A Note From The Editor...January 2003

A friend of mine is working towards enlightenment (an oxymoron, I know, but just follow the story here). She meditates every day, trying to clear her mind and be in the moment. She's very good at it. So good, in fact, that she's discovered one thing they don't talk about much in spiritual studies: enlightenment is boring. Boring, that is, to our Western mind that gets engaged in the process of getting somewhere (enlightenment), then forgets that it is often the journey, not the destination, that brings rewards. Boring, because our ultimate spiritual growth depends on letting go of the clinging of the mind.

The same is true in physical endeavors. For example, take hiking. There are two kinds of hikers: those that just want to get to the destination, and those that fill their senses with the world that surrounds them as they hike. The first kind of hiker is bored with the repetitive walking, and the "thrill" of hiking is having reached the destination. The second kind of hiker stays in the moment and experiences the fullness of the experience.

In an effort to avoid boredom, we rush here and there, trying to keep our minds active and engaged. When we're bored, we fill the gap immediately -- with food, alcohol, sex, shopping, TV watching and other activities. We have a drive for diversion. We can't stand to be in the State of Boredom. 

Being bored weighs us down, making us feel physical and emotional lethargy. The longer we're bored, the more exhausting it becomes. A downward spiral ensues, and we can't seem to pick ourselves up out of our lethargy, depression and boredom. Most people go through periods of boredom, where they lack any kind of enthusiasm for life. There are lots of reasons we get bored: repetitive tasks, lack of interactivity, lack of interest, fear, resistance, not being challenged or being challenged too much. Instead of placing the blame on external circumstances (our jobs, our families, the rainy weather), consider looking inside for the answer to your boredom. 

In The Heart of The Soul, Gary Zukav says, "Boredom is a flight from what is important. Like workaholism and perfectionism, it is a way of distracting yourself from inner experiences. It occurs when you look outward and do not find anything to engage your attention. Instead of feeling your emotions - becoming aware of the functioning of your energy system - you become bored. Boredom ... is a flight from your higher potential. It is fear of the transformation that wants to occur, and will occur in you, when you explore your emotions. It is your resistance to spiritual growth."

It's not necessary to celebrate boredom, or even welcome it into your life. However, there are many lessons to be learned from boredom, including spiritual and emotional ones. Your re-interpretation of your experience with boredom can signal your progress into a higher spiritual level. Boredom allows you to understand that its mask conceals an unwillingness to look deeply at our inner life and our anguishes and pains. Boredom allows us to look at our patterns and to heal them.

When we are uncomfortable with ourselves, with what's in our minds and hearts, we feel bored. Learning to be alone with yourself, your thoughts, and your feelings, will help you to reduce the availability of boredom in your life. Using television, food, or other people as a way of not being alone with yourself is only a temporary relief: once the TV is turned off, the food is gone, and the people have left, you're still alone with yourself. Learning to love being alone with yourself is a step towards spiritual growth.

With that said, humans are social animals. Very few people want to be alone all the time. However, being alone can help bring to the surface skills and abilities that would have been suppressed in the company of others. On the positive side, creativity and imagination can soar, and great works of art can be created when you are alone. The dark side of this is that the same imagination can create paranoia and fantasies that are unhealthy. Being alone can help you discover untapped sources of strength and self-sufficiency, but being alone and bored can lead to depression. Finally, being bored can encourage you to learn new things and explore your world, if you can get past the "I must have stimulation NOW" phase which leads us to destructive alternatives to relieve boredom.

So, what can you do to make boredom into a spiritual practice?

1. Recognize boredom. Determine if you're really bored.

2. Figure out why you are bored. What are you clinging to, what are you pushing away?

3. Ask yourself what emotions you are feeling.

4. Ask yourself what emotions you are avoiding.

5. Let go. Let go of whatever you are clinging to. Let go of whatever you are pushing away. 

6. Sit with the boredom and feel it in your body. Notice it. Do nothing about it. The most powerful way of transforming boredom is to do nothing about it. Simply be.

Find creative and healthy ways for exploring our world, so that you have a balance in your life between mental and emotional stimulation, and times of quiet contemplation. Discover ways to be truly useful in the world and reflect upon the full use of life. Understand that boredom can show you a path to rest and relaxation at all levels.

Boredom is a very large and intimidating mountain to climb. We must all face it, and choose to sit with it until transformation and healing take place, or run for the TV remote control. Boredom will return again and again, as all important emotions cycle around to help us grow. Will you accept the up and down cycles of life, or distract yourself from them in an effort for short-term pleasure? The choice is yours.

Peace,

Karyn 

Visit our website: http://www.seekerscircle.com

Any fact facing us is not as important as our attitude toward it, for that determines our success or failure. The way you think about a fact may defeat you before you ever do anything about it. You are overcome by the fact because you think you are.

--Norman Vincent Peale

The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, nor to worry about the future, but to live the present moment wisely and earnestly.

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10 Simple Things You Can Do To Start The New Year Right

As we begin to roll into 2003, we start to think of New Year’s resolutions.  Instead of adding more stress to your life by listing 10 huge goals to accomplish in 2002, why not start off with 10 small things you can do to give you a feeling of instant success?  Here are some suggestions to get you started:    

1. Add a little spirituality to your daily life.  Create a new tradition for celebrating birthdays or anniversaries.  Make a home alter with candles and flowers, and say a little prayer there each morning.  Keep a daily journal.  Be on the lookout for the beauty of nature, and stop to appreciate it wherever you find it.

2. Take a look at your physical environment.  Are there papers and receipts you need to file or throw away?  Take just 10 minutes a day for the next five days to work on straightening up your paperwork.  You’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish in such a short time!

3. Tell one person each week that you love them.  It’s too easy to forget to tell people that we care about them.  This year, make it a special promise to yourself that you’ll tell at least one person, each week, that you love them and that you’re grateful to have them in your life.

4. Buy a plant.  Not only will you be creating better air quality for your home or office, but nurturing a plant can help you emotionally as well.  While you’re at it, buy a nice pot to plant it in, and place your new plant somewhere where it will give you joy.

5. Find out how much money you need to retire.  You’ll find many retirement calculators at the online financial web sites, like Quicken.com or Fidelity.com.  They’re easy to use (less than 10 minutes!) and can quickly give you a financial goal to move towards.  If you don’t have access to the Internet, ask your bank or financial broker for a paper version of a retirement calculator.

6. Spend time with your best friend.  A one-hour lunch, a movie, a walk in the park … it doesn’t matter what you do together, as long as you spend time with each other.  Not only will you get a sense of companionship and love, but you’ll be going a long way towards stress relief.  Don’t have a best friend nearby?  Get yourself to classes or events around topics that excite you and find yourself a new best friend!

7. Buy a new bed pillow.  Too many of us have old pillows on our beds that don’t support our necks properly as we sleep.  For under $25, you can find a huge selection of pillows at most department stores.  And, you can keep your old pillow to add firmness and support when you’re reading in bed.

8. Take a television break.  One night a week, choose to have a “no television” night.  Read a book.  Work on a craft project.  Play a game.  Write a story.  Take a walk.  Involve your family and friends to come up with creative and fun things you can do on your “no television” night.

9. Find out what your blood pressure is.  Many shopping centers have blood pressure machines you can use for free.

10. Take our “Clean Sweep Program” self-test.  You have more natural energy when you are clear with your environment, health and emotional balance, money and relationships.  The Clean Sweep Program consists of 100 items which, when completed, give you the vitality and strength you want.  To get a free “Clean Sweep Program” self-test, click here.

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How to Find Your Passion and Your Power

by Craig Lock

Thanks, Dad , my "great pal"!

The six "keys" to personal power:

1. Confidence and Resourcefulness 

2. Motivation

3. Creativity

4. Decisiveness

5. Relaxation

6. Curiosity and full of wonder

Abraham Lincoln was not shaped by his childhood; but by transition n his thirties. It was the same with Gandhi, Eleanor Roosevelt and Mother Theresa of Calcutta. Some discovered what they really wanted to do with their lives, their calling, and then made the changes necessary to reach their goals. With others, opportunities led them to what they were destined to do. 

I think I have found 'my niche in life' through serendipity (big word), as well as a painful process of 'trial and error'. I have come to numerous "cul-de-sacs" or dead ends in my 'personal journey of discovery'. However, I now believe I have discovered who and what I really am. I have now entered a new chapter of my life and I look forward to the rich promises of the future - whatever they may bring...

No matter who or what you are, make the decisions concerning your life's direction purely for yourself. Don't do it to please other people; because you can't live anyone else's life for them (especially not your child's life, mothers).

Next ask yourself the crucial question:

"Am I genuinely on a new beginning, or am I just avoiding an ending?" 

Like me, you may be on a temporary detour, or on a siding going nowhere. Remember the "nowhere man" from the Beatles song? Stop getting ready and do something - any ACTION to make a new beginning. If that's what you really want. It could be anything from losing weight, starting jogging (not me - I can't get around the block with huffing and puffing like "the big bad wolf") to stopping smoking. Afterwards you'll feel much better for having done it! 

In contrast to other species, only man does not operate by instinct. As human beings we have the power to affect, use and control our circumstances. Because YOU can direct your thoughts, you so control your emotions ...and consequently ordain your destiny.

Do this and you will find the PASSION and POWER within you. Awaken the sleeping giant within you....because living is being launched on a great, mysterious and magical journey down "the river of life"... YOURS! There is a "seed of greatness" within everyone, if that seed can be discovered and watered...then it will blossom.

Whatever it is, just do it by celebrating your personal journey with joy and an attitude of gratitude...

Then you will be happy.

"In all the history of the world, there has never been anyone else just like you, and in all the infinity of time to come, there will never be another you."

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Copyright © 2002 by Craig Lock.  Craig Lock has had six books published on various subjects with another 12 manuscripts published on the internet.  'Steps to Success' and Craig's other books may be ordered at: http://www.bridgeniche.com/CLOCK/zaniestbooks.htm

Recognizing Blessings

by Fran Hafey

What is a blessing?

Is a blessing something you have, want or seek?

I have found that when I thank Spirit/God for everything I have, all things, situations or troubles seem to manifest into blessings. My attitude toward every day life can make a big difference in whether I see something as a blessing or a hindrance.

Many people will sit and worry. By worrying they are not helping matters, where in fact they may be making things worse.

I choose not to worry, but to use my energy for bigger and better things.

A few of my friends may say other wise, because yes, I do have things on my mind and I will discuss them, but I don't let them take control. Bringing them out into the open always clears the path and helps us turn things around for the highest good and to move forward.

My family and I recently had what we thought was a problem on our property. We began to see water in our basement. We checked things out to make sure we had no broken pipes or problems within the house and plumbing fixtures.

We had noticed during the summer, even when the news was saying we were in the middle of a drought, we had a small "hole" in the ground beside our driveway that was filling with water. When we bought our home, we knew there was an artesian well or spring somewhere on it.

Well, we found it.

With the water coming in the basement, my husband began to worry. He worried about the foundation, which I can see that is a concern. I discussed it with him and gave my input and left it at that.

What was my choice?

I chose to see that spring as a blessing!

Yes it was causing us some discomfort at the moment, with extra water around our driveway and mud, but I chose to educate myself and found that having a spring on the property is truly a blessing.

It's fresh spring water that we will have for a very long time, perhaps forever. The water can be used to irrigate our garden and have drinking water for all the wonderful wildlife in the woods where we live. We can make it into a pond, a fountain, or a creek and enjoy it year round. There are many possibilities.

I choose to see it as a blessing, not a burden and I know all will work out fine. Why, because I choose to believe it. You can, too.

By learning to choose our thoughts and the words we say, we reap good things when we speak positively. We have choices. Learning to let things go, is a beginning.

I can do something about this situation. It will take hard work and time. Those are both things I have and can do.

I also choose not to worry about it, but to take action.

How do you see the "so called" problems in your life today? As a burden or a blessings?

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