READ: What’s In Your Name?
October 28, 2011 by Gangaji
Filed under •-Feature, Classes and Workshops, Enlightenment, Health & Well-being, Insights, Motivation, Personal Growth, Reflection, Spiritual teachers, Spirituality
A revealing exercise was discovered with a group of people interested in living freely, unencumbered by past definitions of themselves. When a person said her own name and then said what that name meant to her, self-definitions from childhood were exposed. Usually, if not always, these definitions of themselves were negative to at least some degree. Even if names had been changed, the old name still had hidden power, and hidden power is the most insidious. Many of these intelligent, bright, aware adults were carrying old burdens of negative self-identification within them. When a friend repeated the question, “What is your name and what does it mean?” layers of excess mental and emotional baggage could be recognized and dropped.
Naming is an extremely useful aspect of human intelligence. With naming we are able to make important distinctions. Distinctions are necessary for our survival, as well as mental and emotional growth and well being. With more sophisticated naming we develop more subtle and sophisticated distinctions. But great powers often come with a high cost. As we develop our ability to make distinctions and generate names, we usually lose sight of the connection between things.
And this is a tragic loss, a loss that generates dissatisfaction, restlessness and worse.
Names accumulate meanings associated with their owners. Over time, derogatory meanings can become embedded in our self-identification. We begin to believe that we are what our names, or labels, say we are. Even if we rebel against them, our names can seem like a kind of map of our persona, a map that defines how we are separate from others.
In the willingness to inquire into one’s own name, and with that inquiry the willingness to face unpleasant feelings, there arises the possibility to see through the name. We can see that the name has no substance by itself. We can see the unreality of the name per se, while the reality of oneself remains constant.
How burdensome these labels and distinctions are finally. All along didn’t you know your name didn’t describe who you are? And yet we spend much of life trying to accept a name as the symbol of our identity, or rebelling against one name and taking another in hopes that perhaps the new name will be a true description of ourselves. Some of us take animal spirit names, we accept names from our gurus (I did), and we have secret, special lover-given names that feel more like a fit for us. But if we tell the truth, no name can contain our true identity. Once we stop trying to name ourselves, and others, there is an obvious yet thrilling discovery. We are not actually discrete from one another, or from the “mountain” or “the ocean” or “the sky” or any other part of our universe. What were important distinctions for survival and power aren’t needed at all in self-reflection.
As Alfred Korzybski pointed out eighty years ago, “The map is not the territory.” If you only know the map you won’t experience the territory. If we try to fit ourselves, and others, into maps and labels, we will miss the essential thrill of being aware of ourselves as inseparable from all life forms.
Why not try this game with a friend? One of you asks the other, “What is your name and what does it mean.” Repeat this question for ten minutes or so before switching roles. When you are asking the question, be sure to include nicknames, and even hateful names you have been called. You can discover for yourself if you want to keep carrying around any old heavy baggage associated with any name at all.
Gangaji will present her new book, Hidden Treasure: Uncovering the Truth in Your Life Story, at a weekend retreat in the San Francisco Bay Area on October 29-30. In November and December she will hold retreats and weekends in Australia and New Zealand. Read more about Gangaji’s events and catalog of books and videos online. You can also join Gangaji in monthly Webcast / Conference Series which will begin an in depth study of Hidden Treasure in November.
READ: The Hidden Power of Belief
September 29, 2011 by Chris
Filed under •-Feature, Insights, Inspired Business, Law of Attraction, Law of Attraction, Meditation, Metaphysical, Motivation, Personal Growth, Social Entrepreneurship, Social Media, Spiritual Guidance, Spiritual teachers
Your Beliefs Create Your Reality
The first thing that we know about ‘beliefs’ is that you create your reality within the parameter of the beliefs that you hold within your own consciousness. This is a fancy way of saying that all of the beliefs that you hold, mostly unconsciously, create a window through which you create a constrained and limited version of yourself. Some people may argue that they are creating exactly what they want with no limitation, but this is usually the minority and many of these individuals simply do not like to be told that they have limiting beliefs. The truth is that everyone does. The power is in becoming aware of this fact.
Here is the trick; every single belief is ultimately a limitation in your consciousness. That’s right, a limitation. A belief is formed to help you cope with reality as it is, not reality as you want it to be. In other words you create, take on, or accept beliefs because you are (at the time) unable to create your own reality exactly the way you want it to be.
For instance, you may have dreams of running a business, being an actor, flying an airplane, or being an entrepreneur. However, unconsciously within you is instilled the belief that you need to get a college degree in order to become anyone of worth. So, either one of two things happen. Either a) You go get the degree only to find out that it doesn’t necessarily mean that your life goes exactly the way you want it to (because you encounter other beliefs along the way) or b) You don’t get the college degree and subsequently sabotage yourself via the fact that your worth is subconsciously associated with whether you do have a college degree or not. Now, you have one unconscious strike against you that is registered in your subconscious mind saying, “I am less worthy and less likely to succeed because I do not have a college degree.”
Knowing who you are
Most of us just aren’t born knowing who we are and what we want to do in life. What happens to people along the way, especially for those of us who aren’t born knowing what we want to do, is that we begin to absorb more and more beliefs into our psyche. We read studies, watch documentaries, and read books that portray limited versions of ourselves. We continue to absorb all of this disinformation into our psyche until we get to the point where we firmly believe that life is a certain way. Eventually it gets to the point where we are looking to outside sources to tell us who we are.
At this point, we no longer know who we are. Instead of the childlike innocence of creative imagination, we have a strict, limited version of how our reality is supposed to be. Worse, now we rely upon the very sources of disinformation that put us here to continue to guide us through our now, very limited reality.
Every time you rely upon a ‘study’ to tell you who you are you are in the process of giving away your personal power. I’ll tell you right now that no one and I mean NO ONE who ever became famous or incredibly rich did so by conforming to the mass consensus beliefs on the subject. In fact, most of these people are those who made their own rules and lived outside of the box, way outside the box.
When you begin to realize the power of who you are and that you hold to create your own life then you will begin to see the futility in prescribing to mass consciousness beliefs. All mass consciousness beliefs are constrictive and limiting.
Pay attention to that which you wish to become
In life we are constantly bombarded via the media with massive amounts of limiting ideas and beliefs. Big pharmaceutical companies pay for massive amounts of advertising to insert fear based beliefs about made up diseases into the consciousness of the people of the planet. Big oil companies pay hundreds of millions of dollars to insert belief systems about different companies and types of gas that are better for the environment. Fast food companies pay out massive sums of money to insert the belief that certain types of food are supposed to be a cultural way of life.
How many beliefs are really yours?
Have you ever wondered that? How many beliefs that you have in your consciousness did you actually consciously choose to accept as your belief? Probably around 1% of them; the other 99% were inserted subconsciously. I’m sorry to have to say that to you, but it is most likely more true than anyone knows.
Sow what do we do?
Pay attention to what you are paying attention to. That’s a good first step. In other words, do you automatically turn on the TV when you get home? If so then you are probably being programmed to a certain degree. However, if you turn on the television with a specific show in mind, then you are less likely to be programmed. Any television viewing has limited, subconscious programming involved. However, the more conscious your choice is in what you watch and why, the less likely chance you will have of being subconsciously programmed.
If you are a regular purchaser of fast foods then it is quite possible that you are doing so because you have been programmed to. I’m not judging you for the fact as we have all been subjected to massive amounts of programming that are designed to create unconscious beliefs within our subconscious. Rather, I’m saying that it is time to take back your mind. Part of the taking back is waking up to what you are doing and why you are doing it.
Meditation
For those of you who know me know what my number one cure for just about everything is, especially limiting beliefs. Meditation has been a tried and true technique for thousands of years in its ability to help you take back the power of your own mind. Meditation, done consistently, can help you to get to the root of your limiting beliefs deep within your subconscious mind. From consistent meditation you will be able to, slowly but surely, unravel the layers of beliefs, ideas, and emotional patterning that has been serving to keep you rooted in the same reality over and over again.
Meditation has the ability to begin to deconstruct the limited version of reality that you have been projecting out upon the world and thus living. With consistent meditation you will begin to notice that, over time, your reality almost appears to physically deconstruct itself, resulting in something new that you have never experienced before. But, it takes time and the commitment to change, the commitment to become a conscious creator. That time is yours to spend however you want to, but I ask you to consider who’s mind your mind belongs to…
Christopher A. Pinckley
Author of Reality Creation 101
Everyone is a teacher…
September 21, 2011 by G. Brian Benson
Filed under •-Feature, Insights, Inspired Business, Leadership, Motivation, Personal Growth, Purpose, Reflection
I am a huge advocate of helping people be the best that they can be, and step number one to get them there is to help them find balance in their lives. I feel so strongly about this that my first book was dedicated to showing the reader many different ways to find balance within oneself (Brian’s List – 26 ½ Easy to Use Ideas on How to Live a Fun, Balance, Healthy Life!). And you want to know how and why I ended up writing my first book? Well, the answer lies in a quote that says, “We are here to teach what it is we need to learn ourselves.” In a nutshell, I was going through a period in my life where I was feeling really out of balance and out of center; and I knew that I needed to do something about it.
In early 2008, I was struggling with the decision to leave the family business that I had been a part of for 12 years. Now for those who know me, I am a very driven person and this driven nature has served me well through the years (cross-country bicycling, triathlons, etc.). So, being the driven person that I was, I wanted to figure out why I was feeling out of balance and out of center. I decided I needed to do a couple of things. After some contemplation I realized that I was burned out from my job. I wasn’t fulfilled there, nor was I growing anymore. I knew it was time for a change. And I eventually left that position.
The second thing I did once I realized I was out of balance was to come up with a handful of ideas that I knew would keep me balanced and centered. I put on my self-awareness cap and wrote down five items on a piece of paper. From that day forward every time I began to feel out of balance or out of center, I would refer to my list:
Number #1 Drink enough water daily.
Number #2 Daily exercise.
Number #3 Get enough sleep each night.
Number #4 Spend some time each day alone to reenergize my system.
Number #5 Be creative. For me being creative means writing or playing my guitar.
This helped me out so much that I thought, “Hey, why don’t I expand the list and make it into a book to help others in the same way that I helped myself?” So that’s what I did, and I am so grateful that I moved forward and wrote the book. I learned a lot about myself in the process, met some amazing people during book signings and workshops, the book won a couple of awards (which I am still pinching myself over) and most importantly I know the book has helped others in the same way that I was able to help myself. It has been a grand experience all around. As I worked on and learned how to stay in balance, my path led me to help others do the same.
What is it that you are learning about yourself that you are supposed to teach others?
It’s Just Business & Other Damaging Beliefs
August 28, 2011 by Shasta
Filed under •-Feature, Leadership, Motivation, Personal Growth, Social Entrepreneurship
So I had a not so nice meeting with week with a gentleman who was less than courteous, professional or kind. Well to be honest he lost his temper with me. It was sort of a shock to be treated poorly. I have created a positive working life and surrounded myself with amazing people who do not have melt-downs. So it felt like a blast from my past corporate days.
The interesting thing was I told a friend of mine about this experience and he said, “It’s just business. Don’t take it personally.”
Hmmm.
Now I am a fan of not taking anything personally so love that advice but really, is it ever just business?
This experience left me thinking I don’t want to have to work with this person. It also caused me to think that said gentleman was not as professional, mature or experienced as needed. It left me thinking this man really needs to learn some coping techniques and take self responsibility. It left me thinking this is way too much work even if it is just business. So it is sort of personal since the quality of our relationships in ALL arenas and what we bring to them do matter greatly.
I know people have bad days. I do too but I try really hard not to lose my shit on someone. I do believe past the age of five tantrums are absolutely ridiculous and always uncool. I also believe in apologies and self-responsibility. Where is that in the business manifestos of the world?
If you have worked in the professional world, trade-world, service-world – really any world at all, you have heard the term, “It’s just business” usually following by some sort of verbal onslaught or unethical action. The term is used often to justify damaging behavior either to others, the environment or even large groups of people such as indigenous displacement. It seems to give people the right to somehow disassociate from decency and courtesy in the name of business meaning currency. They no longer have the responsibility of the ethical guidelines we all learned in kindergarten. This attitude has created some major ecological issues, human rights concerns and just bad mojo for centuries.
Now I know there are times when you must make hard decisions. I worked for Fortune 500 companies and conducted over 13 rounds of lay-offs at one company I worked for. I always argued with senior
Simon, a great example of the poor feedback technique and bad behavior.
management that lay-offs could and should be done with courtesy and respect for the thousands of people losing employment that day. I did not always win and those years left me burnt-out and sad at what I had witnessed and by how I was treated in the end. It would have been GOOD for business to treat people ethically and kindly. Kindness does not cost money. It creates it actually.
Now as a business leader myself there are times when we do have to make tough decisions, speak to something unpleasant or say so long to employees who don’t work out but it is always my intention to hold the place of love and respect while doing it. We all want ease, love and respect in EVERY setting. It is never just business. It is always Yoga. We are always in relationship whether it is employer and employee, employee to employee or business to consumer. How do we want to conduct ourselves? What are we demonstrating? What are we leaving in our wake – chaos, shattered hearts and destroyed self-esteem or union, inspiration and upliftment? We do not become separate islands of inappropriateness when we enter the business world. And really where does the business world begin and end?
I have great compassion for the man who lost his temper with me. He is dealing with a toddler at home, he is up for a promotion and he feels way overwhelmed. I send him light and love and let my husband deal with him from now on. I also appreciate that it was a wonderful reflection of how NOT to be and it gave me a great topic to write about. So in the end all really is perfectly unfolding but I am also learned enough to know that. Still I think our belief, “It’s just business” is damaging and a excuse for bad behavior. Myself, I would rather not need the excuse. I want to ensure every opportunity is an opportunity for more light, love, collaboration and connection in the world including business.
Wishing you a week of magical “business” relationships.
Namaste,
Shasta
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Shasta Townsend
A celebrated transformational leader and a leading pioneer in embodied spirituality and Yoga, Shasta has inspired hundreds of people through her breakthrough methods for awakening and empowering your inner voice and divine power. Director, founder and senior teacher with Balanced Life Yoga, she delivers public talks, seminars and trainings on evolution and empowerment. She draws on a wide variety of techniques including Yoga, Shamanism, meditation, energy healing, coaching and the Law of Attraction. She is especially appreciated for her passionate way of allowing individuals to make sense of their world and embodied, holistic means to become the change they wish to see.
As early as in her teenage years, Shasta embarked on her journey as a spiritual explorer which led her to India, where she studied yoga, meditation and energy healing. She has studied with many remarkable mentors and she has undergone thousands of hour’s intense practice of meditation and spiritual studies. Shasta has taken every opportunity to become adept in her field through her own practice as well as through extensive training in yoga, group dynamics, meditation and spiritual counseling.
A heart warming story
August 27, 2011 by Teresa Joyce
Filed under •-Headline, Books, Enlightenment, Forgiveness, Health & Well-being, Insights, Journeys, Motivation
I would also like to share this story with you.
Whilst emailing talk shows I sent an email to a particular lady host. It was strange as it took me some time to find her email address, but something told me to keep looking. Once found I emailed her. Within ten minutes I received an urgent reply, and the response was something I could never have hoped or dreamed of.
It seemed that her son had tried to kill himself the previous week.
After a few emails back and forth I rang her on her direct line in New York. She told me that morning she felt she could no longer go on, and that my email had arrived just at the point she was ready to give up.
It gladdened my heart to think that my book even in its condensed form, was still able to reach out to someone in dire need.
Deep inside of us all there is a strength that remains untapped until you need it, but you are stronger then you think. For most that place will never need to be visited, sadly for others it will.
I have emailed her a PDF file of my book and hope this will help her further.
There’s a fine line writen by Teresa Joyce
