Addressing Stagnation: or (when things don't manifest quickly enough ) 

Ultimately, there is no magic solution but...

The feeling of stagnation often comes from an attachment to the past and an unhealthy self criticism about what the present should look like...Not Helpful.

What I always stay focused on is my highest intention and purpose.

It is my go to stabilizing and grounding resource.

This keeps things focused and clear for me and steadies my attention. 

This is Key...Intention steadies attention 😮

                                                                                                          When my attention is steadied and focused it keeps me in the PRESENT. When I am in alignment with my highest values and purpose It gives me a sense of healthy power and staying true to myself...This is gold.

 The End of Searching:

        The final contentment comes without things...

 Unrelenting Kindness:

This is NOT a temporary state. 

It is not based on holiday cheer.

It is not only demonstrated when things are easy and smooth.

It’s not reciprocation when one has received kindness from someone else.

It is a consistent, unwavering, and unrelenting practice not based on external conditions…

It is especially powerful when there is difficulty and suffering.

 The Avatamsaka Sutra...

Studying the Avatamsaka Sutra (華嚴經) is about expanding the capacity of our minds. However, in practice, it is about opening our hearts. 

But because of the heavy weight 0f our attachments, we lose focus and forget the selfless spirit of a Bodhisattva. Selfishness fills up our hearts, leaving no space for the world. 

Our hearts are originally vast enough to encompass all the Dharma Realms. We must train our minds and hearts to stay open and practice kindness and generosity regardless of causes and conditions. Then, all universes are created and contained within our hearts, and the karmas arise accordingly.

 The Teaching of Impermanence:

Sometimes, it takes great loss to realize how fragile and how precious this life and the people in it are. Even in our most mindful and conscious daily living, we can forget how tentative and temporary all things are. 

          Impermanence is Real 

This can be painful...and... empowering at the same time. We don't want to avoid the feelings or the tenderness of the heart after loss. These are important experiences for the human heart. As painful as it might feel this is the true nature of life. However, this provides us with a potent teaching:

Live and Love fiercely, NOW... while you can.

 Root Confusion:                                                         

Beings are confused about the difference between spiritual bypass and skillful engagement. One is disconnecting and checking out, and one is being discerning about how you dial-in. There are times when there are some things you just can't do anything about and you have to be okay with that. Then we can dedicate and focus our energy on solutions and what's possible instead of wasting energy on what's not.

It is actually the practice of "right understanding and seeing clearly". Many small efforts can add up to a great transformation. Just because we refuse to buy into the external chaos doesn't mean that we're not interested in being part of the solution and making a difference.

However, discernment and discrimination are key practices here. Once we assess a situation correctly, then how do we apply that newfound clarity directly to the situation ?

It is not a bypass. It is living wisdom and skillful engagement.

Do not let the world challenge your integrity or shake your belief in your core values.

Stay clear, stay focused, and stay flexible... And always be kind in the process.

This is the Transformative Way.

 The Way of Presence: ( in life and practice)

“At every stage, there are some questions...

This is the way of inquiry. It is the appropriate response to curiosity while seeking knowledge on the path of self-development.

Then all the questions fall away...

This is the way of presence. It is the release of seeking.

It is powerful yet wordless. It is solid yet indescribable. It is palpable yet formless.

Nonetheless.... Presence is potent, impacting, and formidable. It is the first energy that arises and the last one to go. It is actually the greatest gift, as it demonstrates full attention and a commitment to the moment.

When there is no more attachment to external response one settles. Then there is a relaxation and a surrender to the moment.

This is the Way of Presence.

 Fundamental Steadiness:                          

As all things change and fall away, there has to be a fundamental steadiness underneath it all.

This steadiness is powerful as it is a reliable source of safety.

This is what beings recognize as your true nature and genuine character.  It is visible and trustable.

It is a solid example of one’s intention, one’s heart, and the dedication required to make it real in the world. 

Then, when steadiness combines with consistency there is a strength that is obvious and powerful beyond words.

It is rooted in devotion, compassion, and kindness yet requires strength and loving perseverance. It is very powerful to observe, and it inspires others to believe in their own potential and have faith in the fundamental goodness of things. This is very important.

Beings want and need to trust and believe in the goodness of humankind, again.... And so...      Steadiness and Goodness need to live together in the same practice.            

This is the "medicine " that is sorely needed right now...and always

 Cutting Through:

There is so much misdirected energy and deception going on in this world that beings actually start to believe that crap...

Garbage...

Half the world says they're enlightened, and the other half creates all the suffering without owning it and without even blinking an eye.

This is the Darkside of manipulation and deception. These are the demons of toxic government, society, and social media. No one has the willingness to be wrong and see the truth clearly.

Most beings don't have any self-discipline and their lack of consideration for others is appalling.

At some point, there must be a reckoning and a purification.

First, there must be clarity about what is true and proper and what is false and unjust.

However, The Revolution first starts on the inside... Often, we have to cut through the bullshit, get honest, get a little messy and handle the obvious and uncomfortable.

Thats Radical.

That's what the true realized Masters did back in their day. They came to terms with the harsh reality of what was and were fully present for what was to come.

Thats Revolutionary.

 

 

 The Path to Peace:                                              Everything in the world has a cause and a reaction starting from somewhere. (causes and conditions). As we view the outer world and its situations they all come from some circumstances (root cause) and beings' response to them. Our responses either come from a deep place of understanding and clarity or from a place of fear and attachment.

There is nothing in this world that we ourselves don't have a part in. 

Good or bad, all decisions and actions arise from our belief systems and are influenced by the inner lens with which we view things. So the the path of balance and benefit is to see things clearly and act as skillfully and gracefully as possible in the middle of it all. This comes from the inner work of the heart and a healthy benevolent spirit. 

Until inner transformation happens all external actions will be based on fear, misunderstanding, and confusion. 

The Path to Peace is based on the Inner Freedom of the heart and mind.  May we all be kind to each other on the way.

 The Mind…

The mind is a tricky animal...

It seduces you with future fantasy, binds you with past memories, and steers you away from the awareness, absorption, and appreciation of the present moment..

It distances you from the pureness of the Heart, the vitality of spirit, and the higher intelligence of your body...

It is NOT consciousness....and the mind is NOT you...

when one sits in stillness one can see it clinging, projecting, and creating stories that don't even exist yet...

The Heart feels and absorbs...

the spirit activates and mobilizes...

the mind creates and distracts...

Do not be fooled by the difference

 Cutting Through Delusion / The Blade of Clarity:

Do Not be fooled. There is NO one magic formula or secret.  

Right Mind, Right Attitude, and Right Effort are the essentials.  

Self-respect contains Self Discipline and action is the change agent.  

Do not avoid these truths.             

Consistent effort and Clarity develop focus and keep the mind steady.

That is the alchemical engine....

Then...Working consistently from the Heart and treating all beings with respect and love is the whole package.

Don't overthink everything, stay steady, and don't expect the unreasonable....                                                   Your happiness does NOT live in self-criticism

 The Teaching Of Temporary:

Death teaches us about Life...

Not the other way around..

Notice and Embrace the precious teaching of Temporary

 The Essence of the “Boddhisattva Path”          (in real-time ) 

The Bodhisattva is a being who has vowed to bring about the relief of sufferings for all beings, not just themselves. So, when they achieve enlightenment, and it is time for them to ascend to the Heavens they make a conscious, intentional decision to stay on Earth to achieve their goal.

Bodhisattvas manifest where they are needed in many forms. They might be bums or babies, friends or strangers, teachers, firemen or used car salesmen. They might be you. Whenever needed help is given without selfish attachment, there is the hand of the bodhisattva. When we see and hear the suffering of others and respond to that suffering, WE are the hands of the bodhisattva.

People understand the Dharma [ the divine instructions ] as best they can, and as understanding grows, limitations are discarded and flexibility of application develops using the essential core principles. We're all works in progress.

Our actions and behaviors are the examples others will follow. Not our words 

May I be a source of safety to all those without protection

 The Lesson of Loss:

If we are lucky enough to have our health, our families, and a connection with our community we are very blessed. This is not always the case and sometimes we forget about the opportunities and relationships that helped us create the amazing lives we have. Often, we get too comfortable in our safety, our luxuries, and our privilege, forgetting how precious and fragile it all is. Then, the potency of appreciation and deep gratitude for it all slowly wanes, and we become casual about paying attention to what we need to do in order to honor the graces given to us.

Not Good...

This can be very dangerous if we lose sight of our blessings and the value of the opportunities we were given.

Remembering what inspired us, what we did to get here and the people who supported us on the way, re-affirms and reminds us we did not do any of this by ourselves.

Humility is an important element in honoring and keeping the things we value.

When we realize that it all can go in a minute, we tend to be more mindful of how we live and more appreciative of what we have.

When we think about the loss of our relationships, our health, and the things we are most passionate about, suddenly, we are extra careful and aware.

Impermanence now directs our attention to the preciousness of it all and the fear of loss tenderizes our hearts.

It is truly amazing how we humans don’t comprehend and appreciate what we have until it's gone. If we allow ourselves to perceive the reality of loss and the inevitable BEFORE it actually manifests, it can teach us an important lesson:

The past is over, and the future does not exist.

Honor and cherish the beings, blessings, and experiences we get to have right now.

 the 3 Medicines:

Passion, Purpose, and People.

When we are in our passion and our purpose, it benefits all people.

There is NO hesitation, NO doubt, and NO uncertainty.

The energy and confidence are directed by the spirit and flow from the heart.

It is only when we return to self-judgment and attach to external validation that we get stuck in the confusion of right and wrong.

There is NO wrong when in the practice of inspired service.

It feeds self, benefits others, and illustrates selflessness and excellence of character.

It is generous, inspiring, and self-perpetuating.

It clears the mind, strengthens the heart, and enlivens the spirit.

When we focus on the " 3 medicines" we neutralize the poisons of doubt, laziness, and greed.

It is only the mind which tells us we are not capable and complete.

Our True Inner Nature is loving, powerful, and generous and we have everything we need...and this has always been the case.

Don't Believe the Hype...

 The Inner Directive:

Every moment is an opportunity to illustrate our heartfelt intention and demonstrate the level of kindness we decide to offer to the world. This is not to say that difficult conditions don't arise and challenge us...Yet..

That is NOT the point.

It is the Inner Directive that creates the quality of our behavior and the tone in which we interact with others. 

It is a decision and a self-cultivated attitude.... especially with all the incredible chaos and suffering that is showing itself in the world right now..

Do NOT allow your brilliance or your faith to be dissuaded into disbelief and despair...That is the Shadow of the Darkside trying to convince you to give up..

Return to your wise heart and your undying spirit and set the intention to be steadfast and unwavering. This is the true nature of humankind.

Time to return to the source of your power : 

Goodness and Courage...

Time to Up Level my Jedi brothers and sisters...

The FORCE is definitely with us.

WOOOSH........Demons begone !

 "The Path of Spiritual Boxing"

the 3 Strengths [the ability to ...}

Train the mind, Stabilize the emotions, and Actualize the intentions.

Each element supports and creates the next one.

The mind must be calm and focused in order to see things clearly.

Once that is achieved then...

The emotions can be grounded, balanced, and utilized.

{without emotional grounding and stability we are like leaves blowing around in the winds of circumstance}.

With those 2 elements engaged ..

 We can actually unite the balanced power of the mind and the emotions and actualize our intention

It is the efficient use of all our faculties to achieve a final result without wasting energy and training ourselves to be focused, powerful and balanced in the process.

 

 

Gratitude :

To walk in Grace with the proper Attitude..

Gratitude is NOT soft or weak state of being...

It is actually a profound understanding of the experiences in your life and the complete surrender to the process of receiving and appreciating all of them, as they ALL have lessons and "magic" within them.

It is all about the way one receives information and the way it is processed.

There is a healthy state of power and calm confidence that occurs when one is totally in acceptance of what has been presented to them.

There is deep "settling" and grounding, and in this state, one can navigate ALL things.

Good, bad, sad, elated..

ALL things return to the relative, as all things are impermanent, on loan and temporary.

This clarity is actually freeing because then all things should be seen for what they are:

Opportunities for transformation, clarity and wisdom.

The most profound example of transformation is when someone who has struggled still lives brilliantly in the world with Grace, Kindness and Compassion...

THESE are the beings who change the world just by being present.

May we all spread the Radiance and live with Grace and Kindness.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Elemental Alchemy 2 [within humans]

When one gets clear about their own passion and purpose ALL things become clear.

Hesitation ceases and confusion dissolves.

Energy is focused and directed.

Courage and confidence naturally arise because when there are less distractions to misdirect one's energy intention translates into action and goals are achieved smoothly.

Work, health , relationships ALL manifest accordingly as we do NOT waste energy and are clear about what we want to invest our energy in and the practices we focus are hearts and minds on.

THIS is the nature of Intention, focus, and actualization.

It is elemental in its origin and made real by humans in the world.

It is the divine work between men and women and blessed by Heaven and Earth.