journey

Is there "Life" after death?

2011-01-21T13:24:00.000-08:00

I've been told that the only thing that is real - is eternal.
Everything that is temporary - is an illusion.
Maybe this is why many NDErs, who have been in the light, felt it to be more 'real' than when they returned to their body.

I can imagine that this earthly reality could be viewed as an illlusion, IF we were looking at 'what is' from a viewpoint of an eternal spirit. However, from this physical existence view, nothing looks to be an illusion.. Especially, if it has been viewed at a time in our life that is filled with pain and suffering..

No one argues that this physical 'existence' is temporary. Generally, as children or young teens this temporary aspect of life, is not given much thought. But when faced with the death of a loved one, we begin to look at what is 'temporary' from the human or physical perspective, as being lost to us forever..

But, perhaps only what is eternal is real.. Maybe this physical existence is an illusion. But this does not mean it has no purpose. I will explore this theory in several ways.. In this blog, I will talk about the subjective evidence that our 'true self/soul/spirit' is eternal. *****
What proof is available about whether there is life after physical death?
In my investigation, only subjective proof is available.. But some of it is worth giving consideration..

I am going to list some mysteries that point to life after death and then some links that offer the best proof.. You may say, "This proves nothing." And you would be right.. But put it all together, I believe it does suggest that life continues after this physical existence..

1. NDE -Near Death Experiences. The evidence from NDE researchers indicate that they know what does not cause an NDE (They are not hallucinations, caused by birth memory or lack of oxygen and many other suggested theories), but what they 'are' and what they mean is still uncertain.. So here are my best web links about NDE research.

WEB LINKS
* http://www.near-death.com/ (Kevin Williams web site that includes his personal conclusions and that of many professional researchers.)
* http://www.iands.org/ International Association of Near Death Studies.
* http://www.nderf.org/ -Dr Jeffrey Long's web site that has collected many NDE stories.
* http://www.near-death.com/experiences/evidence03.html Blind experiences research link
* http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JL1oDuvQR08 -What does a doctor think when a patient is declared dead during a surgical procedure and later witnesses his recovery?
* http://pmhatwater.blogspot.com/ PMH Atwater's blogspot that answers many questions from her blog followers
>>A&E's Biography Channel has a 'I survived' series and on Sundays they have a segment called, 'Beyond and Back'.. It is a very well done program about some NDEs..
* http://www.biography.com/video.do?name=isurvivedbeyondandback
Other interesting Youtubes
* http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kUyFeSizr0 -Dr Bruce Greyson
* http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HoIlidWiHQ -Kenneth Ring Pt.1
* http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=um9GjWkM5kw&feature=related -Dr. Jeffrey Long Pt. 1

Personal -possible NDE experience* * http://www.ekohio.com/nde/NDEorNOT.htm (-My NDE presentation provides several quotes about PMH Atwater's research that spoke often about the NDE after-effects.)
* http://www.near-death.com/stewart.html (NDE of a friend)
* http://www.ekohio.com/nde/beyond.wmv A&E edited clip of the "I survived" series that suggests we do see past relatives when we die..

2. ADC -After Death Communications. Some people have had experiences of being talked to, by a loved one who has previously passed. Some did not know that their relative, who mysteriously appeared and communicated with them, had passed at the time they had the ADC. In most ADC cases, I believe, they report having been visited by past loved ones, while dreaming. Just like the 'Greeters' of the NDE, these dream visions 'usually' are of loved ones looking young, very healthy, and complete (meaning healed, even if they had a physical injury.) Some have felt they had communications with passed loved ones through meaningful coincidences..

WEB LINKS
* http://www.adcrf.org/
* http://www.after-death.com/
* http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Sbg_57um0w&feature=share
* http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcUK9h6K-1E&feature=watch_response

* The link below, I found this site when I was trying to find my mother's ancestors.. I found a web page called 'The Lottery Dream'.. I still don't know if this is a direct relation, but it is a fun story to read.
http://www.after-death.com/Pages/Articles/View.aspx?id=16
* http://www.beyondreligion.com/su_personal/adcs-index.htm

3. OBE or OOBE -Out of Body Experiences.. (I am not talking about Astro Travel or Lucid Dreaming.) During times of extreme stress, trauma or pain many people have said that they left their bodies and could see themselves (and those around them) from above, (Many reports, as if near the ceiling of the room, and looking down on their bodies.) Some report that they had quickly returned to their bodies, while others said they saw procedures being done, and some have said they even left the room and saw loved ones out in the hall..
The best documented case of someone reporting things they had witnessed, and it was beyond anything that could have been guessed -is the case of Pam Reynolds.. I will also include a video of Michaela from A&E's Survivor series..

WEB LINKS
Pam Reynolds youtube
* http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bu1ErDeQ0Zw
Michaela's OBE in hospital cafeteria.
* http:/www.ekohio.com/nde/oobe.wmv

4. DBV -Death Bed Visions.. From my own family, I have been told our dying Aunt saw blond children on her bed. Another event was a sister was dying of cancer. Her last words were, "I see a man and a little boy. I am so happy I could cry." I was told about a daughter of a hospice patient who saw her dad waving his hand just outside his bed. She asked him what he was doing.. He said he was holding the hand of the little girl by his bed.. 'Don't you see her?", he asked.

WEB LINKS
* http://www.victorzammit.com/book/chapter20.html
* http://www.near-death.com/experiences/triggers09.html

NDA -Nearing Death Awareness.. From my own experience, I wrote down some things my father, in a nursing care facility, was saying in his sleep..
"Someone is touching me. Put my shoes back under that tree."
"I don't know when they were taken. Christmas time I think."
"Thank you, I've been looking all over hell for them. Thank you."
"Three blocks of windows. It's a window tree."
Was he dreaming? Perhaps.. Or maybe it was NDA.. The link below has good information about NDA..

http://iands.org/about-ndes/nde-and-the-terminally-ill.html

*****

I will probably be making adjustments to this blog as I find more 'evidence' or something more substantial in proof.. If you have something to share, let me know..

2012 and the Dawning of the Age of Aquarius..

2010-12-29T16:45:00.000-08:00

As we approach the year 2012 there are many web sites designed to indicate the 'end'. Some will say it is the 'end' of the Mayan long calendar. Others have interpreted this as meaning the 'end of times'.. There are some that call it the Mayan Calendar and others call it the Mayan Prophesy.

I know the human thinking mind will be drawn to the 'end of times' theory, but that is not the direction I am taking.

Does this mean I 'know' that Dec. 21, 2012 is not the end of times? Actually, I am hopeful it is the 'end' of something.. That 'something' is the 'end' of human beings attachment to unawareness.. This would mean the end of needless dramas and feelings of superiority about any race, religion or political and personal philosophies.

But let me go back to what the Mayan Calendar is..
The early Mayans could watch the sun rise behind their buildings and it would mark the summer and winter solstices as well as the vernal and autumnal equinoxes. The Mayans made calendars primarily in forms of circles or cycles. Composed of repeated themes that most had to do with nature. It did not denote the 'end of times' but when a cycle would repeat.

It seems that the Maya's were also masters of several planet's orbiting mathematics.
They focused a lot on the planet 'Venus'. Somehow, they new that Venus would reach the center part of the Milky Way at a certain time in the distant future. (2012) In Maya myth, Venus is the companion of the sun. This is probably because Venus is close to the rising or setting sun..

But you may have noticed that I included 'Age of Aquarius' in my title..
What does this mean?

The Mayan's knew of a celestial alignment that coincides with the rise and fall of the Pleiades. I read that the cycle of the Pleiades is about 25,000 years.. Interestingly, we have learned in today's science that the earth does not spin perfectly. There is a wobble in its spin.. This wobble has a cycle that is about 25,000 years. As the wobble continues in its cycle the earth's pole points to a different constellation.. It is estimated that every 2,150 years it points to a different constellation.

There is a lot of controversy about when it stops pointing at Pisces and begins pointing toward Aquarius. There are a growing number of people who feel that the winter solstice of 2012 is the beginning of the Age of Aquarius. Perhaps to coincide with the Mayan Calendar. It is interesting that the Mayan Calender using Pleiades as its guide, and the Earth's poles pointing to a different constellation -that both of these events take about 25,000 years to complete the cycle..

Thus, the calendar is not a prophesy of the end of times, but a place to start the calendar anew.. Instead of it being 12 months long, it is a 12 (13) constellations long calendar.. (Or a Pleiades cycle long.) Welcome to the Dawning of the Age of Aquarius..

Lyrics to song by the 5th Dimension

When the moon is in the seventh house
and Jupiter aligns with mars
The peace will guide the planets
and love will steer the stars
this is the dawning of the age of Aquarius
the age of Aquarius
Aquarius
Aquarius
harmony and understanding
sympathy and trust abounding
no more falsehoods or derision
golden living dreams of visions
mystic crystals revelations
and the minds true liberation
Aquarius
Aquarius
when the moon is in the seventh house
and Jupiter aligns with mars
then peace will guide the planets
and love will steer the stars
this is the dawning of the age of Aquarius
the age of Aquarius
Aquarius
Aquarius

Below is another link to the earth's wobble and a theory about a 10,000 year cycle for the ice age..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkNxu5Z5sWg

Who/What is God?

2010-12-09T17:36:00.000-08:00

As a child growing up I always imagined God as a Grandfather type figure who was loving and accepting. I didn't understand how He allowed people to be born with handicaps or let others get painful diseases. Still, I felt He was compassionate about our sorrows and tolerant of those who, at least, tried to be good.

(I am not going to discuss Jesus or the Holy Spirit in this post.. I wish to only discuss one part of the Holy Trinity.. What is referred to as 'The Father'.) My religious upbringing focused mainly on 'The Son'. I am grateful for all that I was taught. But recently, I have been seeking to learn more about what I was not taught.. I remember when I was nine, I had a silver dollar, that I was told was special. I put it in the collection basket during Mass because I wanted to help a friend of the family who was dying of cancer. I felt that this sacrifice would be a way to get our prayers answered.. However, I felt much puzzlement when he died anyway..

So we want to know, does God answer prayers, reward the deserving, and punish the wicked? From what I have learned this can happen but not necessarily in the way most believe.. I don't believe there is a God that sits on a thrown bestowing judgment on our human weaknesses.. This is a human concept of God.. I believe in a God (or insert your word for God) that loves unconditionally.. One way we may get insight into this love is when we are raising children. In a manner of speaking, We are ALL children of God..

So who/what is God?

I feel certain that God is not a person, place or thing.
Therefore no human being can accurately describe God.. The wise have said that "If they know, they don't speak." I have learned it is much like the Tao Te Ching has described.. "The name that can be named is not the eternal name."

I have heard many names or labels in an attempt to talk about that which is beyond words. Some may call this God, Allah, Yahweh, Cosmic Consciousness, The Tao, Source, Unconditional Love and other labels.. These names are an attempt to speak of 'what is' that can't be described.

So how does one conduct the teaching of no words? It is often suggested that we should seek silence.. These spiritual teachers are not talking about a quiet place.. They are talking about
silencing the voices (mind chatter) that is continually active in our waking (and sometimes sleeping) minds.. Some can achieve this 'awakening' in prayer or during a religious retreat while others choose meditation with/without chants.. Some feel the presence of God through surrender or the act of giving it all to God. Yet, some spiritual awakenings have happened for no known reasons.

To end this post, let me wish everyone a Joyous Holiday Season.
May you be blessed with Love and Peace..

As an addition to this post, I was at a funeral service recently where it was said, "GOD IS LOVE." And, I think I would add to that by saying.. "GOD IS UNCONDITIONAL LOVE."

But what is love? What is unconditional love?

If I say that God is Love then it would follow, from my post, that no words could define the Love that IS God.. Any definition I would give it, would be a human judgment.. But what I can do, is perhaps give examples of how we often recognize LOVE..

Love is:
> the Tears in your mother's eye when it is time to say good-bye.
> the Joy in your heart when see a 5 year old make an old man smile.
> the Artwork or Music you created/experienced that gave you inner peace.
> the Laughter in your belly when someone tells you a good funny story.
> the Ache in your heart when you see a child cry.
> the Strength to forgive for the pain inflicted upon you, even when you know things will never be the same.
> the Appreciation for all that you have..
> the Commitments you keep in spite of the struggles..
> the Elation of seeing God's work.. Be it sunrise, sunset, mountain or ocean..
> the High of getting past that obstacle that almost had you beat.
> the Affection rained on you by a good friend.
> the Smiles given after the sharing of good news..
> and the Tears shared when the news is not so good..
> the Discovery that we are all ONE
> the Realization that All Creatures, Great and Small are also a part of God..

by NoniD

5 things we need to know -before there can be world peace.

2010-11-21T08:28:00.000-08:00

5. We become what we fight.
Are you feeling angry/frustrated/oppressed etc. and you want to fight? Whatever you wish to fight, you will become.. Hate breeds hate, anger breeds anger.. Violence in the world is the result of violence in our minds.. A recent good example of becoming what we fight is the 'Times Square bomber.' The bomber said he hated America for killing innocent victims, yet felt justified in possibly killing children who were at Times Square at the time his bomb was scheduled to go off.

4. We attract, into our lives, what we think about the most.
How do you perceive your reality? What belief do you hold most important? What are your perceptions about justice? Do you desire more or better 'things'? What choices do you make about your friends, music and lifestyle?
Do you perceive most people to be stupid, greedy, self-serving, or more privileged? Do you see the world as varying levels of opposites? Do you believe, even though others may have a different belief, that your definition of 'good/bad' or 'right/wrong' is the correct one?
Our intentions and choices are linked to what we focus on the most. What kind of world are you attracting towards yourself and loved ones?

3. What we send 'out' is what will be returned to us.
Some will say that 'We reap what we sow." Others will say that every 'action' will have an effect. If our action is to 'benefit' or if it is to 'harm' this will determine what is returned to us.. What are we sending 'out' to the world? Is it to benefit others or to harm others? Every action has a ripple effect. Those ripples will effect those who are most near (and dear) to you.. You will be a part of that effect.

2. I think, therefore I become "my story."
We all 'think'. Thinking is necessary and useful. However, the human dysfunction is we can't stop thinking. We think so much we believe we are what we 'think'. Some will say, "I am angry." This becomes true because we have forgotten that anger is an emotion and that we are 'feeling' it and not 'being' it.. We should be saying, "I feel anger." Anger is energy and we should see it as energy and deal with it as such.. But if we believe we 'are' anger, then we will react in that manner - unconscious, that our true identity (soul/spirit) is not our thoughts.. We need to have 'awareness' of what we are thinking so that we can be responsible for what we are thinking.

1. We are all connected at the level of 'love'.
We often hear that 'We are One'. How can this be? I know our 'personalities' are a product of nature, nurture, experiences (we may call good or bad), thinking etc. etc.. and call the resulting personality, 'myself'. Spiritualist are calling this self the 'false self'. It is dependent on 'thinking' to exist. This 'false self' is not a 'bad thing'. It gives us the gift of believing we are different and unique. However, it stops being a gift when we can't stop our constant thinking or identify with our automatic reactions and thoughts..

***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****

Many people have experienced something 'more' than what 'thinking' can explain. It is found when one is in silence (no thoughts) or with nature perhaps. It may be realized in dreams or deeper feelings/knowings.. It can be experienced by looking in the eyes of a child or in some beautiful art or music. Sensed when acknowledging a meaningful coincidence or perceived miracle. It can be found in a shared look with a loved one. It can be felt during an activity such as rock climbing, long distance running, hiking, deep meditation or prayer etc etc.. We can sense our 'true self' during these times.. This true self can be sensed when experiencing stillness.. This is our connection.. Our oneness..

SO, in other words.. The path to world peace is for each of us to begin 'the change within ourselves' and not in trying to change others..

Link to researcher (Dr. Kenneth Ring) talking about a transcendental' nde and oneness.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zpa5bYkAYus

Fire the Grid and Shelley Yates

2010-11-13T07:03:00.000-08:00

There has been a lot of reports that Shelley Yates is a fraud and that the Fire the Grid is a hoax to give herself fame.. I am a supporter of the Fire the Grid concept- for one reason.. What she is asking everyone to do, is painless. It will cost nothing but the rewards could be great.. Millions of people across the globe meditating, praying or doing something that brings them joy.. The focus is 'joy' and 'gratitude'

Yet, It is our nature to make a judgment that may keep us in drama rather than give 'presence' a try.. However, I feel that even if we just spend this time being grateful, it will accomplish what is being asked..
Why not do 'something' that brings you joy/gratitude -for one hour when others will be doing it? The next 'Fire The Grid' date is next year.. 11/11/2011
What would happen if most everyone in the world stopped having a judging thought, at the same time, for one hour?
Why not try it and see? BEGINS AT 6:11 AM EST. (11:11 GMT)

We won't get anything 'out of it' unless we put something 'in to it'..
>>>>

Here is the story I shared on a message board group the evening after the first 'Fire the Grid'..

I drove home from Cinci this morning.. I packed the car with watermelon, grapes, an apple, and dark chocolate.. I was looking for a place to stop and 'be grateful' for the 'fire the grid' day.. 20 minutes before the time I needed to stop, I heard this 'hum'.. It sounded so musical, I wanted to sing.. But as I tried, I soon stopped, because the hum sounded too good to drown out.. I wondered, at the time, if it was an 'om'.. I paid attention to this hum till I stopped at a red light and noticed there was a wooded area off to the left of a hospital with at picnic table..
So I turned in..
I discovered it was an entrance to the 'rails to trails' hiking area.. with a path that also had a covered bridge.. Perfect.. I left the car and started to eat my apple as I walked up the trail.
I wondered if anyone else was there to 'fire the grid' as well..
The first thing that I loved to see was 2 dark purple and black dragon flies that flew away then perched again up the path.. I listened to the sound of birds and cicadas.. I put my hand in the creek water, that was nearby, to feel it.. and sent my thoughts of gratitude for this wonderful place ~that I did not know was there.. Upon my walk back to the car, I decided to continue the path the other way.. I glimpsed a graveyard.. When I stopped to look, there was a deer on the far end of the graveyard.. I thought I remembered that deers like apples.. I walked down path that went to the graveyard and started to walk towards the deer.. The deer then looked up and saw me.. She/He started to walk towards me.. As we got closer she 'stomped' her leg once on the ground.. I stopped and just looked at her.. I showed her the apple in my hand and tossed it off to the side and started to back off and waited to see what she would do.. She continued to walk toward me and not the apple.. I thought I better continue to walk backwards because I still felt she wanted me out of its territory.. I was happy that when I got closer to the path the deer backed away... I gave her a wave and turned to go back up to the trail and leave the graveyard..
What a delight.. How grateful I was for the experience..
Hope you found JOY today and gave Thanks..
Hurray, fire the grid day!!..
>>>>>>
The second 'Fire the Grid' day, I went with my spouse to a local park called the Pine Quarry.. Jim let be go off by myself for a little while so I could do something that I enjoy in silence.. I brought a small pad of paper and a few special art crayons to make a color picture of the view I was 'grateful' for.. The park had a bench by a cliff looking down to more trees and a small creek.
Below is my crayon drawing..

>>>>>>
So, in conclusion, I feel there is a reason that we should not reject Shelley's request just because we fear that she may be making her story up.. I would suggest reading the many emails posted on her website from those who found the time to be present/grateful for one hour..Many had reported interesting experiences..

Toy Story 3 and dark associations..

2010-11-12T12:54:00.000-08:00

I just watched Toy Story 3. I was told my grandchildren just loved it..
I watched it with mixed feelings from laughing to being troubled by the underlying messages.

The main theme was how the toy characters handle 'abandonment'. The Toys are facing being abandoned by their beloved owner as he is cleaning up his room to go to college.. There is a disagreement with the Toys who can't decide if they should be loyal, no matter what.. (Which could have meant risking a ride in a garbage truck) OR moving on to find a new owner and new life making another child happy..

On their journey, they meet toys in a childcare facility where they find out too late that they will be 'abused' (not by intention) by the very young children.. We soon discover that the long time resident (childcare) toys are being manipulated to do unkind things to the new toys, by a deceptive and disturbed (because of abandonment) stuffed toy bear..

I believe my grandchildren loved the movie because they didn't understand the undertones of the movie.. This is because they have nothing to associate these events with.. (until now) The only time they were upset was when the Toys were facing destruction at the end..

What amazed me is that this child's movie showed me how accurate Eckhart Tolle is when he talks about how the human mind works.. We see, hear, touch, smell, taste something and our brain makes an association. (Or creates a meaning for it.) Our brain, in an attempt to make us feel safe, creates a reaction.. And, if acceptable, it will become our auto-reaction next time.. We will automatically react by remembering the association or meaning we have given it..

For me, this meant that when the 'good' toy (Buz Lightyear) was restrained and then attacked by the other toys, and had his 'switch' changed to 'reset', *I thought of torture and brainwashing.. When the toys were put in caged bins and had their freedom denied, *I thought of political injustice. When the friendly stuffed bear showed his 'manipulation' of the childcare toys to do cruel things, *I thought of bullying and some cult stories.
All these associations came up automatically because of the auto-reaction (associations) I have in storage in my brain..

I wonder if this movie will influence the grandchildren if, or when, they are faced with abandonment..

It is a good thing, I guess, WHEN we can recognize what our 'thoughts' do to us.. I am not condoning the movies choices.. The kids mostly enjoyed the funny relationship of Ken and Barbie.. I have to admit I laughed at the torture of Ken when Barbie was ripping his favorite clothes.

I was told that my grandkids laughed, out loud, at the many funny antics of the toys and how they related to each other.. As an adult, I found myself laughing at times, as well.. But I also had issues with the meanings that I created via my own associations.. But also wonder what torturing thoughts the writers must of been going through to think this is appropriate material for a family movie..

Our associations, is one reason that the wise say, "If we have issues with someone/something -we need to look inside ourselves and not at the someone/something that bothers us."

*** To add to this post (it is now Dec) I had discovered something while Holiday Shopping..
The Toy Story bear named 'Lotso', who refused to save the 'good' group of toys by not pushing the 'stop' button (and letting them continue to their possible firery destruction), is being sold as a friendly huggable child's toy this season.. What about children who get it, love it, and then see the movie for the first time afterwards? How will they react when their bear reveals his 'unloving evil' side?? What were the marketers thinking?

Big House, Big House

2010-11-06T08:51:00.000-07:00

I have 5 brothers and 5 sisters. My parents definately contributed to the 'Baby Boom' era.. Living in a Catholic neighborhood where big families were quite common..

There are so many coincidences associated with my family but their meaning may just be, "We are not alone." We have twin girls and twin boys born 15 years apart. The twins that were born in 47 turned 62 last November. The twins that were born in 62 turned 47.. At the time the twin boys were born, our street address was 6247. My dad's sister and great great granmother (who was a twin) all share the same birthday in Nov.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcFGZlEW9T4
My mother wanted to have a big family, like her mother's mother.. It turns out that she had the same amount of children and the same amount of boys and girls..

Our birth years run from the mid 40's to the mid 60's.. Our stories/perceptions are so different.. A long time ago I was talking to my sister when our young children were playing with each other.. I told her how difficult I felt it was for our mother. The hardships she faced and with very little help and appreciation. My sister looked stunned at my words.. She then told me that she felt our mother 'had it made'.. After a few rounds of sharing our views, I realized that I was feeling that our mother made motherhood look more difficult than it really was, and my sister felt she made it look too easy.. Perception is such a tricky thing..

I may share more family stories as this blog continues.. I will end this one with the 11 baby pics that I made into a guessing game for facebook friends, our last picture with the entire immediate family, and something my sister made and was on display at my wedding reception that was hanging near the wedding cake..

Big House Big House
Where love was so tender
Big House Big House
So Much to remember
The Bride and Groom
And the hopes of the young
They are moments together
A life just begun
Big House Big House
The joys and the laughter
Big House Big House
The tears that came after
To God we pray
In the heavens above
Bring Peace Bring Love

Excess Thinking - What is suffering?

2010-11-02T10:47:00.000-07:00

I have found that many people object to hearing that our own thoughts cause most of our suffering. One reason some object is because they feel that 'pain and suffering' are the same thing. However, to understand suffering in 'spiritual' terms we need to use the definition of "miserable: very unhappy; full of misery." Some have defined suffering as 'Poor me." and pain as 'Ouch, that hurts.' Sometimes psychological pain can be suffering and pain..

Pain and suffering may be our biggest earthly challenge..

***

When you hear something referred to as 'the end of suffering', this is not to say we won't feel pain.. If we pay attention to our thinking, we would realize that much of our suffering is caused by having too much past and future thoughts.

~I do know that suffering from loss, disease, trauma or abuse may require the need of professional assistance.. I am not trying to dismiss our feelings.~

But much of our daily suffering is solely because of our 'over' thinking.. I feel we need to learn 'how the brain works'. We should not always trust our 'auto' thoughts/reactions to be in our best interest..

On the lighter side, you may understand what I am saying by reading the cartoon below...

Excess Thinking - Am I my thoughts?

2010-11-01T12:07:00.000-07:00

Our thoughts are always on guard for any possible attack..
It may go like this..
They said something, was it about me? Should I defend myself? Should I tell them they are wrong? Why did they react the way they did to what I said? How will I save face? ~On and on the dramas continue..

Eckhart Tolle wrote several books and the theme is how our (unobserved) automatic thoughts are responsible for human suffering.. This includes our fears, hopes, desires, worries, ambitions, anger, etc..

If we are going over some ''If Onlys' in our life each day.. If things happen and we are constantly being reminded of an abusive situation that we survived.. If we are often reminded about a past mistake.. If we can't forgive others (or ourselves) and carry that angst with us.. Then we are unhappy because we have too much 'past' in our thinking.

If we desire to be well respected or perhaps to have more money. Maybe we are waiting for some evaluation. Or we may be thinking of the reasons we need designer clothes, a bigger car or house.. All these thoughts also keep us in drama.. We are unhappy or suffering because we have too much 'future' in our thinking..

If we can silence our thoughts, we will experience a 'NOW' moment. The 'now' is only 'time' that truly exists, but we are not 'aware' of this because of the dramas we are always creating..

A good movie to watch that suggests being in the now is "A Peaceful Warrior". I have also heard about a movie 'The Legend of Baggar Vance' but I have not seen it.

I am not saying we shouldn't have these thoughts.. The key is that we shouldn't let these thoughts work 'constantly' in automation and 'always' be unobserved .. If they are in automation then we are at the mercy of our thoughts.. We become a judging human being that mostly reacts in automation.. ~Unconscious of our True Self and conscious of only our nature and/or nurturing created personalities that our thinking creates.. (sometimes referred to as our 'false self')

Wisdom tells us that if our life conditions are intollerable we should... "Change it or Move away from it. If we can't change it or remove ourselves from it, we should accept it..TOTALLY along with the consequences." This same wisdom is expressed in the 'Serenity Prayer'.

IF we can observe our thoughts and how they mostly work automatically -we can become 'aware'..
Aware of what? Aware of who the 'observer' is.. This is what is meant when someone has, 'Awareness'..

To be continued..

If my spouse should read this.. Happy Birthday, Jim

Conversation quotes this week..

"I need to focus on other things" She wrote..

My reply, "Yes, distractions help.. But sometimes we just defer the stress into something else.. We unconsciously make ourselves unhappy with other things because we can't change what is really making us unhappy.."

"Yes, if we observe our thoughts and reactions then we can change them." Another friend said via phone.
My afterthought..
"I don't think we need to try to change our reaction. I think we should first just try to decide if we want to have that reaction or not to have that reaction.. (free will returning).. It is not to bury or supress the emotion but to see it for what it really is -ENERGY.. Anger or hate can build up a lot of energy.. Don't think of it as "I am angry" but rather, "I feel anger." Deal with the anger as energy.. If we deal with it by letting it create more thoughts and we believe we are our thoughts, we are dealing with anger in an unconscious way."

Excess Thinking

2010-10-31T10:22:00.000-07:00

It has been said that humans will have 12,000 to 50,000 thoughts per day.. The majority of our thoughts are either about the past or the future. Those who are trying to meditate for the first time, may find themselves unable to quiet these thoughts. This is because they become aware of how often they think in automation.. This is a common reason why some people find it hard to sleep at night. Or they can't sleep without the tv on because the tv will quiet their own thoughts for a time..
What is the purpose of having thoughts that won't stop? From my readings, I have concluded that it is a conditioning that the human brain uses to keep us safe.. Safe from what? Being hurt either physically or (and this is important to know) emotionally.. or safe from any real, perceived, or imagined threat.
Nearly all or ALL thoughts contain a judgment of some kind.. Do these thoughts sound familiar?
"She gossips about everyone."
"I don't want to play golf with him because he takes the game too seriously."
"That coach gives preferencial treatment to certain children."
"He is too quiet. I don't trust him."
"My job demands that I make sacrifices."
--on and on--
Every thought is an observation or a judgment of some kind.. They often bring with it a conditioned (automatic) response or emotion. It feels normal to us.. I have heard people say, "I can't help it. It is me." But we can help it, if we can teach ourselves to begin observing our thoughts and the reactions that come with them.

Jill Bolte Taylor, a brain scientist, had a stroke that resulted in total silence. Below is a link where she is talking to Oprah.. I don't think that our 'right hemisphere' is where our consciousness is located, but rather that we become aware of our 'consciousness' in the silence itself.. But I still recommend this because of her insights on how the brain, in general, works. Also, because of what can happen when we silence our thoughts and become totally 'present'..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TGH-J4gSK8&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU