Temptation

The word temptation is defined as the desire to do something, especially something wrong or unwise. No-one can avoid it because life is full of stuff with an attractive appearance that hides a negative aspect. You might believe to be immune from big temptations because you are aware of the disastrous consequences of giving in. But... what about the small ones? There are many that you may encounter throughout the day, but you tend to undervalue their importance. What may they be? The list is long. Just think about when you feel like uttering a hurtful word, avoiding a responsibility, not being punctual, ignoring a request of attention. Remember the pleasure you felt in gossiping, in criticizing someone's behavior. And don't forget the time you didn't buy something you really wanted because of excessive thriftiness, or - on the other hand - the times you bought something useless only to show off. No big deal, you may say. It may be so, "apparently". But every small temptation you give in to is a small step backward on your spiritual path.

Fortune Cookie Wisdom

I recently found this statement in a Chinese fortune cookie: "Discontent is the first step in the progress of a man or a nation." It made me think. I firmly believe that we should be content with what we have. But, clearly, to a certain extent and not for everything. If you have some money, but not as much as you would like, the first step is to appreciate it and do your best to make careful use of it. Then, if you want to become wealthier, plan a way to earn more. But there may be circumstances where "acceptance" becomes "resignation" and this is never good, neither for your body nor for your spirit. Accepting or, rather, being resigned to any kind of abuse, prevarication, or injustice is unfair to yourself. In such case, you cannot simply accept it or limit yourself to being discontented. You have to act, you have to take action. This will help you achieve the change you need and deserve.

Without Your "Truth"

When you meet someone new or have a conversation with someone you know, whenever you experience the world in any situation or circumstance, you face whatever it is with an unconscious 'bias'. You are unaware of the fact that your mind is so full of thoughts, memories, comparisons, conditioning of every sort that you can't help being influenced in what you say or do. The words you utter and your general behavior or attitude are molded by your "truth". Now imagine that you could be able to discard such "truth" and become a 'blank slate' (the Latin 'tabula rasa'). Your mind is totally free from any pre-conceived idea, from any judgments, from any beliefs. You are simply "you", your mind is free, your spirit is unrestrained, your soul untethered. Nothing conditions you, so you can live your experience to the fullest. Would you like such kind of freedom? Or would it be too scary?

Possible Mirage

If you get a hint that what you perceive might not be totally real, how do you react? Imagine that you are driving in the desert and see a sparkling oasis in the distance. At first glance you rejoice because fresh water and some shade is what you have been dreaming of. Your first instinct is to hurry towards the palm trees, already tasting cold water and sweet dates in your imagination. But you are also aware that the beautiful oasis might be just a mirage. So, what do you do? Do you rush head-on towards the image that you "see" - only to be bitterly disappointed if you then realize that it is not real - or do you cautiously approach it, ready to accept either reality, oasis or the mirage? As also in life "optical" illusions are possible, precaution is always necessary while approaching something or someone new or previously unknown. Don't trick yourself into believing that all you see is real. Be careful and check it out first - carefully. You will thus avoid a lot of sorrow.

Kaleidoscopes

I love kaleidoscopes. I could spend hours playing with one. Since I can remember, this toy has had a special kind of fascination for me. I have always found it totally "spiritual". Why? I must have unconsciously felt that it can be seen as an elegant, multifaceted, colorful symbol of Life. All you need is a few polychromatic slivers of glass  and pieces of mirror. That is just all. Then, you start turning it, shaking it - slowly (or even fast, if your prefer, but in so doing you'll simply 'see' and miss most of the fun!). What a miracle! So many, possibly infinite patterns and shapes are created under your very eyes, seemingly with no effort whatsoever. And your visual changes according to how you hold it. Isn't Life the same? According to how you think, feel and act you can shape it in so many different ways and you can interpret the results in many different ways, too. It's all up to you. It all "depends" on you.

Is It or Is It Not?

A question that you should ask yourself as often as possible is "How actually true is what I see?". Such question might sound naive, as you believe that what you see can't be anything but true. You have, in fact, the exact perception of what "is". How do you reach such certainty? Through your physical senses: you see, you hear, you smell, you touch, you taste... Therefore you are sure that you 'know'. But, do you really? Think of the many times when you "thought" you knew and later realized that you had made a mistake. What you had seen, heard, smelled, touched, tasted, was something totally different from what you had imagined or expected. A snake might end up being only a rope, a fallen object might sound like a threatening noise, the taste of mint could be originated by either the fresh herb or simple chewing-gum... The same goes for your judgments about people's characters. Don't be hasty. Try to first check it out. Endeavor to really "understand".

The World Doesn't Worry About You

Do you tend to worry about what others think of you? You are not the only one. Many are those whose preoccupation with other people's opinion causes a continuous state of insecurity. In order to free yourself from this totally useless burden, consider a few points. First: convince yourself that whatever you say or do will always find someone ready to criticize it because no option or action will ever find general agreement. Second: everyone - your friends and neighbors included - have their own preoccupations. Therefore, your deeds can only "superficially" interest them. Third: quite a few people speak simply for the sake of speaking, and immediately forget what they said because they don't give their words  any importance. Another's business may be interesting for a moment, nothing more. General focus is ready to quickly move to a different subject or go back worrying about one's own affairs. In conclusion, is it worth worrying? Wouldn't it be wiser to appreciate "your own" judgement more and do what is better for "yourself"?

  

Unforgivable Cruelty

I've just read the news of the suicide of a person related to a royal European family. Although I know nothing about any of them, I was struck by some comments to the article. Such meanness, such unbelievable wickedness in people who call themselves "human beings" and who possibly even believe to be "religious". Why? Why do people - yes - so many of them shelter such hatred towards other individuals they have never heard about. Not only. Why do they feel the need to spit out their venom publicly? Is it because these strangers are possibly rich, maybe famous? Is it a matter of envy, jealousy? Do other people's more opulent lives make them feel a failure? In whatever case... how sad! What a dreadfully degrading image of mankind. I wonder what opinion might Aliens have of us. If they exist, what they see should certainly make us blush.

Gratitude

Are you a grateful person? Are you aware of the many things that each human being (including "you") should appreciate each moment of their lives? You have eyes that allow you to read, to see people's smiling faces, amazing animals, wide-ranging plants... You have a mouth that  allows you to communicate and establish relationships. What about the sky? Doesn't that great open space give you the idea of incomparable freedom? And flowers? As they embody Nature's beauty and perfection, don't they create wonderful feelings of awe and joy in your heart? 

By simply looking around and inside yourself, you will find numberless things to be grateful for. Why not start this "awareness exercise" right now? 

Reflection

Is it possible that your feelings towards another may not be caused by that person but reflect a particular feature in your own 'self'? Yes, it is possible. Why? Because every action and reaction of your body - as well as your mind and emotional state - are strongly affected by the deepest nature of who you are. Any human being cannot experience the outside world without giving it their own personal interpretation. Therefore, next time you detect a negative feeling (or a positive one, for that matter) feeling, try to discover how is your inner 'state', and realize that the other person/thing/situation are just a mirror of your unconscious self.