Mindfulness Of The Moment

Finding Your Inspiration In One Moment Of Truth

2010-03-26T21:59:00.000-07:00

This article departs from the basics of just being in the now and discusses one of the most empowering benefits of seizing the present moment. Your greatest inspirations can be attained at will, now, and need not be hoped for or waited on as events of chance.

I hope you enjoy it...

Explosive inspiration can be yours in any moment. Don't just cross your finger and wait for a flash of insight - reach out and grab it instead!

Inspiration is, for many individuals, a distant and obscure notion. It's a word used to describe what artists experience before creating a masterpiece. Or perhaps it's a term applied to the creative revelations of one's favorite screenwriter. For most people inspiration is not a value to be actively pursued.

This is another flawed paradigm of the mainstream culture. Reject the notion that finding your inspiration is a matter of chance or fortune and embrace the idea of deliberately inviting this wondrous state into your life each day.

Literally the word inspiration describes a condition of being "in the spirit" or having the "spirit inside". Religious beliefs are not at all necessary to engage this concept. Spirit - in this context - is simply a field of sublime exhilaration, joyful anticipation, great peace, and alertness. This transcendent perspective is readily available to anyone who wants it, at any time they choose to experience it.

Our society is in love with mediocrity and drudgery, to the extent that people often honor themselves for their willingness to work a job they hate, live with a spouse they no longer care for, and spend time with "friends" they never really liked being with. The sad consensus seems to be that life is about getting by, fulfilling obligatory values, and traveling from birthday to birthday with little hope of finding anything extraordinary along the way.

Fortunately the mundane world is an illusion. It's a construct we've adopted to help us avoid facing the brilliance of the moment and the startling beauty of self. Our collective boredom with ourselves and with the world around us is a choice.

Every new moment contains the opportunity for illumination and enlightenment. We only need to allow inspiration into our awareness and be grateful for the experience.

The most natural state of consciousness is joy. Happiness plus a sense of freedom and amazement underlie our forced calculation, petty worries, and self-imposed dramas. Observe a child interacting with his or her environment for evidence of this.

To become immediately inspired, all that is required is to let go of your ego-driven thinking and allow the present moment to unfold. In other words, refrain from adding further thoughts to your awareness right here and right now, and allow what is natural to emerge.

It may take a few seconds, even a few minutes, for the inertia of your current thoughts and emotions to dissolve. Relax your shoulders and hips and decide that you have absolutely nothing to do. Sink deeply into the affirmation that there's no place you need to be other than exactly where you are, and enjoy the idea of having all the time in world.

As your thoughts, feelings, and body settle down observe yourself and your immediate surroundings without forming an opinion or starting any internal conversations. Sit there and let go of the world as completely as you can; allow your emotions to flow and watch the stream of thoughts softly pour out of you and fade away.

Expect nothing. Regret nothing.

As you step fully into the stillness your innate joy will rise to the surface and expand.

Think of this as an exercise at first. Imagine you are literally stepping to the side and watching yourself from a third person point of view. The first time you catch a glimpse of yourself from this vantage you'll feel a definite shift at the level of mind.

If you're distracted by anxiety over an upcoming appointment or obligation, take this to mean you haven't completely let go. Acknowledge the tension and then gently release it.

Be patient with yourself and understand: there's no reason to get upset, as this practice is not competitive. Have fun and accept your observations.

With practice you'll develop the ability to completely disintegrate all contrived thoughts and negative feelings. When this happens you'll find yourself in a state of simple bliss, free from the need to struggle or grasp.

After you detach from your internal chatter you'll be able to hear infinity whispering in your ear. You'll see the circumstances of your life in a new light, and you'll become aware of possibilities that never occurred to you before.

By dropping the need to strive you will become open to inspired action that seems to occur spontaneously out of intuition. You'll find yourself flowing into motion without stopping to think it through, and you'll be amazed to see the action you're taking is exactly right for the situation at hand.

Even more important than the implications of personal freedom, you'll know the world in which you live is different. Once you find your moment of truth, that instant when the simplicity of this message is realized, you will never be able to fully return to the mundane world.

To enjoy more illuminating content, including articles and videos, be sure to visit the author's blog today. Download your free guide and learn to meditate, plus check out a brief introduction to metaphysical or non-local consciousness. You'll find lots of info on the things that matter most in life.

Non-Local Or Metaphysical Consciousness

2010-03-13T12:58:00.000-08:00

The best definition for the term "metaphysical" is simply more than physical, or extra physical, i.e. in addition and beyond to the physical properties.

Hence the notion of metaphysical or non-local consciousness is the idea that our minds and selves derive not from within the physical brain, but from a state beyond or underlying the physical realm. Sound whacky?

Sages from the distant past didn't think so, and today some neuroscientists and physicists are also willing to entertain the notion. Personally I think it's abundantly obvious that our consciousness is a force that propels all of reality and moves through our physical brains the way an electric current travels through conductors, cables, and appliances.

Take a moment to check out this brief explanation and video I posted on my main blog:

Non-Local Consciousness And The Brain

What Is Spirituality Anyway?

2010-03-13T12:48:00.000-08:00

Since a lot of the content on this blog (which has been poorly updated of late - sorry!) is about spiritual concepts, I thought it appropriate to have a look at what spirituality is, according to the author. For this purpose I'll refer you to a brief but informative article on my main blog; click below to read.

What Is Spirituality?

This Moment Is Your First Purpose

2009-08-05T22:22:00.000-07:00

Today more than ever people want to understand what their purpose is. It's understandable that one might ask: "Why am I here and what am I to do with my time?"

We all want to matter, to be fulfilled, and to add value to the lives of others. And so connecting to our unique life purpose is an honorable pursuit.

I've prepared a complete article on my main blog to help you find your life purpose. Please take a moment to click through and read this material, as I believe you'll find it helpful.

I would also like to take a moment to suggest that we all have a common purpose. In addition to the meaning and mission we find or choose for our personal life journey, I believe we share the purpose of living freely and clearly within the present moment.

Our highest goal should be to allow the now to unfold and to observe each new moment with complete reverence and surrender. This moment, here and now, is perfect and needs nothign added to it.

Once we internalize this truth we can live forever in the perfect now. From here we can truly honor whatever unique personal purpose is right for us.

Consider this primary purpose as you read the article I've prepared on how to find your life purpose. I hope you find this information insightful and useful.

Oneness With All Things - The Physical World is an Extension of Your Body

2009-07-31T20:58:00.000-07:00

In discovering the great oneness and exploring your role within this reality it may help to envision the physical world as an extension of your physical body. From this vantage your natural inclinations to love others and manifest your dreams are greatly amplified.

The one reality, as many spiritual teachers call it, is the acceptance of self as part of the universal whole. In essence, all things and people are the connected aspects of one great field of existence.

Physical science tells us a field of pure energy gives rise to the waves and particles that form atoms, which are in turn the building blocks of all matter and energy. Through this great sea of energy all events and organisms are joined. Mystics from thousands of years in the past said the very same thing in simpler language; that we are one is a well-known intuitive truth.

As part of the whole, it is easier to love and forgive other people. And certainly there is no desire to harm another, as doing so would literally be attacking yourself. Imagine the geopolitical implications of society accepting the great oneness.

Also as one brilliant shimmer in the vibrating see of unified reality, you are already connected to all the wonderful things you desire in life. The wealth you seek, the perfect mate you dream of, and every experience you want to live out is already a part of you.

It's easy to see the value of acknowledging oneness. But how can you actually set about experiencing your connection to the rest of the Universe?

There are actually many ways, but the simplest process for feeling into your connection is seeing your physical form as an integral part of the environment in which it lives. Release the conditioned mindset that thinks your body ends on the surface of your flesh.

As you read this article think of the computer screen in front of you, the chair beneath you, and the walls around you as part of your body. Notice the seemingly empty space between your body and these things and imagine the tactile sense of connectedness through this expanse.

If you're outside let your awareness stretch across the landscape and know every tree, building, stone, and the land itself are extensions of your physical form. Place your awareness in the palm of your hand for a moment; feel your hand and know deeply that it is a part of you. Then shift your awareness to an object ten or so feet away from your body; experience this form in the same way you felt your hand. Use your imagination and pretend you can feel everything around you as if you were noticing any other part of your body.

This exercise is particularly effective while you're walking. Notice how one foot is always connected to the ground; it's as if you're a drop of water bouncing across the surface of a lake. Sink into the earth beneath you and understand the very air within your lungs is part of the sky above you.

Think about how the fish in the sea are all surrounded by and connected through the water as it moves through their lungs, engulfs them in every moment, and yet allows them to move freely about. In the same manner the energy of pure existence is in and around you, and through it you are connected to everything you see and imagine. In fact you and the sea are also part of one-another; the water in your cells is like the water that forms the waves of the ocean and falls from the sky as rain.

Allow your awareness to spread out as far as you can see in any direction. Then experience your awareness going even further, beyond your visual grasp and across the surface of the whole earth. Feel even into the vastness of space and deep into the core of the planet. In every direction for infinity, everything that exists in the physical universe is a part of you.

Use this powerful mental exercise any time you are feeling small, disconnected, or without power. After only a few minutes your awareness will be filled with the amazing truth: you are one with all else in the known world and as such you are the universe.

To learn more about spirituality and life purpose be sure to visit the author's blog today: http://www.aboutlifespurpose.com

Just Let Go And Be Happy Right Now

2009-07-21T23:55:00.000-07:00

Both heaven and reincarnation are fine ideas. But there's no absolute proof.

The fact is this may be the only life you'll ever have so you should really explore the value of being as happy as possible in each new, unfolding moment.

Especially in U.S. society people are stricken with the sad illness of "I'll be happy when..." Folks believe they'll experience happiness when they get the new job, the bigger house, the ideal mate, or whatever. The problem, of course, is that when this new state is attained a brand new carrot is dangled in front of you be the unconscious mind and the whole process begins anew.

The greatest spiritual advice anyone can give or receive is quite simple:

Let go of future desires and past regrets and simply be content right now.

Embrace this simple idea. Even if you only get a few seconds of peace, what a gift that is!

In each new moment a new opportunity arises to let go of your worries and just be happy right now. Grab hold of this notion, feel into it, and ride it our for as long as possible.

If the bliss fades you can always start again. And eventually you'll look up to realize you've been happy for some time because your internal set point has shifted.

Recommended: Book Of Secrets By Deepak Chopra

2009-07-12T17:27:00.000-07:00

This is just a quick update to call attention to my latest book review. I invite all readers with a genuine interest in spiritual discovery and expansion to check out my brief review of Deepak Chopra's The Book Of Secrets.

Spiritual Enlightenment - Stepping Back From Your Thoughts

2009-07-04T07:30:00.000-07:00

Most of us identify with our thoughts and assume that we are the mind. However this is not the case; you are not your thinking and you are more than your mind.

Thoughts flow through your mind like water down a stream every moment of every day. It has been said that an individual entertains over 60,000 conscious thoughts each day, and even this is probably and understatement.

Many people suffer guilt, frustration, and anger toward the self because of the thoughts that flow through their minds. But this is unnecessary, because the mind is only an experience we have, and is not the ultimate definition of who we are.

It's true that a trained mind will offer positive thoughts. And it's true that what we feel and believe within will arise into the realm of conscious thinking.

But on the path of personal greatness the first thing to understand is that you are more than your thoughts, and even more than your mind. You are non-local consciousness, meaning your body and mind are transient experiences you relate to in this life, but are not prisons that you must become fully attached to.

Begin to practice stepping back from forced thought, and just allow your mind to flow freely. This takes some practice, but you will likely grasp the concept as soon as you try it for the first time.

Great relief, and even spontaneous joy typically occur very quickly when a person lets go of the need to identify with every single thought. Your mind doesn't need constant supervision and will continue to produce a continuous stream of thoughts whether or not you imagine yourself at the captain's wheel.

Become aware of your body, and pay attention to the physical sensation of just being in your physical form. This will help you escape the constant participation in your thought patterns.

Watch your thoughts as they flow. But do not identify with them, and do not become attached to them.

You are not obligated to own or relate to every thought your mind generates.

Think about this very important statement for a moment. Consider your thinking mind a tool that you can use, but not something you must absolutely identify with.

In other words, no thought that passes through your mind has any meaning at all unless you choose to empower it. You are completely free to let go of negative thoughts and let them drift away. And you can simply ignore automatic negative thinking that seems to come up from nowhere. Ideally you can notice positive thoughts that serve you and decide to support and believe them; you are in complete control over which thoughts matter and which images are simply passing through your mind.

Many of your thoughts and mental images are memories, and may even emerge as the result of experiences you don't consciously remember. Also the media implants thoughts into your mind all the time; certainly you are not required to entertain thinking that was placed in your mind via suggestion or hypnosis!

Meditation is the best way to still the mind. As you practice basic sitting and breathing you will become very good at letting your thoughts flow without interference.

As you are able to let go and allow your mind the freedom to think what it wants, you will also become adept at inserting your most preferred thought patterns. Ultimately it is your responsibility to train your mind how to think and what to imagine.

Make a daily practice of stepping back from your thinking. Choose to let go of thoughts you don't want, and choose to entertain/empower thoughts that serve your ideal vision of self.

This may be the most powerful personal development exercise of all. Use it well and become the person you deeply know you are meant to be.

To see more insightful content on spirituality and how you can find your true self, be sure to visit the author's blog. You'll find a wealth of information on the things that matter most in life.

Set Your Goals For Now

2009-06-25T19:27:00.000-07:00

It's great to plan for the future, but it can also be counterproductive to focus on your major goals in the future tense. When you project something into the future, it will stay in the future. The idea is to center your goals in the present moment.

Instead of saying "I will have x by this specific date", practice closing your eyes and visualizing what it would be like to already have attained your goal. Create a vivid feeling of having, doing, or being exactly what you want.

Engage not only a clear mental picture, but go a step further and engage you other senses. Hear the sounds and feel the physical sensations associated with your goal. Even bring your emotions into play and really feel what it will be like to take possession of your objective.

Revel in the moment as if you're getting ready for a great victory celebration.

This type of active visualization can be used in place of traditional future-specific goal affirmations. And you can achieve amazing results with only a few minutes each day.

Practice taking time out during your day to really bring your goals into the present moment with you. Put as much realism and feeling into this as possible, and force yourself to smile during the process as this will create a happy vibration.

A great time to perform this type of positive affirmation is just before bed each night. This will allow your unconscious mind to work throughout the night on aligning itself to the accomplishment of your goals.

By combining this technique of present tense realization with traditional timeline specific goal setting you are likely to see huge improvements in your overall results. In other words you don't need to throw your target achievement dates out the window, just practice thinking in terms of "I have" instead of "I will have".

The brief tactic described above can also be construed as advice for how to use the law of attraction. As you have likely noticed, the various terminologies like positive thinking, goal setting, deliberate manifestation, law of attraction, and so forth are almost interchangeable.

Many writers overcomplicate the issues and make a huge deal out of the wording, but the truth is a constant. Whatever language you use to refer to the concept of deciding what you want and making these things happen, what really matters is your belief in your ideals and your commitment to happiness and success.

Living in the Present Moment - A Clean Engine Delivers Power!

2009-06-21T18:10:00.000-07:00

Living in the present moment is a concept many people pay lip service to. But few of us actually engage this principle in our daily walk.

Admit it: You spend almost all of your waking minutes absorbed in thoughts of the past or future. Reflection, regret, anxiety, and apprehension account for the huge majority of your conscious activity on any given day.

There is nothing intrinsically wrong with thinking about the past or the future. In fact fond memories and exciting goals help to color our life experience in many wonderful ways.

But there is a serious downside to living perpetually in a future that doesn't yet exist and a past that is gone forever. An individual who spends most of his or her time immersed in past and future fantasies is placing tremendous strain on the intellectual mind, emotional faculties, and even the physical form.

And such a person is literally missing out on the real life experience of right now.

It takes sustained effort to push and process vivid thoughts about what you should have said, how you should have acted, the way things should have turned out, etc. Likewise you are burning substantial emotional fuel when you continually replay a negative potential future in the theatre of your mind.

This method of coping with existence keeps your thought centers in constant motion. And it pushes your emotional processes beyond their natural range of activity.

And observe how your shoulders draw up, your stomach pulls your frame inward, and the muscles in your face grow tight when you are lost in the thought-driven consciousness. It literally takes physical effort to maintain the constant day dreaming and mental chatter.

Living in the present moment you have full access to your mental power, emotional strength, and physical potential. When you relax your body, let go of those heavy thoughts, and allow your emotions to shift into a neutral pattern, you instantly feel lighter and more responsive.

You can refresh your whole life at any time by simply releasing your need to control and analyze and allowing what is to be. For many people this suggestion is far too simple; they need tension, complexity, and struggle to help them make sense of the world.

But profound truth is simple. All that we have and everything we are is right here and right now.

This statement defies the intellectual understanding most of us crave. You must experience the lucidity of present moment awareness for yourself to fully comprehend the rightness of just being.

When you sit quietly in the now you find no regrets and no anxieties. There is only the deep peace, sublime clarity, subtle power, and spontaneous joy of living.

Sages have taught the art of simple allowing for thousands of years. And now more than ever humanity needs to embrace this message.

Anyone can greatly reduce their level of stress, improve their focus and memory, and experience natural happiness by learning to center their awareness in the present. Moreover, you can harness vast stores of new physical, intellectual, and emotional energy when you release the illusion and allow the truth of now to unfold before you.

Visit the author's Websites now and discover how to easily and continuously live in the present moment and remain connected with your own spiritual truth

Living in the Present Moment is the Key to Happiness

2009-03-09T19:34:00.000-07:00

Living in the present moment is the key to true happiness. If you can stop wrestling with your mind and learn to trust your true self, you will be rewarded.

A natural state of peace is easily available to you any time you choose to accept it. And the flow of spontaneous joy is yours when you simply let go of the need to control your thoughts and allow the moment to unfold.

Reality passes us by as we allow our minds to drift in the chaos of thought-driven awareness. But life is not nearly as stressful when we stop living in past regrets and future anxieties.

For many this premise is difficult to grasp. In fact it's not uncommon for people to become defensive, clinging to their right to be always anxious and overwhelmed by thoughts and mental conversations.

Perhaps you are also a bit put off by the suggestion to slow down and embrace the now. You may wonder: how can one simply stop thinking and enjoy the moment when there is so much to do?

But in fact life seems to slow down and become more manageable when you begin living fully in the present moment. Furthermore, you'll find more energy - both physical and mental - when you free yourself from the burden of constantly micromanaging your mind.

And best of all, your life will become once more refreshed and invigorating. You will live in moment-to-moment bliss, free to experience new feelings and ideas without trying to conform to any specific behavioral patterns.

Life is not meant to be mediocrity and predictability. Each day can and should emerge from infinite potential.

Consider that millions of people awake each morning dreading their routine and plunging right into the same thought patterns they went to bed resenting. Is it any wonder depression and stress-related illnesses are so prevalent in this society?

On the other hand imagine waking each new morning filled with the excitement of not knowing exactly what the day will hold. Sure you may be going to your regular job and engaging many of your standard activities, but because you live primarily in this moment there is no sense of turmoil or subtle resistance wearing you down.

And throughout each day, imagine the freedom you'll feel as you find and follow the flow of life. Rather than trying to talk yourself through every waking moment you will be listening to your intuition and acting according to your inner guidance system.

Center your awareness on this moment. It may help to shift your attention to the very center of your chest, behind your sternum.

Never mind anything that has happened before right now. And let go of anything that might happen at a later time.

Be aware of the space between you and this page. Allow your mind to flow and think as it pleases without interrupting or getting involved.

See if you can let go of everything and be right here in the now. And hold on to this awareness as the seconds and moments pass.

If you catch a glimpse of your essential self, of the "you" that resides behind the thinking mind, you'll see deep peace and stillness. You should know that it's your birthright to embody this stillness in every waking moment.

For more great insights on living in the present moment be sure to visit the author's Website. You'll find some great insights and five easy mindfulness exercises to help you live in the now.

Living in the Present Moment - The Process of Discovery

2009-03-09T19:31:00.000-07:00

Living in the present moment is the key to having full access to your personal power. Only when you release the constant stream of daydreams and mental chatter can you function at full capacity.

When you accept the now you are more alert, relaxed, and energized. Also it is very common to experience spontaneous joy and optimism.

Many spiritual teachers make this point, but due to the experiential nature of present moment mindfulness, people often do not grasp the power of the message. In fact sometimes people look at the process of allowing the now as some sort of chore or work task.

The truth is it's both natural and easy to let go of your mind and be fully immersed in the present moment. While you may have learned a different way of being from society, centeredness in the moment is your natural state.

When you are able to finally let go, often after a bit of practice, you'll feel a deep sense of peace and exhilaration wash over you. There is little question that a state of being in the now is our most natural place of presence. Both our bodies and our minds function at full capacity when we are free in the present moment.

Also, living in the now is the only way to have a truly exciting, refreshing life. Rather than resigning yourself to a routine and accepting the mundane nature of life, you can allow each new moment to unfold as it will and bring a new experience into your awareness.

The universe is filled with infinite potential, yet most of us recreate the same events and circumstances over and over for decades until we finally pass from this life. How sad and bizarre that we seem unable to comprehend the unlimited possibilities all around us when we become absorbed in our narrow, habitual view of the world.

Living in the now means to stop pushing and let life flow. Allow the moment to just be what it naturally is.

You'll discover new things about the body you have lived in for years. And you'll learn a great deal about the person you really are; it's very common for people to change dramatically when they stop living in their head and begin living in the real world of now.

You can start embracing the moment by telling yourself each day when you awake that new things are in store for you. Rejoice in the fact that you don't know exactly what's coming your way with each new moment and be mindful of the fact that new experiences can enter your life at any time.

With this frame of mind, begin to practice letting go of your thought-state throughout the day. Just step back from the process of constant thought and become aware of your body, your physical surroundings, and the subtle feelings within your body.

Once you begin your pursuit of the truth it's likely you'll be hooked for life. The whole world changes when you view it from the lens of now, and not from the prejudicial perspective of constant thinking and reliving of old experiences.

For more great insights on living in the present moment and finding your own purpose in life, be sure to visit the author's Websites. You'll find a wealth of information on the things that matter most in life.