To Thine Own Self be True

Recently, while perusing the website Quora, I stumbled upon a contemplative question posed under the category "Spirituality and Personal Religion." I am reposting the question here, along with my personal answer, for my readers to contemplate and/or offer their personal feedback.

Question:  What can we do when our desire and values conflict?

Answer:

If our values are in conflict with our desires, as often seems to be the case, it is a warning sign that we may not be living authentically.  Our values are deep-rooted in us, yet many of us follow our desires instead.  To live authentically, we must re-evaluate our desires, as well as our values, and make a conscious choice whether to act in accordance with our values or to act against what we BELIEVE to be our values. 

Ask yourself: "Are my desires merely short-term desires or "whims" that will bring me temporary pleasure but long-lasting conflict, regret or misery?  If my values are in conflict with my desires, what is the basis of my values?  Are they values instilled in me by others, or through my upbringing, that I have not internalized?"  If they are truly your values, your conviction will be so strong you will be able to justify them without hesitation.  Your desires, on the other hand, may seem strong at the immediate moment, but choose to reflect on them rather than opting for "immediate gratification."  You may find the desire waning in intensity, much like a craving, or you may experience anxiety, but ultimately you must make a choice, so take the time to make the "right one", the one that, in the end, will strengthen your character rather than weaken, bring you peace of mind rather than conflict, and make you smile on the inside rather than frown. 

~ Lisa Pearlman 7/14/13 (Words and Photo Credit) 

You Are Not Your Mind

"Emancipate Yourself From Mental Slavery...only We Can Free Our Minds" ~ Bob Marley

We are all spiritual beings inhabiting human bodies, conditioned by our environment, culture, upbringing and experience. We are, indeed, born free, with a "clean slate"...but the minute we are of form in the world, we become a slave to our surroundings, enslaved by the "matrix" we are unwittingly immersed in from the moment of birth, the paradigms imprinted in our minds, conditioned by way of language, cultural mores, family values, blind patriotism, religious beliefs...our whole identity and moral code is shaped by our external environment, while our internal environment is equipped with all the answers we could ever want or need. To deprogram our paradigms, we must listen from within and allow our inner voice to guide us. We must cultivate mindfulness, an unbiased awareness that transcends not only the world around us, but also our absorbent sponge-like minds. Transcendental Awareness essentially removes the sponge, the perceptual filters that organize all the incoming stimuli into manageable compartments, freeing the mind from the constraints of self, leaving only an open receptacle, both full and empty at once, vibrating with cosmic energy. This energy within is in harmony with the Universe's energy, also referred to as Source, Chi or God. When your energy is in alignment with the Universal Flow of Energy, all potentialities exist as viable possibilities, and all polarities merge into one unified point of singularity.

© Lisa Pearlman 4/6/13

photo created by Lisa Pearlman on Kindle Fire HD via Geometrics app

Letter To My Brother Marc

To my brother Marc in Heaven:

Today, December 14, 2012 would be your 40th birthday. It has been 5 years since you left this Earth, but it seems like yesterday. I feel your presence often, and know you are watching over me always, my dear guardian angel. You are of the timeless and formless now, finally and completely free, free of pain, attachments, wordly thoughts, and all forms of suffering. I pray your transition was one of peaceful passing, as you transcended your human experience. You embody the spirit eternal now.

Today, here on earth, a tragedy took place, as I'm sure you already are aware. I know you will watch over these children whose lives were abruptly cut short today, and empower their heavenly spirit to ease the suffering of their grieving loved ones here on earth.

I miss you and love you, my dear brother...please continue to guide me in the right direction, to give me the strength and confidence I need to face my fears and conquer my demons as I navigate the bumpy roads on this journey called Life. I used to envision us sharing and supporting one another through life's defining moments...I still interact with you nightly in my dreams, only to awake and accept the reality of your physical absence daily. May you R.I.P. Marc. May your spirit soar gloriously above the heavens, gracefully free like a butterfly chasing a rainbow.

© Lisa Pearlman 12/14/12

Does Meditation Have a Place in Education?

Recently I read an article in the Huffington Post about introducing the practice of Meditation into the schools. I think this measure would be the single most important step taken in education to ensure our children enter adulthood as well-adjusted, compassionate, enlightened beings, equipped to face the challenges of a turbulent, fast-paced, rapidly changing world and its uncertain future. Especially with the prevalence of bullying and peer pressure in the schools, negativity is infecting the hearts and minds of today’s youth, tomorrow’s leaders. Meditation is a positive activity that will enable students to rise above the negativity and accept experience for what it is: temporary, fleeting, impermanent…while their essence or core remains calm, grounded and undisturbed. Rather than reacting emotionally they will learn to pause, reflect and respond mindfully. They will become stronger, healthier individuals, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Meditation is not religious or patriotic in any way…it does not represent any socio-economic class, subsection of society or cultural group…it is accessible by and available to everyone equally.

© Lisa Pearlman 8/30/12

(photo credit unknown source on web)

Let's Start a Revolution

The world needs Change. There is no question about that. The "Whys" are obvious and numerous. We can argue back and forth about the "What" since people's values and priorities may differ based on their quality of life. But the million dollar question that keeps politicians, activists and anyone who truly cares about the state of our planet up at night is "How?" HOW do we affect change? HOW do we implement change of any real substance or staying power (longevity.) To quote The Beatles: "You say you want a Revolution? Well you know, we all want to change the world."
A Revolution does not have to be marked by chaos, violence and power. Silence can be Revolutionary. Love can be Revolutionary. Spirituality can be Revolutionary. We must find peaceful, non-violent means to revolutionize and change things in this world, to change the status quo so as to improve life conditions for anyone living a sub-standard life (i.e. homeless, poverty, no medical care, unemployment, no clean water, hunger etc.) as well as ensure the humane treatment of all God's creatures, man or animal. Remember, the Change Begins With Me and You. An internal revolution of thought and spirit must take place within each one of us before we can make any significant changes affecting the outside world. Each of us operates at a state of consciousness, awakened by our stage of spiritual evolution at the time. Although many of humanity live their life unconsciously most of the time, we, as members of the human race, as human beings, are surely evolving as both enlightened individuals and as a collective consciousness on Earth. Our inner transformation is reflected in the world we live in, through our thoughts, ideas, words, and actions that represent our unity of purpose on a spiritual as well as a global level. The Revolution has begun...get with the program and be a part of One Love - One World. WE are surely the Ones We Have Been Waiting For...
c. Lisa Pearlman 5/29/12

What Do We Desire? (as asked on Quora)

I just answered this question on Quora: What do we desire? (My answer, I believe, is universal to all human beings)
We desire to feel happiness through connection to another human being, to feel we belong, we are loved, we matter to someone. We desire to be free from pain & suffering, or lessen the perception/feeling of suffering. Lastly, I believe we inherently desire some sort of spiritual (not necessarily religious) connection, whether this desire be conscious or unconscious.

Any comments? I'd love to hear from ya!

From Detox to Dharma

It has been said that “Religion is the Opiate for (of?) the Masses.” Appropriate analogy? Opiates initially soothe the soul, but eventually become all-consuming…progressing to Addiction, depravity, destruction and death. It is a fact that more wars have been fought and more blood has been shed in the name of RELIGION, than for any other reason in the history of our planet. Religion tends to label and divide people by their belief in a certain dogma…it divides families, communities, countries & nations. It is EXclusive rather than INclusive.
I believe Spirituality, in contrast, is “the Unity of the Masses.” Essentially INclusive, it UNITES the entire Universe as ONE. It reflects our personal connection, or relationship, with our Higher Power…with our Higher Self, each other, nature, the Universe and all that is divine.

In conclusion, I am unimpressed by Religion and the hypocricy it spreads through the masses like a contagious disease. I am currently engaged in spiritual pursuits, working on deepening my connection with my higher power and my higher self. I am exploring spiritual practices based on Ancient Eastern philosophies such as Buddhism (as a philosophy rather than a religion), meditation, metaphysics, Law of Attraction, and various mantras and teachings of the many spiritual leaders and gurus of India.