If you’re like me then you probably have a bookshelf or two full of new-age and self-help books all telling you to live in the moment. But when life comes crashing down (presents you with an opportunity) and you find out your boyfriend or girlfriend has been unfaithful or you lose your purse or wallet with all your credit cards, info and cash… what the heck does being in the moment mean then?

Being present is a lot easier to talk about or philosophize than it is to actually do, wouldn’t you agree? Although it is seemingly difficult I think we can all agree that actually being present can make life a joy and blessed movement.

In my experience what gets in the way the most of me being present is the past. The past is such a sneaky little devil, he is insidious, clever and very persuasive. The past acts like he’s your best friend, someone you can depend on, he’s always there ready to listen and give suggestions about what to do in the moment and the future but if you examine closely you’ll discover that the past is a false prophet and truly epitomizes the definition of a pharisee (a sanctimonious, self-righteous, or hypocritical person).

Trippin over the past

Let me paint a picture for you. Imagine your walking down the street in your neighborhood heading to a friends house, in order to make it to your friends house safely and unharmed you need to look forward eyes ahead and moving forward. Imagine if you were to walk down this busy street walking forward but your head was turned in the opposite direction. Also imagine that there’s someone you don’t know walking behind you holding a mirror so you can see whats ahead but as you know everything reflected in a mirror is distorted and backwards… an illusion.

To add to the confusion the person holding the mirror is telling you to turn left, turn right, stop, slow down… your right is his left, your left is his right. As you can see this whole scenario is mind boggling and confusing. Wouldn’t it be much simpler and efficient to just turn your head around and walk forward?

The same can be said for living your daily life. Life is so much more enjoyable and easy if you shift your attention from the past to the present moment.

Lessons from the past

Let us not throw the baby out with the bath water… the past does in fact have valuable lessons for us to learn from but let us not cling to the past or let our past mistakes and judgments color the choices we make today. As I have learned from spiritual teacher
J. Krishnamurti the past is full of knowledge and it is quite reasonable to access that past knowledge to drive a car, cook dinner or solve a math problem but it is quite a different thing when you access the past when meeting a new friend for the second or third time or when you meet a new person from a certain nationality or religion. The past has nothing to do with who your friend “actually is”… and your past experiences with someone from a particular religion, culture or nationality shouldn’t distract you from the person standing in front of you. The sad truth however is that all to often it does.

“Learning about yourself is not like learning a language or technology or a science, then you obviously have to accumulate and remember; it would be absurd to begin all over again, but in the psychological field learning about yourself is always in the present and knowledge is always in the past, and as most of us live in the past and are satisfied with the past knowledge becomes extraordinarily important to us. That is why we worship the erudite, the clever, the cunning. But if you are learning all the time, learning every minute, learning by watching and listening, learning by seeing and doing, then you will find that learning is a constant movement without the past.”

~J. Krishnamurti “Freedom From The Known”

When you walk into your place of work and you see the people you work with everyday… do you see them as they are or do you see them through the filter of your past experiences with them? I can tell you with 100% certainty if people I was acquainted with just a few years ago knew me today they would have know idea who I am. In the past I’ve been a partying, clubbing pill popping, irresponsible and immature raving machine but that person isn’t who I am today… as a matter of fact the two people are as different as day and night.

What I can appreciate however is who I am today. If it were not for my past who would I be? In that respect I give my past the reverence it deserves but I also realize that any emotions or feelings that arise from my past are false and only are relevant to my life if I choose to let them have my attention.

I was listening to a podcast of “A Course in Miracles” and they were speaking on this very subject, I found it quite interesting. The topic of discussion was the past and our emotions that are tied to the past. If you think about it, whenever you are feeling guilty, ashamed, envious or anger all of those emotions only have relevance if you access the past. So for example if you’re feeling guilty about some hateful things you said to a friend in drunkenness or just because you got in a fight… the guilt you’re feeling is arising only because you have chosen to give your attention to the past; if your attention were in the present moment there would be no guilt.

Now lets not blow things out of proportion and assume that just not thinking about your past will lead you to live a happy and joyous life. While it is certainly true life will become clearer and you will find manifesting what you really want in life is a million times easier you still have to be able to look at your past… only you must find the ability to not cling to it. The key to doing this is to have your roots in the present moment.

It’s so much easier said than done… I know, but like everything else practice makes perfect (practice helps you see that everything is already perfect). My practice is a daily movement that is tied together moment by moment, opportunity by opportunity. I’m no saint (yet), I still lose my cool when someone says something to upset me or someone cuts me off in traffic or steps on my shoe but nowadays I’m finding that more and more as soon as I get upset or am shook out of the present moment I’m finding my way back faster and faster.

Sometimes it’s not until I go to sleep late at night and I reflect on what my day was like. Lying there in bed looking over my day I can say to myself I could have handled that better or perhaps I didn’t need to raise my voice of give such an attitude about something so small and impermanent. The blessing here is being able to reflect but not judge yourself, cling or dwell on it. See it for what it is, make a mental note and move on; tomorrow is a new day or better yet the next moment is a new moment.

In conclusion

So moving forward, not looking back let us remember who we truly are. Who we truly are is who we are right now, not who we were ten seconds ago or ten years ago but infinitely right now. Like I said before this is so much easier said than done but I have a suggestion that might assist with the revolution (not evolution) of your mind. Evolution implies something to work toward but once you see love and truth there’s no evolution (nothing to work toward) rather instantly you revolutionize the way you think and act… instantly!

We all know up to now we’ve been slaves to our past, letting our past actions filter our decisions and choices in the present moment.

Who’s to say we can’t use this ability to our advantage?

Accessing the past doesn’t have to always be about the negative or bad, as a matter of fact if you make a shift in your perception you can use this conditioned ability to access the positive moments from your past. If you find that you’re “in the dumps”, depressed, angry or otherwise remember that you’re living in the past and you need to be present. One helpful way to get back to the present moment is to build a mental bridge, a bridge of positivity and love.

For example if you find that you’re dwelling on something that and ex-lover said to you that was hateful choose to remember a loving moment you shared rather than the negative. Doing this is to be used as a tool to get back to the present moment, to bring a smile to your face and love back into your immediate frame of mind.

It is important however to realize even when you do build your bridge back to the present moment, when you’re finally back to the moment you will need to let go of the past even though its a loving feeling, a joyous memory we want to be careful not to cling to it otherwise eventually you’ll want to cross back over the bridge to access the past and as we’ve discussed… life is in the moment. Remember, like Ram Dass says… “be here now”.

Hello to you all, I’ve been gone for over a month now and haven’t been writing but I can assure you… I’m back, with purpose!

Today I’d like to talk about what most of the country has forgotten, ironically on this very day “Memorial Day”. The topic of today’s discussion is none other than purpose.

What is your purpose?

Today, Memorial Day we’re supposed to be remembering those who have fallen in the many wars and battles securing our liberties and freedom. Please excuse me if you are offended by me saying so but it seems to me that Memorial Day is everything but remembrance.

Living here in southern California I can assure you that Memorial Day is nothing more then a sign that Summer is here and reason to go to the beach. I would like to note that before heading to the beach you would be hard pressed not to stop at Macy’s to pick up some new attire as they are always having their annual Memorial Day sale!

Let us assume for a moment that in a perfect world, Memorial Day wasn’t a big beach party and people actually did stop to remember our fallen soldiers. In this perfect world where we all stop pay our respects, watch the parades and television specials… at the end of the day what good would have come of it?

Basically I’m trying to figure out (1) what is the point of remembering that people have died in wars most of us know nothing about and (2) if we actually did pay our respects in remembrance and not party… would our simple “remembering” contribute any progress or advancement to mankind? After all these soldiers were fighting for our progress and advancement correct?

So back to the perfect world envisioned where we all actually do pay our respects. Simply paying our respects in my opinion isn’t good enough.

I would think that anyone who has actually died in a previous war wouldn’t want anyone to romanticize over that fact but rather take advantage of the opportunities secured for them. Some might argue that having a party, going to the beach and cracking open a Bud Light is taking advantage of the opportunities secured for them but I’m assuming anyone reading this post is educated, articulate and at the least a “C” average student… so let’s not go there.

On Memorial Day we remember those who have fought so bravely or those who were all but forced to fight, but what exactly were they fighting for? This is a loaded question I know but it is a question worth examining because after all it is Memorial Day.

On this Memorial Day do we remember those Native Americans who fought against those who came to this land uninvited? On this Memorial Day do we remember the southern confederate soldier who fought to keep slavery alive?

As you can see we are in deep waters here or a slippery slope whatever you prefer, my point being that this day deserves more than high fives, sun tan lotion, barbecues and drunk driving. Memorial Day should actually be the one day out of the year were we all collectively try to remember how this came to be, the United States and what is our purpose.

When I stop to ask myself this question, what is my purpose it is abundantly clear to me that it has nothing to do with a 9-5 job, a new car, designer clothes or putting a ring on anyone’s finger in a facade most of us continue to perpetuate. My life’s purpose or your lifes purpose for that matter has nothing to do with anyone else but rather everything to do with you.

Do you want to share your life with someone else? How about figuring out what your life is about first?

We all want to be a part of something bigger but don’t know the first thing about ourselves. I’m married to this person, or I’m from this state, or I’m an American… how can you be ANYTHING when you don’t know who you are?

Again I ask, what is your purpose?

If you think it is your purpose to have children, start a family or hold a high ranking job with a six figure income then it is time to do some serious soul searching. All of those things are secondary and cannot be truly enjoyed or realized unless you know what your purpose is.

I cannot tell you what your purpose is but only remind you that you have one. In a world full of distractions it is all to easy to forget or for that matter to have never even put the question to ones self.

So on this Memorial Day, let us forget what we previously celebrated and let us remember who we truly are. On this Memorial Day let us find our purpose in life and from there manifest a life and world worth remembering.

What is your purpose?

The world and all of its inhabitants are at a critical juncture right now. We are living our daily lives on this beautiful blue planet in the midst of the deep, dark vastness of cold space. Such a fortunate chain of events to be here typing on this keyboard communicating with potentially anyone in the world.

Is this really happening right now or am I the only one who sees how unbelievably amazing this life really is?

If any of us walk outside and just notice the smallest blade of grass it has so many complex and fascinating functions going on, how did this come to be? From a blade of grass to a bumble bee and forest full of Red Wood trees, there is amazement and “the impossible” all around us yet none of us seem to take any notice.

Have we become so conditioned and desensitized that the oceans, skies and green earth have no significance anymore? All of us the entire world is looking to the horizon for bigger and better things, a new car, a new house, fancy clothes and for what?

We’ve taken refuge in the shallow materialistic illusions that are spoon fed to us daily via the internet, magazines and television. Is anyone else out there wondering… where is all this going, how much longer can we keep this facade up?

What is our purpose, its not to accumulate wealth, iPhones, Gucci purses, Rolex watches, etc. These things can’t really be the reason all the stars in this galaxy are in the exact right place for you and I to be breathing!

We all have a purpose on this earth but it seems as though year by year with each new software upgrade and American Idol superstar we are getting further and further away from any kind of purpose at all.

Can’t we see how unbelievably fortunate we are to be alive? Not only are we alive but we’re conscious of this… WOW! Think of all the things that had to happen in the universe in order for you to be sitting there right now reading this blog post! Are you kidding me, this is quite literally a miracle only we’re living like its not.

If we truly lived the miracle would there be war, hunger… shopping malls?

Why are we living such shallow lives when there are deep oceans of discovery and love available to us? We have been bestowed the most precious gift in the universe this planet and the privilege to live consciously but all we want to do is war and battle as to how it all came into existence. Why are we so focused on spreading the “good word” (speculation) of how this earth came to be? Why are we dwelling and guessing on the past when we have everything we need RIGHT NOW?

For me to keep my sanity I’ve got to believe that people really don’t believe what they’re reading when they open a Bible, Quran, Torah or any other book of this nature.

The survival of humanity is not in any book and its certainly not in a church but it is in your neighbors eyes. Look at your fellow man, brother and sister… look right in their eyes. Can you not see yourself looking right back? We all have the same fears and anxieties, the collective consciousness is alive. We need to connect with one another not tell each other how it is and how its going to be. None of us know ‘absolute truth’ and all the pointing to the sky, idol worshiping or putting faith in other men will ever bring peace or satisfy the mind.

We’ve lost touch with one another, we need to wake up! The truth isn’t out there somewhere, its not in next years promotion at your job, the truth isn’t in a new pair of shoes or wrapped in a present under a tree.

The truth is all around us always has been so lets start living like it. Wake up, wake up the people around you, wake up your family, get off the maintenance program and unplug. The whole world needs fixing but you can start with yourself right now. If you belong to a church look at it for what it is… separation from the rest of us. If you truly want peace in the world then you must realize that it isn’t possible in a world of US and THEM.

A world where there are Jews, Christians, Muslims, Catholics, Buddhist, Amish, etc., there will never be peace… how could there be? One might say, well you don’t have to believe what I believe I will still love you but that is the furthest thing from the truth. The religions of the world don’t love one another they tolerate one another at best. Tolerance is not love, love is healing and manifest beauty and bliss as tolerance breeds insecurity, armies and war.

Are you really ready for the truth? Well if you are get out there and find out for yourself! If you search your feelings and are honest with yourself you’ll come to see as I have attaching a label to yourself, wearing a cross or star of David around your neck has nothing to do with the truth but everything to do with… what you’ve been told.

Don’t do what you’ve been told since you where born, don’t do what they tell you to do on television… find out what the truth is for yourself. Please find out what the truth is for the sake of the world.

Peace, Love and Happiness!

Religion, that word is so loaded with all kinds of different connotations. Depending on where you were born, what your environment was and who told you what is the truth… your idea of what it means to be a religious person often can be extremely different from the next person.

Lets see what the dictionary defines religion as:

re⋅li⋅gion

1. a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.
2. a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion; the Buddhist religion.

Lets face it no matter what you’re religion is or lack there of for most people in the United States and around the world whatever book you pray to or god you worship you didn’t find it yourself… someone told you, this is the truth! Can you really call yourself a religious person at all?

If we consult the dictionary and follow that definition sure maybe by definition you’re a religious person. You have a set of beliefs that have been handed down to you by your parents or an authority figure like a priest or bishop so it must be true, besides you’ve got faith.

I don’t understand how anyone can after reaching adulthood continue to believe in what they were told as a child and not question what they’ve been told and search for themselves. How can you call yourself religious when everything you believe has been told to you by someone else and you take it for face value?

Why are we so stuck up on giving ourselves labels anyway? What is the point of me calling myself a Muslim or a Christian? Can anything good possibly come from separating myself from the rest of my brothers and sisters on this planet?

Can you not see that as soon as you give yourself a label a religion that you are blocking yourself from everything else? If you say THIS is the truth you are negating everything else and in my opinion indicating  just how flickery your “faith” truly is. Wouldn’t this world be a much more peaceful place if we could all just say I DON’T KNOW?

Instead of putting up this front that we KNOW what the truth is perhaps if we all put our faith, opinions, conditioning and backgrounds aside maybe then we’d all have the energy to look into what religion truly is. In my opinion religion has nothing to do with faith, a book or any name you give god. A true religious mind wouldn’t put a name on it at all.

I’m truly curious if there is anyone open to begin a dialog please do reply. Do you really believe what you’ve been told?

Peace and Love.