Kindness, the Gift of Care!

Unless someone like you cares a whole lot of nothing is going to get better. It’s not  - Dr. Suess 

The greatest gift I can give myself kind form of care. If I become careless then I too I become unkind.  Whether I am gentle with others or my own self this generous act gives back bountiful happy returns. When I care I unite instead of divide.  Acting from this deep part of my heart I transform new riches of well- being. My greatest concern is to be gentle both with others as well as with myself, since I believe we are all connected.  Lacking a sense of care I separate. I become cruel and insensitive to all things. Then, I disconnect to my oneness and greater inter-connection to life.  Simply caring or showing kindness has a tremendous ripple effect.  I multiply my joy when I relate with people, places and things in profound caring way.

As a visitor here I can improve my situation by exercising kind care. Let’s have the courage show the benefit of kindness. How I relate to my world is important. Exercising kindness stimulates the positive.  Is not carelessness a form of ignorance?

The most important thing I struggle with in my life is to be gentle with myself. When I embrace my defects, and cultivate inner kindness, inner peace becomes possible. I find that I then care happens when I accept, not resist. Being kind is a work in constant progress. It takes great care to find self-acceptance.

When cultivate my own compassion and I then can pass it on.  The more I can be friendly to all, the more I feel alive and the less I suffer. Being kind and caring, I give myself the greatest birthday present. Expanding this loving friendliness is life’s greatest blessing. My prosperity is link with daily kind acts, not mean ones. Kindness attracts friends, builds community and stimulates happiness. Being kind to others, to the world and to me, makes everything better.  Such care invites further happiness and new gifts for all us to benefit.

April Fool’s Wisdom

The first of April is the day we remember what we are the other 364 days of the year.  M. Twain

 

April 1^st is my favorite day of the year.  Laughter recharges me with greater light and joy. Jesting transforms me from being so dense. Out of my life experiences my serious grey clouds become dissolved with new comic silver linings.  Making brilliant insights from either my disasters or successes teaches me that a fool can also be wise.  Comedy may transmute the negative into new optimistic mirth awakening people with laughter and folly.

Acting as a court jester gives me the courage to have fun so to better address my deepest phobias.  There is a magic of not taking oneself so seriously.  Comedy helps me transform my curses into blessings giving new meaning to whatever comes my way.  Humor lessens my tensions of opposing truths to best synthesize amazing new possibilities giving me greater freedoms and realizations. 

 

All over the world April Fool’s Day entertains people with laughter, wisdom and new perspectives. Every day let’s celebrate foolish wisdom.

Below are some brilliant humorous insights:

·         Prepare for mirth, for mirth becomes a feast- W. Shakespeare

·         The only fool bigger than a know-it-all is the person who argues with him.  Anon

·         It is ill-manners to a silence a fool, and cruelty to let him go on- B. Franklin

·         We don’t laugh because we’re happy- we’re happy because we laugh- W. James

·         Humor plays close to the hot fire, which is the truth, and the reader feels the heat.  E.B. White

·         Humor is not a trick, not jokes. Humor is presence in the world- like grace-and shines on everybody. G. Keillor

·         When a thing is funny, search it for a hidden truth.  GB Shaw

·         Comedy is a distraction, not an action.  Humor takes your mind off the negative and turns it into laughter that’s positive. B. Hackett

·         It's better to keep your mouth shut and be thought a fool than to open it and leave no doubt.  M. Twain

·         Comedy is allied to justice. Aristophanes

·         Frame your mind to mirth and merriment, which bar a thousand harms and lengthen life. W. Shakespeare

·         Life is too important to be taken too seriously.  O. Wilde

A fool sees not the same tree that a wise man sees.  W. Blake

·         To be playful and serious at the same time is possible, and it defines the ideal mental condition. J. Dewey

·         If I had no sense of humor, I should long ago committed suicide. M. Gandhi

·         In the end everything is a gag. C. Chaplin

·         Let us be thankful for the fools. But for them the rest of us could not succeed.  M. Twain

One Shared Higher Consciousness

The only devils in this world are those running around inside our own hearts, and that is where all our battles should be fought. - Mahatma Gandhi 

With the rapid increase of information and mental inquiry the unification of human consciousness is inevitable. Everyday this planet shares a common frequency of higher consciousness.  At the same time fears and other negative emotions are proliferating. 

An emerging cooperative neuro-network or collective consciousness can help us better navigate the complex and delicate issues of human survival. To help us best face our current crises many greater thinkers and wise being have already blazed this trail.  However a critical mass of awakening is required to change our society and culture. Beyond the knowledge of art, science, education, goals and values, world views, religion, spirituality- consciousness of our interdependence is major facet in our future prosperity.  

We are in a tipping point of conscious alignment of our shared connections.  A unified field of awareness is evident since all things on this planet are interconnected.

We are in Collective Consciousness Paradigm right now.  This inner and global transformation is happening in all parts of the world and in every sphere of life, in us and around us.

Presently this Collective Consciousness Paradigm is an extra-ordinary phenomenon of highly resonating beings.  This spirited exchange, compassionate in its embrace, brilliant in its clarion call to awaken our conscience and consciousness.

This fascinating and insightful awareness revolution is elevating our consciousness from the left to the right brain. A more holistic, integrated and optimistic mind set is happening for a variety of reasons. 

As Peter Russell states;

Consciousness is not something that emerged with human beings, or with vertebrates, or at any particular stage of biological evolution. What emerged over the course of evolution was not the faculty of consciousness, but the various qualities and dimensions of conscious experience–the contents of consciousness. http://www.peterrussell.com/SCG/aboutscg.ph

Russell further elaborates;

With the evolution of multicellular organisms came the emergence of specific senses, enhancing the quality of consciousness. In order to process this information and distribute it to other parts of the organism, nervous systems evolved, integrating the different sensory modalities into a single picture of the world.

As brains grew in complexity, new features were added to the image appearing in consciousness. With mammals the limbic system appeared, bringing feelings such as fear, arousal, and emotional bonding. With time, the mammalian the brain grew yet more complex, developing a new structure around it, the cerebral cortex. With this came better memory, focused attention, greater intention, and imagination. 

With human beings another new capacity emerged–speech. And with this, the evolution of consciousness took a huge leap forward.

We could use words to communicate experiences with each other. Our awareness of the world was no longer limited to what our senses told us; we could know of events occurring in other places and at other times. We could learn from each others experiences, and so begin to accumulate a collective body of knowledge about the world. 

Most significantly, we began to use language internally. Hearing words in our minds without actually saying them, allowed us to talk to ourselves. An entirely new dimension had been added to our consciousness–verbal thought. We could form concepts, entertain ideas, appreciate patterns in events, apply reason, and begin to understand the universe in which we found ourselves. 

The expansion of the human pre-frontal cortex is proof enough that new neuro-networks of consciousness happen with greater mind/body focus.   Meditation, yoga and numerous other exercises strengthen human consciousness.  With today’s internet and accelerating information systems also human consciousness is shifting to a more unified or collective awareness. Our very survival depends on this.

Whole Heart

Recently I just viewed Brené Brown’s inspiring talk (http://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_on_vulnerability.html)

She talks one of our greatest needs, the human inner-connection.  How we long to better belong and empathize is the source of our very loving nature.  Ms. Brown’s entertaining talk shares both her social and personal research, regarding her insights of compassion and other diverse human emotions.  By exploring vulnerability, she taps into the great mystery of exploring human emotional intelligence.

Ms. Brown’s shares a wisdom that resonates with my own personal experiences of shame, breakdowns and shortcomings.  When I get lost in my old stories, and inner drama I feel lonely and isolated. However, my quest to cultivate greater self-love and truth also reveals my passion for greater connection.  Simply my shadows and faults are basically the same as everyone else.  It is tough for me to lessen my left (inner critical) brain from not get so identified by this profound insight.  However my brain becomes right if I make it right by shifting to a from my overly critical left brain.

Today I just did a two day retreat at my home enjoying the full moon, three circling hawks and the beautiful cliff and rocks of my national forest backyard.  Being in this setting allowed me to fully celebrate my right brain by listening to the wonder of silence I was able to trust creative possibility.   I aligned myself to a vision of pure light of still water; everything became transformed; and all is connected, loved and alright.

My courage or “whole hearted” action comes from this genuine need to see what is true and of value.  Humus heart or, is how I rejoice to new peace and unity when I drop the h from “heart” and place at the end to spell “earth.”

First, I am filled with thanks for what I have and to deeply listen and follow what my heart advises.  Second, through my experience I trust in my intuition and wisdom to widened my “inter”, “inner” and “outer” connections.   Finally, I humbly celebrate my triumphs and lessen my disasters since this leads me to being of greater service.

Shifting from cynical to optimal, I observe from my interactions with people, places and things.  Also this is act of remembering is the most important thing- I am loved. Then, kindness prevails from meanness, acceptance overcomes resistance and that concentration succeeds rather than distraction.  Life is very complicated with no quick fixes, or secret formulas. My greater awakening comes from my observing the cause and effects of my actions, others and nature. 

My refuge comes when I make my dreams happen and it’s my choice.  Since change, adversity and flux is a given, my humor allows me to better deal with the moment to moment mysterious experiences.   When I can remember to be more unconditional and let go then I become free to enjoy my mistakes and my humanness.   Once I liberated myself from my rationalizations I can venture into the larger truths of my circumstances.  

This is the shift from left to right brain by seeking wisdom and become ardent to this insight. Again it comes down my memory to recall what has whole hearted meaning.   Such remembrance is that I am loved; here now; all is well; and yes all things are related.  This lessens my primal fears and when I and thus allows me to minimize the effect of my darkest emotions. 

Finally, when my individual self dissolves then my deep love expands and I experience something beyond words.  Only poets can best describe this oneness, and unity allowing me infinite new possibilities of my whole heart-ness.  We are loved: connected; and all is alright since the heart is whole. 

Comic Hero

One of the oldest stories is the trail and tribulations of the hero.  Differing from the tragic personality this person evolves.  In the beginning this character is foolish since he is life experience is limited.  However, given time this person becomes wiser. 

The comic hero explores with courage a primal journey of myth, mystery and wonder.  There is an ancient story of a wounded ruler creating a wasteland and then the healer arrives.  His/her heroic quest in some sacred manner to make the land and its people better once again.

Finding what is true is essential in this soulful quest.  From such inner visions emerges a message of some form of renewal affecting all the live in community.  This journey spirals in stages where the final one is about the Fool.  Maybe this is because the fool or trickster defies any one proper definition.

Carl Jung used this archetype from historical sources to shine greater awareness upon our unconsciousness or shadow side providing greater insights.  The Tricksters sparks new curiosity to wander and explore new truths in diverse unconventional ways.  Experimenting with creativity this fool or beloved artist ventures with compassionate in alternative life styles searching for greater mirth.

These tricksters laugh away any self-importance because they behold wisdom or even a “higher consciousness” beyond just mortal concerns.   Joy results when the fool observes and does not judge the flaws of our current social condition.    This liberating recognition of not being identified by just our ego lessens our suffering and the course of our journey.  The fool makes us free by allowing us to fully accept this world as it is. 

The court jester has a long history in entertaining rulers by offering differing perspectives.   Also these pranksters do things to Kings and Queens no one else would dare.   Their influence influences decision making of addressing the lies and the truths.  Walking the razors edge of pain and pleasure, they act as to best balance by helping to release the tension of stressful situations.   Court jesters risk everything to offend all to get the laugh.

All comedy crosses the gap of reality and fantasy creating a new portal of imagination shifting whatever shape the situation was once in to absolute newness.  The difference between a real-world reason and make-believe create the comic conflict and the joke releases this tension.   Whether the conflict is with people and their world, or someone normal in a comic situation or a comic in a normal world the resulting humor unfolds.  

The comic hero takes countless forms- prophetic, chaotic, insightful, and other enduring qualities.  These people create a presence from the absences shifting difficulties into opportunities.

Deep Love

Valentine's Day gives us an unique opportunity to contemplate about deep love. Besides just romantic notions this day opens our heart's door to explore a greater perspective of human compassion. Deep love unifies us to our greater sense of connectedness.  Instead of dividing or separating, this love allows us to share the joy of oneness.

 According to legend, Bishop Demetri of the Orthodox Research Institute, cited that:

St. Valentine was a priest near Rome in about the year 270 A.D, a time when the church was enduring great persecution. His ministry was to help the Christians to escape this persecution, and to provide them the sacraments, such as marriage, which was outlawed by the Roman Empire at that time. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valentine%27s_Day

Today I believe we live in a culture of self-persecution where self- loathing is more the rule then the exemption.  Deep love can awaken our compassion providing greater acceptance for life’s circumstances. This profound love is beyond just selfish desire since it honors our greater interconnection. Poets are the gate keepers in best describing this phenomenon of deep love.  There is a transcendental quality with the widening of the human heart.  Below are three magical examples.

First Shakespeare’s Sonnets acknowledges his pantheistic love of all things-

Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate: Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May, And summer's lease hath all too short a date: Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines and often is his gold complexion dimmed; And every fair from fair sometimes declines, By chance or nature's changing course untrimmed; But thy eternal summer shall not fade, Nor lose possession of that fair thou ow'st; Nor shall death brag thou wander'st in his shade, When in eternal lines to time thou grow'st: So long as men can breathe, or eyes can see, So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.  -Shakespeare, Sonnet 18 Next Rumi reminds us the source of all our thanks comes from just loving presence-

Love asks us to enjoy our life
For nothing good can come of death.
Who is alive? I ask.
Those who are born of love.

Seek us in love itself,
Seek love in us ourselves.
Sometimes I venerate love,
Sometimes it venerates me.
― Rumi, Love: The Joy That Wounds: The Love Poems of Rumi

Finally Petrarch speaks of light beyond heavenly beauty in a simple meeting- 

In what bright realm, what sphere of radiant thought
Did Nature find the model whence she drew
That delicate dazzling image where we view
Here on this earth what she in heaven wrought?
What fountain-haunting nymph, what dryad, sought
In groves, such golden tresses ever threw
Upon the gust? What heart such virtues knew?—
Though her chief virtue with my death is frought.
He looks in vain for heavenly beauty, he
Who never looked upon her perfect eyes,
The vivid blue orbs turning brilliantly –
He does not know how Love yields and denies;
He only knows, who knows how sweetly she
Can talk and laugh, the sweetness of her sighs.

-Petrarch, Sonnet 159

May this Valentine’s Day inspire you to venture into a profound  awakening of greater oneness, light, love and possibility.

The Comic Tragic Struggle

The aim of a joke is not to degrade the human being but to remind him that he is already degraded- George Orwell

Every tragic situation can in a moment become comic depending if we are open to the possibility of change.  Whether in any given situation you either laugh or cry depending on your attitude. It is like falling off a cliff into an ocean below filled with fins circling with either sharks or dolphins.  Humor walks the razor edge of our fears. Through our need to go beyond contradictions we wish to venture into our very anxiety.  Laughter and joking gives us this opportunity.

As we become more sincere and genuine we shift our paradoxical world. Humor can make things less threatening and may release our everyday anxious tension. Years ago when I was hit by a van in a head-on 50 mph accident my first response to this accident with 16 others on top of my car was to make jokes.  My other alternative was to freak out.  Changing my view of a dangerous situation to one of a comic one significantly lessened my suffering.  Simply humor lessens my resistance thus minimizes my suffering and other nervous and anxious behaviors.

Also comedy creates imaginary situations that entertain us and stimulate new mirth. Such action fosters more relaxed and comfortable circumstances. Gloom and despair is transformed into lightness and possibility.  Joking provides relief from being identified what is stressful, and uncomfortable.

What was once serious now is differently viewed.  The mind shifts to what is funny. No longer is the situation so dire and skewed by fear. By awakening to the life’s contradictions humor can change how attached we become to our tragic way of being. Our very craving for being can stress our very well being.  Angst arises out of our challenge to simply “be” instead of “becoming.”  Emotional insecurity is so prevalent in today’s inauthentic society.

Humor supports a more authentic total awareness.  Today’s proliferation of anxiety is rampant given increased material demands we place on ourselves and the contradictory nature of making it through the day.   We operate on many fear based ways of coping.  Humor can awaken us from this reactive anxious ways of being.   It allows us a possibility of fearlessness or courage to fully open our hearts what really “is” happening.

Exploring our higher consciousness presumes that we fully conscious or mindless unconscious impulses and preoccupations. Also such elevated awareness means we see reality from a greater perspective.  As if a part of our potential is asleep humor can awaken these parts to us.  Increased understanding of how we are apart not separate from all things creates this mind-body transformation.  .

Here in the Western World we filtered our unconscious conditioning and thus alter the perception of our reality–or what psychologist term projection. Once we can remove this filter of our misconceptions then we also change our entire view.  Such dissolution of these delusions or illusions provides us greater clarity.  Lessening the projection of our unconscious thoughts we raise the level of consciousness.  In certain religious traditions there is a "union" or a state of oneness between the practitioner and the divine. Feelings of oneness with the world that give rise to greater understanding of the true nature of all mental phenomena

Levity provides a form of conscious brevity from anxiety. Yes it is tragic when we see we attempt to find meaning in a meaningless world. But a comic-tragic shift happens when we can laugh at the absurdity of this existential paradox. 

The comic exhibits a greater sense of responsibility.  Humor allows a greater ability to respond from the more tragic serious worldview.  The comic is able to better show up to things since he is more conscious of what is going on by his/her ability to be more open.  Since there is no beginning or end, or further concepts are just an illusion, the comic knows not find a solution since their truly is none.   

Such levity increases an individual vision to see and better accept those things that are almost unacceptable.

The comic plays with the idea of “ego” and self- identification allowing greater freedom to explore what is true.  Less pride or other “ego-selfing” mechanisms are less serious. Greater understanding of what we fear comes through laughter. So humor allows a less reactive more responsive perspective. Jokes can make us less attached and/or adverse to reality while a serious mind-set can result in the opposite.

Seriousness is the only refuge of the shallow- Oscar Wilde