Ego” Off Our To Do Lists January 6, 2015
Posted by nrhatch in Happiness, Life Balance, Spirit & Ego.comments closed
Once upon a time . . .
I wanted to be a FAMOUS Rock Star.
I wanted to have OODLES of money.
I wanted to write a BEST SELLING NOVEL.
Et cetera. Et cetera. Et cetera.
I wanted to DO SOMETHING so that I would BE SOMEONE.
Then I woke up to the realization that to BE SOMEONE, I don’t have to DO anything. I just need to . . . BE ME.
When our motivation for action arises from a desire to Feed Ego with accolades, approval, acclaim, acknowledgment, applause, admiration, etc., etc., etc., we are always worried about falling short of the bar (or flat on our face).
We are concerned about what “they” think of us. We act (and re-act) to protect Ego’s fragile reputation.
Only Ego doesn’t really exist.
Once we see that Ego is imaginary, ego-driven motivation (i.e., the desire to impress) and self-doubt fall by the wayside.
We become more confident in the steps we’re taking.
We no longer feel the need to reach a predetermined destination, so we’re not worried about falling short of the mark. We stop looking over our shoulders to see who’s watching. We no longer seek external validation that we’re doing “it” right ~ whatever “it” is.
Fear of failure dissipates because it no longer matters whether others are impressed with us or not.
Our locus of control shifts.
We reclaim our power.
We trust ourselves again.
Et cetera. Et cetera. Et cetera.
Aah . . . that’s better!
When we know WHO we are . . . we know HOW to live. ~ Goethe
No Reply January 5, 2015
Posted by nrhatch in Mindfulness, Nature, Poetry, Spirit & Ego.comments closed
Silent stars twinkle
in the ebony night sky
Ancient muted light
radiates to greet the eye
The eternal now
echoes ~ I ask, “Why am I?”
I listen . . .
No reply
Milestones and Markers January 1, 2015
Posted by nrhatch in Happiness, Meditation, Mindfulness, Spirit & Ego.comments closed
As we learn to silence the mind, our present moment awareness increases.
Instead of being actors on the stage of life, tossed around by daily dramas and stormy seas, we become observers in the audience watching as each moment and scene unfolds.
As detached observers, we interact with others in a more deliberate manner ~ with fewer automatic and habitual knee-jerk reactions to idle chit-chat around the water cooler.
Life seems calmer and slower, more peaceful and less precarious.
Along the path, numerous milestones and markers encourage us to keep moving forward on our journey:
* External turmoil diminishes in significant measure. Instead of vast tidal waves threatening to capsize us, most daily dramas we encounter barely ripple the peace and tranquility we feel within.
* Instead of blindly bumping into boulders, obstacles become pebbles, easily tossed to the side of our path.
* Connected with the flow of life, our spirits soar and life feels more joyous and playful.
* We see obstacles and challenges as opportunities for growth, rather than as permanent impediments to our happiness.
* Instead of struggling to solve problems (at the level of ego), we see struggle as the problem. As we learn to be patient and accept the what is, we allow life to unfold in its own time and in its own way.
* Rather than beating our heads against brick walls and screaming at locked doors, we follow the path of least resistance as we flow over and around the walls and doors on our path.
* Seeing angry words as nothing more than pulses of energy, we become less inclined to lash out in kind to defend our point of view. Instead of wasting time and energy defending our limited perspective on life, we maneuver around hostile opinions in our path.
Don’t put the key to your happiness in someone else’s pocket.
* As we become more adept at using an internal compass to guide our daily choices, we develop clarity ~ allowing us to observe not only our actions (and the actions of others) more clearly, but often the underlying motivation behind those actions as well.
When we remain awake and aware, we reclaim our freedom to make conscious choices and become more fully who we were always meant to be.
Aah . . . that’s better!
Related posts: Our Field Of Dreams * A Beacon in the Dark
Things I’ve Re-Learned This Year December 27, 2014
Posted by nrhatch in Humor, Mindfulness, People, Spirit & Ego.comments closed
Life lessons aren’t mastered in a single bold stroke. We learn, we practice, we forget, we remember, we re-learn.
Here are a few key notes I re-learned this year:
1. Like a bottomless well, Ego’s desire for applause, accolades, approval, acknowledgement, acclaim, awards, and recognition is never satiated.
2. When we stroke Ego, it purrs. When we stop, it snarls.
3. People want us to do what they want us to do when they want us to do it. They are affronted when we don’t.
4. When people ask us to “be honest” . . . they don’t always mean it.
5. It’s silly to buy another pair of shoes because we want an Ego Boost from others when they see us rocking our new ruby slippers.
6. In many ways, we are at the mercy of the tides. Life ebbs and flows. Joy comes and goes. Sorrow is hard to avoid.
7. Even if we’re not convinced that “everything happens for a reason,” taking time to look for “silver linings” helps us deal with passing clouds.
8. When we aren’t wedded to a set destination, we enjoy the journey (and its inevitable detours) more.
9. If we are enjoying the journey, we win. No matter where the wind blows us.
Aah . . . that’s better!
For Life Lessons by other writers, check out Timi’s series on Lively Twist: Did We Do Any Learning? [1] Learning [2] Learning [3] Learning [4] Learning [5]
Spirit Lights The Way 