I see vividly – in my own mind – how painful emotions are so often preceded by a thought*.
That thought – along with all the others – is just a story I create about my experience. It doesn’t really exist. Like a rainbow, a dream, or mirage, the thought appears and, sooner or later, it disappears.
Knowing this – truly knowing this – is an essential aspect of securing true freedom and putting an end to suffering. Do you believe you can put an end to suffering?
If we truly understood how much damage negative emotions cause – for ourselves and others – we wouldn’t indulge in them for a moment. This Zen parable perfectly illustrates the potential dangers that occur when we fall prey to negative emotions.
A belligerent samurai, an old Japanese tale goes, once challenged a Zen master to explain the concept of heaven and hell. But the monk replied with scorn, “You’re nothing but a lout—I can’t waste my time with the likes of you!”
Note: This is a revision of an article originally published on my blog last December.
I love the simplicity, force, and focus of choosing a single word as a guiding light for each year.
According to some surveys, almost 90% of resolutions end in failure. So why not skip the exhaustive list of New Year’s Resolutions?
The truth is there’s a physiological limit to the amount of willpower we each have. Hence, if you try to change too many things at once, you inevitably fail. It’s a scientific reality.
Instead, consider the simplicity and elegance of selecting one powerful word.
But let’s not get hung up on the idea of “one” word. You could choose one word or two. Or a whole phrase. You could work with your word for a full year, six months, or until its done. You might decide to focus on a different facet of your word each month.
There are no rules! It’s your life. Experiment and find what works for you.
Is there is a single word or a phrase that captures what you would like to manifest in your self or your life in 2012?
A perfect word may immediately pop into your mind. Or you might need to let the idea percolate for a while. Then see what bubbles up. There’s no rush. It might be easier to see clearly once the chaos of the holidays have passed. But you can let the idea simmer in the meantime.
Hi, I'm Sandra Pawula, freelance editor, writer and inner explorer. I'm here to help you tap into your inner spring of true happiness and freedom.Curious? Read On!
