The path of non-resistance is the second technique that Michael talks about. Check out several lines from the first paragraph of chapter 16:
"One should view their spiritual work as learning to live life without stress, problems, fear, or melodrama...Stress only happens when you resist life's events. If you're neither pushing life away, nor pulling it towards you, then you are not creating any resistance. You are simply present...witnessing...in a state of peace." (T.U.S., p. 149)
From this viewpoint the pressure that we all feel to keep up with it all, hold it all together, move forward...is completely unnecessary. There is no need for pressure. Everything will unfold as it should. (If you are experiencing any resistance to this idea of letting go, read on to page 150.)
I tried this tonight as one of my kids was being difficult. When I noticed that I was getting caught up in the drama and losing my center I decided to walk away and accept the situation as it was happening. I witnessed and released my stress and frustration and after a few moments we had a conversation that went a lot smoother.
I will do some experimenting with these ideas this week. Every time that I become aware of myself feeling stressed, fearful, or experiencing a problem I will ask myself in what way am I resisting or trying to pull something towards me. I will keep you posted.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Thursday, May 26, 2011
happiness and beyond
I am finding lots of benefits to following the path of unconditional happiness. When I choose unconditional happiness it lightens my mood and I can deal with what is right in front of me with more energy and clarity. Although choosing happiness doesn't take all of the pain or anxiety away, it allows me to get out of feeling bogged down by a problem. Without all of that negative energy I can usually see more clearly and I have the energy to act in a positive way. It really is a beautiful path to be on.
Although this may not work for everyone, what helps me to shift into a state of happiness is the realization that God is unfolding my life in perfect order and harmony. I say to myself "I accept only God's will for my life" and that helps me to happily accept what is in front of me. Michael suggest that one can be happy just to be alive or just to be breathing.
"If you remain spontaneously happy and centered no matter what happens, you will find God...Yes, you will find happiness, but that's nothing compared to what you're really going to find." (T.U.S., p. 147).
Although this may not work for everyone, what helps me to shift into a state of happiness is the realization that God is unfolding my life in perfect order and harmony. I say to myself "I accept only God's will for my life" and that helps me to happily accept what is in front of me. Michael suggest that one can be happy just to be alive or just to be breathing.
"If you remain spontaneously happy and centered no matter what happens, you will find God...Yes, you will find happiness, but that's nothing compared to what you're really going to find." (T.U.S., p. 147).
Sunday, May 22, 2011
mountain hike part 2 - the deeper issue
There was another part of the mountain hike story that I have been struggling with letting go of all week: I did not bring enough warm/waterproof clothes for Ryan and I during the hike last weekend. (Apparently I was absent the day they addressed mountain hiking clothes in school because we were way under dressed). By the time we headed down the mountain, we were both wet and frozen. Fortunately 2 strangers gave us their rain ponchos and a friend in our group gave Ryan her warm and dry jacket. I have felt terribly irresponsible about the whole thing and the incident has left me feeling concerned about future situations where I might show some kind of poor judgment (I've learned my lesson about mountains but who knows where else I might fall short and maybe with more detrimental results).
Although I tried to witness and release the feelings this week, it was not happening. Then I decided to apply the technique of unconditional happiness to this situation. After choosing to feel gratitude and happiness for the situation, I had some insight and I was able to let it go. I recognize that the Universe provides even when I personally fall short. Although I wished that I had planned better, the fact that our needs were met by 3 other kind souls helps me to see that it isn't all up to me...God provides. So I can accept what happened without feeling anxious about not being prepared for something else in the future.
There are 5 techniques that are described in the final section of the book, with the path of unconditional happiness being one of them. Michael suggests that we may need to use different techniques depending on the situation. Witnessing and releasing was not working for me in this situation but looking at it through a brighter lense helped me to let it go.
"Unconditional happiness is a very high path and a very high technique because it solves everything...(It) solves daily life and it solves spiritual life. The greatest gift one can give to God is to be pleased with His creation." (T.U.S., p. 146-147).
May we all choose to feel unconditional happiness and gratitude for the life that we have been given and for the opportunity to grow in whatever ways that we need to grow.
Although I tried to witness and release the feelings this week, it was not happening. Then I decided to apply the technique of unconditional happiness to this situation. After choosing to feel gratitude and happiness for the situation, I had some insight and I was able to let it go. I recognize that the Universe provides even when I personally fall short. Although I wished that I had planned better, the fact that our needs were met by 3 other kind souls helps me to see that it isn't all up to me...God provides. So I can accept what happened without feeling anxious about not being prepared for something else in the future.
There are 5 techniques that are described in the final section of the book, with the path of unconditional happiness being one of them. Michael suggests that we may need to use different techniques depending on the situation. Witnessing and releasing was not working for me in this situation but looking at it through a brighter lense helped me to let it go.
"Unconditional happiness is a very high path and a very high technique because it solves everything...(It) solves daily life and it solves spiritual life. The greatest gift one can give to God is to be pleased with His creation." (T.U.S., p. 146-147).
May we all choose to feel unconditional happiness and gratitude for the life that we have been given and for the opportunity to grow in whatever ways that we need to grow.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
the key to staying happy
In chapter 15 of The Untethered Soul, Michael talks about the key to staying happy is to keep the heart open. No matter what happens in your life, do not close your heart.
"When you start to close, just question if you're really willing to give up your happiness. You should examine what it is inside of you that believes there's some benefit to closing." (T.U.S., p. 144).
It is tempting to close when things don't go our way. But we need to realize that we are choosing to close.
I had a situation come up last weekend that has given me an opportunity to practice this teaching. My son Ryan and I along with some friends set out to climb Saddleback mountain. We'd been planning this for months, and were excited to be doing the hike. The weather started off wet and cold and we hoped that it would clear as the day moved on but about 4 miles into the hike I realized it was just getting worse and we needed to turn around and head back. Ryan and I were very disappointed. We will do it again, but I don't know when because it is a matter of waiting for the right weather conditions.
This minor example shows that life really isn't under our control. If we expect outer circumstances to dictate our happiness we are setting ourselves up for failure. Life is going to happen the way that life is going to happen. When things do not go as planned, there is no benefit to closing one's heart and blocking the energy from flowing.
Check out the first paragraph on page 144.
"Staying open is what the great saints and masters taught. They taught that God is joy, God is ecstasy, and God is love. If you remain open enough, waves of uplifting energy will fill your heart...If you learn to stay open at all times, great things will happen to you. You simply have to learn not to close." (T.U.S., p. 145).
"When you start to close, just question if you're really willing to give up your happiness. You should examine what it is inside of you that believes there's some benefit to closing." (T.U.S., p. 144).
It is tempting to close when things don't go our way. But we need to realize that we are choosing to close.
I had a situation come up last weekend that has given me an opportunity to practice this teaching. My son Ryan and I along with some friends set out to climb Saddleback mountain. We'd been planning this for months, and were excited to be doing the hike. The weather started off wet and cold and we hoped that it would clear as the day moved on but about 4 miles into the hike I realized it was just getting worse and we needed to turn around and head back. Ryan and I were very disappointed. We will do it again, but I don't know when because it is a matter of waiting for the right weather conditions.
This minor example shows that life really isn't under our control. If we expect outer circumstances to dictate our happiness we are setting ourselves up for failure. Life is going to happen the way that life is going to happen. When things do not go as planned, there is no benefit to closing one's heart and blocking the energy from flowing.
Check out the first paragraph on page 144.
"Staying open is what the great saints and masters taught. They taught that God is joy, God is ecstasy, and God is love. If you remain open enough, waves of uplifting energy will fill your heart...If you learn to stay open at all times, great things will happen to you. You simply have to learn not to close." (T.U.S., p. 145).
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
transcending the personal
"This path (of unconditional happiness) leads you to absolute transcendance because any part of your being that would add a condition to your commitment to happiness has got to go...you have to let go of the part of you that wants to create melodrama...the part that thinks there's a reason not to be happy...you have to transcend the personal, and as you do, you will naturally awaken to the higher aspects of your being." (T.U.S., p. 143)
Transcend the personal...so I guess its not all about me after all. If I want to stay happy then I can't let it be all about me.
Sometimes when I move to the Observer, it feels like such a relief to let go of the melodrama of my life. The Observer is a place to rest. It sometimes feels like I am taking a welcome vacation from the psyche or ego.
How lovely it would be to just sit back and watch life unfold and enjoy the experience. Since life is going to happen the way it is going to happen I might as well enjoy the ride. Is there really any other choice? I could continue to try to arrange everything and everyone in my life in order to make it work, or, I can let go and choose to be happy...
Please join me today in choosing to be happy no matter what. And when life hits your stuff and the happiness seems to disappear, remember that you are just cleaning out the closets of your psyche...be grateful that life is showing you what has to go. With a deep breath relax into the Observer and be happy!
Transcend the personal...so I guess its not all about me after all. If I want to stay happy then I can't let it be all about me.
Sometimes when I move to the Observer, it feels like such a relief to let go of the melodrama of my life. The Observer is a place to rest. It sometimes feels like I am taking a welcome vacation from the psyche or ego.
How lovely it would be to just sit back and watch life unfold and enjoy the experience. Since life is going to happen the way it is going to happen I might as well enjoy the ride. Is there really any other choice? I could continue to try to arrange everything and everyone in my life in order to make it work, or, I can let go and choose to be happy...
Please join me today in choosing to be happy no matter what. And when life hits your stuff and the happiness seems to disappear, remember that you are just cleaning out the closets of your psyche...be grateful that life is showing you what has to go. With a deep breath relax into the Observer and be happy!
Friday, May 13, 2011
your life's purpose
"The purpose of your life is to enjoy and learn from your experiences. You were not put on Earth to suffer...you were born and you are going to die. During the time in between, you get to choose whether or not you want to enjoy the experience." (T.U.S., p. 143).
There is such wisdom in this quote. I love the realization that the purpose for my life is to enjoy it and learn from it.
I've been practicing the path of unconditional happiness all week and as expected I've had a big challenge arise (I'm sure it would have happened anyway, even if I wasn't practicing this path). It was tempting to stay in my head and try to figure out the problem and fix it. However since I was choosing happiness, I decided to witness and release my concerns. And as I did, I found guidance. In retrospect I see that this challenge is life's way of showing me something that I need to learn.
Michael says that "The choice to enjoy life will lead you through your spiritual journey...(it) will teach you everything there is to learn about yourself, about others, about the nature of life." (T.U.S., p. 144).
If you are serious about choosing to be happy for the rest of your life, when something comes up to disrupt your happiness be grateful for it, let it go, and affirm your happiness.
There is such wisdom in this quote. I love the realization that the purpose for my life is to enjoy it and learn from it.
I've been practicing the path of unconditional happiness all week and as expected I've had a big challenge arise (I'm sure it would have happened anyway, even if I wasn't practicing this path). It was tempting to stay in my head and try to figure out the problem and fix it. However since I was choosing happiness, I decided to witness and release my concerns. And as I did, I found guidance. In retrospect I see that this challenge is life's way of showing me something that I need to learn.
Michael says that "The choice to enjoy life will lead you through your spiritual journey...(it) will teach you everything there is to learn about yourself, about others, about the nature of life." (T.U.S., p. 144).
If you are serious about choosing to be happy for the rest of your life, when something comes up to disrupt your happiness be grateful for it, let it go, and affirm your happiness.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
unconditional happiness
Many of us have practiced using positive affirmations to promote a sense of peace and well-being. Choosing to affirm unconditional happiness is the most effective affirmation to achieve peace and joy. If you affirm perfect health (not that this is a bad idea but it does place a condition on our happiness) than what happens when you get a cold or stub your toe? Does that mean that you can't be happy?
Even if we get what we want to make us happy, the external condition will either change or it will lose its ability to make us happy. The nature of life is change. Nothing is permanent. So even if you find the perfect relationship, that will end someday (e.g., your loved one will die someday or you will die first). Also, as most of us know being in the perfect relationship does not ensure happiness (there are still taxes to pay and cars to fix and family members to deal with...).
On one of his CD's Michael talks about how many people have perfect health and they still are not happy...many people are in a relationship and they are not happy...many people are rich and they are not happy...
Happiness is a state of being that we were born with. It is a choice to assume this state.
I find myself being easily caught up in the belief that the world of effects is my source of happiness. If I am not being aware, then it happens automatically. Staying focused on relaxing my body, allowing the present moment to be exactly as it is, and relaxing into a state of happiness is my way out!
Even if we get what we want to make us happy, the external condition will either change or it will lose its ability to make us happy. The nature of life is change. Nothing is permanent. So even if you find the perfect relationship, that will end someday (e.g., your loved one will die someday or you will die first). Also, as most of us know being in the perfect relationship does not ensure happiness (there are still taxes to pay and cars to fix and family members to deal with...).
On one of his CD's Michael talks about how many people have perfect health and they still are not happy...many people are in a relationship and they are not happy...many people are rich and they are not happy...
Happiness is a state of being that we were born with. It is a choice to assume this state.
I find myself being easily caught up in the belief that the world of effects is my source of happiness. If I am not being aware, then it happens automatically. Staying focused on relaxing my body, allowing the present moment to be exactly as it is, and relaxing into a state of happiness is my way out!
Friday, May 6, 2011
the highest spiritual path
We are beginning the final section of the book - 5 chapters, each addressing a different 'technique' for moving along this spiritual path.
Chapter 15 talks about the "path of unconditional happiness." Michael says that we can choose to be happy...that it is completely under our control to be happy.
He points out that our preferences and qualifications ('I will be happy when I get the right job, relationship, health...') get in the way of our happiness.
"But if you want to walk the highest spiritual path then when you answer yes to that simple question (Do you want to be happy?), you must really mean it. There are no ifs, ands, or buts about it." (T.U.S., p. 142.)
Every time I start my day with the intention to be happy no matter what, something always happens that challenges my state of happiness. That which comes up is unfinished business that needs addressing. It is a part of my walls that keep me from knowing the highest truth about myself and from living freely.
The path of unconditional happiness involves choosing to be happy no matter what and allowing what is coming up to pass before you. It is very similar to moving your awareness to the witness when life hits your stuff. In this technique you would move your awareness to the 'choice to be happy,' relax with a deep breath, and allow that which needs to be purged from your psyche to pass through you.
Stuff is going to happen in life whether we choose to be happy or not. So, why not choose to be happy anyway.
Chapter 15 talks about the "path of unconditional happiness." Michael says that we can choose to be happy...that it is completely under our control to be happy.
He points out that our preferences and qualifications ('I will be happy when I get the right job, relationship, health...') get in the way of our happiness.
"But if you want to walk the highest spiritual path then when you answer yes to that simple question (Do you want to be happy?), you must really mean it. There are no ifs, ands, or buts about it." (T.U.S., p. 142.)
Every time I start my day with the intention to be happy no matter what, something always happens that challenges my state of happiness. That which comes up is unfinished business that needs addressing. It is a part of my walls that keep me from knowing the highest truth about myself and from living freely.
The path of unconditional happiness involves choosing to be happy no matter what and allowing what is coming up to pass before you. It is very similar to moving your awareness to the witness when life hits your stuff. In this technique you would move your awareness to the 'choice to be happy,' relax with a deep breath, and allow that which needs to be purged from your psyche to pass through you.
Stuff is going to happen in life whether we choose to be happy or not. So, why not choose to be happy anyway.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
letting go even more
"You can experience a life in which waves of love can rush up inside of you any time you want. It is the nature of your being. You simply have to go to the other side of the psyche." (T.U.S., p. 136)
I have to stop and ask myself how badly do I want this? Do I want this more than I want to be right? or more than I want to feel secure? or more than I want to cling to ideas about myself and the world?
There have been times when I have thought that giving up this psyche/identity would be impossible...too much to lose. Yet when I think of it as Michael described it in the above quote...I say "YES!" Of course I want to experience waves of love as I go through my life and to experience the highest nature of my being.
Michael says that you get there by "letting go of the tendency to cling...by not using your mind to build false solidity. You just decide once and for all to to take the journey by constantly letting go." (T.U.S., p. 136)
This is like taking a step off of a steep cliff... you do it because you know that God is going to catch you.
I have to stop and ask myself how badly do I want this? Do I want this more than I want to be right? or more than I want to feel secure? or more than I want to cling to ideas about myself and the world?
There have been times when I have thought that giving up this psyche/identity would be impossible...too much to lose. Yet when I think of it as Michael described it in the above quote...I say "YES!" Of course I want to experience waves of love as I go through my life and to experience the highest nature of my being.
Michael says that you get there by "letting go of the tendency to cling...by not using your mind to build false solidity. You just decide once and for all to to take the journey by constantly letting go." (T.U.S., p. 136)
This is like taking a step off of a steep cliff... you do it because you know that God is going to catch you.
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