I've been filling my brain with great books and they continue to change the way I think. I do believe that if I didn't experience this much pain and suffering, I would have never decided to do all the things I have been doing to improve my well-being. They are working. I am much happier and at peace with what is now, not what could have been or happened in my past. I have been carrying a great sorrow of past rejections and moments of losing my way, but as I keep letting those go, I gain more confidence in myself and who I truly am. The Power of Now, by Eckhart Tolle has revolutionized the way I think - my observation of my thoughts and how to enjoy the Now and not to worry about the future or fret about the past. I never knew my Ego was not my friend, it's the voice in your head trying to control the way you act and feel emotions. Your true self - your soul is who you really are, and once you still the mind, your soul goes into auto-pilot. My soul is filled with joy, empathy, love, hope, beauty and peace. These are the feelings I want to keep on the fore-front of my mind, and life becomes so much easier and fulfilling.
My current breakthrough: As a person, I will always be evolving - learning new things, teaching others, facing obstacles and triumphs, but it is my soul, my inner-self that will continue to shine with a bright light and that can never be taken away from me. (Shit, did I just quote a Katy Perry song?)
Books I read these past two weeks:
- The Buddha in the Attic, by Julie Otsuka. Tales of everyone and no one in particular facing the challenge of being Japanese living in America during the attack on Pearl Harbor and the aftermath they faced in war camps. Fiction, based on non-fiction...quick read in a writing style I have never seen before..no stand-out characters, but you could connect with them on different levels.
- The Dog Who Danced, by Susan Wilson. Girl loses her dog on a trip cross-country to visit her dying father. In an about-face, she discovers the long-lost love and approval from her Dad, all the while finding a 'knight in shining Harley', and the return of her best friend. Fiction - beach read!
- Journey to Ixtlan, The Lessons of Don Juan, by Carlos Castaneda. This book falls right into the theme of finding your Power and following your inner warrior. I got a lot out of this book on a spiritual level and actually made me think, taking peyote might not be so bad.
- The Power of Now, A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment, by Eckhart Tolle. This book changed my life. I will try to take on the challenge of covering it in my next post... baby steps.
I'm so glad you love The Power of Now and recognize how powerful it is. Yay!
ReplyDeleteIf you're anything like me, you'll want to underline the crap out of helpful phrases and refer to them often. And, in moments of panic or self-doubt, just pick it up off the shelf and *randomly* (if there is such a thing) turn to a page and a passage. In these moments the universe gives you exactly what you need.
If there is a downside to The Power of Now - and I'm not saying there is - it is its elusiveness. Following its message of staying in the present (almost) every moment of your life - one moment at a time - is akin to walking the razor's edge. With constant mindfulness what could be easier? However, given our human nature, past conditioning, and mental formations, I think: What could be harder?
But! The journey, the constant ebb and flow of living from the present moment and then trying again when you realize you lost it, is so worth it. So liberating.
It reminds me of my favorite Ani Difranco quote: "You know they never really owned you. You just carried them around you. And one day you put them down and found your hands were free."
I love you and am so happy to know that I have another soul sister on this journey of self-discovery and abundant self-love. Thanks for being my inspiration today.