What Is Really Good?: November 2008

Enjoy Your Day

Have you ever noticed that in order to enjoy anything, you have to be in the present moment? Can you remember a time in your life when you truly enjoyed anything that was not going on in the present? Sure it is possible to not enjoy things that you like because your attention was not fully in the moment, but never the other way around. How can you enjoy something you like without giving your attention to it?

To be in a state of joy is a higher form of acceptance. If a person is in resistance to something, a form of stress is experienced as opposed to joy. The easiest way to be in acceptance as opposed to resistance is to be without ego fueled thoughts. Focusing your attention into the present moment and not anticipating the future or regretting the past literally slows down stressful thinking and can help bring about a state of acceptance. Contentment may be experienced. If there is something you really like going on, joy will be experienced. (See "I Can't Wait")

Stay in the moment and enjoy your day!

For more ways on how to become aware of the present moment, read What Is Really Good? and stay tuned!

Synonymous With Life

Observing how a lot of words in language can have synonymous meanings behind them can lead us to not get caught up in the specific words themselves, but to see the true meaning that they point to.

Take a good look at the words: me, myself, I, life, experience, perspective, and world. Notice that they can all refer to the true essence of your self and the way you interpret your essence determines how you feel.

Just to illustrate this; see how interchangeable they are in a sentence.

____ really good right now.
I'm really good right now.
Life is really good right now.
My experience is really good right now.
My world is really good right now.
My perspective is really good right now.

I remember as a kid hearing the saying, "When you point your finger at someone, three fingers are pointing back at you." It is really only upon the shift in my perspective that I was able to gain true understanding of this saying.

Everything that you perceive out side of your self is really only relevant to you in the way that you internalize and interpret it. If it does not exist with in you, it does not exist in your reality. To illustrate see Eye of the Beholder and Life is Open to Interpretation.

Everything and everyone in the world is a reflection of you. It's all about perspective. To expand on this further, read What Is Really Good? and stay tuned!

Feeling "Great-full"

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

It has occurred to me, that choosing an arbitrary day to feel thankfulness and full of gratitude is as useless as every other holiday. Don't get me wrong. I realize that holidays have their usefulness to the majority of people right now. But everybody gives a holiday their own meaning regardless of what is meant to be celebrated. For some it is a day off from the usual toil to do with as they please. For others; it is a time dedicated to spend with family that is not usually seen. No matter your personal take on this or any other holiday; you are correct in your feelings about it.

As for myself; I have come to realize the futility in designating specific days of the year to feel certain feelings that could be felt every day of your life. Birthdays have lost their meaning because I have realized that every day (and every passing moment) you are reborn (see Good Morning!). New Years is exactly the same. Every passing moment starts a "new year" depending on your perspective and frame of reference. Valentines Day can be everyday if you feel strongly about your significant other. Christmas can be everyday as well if you can acknowledge the birth of Christ in your own being and continuously feel "good will toward all men". I think you get my point. There isn't a holiday that exists that can not be celebrated with every waking moment.

On the other hand, there is something to be said and felt when there is a majority of people on the same page. The resonance that occurs when most people are acknowledging the same feelings is tremendous and beneficial to all who participate. It would be great if everyone agreed to make everyday a holiday.

As for Thanksgiving in specific; feeling gratitude is a high form of acceptance and adaptation. It is a truly awesome feeling. My interpretation is not official, but I think it's no coincidence that the word grateful sounds like great full. In other words, to be grateful is to be full of greatness. When a person is grateful, they are in full acceptance of what is, and as a result they are in tune with the greatness of the Universal Intelligence. This is an empowering position to make things happen.

To find out more on the benefits of the attitude of gratitude and more, read What Is Really Good? and stay tuned!

Dimensions of Reality

When you really stop and look at it; mankind has always been on a quest to define what we are, what our world is, and the relationship we have with our reality. There are certain 'big' questions that people from all walks of life, and from all over the world, have asked themselves for thousands of years. Some of theses common questions include:

Why are we here? What's the purpose?
What is life? What animates us?
What is real? What is absolute?
Why are things the way they are?

People have not always taken the same approach in attempting to give life and reality definition. Among some of the main ways that we have approached these and other questions are: philosophy, science, and spirituality.

As a kid, I was always attracted to all three of these routes to explaining reality. It was not until I got a little older that I realized that they are all actually one in the same.

To illustrate and blur the lines of these categories of self perception; I invite you to take a look at the work of Rob Bryanton. He has written a book called, "Imagining the Tenth Dimension", and has a website, and a very informative blog devoted to the subject.

It is truly amazing how quantum physics' String Theory which has developed to the more complete M Theory is actually starting to prove what philosophers and holy men have been saying for ages.

Bryanton's book explains in plain language how to interpret and understand these concepts. He also has an outstanding video that helps to stretch your mind into comprehending the dimensions of reality that have been referred to in quantum physics theories and spirituality. Check it out. Imagining the Tenth Dimension.

Book Smart vs. "Street" Smart

Have you ever noticed the difference between book smarts and "street" smarts? Which do you hold in higher regard or feel is more important?

Book Smarts can be likened to a formal education or practicing only what you have been told. It is to learn and apply concepts and information that are really only second hand to the student in nature. In other words, none of the knowledge is your true experience. Life has yet to prove any of it to you. It is traditional perspective now seen through your eyes.

Street Smarts can be likened to your own personal perception and experience. It is an almost instinctual and more overly, intuitive knowledge. It comes from experience which has directly affected you. It may stem from a higher sense of perception and being in tune with your reality. It may even be information that you learned from books or other people. The difference would be that the information went beyond a mere concept and became your true life experience.

Check out "Who Told You To Move?"

Don't take my word for it. That would be the 'book smart' thing to do. Put the info to the test. Is it true for you? Gaining the perspective of experience is the 'street smart' way to go.

The End IS the Means

People talk about having to do certain things because it "is a means to an end." This kind of perspective puts a moment in the future at a higher level of importance than right now.

Some people spend the majority of their time in the company of the means and a lot less time with the ends. You could say that they literally depreciate the value of their lives by choosing to see the present as a means to an end.

In the 'end', there's only going to be another moment that won't be too different from the moment you are having right now. Your going to have to be in good spirits to enjoy anything regardless of what it is. Whatever is planned to make the 'end' great, does not make it great alone. Good spirits make the 'end' great.

The current moment is not a means to an end but an opportunity to be in high spirits. Once this is realized, the 'end' becomes the means. The journey and the destination may be seen one as in the same.

Stay tuned.

Aliveness

Aliveness. The very feeling of life itself.

Aliveness is perceiving and observing all experience being generated by your senses. The interpretation of the experience is only a reaction to aliveness and should not be mistaken for the aliveness itself.

Aliveness listens to all thought in silence. Aliveness watches everything patiently. It is the part of you that lets you know what you dreamed after you woke up.

Can you feel your aliveness?

Can you feel your very presence? Can you feel the essence of your awareness? Can you feel your own energy or vibe?

Aliveness is usually overlooked. If you give it attention, you grow more alive. Don't take my word for it. See for yourself.

Read What Is Really Good? and stay tuned!

Whatever

Whatever happens, there is a constant. There is something that all existence has in common. It might be considered an abstract concept since this constant is not a thing, but the absence of things. Maybe you could call it nothing or no-thing; but it is definitely there.

To realize this underlying 'whatever', is to feel or perceive what is usually not given any attention. It is silence that exists before, during, and after all sound. This silence is what allows sound to exist.

It is the stillness that exists before, during, and after all motion. This stillness is what allows us to perceive motion.

It is the space that exists before, during, and after all matter. If not for this space, matter would have no where to exist.

Whatever has happened, whatever is happening now, and whatever will happen; this constant is always present. It is beyond time. It is truly eternal. It can not be separated from reality. It is the very fabric of everything. It is the essence of all.

Every Little Step...

Life is always in motion. It is always GO time. Even when it seems like we are standing still; the tape is always rolling. This being the case; we are always making progress. We are always taking steps toward our destination.

What is this destination that we all have in common? It is the YES. Every single step; be it a huge one or a little step; is a step closer to the YES of life.

What is this YES? It is acceptance. Acceptance has many levels or intensities to it; but it is always YES. Contentment, peace, satisfaction, love, happiness, joy, laughter, bliss, and ecstasy are a few forms of this acceptance; this YES. This is something that can not be denied and is something that every being in creation is moving toward. It is the good intention behind every action. It is what we all have in common. It is oneness. And it is this YES that we are continuously taking steps toward.

Funny enough; even when we think we are going backwards or taking step away from the YES; we are still moving toward it. Every set back is a set up for a come back. Life is the school of hard knocks and each lesson brings us closer to our destination. Every hard time is a helping hand in shattering the individual egoistic identity so that we may see even more clearly what is real and truly shatter proof. In reality, there is no such thing as a backward step. Every step has it's purpose in bringing us closer to our destination.

For more on this and lots more, read What Is Really Good? and stay tuned!

A Double Edged Sword

The way things are depend on the vantage point you're seeing them from. You can take almost everything in life and see the pros and cons of it. There really isn't much that we can conceive of that is not a double edged sword.

Here's a good example of this. Let's look at light. Light can and does allow you to see everything. We can all agree that without light, our eyes would be pretty useless. Swinging the sword the other way, light can literally blind us. We have all experienced this in one form or another. It all depends on if the light is 'on your side'. Every night (provided you are in a rural area and there aren't clouds in the sky) you can look up at the sky and see a countless number of stars. This is because we are turned away from the sun. There is nothing blocking our view from seeing earth's window (the sky) to the cosmos. Everyday, we can only see one star. This is because when our atmosphere is illuminated with the sunlight, it effectively blocks or outshines all starlight coming our way. It "blinds" us. Of course this is not a bad thing. The sun also provides for all life on the planet. We have also seen this example of light used on smaller scales on a regular basis.

We can say the same for water. We are made of a majority of water. We need it for our very survival. On the other hand, we can drown if exposed to too much of it.

Fire can give much needed heat and light or it can destroy a person, their house, or even a city.

Electricity can power almost any of our tools and appliances or it can execute a man. More can be listed, but I'm sure you get the point.

Almost everything and every situation has a positive and negative attribute to it. The sword can usually swing both ways.

Perspective, acceptance, and the ability to adapt, give us the ultimate advantage over the double edged sword. In all of the examples above, as well as countless others; we have accepted and adapted to the nature of what is. As a result, we use it all to our advantage (most of the time). The same may be true of your current life situation and the way you work as a whole all the time. Understanding the nature of yourself can lead to you being on the right side of the sword all the time.

For more on making the best out of what is, read What Is Really Good? and stay tuned!

Wonders Never Cease

The way we look at our reality, with out a doubt, determines our life experience. Funny enough, learning certain things that are indeed factual will sometimes seem to constrict our freedom as opposed to expand it. This is true when you learn that there are limits to what you once thought was limitless. A comical illustration of this that comes to mind, is the coyote from the old Warner Brothers roadrunner cartoons. Often he would run clear off a cliff; but he would not fall until he realized that the ground was no longer below him.

Learning of limitations, in reality, does not constrict our freedom but may even stretch its boundaries. Another paradox, it seems. It is perfectly logical though, if you remember that freedom and responsibility are one in the same. When you take heed to the limit, you take responsibility for it. When you are responsible, you can adapt the limit to be of service and not an obstacle for you.

This can be illustrated with today's economy. The whole world is supposedly in a recession right now. I spoke of this in a previous post (see What Is Money? Really.). Of course this boils down to the Federal Reserve and all other world banks and the fractional banking system.

Check out Zeitgeist Addendum for a good understanding of what I am referring to. The tone of the beginning of the film is somewhat grim, but there are plenty of good facts there to jar you out of any ignorance about what money really is. Like my post about money, it does come around to explaining that we are the true power behind money and that we can change everything for the best.

I mention the film also, because it supports my previous point that the limited way our economy is set up can be seen as a good reason to change it. We can adapt what we have learned from this "economic experiment". In other words, if it was not broke, we would never fix it. The way things are going now will force a reevaluation by the masses as to what actually works. Everything does indeed happen for the best.

Wonder will never cease as long as we have the awareness and perspective to appreciate it. Doom and gloom are only one way to look at the process of making room for something more glorious to bloom.

For more great perspective, read What Is Really Good? and stay tuned!

What Is Love?

Love. It is a word used so often and in so many different ways that it has lost it's meaning. Or rather, it has not lost it's meaning, but gained so many meanings that it is now vague. It could mean so many things to so many people. It represents a feeling that words can not express. Two people can be having a conversation about love and never really know if the other person is referring to the same feeling that they feel themselves.

Some people describe love as being extremely attracted to a person's looks. There is the feeling of lust. There is infatuation. These are feelings brought on more by a person’s physical attributes.

There is the feeling of being attached or addicted to another person's company or way of being. The person loves the way the other acts and makes them feel. Of course, this is more of a personality attraction.

Funny thing about the kinds of love described above and a lot of other kinds not mentioned, is that it is usually a small step away from hate or another strong negative feeling. You know what they say; "There's a thin line between love and hate." All it usually takes to change a feeling as strong as 'love' into hate is for the person who is the object of affection to do something that does not comply with the subject’s idea of what they like.

If the physically attractive person gets fat or disfigured; they might become more repulsive to the person who loves them. If the person who is fun to be around changes their outlook on life; they might become a drag to be around. And on most people's list; there is probably an instant trigger to switch up the feeling. This would be if they feel betrayed in any kind of way.

The feelings described above are only a fraction of what is considered love. They mostly have to do with the love between couples. There is also the love of friends, family, and humanity in general. There is the love of nature, the love of self, and the love of a Higher Power. Though they all seem to be different kinds of love; there really is only one kind of love. Everything else is that love mixed with ego identification.

This one love is unconditional. It can never change to a negative feeling because it has no opposite. Love is total acceptance. A person is capable of loving everyone and everything with this unconditional acceptance. They may not agree with or necessarily even like a person on the surface level and still love them. This is the nature of acceptance.

To get much deeper on this topic and maybe even help with a relationship in your life, read What Is Really Good? and stay tuned!

Morality is Relative

What is good? What is bad? What is right? What is wrong? We as a society and you as an individual have preconceived notions of these concepts. But in reality, they are just concepts. They have no existence in the world outside of what we think. Morality is so relative. There's nothing absolute about it at all.

To illustrate this point; take how what we consider being right and wrong and spreading these ideas out over time and around the world. What I mean is; take the way we see right and wrong and go back 50 to 100 years. Go back thousands of years. Take the traditional values that we were raised with and compare them to those of people on the other side of the globe, or in counties with cultures and belief systems very different from ours. We would see how dramatically narrow our traditional view of morality truly is. We are all people. So who is to say which set of morals is superior?

We can even take a single individual and watch his or her morals change due to the life situation that they find themselves in. Take Steve for instance. Steve believes that it is wrong to infringe upon another person's rights. Steve's country is attacked and he enlists in the military to protect his country's rights to be free from attackers. Steve now becomes the attacker and is even willing to kill to defend his beliefs. Previous to this situation, Steve wouldn't have killed anyone. His morality is not only relative to how others see morality; it is relative to his own view with different situations.

There is a long list of things that are crimes in one person's book and a natural way of life in another person's book. There's no real point in making a list. The real point is to bring attention to the fact that morality is part of ego identity. If we all transcended the heavy grip of the ego; there would not be anarchy but peace. It sounds paradoxical, but if we all came to the understanding that we are one; it wouldn't make much sense to bring harm to our self. It would be like a person attacking himself. This is not a moral decision, but one of self preservation. It's all about perspective.

For more great perspective, read What Is Really Good? and stay tuned!

Everyday Reality Is An Illusion.

The way we have become accustomed to taking in our reality has been proven to be illusory. Albert Einstein said, "Reality is an illusion, albeit a persistent one."

It has indeed been proven scientifically that our five senses (the door way to perceiving reality) only take in a small fraction of all the information out there. In other words, there is a tremendous amount going on that we are not aware of. On top of this, what we are aware of is colored by our perspective and past experiences. Our very observation and preconceived notions help to create what we see and feel.

To illustrate this; check out how the very act of observing has an effect on what is seen. See how an observer affects reality at a quantum level. This video (the double slit experiment - 5 minutes) does a great job of illustrating and explaining how what may potentially happen is pinned down to a definite when a person actually brings the power of their focus to it. When fully understood; the implications are mind boggling.

To further illustrate the illusory aspect of our reality; it has long since been thought that our universe consists of solid matter. Quantum physicists have determined that protons, neutrons and electrons (the components of atoms which were previously thought to be the smallest building blocks of matter) are actually made of smaller subatomic particles called quarks. Those quarks are made of strings. See the film clip, 'String theory' (2 minutes). These strings are far from what we would call physical.

When reality is broken down in these terms; what appears to be 100% physically real to us is actually made of something almost intangible. It is quite the paradox. Spiritual teachers have stated this for thousands of years. It is only recently being proven scientifically.

For more on how real reality is, read What Is Really Good? and stay tuned!

It's Time to Take Over the World!

In the movies, a common 'bad guy' or 'evil cartel' ambition is world domination. The idea of taking over the world has been incredibly popular as the sought after crowning achievement of the 'bad guys' (the antagonists) in comics, novels, sci fi and kids shows galore.

It's no surprise that there are so many conspiracy theories about real organizations and real people who may very well be part of the network that really is ruling the world. Regardless of how factual these claims are; there are some people who will not change their minds on whether or not they believe any of it. How true is any of it, and how does it affect your life, if you don't believe it? How true is it, and how much does it affect your life, if you do believe it?

You would be surprised how much it actually does affect the way you feel. It is similar to those who believe that everything is predestined verses those who believe that we can exercise free will. The people who believe that we have a choice in the matter, actually do have more of a choice. They take more responsibility for their lives and have more power and freedom as a result. (Responsibility is Power and Freedom)

Though we all exists in this world together, we all see it from our own unique point of view. We are each, actually, the centers of our own worlds. Knowing that life is open to interpretation, and that we determine our life experience, is the beginning of taking over your world. In truth, you are the one and only true ruler of the world. It only seems as if other's can claim this power when you give it to them.

For more on ruling your world, read What Is Really Good? and stay tuned!

Everywhere You Go...There You Are

It sounds a little too obvious. Of course, you are going to be everywhere you go. What's the point of even mentioning it? The point is, like most statements of great depth; the truth in it can be realized on many different levels besides the obvious.

Your point of view; your specific perspective, your feelings and what you believe colors the way you see the world. A person can travel around the world and see nothing but poverty and suffering if that person is feeling a lack of abundance in their own life. Another person can take the same trip and experience all the magnificent beauty, wonder, and the constant over coming of suffering through out the world, simply because they feel this way themselves.

At an even deeper level; you don’t physically have to move in order to go some place. (See “Where’re You At?") Mahatma Gandhi said, “A man is but the product of his thoughts.” When you are vividly picturing a place, you are there. When you are planning something in the future or remembering something from the past, you are there. The power of your focus actually places you at the point of your focus. Essentially, you are your focus.

Being everywhere you go has an even deeper meaning than everything above. To find out more, read What Is Really Good? and stay tuned!

Probability Is Impossible's Little Cousin

Most people have heard the saying,"Impossible is nothing." This statement has an amazing depth of truth to it. It has become a motto of optimists and underdogs everywhere. Not only is it very inspirational and motivational; it has been proven time and time again.

Probability is Impossible's little cousin. Probability is often talked about as a reason to not go for an "unreasonable" goal. A great and famous quote by George Bernard Shaw goes: "A reasonable man adapts himself to his environment. An unreasonable man persists in attempting to adapt his environment to suit himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man." Though at first glance, this statement appears to contradict the concept of accepting and adapting to what is; in reality it epitomizes the concept of adaptation. The fact that probability and impossible can be defied, means that the one who succeeds at doing so is a master of adapting to what is.

The phrase, "any given Sunday," became so popular in association with American football because on any given game day it was a possibility that the underdogs could defeat the favored team. There are no guarantees of a specific outcome. This truth applies to so many things in life. At any given moment, anything can happen. Things have just as much chance of remaining the same, from moment to moment, as they have chance to change. (One of my absolute truths)

We prove that probability and impossible are nothing on a regular basis. We consistently beat the odds. Just a few examples:

Family with 3 kids born; same day different years: Odds are 7.5 in a million - But they are there.
Winning the Powerball jackpot: Odds are 1 in 146,107,962 - And yet ten winners this year so far.
Formulation of live organisms: Odds are 1 in 4.80 x 10 to the 50th power -And yet here we are.

We are life. Life is a miracle it self. We are the definition of "against all odds."

For more great perspective, read What Is Really Good? and stay tuned!

No-Thing Lasts Forever

All of creation can be classified in two categories. In one category; you have things of substance made from atomic particles. This includes all solids, liquids, and gases. In the other category; you have nothing. It is the formless aspect of our reality that enables all form and substance to be. It is the space that allows everything to exist.

What is indestructible? What is it that can never expire? What never changes? What was here before creation and will be here after the last star in the universe burns out? Nothing or no-thing.

Every thing that exists in the universe is subject to change. Every thing had a beginning. Every thing exists for a period of time. And every thing will, sooner or later cease to exist. Don't take my word for it. Look it up. According to science and religion alike, the universe was created with a big bang. Before this, there was nothing. And after it runs it's course; this version of the universe will return to a state of nothingness.

It's not as bleek as it sounds at first glance. This no-thing that is being referred to is, paradoxically, just the opposite of what most people think nothing is. This formlessness is full. It holds with in it infinite possibilities. In other words, without empty space, form would have no place to exist. This space gives birth to the infinite amount of substances and events that may occur with in it. If an object is occupying a given space, the area is temporarily reduced to a finite amount of possibilities. When nothing is there; the possibilities are limitless as to what may occur there.

Ashes to ashes and dust to dust. The human body does not last forever. The spirit, on the other hand, is as eternal as no-thingness. We have always been and will always be. While the formless aspect of ourselves is still largely a mystery; becoming aware of it starts to shed light on the infinite qualities we possess.

For much more on this and related topics, read What Is Really Good? and stay tuned!

7 Absolute Truths

Throughout history, mankind has always been on a search for absolute truth. It has taken the form of philosophy, science, religion, spirituality, and many combinations of the previously mentioned. It is only natural for beings as conscious as man to want to know what is universal among all creation.

There has been much debate over if absolute truth even exists. Many people like to say that all truth is relative. Funny enough, a person making this argument is doing so with the belief that their argument is an absolute truth. In other words, to argue that no absolute truth exists is a contradiction because the argument is postulating an absolute truth.

Here are 7 absolute truths. You may try to argue against them if you can, but you will never be able to prove your argument.

Nothing lasts forever.
Things have just as much chance of remaining the same, from moment to moment, as they have chance to change.
No matter where you go, there you are.
Our everyday reality is an illusion.
Everything around you that is man made was a thought in someone's mind before it physically existed.
Now is the time. There is no time except the present moment.
Suffering is a state of mind.

These absolute truths may seem very simple. They may be even way too obvious to some people to even mention. On the other hand, there are many other people who may have never given much thought or attention to some of theses concepts.

Each absolute can be expanded upon tremendously. The one or two statements of each have a vast amount of depth to each and they all directly affect the way we see our reality. I will be exploring each one in greater depth in future posts.

For more on theses truths and a lot more, read What Is Really Good? and stay tuned!

You Are the World

It is truly amazing how every single individual has a different perspective of the world. Even people who have an incredible amount of similarities in their points of view will not agree on 100% of their interpretations of the world. This is all because of our individualized identities. It is because of what concepts and ideas we feel are part of who we are.

On the other hand; it is equally amazing how people of all walks of life, different backgrounds, different social and economic classes, and so on; can transcend the individualistic point of view and see the world in more of the same light than people who might appear to have more in common with their material selves. When anyone is able to see the world without looking through the warped perspective of their ego, they can start to see how much more vast everyone's similarities are than the differences that appear on the surface. A tremendous amount of depth is added to reality.

It maybe realized that the world we have become accustomed to is really an illusion and that we are the ones who keep it real. We reinforce the illusion with our egoic perspective. Here are a few quotes by very "different" people who transcended the traditional egoic point of view.

"Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one." ~Albert Einstein

"The sun shines not on us, but in us. The rivers flow not past, but through us, thrilling, tingling, vibrating every fiber and cell of the substance of our bodies, making them glide and sing." ~ John Muir

"When there is no place that you have decided to call your own, then no matter where you go, you are always heading home." ~ Muso Soseki

"Although the world is full of suffering, it is full also of the overcoming of it." ~ Helen Keller

"If you understand, things are just as they are... If you do not understand, things are just as they are." ~ Zen Saying

Science is already starting to prove that our entire world or universe, for that matter, is created with in us. Don't take my word for it. Do some search engine research yourself. Nothing exists independently of intelligent observation. Realizing the depth of truth in these concepts; one must realize that they are their entire world. I am the world. You are the world.

For more depth of perspective, read What Is Really Good? and stay tuned!

That's Gangsta

Depending on your background; you had a polarized reaction to the title. "Gangsta" is one of those words that have a lot of different meanings to a lot of different kinds of people. Either you felt slightly offended or repulsed by the word "gangsta", or you felt a little empowered by the word.

This fact alone illustrates how life is open to interpretation. In other words the meaning of any and everything that one perceives in life is all determined in the eye of the beholder. Outside of that; there is no true meaning or definition. There is only the meaning that you give it.

So what is being referred to as gangsta in this case? Spirituality. Spirituality is gangsta by my personal definition. I define gangsta as being in a position of power. Most people will agree that by structure; all world governments, armies, and police forces are set up to control power in the same way that an organized crime or gangster organization is designed (see The Illusion of Opposites).

The reason why I chose a word of "negative" connotation is because there really is no negative and positive. It is really a matter of perspective and personal responsibility. We all know that all governments, armies, and police forces are not 100% "positive" and that all people who consider themselves gangsta are not 100% negative. As a matter of fact, in both cases they all have good intentions and most have severe flaws.

Gangsta is an appropriate word to describe what I'm talking about because what is really empowering about the way they work is the elimination of the middlemen to rise to higher states of power. This can be illustrated in many gangster movies such as, "American Gangster" and "Scarface." In both of these movies; in many more movies; and more importantly, in real life, the main character got to the height of their power by getting rid of the people that stood between themselves and their source of power.

In the case of spirituality, religion may be seen as the middlemen and God, the source of power. For a great part of human history, religious organizations have had a monopoly on God. There have been many who have seen right through the way religion works; but the majority of the world's population over the years has been caught by the illusion that you need to go to somebody else to have a direct relationship with the Creator.

I, like many others before me, am here to let you see that there is not a need to be trapped in dogma. You have a direct line to the Universal Intelligence. It just needs some attention. For more on how to cut out the middle man and merge with the Source, read What Is Really Good? and stay tuned!

Ego Trippin'

Before a person comes to realize what their ego is and how and why it works; it can be difficult to distinguish themselves from it. It is the strange task of trying to see who or what you are beyond who you think you are; beyond your known identity.

For some great illustrations and insight on what the ego is and how it works, check out theses previous posts. They can give you practical examples of your ego in action in your life. Once you are aware of it; it loses a significant amount of power. This is half the battle.

10 great posts on the ego and it's perspective.

For more, read What Is Really Good? and stay tuned!

GO!

On your mark! Get set! GO!

Only in the present can anyone or anything actually go. Everything that exists in our reality is "going". It is all in motion. Even what is apparently totally still, inanimate, and/or immovable; is in reality, full of motion in it's place. Motion is so tightly tied to the present moment that the moment could not exist without motion.

The word 'go' is almost synonymous with the word 'is' as far as physics and metaphysics go. It has long since, been proven that the existence of all matter is actually energy slowed down. It is energy moving at a lower speed or frequency; but moving energy, none the less. For any and everything to be; to exist; it must be in motion. It must go.

This understanding fits perfectly; hand in hand; with the fact that the tape is always rolling. While science still tries to prove or disprove the string theory and pin down the absolutes of quantam mechanics; spiritual teachers, sages, and wise men from all walks of life and from all over the world have been supplying many of the truths that are only recently being proven about life and our reality.

When looked at with this understanding and perspective; a person can actually feel empowered by appreciating the act of 'going'; the act of motion. It can be a reminder of being in the present moment. Noticing the stillness that allows all motion to exist is another way of feeling the present moment. Ironically, becoming still yourself, allows you to appreciate motion even more.

For a more in depth look at the "Notion of Motion" and how intricately it is tied to being present in the moment, read What Is Really Good? and stay tuned!

Responsibility is Power and Freedom

Responsibility isn't too popular these days; at least not as popular as it could be. Why doesn't everyone take responsibility for their lives? It doesn't really sound at all impossible; but only a few people out of many, ever actually do realize the truth of responsibility.

Taking responsibility; for a lot of people; sounds like a hassle. It sounds like taking responsibility for their lives is going to be a stressful process involving having less fun, and owning up to past and current mistakes. They find it far easier to lay their responsibility on other people and circumstances. They call it laying blame.

When you blame circumstances and or life situations; you are giving away your power. You are giving away your freedom. Responsibility is your ability to respond to life. It's been said that , "10% of life is what happens and 90% is how you respond to it." Why give away this power. When you blame others; you give up your power to change.

Don't take my word for it. You already know. The attitude, "I must do something" always solves more problems than the attitude, "Something must be done." This is responsibility. This is power. This is freedom.

A few quotes to drive the point home further:

"A man sooner or later discovers that he is the master-gardener of his soul, the director of his life." ~James Allen

"Take your life in your own hands, and what happens? A terrible thing: no one to blame." ~Erica Jong

"Most of us can read the writing on the wall; we just assume it's addressed to someone else." ~Ivern Ball

"I believe that every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity, an obligation; every possession, a duty." ~John D. Rockefeller, Jr.

On the surface; responsibility may seem as if it is a lot of hard work. But if a person looks at what it is in its completeness; responsibility really is inseparable from power and freedom.

For more on the benefits of taking responsibility for your life; read What Is Really Good? and stay tuned!

Just Say YES!

YES! YES! Can you feel the power in the feeling of enthusiastically saying 'yes'? The feeling behind the word can be incredible. It is the feeling of acceptance. Depending on what level or degree of acceptance; the 'yes' feeling may be subtle or intense. It may feel like anywhere between contentment to extreme ecstasy.

The 'yes' feeling is common and we are already used to it. When ever we are having a good time the 'yes' factor is present. As a matter of fact; the feeling of 'yes' actually defines what a good time is. If you are not feeling the 'yes'; you are not having a good time.

This 'yes' is an embracing of the moment. It is a celebration of right now. It is literally the way you choose your relationship with life in the present. If you feel a 'no' to what is right now; you are in resistance to your reality and stressing yourself out. If you feel the 'yes' to what is right now; you are choosing to make the present moment your friend. You are choosing to accept the present as a gift.

'Yes' feels so good; we even party to it. It is sprinkled as a lyric throughout our music. You won't find any kind of music that doesn't have some variation of "yeah" or "yes" ad-libbed through out. In reality most of the time, the music itself is an expression of the feeling of 'yes'.

The nature of 'yes', is the very spirit of adaptation. It is welcoming what is and claiming the power of possibilities in the present moment. As a result, 'yes' means being able to make change.

More on how the 'yes' factor can literally change your life in What Is Really Good?
Stay tuned!

Either Master or Slave

If someone takes a good look at how their mind works; the inner conversations they have with themselves; they might ask themselves some common questions. Who is the master? Who is in charge? Who is in control? It is obvious that we have more than one thought process or way of seeing life. If not, we would never have a doubt, or be conflicted about anything.

So which one of these voices is the one that you feel? This is the one that determines your experience. Even if you do not act on this voice; the fact that you feel and identify with it, colors the way you see life in that situation. The voice that you feel is the master. This perspective has control.

So how do you know if the voice that has control is really you? Being that there is more than one voice; how do you know you are the master, and not just a slave to this voice? It all comes down to the way you feel.

If you've ever felt a way you did not choose to feel; you have been a slave to that emotion. If you have ever been depressed, heart broken, or stressed out in any kind of way; you have been a slave. If you are the slave in this case; who is the master? The ego. (Check 'I' of the Beholder) It is the limited perspective of the ego and the ideas it is identified with that bring all the feelings of stress.

To become the master over the ego is as simple as becoming present. It is a choice that can only be made in the present moment and is a choice that is made constantly. When you are the master; the voices have been quieted. There is no longer an inner debate. There is no stress or unease. There is only peace and joy.

Read WhatIs Really Good? and stay tuned!

The School of Hard Knocks a.k.a. Life

Another popular phrase that's been around for a long time: "School of Hard Knocks," is a colorful way of describing life and how rough the experience can be at times.

Though there maybe hard knocks along the road; it is still affectionately referred to as a 'school', because of the precious lessons that these hard knocks bring. As said in, Shatter Proof: "Life is a great teacher and will continue to test you."

There is no greater teacher than actual experience. It is said that one bad mistake will teach you immediately what might have taken years to learn or numerous warnings to avoid. Action speaks louder than words. The action of living life speaks volumes louder than anyone telling you about life. You can only be shown the door. It's up to you to walk through it.

The way that a person views the hard knocks of life determine their entire life experience. If the memory of a hard time is still charged with pain, regret, or any kind of stress; the person still has not accepted it, and carries it around as a result. This stress affects the way they feel about life.

When a person is able to accept and adapt to these hard knocks; it gives the past dramas a whole different meaning. When someone is in resistance to life right now; they are closed to the possibilities of the present moment. When you can be in the present moment; you accept life 'as is' and are in the only moment that can affect future change. Stress about the past is a memory.

For helping a person to see what they are really made of; 'Hard Knocks' is the best school around.

Read What Is Really Good? and stay tuned!

The Illusion of Opposites

You've heard that opposites attract. You've probably also heard that like attracts like. So which one is it? It can't be both. Can it? Actually it is both. The reason why is because the concept of opposites is an illusion.

You have probably heard it many times before. You've heard the stories of people who had arguments or even physical altercations when they first met. Funny enough and often enough; these people then end up as close friends. Some people may call this opposites attracting. On the surface it would seem that way.

Why does this happen? These people are very much alike. This is the reason they had an initial conflict and it is the reason why they would become close as friends. (Another paradox.)

Here is an excerpt from What Is Really Good? on the subject:

The DNA for all humans is over 99% identical. It is the negligible difference; the remaining less than 1%; that gives us the infinite differences among us.

It's kind of like the snowflakes of a blizzard. There are countless trillions of them and yet every one of them is different. They are all made of the same stuff; the same composition; and the one piece of content they differ on gives us the same overwhelming ratio of similarities to differences.

Think about how much more similar opposing forces are to each other than different. EX: Police and violent criminals, armies of opposing nations, gang bangers from opposing gangs, social and political activists of opposing sides on an issue, opposing sides in any contest (sports, academics, business, social, intellectual, etc.); basically any and every situation of conflict imaginable. The only difference in these mostly similar and opposing forces is the piece of content they differ on. This piece of content is which side of the whole they are identified with; which polarity of the situation they are aligned with; which relative opposite they would like to oppose. For the most part, besides this factor, the opposing sides are overwhelmingly similar.

The illusion of opposites is simply an extreme in the overall illusion of duality. There can be no object with out a subject. Funny enough; the extreme nature of an opposite, points more to the similarity the two things have.

The nature of duality is that there can be no negative without a positive; there can be no left without a right; there can be no up without a down, etc. Since one can not possibly exist without the other, it stands to reason that they are one in the same.
They are not separate from each other.
They are not a "they". They are an "it".
What is "it"?
"It" is.

What Is Really Good?