12 Spiritual Truths to Help You Live a More Authentic, Fulfilling Life

discover-life-purposeSource: Before It’s News

Life is hard. It doesn’t matter if you’re living in a huge mansion or standing in line at a soup kitchen, the truth of the matter is not many of us are given the tools while growing up to cope with the many stressors in our lives. But there are people out there who seem to have an idea of how to stay optimistic in these changing times. I spent much of my adult life perplexed by their good natures, and even more confused by their good will, until I learned that there were principles — and, by principles, I mean universal truths — that I could apply to my own life and literally change how I felt, not only about myself, but about the world around me.

Some of them seem like common sense, but you need to understand going into the exercise that reading these principles and actually practicing them in your day-to-day lives are two entirely different things (and that the latter requires vigilance and willingness). The phrase “easier said than done” applies here. But, the truth is, if you’re reading this, then chances are you’re in the same place I was when I first discovered these practices, and that means you’re ready.

Here are the 12 spiritual principles I try to live by on a daily basis:

1. ACCEPTANCE

There’s this thing called The Serenity Prayer that goes something like this: “God, grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the Courage to change the things I can, and the Wisdom to know the difference.” What painful, awful thing in your life are you accepting that, in all truth, you can actually change? Once you deeply accept that only you have the power to move forward in your life, then you can take the action to do it. But there are also things that you cannot change, and the work here is to accept that you can’t manage that situation or this person or that thing. There is power in powerlessness also, because it frees you from conflict and allows you to enjoy the rest of your life with real aplomb.

2. LIVE YOUR TRUTH

You’d be surprised how many lies I told myself and how many times I suffered because of them. Indeed, the lies I told myself fed into the lies I told other people and left me isolated when all I ever craved was connection. Can you believe that? My cure for loneliness was isolation. But I changed all of that when I started to speak my own truth and gave the people around me the opportunity to truly know who I was and what I stood for. We live in fear of what other people will think or say about us, but do you really want those kinds of people in your life today? Tell your truth; embrace who you are and let the naysayers know that, if it’s going to make a difference as to whether they love you or not, then it should start making a difference now.

3. REMAIN GRATEFUL

I have a friend who, for one morning every month, pretends to be blind. He wakes without opening his eyes, fumbles his way to his kitchen to make coffee then heads off to the bathroom to shower and brush his teeth. He eats a bowl of cold cereal and dresses himself and doesn’t allow himself to open his eyes until he gets behind the wheel of his car to go to work. And he does this so that he can live in gratitude of the many gifts in his life, least among which is the gift of sight. I try to practice gratitude also, although not with as much verve as my friend; but I recognize that, in today’s world, it is easy to become entitled and walk around with a sense of indignation and lose sense of the things that really matter, and fall away from gratitude. Everything in your life is worth exploring, whether it be the fact that you can walk and run or the knowledge that, if it ever gets to be too much, the world is designed to accommodate you and help you not feel so abandoned or alone.

4. HAVE FAITH IN YOUR RELATIONSHIPS

We come into the world, each of us, with our own baggage (sometimes it’s an abandonment issue, sometimes it’s simple trust issues, etc.). We acquire these as children, but we discover that these lessons no longer serve us in adulthood, and we become forced to re-parent or reeducate ourselves. Part of this means learning how to trust our friends and partners and spouses. These relationships are important and you need to think of them as a carefully concocted stew of love and patience and understanding. When we distrust the people closest to us, what we are actually doing is adding negative ingredients to the pot — jealousy, possessiveness, suspicion… of course, they are going to react in a negative fashion. And we are often shocked when conflict arises, but it is conflict that could have been avoided if we’d made a conscious decision to come from a place of love than one of antagonism and unrest. People are sometimes going to let you down. This is a fact of life. But it is our responsibility to not create an arena for them to do so.

5. BE OF SERVICE

My wife is an amazing woman. I am in awe of her, but still got a bit resentful one night when I did the dinner dishes and didn’t get so much as a thank you when all was said and done. It was then that I realized that I was looking for a payoff for simply being of service, and that was when my life changed. It isn’t an act of kindness if you expect something for it, and once you remove the payoff from the equation, you will find yourself catapulted to the next level of true selflessness, and that is the understanding that the reward for loving is loving; the reward for being of service is being of service. And the self-esteem that comes from reaching out and helping other people is invaluable. Because it gets you out of your own head and helps you not feel overwhelmed by problems or other concerns. It helps you feel connected.

(Related: Discover The Secret To Success That No One Has Ever Talked About)

6. LAUGH AT YOURSELF

It never ceases to amaze me how sensitive I am. People who care about me — who I know absolutely love me — will sometimes point out one of my idiosyncrasies or talk about something stupid I did in mixed company and, for a long time, it would hurt my feelings and I would over-react. Granted, we all need to monitor how we are perceived (you don’t get a second chance at first impressions), but learning how to laugh at yourself can help build stronger relationships. You family and friends should not be made to feel as though they need to walk on eggshells around you; it’s up to you to create a safe, non-judgmental space for those around you because it is only in this space that you can experience the joy of authentic laughter. And, the fact of the matter is, I can’t possibly be the only one to leave a public restroom with toilet paper stuck to the bottom of my shoe.

7. LIVE IN THE MOMENT

Your past is inescapable, your future is unavoidable, but your present is forever unrestrained. We sometimes spend more time obsessing over things that have happened and dreading some unforeseen future that we forget the simple truth that, right now, in this moment, we are okay. No matter what is happening, even now — reading this — you are okay. Take a breath. Enjoy this one, perfect moment, because it is yours. You have plans and obligations, sure, but we’re not there yet; right now, it’s just us, living in this wonderful moment, and reveling in the fact that, in and of ourselves, we are complete, we are worthy of connection, and we are enough. When things get hectic, remind yourself of this and get centered. Only in the moment are we ever our perfect selves.

8. PRACTICE RESTRAINT OF PEN AND TONGUE

This was a hard one for me to learn. But then I realized that a lot of the conflict in my life was of my own design. I had to adopt a new way of relating to other people. I had to ask myself, “Does this need to be said?” then, “Does this need to be said now?” and finally, “Does this need to be said by me?” The three simple questions, in one fell stroke, eliminated so much pain and drama in my life that it left a huge space in my life that could only be filled with a new influx of love and understanding. Not only did people suddenly want to be around me, but the problems that I thought could only be managed by me seemed to work themselves out on their own. I had, for lack of a better term, inadvertently learned how to get out of God’s way.

9. LEARN TO FORGIVE

This one’s a hard pill to swallow, because I’m not a huge advocate of “Turn The Other Cheek” — I believe that you have to talk about (and really process) some wrongs that have been done to you before you can get to the part where forgiveness is possible. But, I also believe that it gets easier every time you do it, and that the emotional work involved is worth the effort it takes to get there. Some transgressions are unforgivable, true. But most aren’t. Bear in mind, I am not telling you to run out and forgive everyone; I am telling you to LEARN to forgive, because that’s where the spiritual growth will come from: it will come from the journey toward forgiveness.

10. REMAIN TEACHABLE

I have a friend who is a huge naysayer when it comes to new concepts and ideas. The simple truth is, he’s so busy seeing THROUGH everything that he can’t see ANYTHING. And, sadly, as a result, he will always be right where I left him, because his capacity for growth is stunted by his inability to embrace new ideas. But this doesn’t have to be YOU. Allow yourself to have an open mind. Accept that even the worst-dressed person at the party may have something interesting to say to you and put your hand out to say hello. Rediscover your sense of wonder. No matter how old you are, the world still has a lot to show you. We are not human beings having a spiritual experience; we are spiritual beings having very Human experiences. Avail yourself to each and every one.

11. EVERYTHING YOU CAME HERE LOOKING FOR, YOU CAME HERE LOOKING WITH

I cannot tell you how much time and energy I wasted searching for some sort of outside “thing” to fix me. And everywhere I went, the answer was always the same: We’re Perfect. In and of ourselves, we are whole and complete. Inner Peace comes from accepting this as Your Truth. Granted, there are things about ourselves that we can change, and there are outside things that we can acquire that will enrich the quality of our lives, but none of those things are the destination of any spiritual journey; every spiritual journey is designed to help you find yourself. Because it is only when you’ve found, accepted, and learned to love yourself that you are capable of connecting with anything else, whether it’s other people, your family, or a God of your own understanding. Believe it.

12. BE COURAGEOUS IN LIFE

Maya Angelou is a celebrated American author and poet who once taught that Courage is the most important of all the virtues because, without it, you cannot practice any of the others consistently. It takes courage to love. It takes courage to be honest and to speak your own truth. It takes courage to forgive. It takes courage to reach out and help other people. The list goes on and on. I had to learn very early on how not to let fear dictate my behavior; I had to learn how to not let fear inform my decisions. You can do this, too. I promise you. It’s in you. If you’re reading this, then you’re ready to take a few chances and truly grow. And, if worse comes to worst, keep this in mind: A turtle cannot walk — it cannot move forward — unless it sticks its neck out.

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10 Little Taoist Guides to the Way

images (2)Source: The Unbounded Spirit

Here are 10 little guides that will help you live the Way, or Tao.

1. Make your goal effortless action

avoid unnecessary action or action that is not spontaneous.

2. Treasure simplicity

eliminate whatever is unnecessary and artificial and appreciate the simple and the apparently ordinary.

3. Cultivate stillness

only stillness will clear muddy waters and enable you to see the truth.

4. Be patient

can you remain unmoving until the right action arises?

5. Be gentle

love peace and restraint and avoid all unnecessary violence. “do not regard weapons as lovely things. for to think them lovely means to delight in them, and to delight in them means to delight in the slaughter of men.”

6. See beauty

in the mundane and the normal. Appreciate the beauty around you and in yourself.

7. Be true

dedicate your life only to that which you find beautiful or fascinating, and thus be true to yourself.

8. Live in the moment

feel the hand of time sweeping past second by second.

9. Be happy

to conduct one’s life according to the Tao, is to conduct one’s life without regrets.

10. Be compassionate and honor life

only those who are compassionate and treasure life in all its forms can show true bravery and acquire true wisdom.

Using The Power Of Focus To Manifest Your Desires

Jumping

Source: Psychic Universe

You truly are the creator of your own life. If you’re reading this, you probably want to improve your life. There’s one way to do that and that is to learn the power of focus. I’m sure that you hear these words almost every day: “Why does life have to be so hard” or “What did I do to deserve this” and even “Why does everything happen to me.”

In my experience, most people are not even aware of what they truly want in life. They haven’t even thought about it. They are all busy reacting to what’s coming into their lives and not focused on what they want to achieve. And what’s even worse, most people are focused on what they don’t want, without even knowing it.

Your thoughts become your beliefs, your beliefs become your perception and your perception determines your experiences.

Saying No Means More

The first thing you must understand is that there is no such thing as saying NO to something and making it go away. The more you push it away, the stronger it becomes. We live in a world where the law of attraction is the most powerful law in the universe and

Your thoughts become your beliefs, your beliefs become your perception and your perception determines your experiences. Take responsibility for your life by choosing what you focus on.

Use Your Feelings To Control Your Thoughts

Most people go through life mostly asleep, thinking that they don’t have any control over their thoughts and feelings. So, everything that comes into their lives, they attract it by default and become victims of circumstances.

The first thing you need to do is become aware of the thoughts you hold in your mind. The good news is that we can use an incredible gift that we have to monitor your thoughts. It is our emotional guidance system.

Your feelings tell you very quickly what you’re thinking. They are yours and are not caused by other people. They are the direct result of your own thoughts as a reaction to our experiences.

(Related: Discover The Secret To Success That No One Has Ever Talked About)

Empowering Questions

Whenever you find yourself down and having negative feelings like fear, anger, doubt or frustration, did you know that you can turn the whole thing around just like that? Ask yourself empowering questions that will shift your focus and determine your brain to scout for positive solutions.

Here are some examples:

1. What can I do to really enjoy my life as it is right now?

2. What are five things that are cool about me?

3. Who do I truly appreciate as a role model in my life?

4. How can I always bring out the best in me and the people around me?

5. How can I make my body feel stronger and healthier every day?

6. What new beliefs could be most beneficial for me?

7. What can I do to make myself more efficient and worthy?

8. How can I turn this problem or messy situation into a challenge?

9. How can I find ways to add more value and meaning to my life?

10. How can I add value to other people’s lives today?

Define What You Want

When you know what you truly want, incredible things start to happen. Let me give you one example. Have you bought a new car and then suddenly started to see cars just like yours, when earlier you had seen none? Those cars were there before, but you just weren’t looking for them because you didn’t care. But when you thought about them, there they were.

Opportunities are just like that. They are always there. You just don’t see them because you focus on something else, or because you don’t have a clear image of what you want. As soon as you think about the opportunities, you will draw them into your life.

You have the ability to focus your thoughts on whatever you wish. Try it now. Gratitude is an incredibly powerful state of mind, because it quickly shifts your energy and starts to bring you more of what you want into your life. Have an attitude of gratitude and you will attract more good things in your life.

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Automatic Writing: Enlightenment With The Stroke Of A Pen

Writing-writing-27456811-1277-955Source: Psychics Universe

What if you could gain insight and answers from something as simple as taking a pen to paper? Well, you can! Whether you are looking for guidance or just a greater connection with your Higher Self or sprit guides, automatic writing can provide the help you seek. It’s fairly easy to do and with just a bit of practice you too can receive enlightenment with the stroke of a pen.

What Is Automatic Writing?

In simplest terms, automatic writing is simply taking pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) and writing whatever pops into your mind. The key is to just write and not think about what you’re writing. The goal is to reach into either your subconscious mind or connect with your Higher Self. Let the words just flow through the pen or keyboard and leave your conscious mind behind. Automatic writing can also be used to contact spirit guides or angels and thus act as a form of channeling.

Automatic writing isn’t new. Spiritualists have used it for centuries. Even Freudian psychology has employed its techniques in order to better understand the subconscious mind of patients and test subjects. Even extraterrestrial messages have come through the use of automatic writing. Spiritualist medium Helene Smith (1861-1929) communicated with beings from Mars, translating their language into her native French.

How Can It Work for You?

So how can automatic writing work for you? First of all it can create a meditative experience. If you’re the type of person who has trouble quieting your mind, using automatic writing can help clear out the mental chatter by getting it out on paper. Eventually you will relax and tune into your subconscious mind. You’ll no longer think about what you are writing; you’ll just “go with the flow.”

As your subconscious or Higher Self takes over, the words that emerge may surprise you. Chances are there will be lots of run on sentences with bad spelling and grammar, but somewhere in the mess you’ll find some wonderful messages and pearls of wisdom.

You can even use automatic writing to answer nagging questions or gain insight regarding situations. Simply write down the question and then proceed to answer it with whatever comes up.

Automatic writing also affords you the option of working with available spirit guides. You can choose to call on the Divine or ask for help from an angel, spirit guide, power animal or any other benevolent entity.

(Related: Discover How You Can Create Miracles In Your Life With The Help Of Absolute Will Power)

Helpful Tips

Sometimes just sitting in front of a blank piece of paper or word document isn’t enough to get most people started. If you find that it happens to you, there are plenty of helpful tips to get you going.

Before you begin, it’s important to be in a quiet place free from distractions. Also make sure that you are comfortable.

Before starting to write, put the date at the top of the page. It will help set the stage and also assist you in keeping a record of messages you receive.

Begin your writing by asking a question—no matter how big or small. Or you can simply ask, “What does my Higher Self want me to know right now?” If you want to work with a spirit guide, try starting off by saying hello and asking the guide his or her name. Then proceed with your question.

As you start to write, pretend that you are taking dictation. Don’t pay attention to the meaning of your words just yet; simply write what you hear in your mind.

Also pay no attention to grammar, spelling or punctuation. You can always edit later if necessary. Making corrections will just slow you down and kill the flow.

Don’t be discouraged if your first few attempts aren’t successful. The principle of automatic writing is easy, but takes some practice. Keep at it and soon you’ll receive enlightening messages. Write on!

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