How Can I Change My Life? With A Young Mind.
March 13th, 2012 | 
Author: 
| May God bless and keep you always
May your wishes all come true May you always do for others And let others do for you May you build a ladder to the stars And climb on every rung May you stay forever young
Forever young Forever young May you stay Forever young
May you grow up to be righteous May you grow up to be true May you always know the truth And see the lights surrounding you May you always be courageous Stand upright and be strong May you stay forever young
Forever young Forever young May you stay Forever young
May your hands always be busy May your feet always be swift May you have a strong foundation When the winds of changes shift May your heart always be joyful May your song always be sung May you stay forever young
Forever young Forever young May you stay Forever young
~~ Bob Dylan |
I love this prayer. It reminds me of a quote by Shunryu Suzuki:
Love to all of you, young and old souls.
Pannyananda
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How Can I Change My Life? With Joyful Observation.
Living your life has the nature of an experiment. When it comes to changing your life these changes can get quite radical. It’s good to know which are your own basic assumptions on how your life and the world, the whole universe, are interrelated. This gives you – at least for a while – some solid ground on which you can rely. Until something happens, which challenges your law… 
This article is my start of a project to state clearly for myself, and for whoever likes to share, my own set of basic assumptions. It is based on my own life-long history of observations, which I must admit becomes more and more joyful in recent times.
In the course of this project, these assumptions will be challenged, might be reformulated, might be dropped partly, whatever seems necessary to make them what they are meant to be:
A Tool to Empower Me and Others to Live a Meaningful Life.
Here we go!
Assumption A1) Unity
On the basic level of reality there is no separation but Unity.
In different traditions of thought it has been given different
names like: God, Universe, Consciousness, Unified Field,...
What these names have in common is, that they all describe the
idea of an all unifying principle.
The unifying priciple cannot be challenged, because it is
defined as the source of all being, this includes it being
the source of whatever might look like a challenger.
Assumption A2) Perception
The very mode of existence - the basic activity - of any living
being is observation, or perception.
The basic observation introduces duality into the basic unity
by defining, or identifying:
* a subject, the observer: "I" "myself"
and
* an object, the observed: "My Environment".
This is the way by which unity experiences itself. The subject
is carrier of the experience in perceiving.
Assumption A3) Diversity
A subject which perceives itself as an observer can repeatedly
apply the act of observation on its results.
By this repeated observation it can introduce further subcate-
gories into the basic categories "I" and "My Environment".
"I" can be divided into any "parts", which "I" consists of,
which "belong to Me".
"My Environment" can be divided into any objects, including
objects to which "I" can assign the ability to behave like
observing subjects, just like "I".
Assumption A4) Time and Change
The notion of repetition of observation implies Time as an
ordering principle for the diversity of related single acts
of observation.
* "Now" is a term describing the present observation.
* "Past" is a term describing any "former" observations,
which the present observation seems to be based upon.
* "Future" describes the potential for further observations,
which seemingly will be based upon the observations made in
the "Past" and "Now".
By realizing one of the potential observations from the set of
observations called "future", this observation becomes the new
"now" and the formerly present observation, which was "now"
before, becomes member of the set of "past" observations.
Change is a name for the perception that acts of observation
follow one another and any observation can never be repeated
exactly as it was before, just because the "past" has always
changed in between - i.e. it has accumulated at least one more
observation than before.
Assumption A5) Life
Life happens at the border of Change and Persistence.
The repeated act of observation allows for an "I" to perceive
itself as an object, which can be observed.
Diversity allows the notion of a system of interdependent
objects identified as "parts belonging to" "I" and their
"interrelationships".
As long as a once identified subject is sustaining the identifi-
cation of itself in a set of subsequent observations it can be
called "alive".
Because this notion of life requires a set of observations over
which an original subject is sustained, and because more than
one observation can only be perceived in time, this implies
that life is always in a process of change.
Assumption A6) Communication
As a subject, which is perceiving itself as a continuous living
being in time, "I" can relate to other beings perceived in
"My Environment".
This implies the possibility of communicating with "the Others":
Applying a system of symbols - a language - observations can
be exchanged between the subjects.
Assumption A7) Conflict
A subject "I" can perceive objects in "My Environment" as
subjects challenging its existence.
That means "I" perceives one or more observations of one or more
subjects in "My Environment" as threatening the further
existence of "parts" identified as "belonging to" "I".
If these "threatened" parts are perceived as very important for
sustaining the existence of "I", then "I" might perceive this
challenge as "life threatening".
Assumption A8) Love
Conflict can always be resolved by Love.
Love is a word describing the wish to support the further
existence of a living being.
Assumption A9) Freedom of Choice I - Action
How Love is realized is the free choice of any living being.
Active Self Love might take the form of:
* just turning away from another subject whose observations
are perceived as challenging the existence of "I"
or of
* active endeavors to alter the challenging subject perceived
as "opponent". This might ultimately lead to a destruction
of that subject from its own former perspective of
self-identification.
Active Love for the Other might take the form of:
* just turning away from the other subject and avoiding further
communication - because "I" perceives no viable way how "I"
can contribute the other's existence actively by communication.
or of
* active endeavors to find ways of cooperation which allow both
subjects - "I" and "the Other" - to sustain their perceived
self-image more successful over time.
Assumption A10) Freedom of Choice II - Self-Perception
Every living being has the free choice how to perceive interactions
with its environment. Challenges which alter small or large parts
of the former self-image can be perceived as
* deadly, because the former self-image does no longer exist in
its old way,
or as
* growing, because the former self-image does no longer exist in
its old way - it has changed and now comprises both: an old
self-image, which has become "past" as well as a new changed
self-image which is "now" and will certainly change in the
future again and again and again.
--
So far so good.
Feel free to comment on this, in the spirit of love.
I will elaborate my world view in my blog and in my book and in my seminars.
May all beings benefit from these endeavors.
Normally I would like to format this closing paragraph in a different font.
Wordpress seems to oppose this intention
Love Paññananda
If you like my blog, if you like my website, support my cause with a tip. Thank you! :-)
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How Can I Change My Life? By Declaring My Independence From The Dark Side!
The path of changing your life can be much more direct and in the long run BY FAR less painful and filled with more and more deeper joy, if you’re willing to commit to purity of your intention. Leave behind anything which bounds you to lower states of consciousness. Refuse bad compromise. Stay true to your highest self!
Refraining from manipulative powers you pose upon others AND yourself leads you to your true power. Committing to no more fighting evil with evil might bring you into painful situations you avoided until now. TRUST! You would not call these experiences into your life right now, if you were not strong enough to face them,to deal with them, to overcome them, to let go of them.
Declaring Our Independence from the Dark Sideby Beth Green Many of us like to think we’re independent, but we’re really not. On a physical and social level, we are dependent on the universe – the earth, the sun and the rain — and we are clearly dependent on one another for our food, shelter, tools, vehicles, roads, schools, medical care, companionship and love. Even if we were on a deserted island, we would be dependent on the coconut that falls from the tree! While we can’t and shouldn’t pretend we are independent of one another, there is a level of independence that we need to claim, but which few of us have mastered: independence from the “dark side.” In honor of the U.S. Independence Day, I’m offering this blog on declaring our independence from the dark side. I hope you will join me. How many of us are truly independent from the dark side — the constellation of negative emotions ranging from anger, anxiety and judgment, to shame, guilt or even depression? On the contrary, how many of us can be taken over by these negative feelings? In fact, how many of us have been unwittingly using these emotions to help us cope with the fears and pain of life? When we are children, we are exposed to a lot of negativity: parents fighting with each other, mothers or fathers imposing their sometimes arbitrary or destructive will on us (as opposed to discipline that would be truly for our highest good), violence in our families, mocking and cruelty from other children, a world at war and the weak being dominated by the strong. In the face of so much pain and abuse, we have adopted stances and behaviors that we believe to be self-protective. We may develop sarcasm, a quick tongue, judgmental attitudes, a loud voice or powerful positions. Or we may develop meekness, flinch from challenges or manipulate to protect ourselves and give ourselves some edge. We may make alliances, join teams and gangs, gossip or otherwise bond with one another to protect ourselves through negative thoughts, words or actions. Or we may isolate, distrust one another, fear love and remain hyper-vigilant. In other words, we do, think and say whatever we think it takes to try to protect ourselves from being dominated, exploited, abused or just plain hurt. By adopting all these negative attitudes and behaviors, we are enforcing our dependence on the dark side, because all these negative attitudes and behaviors are dark side energies. And all the while we explain that it’s because “he,” “she,” or “they” have done something or might do “this” or “that” to us or others. And our negativity, in turn, gives others excuses to use negative emotions and behaviors against us. For example, let’s say I don’t trust women, and I keep my distance. This gives my girlfriend the excuse to withdraw from me or try to manipulate me into committing to her. Or if I think you might cheat me, this could give me the excuse to trick you in some way, which gives you the excuse to condemn or even sue me. Or if I fear him, I plan a surprise attack, which gives him an excuse to double his own arsenal or strengthen his fortress. We use negative emotions, thoughts and behaviors in order to ward off being hurt by the negative emotions, thoughts and behaviors of others; and we use them to gain revenge when we have been hurt, or at least think we have, as we strive to regain the upper hand or at the very lease salvage our pride. When we use negativity to protect us, we are using the Dark Side to fight the Dark Side. Some of us are obvious bullies. Some of us are quiet smirkers or judges. Some of us cloak our Dark Side behavior behind the mask of caring for others, fighting injustice or being a stand for nation or God. Others of us try to hide our Dark Side behind the collective darkness, blind to our negativity because it is socially acceptable; for example, rooting for our own team while hoping the other team will lose, and believe it’s okay because everybody else is doing the same kind of thing. What is the result of using the dark side to fight the dark side? We strengthen the negative energies we choose to oppose, because we increase the amount of negativity in ourselves, in our relationships and in our world. Do we have a choice? Can we live without giving ourselves the right to be domineering, manipulative or self-protective? Of course, we have a choice. The question is: Are we willing to take the risk? It is possible that if we drop the “protection” of the dark side, we might, in fact, be hurt. If we were slaveholders and opposed the institution, we might have lost money, the plantation and certainly our social standing. If we drop the right to act out of anger, we might be dominated by an opposing force unwilling to let go of revenge. Yet, if we are honest with ourselves, we realize that depending on the dark side has a price, too. When we hurt others through our thoughts or actions, at the very least, we feel uncomfortable on the inside, because we are one and can’t help but feel one another’s pain. In addition, we live inside the anger that we are projecting onto others, and we feel shame about our hurtfulness. What’s more, the cycle doesn’t end there. Our shame is painful, and it can easily propel us into justifying our hurtful behavior, which causes us to engage in more and more vociferous condemnation of the ones we have hurt. For example, I had to get angry at “him,” because he is a lying, unfeeling, cheating whatever, and I couldn’t have had any fault in the matter. By this point, we are lost in the whirlwind of negative feelings that we are spewing forth about the “other,” and we become even sicker. If we have been manipulative or deceitful, for example, we now have more to cover that up or defend our behavior, which might require further deceit or manipulation. If we have been contemptuous of another, we have to make him or her seem even more contemptible. If we have been untrusting, we have to keep proving the other’s untrustworthiness. We cannot change the world if we stay locked into negativity, because the world we live in is the world that exists between our ears, in our hearts and in our minds. The price we pay for using the Dark Side against the Dark Side is that we live in our own inner darkness. Is it worth it? When we declare our independence from the dark side, we may risk being hurt, exploited or cheated, but what we gain is the self-love that comes from self-respect and the good feeling that comes from feeling clean, clear and aligned with our spirit and higher consciousness. People who have come together to fight injustice with nonviolence have found this strength and have offered an alternative for other people to choose as well. They have eroded the heart of darkness through their stand for something better, and they have shaken our world by creating peace within their hearts. To be truly independent, we need to be independent from the negative energies that can overwhelm or dominate us. If we are dominated by negative energies, how free are we? If we are driven by emotions that seem to overwhelm us, can we choose behaviors that are helpful or supportive, even to ourselves? To make July 4th a true Independence Day, we need to affirm to ourselves and others that we are willing to let go of our dependence on the dark side and stop allowing it to determine our choices. And we need to commit to the emotional and spiritual work necessary to make that declaration real. This is the true revolution: the freeing ourselves from the oppression of our own negativity. And this is the revolution that will free the dark side, as well. Because, yes, the dark side, needs our help, too. Every time we engage in negativity, we feed the energies of the dark side, and the more we feed the dark side, the more it is trapped in its own negativity. Just like any bully, the dark side will evolve only when we stop letting it run the planet and, instead, support it to connect to the spiritual energies that will bring it into consciousness and peace. So here’s my invitation: The next time you feel yourself in a negative space, such as feeling angry, judgmental, contemptuous, manipulative, untrusting or vindictive, ask yourself if you are trying to use the dark side to fight the dark side. Ask yourself what price you are paying for doing so. Ask yourself what price others are paying. And ask yourself if it’s worth it. If it’s not, let’s relinquish the right to use the dark side at all. Let’s declare our independence from the Dark Side, and let’s embrace compassion, understanding, firmness and love. The more of us do it, the more free we will be. |
Please share your commitment!
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How Can I Change My Life? By Riding The Wave!
How You Can Change Your Life? GO ride the wave!
Challenges in your life – you might as well call them opportunities – will come to you again and again just like one wave after the other. Your task is to ride them. There may be long term and short term waves. Some which last for several years, some which last for just a few seconds, and of course everything in between.
It’s an ever repeating process. Life will never stand still, there may be calm times, there may be busy times. One thing you can be assured of. There will always be a next wave!
Please recognise and acknowledge how you have become better and better over time riding the waves of your life. Actually there is no use in grieving about “failure” when you got hit off the board, or overly celebrating success when you performed especially well. All which counts is enjoyment of the present moment and practise again and again and again. Because there will always be a next wave!
Recognise and acknowledge how you dare to take the challenge of bigger and bigger waves while you are making progress.
Now look out for the next wave you want to take,
and when you’re on it: let go and enjoy!
You’ve got nothing to loose,
there will always be a next wave…
Love
Paññananda
If you like my blog, if you like my website, support my cause with a tip. Thank you! :-)How Can I Change My Life? With Persistence!
Take your time (10:10) for a WILD DANCE!
Don’t be shy, SING OUT LOUD!
Thank you ~Curtis Mayfield~ for your love! 
When you know in your heart
that you are on the right track
don’t let others interfere
don’t spend too much time listening to them
if they are narrow minded
if they cannot see
Just MOVE ON UP!
Remember YOUR dream
is your only scheme
Stay on your track of love!
They will understand
by and by…
Love
Paññananda
Let me know your thoughts! Please comment!
If you like my blog, if you like my website, support my cause with a tip. Thank you! :-)How Can I Change My Life? By Staying My Own Best Friend
Thank you, Christina, you are beautiful in every single way :-*
There are times of doubt. There are times when you are challenged and attacked. Perhaps by people you thought they were your friends. Perhaps by yourself bringing you down with overcriticism.
Remember this one thing: You can always be your own best friend!
It’s all about words.
Which words do you decide to be true today?
Love
Paññananda
Tell me what you think! Please leave a comment!
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How Can I Change My Life? By Relaxing Into Here And Now
Today I have a special challenge for my non-German speaking followers. Try not to be disturbed by the German translation of what Samarpan is saying. Just accept it being there and relax…
How does it feel like not to hold onto any thought about what is going on?
How does it happen to get caught by what the mind is doing?
What is real about this?
Have a nice relaxing weekend
Love
Ole B
I you like to share, please comment!
Thank you.
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Meaningless Life = Meaningful Life
Wonderful words by which the Universe expresses itself through Matt Kahn in this video.
Are you ready to accept?
Are you in rejection?
Either way you are alright
You cannot be wrong. Never. You are an expression of the universe in every single moment. Easy
So, what’s next!?
Leave me a comment, please.
If you like my blog, if you like my website, support my cause with a tip. Thank you! :-)How Can I Change My Life? By Opening Up To The Unlimited
The meaning of the Namaḥ Śivāya mantra was explained by Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami:
Namaḥ Śivaya has such power, the mere intonation of these syllables reaps its own reward in salvaging the soul from bondage of the treacherous instinctive mind and the steel bands of a perfected externalized intellect. Namaḥ Śivāya quells the instinct, cuts through the steel bands and turns this intellect within and on itself, to face itself and see its ignorance. Sages declare that mantra is life, that mantra is action, that mantra is love and that the repetition of mantra, japa, bursts forth wisdom from within.
The holy Natchintanai proclaims, “Namaḥ Śivāya is in truth both Āgama and Veda. Namah Śivāya represents all mantras and tantras. Namaḥ Śivaya is our souls, our bodies and possessions. Namaḥ Śivāya has become our sure protection.”
From Wikipedia
Ole Benjamin’s Comment:
The Power of this mantra and these pictures is indeed tremendous:
For me it is not possible to stay in a limited perception of reality when I hear or say the words, when I see these pictures
My oh-so-well tailored view of reality is smashed into pieces
Instantly I am brought into humility
Openness forms to perceive what REALLY wants to show, what I didn’t see before
How do feel when you see the video?
What do the words do to you?
Have you had special experiences with this mantra?
Please comment!
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Changes My Life: Radiating Love to the whole of the Creation
Love the earth and all its beings.
Join in a LOVE meditation this Sunday 2011-08-21 at 07:00-07:30 pm:
What: LOVE
Where: in your heart
…for the whole of the Creation!
Get centered in your heart, produce the feeling of Love and let it flow for the whole of the Creation.
One way of many to do this is the following:
Sit up with your back straight. Put your hands – with the palms up – on your thighs. Close your eyes and concentrate on your heart center in the middle of your chest. Repeat thinking the word Love, speak it out loud or in your mind until a smile shows on your face and you feel the vibration in your palms.
Now in your imagination take the globe between your palms, just like you can see it in the picture. Let your love flow, produced from your heart, through your arms and hands, out of the hand chakras into the aura of the globe. If you want you can visualize the energy of love as a pink ray of light. You continue doing this until all the layers of the earth’s aura and the whole of the globe rigth into and including its core are filled with Love. Now observe how the Love starts to echo back to you rigth from the core. Back and DIRECTLY into your heart center. From there you let it flow again through your arms into your hands, out through the hand chakras… You are now in loving exchange with the whole of the Creation.
Think of certain places or situations, which are important to you, if you like.
Finally send yourself Love and Thankfulness for your good work! Advanced ones now embrace themselves and feel the strong feeling of Love for themselves!
Present yourself with a THANK YOU for Everything you are and you do!
The whole thing takes only a few minutes. Take these minutes every day and observe how miracles manifest in your life.
♥ LOVE ♥
Yours
Paññananda (Ole Benjamin)
Thanks to Lalida, for this initiative ♥
Join this event on Facebook and invite some more friends!
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