This months contemplative thoughts

 “Introspection will ultimately allow you to see your true self in the mirror of your heart.”

“Today is a day of new opportunities. Let me not lose them by dwelling on the past.”

“Today dissolve each obstacle by considering it to be a gift.”

“Whatever you do, you are creating your own future.”

“Aim to inspire rather than to teach.”

“Always remember that whatever others see you do, they will do the same.”

“Complicated exercises or efforts are not needed to find peace. Simply understand that your true nature is peace.”

“On the path of spiritual development I understand I am returning to my original state of wholeness. It is an illusion to think I must try hard to make spiritual effort. Trying to be something I already am seems a waste. In reality I am already fully complete and pure; I have just forgotten and begun to see myself as the surface conditioned personality I have become. Today let me remember that I am already pure inside.”

“The more we empower others to take responsibility, the more we become free. Many people find it difficult to delegate. There is a small feeling that I must do it myself, or perhaps that the other person will not do it as well as I would do it. These thoughts trap me. To be free I must be able to let go of everything I consider “mine” including my responsibilities. Today let me empower myself by sharing responsibility.”

“To build a great wall, you must lay one brick as perfectly as a brick can be laid, then do it again and again and again. When I make small efforts consistently day after day I will succeed in creating whatever I wish to create. Rather than seeking explosive experiences, huge realizations or great leaps, when I dedicate myself to small, consistent efforts, a great wall will be created. Today let me choose a small effort and make it consistently.”

“With the paintbrush of your heart, mind and vision create images of beauty for a better world. When I use the subtle spiritual resources of; silence, spiritual eyesight, pure divine feelings and a noble generous attitude as colors, I can paint the world with beauty. Every day I can hold the image of one of these qualities to create a vision of beauty. When I have this vision in my mind I will carry it to the world and create it.  Today let me paint a beautiful world.“

“If you are not creating, then your weaknesses will destroy you.  At this time in the world, a constant state of creativity is needed in the soul. When I am creating, spiritual energy is flowing through me. When I stop creating my spiritual energy gets stuck and begins to stagnate. In this state the energy of my weaknesses can take over and drag me down. Today let me protect myself by keeping my creative energy flowing.”

“Anger is a secondary emotion, which means there is a hidden emotion manifesting as anger. Often anger is a cry for help.  It arises when I am hurt, sad, scared or lonely. Just as babies get angry when they want some attention or they need something, so too adults cry with anger as a call for help. Today if anger arises let me notice what is underneath and comfort myself rather than getting angry.”

“Live without pretending. Love without depending. Listen without defending. Speak without offending. When I remember I am genuine, independent, sincere and peaceful it is easy to live without pretending, depending, defending or offending. Today let me remember my ancient and deep original qualities of truth, love, acceptance and kindness.”

“When we are at peace we are in control of our own inner world and do not feel the need to control anything outside ourselves. With inner peace I can tolerate external situations when they become loud, demanding, unpleasant or monotonous because I have no desire to try to fix people or situations. I only seek to control the outer when I have lost inner control. Today let me maintain a peaceful inner world and observe all that occurs externally.”

“It requires willpower to consistently live my values in all circumstances.  The minute I commit myself to living my values in all situations, life provides opportunities to challenge my commitment. If I see each of these challenges as an opportunity to deepen my commitment, I can enjoy them as a game. Just when I feel it is not possible to stay true to myself, I will discover unique and unexpected support. Today let me appreciate the game of challenges and strengthen my will.”

“An open mind will accept new ideas freely and an open heart will accept others without judgement. When my mind is open I catch new ideas and the subtle aspects of each idea. When my heart is open I am free from self-judgement making it easier for me to accept others as they are. Today let me experience the benefit of an open mind and heart.”

“Go into silence and discover who you really are. Inner silence is like a mirror revealing the true image of the self. Silence doesn't mean no sound, it means there is no noise - of fear, doubt, desires, attachment, expectations, criticism, etc. When I make time to go beneath the noise of all these thoughts to find silence, I discover a beautiful being – myself. Today let me go deep under the noise of the surface and into silence. “

“A restless mind creates a restless environment. To create a peaceful environment I must create a peaceful mind. When my mind is absorbed in thoughts of harmony, kindness and happiness then its energy stabilizes and vibrations of peace are spread in the atmosphere. Today let me focus my mind to create a peaceful environment.”

“Ego is a false image of myself created to prop me up and make me feel better, stronger, smarter etc. Ego exists to replace the shortage of real self-respect. It crumbles easily because its foundation is weak making me feel threatened or insulted. When I make sure I do the right thing even when it is hard, I begin to have faith in myself. This honesty increases my self respect and I stop needing ego’s false support.  Today let me be honest and live my truth.”

“Purity is a state of being 100% original like pure wool, pure cotton or pure orange juice. When the soul is pure it has 100% of its original qualities, there is nothing else mixed into it. It is unadulterated, untainted, unmixed, authentic and original. And this purity is experienced as peace, happiness, freedom and lightness. Today let me experience myself as 100% pure.”

“Make time your friend. Many people feel they do not have enough time. The more materialistic and consumer driven we become, the more we squeeze time. To make time my friend I must increase the amount of time I spend doing what feeds the soul. When the soul is fed it does not need to rush about looking for input. To be silent and content is to feed the soul. Today let me have time for everything by prioritizing what feeds the soul.”

“Life is creative energy in action. To be living is to be creating. Without creating and expressing, my original nature and my essence remain obscure.  Today let me value highly the act of creation and offer it to the world.”