Practical Spirituality: Letting Go of the Past

Yesterday I did a work out that included meditation, Tai-Chi, and Chi-Kung. Today I did one that included Meditation, Jun Bao, and another form of Chi-Kung. Although it may not seem like it to some people, I consider this working in order to make the world a better place. I will go even further and say that when you do these things, if you do them sincerely and regularly, you are working to make the world a better place. I have written on this subject in a previous article, but I think that we, somehow, forget how important self care is. Those who are service providers and helpers for others, often neglect themselves, thinking that dedicating their time to others is more important. This is not the case. When you take care of yourself, you are taking care of others. How can this be? You may ask.

Through self care such as doing meditation and exercise on a regular basis you calm yourself. You make your mind, body, and spirit stronger. You relieve stress from your body and you foster a lifestyle that is proactive, instead of reactive. In other words, you take charge of your responses to negativity and positivity in the world, instead of just running on automatic. If you go on to do the deep work, the hard work, you begin to realize who you are on the inside. When you realize who you are, you become free. You cannot realize who you are, however, until you engage in the very difficult work. Pema Chodran explained this as Boddichita work, the work of the warrior, or Going where we don’t really want to go.

Meditation is not always an escape from an oppressive world, nor is it necessarily only to reduce stress, or the improve health, though these are very important results from it, meditation is also daring to look at the ugliness in ones soul. It is observing the anger, the hatred, the fear, all the prejudices implanted in our minds during the socialization project. After looking at them without judgment, it is also about releasing them, thus nullifying their power.

If you do meditate and want to take it to the next step, I would suggest you do a practice somewhat like the Zen students do. In this case it is to think about some of your fears and prejudices before meditating, formulating a question about their origins, or their authenticity, and then meditating. You will be surprised at the insights that arise. When they arise let them go and speak of them no more, realizing they don’t exist. They are only shadows of the past with only the power that we give them.

Today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness and every tomorrow a vision of hope.

Kalidassa

As you begin to claim your true identity, the illusion of the false self, the identity created through socialization, begins to fade. You become the greater you, the more authentic you. You begin to live each day in response to how the world is and more importantly in response to who and what you really are. This is greater then freedom. This is freedom and responsibility. As you live with freedom and responsibility you partake of the tree of life, as the fruit you bear as a human and divine being, brings forth life and regeneration.

Reunion of Souls, Dr. John W.Gilmore. A book of deep spirituality in Sci-fi form.

Dr. John Gilmore is a Writer, Spiritual Director, and Healer. In order to see more articles like this one search through the rest of these ezine articles, or explore our Practical Spirituality Journal at http://www.dswellness.com To take our free course, Stress Reduction 101, or to take part in our weekly Universal Circle of Creation Spirituality Cyber Service, visit: http://dswellness.htap.net The service is open to the public.

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