Honolua Bay, Maui
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
THIS IS YOUR LIFE
You may have seen the poster below on Facebook...it's actually been around for a couple years, but just recently came to my attention. It's called "The Holstee Manifesto" and it comes from a company (named Holstee, of course) which makes an assortment of ecologically-sound personal products, most of which feature a positive message.
Originally written by the company's three founders as a guiding vision, the Manifesto has quite understandably taken on a life of its own. I love the message, and I especially appreciate the notion that the clarity and scope of their defining mission could in and of itself make the company more visible and successful. Well done, Holstee.
Monday, November 14, 2011
THE WORLD IS WAKING UP
I just watched an excellent new documentary that I believe goes a long way toward explaining the Big Picture of how and why things got to be the way they are right now on the planet. This movie should be required viewing for anyone who is dedicated to transforming our world. Gratitude and respect to Foster and Kimberly Gamble for their great work on this inspiring project.
Visit the resource-packed THRIVE Movement website here.
Visit the resource-packed THRIVE Movement website here.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
A TAO MANTRA FOR MEDITATION & TRANSFORMATION
Here's one of my favorite mantras for meditation and contemplation. I created this a few years ago, and still use it quite often. I've found it highly effective in calming my conscious mind so I can enter my inner meditative space in a very peaceful, relaxed, and open state. If you already have a meditation practice or a particular technique that suits your needs, but sometimes have difficulty quieting your body and/or your mind, you may want to try incorporating this mantra into your personal meditation practice. There is great meaning and power in these words, so even if you choose not to incorporate them into your actual meditation, you can silently repeat this mantra to yourself at any time throughout your day as a means of soothing your mind and your spirit.
The meditation practice that I've found works best for me follows these steps: first, get into a comfortable position, where you can remain quiet and still for a sufficient period of time, perhaps 20-30 minutes. Then, with your eyes closed, very slowly and silently repeat the mantra to yourself several times, matching the flow of your breathing to the rhythmic phrasing of the mantra, until you're in your desired meditative state. Once you've reached the state in which you wish to dwell, you can either continue repeating the mantra at your own pace, or transition into your usual meditation practice. Here is the mantra, for your consideration:
The meditation practice that I've found works best for me follows these steps: first, get into a comfortable position, where you can remain quiet and still for a sufficient period of time, perhaps 20-30 minutes. Then, with your eyes closed, very slowly and silently repeat the mantra to yourself several times, matching the flow of your breathing to the rhythmic phrasing of the mantra, until you're in your desired meditative state. Once you've reached the state in which you wish to dwell, you can either continue repeating the mantra at your own pace, or transition into your usual meditation practice. Here is the mantra, for your consideration:
"I Allow and Accept
All That Is
In Peace and Harmony"
This mantra was inspired by my favorite book of all the sacred writings I've ever read: Lao-Tzu's Tao Te Ching. In the spirit of the Tao, this mantra is designed to take us out of judgment and separation, and into a place of flow and serenity. There are five essential principles within this mantra, and here is what each of them means to me...
The first principle is the affirmation "I Allow and Accept." The purpose here is to free ourselves from the illusion of the ego's need to try to control all that happens in life, and also to let go of the need to second-guess or judge all that happens in life. When we consciously choose to allow life to unfold in its own time, and in its own way, according to the natural Divine flow that governs all being and all life, we then open ourselves to the fullness of potential. Miracles can and do occur when we're in that space of alignment with the flow of life. But to merely allow is not sufficient unto itself - we must also accept what it is that flows into our lives from the Divine. We might be tempted to say "Well, I allowed life to unfold, and look what happened - it's all wrong!" If we could dispense with the constant judgment of ourselves, of the process of life, and instead freely accept what flows to us, we could deepen our understanding that a higher power is at work in our lives, in the world, and in the universe.
The second principle is designed to clarify exactly what it is you are to Allow and Accept: "All That Is." Those three words leave no room for confusion or misinterpretation. All That Is literally covers everything we can experience in our lives. If we allow, but then say "I accept this, but not that" we actually sabotage or undermine the entire process of aligning ourselves with Spirit and of flowing with that state where miracles manifest themselves. Certain events in our lives may appear one way at the moment when they occur, but then take on an entirely different perspective in the days, weeks, months, or even years that follow. Of course, this is usually how we learn lessons in life: by re-evaluating the events of our lives from a position of greater awareness later on. But how much easier could we make it on ourselves if we affirmed from the beginning that everything that happens is for our highest good?
The third principle describes our spiritual reward; the state of mind we will inevitably experience as a result of choosing to Allow and Accept All That Is: Peace and Harmony. Isn't that what we all really want? Isn't that what we all wish for our world? Imagine how much better our individual and collective lives would be if we experienced more peace and more harmony. It begins within. As more of us learn to cultivate those principles and qualities within ourselves, then the outer world will reflect the same back to us as well. If you believe that thoughts are things, that we create our outer experience with our thoughts, and that the outer world is a manifestation of our inner being, then you also know that as we evolve and mature spiritually the world changes too. It's an endless circle, and a beautiful expression of our true nature, and our innate power, as spiritual beings.
I'll be sharing more mantras and meditative insights in the weeks to come. In the meantime, please let me know how this one works for you!
Namaste,
Gordon
The first principle is the affirmation "I Allow and Accept." The purpose here is to free ourselves from the illusion of the ego's need to try to control all that happens in life, and also to let go of the need to second-guess or judge all that happens in life. When we consciously choose to allow life to unfold in its own time, and in its own way, according to the natural Divine flow that governs all being and all life, we then open ourselves to the fullness of potential. Miracles can and do occur when we're in that space of alignment with the flow of life. But to merely allow is not sufficient unto itself - we must also accept what it is that flows into our lives from the Divine. We might be tempted to say "Well, I allowed life to unfold, and look what happened - it's all wrong!" If we could dispense with the constant judgment of ourselves, of the process of life, and instead freely accept what flows to us, we could deepen our understanding that a higher power is at work in our lives, in the world, and in the universe.
The second principle is designed to clarify exactly what it is you are to Allow and Accept: "All That Is." Those three words leave no room for confusion or misinterpretation. All That Is literally covers everything we can experience in our lives. If we allow, but then say "I accept this, but not that" we actually sabotage or undermine the entire process of aligning ourselves with Spirit and of flowing with that state where miracles manifest themselves. Certain events in our lives may appear one way at the moment when they occur, but then take on an entirely different perspective in the days, weeks, months, or even years that follow. Of course, this is usually how we learn lessons in life: by re-evaluating the events of our lives from a position of greater awareness later on. But how much easier could we make it on ourselves if we affirmed from the beginning that everything that happens is for our highest good?
The third principle describes our spiritual reward; the state of mind we will inevitably experience as a result of choosing to Allow and Accept All That Is: Peace and Harmony. Isn't that what we all really want? Isn't that what we all wish for our world? Imagine how much better our individual and collective lives would be if we experienced more peace and more harmony. It begins within. As more of us learn to cultivate those principles and qualities within ourselves, then the outer world will reflect the same back to us as well. If you believe that thoughts are things, that we create our outer experience with our thoughts, and that the outer world is a manifestation of our inner being, then you also know that as we evolve and mature spiritually the world changes too. It's an endless circle, and a beautiful expression of our true nature, and our innate power, as spiritual beings.
I'll be sharing more mantras and meditative insights in the weeks to come. In the meantime, please let me know how this one works for you!
Namaste,
Gordon
Monday, October 24, 2011
IT'S A JUICY LIFE!
A few months ago, I had the distinct pleasure of meeting an amazing young woman who is almost single-handedly creating a global new media spiritual community. To call Lilou Mace a leader, a visionary, and an inspiration to soul seekers everywhere would be true - but it would also be an understatement. Lilou is a force of nature, and a phenomenon unto herself. Since January 2011, Lilou has been traveling around the US and Canada on her Juicy Living Tour, interviewing the leading authors, healers, teachers, and entrepreneurs in the New Age movement; including Dr. Wayne Dyer, Anita Moorjani, Neale Donald Walsch, Caroline Myss, Dr. Jacob Liberman, and many others. All told, Lilou has self-produced over 1600 videos (all of which are still available for free online) and racked up an incredible 10 million YouTube views.
Lilou has described the Juicy Living Tour as "everyday inspiration...from everyday people." But Lilou's contribution to the uplifting of consciousness at this important juncture in our spiritual development has been anything but commonplace. Yet, for all of her success and stature, Lilou exudes an honesty, humility, and a sweetness of spirit that is in itself captivating. Lilou Mace is a beautiful, soulful woman who lives a life of radical inspiration. She constantly challenges herself to trust the flow of life, to discover and experience all the "juice" life has to offer, and she in turn radiates that juiciness out to everyone she touches with her work. While recently contemplating a major decision in my own life, it was often Lilou's voice I heard encouraging me to ignore my fears, and to follow my heart and soul.
Lilou relies purely on the contributions/donations of her many "co-creators" to support her travels and her work, and it has been truly inspiring to see so many people step forward with housing, transportation, and everything else she has needed to keep the Tour moving forward. What a powerful reminder of how inter-connected we all are, and of how loved and supported we all are when we step forward with courage and trust.
I highly encourage everyone seeking a greater sense of spiritual community and soul-full inspiration to please check out Lilou and her invaluable work - and please support her in any way you can!
Lilou's main Juicy Living Tour site can be found here.
Lilou's main YouTube site, which includes her archived videos, can be found here.
Lilou's other Juicy Living site, which features spontaneous updates and short videos she posts from her iPhone, is here.
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