Soulful persistence

It is said that as you work at something, it becomes easier.  From this view, the endeavour gradually does not seem like work. Some people interpret this to mean the harder you exert the self or the more it struggles, the bigger the reward. 

Society teaches that a person is meant to earn success with blood, sweat and tears. As part of the process, a person is expected to engage in competition, conflict and feel repeatedly tested. Deep down, one is invited to ask what is testing whom?

Ingrained views condition people to think that anything coming easily does not deserve to be appreciated. For example, when a sports game appears one-sided, not only do players feel something missing but spectators somehow feel gypped.

Another view of persistence has nothing to do with striving to achieve, accomplish or become anything. From this view, you need not be fastest, best or most anything. Comparisons and a need to excel fall away. What you are remembering, remains. The soul is a silent warrior with infinite patience. What is the nature of any path? How does soul dialogue and expand inside?

Feel nothing to expand

People are taught to think, strive, work, achieve, speak, move, and take other initiatives with goals in mind.  And yet, how do you respond to the idea you must feel nothing to expand?

Take it a step further. What sort of impact does this have on your senses, behaviour and life as it stands? Express nothing. Be nothing. What does this mean to you, your dreams and current path? What kinds of sensations are evoked? Describe what you are remembering and forgetting at this moment.

What is your take?

THE STUDENT Doko came to a Zen master, and said: "I am seeking the truth. In what state of mind should I train myself, so as to find it?"

Said the master, "There is no mind, so you cannot put it in any state. There is no truth, so you cannot train yourself for it."

"If there is no mind to train, and no truth to find, why do you have these monks gather before you every day to study Zen and train themselves for this study?"

"But I haven't an inch of room here," said the master, so how could the monks gather? I have no tongue, so how could I call them together or teach them?"

"Oh, how can you lie like this?" asked Doko.

"But if I have no tongue to talk, how can I lie?" asked the master.

Then Doko said sadly, "I cannot follow or understand you."

"I cannot understand myself," said the master.

What triggers a revelation?

Many people are making positive changes in their lives. More of these changes are conscious and self-initiated.  You may sometimes ask self what triggers a revelation.  People discuss what prompts inner evolution or the will to transform? Here are six explanations. Comment on these and share your own.

1) dreams

2) perceived crisis

3) subtle feelings

4) divine guidance

5) trance or spiritual experience 

6) physical accident or illness

Share what U choose

To travel to places unfamiliar or familiar is always an opportunity to raise new levels of awareness. This moment is a chance for you to share an experience that expands the way you view self and the world.  Share an expeience that initially distressed or scared you and how you chose to rise above it.  Which meaningful lessons to you gain about love?