" Suffering ... "

“ ... Let's sit back and relax and get comfortable

Now close your eyes, now make it right

I've got my mind set at ease

Don't you know it's you why you're suffering?

You're why you're suffering

I've got my reasons to live

Don't you know it's you why you're suffering?

You're why you're suffering ... “

~ Rebelution ~ Suffering ~

***

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to participate in a transformational event ... the Medicine Buddha Empowerment and Healing Retreat.  Bright-eyed and curious, my beautiful girlfriends and I, received empowerment by our teacher, learned how to apply the teachings of the Medicine Guru ... and prayed and chanted and prayed and chanted and prayed and ...  The retreat in itself is what you make of it ... whether those who attended were there for relief from their own mental or physical illness, or their loved ones ... our intentions were pure and our faith was fed.

And when attending a three day session like this one, you hope that one, two or more little morsels of wisdom you hear will find a place somewhere within you.  Allowing you to take the time you need to process and see if it resonates within you.  The beauty is that these morsels pop up like little clouds of inspiration, just when you need them ... our inner voice, our inner sense, our inner knowing ... 

“ ... Tibetan doctors rely on Medicine Buddha for their healings. Regular practice with the Medicine Buddha also empowers one with powers to heal others. In China and Japan, Medicine Buddha is a refuge in times of illness. Around the world, literally millions call out the name or mantra of Bhaisajyaguru (भैषज्यगुरु). It is even written in the sutras that if you speak the name of the Medicine Buddha in the ears of a dying animal or human they will be ensured good rebirth regardless of their past karma ... “

From the Buddhists perspective, illness is part of life, not the cause of your death.  Those words in themselves, for me personally, were profound.  From my own journey it is about finding the courage ... with determination ... to make a breakthrough, and I fully understand that doesn’t mean I’ll be saved from death by cancer.  

Personally it is about having a constructive attitude.  Because the cancer in this body I call mine in this lifetime has provided a doorway to give thought about my death, and to reflect on my life thus far.  I am learning that by using the “suffering” of this ill-ness, I come face to face with some of the deepest issues of life ... and death.  

“ ... Aside from visualizing and mantra recitation, a common healing practice is to chant 108 of Medicine Buddha’s mantras over a glass of water. The chanter, preferably one who has chanted the mantra in regular practice, then blows on the water and offers it to a sick person. The empowered water has healing powers. The patient can also be requested to speak the name of the Buddha 108 times, or chant the mantra, or read the sutras, or just to gaze up on a loving picture of the Medicine Buddha. Many miraculous cures have been attributed to the Medicine Buddha. Tibetan doctors tend to begin each day with Medicine Buddha practice, and when making herbal medicines chant the Mantras while working to further empower their medicinal benefits ... “

When we think of suffering, we think we must stop it, it is bad, it is painful, it is harmful.  Yet what if we view suffering as a fuel of wisdom, opening the way to happiness.  So maybe illness and suffering isn’t all that bad ... said that blogger living with cancer, who has NOT lost her mind, not just yet anyhow ;)

Putting this into perspective, how you cope with your illness will determine how well you live your life.  Rather than making excuses for what you have been “diagnosed” with ... start with ACCEPTANCE.  When you begin to accept your illness, you open yourself up to seeing what’s really on your plate, a process which takes time.

Acceptance lives in the present moment.  Little by little as you accept your illness, what IS, you cope a little better.  And then that little better gets a little more better, and a little more better, and a little more better ...

Illness, like everything in life, changes.  Whatever new effect you are facing today, different from yesterday, stretches you and your ability to adapt.  And for those that believe, this is the ripening of your negative karma, the path to enlightenment.  Perhaps an uncomfortable subject for some, others, it gives it purpose, to understand why not this suffering is happening to me.

The wake up call ... the new lease on life ... the second chance ... 

Those that suffer, really suffer, reading this may laugh at the mere concept of seeing that suffering can be a blessing.  A karmic blessing.  Because they are conditioned to see what they see ... physical distortions, mental anguish and spiritual disarray.  What have you got to lose ... to change the anger, hatred and distress towards joy, peace and clarity.  Trust not just a dream, fully possible from what I experienced this past retreat.  You see, the outcome may be what is destined to be, but the journey can be embraced with gratitude, in each and every moment ... by deciding what this suffering means to you.

I express infinite gratitude for the 

realizations, transformations and blessings shared and received ...

Medicine Buddha mantra

Tayata Om Bekanze Bekanze 

Maha Bekanze Radza 

Sumudgate Soha

" Growth ... "

The only thing constant in the world is change

That's why I stay, I take life as it comes

~ India Arie ~ Growth ~ 

***

For those of us that are involved in personal and spiritual development work, the path can be rough and challenge us in different ways ... especially when it comes to relationships.

Inevitably there will be people in our lives that are not interested in this sort of thing.  They would rather go out late and party, sit around and gossip, or procrastinate about their career or do anything else but.  

You see, once you plunge headfirst into finding out about your life, your intentions, your motivations, your thoughts ... you begin to face what you need to heal and then you have a chance to release and let it go ... you change as a human being ... you are not the same as you were.  You see the illusions, you attempt to lift the veil ... and those around you that are not on the same path may find you just plain ... odd?!

Why ... well you engage in different kinds of conversations, where it seems impossible to pretend any more ... no matter who long you’ve “known” each other.  You are more comfortable with space, silence, introspection ... others feel awkward, uncomfortable and anxious.  

So, no one said this was going to be easy ... 

if you find yourself in a similar scenario there are some ways to cope.

Start by stopping ... the urge to convert your loved ones.  And this is a tough one, because personally speaking, this path has enriched my life and I want to share it.  I want everyone to come along for the ride.  But pushing does more harm than good by pushing them away.

Second, not everyone is interested.  Interested in your experiences that is.  I have found that those that aren’t are looking for the quick spiritual fix because they don’t have much time.  That is not to say that the thirst for inner peace is not present ... just not everyone is interested in what you have to say.

Last but most important ... don’t let other’s choices define your experience.  In embarking on the path of spiritual and personal development you have made a choice.  A choice that freedom matters to you.   That you are tired of the crap ... the one you carry around and also that others so graciously bring into your life.  Respect each others paths.

Staying true to your choices and what best for you is what matters.  You are worth the investment ... trust me.  You will find a whole new group of people who are willing to meet you exactly where you are, in this moment.  Go ahead and surround yourself with a community of people who are "awake, conscious, inspiring, and changing the world in their own unique and extraordinary ways".  

These people make a choice that lead them to a life full of gratitude ... 

And send blessings to those who choose a different path and adventure.  Their view of security, safety and reliability will match your embrace for freedom and the unknown.  Both are beautiful in their own way.

... Loving with an open palm is the way you bless others ...

www.walkstrong.ca

" Why ... "

How many times do I have to try to tell you

That I'm sorry for the things I've done

But when I start to try to tell you

That's when you have to tell me ...

That's why it hurts so bad to hear the words

That keep on falling from your mouth

Falling from your mouth

Falling from your mouth

Tell me ... Why

This is the book I never read

These are the words I never said

This is the path I'll never tread

These are the dreams I'll dream instead

This is the joy that's seldom spread

These are the tears...

The tears we shed

This is the fear

This is the dread

These are the contents of my head

And these are the years that we have spent

And this is what they represent ...

You don't know what I feel

~ Annie Lennox ~ Why ~

***

The meaning of Life and it’s impermanent nature.  We often contemplate life, death and the purpose of being here ... the why of it all.  Why the happiness, why the sadness, why the struggle, why the heartache ... and I don’t know if there is a solid answer I’ve found to satisfy the why ... I don’t know if the chase for a more promising tomorrow will ever end.

Some day, that goal ... it will all lead to happiness.  But we know better.  We know that we cannot stride through life as if we will live forever.  We know that we cannot treat time as a cheap commodity that we blindly waste.  We know that we cannot hide behind victim stories forever.  We know the signs to wake up and make a change.

So you learn to forgive, you learn to take responsibility, and you learn to let go of anxiety and stress ... but what happens when we make all those changes only to find our problems are still very present and very real?  You learn to live your life with courage, love and integrity.  You learn to slow down and appreciate the preciousness of whom you are and the beauty, wealth, abundance, love and opportunities that surround you.

it’s about what makes you come alive ... 

A blank canvas in front of you, you are the artist of your life 

and you are free to paint any picture that pleases you ... 

and change it at any time for that matter ... 

We may not be able to answer the infinite question of why ... but we can replace it with questions that motivate us ... what do you love in life? ... what would you stand for if you knew no one would judge you? ... what really inspires you?

Believe that the more you can implement your passions, strengths, values and desires into your days, the less you will be asking why because the most valuable knowledge that you will ever discover is, and always will be, within.

" Belief ... "

Everyone believes

In how they think it ought to be

Everyone believes

And they're not going easily

Belief is a beautiful armor

But makes for the heaviest sword

Like punching under water

You never can hit who you're trying for

Some need the exhibition

And some have to know they tried

It's the chemical weapon

For the war that's raging on inside

Everyone believes

From emptiness to everything

Everyone believes

And no one's going quietly ...

~ John Mayer ~ Belief ~

***

This past Monday, Russell and I had an opportunity to take a guided tour of the new Calgary Alberta Temple.  Being a very large and prominent building which can be seen for miles, the local Mormon congregation has opened it doors for the general public.  This open house event last for about a month and after our visit, we highly recommend a peek.  

No, we have not converted nor is there pressure to.  On the contrary, they told us they will NOT contact us unless we state otherwise.  And, I really didn’t know what to expect, but I was quite curious as their seems to be a whole lot of historical secrecy around the religion.  This seemed like the right opportunity to find out why.

As we drove into the NW neighbourhood, there were easy signs posted, directed us to the temple entrance.  Approaching the main drive way, we were greeted by happy parking attendants.  We entered the smaller chapel where we were constantly met with kind volunteers, ushering us to a video room.  There we were introduced to our tour guides and shown a 10 minute video, mainly about the religion and the hows and whys the temple was built.  Next we were led outside towards the new temple which was connected with sidewalks and protected with tents just in case the weather turned.  Outside of the grand building we were given white booties to place over our shoes, protecting the newly placed floors.  Inside the environment was beautiful and serene where we were consistently greeted by members of the congregation.  All in all, the tour lasted about 40 minutes.

Instead of sharing with you further “details” of the temple ... I thought I would address the question that may be circulating in your mind.  Why?  My reply ... why not?  

For me, visiting a mosque, temple, church or synagogue does not challenge my religious beliefs.  On the contrary, it allows me to seek further enlightenment.  It inspires me and this latest visit reminded me of our past trip to India were we had an opportunity to explore the Baha'i Temple.  The Baha'i faith believes in the spiritual unity of all humankind or the oneness of humanity ... believing that all humans have been created equal and there is no distinction between people.  

IF we truly believe this and stand for equality, then we would believe that the human race is one unified organic unit.   That people have the same basic capacities,  and our physical differences are superficial.  Unfortunately, ignorance, prejudice and power-seeking prove otherwise.

Personally speaking, I believe that regardless of what you believe and whom you follow, our intentions are similar.  So instead of “segregation” why not “integration”.  We are all connected.  I am glad I relinquished my fear and instead opened my heart and my mind.  I feel fortunate for the opportunity as it allowed me to step closer towards recognizing the oneness of humanity.

" Better ... "

No one ever told me when I was alone

They just thought I'd know better.. better...

The hardest part

this troubled heart has ever yet been through now,

Was heal the scars 

that got their start inside someone like you now,

For had I known or I'd been shown back 

when how long it'd take me,

To break the charms that brought me harm 

and all but would erase me.

Now I know you better, You know I know better ...

~ Guns ‘N Roses ~ Better ~

***

Some say life is a game and some of us have been dealt a “good” hand and others a “bad”hand.  And this hand will determine the inevitable outcome.  Yet what if we don’t have to play this game where there’s always a loser and a victor.  What if we decide we are all winners?

Fortunately, we have been given the gift of consciousness.  We have learned and created means to better express ourselves ... and these different forms of expression have been born in a communal effort to materialize our hopes, aspirations, morals, ethics, inspiration, and dreams.  How we understand this truth has everything to do with what we see manifested in our everyday perceptions of reality.

So depending on the hand dealt to us determines our individual experience of this communal creation ... or does it?  What if it depends on how we play the game instead ... similar to making our own path, we would have an equal opportunity to succeed, regardless of our cards.

Consider creating a new game together by changing the rules and stakes ...

So where’s the problem ... well some of us have no idea we have the option of creating a new game.  We feel we have to do the best we can with what we got, and that’s how we live.  We take in a situation, which might not be the best for us as a given, and don’t question it.  Just deal with it, in the best possible way.

Yet, there is so much power within us - once we realize our own potential, we decide how we play our hand, our own path, our own reality.  We decide better.  And this won’t come by anyone telling us we can, but by trying it out ourselves.  

We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand ~ Randy Paush