How many of you are like me, sitting at a desk reading through emails, checking out Facebook, trying to find the connection to other beings who will calm you and make you feel alright? You may have a job you enjoy. You may have a great family and circle of friends. But, that doesn't do the trick. You're looking for something more. Something that will tell you that you're living in a normal world where you don't have to worry about basic survival. After all, you're beyond that. You know how to take care of yourself. Right?
This age tells us that taking care of ourselves includes lots of leisure time - time to take stress away and relax. But, are we relaxing? I often find myself needing to go online. My significant other may be sitting five feet away from me, and yet I still need more input. I need to know what others are doing in the world. Why?
We are in a time of great upheaval. We have witnessed some of the greatest revolutionary actions ever, in the last month. That which has been bubbling below the surface is erupting. Again. Our tired and huddled masses have lost their complacency. We are no longer willing to be oppressed by those in power. We want that power back. Now!
The thing is that those in power have split our lives up into sections that we can compartmentalize; which, we MUST compartmentalize in order to stay sane in this world of corporate domination. Each issue in our lives seems separate. We do not take our lives as a whole. Today, we are worried about our child's dental appointment and paying the mortgage. Or, how we can afford the rent and the light bills this week. Every day we must juggle a hundred or more things that affect our work, family, health, safety, our lives. These tasks represent our needs.
There is more to our need, though. Many of us are holding ourselves in so tightly to get everything done, that we do not recognize the true needs of the body, mind, and spirit. We have forgotten what it is to lie in a field of grass with the warm sun shining on us. Our bodies crave physical connection, yet we make so little time for the true pleasure of being touched and held. Meditation is nearly impossible with so much happening on the planet.
Robert Thurman, Je Tsongkhapa Professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies at Columbia University, founder and president of Tibet House New York, in "One: The Movie", was asked to show (not tell) what was happening in the world right now. He stared at the camera. After forty-five minutes of recorded staring he looked at the person conducting the interview. He said, "Did you get that?"
What is going on in the world is whatever is going on inside of you - right now. So, how can we clear our heads, and give ourselves what we really need? How we can gain a holistic focus on our lives? Let go of the unrest. Let go of the need to hold it all together. Let go of the compartmentalizing. For thirty seconds close your eyes and just try to feel your hands. Then breathe. Tomorrow, make it forty-five seconds, the next day, sixty . . .
Even those of us with a meditative or prayer practice may be having a difficult time clearing our heads and being "present". Write a list of what is happening right now. Look it over. Breathe. Tear up the list.
Ask yourself what would make you feel content right now. Do that. If it involves another person, don't be afraid to ask for it. Know that you have a right to peace, right now. Let the process of finding contentment be a step in breaking down the compartments and living as a full human being.
For more steps on the path of holistic living:
Robert Thurman's Home Page: http://www.bobthurman.com/
The Dalai Lama's Home Page, including "Finding Happiness in Troubled Times" webcast: http://www.dalailama.com/
Transcendental Meditation - How To - Page: http://www.tm.org
For radio shows from amazing authors: http://www.harporadio.com
Bioneers, Revolution from the Heart of Nature - Non-Profit organization, with incredible webcasts from inspiring speakers taken during their annual conference: http://www.bioneers.org/conference
"My Happiness and My Function Are One" Lesson 66 from "A Course in Miracles", published an disseminated by the non-profit Foundation for Inner Peace: http://acim.org/Lessons/lesson.html?daily_lesson=66
Please add your own favorite site or book through comments!
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