It's Life Breathe Deeply

Quiet your Mind

2010-03-09T17:13:11-08:00

Are you aware at the fact that we receive two million bits of information per second? Out of those 2 million we are only able to handle 134 bits per second. Only those are processed by the brain. We then group the 134 bits of information into seven manageable sets of information based on our memories, values and beliefs. From everything we experience throughout the day we leave a lot of information out and we only process that information that either relates to us or that is convenient to us.

In other words, we really cannot see anything other than who we are and what we perceive outside ourselves is who we are.

Every cell in your body is affected by what you think and the responsibility of change falls on you. The value of what you do and what you are solely depends on this. If you are surrounded by chaos, instability or confusion it is because that is what you are inside. The only way to modify this is by changing yourself.

Never underestimate the power to change yourself. Never overestimate the power to change others.

When you correct your mind, everything will fall into place. Think soft, think flexible and become humble. You have the power and capacity to change your being by changing the way you look at things about yourself. It is all based on beliefs of how we see ourselves and our life.

Begin by creating a blank canvas as you relate to others. Find peace in every relation and be open to listening. Benefit without the personal concern of your own benefit. Benefit by observing the way others relate to you as they are a mirror of your own self.

Meditation, Observation, Solitude, Silence, Humility

2010-03-02T19:09:04-08:00

Aquarius...from the Broadway musical Hair...

harmony and understanding
sympathy and trust abounding
no more falsehoods or derisions
golden living dreams of visions
mystic crystals revelations
and the minds true liberation.....

Let's be considerate of each other please!!!

Let's Do an Experiment: Live Zen for One Week...

2010-02-13T08:31:51-08:00

I want to know how many people are willing to concentrate for one week to live a little Zen. It is not easy, but it can be done.

FOCUS!

I want to find out the effects of trying this practice for just one week. I want to hear the before and after and the benefits found by everyone.

By definition ZEN comes from the school of Mahayana Buddhism that asserts that enlightenment can be attained through meditation, self-contemplation, and intuition rather than through faith and devotion and that is practiced mainly in China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. Also called Zen Buddhism.

Therefore, if you are willing to tap for a moment into the world of enlightenment....then let's do this together.

The biggest effort that you will have to deal with is living in the present moment. This is the hardest part.

Most people live on the memories of their past or what could be their future, yet skip over the most important moment...NOW. When we live in the present moment we learn to be aware of what is happening to us, what we are doing, feeling and thinking. Personally that is the best present I can have in live. Being able to take control of my thoughts, actions and words is truly a like owning a superpower.

By living in the present we can analyze our thoughts and situations as they are without tainting them with experiences of our past. After all, the past is only an individual perception of an event that we have created in our mind. So for the purpose of our experiment let's concentrate on the present time and try to see things as they are without influencing them with fears, angers, desires, attachments or judgments. In other words...it is not about ME.

When we live in the present moment we concentrate on what is happening right NOW, enjoying it and making the most out of it. When we are aware of our thoughts it is a bit easier to become detached. By being detached we are able to chose how we react to people, events and situations which can help us avoid inconveniences, troubles or embarrassments. Through this practice we develop a great power of concentration and attention. It is truly a challenge, but well worth it.

Living on the present is one of the main aspects of Zen living. So how do we work on developing this skill?

-Devote some time for silence. Just you and only you. Listen to your body. Catch what you are thinking or feeling. Enjoy your own company in a quiet space in your home or outside.

-Contemplation. Enjoy and observe the wonders of nature that surround us. Acknowledge the presence of the elements of nature in your life. Notice the colors, the sounds, the wind...

-Smile and Serve Others. Yes, make an effort to smile and Yes, there is nothing wrong with being kind while serving others. For some it might be hard at the beginning, but soon enough you will achieve peace while opening a pocket of happiness in your life. Most certainly DO it without expecting anything in return.

-Stop trying to get things done your way. If your friends, partner or relatives wants to do something and you want something else, detach from the idea of winning. Sit back, relax and enjoy the ride by making your counterpart happy!!!

There is no better way to empower yourself than by letting go. This will not make you more vulnerable. On the contrary, it will give you more power when you see that you can truly control your life.

So...Are you in for the challenge? Are you ready to discover your own superpower?

Men soon the faults of others learn
A few their virtues, too, find out;
But is there one—I have a doubt—
Who can his own defects discern?
Sanskrit Proverb

Please!!! Let's help our brothers in HAITI

2010-01-13T17:37:19-08:00

There is certainly no need for words... Just the images of the devastation in Haiti are more than enough. Please, find a way to do something for the people of Haiti.

Information From CNN:

Haiti faces devastation

An International Red Cross spokesman warned that up to 3 million people may have been affected by Tuesday's earthquake in Haiti. Below are some organizations specifically helping Haiti.

How you can help:
In addition to providing emergency relief, these organizations are providing the following aid to those in need:

Providing Basic Needs:
• American Red Cross
• CARE
• World Vision
• UNICEF USA
• International Relief Teams
• Save the Children
• Catholic Relief Services
• Samaritan's Purse
• American Jewish World Services
• Clinton Foundation
• Yéle Haiti
• World Concern
• Mercy Corps
• Operation Blessing International
• UN Central Emegergency Response Fund (CERF)

Providing Shelter:
• Shelterbox
• Habitat for Humanity International

Providing Medical Aid:
• Direct Relief International
• International Medical Corps
• Medical Teams International
• Doctors Without Borders
• Operation USA
• MAP International
• The International Committee of the Red Cross
• World Health Organization
• Americares

Providing Food:
• World Food Programme
• The Salvation Army
• Compassion International
• Food for the Poor

Encountering disappointments before reaching our goals.

2010-01-06T17:48:15-08:00

When we set out mind on a specific goal our essence knows that we are able to reach it. Otherwise the goal would not be there for us to reach. However, it is all part of a game. There is a path to be taken on the way to that goal and that path could be filled with disappointments.

The word disappointment sounds awful to most people. According to the dictionary disappointment is a state or emotion of being. In other words an emotion that we create based on a certain outcome. When we take that emotion we can either turn it into a total loss or an opportunity to grow.

For the purpose of our personal growth we should view a disappointment as an opportunity to better ourselves.

If we go a bit further we can say that such disappointment must then be a learning lesson. When we see a disappointment as a learning lesson we can then analize the situation, see where we can improve, learn from it and most definitely move on. There is no doubt that the reason for a disappointment is to learn from it with great strength. Learn where we must detach from the material/egoistical side of the experience and take the essence of it. It is not about "where did I go wrong", it should be about how can I better myself. How can I be happy right NOW with this experience. Can I clear my mind at this very moment to give myself the opportunity to receive the information needed to truly reach my goal?

Usually the best lessons come from great disappointments. Whether we need to change our ways to be more kind and flexible or we need to be stronger and not let others take us down. When we are sure of what we want in life, we need to stand up and defend our goals. As there is a balance in everything in life. One side to be humble, good and kind to others and the other side to be strong enough to know and be certain that we are able to achieve our goals.

Sometimes the test comes to see how certain we are of the things we want in life. Are you completely confident in your capacity to reach your goals? What is stopping you? What is the lesson you must learn?

Dare to ask yourself the question...silence will provide the answer.

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.

 Martin Luther King, Jr.

Empower our children...even if they lose their game.

2009-11-09T17:53:20-08:00

It is a wonderful feeling to watch our children succeed in everything. It is usually great as most of the time it is serving our ego. Most of the time when our children succeed in anything we brag about it with everyone. In the meantime, the child goes about his way playing or doing any other activity not even thinking about the "importance" of his or her great success. Of course they receive the typical praise to enforce their self esteem and to do the same or even better the next time.

What happens when the child doesn't succeed? Are we empowering our children the same way when they don't?

Are we still doing our job as parents when things go in a different direction?

From what I observe in the majority of cases, parents tend to forget that their job is to help empower their children to grow and learn from all experiences in life. It is not to turn children into a model of what they want or would have wanted to be in life. This could be a very negative and dangerous approach when we attempt to turn our children into what we want.

We must accept that our children come with their own talents, strengths and weaknesses and not all will want to follow our same path, career or interests. The idea is to be aware of the direction they are taking and empower, encourage and support them to be the best they can be in making their dreams come true. Of course, we are their guides and counselors, but we must be careful that when guiding we don't become masters of their life.

My parents always told my sister and I that we must do whatever made us happy. They said that if we followed our happiness, then anything we did would be done right and would become a success. We were always guided to follow a good and positive path and I can say that for us it was easy to find our calling in life.

When we empower and guide our children to help them achieve their purpose in life; we create a sense of confidence, well-being and responsibility that will help them make the right decisions. That is really our job as parents. The word "mom" or "dad" is just a title. We are really teachers to our children with the responsibility of teaching how to build character, self-esteem, discipline and a great sense of accountability as members of our community.

The teachers are not only in school, the work continues in the home. The difference is that we must do it with unconditional love, lots of hugs and kisses.

Never forget that when our child "loses" the next game...it is only part of the learning process. Never let your ego take over the experience of your child and make positive out of every opportunity to grow as your kid's most important mentor!!

Remember, our words become an imprint in our children's lives.

El Vocero - Los mensajes subliminales que le damos a nuestros hijos

2009-11-09T05:25:02-08:00

El Vocero - Los mensajes subliminales que le damos a nuestros hijos.

Experience a Blank Canvas

2009-11-04T17:47:04-08:00

In other words, we really cannot see anything other than who we are and what we perceive outside ourselves is who we are.

The people that we see are what we project them to be as we can only perceive a small percentage of information. We take our most unconscious believes and project them on to others and events around us.

What is the purpose?

To become conscious of them and change four our own good and better being.

Chaos creates chaos and peace creates peace. Where do you stand right now in chaos or peace? Your answer is a reflection of your own inner self. You must decide where you want to be and begin with yourself. You and only you can create value in your life. We tend to project all of our unresolved issues with the people around us and we don't see anything other than who we really are.

Never underestimate the power to change yourself. Never overestimate the power to change others.

Meditation, Observation, Solitude, Silence, Humility

Be Mindful of your thoughts, actions and words. What your project on to others will be reflected back to you. Open yourself to the idea of creating a whole better version of YOU. The whole dynamic around you will change for the best.

The thought of "ONE"

2009-10-27T14:25:00-07:00

I truly believe in looking at the world as ONE. I also believe in the Golden Rule of treating others as you would like to be treated. Even though we all come with different circumstances; I think we all come from the same place to learn different lessons. Yes, for some it sounds like a fantasy, but I like to think that my life has a purpose and my purpose is to be become a better person not only for my peace, but for the benefit of the people around me. I think that our children should grow up with a sense of ONE community. This has been lost in the years past and we should work on getting it back.

There is no need to wait until we have a problem, natural disaster or disease to consider helping the people around us. I think it is our responsibility to live aware of other people's needs. If we build a sense of community, we would save ourselves a lot of unnecessary stress. The idea of being ONE is not a great revelation. In fact, you even see it in shoe ads. However, the majority of us do not live as ONE. Many are calling this the trend of the generations to come. If so, we should then take charge and move faster to get closer to this powerful movement.

I lived for many years in the me, myself and I world and it truly didn't give me any great satisfactions. On the contrary; it was like going to war on a daily basis. My EGO was so big and the sense of only ME was so great that there was no other way than go to war when this is what rules your life.

It was not until I realized that this was not the way to live that I began my own rehab. After 21 days of strict meditation and connection with my real self, I began to notice the change in me. It was then when I started feeling part of a whole and a sense of responsibility towards that whole. When that shift happened in my life, it was when I realized that I had learned a great lesson that would help me find my purpose in life.

To me there is no doubt we come with a purpose and on the way to achieving this purpose we must learn many lessons. Most of these lessons come to help us understand the meaning and importance of being ONE. Through this acceptance and understanding we can achieve true happiness.

When we open ourselves to others with kindness, best intention and selflessness we can find the treasure at the end of the rainbow.

The Good Feeling

2009-10-20T17:32:59-07:00

Your ability to imagine will help the next logical steps come to you faster. Work the bugs out in your imagination. You don't have to build little things and bigger things. You can do it all in your mind. We're not talking about the next logical action step. Use your imagination until your big dream feels so familiar that the manifestation is the next logical step. -- Esther Hicks

The feeling inside applies to almost everything in my life; anything having to do with an important decision or even if I should go to the store in the morning or afternoon. I am sure you know what I am talking about. When you've had to make a decision about work, your children or general things in life you always know what is the good decision and what doesn't feel right.

Many times we look outside for the answers. We ask our friends or family for the right response to something when the answer is sitting deep inside of you. I usually know the correct decision to a situation. It might take me a little while to come to it, but as it happens with me, it sure happens with all. There is no need to look for the answers to our questions outside. If we take the time to quiet ourselves down and discover that silence brings wisdom to our lives, then there is no need for doubts.

It is so common to find people doubting themselves. Just doubting that feeling that grows inside of whether something is good for you or something is bad. There is no need to waste time in doubt. Usually when we trust ourselves that feeling inside is the right one. Even when things look like a paradise or crystal palace, when you have the feeling that it is not the right thing for you...there is no need to ask others. It will definitely be what you already know.

Why do we spend so much time in doubt? Look inside, love yourself, trust your feeling, develop your internal wisdom and you will always know the answer.