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kami
USA
921 Posts |
Posted - Aug 03 2013 : 6:49:18 PM
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A few days ago, I had this thing come up - if I were to die now, when my children are still young, what would I want to have taught them? If I have learned anything, how can they benefit from my growth and openings? In that, I began to write short notes on various areas, that I'd like to share here.. Some things may be repetitive, but my kids need that sort of thing.
1. Worth
Almost everyone that will come your way will attempt to assess your worth and project it back at you And you will do the same with them. Recognize this pattern and learn to notice the untruth of all such assessments. Know that worth is beyond all calculation - yours included. Service and devotion are the only notable external signs of worth and inner strength. Be strong.
2. Religion
The world is divided by those fanatical about "their" God. In your life, you will encounter many who will try to convince you that "theirs" is better than "yours". You may also notice yourself wanting to prove that yours is better than theirs. Recognize that this tendency is the hallmark of divisiveness, a uniquely human condition. God does not divide. God is all there is, in every being, every rock, every planet and every sun - in all of creation, seen and unseen, known and unknown. Seek to know God that is you; all else is trivial. Be God.
3. Teachers
Every day of your life, you will encounter teachers and teachings. The only way to recognize them is to keep your heart open to them. If your eyes are open, everyone is a teacher. Thus, honor all (people and experiences) that come into your awareness. Know that some teachers will never manifest on this plane, but will guide you nevertheless. I will be one of them for you, always. Embrace every encounter with gratitude, and your life will be transformed. Be grateful.
4. Me and Mine
Everyone falls into the trap of partitioning "me and mine" from "not me and not mine". Know that all divisions in the world arise from this. Also know that this erroneous division is merely a play of the human mind. Even the best amongst us is prone to this folly. Hence, forgive those (very human) friends, parents, teachers and leaders that give precedence to their own. By recognizing that this is merely a human tendency, resolve to find that in you which unites, not divides. The secret to abundance is giving - give without reservation and watch your life overflowing with abundance. Be inclusive.
5. Self-preservation
If you understand this well, my child, you will see that self-preservation is what drives all life. This is the one thing that binds us all in "same-ness". In humans, the thinking mind schemes up complex ways to accomplish this. To preserve his limited perception, man lies, cheats, manipulates, gives in to anger, hate, jealousy and lust, kills and maims his brothers, and lives in constant fear of death. In knowing deeply what it is that makes people behave as they do, you can set them free of whatever they do to you. Be wise.
6. Jealousy, greed, hate
No matter what field you choose, you will encounter these qualities in those around you. People will try to pull you down, set you up, put themselves first at all costs, call you names, steal from you and cause you pain. Know that those that exhibit these tendencies don't know any better. Thus, forgive them. Know without a doubt that the most effective remedy to all negativity is love. Strive to go beyond all such petty limitations yourself, by keeping your heart fixed on the nobler goal of knowing the divine in you (and by default, in all). Know that all else in life is irrelevant in comparison. Be brave.
7. Meditation
Without fail, make time and space for quiet every single day. Every aspect of your life will be the better for it. Guard your solitude like no other property. Become intimately familiar with the workings of your own mind - it is in this familiarity with your own self that you can undo all that does not serve you. In becoming friends with all the evil in you, not only can you empathize with the evil in others, but also learn to let go of it and attune yourself to the divine in you. Be still.
8. Self-talk
There is much in popular psychology about positive self-talk. But this is a primitive step in the long and arduous process of gaining of gaining mastery over your own inner workings. Learn to listen to that inner voice and it's constant flow - watch all the unkind ways in which your mind will degrade you, in response to a present situation but based on a habitual pattern picked up long ago. As you learn to watch them (aided by daily meditation), recognize the humor and futility of your mind's endless stories. Once you learn to see the mind's spinning as simply it's own mode of self-preservation, you will have the power to not believe it's stories. And once you stop believing it, the mind has no choice but to drop it. Be reflective.
9. Moderation
In order to fulfill life's divine purpose, it helps to follow moderation in all areas of life. Time and again, you will be tempted to over-indulge, be it work, play, study, talk, food, sleep, nice things, travel, or even spiritual pursuits. In all matters, be diligent about moderation. At all times, be cognizant of your mind's pushes and pulls. Loss of control over your mind's demands and tantrums is the first step into hell's descent. Be disciplined.
10. Love
Realize that love is the very fuel of creation. It is what drives every creature, big and small. Love and God are synonymous. Love is what remains after everything else is gone. And the only place you will find it is in your own heart, even though you will search for it everywhere else for a long time. The only way you will experience true love is by loving. If you pick and choose whom to love, you will miss the greatest gift of human life. Be loving.
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Edited by - kami on Aug 03 2013 7:07:14 PM |
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Bodhi Tree
2972 Posts |
Posted - Aug 03 2013 : 8:24:33 PM
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Profound, comprehensive, simple and direct.
Shine on, shine on, shine on...most eloquent and elegant kami. |
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faileforever
USA
190 Posts |
Posted - Aug 04 2013 : 11:18:53 AM
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Very beautiful kami, thank you for sharing. |
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whippoorwill
USA
450 Posts |
Posted - Aug 05 2013 : 12:37:43 PM
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Lovely!! |
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kami
USA
921 Posts |
Posted - Aug 05 2013 : 1:47:21 PM
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Thank you Bodhi, Faile and Liz!
Love you all. |
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Chaz
USA
129 Posts |
Posted - Aug 10 2013 : 7:48:16 PM
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That was such a great summary of timeless wisdom, your kids are very blessed to have you to share that with them. |
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Anima
484 Posts |
Posted - Aug 11 2013 : 1:52:08 PM
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Thank you, Kami, especially for 6 and 8. It's very hard to deflate. |
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rce
USA
50 Posts |
Posted - Aug 11 2013 : 4:09:54 PM
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Thanks kami. This is well written and is excellent advice for your children and also for everyone. |
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