Spirituality

The dictionary describes Destiny as “the hidden power believed to control what will happen in the future; fate.” Do you believe in fate and destiny? Perhaps we believe that requires…

Making friends with our own minds shows us that beneath even the darkest difficulty is the happiness of our true nature.

The question is, has the world gone nuts? It certainly looks like a lot of people are being driven by fear, hatred and greed. The rising anger and animosity, is to the detriment of us all. Is it not time for some real sanity?

Rev. Charmaine Armatas, Sensuous Mystic, was ordained by the New Seminary. In July, 2000, in a primitive and intense ritual, she was initiated into Goddess-hood. From this ceremony, she was called to bring forth the unification of Sex and Spirit. She primarily focuses her energy work through Shamanism.

At the Heart & Soul Center we first saw a woman we knew leaving with bruises all over her face. However, an Indian man quickly replaced her as he came towards us and introduced himself as Deepak Chopra.

when we are stressed, we lose the simplicity of being present and dealing with what is in front of us with clarity rather than confusion.

A quiet mind is peaceful, joyful and compassionate, because these qualities already exist within us all. Meditation simply enables us to connect to them.

Chris Grosso is a public speaker, writer, teacher with the Worldwide Insight Organization, and author of Indie Spiritualist: A No Bullshit Exploration of Spirituality and Everything Mind: What I’ve Learned About Hard Knocks, Spiritual Awakening and the Mind-Blowing Truth of it All.

Is there actually any real difference between one part of our being and another or is the only difference the means of expression?

When fear is in control we become resistant to change and spontaneity; we get angry and defensive, reinforcing separateness, isolation and enmity. Fear arises when the ego-mind is threatened, making us reject anything that is unfamiliar; in so doing we surrender our sensibility and compassion.

Joan Borysenko is a pioneer in integrative medicine and a world-renowned expert in the mind/body connection. She is the author of the New York Times best seller, Minding the Body, Mending the Mind, which sold over 400,000 copies. The 20th anniversary edition, newly revised, was published in 2007

Mudita encourages us to look at these places that are wrapped up in ego, such as jealousy, envy, judgment and comparison. We get to see how jealousy doesn’t get us anywhere other than into further pain and suffering, as it takes us out of the present and we get lost in the future, in the ‘what if’.

Research shows, as if we didn’t know, that job dissatisfaction, moving house, divorce and financial difficulties are at the top of the list of known stressors. But we all respond differently to circumstances: a divorce may be high on the list of stressors for one person but it may be a welcome relief to another.

When someone is being dismissive, fault-finding or disapproving and this is making you feel unworthy, insecure, or lacking in self-esteem, then it may be because there’s a hook in you for that negativity to latch on too, a place where it can land that triggers all these hidden self-doubts.

We’ve already proven that war does not work, that fighting and killing in the name of religion, to wipe out an enemy, or to claim control never has a happy ending, always there is suffering and anguish and continued pain with no end in sight. The dualistic belief that there’s an ‘us’ and ‘them’ causes an endless no-win situation, blanketing our minds with ignorance.

Rene Ringnalda is a Master Educator, certified in Primordial Sound Meditation and Perfect Health: Ayurvedic Lifestyle at The Chopra Center for Wellbeing. Rene teaches meditation at the Center’s weekly programs, signature events and privately. Before coming to the Chopra Center in 2008, Rene spent more than 10 years working in the medical field. He has beautifully integrated his background in Science and Medicine with his deep love of Spiritual wisdom to become a passionate, authentic and dynamic teacher.

Abhorrence towards others is based on the belief that we are all separate from each other, that we can hurt another without hurting ourselves, that I am more important than you. It breaks friendships and families, while creating self-righteousness and arrogance. Prejudice closes our heart and shuts down our sensitivity.

Yoga, now closely followed by Mindfulness, has become totally mainstream, with more varieties of a theme appearing every day. Many who attend a yoga class come away from it feeling…

What we all so easily forget is that everyone experiences pain and suffering, not just us, and we don’t have to be someone special to be lovable, we are lovable just as we are. Being ordinary is OK! Being ordinary means not having to hog the limelight but having space for others, being able to wish them well without comparison or judgment; it means keeping our heart open even in the midst of pain.

Greed, hatred and ignorance are the root causes of unhappiness. They can trick our minds into believing happiness lies anywhere other than within ourselves.

Jeff Brown is a life- long learner at the “School of Heart Knocks” whose clever word fusions continue to endear readers to his books and articles. He found that his trials and triumphs led to his upward and outward spiral. He will invite listeners to explore the ways in which their own experiences shape their relationships, as well as innovative ways to enhance them.