Monthly Archives: September 2021

6 posts

Impermanence Is Being Whatever Will Be

Doris Day shares useful insight in her song Que Sera, Sera Whatever Will Be Will Be. Do the lyrics offer us a gateway to presence? Yes. Did the song writer intend for the song to be a signpost to conscious living? Who knows for sure? However, the songs philosophical ramifications are clearly evident. Likewise, whatever will be in our state of being indicates awareness to the space of impermanence.

impermanence

Impermanence (anicca) is the first of three Buddhism characteristics of existence and being. Dissatisfaction or suffering (dukkha) is the second. The third Basis Marks of Existence according to Buddhism is non-self (anattā). These three are focus points of the Buddhist Four Noble Truths and Noble Eightfold Path.

Here are the Buddhists Three Basic Marks of Existence.

Saṅkhāras (conditioned things) are impermanent.
Saṅkhāras are unsatisfactory.
dharmas (conditioned or unconditioned things) are not self.

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Experience Calmness of Mind and Body

Calmness is a state of balance between mind and consciousness. We can describe this calm state as being equanimous. Leonard Nimoy played the character Spock in Star Trek. Spock depicts a person capable of experiencing thoughts and emotions. But, never (well at least almost never 😊) let these human attributes control his state of being.

calmness

Indifference and non-attachment to thoughts, emotions, people, or situations nurtures clarity. Of course, empathy is useful in practical situations. And, even sympathy is beneficial in our interactions. However, these emotions actually cause an imbalance in an unaware person’s state of being. On the other hand, the practice of equanimity changes how you see yourself, the mind, and everything around you. Continue reading →

Satan in Disguise While Baking Bread Rolls

Does the word Satan cause you anxiety or fear? Relax, everything is fine. This is only a word. And, just like everything, we experience the word based on conditioned thoughts and emotions. So, what is this devil that everyone fears? Satan is a symbol of fear, evil, and corruptions. As well as, anything considered bad and deceitful. Hebrew scriptures and documents from before 300 BCE often use this word (root word s‘tn). The word is a derivative of the Hebrew verb satan. The original meaning meant to oppose. The Christian church used the Hebrew Scriptures Greek translation of the word. They translated satan as diaboloc from which we derive our English term devil and diabolic. (source: www.religioustolerance.org)

satan

So, our understanding of the universe implies that the devil is the root of all evil. These thoughts and beliefs are equal to the countless stories of a God or gods. A devil is the opposing force to all that is good. Thus, we entertain ourselves with God and devil misconceptions and labels. We superimpose these into our daily experiences. Love a God and fear the devil are typical dogmas throughout the world. And yet, there is also a certain type of fascination about the devil. But, so what? We tell similar stories and make comparable assumptions about many of our experiences throughout history. Human beings have an acute imagination and fantasy primarily based on creativity, fascination, and fear. Continue reading →

Limitations Are Mostly of the Mind

Who sets the limits within our life experience? Are evolution characteristics responsible for the restrictions we encounter? Do personal, family, and social structures inhibit how we live? We can answer all of the above with a definite “maybe 😊”. However, limitations result mostly from mind set conclusions and conditioned behavior.

limitations

Nevertheless, there is another consideration. An inquiry into our conscious awareness is of true significance in the process of awakening to consciousness. Who is responsible for consciously observing the aspects of your existence? Naturally, you, as the observer of all that unfolds. So, there will be situations that might first seem restrictive. But, a conscious observer chooses non-attachment and stillness. Thus, there are no limitations. This suggests that conscious awareness encourages a state of being that is beyond the mind. Continue reading →

Striving for More and Then What?

The desire to have more overshadows our behavior. But, this does not necessarily mean we should say it is good or bad. We probably would not be where we are now without striving for more. Prehistoric human beings struggled for more just to survive in a hostile environment. And, this continues onward throughout our evolution.

striving

So, striving for more started as a primal need to endure. Nevertheless, there came a point when the desire to have more outweighed the actual need for more. Early humans instinctively wanted to live. This was a do or die scenario. We reached for more. Thus, established a place in the evolution tree structure of life. And, yes, we can say that the need to overcome all odds has been beneficial regarding practical aspects. Continue reading →

Enchantment of Life and You the Magician

There is magic within this moment. Living life is the experience of enchantment. But, not because of the details within this instant. Mind details and diversity actually cause us to overlook the isness of now. For example, memories recently overcame me while listening to music during a rainstorm. There were memories of a fireplace, reading a book, sharing time with someone, and a candle.

enchantment

It first felt as if I was experiencing these memories in that instant. Consequently, I realized that the magic of any particular memory was not then but now. The mind is a vast storeroom of memories, anticipations, and anxieties that have nothing to do with this moment. Therefore, perplexity results due to a memory or memories. But, these do not have anything to do with the current situation. Continue reading →