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) 

Got Gratitude? Pay it Forward!

Make a #GRATITUDE list..count your blessings, be they few or many. Write them down. It is a humbling but rewarding experience. Repeat often. Your beating heart is a miracle, a precious gift. Cultivate an attitude of gratitude. Honor your heart by sharing the love that lies within it. #PAYITFORWARD Pay It Forward by performing #RAOK... #RandomActsOfKindness serve as humanity's weapons of mass creation, our means to a kinder, gentler world. ~ Lisa Pearlman 2012

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)

Do You Have the Attitude of Gratitude

I accidentally deleted my Thanksgiving post from 11/24/11, so I am RePosting it. I am GRATEFUL I had it saved elsewhere! (Thanks "Evernote")

Hey fam! HAPPY THANKSGIVING to you and yours! May we all be blessed with a day of Abundance surrounded by our friends or family and filled with peace, love, light and of course Gratitude. Gratitude. Such a simple word to convey so much meaning. Studies have shown time and again that Gratitude is the one essential feeling state necessary for Happiness. You may not have EVERY THING you ever wanted, chances are you do not, but to experience Gratitude, and in turn, Happiness, you must at least recognize the miracle of abundance in some aspect of your life. Rather than pining for what you DON'T have, acknowlege that you WANT some of what you DO have. Hence, in order to experience True Happiness it is important to cultivate a feeling of Gratitude, or "Attitude of Gratitude." How? Start by taking a few quiet minutes to yourself today to really experience Gratitude in the Now. This can be done in many ways...count your blessings, make a gratitude list, do a gratitude meditation, offer blessings to others, pray for world healing or an individual's recovery, or simply treat everyone with compassion and kindness. Make this practice part of your daily routine, ideally at the start of your day or before you retire at the end of your day. Seize "GRATITUDE Moments" through-out the day...while in the shower or in line at the bank, during the morning commute, while waiting for the bus...quick mental reminders or affirmations that arouse a feeling of Gratitude can be squeezed into any spare minute of the day. After a month of Gratitude Practice, evaluate your level of Happiness. Do you notice any difference(s) in your life? Let me know! I would love to hear some feedback from you, whether it be on this post, or a previous one. Please leave your comments! I appreciate and value your input, in addition to your readership! Happy Thanksgiving! ~ Lisa @Scorpiol13

Dare to Dream...Realize the Dream...Live the Dream

Dreams are realities waiting to manifest...focus all your attention and intention on your dreams, and they will manifest in your life! The very nature of the Universal Law of Attraction guarantees it! And the grace of God wills it! If it is meant to be, and you allow it to manifest, then it will be. In fact, it already IS. And you already ARE. You just need to open your heart and your arms and embrace the miracle that is YOU!
Peace ... OneLove ... Namasté ... Lisa

I Create, Therefore I Am...

Happiness is a by-product of Creativity, or Creative Process. All Creation is Beauty (whether creator or created, the source or the muse). Happiness can not exist without the creative process, any more than life can exist without the creative process of Breathing. Many creative people such as artists, writers, painters, poets, dancers seem to live in misery. However, in reality, the human condition by default is one of misery and suffering. Through creativity one may transcend humanness, the human aspects of self, mainly the ego, and become self-less. Only through Creativity and Meditation can one who is alive return to the source, merging with the universe and all creation on a vibrational level. At that level there is no misery, no judgments, no attachments...at that level there is only Harmony, or Oneness. I am You, I am God, I am Universe, I am the vibration of highest frequency, I am LOVE.

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.

"Faith" - A Walk In The Clouds

This awe-inspiring photo found on the web caught my eye...to me it represents a guided path of some sort, into the light, maybe to heaven?

Sent from my iPhone