28th April 2015 - Our inner conflicts

"You can't become a wizard until you think like a baby again," Merlin said.

"How does a baby think?" asked Arthur.

"By feeling, primarily. A baby feels when it is hungry or sleepy. When sensations are presented to it, a baby can feel whether they are bringing pleasure or pain, and it responds accordingly. A baby isn't inhibited about wanting pleasure and avoiding pain."

"I don't see anything special about that," Arthur said. "Babies just cry and smile and feed and sleep."

"Many mortals will be lucky to do those things after they grow up." Merlin muttered.  "Being here in this world in a state of contentment is a real achievement."

A newborn baby's innocent instinct about what feels good or bad is quickly lost. Voices begin to appear inside, at first the voice of mother saying "yes" and "no," "good baby" and "bad baby." When yes, no, good, and bad are in line with what the baby wants, no harm is done. But inevitably a conflict arises between the baby's needs and what its parents expect. The inner and outer world begin to clash. Very soon the seeds of guilt and shame are planted; the fearless temperament of a newborn becomes stained with fear. The baby has learned to doubt its own instincts. The inner impulse of "This is what I want" turns into a question: "Is it all right if I want this?"

We spend our whole lives working back t the state of self-acceptance we were naturally born with. For years the questions multiply, and into the secret caverns and dark cellars of the psyche we shove as much doubt, shame, guilt, and fear as we can. These feelings remain alive, however deep we hide them. All the inner conflicts that we find so hard to reconcile lead back to a shadow self.

(DC. The Way of the Wizard)

27th April 2015 - CHANGE

Today, Sylvester, we believe God wants you to know that ... the change you seek begins with yourself.

When you want the world to change, lead by example, and others are sure to follow.

(From FaceBook's "Message from God")

 

... And when the world does not follow - that's okay too.  Move on and make the change you want. (Syl)

 

 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

The first step toward change is recognition. Recognize that you have had at least a few hopes and wishes come true. Unexpectedly, without your having to do anything, people have called on the phone just when you needed to talk to them, help has come from unseen quarters, prayers have been answered. All of this happening in the field. When you have an intention and send it to the universal awareness, you are actually talking to yourself in another form. As the sender of a message, you are an individual living here in time and space. But you are also the receiver of the message, in your guise as a higher self presiding over your space-time identity. And even more than this, you are the medium of the message, pure awareness itself.

 

To see yourself truly you need to see yourself as having these three aspects: sender, receiver, and medium.  There are many variations of the theme: you are the wish, the wisher, and the granter of wishes. You are the observer, the observed, and the process of observation. This threefold state is known as unity.

 

In truth, none of the mind's darkness is sin. "Always remember," Merlin cautioned the boy Arthur, "God does not judge, only the mind does." Having all your heartfelt wishes come true is what God wants for each person; it is our natural state as creators of our own reality.

 

(DC. The Way of the Wizard)

 

 

 

Sunday 26th April 2015 - Disappointments

Another Sunday disappointment.  Having "rushed" back from my trip down south to be able to be on "standby" in case I was given the privilege to see my little angel.  But another week - with no such "luck."  Reminds me of years gone by when I swore I would not sit around in hope of this or that or waiting for things to happen as I wished.  But I guess the lesson was not learned - and hence I am where I am again today.

Disappointments are all part and parcel of life.  Pain is a given.  Our mortal selves will experience pain.  But suffering is another thing all together.  To suffer, we must make that choice.  And so it is - disappointing (painful) as this may be, I choose not to remain in suffering.  Let go, and let God - as the saying goes.

I miss you - my little sweetheart.  Hope you are having a wonderful day. :)

There are a million of other things that call for my attention. I shall respond to the invitations of the Universe and give thanks for what I have (and not what I do not have).

23 - 25 April 2015 - Wandering

I have been "wandering" for the past several days.  Took a drive back to my hometown to visit, to move things, and to set up a pond at my mom's home.

Was a pretty good journey I guess. Traffic back and forth was reasonably good.  Managed to do most of what I wanted to do. So, yeah - a good trip all in all.

Lots of conversation on the way, while at home and lots of thoughts and observations at all other time. Did some reading too. But since the internet connection wasn't as readily available as it is here in my own home - I have "neglected" making entries.

1 of the many lessons learned - do not try to change people's lifestyle to what I think will be better, more efficient, and ultimately gives more benefit to the other.  At the end of the day, we ought to respect where another has brought him/her in their journey.  If they are happy with what they have and/or what they do - let them be happy in their own world.  By all means introduce and share what you have learnt and experience - but let others choose the path and the life they want for themselves.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Nothing seems more personal than memory. You and I have walked separate roads, even though we walk together. I cannot look at a flower without having an experience you do not share. Not a single tear or laugh can truly be given to another."

When Merlin had finished this speech, Arthur looked distress. "You make it sound as if everyone is utterly alone," the boy said.

"Not I," replied Merlin. "The work of the ego is what makes you alone, sealing you into a whold no one else can enter." Seeing how distraught his disciple looked, Merlin softened his voice. "And yet ego can be set aside. Come with me." He got up and led Arthur out of the cave into the predawn darkness, which was still full of stars.

"How far away is that star, do you suppose?" He asked, pointing to the Dog Star. It being midsummer, Sirius was bright and low on the horizon.

"I don't know. I suppose it must be farther than I can measure, or possibly imagine," Arthur replied.

Merlin shook his head. "It is no distance at all. Consider this: for you to see that star, its light must enter your eyes, correct? Beams of light flow continuously from here to there, like an invisible bridge. What is a star but light? Therefore, if it is light both here and there and on the bridge in between, there is no separation between you and the star. You are both part of the same seamless field of light."

"But it appears to be very far away. After all, I can't pluck it out of the sky," Arthur objected.

Merlin shrugged. "Separation is only an illusion. You appear to be separate from me and from other people because your ego takes the view that we are all isolated and alone. But I assure you, if you set your ego aside, you will see us all surrounded by one unending field of light, which is awareness. Your every thought is born in a vast ocean of light only to return to it, along with every cell of your body. This field of awareness is everywhere, an invisible bridge to all else that exists.  So there is nothing about you that isn't part of everyone else - except as ego sees it. Your work is to go beyond ego and dive into the universal ocean of consciousness."

Arthur had a thoughtful look on his face. "I'll have to think about what you've said."

You do that," Merlin yawned. "I'm still sleepy." The wizard turned to reenter the warm, snug cave. "Oh, and by the way, before you come back to bed, will you please hang that thing up again?"

"Thing?" Arthur looked down in surprise to see that the Dog Star had been plucked from the sky and left at his feet.

"Insofar as you are one person, you are like a drop in the ocean. Insofar as you are a part of the universal awareness, you are the whole ocean."
(DC. The Way of the Wizard)

22 April 2015 - Who are you? Who am I?

Having a name is useful - it lets you know which birth certificate is yours - but it quickly turns into a limitation. Your name is a label. It defines you as having been born at such and such a time and place to a certain set of parents. After a few years your name defines you as going to such and such a school, then on to such and such a profession. By the time you are thirty, your identity is hemmed in by a box of words. The wall of the box might consist of the following: "Catholic tax lawyer, educated at Cornell, married with three children and a mortgage." These facts may not be inaccurate, but they are misleading. They trap an unconditioned spirit inside conditions.

Many of these limitations seem to pertain to you when in fact they only pertain to your body - and you are far more than your body.

(DC - The Way of the Wizard)

Who am I?
Me? I am just me .. a soul wandering the earth ..on a journey seeking to understand myself and others - and finding that the answer to all the mysteries probably lie deep within each of us. (Taken from my profile)

My name is Sylvester (Syl for short - and some called me Jay). But Sylvester is not me. That name is attached to lots and lots of people. :)

The Way of the Wizard - the Ego

21st April 2015
"Ego is "I"; it is your singular point of view. In innocence this point of view is pure, like a clear lens. But without innocence the ego's focus is extremely distorting. If you think you know something - including yourself - you are actually seeing your own judgments and labels. The simplest word we use to  describe each other - such as friend, family, stranger - are loaded with judgments. The enormous gulf in meaning between friend and stranger, for example, is filled with interpretations. A friend is treated one way, an enemy another. Even if we do not bring these judgments to the surface, they cloud our vision like dust obscuring a lens. (Deepak Chopra - The Way of the Wizard)

Divine Purpose

This is my reminder this morning.  Though I woke up to a massive headache that won't seem to give way - even in that there must be a purpose. The body is no enemy but our partner. And when she cries, she cries out for attention to something we are missing.  To know what she needs, like a little baby, we need but to stop and listen and observe. For in the silence, where all hearts and minds meet and where there is but only one language, you will hear.

Amidst each day's trials and tribulations - there is Joy.  You need but to listen and to look; not with you ears or your eyes - but with your soul.

Thank you for your gift of a brand new day. For NOW, this very moment I will give thanks and rest. For NOW.

Web page testing - up and running

Well even though I didn't get to do what I was hoping for, but I at least started on creating a website for the NOW-Jeneusse.  Not too bad I guess.  Although I was told the site is confusing with no particular direction. Hence anyone going there would not know what it is all about and would "probably not click further to find out."  Hahaha.  I am not surprised as the web probably reflects me as a person. Not to put myself down or be negative, but I guess my life is kinda messy with thoughts and emotions here, there and everywhere.  It is no wonder people say I am "confusing" or "complex."  I always thought I was simple - but maybe only to myself.

Check it out: http://syl459.wix.com/now-jeunesse

At any rate, I still think it is a good start.  It even has a mobile setting for it.  I've checked it out on the mobile version. Not too bad either (to me) - though I am sure it looks even more confusing on the mobile than on a desktop.

So today was spent mainly working on this website.  Yesterday was spent cleaning up the porch and the fish pond etc. The little kittens are destroying everything then can lay their paws on.  I guess there is a lesson in that for me too.  But for now - not to think too much. I decided to just clean and clear the place.  I must say - even that was quite therapeutic.

Ok .. I shall not over do this NOW.  Time to sign off - perhaps a movie and a cold cider or continue my book instead of a movie.  Hmmm choices choices choices.  But I am so "lucky" (blessed) to have these choices.

Look for the learning

Sunday 19th April 2015 - ACCEPT what IS

Another Sunday without lil baby - tho she isn't a baby anymore. No matter - whatever happens, happens for a reason.  And while we may not always know the reason behind everything that happens in our lives, we trust that it is for some purpose - and that purpose is always positive, a small part of a much larger picture, a much larger purpose.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"It takes a lifetime to learn what the wizard has to teach, but everything that will unfold over years and decades is available in Merlin's first lesson. Here the wizard introduces himself.  He describes his approach to life, which is to solve the deepest riddles or mortality and immortality. And all this happens in a magical way."

"Wizards are seers. What do they see? Reality as a whole, not in its many parts"
 (Deepak Chopra - Twenty Spiritual Lessons for Creating the Life You Want.)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wow. It really has been years!! But today - 18th April 2015 - marks a new beginning - a New Opportunity for Wellness - a brand new Chapter in my life.  Today is the FIRST day of the rest of my life. :)