Stretch the imagination

To see things as they are is not what you think. You might view science fiction stories as a point of reference for what is becoming possible. You might begin to sense layers of reality exist beyond what mind thinks or believes. Think outside-the-box. Notice what are you taught is possible. Notice who controls the holodeck of existence and who is invisible. Be open to accepting anti- gravity. Could you be a wizard in disguise? Stretch the imagination.

1) Imagine you awaken and the world is very different from what your 'normal' reality. Do you feel like Gregor Samsa who awakens to find himself a cockroach in The Metamorphosis? What stands out about your apparent new existence? What is obsolete? What is unchanged?

2) Envision this world as your canvas.  Notice what you choose to see around you. What do you erase or paint over? What do you sketch in? Where do you add colour and texture? What is the future of Humanity? Do "you" fit in at all?

3) Reflect on how you see yourself 100 and 1000 years from now. Imagine your form or state. How are you travelling? What does your existence feel like? Which innate capacities do you discover and accept? What role organ and cell regeneration play? How do cell codes for spontaneous human healing factor in to an evolving, New Human Being? Be that.  How does it feel?

4) What is existence like from the moment you let go of all self-defeating thoughts, doubt, negativity and delete programming about aging, sickness and death? What do agelessness and fearlessness feel like? How do you function as an immortal in a physical body? Experience evolves from thoughts.  If you do not allow self to imagine anything different than your programming, you do not stretch or grow. 

What about forgiveness?

At some stage, if you allow yourself to be controlled by anger or other emotions, you may ask yourself whether someone deserves your forgiveness.  Step back.  Who or what is asking this question? Recognize the inner judge and behind that, the ego mind has your full attention until the moment you begin to sense the nature of this perspective does not feel quite right. 

As you observe this view from a more objective vantage point, you begin to recognize that exploring the concept of forgiveness assumes; a) its possible to do something wrong; b)that you can weild real power over another person; and c) that somebody other than you exists. Watch what happens as you shift attention away from the conditioned mental filters and you begin to see though your own assumptions.  Be open to seeing from a new vantage point.

If you ever contemplate forgiveness, you temporarily forget you also have the option to see everything through the lens of the heart.  This lens only knows pure love, acceptance and appreciation. It sees something good in everyone and every situation.  The heart is aware;

1) All is well in this moment;  Only the mind judges and creates a sense of duality (good/bad)

2) You cannot exert control over the external world, only how you respond to it

3) There are truly no divisions or separate self

4) Seeing through the eyes of another is a mirror reflection

5) The fear of not being loved is unfounded

6) Unconditional love is the essence of being (Love is what you are)

7) As the ego mind of the HUMAN awakens to the pure love of BEING = Oneness

8) Nothing is actually taking place as the mind would have you believe

Its not what you think

You may think certain things are missing in your life; a certain amount of money, the appropriate course of study, the perfect home, the right partner or relationship, business deal, opportunity, or condition.  Look closer.  Be aware you cannot tell life what you need.  Life reveals timeless insight and wisdom to you based on what you think you want.

You may hear people say you are what you think or you are what you do.  Step back.  Get completely clear.  Nothing is ever missing in life.  When you think this is the case, you forget who you are. When you know who you are, anxiety falls away. Whatever comes and goes, changes of state or conditions do not bother you.  What awaits discovery and recognition? Notice the witness of desires arising and falling away.  Notice what witnesses the silence.

Be playful

Recall how it feels to be playful, spontaneous, loose and free-spirited.  If you forget how to be relaxed and have fun in the moment, observe a puppy, a kitten or a small child.  Watch how they know nothing matters and take things lightly.  Get a feather and tickle yourself silly. Ask a friend or companion to use the tips of the fingers to remind you how to release tension.

This is not about pondering the last time you laughed.  Its not about focusing on a future moment when you imagine you might get around to it.  Notice where your mind is when your child wants to play. Are you always focused in the same place, in this moment, or on something else you would rather be doing?Is your mind elsewhere? Snap out of it.  Light-heartedness is a core state. Turn attention to how glorious it is to be where you are.  Be here now. Lighten up!

Savour the sensations that are available. Balance a fork or ball on your nose. Dance in ways that set your body free,  Float along with the wind as you fly a kite or sail along a body of water. Watch sand ooze through the toes at the beach.   Bend a spoon with the mind. Play for the sheer joy of it.

Go with it or observe only

Thoughts hold no power over you except when you allow yourself to believe you are your thoughts. You can continue forging relationships with certain thoughts, allowing them to shape your life with subtle influences.  You can listen to voices that prompt you to believe thoughts are real or, you can see them all as temporary visitors and read into instructions for good karma.

As you open existing awarness, you see what is happening in thoughts and feelings. In this state, you still sense division.  As you sense the watcher and what is watched, you are susceptible to moodswings and doubt. You may sense you are about to lose something precious.  Ask the heart whether what is real can ever be lost. Why does the mind vex and fear losing what is unreal? 

At a certain point, you no longer identify with streams of thought. You no longer observe life, a dream. Suddenly, you go with the flow and are it. Undivided attention arises. Almost no effort is required. Joy arises in the space of silence.  Achieve the Shanti you really are.