Why should we care about raising our consciousness? When we set an intention to change and grow, we begin a journey in which we move from coping, to learning and finally, to the enjoyment of living.

Here are some of the shifts we move through:

From dependence on the clock, to charting a direction, to moment-to-moment guidance from intuition.

From doing things right, to doing the right things, to being your true self.

From lack of self discipline to (more…)

How does anger typically surface in your life?

We usually get angry at someone, don’t we? We judge that someone has done something wrong and we want them to be punished.
In truth, the actions of others are never to blame. It’s our thinking – our blaming and judgment – that causes the anger. And we blame and judge because we have a need that has not been met.

Rather than blame others, we are better served by directing our energy towards meeting our own needs. Instead of saying, ‘I am angry because they …’ we can say, ‘I am angry because I am needing ….’
“At the core of all anger is a need that is not being fulfilled.”

Marshall B. Rosenberg, The Daily Guru, January 4,2007

A woman complained to a visiting friend that her neighbor was a poor housekeeper.

“You should see how dirty her children are – and her house. It is almost a disgrace to be living in the same neighborhood as her. Take a look at those clothes she has hung out on the line. See the black streaks on the sheets and towels!”

The friend walked up to the window and said, “I think the clothes are quite clean, my dear. The streaks are on your window.”

(From “The Heart of the Enlightened” by Anthony deMello , page122)

The enjoyment of gardening or walking in nature comes because past and future fade away. Only the immediate connection to the earth and its beauty remain. The peaceful, loving quality of life’s Source floods through our connection to the moment. “Ah, I love the woods,” we think. But the peace is not inherent in the forest or the garden, the “beloved” that temporarily holds our attention. It is present within us. And when we connect to this inner wellspring, we feel our connection to all of life so much more strongly.

Once some of the elders were in Scete and Abbot John the Dwarf was with them.

While they were dining, a priest, a very old man, got up and attempted to serve them. But no one would take so much as a cup of water from him except John the Dwarf.

The others were somewhat shocked about this and later (more…)

“Darling,” said the wife, “I’m ashamed of the way we live.
Father pays the rent for the house, Brother sends us food and
money for clothes, Uncle pays our water and electricity bills,
and our friends provide us with tickets for the theater. I’m not
complaining really, but I do think we can do better.”

“Of course, we can,” said the husband. “I’ve been thinking
about it myself lately. You’ve got a brother and two uncles who
don’t send us a cent!”
(From “The Heart of the Enlightened” by Anthony deMello , page 120)

The key to communication and having power and influence with people can be summed up in one sentence: Seek first to understand, then to be understood. In other words, listen first, talk second. This is Habit 5, and it works. If you can learn this simple habit—to see things from another’s point of view before sharing your own—a whole new world of understanding will be opened up to you.

The deepest need of the human heart is (more…)

All successful healers have to have been wounded at some time or other, because only through suffering can they develop the breadth of understanding required for healing others. (From the book “Mystical Paths” by Susan Howrath, page 487)

All true religions and spiritual paths teach universal values of compassion,unity, truthfulness, fairness, tolerance, responsibility, respect for, and service to, all life. (From the book Spiritual Politics, by Corinne McLaughlin and Gordon Davidson, Page 15)

“Is there anything worse than blindness? Yes! Eyesight … but no vision!”? (Helen Keller)

The voyage of discovery is not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes. (Marcel Proust)