News
No new updates for this week.
Quote
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."
— Martin Luther King Jr.
My Thoughts
Many people have causes or positions that they love to defend. Republican, Democrat, Global Warming, Anti-War, etc... The list goes on and on. The very act of choosing and saying this way is right can oftentimes cut you off from even being able to consider another position or option. This can be dangerous because you start judging the other side as wrong and also anyone that believes in the other side as wrong. If the other side is wrong then you may start disliking them, and if you continue down that path you can actually start to hate them.
I'll share a story that may help illustrate this point. As many of you are aware I grew up in Philadelphia. I managed to stay out of gangs, but had numerous fights with them when I was in high school and sometimes after that. My younger brother on the other hand got involved in gangs early on and eventually started selling drugs, stealing, etc.. This lead him to prison.
Gangs. Obviously the people that belong to a particular gang think that their way is the right way. All the other gangs are wrong and in many cases the other gang should be eliminated or forced out. My younger brother would hate someone just because they were from a rival gang. He didn't know the person at all but he still hated them. Occasionally the gang he was involved with would fight other gangs, sometimes they would be victorious (although in reality there is no real winner) and other times members of his gang would be hospitalized or killed.
Now it may be easy for you to sit here and judge this. It's easy to sit here and say that's stupid or I would never do that. Or they are all scum and should end up in prison or dead. These are all things that I've heard at one time or another. The problem with that line of thinking is that it doesn't solve anything. Hating them will only create more hate. Instead trying to look at them with compassion can help you to understand them better.
How can you look at them with compassion?
People always choose what they assume to be the best option at the time. Unfortunately due to perception most people can't really see what the best option is at the time. Realizing this can help all of us to stop judging others.
Why should you look at them with compassion?
Well besides all of the most important spiritual reasons, looking at them with compassion can allow you to create loving solutions. Solutions that can actually help to change the situation for the better.
I challenge you this week to consider someone's viewpoint that differs from your own.
Have a beautiful week.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Monday, August 29, 2011
Feeling Alive
News
No new updates for this week.
Quote
"Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever."
-Gandhi
My Thoughts
When was the last time you really felt alive? When was the last time you were truly excited, or you walked around with a genuine smile on your face? For most people the answer to those questions is "I don't remember.".
The traditional advice for feeling alive again is to do something that pushes you out of your comfort zone. Live on the edge and take risks. All of that is great advice. That is what I did and I can't even remotely describe all the changes that have occurred in my life since then. But perhaps this advice isn't best for everyone.....or at least not the best course of action at this time in their life.
So what is another way to feel alive?
Focus on the present moment. Why? Because when you focus on the present you will begin to notice more sights, sounds, smells, etc.. Eventually you will start to see more and more beauty in all things. That sounds too simple though, right? Well it may sound simple but it certainly isn't easy. Most people live in regretting the past, fearing the future, or both. Focusing on the present takes practice, but over time will develop into a habit.
Personally, I feel it's easier to stay present during meditation and from there you can do it in daily activity, but perhaps you don't meditate. Here is another way that may help you during your day: Become aware of your breathing. Notice your inhaling and exhaling. Thoughts will occur, but just let them come and go as they please. Then try really looking and listening to what is going on around you. Look at the trees, buildings, people, signs, etc... Listen to nature, cars, voices, construction, etc.. Just be in the present moment. Even in seemingly mundane tasks you can be present. Ex: Washing the dishes. Usually your thoughts are someplace else when washing the dishes. Instead, focus on listening to the sound of the running water, focus on feeling the water and the texture of the sponge, etc...
When you are present you will notice that not only will you start to enjoy whatever task you are doing but you will perform the task much better.
I encourage you to make an effort to be present at least three times this week.
Have an awesome week.
No new updates for this week.
Quote
"Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever."
-Gandhi
My Thoughts
When was the last time you really felt alive? When was the last time you were truly excited, or you walked around with a genuine smile on your face? For most people the answer to those questions is "I don't remember.".
The traditional advice for feeling alive again is to do something that pushes you out of your comfort zone. Live on the edge and take risks. All of that is great advice. That is what I did and I can't even remotely describe all the changes that have occurred in my life since then. But perhaps this advice isn't best for everyone.....or at least not the best course of action at this time in their life.
So what is another way to feel alive?
Focus on the present moment. Why? Because when you focus on the present you will begin to notice more sights, sounds, smells, etc.. Eventually you will start to see more and more beauty in all things. That sounds too simple though, right? Well it may sound simple but it certainly isn't easy. Most people live in regretting the past, fearing the future, or both. Focusing on the present takes practice, but over time will develop into a habit.
Personally, I feel it's easier to stay present during meditation and from there you can do it in daily activity, but perhaps you don't meditate. Here is another way that may help you during your day: Become aware of your breathing. Notice your inhaling and exhaling. Thoughts will occur, but just let them come and go as they please. Then try really looking and listening to what is going on around you. Look at the trees, buildings, people, signs, etc... Listen to nature, cars, voices, construction, etc.. Just be in the present moment. Even in seemingly mundane tasks you can be present. Ex: Washing the dishes. Usually your thoughts are someplace else when washing the dishes. Instead, focus on listening to the sound of the running water, focus on feeling the water and the texture of the sponge, etc...
When you are present you will notice that not only will you start to enjoy whatever task you are doing but you will perform the task much better.
I encourage you to make an effort to be present at least three times this week.
Have an awesome week.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Orginal Perfection
News
No new updates for this week.
Quote
"Mind is consciousness which has put on limitations.
You are originally unlimited and perfect.
Later you take on limitations and become the mind."
-Ramana Maharshi
My Thoughts
No thoughts from me this week. I would like you to spend some time reflecting on the meaning of this quote.
Have an amazing week.
No new updates for this week.
Quote
"Mind is consciousness which has put on limitations.
You are originally unlimited and perfect.
Later you take on limitations and become the mind."
-Ramana Maharshi
My Thoughts
No thoughts from me this week. I would like you to spend some time reflecting on the meaning of this quote.
Have an amazing week.
Monday, August 15, 2011
The Ego
News
We still have our programs priced at a 60% discount. You can find details about the programs at www.oneamazinglife.com
If you would like more information please email: bob@oneamazinglife.com
Quotes
"You must learn to see men and women…as perfect beings advancing to become complete."
-Wallace Wattles
"The consciousness in you and the consciousness in me, apparently two, really
one, seek unity and that is love."
-Nisargadatta Maharaj
"All troubles come to an end when the ego dies."
- Ramakrishna
My Thoughts
In last week's message I talked about loving all people unconditionally. This week I'd like to discuss the ego.
All people are innately perfect. We can not see this perfection in others because of our own egos. The ego does not like true love. The ego seeks to control, it lashes out at the Truth. The tools of the ego are anger, violence, jealousy, judgment, hatred, etc... Because of the ego we think that we are better than others. We think that our way is the right way. This also causes the illusion of separation. We are all connected, we are all one.
When we understand that all of this anger, violence, and hatred is the ego acting out, we may catch a glimpse of people as they truly are. We will notice this perfection. We will notice a beauty that we never saw before. However, it has always been there. Once we see this, even if it is for only a second, then we can start to feel compassion for all of humanity. We can see why judging others is a mistake of our perception. What is there to judge if all people are perfect?
I encourage all of us to try and view people as they truly are. Let us transcend the limitations of the ego and start to see the world as it really exists.
Have an incredible week.
We still have our programs priced at a 60% discount. You can find details about the programs at www.oneamazinglife.com
If you would like more information please email: bob@oneamazinglife.com
Quotes
"You must learn to see men and women…as perfect beings advancing to become complete."
-Wallace Wattles
"The consciousness in you and the consciousness in me, apparently two, really
one, seek unity and that is love."
-Nisargadatta Maharaj
"All troubles come to an end when the ego dies."
- Ramakrishna
My Thoughts
In last week's message I talked about loving all people unconditionally. This week I'd like to discuss the ego.
All people are innately perfect. We can not see this perfection in others because of our own egos. The ego does not like true love. The ego seeks to control, it lashes out at the Truth. The tools of the ego are anger, violence, jealousy, judgment, hatred, etc... Because of the ego we think that we are better than others. We think that our way is the right way. This also causes the illusion of separation. We are all connected, we are all one.
When we understand that all of this anger, violence, and hatred is the ego acting out, we may catch a glimpse of people as they truly are. We will notice this perfection. We will notice a beauty that we never saw before. However, it has always been there. Once we see this, even if it is for only a second, then we can start to feel compassion for all of humanity. We can see why judging others is a mistake of our perception. What is there to judge if all people are perfect?
I encourage all of us to try and view people as they truly are. Let us transcend the limitations of the ego and start to see the world as it really exists.
Have an incredible week.
Monday, August 8, 2011
Loving All
News
We have decided to discount all of our at-home coaching programs. These programs are great if you don't have time to make it to a structured coaching session. If you purchase a program by Sunday, August 21st you will receive a 60% discount.
Please check out www.oneamazinglife.com for more information on these programs. If you have any questions please email me: bob@oneamazinglife.com
Quote
“Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls. A joyful heart is the inevitable result of a heart burning with love”
-Mother Teresa
My Thoughts
Do you love yourself? I don't mean in some narcissistic sense. Do you respect yourself? Have you forgiven yourself for wrongs you may have committed in the past? You must love yourself before you can begin to truly love others.
Speaking of truly loving others, do you think you could love all people, regardless of their perceived imperfections? Do you think you could love someone without expecting anything in return? For many people loving unconditionally is near impossible. People say they do but their actions don't match their words.
All people are doing what they perceive is the best course of action to take at any given time. So we could say people are ignorant of what is the best course of action because of their perception. Therefore they should be forgiven (or literally you are forgiving yourself for judging them as wrong in the first place). If you start to forgive others, then you can start to let go of judgments. If you can grasp this concept then you can begin to love all of humanity unconditionally. The more people that are able to love unconditionally the better off humanity will become.
All people seek happiness, but only a few truly understand that happiness is internal and does not need to be sought but merely realized. This is hard for people to understand because so many of us were conditioned to believe that if we get something (higher degree, nice car, house, etc...) then we will be happy. But that happiness is an illusion. It fades away after time....usually after a short time.
I suppose their are multiple ways of realizing that happiness is internal. My way was to stretch way outside my comfort zone and follow my dream. So you could say my realization occurred after much struggle. I realized that you could literally have no money, no car, a tiny apartment, etc... and still be perfectly happy. Once you have this realization it stays with you forever. So no matter what situation you are in, no matter what the external stresses are, you can still remain happy.
My suggestion for this week: Forgive someone, and make an honest attempt at loving someone unconditionally.
Have a glorious week.
We have decided to discount all of our at-home coaching programs. These programs are great if you don't have time to make it to a structured coaching session. If you purchase a program by Sunday, August 21st you will receive a 60% discount.
Please check out www.oneamazinglife.com for more information on these programs. If you have any questions please email me: bob@oneamazinglife.com
Quote
“Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls. A joyful heart is the inevitable result of a heart burning with love”
-Mother Teresa
My Thoughts
Do you love yourself? I don't mean in some narcissistic sense. Do you respect yourself? Have you forgiven yourself for wrongs you may have committed in the past? You must love yourself before you can begin to truly love others.
Speaking of truly loving others, do you think you could love all people, regardless of their perceived imperfections? Do you think you could love someone without expecting anything in return? For many people loving unconditionally is near impossible. People say they do but their actions don't match their words.
All people are doing what they perceive is the best course of action to take at any given time. So we could say people are ignorant of what is the best course of action because of their perception. Therefore they should be forgiven (or literally you are forgiving yourself for judging them as wrong in the first place). If you start to forgive others, then you can start to let go of judgments. If you can grasp this concept then you can begin to love all of humanity unconditionally. The more people that are able to love unconditionally the better off humanity will become.
All people seek happiness, but only a few truly understand that happiness is internal and does not need to be sought but merely realized. This is hard for people to understand because so many of us were conditioned to believe that if we get something (higher degree, nice car, house, etc...) then we will be happy. But that happiness is an illusion. It fades away after time....usually after a short time.
I suppose their are multiple ways of realizing that happiness is internal. My way was to stretch way outside my comfort zone and follow my dream. So you could say my realization occurred after much struggle. I realized that you could literally have no money, no car, a tiny apartment, etc... and still be perfectly happy. Once you have this realization it stays with you forever. So no matter what situation you are in, no matter what the external stresses are, you can still remain happy.
My suggestion for this week: Forgive someone, and make an honest attempt at loving someone unconditionally.
Have a glorious week.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
The Important Things in Life
I hope you had a great weekend.
News
No new updates for this week.
I decided to share this story I found with all of you.
Story
The Important Things in Life
A philosophy professor stood before his class with some items on the table in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks, about 2 inches in diameter.
He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.
So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles, of course, rolled into the open areas between the rocks.
He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else.
He then asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous “Yes.”
“Now,” said the professor, “I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The rocks are the important things – your family, your partner, your health, your children – things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.
The pebbles are the other things that matter – like your job, your house, your car.
The sand is everything else. The small stuff.”
“If you put the sand into the jar first,” he continued “there is no room for the pebbles or the rocks. The same goes for your life.
If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take your partner out dancing. There will always be time to go to work, clean the house, give a dinner party and fix the disposal.
Take care of the rocks first – the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.”
Have an outstanding week.
News
No new updates for this week.
I decided to share this story I found with all of you.
Story
The Important Things in Life
A philosophy professor stood before his class with some items on the table in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks, about 2 inches in diameter.
He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.
So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles, of course, rolled into the open areas between the rocks.
He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else.
He then asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous “Yes.”
“Now,” said the professor, “I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The rocks are the important things – your family, your partner, your health, your children – things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.
The pebbles are the other things that matter – like your job, your house, your car.
The sand is everything else. The small stuff.”
“If you put the sand into the jar first,” he continued “there is no room for the pebbles or the rocks. The same goes for your life.
If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take your partner out dancing. There will always be time to go to work, clean the house, give a dinner party and fix the disposal.
Take care of the rocks first – the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.”
Have an outstanding week.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Spiritual Journey
News
No new updates for this week.
Quotes
“Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.”
-Buddha
“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else?
-Jesus Christ
"God dwells in you, as you, and you don't have to 'do' anything to be God-realized or Self-realized, it is already your true and natural state." Just drop all seeking, turn your attention inward, and sacrifice your mind to the One Self radiating in the Heart of your very being. For this to be your own presently lived experience, Self-Inquiry is the one direct and immediate way."
-Ramana Maharshi
My Thoughts
Spirituality is a touchy subject for most people, however it is incredibly important. So, I wanted to share my own story of spiritual growth this week. I am not saying the following is right, it is simply my journey up until this point.
I was raised Catholic. Went to church on Sundays, a better way to put it was forced to go to church on Sundays, until I was about 13. I went to a Catholic high school and when I was 16 I decided to turn my back on Catholicism and Christianity. There were many things that lead up to that point but, basically a priest and I got into a heated discussion in religion class over some teachings.
For the next 11 years I would categorize myself as agnostic. I supposed their could be some sort of higher power but I wasn't sure.
About 3-4 years ago I was starting to get involved in coaching and one of Bob Proctor's core components of coaching is spirituality. Initially, I was a bit apprehensive about that whole part. But I kept going forward and just put off thinking about the whole spiritual side of things. One part of our coaching program included a recommended reading list. I guess there are about 40-50 books on the list. Some of them get deep into spirituality. I decided I better start reading some of those.
As I started reading some of the books I realized something. I had made an error in judgement when I was 16. I turned my back on everything but it wasn't that all of Christianity's teachings were flawed just certain people's interpretations of those teachings were flawed. Also, I didn't need to claim a specific religion to have a relationship with a higher power.
Time went on and I read more and more. I eventually started reading teachings from: Buddha, Huang Po, the Bhagavad Gita, the Bible, Yoganada, Ramana Maharshi, David Hawkins, etc..
Eventually I realized that all of them were essentially saying the same thing.
This lead me on a journey to northern India. I spent almost two weeks at an ashram. I witnessed a man there speak to a crowd of one million people. The man spoke for 90 minutes and no one in the audience said a word. Some people were crying but no one said a thing. Remarkable considering we were sitting on the ground outside in 110F/44C heat. Eventually my view of the world was drastically altered.
I know now that a higher power exists. Is this God necessarily the same exact one found in the Bible? Not exactly. It would take me way too long to explain this fully here.
I am also starting to view the entire world from a place of love. I am beginning to see the inherent beauty that exists in all things. I also realize that everything happens exactly when it is supposed to so there really is no need to worry. Finally, I am able to focus more and more on the present moment.
I am not finished on this journey. I still have much spiritual growing to do. It is not easy but once you realize that God is both internal and external your entire view of the world will change. It is simply awesome.
Have an amazing week.
No new updates for this week.
Quotes
“Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.”
-Buddha
“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else?
-Jesus Christ
"God dwells in you, as you, and you don't have to 'do' anything to be God-realized or Self-realized, it is already your true and natural state." Just drop all seeking, turn your attention inward, and sacrifice your mind to the One Self radiating in the Heart of your very being. For this to be your own presently lived experience, Self-Inquiry is the one direct and immediate way."
-Ramana Maharshi
My Thoughts
Spirituality is a touchy subject for most people, however it is incredibly important. So, I wanted to share my own story of spiritual growth this week. I am not saying the following is right, it is simply my journey up until this point.
I was raised Catholic. Went to church on Sundays, a better way to put it was forced to go to church on Sundays, until I was about 13. I went to a Catholic high school and when I was 16 I decided to turn my back on Catholicism and Christianity. There were many things that lead up to that point but, basically a priest and I got into a heated discussion in religion class over some teachings.
For the next 11 years I would categorize myself as agnostic. I supposed their could be some sort of higher power but I wasn't sure.
About 3-4 years ago I was starting to get involved in coaching and one of Bob Proctor's core components of coaching is spirituality. Initially, I was a bit apprehensive about that whole part. But I kept going forward and just put off thinking about the whole spiritual side of things. One part of our coaching program included a recommended reading list. I guess there are about 40-50 books on the list. Some of them get deep into spirituality. I decided I better start reading some of those.
As I started reading some of the books I realized something. I had made an error in judgement when I was 16. I turned my back on everything but it wasn't that all of Christianity's teachings were flawed just certain people's interpretations of those teachings were flawed. Also, I didn't need to claim a specific religion to have a relationship with a higher power.
Time went on and I read more and more. I eventually started reading teachings from: Buddha, Huang Po, the Bhagavad Gita, the Bible, Yoganada, Ramana Maharshi, David Hawkins, etc..
Eventually I realized that all of them were essentially saying the same thing.
This lead me on a journey to northern India. I spent almost two weeks at an ashram. I witnessed a man there speak to a crowd of one million people. The man spoke for 90 minutes and no one in the audience said a word. Some people were crying but no one said a thing. Remarkable considering we were sitting on the ground outside in 110F/44C heat. Eventually my view of the world was drastically altered.
I know now that a higher power exists. Is this God necessarily the same exact one found in the Bible? Not exactly. It would take me way too long to explain this fully here.
I am also starting to view the entire world from a place of love. I am beginning to see the inherent beauty that exists in all things. I also realize that everything happens exactly when it is supposed to so there really is no need to worry. Finally, I am able to focus more and more on the present moment.
I am not finished on this journey. I still have much spiritual growing to do. It is not easy but once you realize that God is both internal and external your entire view of the world will change. It is simply awesome.
Have an amazing week.
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