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        We see ourselves as flesh and blood but, in fact, human beings are consciousness that has sought a way to express itself in this material world by taking on a physical form.   Underneath all the physical and mental construction of daily life on this planet lies a pure and open spiritual consciousness.   This is a natural state of mind that is always there within every person, entwined in the fabric of our lives.

        This duality can create chaos and suffering.  Illness is often brought about by our minds, emotions and habits getting in the way of the pure consciousness at our core.   But our innate spirituality can also create order and beauty.

        Realizing that each of us has this infinite potential is at the heart of Tibetan spiritual teaching.  It exists in everyone and everything.  At this very moment, you are the great symbol of our own potential enlightenment.

        The purpose of any spiritual practice, ethical framework or religious belief should be to help us enjoy the life that we have.  What's important is to avoid getting caught up with the future, because the future  -  and the past  -  are only creations of our imagination.  To be happy we need first to allow ourselves to be so  -  now.  So forget thoughts like 'I will be happy if only that would happen.......' and, 'I was so happy when things were different......'   All you have is now.   so accept yourself as you are without embellishment or regret.

        Start by aiming to experience everyday life in as open and direct a manner as possible.  From the moment you wake to the moment you sleep, allow every experience to come to you without judgement.  The key is acceptance.

        Accepting whatever happens is a hard place to be at first.   Like everyone, you will feel fear at the very idea, but gradually, as you cut through the barriers developed by years of habit, you will start to become less reactive to the world around you.   We often live our whole lives in a state of reaction to experiences.   If we are caused pain, we become angry, we hurt, we cry, we fear for our existence.   These reactive responses continue the subtle links of our own suffering.   Whether they are big events in our lives or small ones, the end result is the same.   

        Acceptance takes the sting out of reactivity and creates for us insight into the way we make our lives happen.   An experience of great simplicity will emerge from your consciousness as you allow acceptance to filter into all your mental and physical actions.   It will make you feel naked and exposed at first but, as you stay with this, you will learn that truth needs no clothing.

       As you follow the path to your inner morality, many confused emotions may come to the surface of your everyday mind, causing you self-doubt and fear.   You may feel worry that you are inferior to your colleagues and peers.   Remember: you are not bad.   You are essentially good, and intrinsically enlightened.   You lack nothing.  If you can accept this, the path will start to reveal itself.

        Simply look at the natural world.   Bees and flowers, clouds and rain, sun and moon, light and dark, birth and death, all of these are part of the continual cycle of truth.   See how ants and birds work together, each giving support to their own kind.   Human beings often fail to do so.   The seeds within the fruit only know one thing: that they must grow, blossom and bear fruit.   Essentially, we human beings must do the same, but some of us have forgotten.  The truth is everywhere, in all things, in all situations and is behind the beginning and completion of everything.   It can lead you to your spiritual potential and, most of all, it can reveal to you how to live your own life.

        Remember, living in a way that is as true to yourself as you can be is not always an easy path.  Do not climb spiritual mountains just because they are there, or seek the meaning of life because you feel you should.  Life has only the meaning you give it.   The truth reveals life as it is.

                                             ~~~~~~~~~~~~~   o  O  o   ~~~~~~~~~~~~

Reference:

The Tibetan Art of Living  -

Christopher Hansard  ~