I Have Let Go of My Spiritual Beliefs

Tags

being in the now, simplicity, Spirituality

Knowledge is learning something every day. Wisdom is letting go of something every day. – Zen Proverb

It has been a while that I have posted in this blog. At first, I thought I purposely simplified my online time so I could focus on creating a website that sells inspirational fridge magnets, mouse pads and in the future, posters. Now that the project that took many months of my dedication is complete, I don’t have an excuse to not write.

I admitted to myself tonight that the real reason I have not written is because I have had shifts with my spiritual beliefs.

Or rather I have let GO of most of my beliefs because I realized they were stories. I still enjoy inspirational writing but cannot in good conscience write about what I used to believe.

At this point, all I am truly sure of is that I exist in this moment of now. I am also comfortable with the idea that there is an Intelligence that  none of us has seen moving through Life, that love is the answer to everything under the sun, and that perception creates our reality.

It’s not a bad place to be in, but it has simplified my writing and perspective.

Wishing everyone a Happy Holiday! 🙂

Compassion and the Cycle of Life

Tags

aging, compassion, Inspiration, life, Spirituality

Photo: http://manoelwilliam.tumblr.com/

“How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak. Because someday in your life you will have been all of these” ~ George Washington Carver

Every day I become more aware that love is the essence of all of life, and it’s not only an emotion but (quoting Dr. David Hawkins) “a state of awareness, a way of being in the world, a way of seeing oneself and others.”

Happiness is Letting Go

Tags

emotional healing, happiness, Inspiration, letting go, spiritual growth, Spirituality

“If you let go a little, you will have a little happiness. If you let go a lot, you will have a lot of happiness. And if you let go completely, you will be completely happy.”  Ajahn Chah

There is true liberation when we let go of anything that is suppressing our spirit and enjoyment of life.

I find that once I release a mental pattern or relationship to life that my reality changes without my trying very hard. As an example, when I fully realized that I deserved respect, friendship and love in an intimate relationship, the emotionally and verbally abusive ex and I went our separate ways, and without any drama.

As I was happily getting ready to spend the rest of my life on my own many years ago, I met the current man I share my life with two months later. He reflects everything that is beautiful, a true soulmate. He reflects my healthy state of mind when it comes to relationships. Yet, in the midst of happiness and a peaceful life, I have my inner demons that cause suffering. I am aware enough to know that these are simply thoughts, an illusion, but the ego insists on getting its way.

I am aware that I am not powerless. I simply need to stop feeding the demons until they disappear. Little by little they are being let go and little by little I am seeing several positive changes in myself. One being, I have less anxiety.

The healing work is not yet done, but I am willing and eager to continue on the path of spiritual growth and emotional wholeness.

The Ocean’s Gift

Tags

Inspiration, life's challenges, solace, Spirituality

I wrote this poem many years ago, when matters of the heart and plans went awry and were my spiritual and emotional challenges. This poem was included in the United Nations’ collection of poetry for peace. Nowadays, life is sweeter because of the lessons of yesterday.

When life casts its gray shadows on me

and the tests seem too much to take.

When my heart has been broken once again –

and my dreams have faded into nothingness,

the white sands of the beach is where I go.

Running past sand castles with the

hidden treasures the sands may hold –

running past lovers basking in the warmth

 of the eternal sun,

I reach for the cool embrace of the ocean’s waves.

Together we dance to the ebb and flow

of the tide of life,

and together we stand unafraid.

In the silence of the distance

the ocean’s strength speaks to me-

enveloping my soul with the

gift of peace it came to find.

©Marie Jimenez-Beaumont

Successful or Unsuccessful Mindset?

Tags

ego, Inspiration, self-growth, Spirituality, success traits

  Are we living from a place of ego or from beyond the ego?

If I had created this well done chart, I would have entitled it “Living without Ego” and “Living with the Ego” to give a glimpse of what life is like mentally and spiritually when we are free from attachments and a sense of lack and separation within ourselves.

Living from a place of ego is constricting and exhausting. Living from beyond the ego (Spirit) is expanding and reflects in experiencing more joy in our lives.

I don’t keep a journal as suggested on the left side of the chart, have tried a few times but lose interest, however, I live mindfully which has given me a few ‘aha’ moments about myself and led to shifts in how I perceive and express my life. I am however, open to getting into the habit of journaling for my self-reflection.

I leave you with a quote from a famous motivational teacher as it adds clarity to the chart’s message:

You are where you are in your life because of what has gone into your mind, THE ONLY WAY to change where you are is change what goes into your mind. – Zig Ziglar

 

Awakening to Inspiration

Tags

awakening, dormant forces, empowerment, higher self, Inspiration, Spirituality, universe within

Art:www.myworld1.deviantart.com

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When you are inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project, all of your thoughts break their bonds, your mind transcends limitations, your consciousness expands in every direction and you find yourself in a new great and wonderful world.

Dormant forces, faculties and talents become alive, and you discover yourself to be a greater person by far than you ever dreamed yourself to be. – Patanjali

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Isn’t it encouraging? We think we are whom we are with our patterns, our routines, the abilities we have used in our lives, but the minute a powerful inspiration takes over, our mind and hearts work in concert, and we express that which is stored in the universe within us.

I wonder, what is it about inspiration that can move us this way? That aligns the mind and heart? Is it an energy that moves through us and wakes us up or is it an alignment with the God within us?

I think it’s both and more.

We Are Awareness

Tags

awareness, conciousness, Inspiration, Spirituality, Truth

Photo source: http://www.justinverrengia.com

Awareness is our true self; it’s what we are. So we don’t have to try to develop awareness; we simply need to notice how we block awareness with our thoughts, our fantasies, our opinions, and our judgments. We’re either in awareness, which is our natural state, or we’re doing something else. – Joko Beck

How simple. For decades,  I tried to acquire Awareness, when all the time I  have been this awareness, but became distracted  by the entertainment and fear of the mind.  My eyes would get misty with longing when I would read of the awakening of Eckhart Tolle,  Byron Katie, Papaji and various other sages, and the permanent freedom they experienced from the limitations of living inside the movie projector of the mind.

Moment by moment, I am learning to be more observant of myself and how I create my own limitations and freedom.  It doesn’t require deep thinking to get into observer mode so I may experience my true self –  words can get in the way, it requires a silent observation which leads one back to the holy foundation of Self.

It’s Not Over

Tags

bouncing back, courage, Inspiration, life's setbacks, Spirituality

Spring flowers on Hillside, Hokkaido, Japan

Don’t give up! It’s not over. The universe is balanced. Every set-back bears with it the seeds of a come-back. – Steve Maraboli

I have found that a setback can be an opportunity for new beginnings in how we relate to life, to go deeper within, to let go of what no longer works. Life is sacred and precious, and we are here to realize the wonder of our souls and to be love.

The Space of Contentment

Tags

Eckhart Tolle, happiness, in the now, Inspiration, Spirituality

Poster source: Positive Outlooks

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 I noticed yesterday that I was happy for no reason; my mind was still while I was cooking.  Then when I went into my mind, even if my thoughts were positive, I was pulled out of that space of pure contentment. This confirmed to me that Eckhart Tolle and other sages are right when they teach that we need to stay present.  When we get into our heads, we miss the NOW.

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Broken or Opened?

Tags

courage, Inspiration, life's challenges, soul, Spirituality, strength, surrender

Like the broken objects that the Japanese mend with gold, the scars that life sometimes leaves us with, can be a source where the beauty of our soul’s strength and compassion emerges.

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I opened a new WordPress blog/website http://beyondinspirationdaily.com/ in May and published all posts recently.  For the time being, I am sharing almost identical posts between my two blogs until I come up with original posts for “Love Is The Answer.”  The inspirational images and short musings format are what I will be using most of the time in my new blog.  I thought I would let my friends here know where to also find me. 🙂