Intuitively, logically speaking...

I realize that my intuition trumps logic in most situations. Animals hunt their food by following their instincts. In logical terms, it would seem as a blind pursuit. But coming to think of it, had the animals not followed their instinct and allowed logic to be the only deciding factor, they would all die of starvation. Shifting my point to human beings - Intuition is the human being version of animal instinct. However, I do understand that we need a keen sense of discernment to key in to true intuition which connects us to the Infinite Intelligence, God. It's like tuning a radio station to the right frequency, the process of eliminating all the static until we hear the music crystal clear. Yes, it is true we possess animal instinct for basic survival. But how often is it that we understand the power contained in our intuition?! They say that human intelligence is ever-expanding, ever-growing. It's limitless! If we would base our intelligence on pure logic then it would seem limited. The idea of limited intelligence would contradict the manifestation of transcendental brilliance through the greatest expressions or discoveries made over time, whether it be in the field of religion, or philosophy, or arts, or science, etc. This brings me to the acceptance of the unlimited mind power concept. Intuition allows for this transcendental experience. 

There is more, there is so much more. It is a process of continuous discovery, not limited to a chosen few, but for all.

The song "Your Love" by Brandon Heath hits home for me in this context. Here goes:

I felt it first when I was younger
A strange connection to the light
I tried to satisfy the hunger
I never got it right
I never got it right

So I climbed a mountain and l built an altar
Looked out as far as I could see
And everyday I’m getting older
I’m running outta dreams
I’m running outta dreams

But Your love
Your love
The only the thing that matters is Your love
Your love is all I have to give
Your love is enough to light up the darkness
It’s Your love
Your love
all I ever needed is Your love

You know the effort I have given
And you know exactly what it cost
And though my innocence was taken
Not everything is lost
Not everything is lost nooooo

But Your love
Your love
The only the thing that matters is Your love
Your love is all I have to give
Your love is enough to light up the darkness
It’s Your love
Your love
all I ever needed is Your love

You’re the hope in the morning
You’re the light when the night is falling
You’re the song when my heart is singing
it’s Your love
You’re the eyes to the blind man
You’re the feet to the lame man walking
You’re the sound of the people singing
It’s Your love

But Your love
Your love
The only the thing that matters is Your love
Your love is all I have to give
Your love is enough to light up the darkness
It’s Your love
Your love
all I ever needed is Your love

The Power of Love

"When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace." I shared this Jimi Hendrix quote with a close friend one time. Several weeks later, out of the blue, this friend in the context of our conversation repeated the quote back to me. I felt so very surprised and touched by this person's effort to remember these words. It did mean alot. It felt like the angels speaking out to me,"Jenny, you know it's true." 

And so I will say it again, in gratitude to this person and as an affirmation to myself:

When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.

The world is so much bigger than me.

I need an awareness of the destructive and constructive forces that occupy space. An essential part of being a human being, for me, is to not turn away from suffering. It does feel very uncomfortable. But I believe, by facing it, the shock value creates a mindfulness of where I shouldn't be going as an individual. Being able to perceive a situation as an observer, delivers realizations. I would not, otherwise, have been able to understand. I find, it does instill compassionate thought. This brings to mind Mother Teresa's quote, where she says - “If each of us would only sweep our own doorstep, the whole world would be clean." How true!

I now release myself to the questions raised in this Black Eyed Peas song, "Where is the love".

P.S. - I have tailored the lyrics.

 

I think the whole world addicted to the drama
Only attracted to things that'll bring you trauma

But if you only have love for your own race
Then you only leave space to discriminate
And to discriminate only generates hate
And when you hate then you're bound to get irate, yeah
Madness is what you demonstrate
And that's exactly how anger works and operates
Man, you gotta have love just to set it straight
Take control of your mind and meditate
Let your soul gravitate to the love,

People killin', people dyin'
Children hurt and you hear them cryin'
Can you practice what you preach
And would you turn the other cheek

Father, Father, Father help us
Send us some guidance from above
'Cause people got me, got me questionin'
Where is the love?

It just ain't the same, always unchanged
New days are strange, is the world insane
If love and peace is so strong
Why are there pieces of love that don't belong
Nations droppin' bombs
Chemical gasses fillin' lungs of little ones
With ongoin' sufferin' as the youth die young
So ask yourself is the lovin' really gone
So I could ask myself really what is goin' wrong
In this world that we livin' in people keep on givin'
in
Makin' wrong decisions, only visions of them dividends
Not respectin' each other, deny thy brother
If you never know truth then you never know love
Where's the love, y'all, come on (I don't know)
Where's the truth, y'all, come on (I don't know)
Where's the love, y'all

People killin', people dyin'
Children hurt and you hear them cryin'
Can you practice what you preach
And would you turn the other cheek

Father, Father, Father help us
Send us some guidance from above
'Cause people got me, got me questionin'
Where is the love?

Wrong information always shown by the media
Infecting the young minds faster than bacteria
Kids wanna act like what they see in the cinema
Yo', whatever happened to the values of humanity
Whatever happened to the fairness in equality
Instead in spreading love we spreading animosity
Lack of understanding, leading lives away from unity
Gotta keep my faith alive till love is found

People killin', people dyin'
Children hurt and you hear them cryin'
Can you practice what you preach
And would you turn the other cheek

Father, Father, Father help us
Send us some guidance from above
'Cause people got me, got me questionin'
Where is the love?

 

Cogito ergo sum

The title to this post is a philosophical Latin statement used by René Descartes. It translates as - I think, therefore I am.

My point here, is not to bring into consideration the idea of the existence of my being, based on thought, but to question the way I think, and the extent to which I am willing to stretch my thoughts.

The thinking man

versus,

The thinking machine

Wise words

The Order of Interbeing

I quite enjoy reading the various Buddhist schools of thought. There are specific Orders founded across the Eastern part of the world. These various Orders, though seemingly different, are united at the very core. They all seem to revolve around the essential teachings of the original Buddhadharma.

This particular Order, the Order of Interbeing, was founded by Thich Nhat Hanh in Vietnam during the war. The followers of this Order make efforts towards practicing certain 14 precepts in their daily life. What I really like about it is, how the emphasis of practicing the precepts lies not as a strict rule-based approach to life, but as a means of guidance for daily living. It brings to mind the image of a wise old elder leading a child gently across a bridge with utmost courage, peace and confidence. I do enjoy freedom very much, and in such expression, I find that it's easier to expand the mind.

The 14 precepts of the Order are as follows:

1.  The Lion's Roar: Do not be idolatrous about or bound to any doctrine, theory, or ideology, even Buddhist ones. Buddhist systems of thought are guiding means; they are not absolute truth.
2. Truth Is Found In Life: Do not think the knowledge you presently possess is changeless, absolute truth. Avoid being narrow-minded and bound to present views. Learn and practice nonattachment from views in order to be open to receive others viewpoints. Truth is found in life and not merely in conceptual knowledge. Be ready to learn throughout your entire life and to observe reality in yourself and in the world at all times.
3. Freedom Of Thought: Do not force others, including children, by any means whatsoever, to adopt your views, whether by authority, threat, money, propaganda, or even education. However, through compassionate dialogue, help others renounce fanaticism and narrowness.
4. Awareness Of Suffering: Do not avoid contact with suffering or close your eyes before suffering. Do not lose awareness of the existence of suffering in the life of the world. Find ways to be with those who are suffering, including personal contact, visits, images, and sounds. By such means, awaken yourself and others to the reality of suffering in the world.
5. Living Simply: Do not accumulate wealth while millions are hungry. Do not take as the aim of your life fame, profit, wealth, or sensual pleasure. Live simply and share time, energy, and material resources with those who are in need.
6. Compassion Is Understanding: Do not maintain anger or hatred. Learn to penetrate and transform them when they are still seeds in your consciousness. As soon as they arise, turn your attention to your breath in order to see and understand the nature of the persons who have caused your anger and hatred.
7. Mindful And Joyful Living: Do not lose yourself in dispersion and in your surroundings. Practice mindful breathing to come back to what us happening in the present moment. Be in touch with what is wondrous, refreshing, and healing both inside and around you. Plant seeds of joy, peace, and understanding in yourself in order to facilitate the work of transformation in the depths of your consciousness.
8. Harmony In The Community: Do not utter words that can create discord and cause the community to break. Make every effort to reconcile and resolve all conflicts, however small.
9. Mindful Speech: Do no say untruthful things for the sake of personal interest or to impress people. Do not utter words that cause division and hatred. Do not spread news that you do not know to be certain. Do not criticize or condemn things of which you are not sure. Always speak truthfully and constructively. Have the courage to speak out about situations of injustice, even when doing so may threaten your safety.
10. Standing Up To Injustice: Do not use the Buddhist community for personal gain or profit, or transform your community into a political party. A religious community, however, should take a clear stand against oppression and injustice and should strive to change the situation without engaging in partisan conflicts.
11. Right Livelihood: Do not live with a vocation that is harmful to humans and nature. Do not invest in companies that deprive others of their chance to live. Select a vocation that helps realize your ideal of compassion.
12. Protecting Life: Do not kill. Do not let others kill. Find whatever means possible to protect life and prevent war.
13. Social Justice: Possess nothing that should belong to others. Respect the property of others, but prevent others from profiting from human suffering or the suffering of the other species on Earth.
14. Three Sources Of Energy: Do not mistreat your body. Learn to handle it with respect. Do not look on your body as only an instrument. Preserve vital energies (sexual, breath, spirit) for the realization of the Way. (For brothers and sisters who are not monks and nuns:) Sexual expression should not take place without love and commitment. In sexual relationships, be aware of future sufferings that may be caused. To preserve the happiness of others, respect the rights and commitments of others. Be filly aware of the responsibility of bringing new lives into the world. Meditate on the world into which you are bringing new beings.

The 3 Commandments

I enjoy reading wise words. I find that this practice, is one of the things, which keeps me high on energy. I'd like to share 3 quotations that have made quite an impression on me...

Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never - - in nothing, great or small, large or petty - - never give in, except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never yield to force. Never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.

- Winston Churchill

You cannot dream yourself into a character; you must hammer and forge yourself into one.

-James A. Froude

 

Often people attempt to live their lives backwards, they try to have more things or more money in order to do more of what they want so that they will be happier. The way it actually works is the reverse. You must first be who you really are then do what you need to do in order to have what you want.

-Margaret Young