I could never understand why it was so difficult to lead a joyful life. I still do not understand why there is so much hatred and discord in the world, or why there are so many different religions, all praying to the same God and at the same time, fighting and killing each other while attempting to bring peace and joy to their constituents.
Born into a non-religious Jewish family, only my grandfather and I attended religious services. I also attended religious school. In my late teens I felt inner restlessness. I wanted to find out what life was all about and if we are merely biological beings. Innately, I knew there is more to life. So my search began through Science of Mind, Unity, Jews for Jesus, Scientology and Dianetics, teachings from a realized Eastern Master (4 trips to India), and the ancient teachings of Jewish mysticism - the Kabbalah.
Consider how two people can witness the same event, and both react differently to the same facts. The reason for the different response is that these two people have different belief systems inculcated by well meaning parents, and teachers. The resultant belief system is subconscious, automatic unless we become aware. We have to bring about internal changes to change our lives. Our ego does not like that. The ego likes habit, even if it brings separation, disharmony and chaos.
We must consciously watch how our ego wants to handle any situation, and know we have the choice of responding positively and constructively. This is the very core of inner self. It is the "I" of "I think," of "I have changed my mind". It is controlled by ego before we awaken to ego as servant rather than master. Ego does not want us to have a rather be kind than right ethic. When we are able to be witness - to watch - thoughts or actions ego comes up with, we can examine out intentions.
When we are fully conscious, we accept that other people have different perspectives and that they fully believe that they are as right as we believe we are. It is therefore imperative that we accept them. That does not mean that we have to agree with them, or like what they do. Regardless of our response, we can only come from a pure love if we want harmony, and we can only see ourselves in the other, anyway. To accept another is to accept self.
INSIGHT #1: I must find change within myself, and lead by example. Another might want to change if what I do is appealing. Remember that the other person sees herself as right, as one believes he is. By fully accepting the other person as they are and behaving in sensitive response, rather than reactively, the other might become interested in my peaceful, accepting space. I am talking about people who have made some commitment to work on living at a more spiritually satisfying level.
INSIGHT #2: Look deeply into the admonition to love God and your neighbor, as self. Intellect alone will not give a loving and joyful life. Do I feel towards God as I do, about my beloved wife and partner? No comparison. For the atheist, the advice to "Love with all your heart and soul" can be applied, by simply saying, "Love yourself and all the rest." Intuitively, I understood that this ancient and sacred advice is a necessary pre-requisite to living in a spiritual life. I must truly feel a deep love in my heart all the time. When we are in love with another human being, don't we feel happy and energetic? I can continue to have all these feelings by loving "-----" as deeply as I love my partner. This suggestion becomes alive and full of feeling.
To repeat such words as, "Love your neighbor as yourself," without feeling is meaningless. I did it for many years. And only after realizing so, could I come from a place of real intent. Our neighbor is included in this. If old experiences have taught you disgust for yourself, now is the time to change this. It is essential that we forgive any negative feelings against others or ourselves. Here is required complete acceptance of any person or situation which caused us pain. This process is difficult to understand. I believe that the wisdoms of these "commandments" were made available to show us what we must do to live in harmony.
Each must teach his ego to be his servant and friend. Only by taming the ego can we engage in respectful communication, the only way to speak with love. Dr. Marshall B. Rosenberg wrote a must read book, "Nonviolent Communication - A language of Life. If you choose to live in gentle harmony, this book clearly demonstrates how to communicate from a Gandhi- like space, with ego under total control.
Your intellect may well want to convince you that this is all nonsense. This is understandable, considering that the teachings of most of these sacred wisdoms can not be understood by our mind. This is a difficult concept, as we are unaware that there exists something, a power, an energy which goes beyond the comprehension of the mind.
INSIGHT #3: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. This means watch every thought and action, every response, and do a quick check to see if the end result follows the Golden Rule. No more thoughts like, "What's in it for me? How can I get the best of him?" The question must always be," Would I be satisfied with this?" There will be times when we could end up with a better deal, but how would we feel if we were on the other end and had to accept it?
INSIGHT #4: Be grateful for everything. We can not change what happens at any given moment. It happens. We can either accept or reject it. Either way, it will not change what happened. Feeling inner gratitude, really and truly feeling it, is a mystical wisdom given to us. Here again, we must go beyond mere words. Words without deep feeling are nothing more than words.
INSIGHT #5: Always be in the here and now. To fully understand this wisdom, please get a book, titled "The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle. This is a must in order to learn how to transform into someone who truly lives in the here and now, all the time. Eckhart Tolle has become a true spiritual teacher without requiring that we join an organization or follow any particular religion.
INSIGHT #6: In order to live in perfection, we must transform from someone who receives the abundance of the universe for self alone to one who receives this abundance in order to share and give. Tithing is the religious end result of this mystical teaching. It really all reverts back to loving everything and everybody and following the Golden Rule. With such a feeling, sharing and giving become second nature, because loving and following the Golden Rule automatically bring out sharing and giving, with joy and gratitude. This giving is beyond our obligatory giving to family and friends. It must extend beyond our comfort zone, too.
INSIGHT #7: Totally surrender the outcome of all your actions or thoughts to the force which goes beyond the mind, trusting in the outcome as meant to be. Accept that everything happens for a reason, and the trusted energy will in some way which we can not understand resolve any given situation with our best interests at heart. Trust and faith in this magnificent power must become as real and deep as our trust in cell phones and computers.
. Practicing these principles in all of life's endeavors leaves little room for envy or resentment, and much for love and serenity. If you are a seeker and if you strive to live in perfection, be ready and willing to do the following: You can learn to meditate, with or without belonging to a group. Find the type of meditation which works for you. Don't make it complicated. It is simple. Work on being conscious all the time. Always remember that pain is unavoidable and suffering is optional. Make understanding the Insights an ongoing part of your life. Recognize when something is not working, and look for the changes within you necessary to meet the situation.
A famous Kabbalist was asked by a seeker if he could summarize what he believed was the essence of living the teachings, while he the seeker would stand on only one leg. The Kabbalist thought for a few moments and then said, "Love they neighbor as thy self. The rest is commentary. Now, go and learn."
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
"The Power of Intention" Dr. Wayne W. Dyer
"The Power of Now" Eckhart Tolle
"Non-Violent Communication" Dr. Marshal B. Rosenberg
