TheLeaderInside.com

The Big Picture — Yep! Still More to Say …

“Peace comes within the souls of humans when they realize their oneness with the universe.”

~~~ Black Elk, Oglala

Last week we talked about the disparities we have in our culture today compared to where we were only a few years ago. We’re being constantly bombarded by our leaders and by the commercials we see very day to buy, buy, buy! Of course, what that does is it keeps the money flowing out of our pockets, the pockets of the majority of us, into the pockets of the huge corporations and the pockets of the financial speculators — and from there into the pockets of our elected officials, governments and other major powerful interests.

I said that this week we’d spend some time looking at some of the ways we might break out of this cycle. When we look at the “big picture” what does it tell us that we need to do? Obviously, we have to make some changes in the way we live. Yes, I can hear you saying, “Okay, I can see that, but how much will we have to suffer to bring about these changes in our lifestyles?”

We can see that we have to control our cravings for more and more of the material and natural goods, the cravings that the corporations use to keep us spending. We need to focus more on developing caring communities, instead of living our lives in complete isolation from our neighbors. We need to figure out ways to bring an end to using war as a method to solve international disputes. We need to find ways to return to our ideals of being a truly democratic society without the current extremes of wealth and poverty. It’s not just us here in America — these changes need to happen throughout the world. Our governmental ideals need to return to the concept of our founders who dictated that governments are managed by the people, for the people, and of the people. And, we the people need to be devoted to our own well-being as well as the well-being of nature.

There is no way we can say we want democracy but we don’t want to make the sacrifices to promote sustainability. There is no way we can want happiness, but turn our noses up at promoting justice. These things are all linked together and there isn’t any room for behind the scenes deal-making.

We live today believing in so many myths about what sort of hardships doing these things will cause. How can a more equitable distribution of resources hurt poor people? Think about all the stories we hear from the nay-sayers about how taking important steps to save our planet will cause us to suffer because life won’t be as fun as it used to be.

Think about this. Wouldn’t it be nice if it turned out that the choices we must make together to survive together are the same as the choices we need to make to create the very world everyone wants? If that were true, then we should be able to just get together and make it happen. Wouldn’t that be cool? Maybe we should start a conversation to find out what people truly want.

Before we close this article for today, I’d like to share this short video with you.

This is a story about a planet which will vanish…if we don’t take some action today to change it. We can help by beginning today to conserve our resources. The video is about 3 minutes long and is well worth your time.

In the event the video doesn’t play for some reason, here is a direct link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3h9Uw1K8jJc

Next week we’ll go on and talk about this conversation we could have and what sort of things we’ll actually discuss when that happens. We’ll talk about what some of the fundamental principles are for building a just, sustainable and peaceful global society. We’ll talk about those shared responsibilities we all have for the well-being of the human family and the larger living world.

Stay tuned. Come back next week and join in this important discussion.
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“You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.”

~~~ Buddha

I’d love to hear your comments on this. At the very end of this post (after the commercials and the tags) you should see a place where you can leave your comment. It will be a link that says “No Comments” — or “Comments”. Let me hear from you. Thanks.
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I know, this blog has always been aimed at a more spiritual discussion, and I will eventually get back to it. I believe that those of us who are working for more spiritual growth in our world have to be a part of The New Earth, and these latest posts do relate to that. (See Eckhart Tolle links below.) I meditate to help keep me sane in this crazy world of today. Those glimpses we get of peace, love, acceptance and happiness when we’re meditating will soon grow into more than glimpses if we keep practicing. Keep those feelings alive. A meditation can be as simple as one, deep, conscious breath. When something happens in one of your moments to cause you to suffer, just stop and take one of those breaths and remember, “This too shall pass!” Another thing that is wonderful, especially at this time of year, is to have a fresh flower where you work. Just stop from time-to-time and look at it — don’t label it — don’t judge it — just be with it for a couple of moments. It really does work. I’m looking at mine as I write this.

“Each flower is a soul blossoming out to nature”

~~~ Gerard de Nerva

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If you’re new to us here, I’ve written a series of articles about meditation. If you look on the upper left of the sidebar, you’ll see a list of the categories. Click the one called “Meditation” and you’ll be able to read the articles you missed. They start with the January 24, 2008 post. The video meditations that I included with the earlier articles may no longer function. I’m sorry about that, but those are out of my control. Hopefully, they’ll all still be working.

Do include meditation in your daily life. If you’re just starting out, make it a 10 or 15 minute meditation. If you’ve been doing this for a while, try to do a minimum of 20 to 30 minutes. The longer you can maintain your focus on just your breath, the better. And, remember, anytime you take a deep, conscious breath — that’s a breath where you’re putting your focus on that breath — that’s a meditation. Do it often every day — especially when you’re feeling stressed. I guarantee, you’ll find more peace and happiness in your life if you’ll do this.

“Those who really seek the path to Enlightenment dictate terms to their mind. Then they proceed with strong determination.”

~~~ Buddha

Namaste!

I have some new words for you in closing — remember these words …

“Be happy now, my dear friends. This moment is all we have. Be good to one another. Take comfort in whatever spirituality you are so inclined (or not), and learn to be happy despite your circumstances. Follow your path; pursue your dreams. Work hard, love your family be generous and forgiving. Do it today, while you still have the flicker of life, for one day your own candle will dim.”

You are special — and you are loved. You are the greatest gift you can be.

Shanti … (A sanscrit word meaning, “Let there be Peace. Peace, beautiful Peace. Peace within, Peace without. Peace in this world. Peace for all beings.”)

“Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.”

~~~ Buddha

~~~ Ron
http://www.theleaderinside.com
http://www.wecould2.com

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Even though the live webcasts of the Eckhart Tolle New Earth classes are now concluded, you can still download the entire course. It’s being called “The Best Summer School Course Ever!” That’s the truth and I highly recommend it. It’s completely free. All you really have to do is get the book, “A New Earth — Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose” by Eckhart Tolle. You can access the course online at:

http://www.oprah.com/obc_classic/webcast/archive/archive_download.jsp.

You’ll find everything you need there — all 10 classes. If you happen to have iTunes on your computer, you can also access the course by subscribing to it through the podcast link in iTunes. Check it out. Several million people around the globe took part in this amazing spiritual teaching. I hope you’ll soon be one of them. This is how we can create a new consciousness on the New Earth.

“Feeling will get you closer to the truth of who you are than thinking. ”

~~~ Eckhardt Tolle —

Also, Oprah now has her Soul Series of Webcasts started. There is a series with Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor and more from Eckhart Tolle. You can get these from this site for downloading:

http://www2.oprah.com/spiritself/oss/ss_oss_archive.jhtml

This is also available as an iTunes subscription. I’ve listened/watched all of these so far, and I highly recommend them.
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In my meditation I often use what I believe is a powerful aide to deep meditation. It’s the The Holosync Solution. I knew that meditation was a vital element to nurturing my soul — to opening myself to the universe — and this tool has allowed me to achieve and receive the benefits of deep, long-term meditation — and to achieve it much more quickly. If you’re having trouble “getting meditation to work for you” – then the The Holosync Solution is what you’re looking for.

Regular, daily meditation can give you …

(1) Increased intelligence and creativity.
(2) Lower stress levels — and with that — increased ability to handle whatever the world tosses your way.
(3) New levels of self-awareness and inner peace.
(4) The healing of emotional issues at the deepest levels.
(5) It is the proven path to finding the peace, love and compassion within all of us –

— it’s definitely worth taking the time for this powerful practice every day.

With a One-Year 100% Iron-Clad Guarantee, you can now do so with no risk whatsoever — just click any of the links that say … The Holosync Solution

— The Holosync Solution
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