Dalunara

Personally I belief that it is possible for anyone to live a life
of happiness,inner peace, and outward success, no matter what their
present or past circumstances.

There are very real methods anyone can use to achieve these things-if they are willing to make the necessary changes in how they see themselves and their relationship to the rest of the world, and take the necessary actions.

All traditions of meditation flow from one premise: that the entire universe is made of one all-encompassing energy, intelligent and aware, existing forever as the source of everything. Because there is nothing outside of it, say the mystics, because of its completeness, this energy has nothing to get or need, nothing to fear. Simply because it is its nature to do so, this one energy continually spins itself out as the entire, infinite universe. The very nature of this energy, it is said, is contentment, love, peace, happiness, and perfection.

The totality of this energy, say the mystics, is who you really are; your seeming separateness, an illusion. Saints and sages have for centuries attempted to describe to humankind a state of awareness where this feeling of oneness with everything in the universe is the predominant experience.

For thousands of years, curious seekers have responded to these explanations by asking, “If I am this one, infinite energy, the beginning less and endless totality of everything, if I really am Love itself, then why do I feel so bad? Why do I have so many problems? Why don’t I feel the peace and happiness you say is my true nature?”

And the mystic invariably would answer, “You do not experience your true nature because of your mind. Your mind keeps you from the experience of what truly is.”

These explanations state that the one energy of reality, at the moment of creation, polarized itself into a seeming duality-good and evil, male and female, up and down, here and there and all other pairs of seeming opposites.

This duality, however, is more apparent than real. In each pair of opposites, each part is dependent on the other for its existence, like two sides of the same coin. “Cold” is meaningless without “hot”; “good” makes no sense without “bad”.
According to the mystical philosophies of the East, it is the tension between these pairs of opposites, in your mind, that actually causes the universe to
manifest.

This tension between opposites is also reflected in the human brain. The brain, divided into two hemispheres, right and left, has the same dual structure-made more acute by the fact that in virtually all people the two hemispheres are unbalanced, a state called brain lateralization. Since the brain filters our reality in this split-brain way, we tend to see things in terms of duality rather than the oneness spoken of by mystics.

Of course, today we know that this is true-the mind does indeed act as a filter, coloring our view of reality just as colored glasses give an illusory tint to what we see. As we grow up, our brain is programmed that some things cause pain and should be avoided, while others bring pleasure and should be sought.

Our brain will always filter reality to confirm that its predominant beliefs and associations are the truth. No wonder we don’t see the universe of love and harmony described by saints and mystics!

If the brain could somehow learn to operate in a more coherent, holistic manner, if the two sides of the brain could somehow balance, interact more, and function, as one, then possibly our experience of reality would be different. The more lateralization in the brain (in other words, the more tension between polar opposites) the more feelings of separation, fear, anxiety, and isolation.
In fact, as we shall see, only a lateralized brain can continue to entertain the types of beliefs that result in dysfunctional and addictive behaviors and the painful feelings that accompany them.

But our brain should not be considered like an organ what produces our consciousness, we should consider it instead like the product of our consciousness.
The connections between the cells in our brain become created following the necessities of our consciousness. In this way, our brain evolves and produces his self and our implicit consciousness. Therefore, must our mind be seen as a potentiality!

Modern brain research indicates that long-term meditation does in fact balance the brain, creating a synchrony between the two hemispheres. They discovered that electrical brain wave patterns of meditators changed, in periods of deep meditation, to a single, coherent pattern, indicating that both sides of the brain – ordinarily out of phase – were working together in a balanced, synchronous manner.

This and other research has demonstrated that this balancing, or synchronization, of the hemispheres of the brain happens in all forms of meditation. The degree of hemispheric synchronization can be very precisely determined by measuring the meditator’s brain wave patterns with an electroencephalograph (EEG) machine.

Any kind of focusing will bring about a degree of brain synchronization (i.e. meditation). The greater the focus, the greater the synchronization (and the deeper the meditative state).

The mystic, then, sitting to meditate, balances the brain through some form of focusing, whether by repeating a prayer or mantra, keeping the attention on the flow of the breath, staring at a candle flame, or by using one of many other techniques. Whatever the technique, the effect on the brain is substantially the same-brain synchronization, and after much practice, transcendental experience.

So just what is this transcendental awareness? Is it becoming some kind of a blob of undifferentiated guru that wants to sit and stare at its navel instead of going to work in the morning, or some kind of robed, smiling person handing out flowers in the airport?

Contrary to common Western mythology about such things, persons operating continually in this type of awareness (a kind of 24-hour-a-day state of meditative alertness sometimes referred to as “the awakened mind”) are more productive, happier, and capable of more intimacy, more creativity, and more wholeness. Since the filter through which they view reality does not split everything in to categories based on arbitrary early life programming, they see life more objectively, without fear and judgment, without a need
to manipulate others, without need for approval-in short, without the limitations of mental programming.

This is, in fact, a state of peak performance. And, when the brain is in this highly synchronous and coherent state, it produces large quantities of pleasure-causing petrochemicals called endorphins, making the whole experience very pleasurable!

In order to accelerate the personal growth process, can you take advantage from the results of modern brain research and use the combined method between meditation and brain wave stimulation with scientifically developed meditation music, what stimulates your brain in a more effective and faster way than traditional meditation. By doing that you’ll exclude any upcoming difficulties regarding focusing your mind and concentration.

Music is harmony; start practicing your meditation with harmoniously meditation music!
www.meditationsession.com

Werner Boersch
Studied Psychlogy in Germany
on the University of Dsseldorf,
practicing Yoga and Meditation
since several years
Owner & Webmaster
www.meditationsession.com
Discuss here your experiences
www.meditation-session.blogspot.com

“Which comes first, the chicken or the egg?”

No matter how this topic is tackled, the question remains a mystery.

“Do you need to be inspired to aspire or do you need an aspiration to get inspired?”

The same holds true for the second question. Others may argue that in order to have a strong desire to achieve something, you must be inspired. On the other hand, some argue that for you to be inspired, you may need to aspire first.

This is very much like the chicken and the egg question, right? There is no definite answer. Concerning inspiration vs. aspiration, the best course of action is to discover how to get people inspired, rather than focus on which is the right answer. For some people, inspiration helps them stay motivated and become an achiever.

So, how do people get inspired?

The feeling of frustration forces some to seek inspiration. Some need to experience unpleasant circumstances to trigger an inspiration. This path may not be at all pleasant. But who says that the road to greater achievement is always smooth sailing?

Take for instance the case of an average earner. He just earns enough to make a family survive. On his way to work, he could see other people barely having three square meals a day, hardly having anything to keep them warm on a cold night, practically living on a roofless shanty with paper boards as walls. He wanted to help but can’t.

He feels helpless for he can’t do anything to alleviate their condition. This feeling of helplessness urged him to promise himself that his family will never experience extreme poverty. This feeling of frustration inspired him to aspire for a better life for himself and for his family. His fear that his family might end up like one of the economically challenged people makes him determined to do something about improving his financial stability.

Someone who is successful can be an effective source of inspiration. People tend to look up to somebody who has reached the top. They wonder how it is to be like their idol, so they set themselves on a course headed in their idol’s direction. They study their idol’s past and how he was able to overcome all adversities.

People who wish to be inspired associate with successful people. Successful people have big ambitions. Being ambitious and dreaming big dreams can keep the inspiration alive. Being ambitious is actually good as long as you do not step on other people’s toes and provides inspiration to fellow men.

A strong desire can trigger people to get inspired and aspire for it. Again, stay within the confines of good fellowship, not hurting anybody along the way. Some people desire popularity. They aspire to be well known in society. They set their sights higher and aim to be recognized and respected.

Love is a strong motivator. There was once a man who pursued his love interest. He was able to get married to the girl of his dreams. His love for his wife motivated him to do his best in his job to provide for his growing family. Love provided the spark and nurtured his dreams to aspire for the best that life has to offer for him and his family.

Many sources of inspiration can help you in achieving success in life. Arguing about whichever comes first – whether inspiration or aspiration – is not one of them. The important thing is to find your true source of inspiration and to remain focused in the achievement of your goals.

Thomas Bekkar is the publisher of Self-Confidence-Secrets.com.
Claim your 100% Free eCourse: “The Easy Way to Improve your Self confidence” and boost success in your personal as well as professional life quickly and easily. . .Guaranteed!
Click here : www.self-confidence-secrets.com

Yesterday I turned 48, and she just turned 21. Uh-oh, I can hear the gears turning in your heads already.

She will graduate from university in England in June with a degree in psychology, and we have discussed her coming to live here with me in the States. So far she’s come once, for a week, against her parents’ better judgment. That’s another story. I’ve been to see her twice, a week each time.

We are unbelievably content when we are together. It’s as if we’ve been together all along. When I look at her, I don’t see “21,” I see a woman I am completely crazy about. When she holds my hand, my heart races.

At first I’m sure it was the novelty of the situation. She was enthralled with the spoilings and attention of an older man, although she’s never asked me for anything. I was completely enraptured with the concept that a woman such as she would be interested in me, but it has gone past that for both of us.

Yes, it’s a physical thing. The lovemaking is the most passionate I’ve ever experienced, but it’s also become a thing of the heart. She has even mentioned (oh no!) marriage. And thus my question. Am I wrong for not being able to see this as permanent? With a 27 year age difference, how long could it realistically last?

For medical reasons, I can never give her children of her own, which is a very sore point with her parents. And for at least the next few years, she will have to deal with the social pressures of being with a man twice her age, which can be quite cruel. Acceptance on my end is not a problem. My close friends have met and like her, and she is emotionally beyond her years.

I’ve considered leaving things as they are. I think deep down I fear keeping her as my own will cheat her out of the best part of her youth. I am open to your comments and suggestions. I know that in the end, I (or we actually) will undoubtedly follow our hearts.

Arthur

Arthur, a short distance from our house is a roadway with a curve. It’s a very mild curve. The road jogs a few feet to the left and then jogs a few feet back to the right. It’s such a gentle curve it’s hard to imagine it could ever be a problem. That’s what the parents of the 20-year-old college student who died there must be thinking.

The accident happened at 11 o’clock in the morning, no drinking or excessive speed involved. Their son just missed the curve and hit a tree.

We cannot live our lives based on actuarial tables. Those tables describe the behavior of great masses of people, but they are a poor guide for individuals. Nonetheless, there are serious issues for the two of you to consider. Roll them around, look at them, turn them over. Love may lead you in either direction.

She is on the cusp of adulthood. You are more than a generation apart, and age difference will be a factor for her the entire time you are together. If having children with her husband is an imperative, this relationship can’t succeed. If her parents’ approval is an absolute requirement, that is another barrier.

Give yourself enough time to see if the novelty wears off. You have been with each other only a short period. See if the love grows and builds and if issues are resolved.

Most people who marry are close in age, and half of American marriages end in divorce. Age does not make or break a relationship. Love makes or breaks a relationship.

Actuarially speaking, the odds are against you, but actuarial tables are not a basis for living a life.

Wayne & Tamara

Direct Answers – Column for the week of March 29, 2004

About The Author

Authors and columnists Wayne and Tamara Mitchell can be reached at www.WayneAndTamara.com.

Send letters to: Direct Answers, PO Box 964, Springfield, MO 65801 or email: DirectAnswers@WayneAndTamara.com.