Success
The true meaning of success can make all the difference in your philosophy and how you can, and should, impact the world and those around you.
Written so many years ago, but more relevant than ever. The following excerpt, written by Henry Thomas Hamblin, is something I like to frequently meditate upon. It feels right, and provides my ambitions with a moral compass to keep my head and heart in-line with each other.
“ …success is the achievement of something worth while, that shall make the world better and richer, and add something to the common good. Our sphere in life may be very humble, but if we overcome our own weaknesses, help others along life’s pathway, and do our daily work better than we need, our life cannot be other than successful. If, at the end of our life, we can be thankful for it, realizing that we have made the best possible use of it, we have achieved real success.”
Henry Thomas Hamblin
Within Peace
There are times in everyone’s life when finding inner peace seems near impossible. But I caution you to brave those depths within, look hard, and find it – it’s there, the calm, peace.
And although the world and it’s problems may be enormous, so long as you can tap into your peace within, your ability to help yourself and others is greatly increased.
“As there are silent depths in the ocean which the fiercest storm cannot reach, so there are silent, holy depths in the heart of a man which the storms of sin and sorrow can never disturb. To reach this silence and to live consciously in it is peace.”
James Allen
Meditation on Love
Meditation on Love
Meditation on Love
“Meditation is the intense dwelling, in thought, upon an idea or theme, with the object of thoroughly comprehending it, and whatsoever you constantly meditate upon you will not only come to understand, but will grow more and more into its likeness, for it will become incorporated into your very being, will become, in fact, your very self.”
James Allen
Just Breath
The following excerpt from Yogi Ramacharaka’s classic book, The Hindu-Yogi Science of Breath, helps make clear a simple process you can easily incorporate into your daily routine to help increase vitality, (also known as chi, prana, energy and life-force) while simultaneously aiding in re-centering and strengthening the mind.
In this way, breath is not just an autonomic function of life, but can also be an exercise of thought and will. An easy and effective exercise for everyone, regardless of age or ability.
We hope you take this moment to try this sage teaching, use it often, and enjoy your journey to ideal chi.
“Prana Distributing”
“Lying flat on the floor or bed, completely relaxed, with hands resting lightly over the Solar Plexus (over the pit of the stomach, where the ribs begin to separate), breathe rhythmically.
After the rhythm is fully established, will that each inhalation will draw in an increased supply of prana or vital energy from the Universal supply, which will be taken up by the nervous system and stored in the Solar Plexus.
At each exhalation, will that the prana or vital energy is being distributed all over the body, to every organ and part; to every muscle, cell and atom; to nerve, artery and vein; from the top of your head to the soles of your feet; invigorating, strengthening and stimulating every nerve; recharging every nerve center; sending energy, force and strength all over the system.
While exercising the will, try to form a mental picture of the in-rushing prana, coming in through the lungs and being taken up at once by the Solar Plexus, then with the exhaling effort, being sent to all parts of the system, down to the finger tips and down to the toes.
It is not necessary to use the Will with an effort. Simply commanding that which you wish to produce and then making the mental picture of it is all that is necessary. Calm command with the mental picture is far better than forcible willing, which only dissipates force needlessly.
The above exercise is most helpful and greatly refreshes and strengthens the nervous system and produces a restful feeling all over the body. It is especially beneficial in cases where one is tired or feels a lack of energy.”
The Hindu-Yogi Science of Breath
Your Mind is a Garden
Your Mind is a Garden
“A man’s mind may be likened to a garden, which may be intelligently cultivated or allowed to run wild; but whether cultivated or neglected, it must, and will, bring forth.”
“If no useful seeds are put into it, then an abundance of useless weed seeds will fall therein, and will continue to produce their kind.”
James Allen
Wealth
wealth
“tis the mind that makes the body rich”
A.B. Olston
Vision
vision
Creating Personal Harmony
Creating Personal Harmony
Watching seaweed sway to and fro has always struck me as one of the more beautiful and enlightening sights nature regularly has on display.
For me, it’s a reminder that the pursuit of personal harmony is a gentle dance made up of small but constant movements. A reminder to find your rhythm and move within it, rather than struggle rigged against your will and environment. By taking small consistent steps, having the courage to make adjusting movements, you allow yourself to grow, to become more robust, to weather harsher tides and come out stronger and more complete than when you began.
Journaling, meditation, and affirmations, form a complete powerful tool. Journaling, to self reflect, see, and understand your actions, thoughts and emotions over an extended period of time. Meditation, to calm the feelings and allow re-centering of body, mind, and spirit. Affirmations, to set your course and direction to attain ideal chi.
It takes a great many small, constant steps to bring about an ideal change, but if applied consistently, even the most horrendous storm won’t throw you off your chosen course; and finding harmony (whatever that is to you personally) will be as natural as seaweed swaying in the tides.