Tag Archive for 'Spirituality'

A Brief Analysis of the Battle with the Self

Published
by
Mike
on March 5, 2008
in Military, Religion/Spirituality and Writing
. 1 Comment

While I worked for the military, it was easy to blame my problems on my job. As I saw it, I worked for an evil entity - a regime which destroys hope and ruins lives worldwide. I realize that the military is just a tool to be used by an entire country, I still believe that the tool itself has flaws which must be corrected in order to fall in line with the collected interest of all of the world’s peoples. By no means am I suggesting that the US government is the sole baddy out there, but if you look at history objectively you can’t claim that it is the sole goody either.

As I said, it was easy to blame everything on my job, but when circumstances in life change and you face yourself in the mirror and find little has changed in your attitude, you must pursue the most obvious path of reasoning - the problem is not with my circumstances, it is with me. I knew this all along, but the battle with the self is endless. It is almost impossible for me to avoid blaming suffering on the immediate catalysts in my life, though I know full well that I lie at the heart of every problem. In the battle with the self, can we really win? Many philosophers and religious leaders have claimed to have solved that problem, but could the truth at the heart of it all illuminate yet another ego based claim? Can we not appear benevolent to others with only ego in our hearts?

I always fall into a certain trap of thinking. I always imagine that my mind will calm and my heart will fill with the next change I wish to make. In reality I just look forward again, to some other goal which may never be realized. I am also obsessive. I tend to focus on one thing at a time, throwing all of my effort and focus into that sole purpose until I am disheartened by the lack of progress. In the end, my ego still controls me. I wish the world to bow down to my glory - a man more than a man, a personality worth the fame they bestow upon me. They should see me as an enlightened being and worship me as a god, but not in a way that would annoy me or subtract from my self enjoyment. I want everything and with no effort.

And if I ever got it, I’d be miserable. Then again, the day after I’d be really excited by something else.

Book Review - Life on Purpose: Six Passages to an Inspired Life

Published
by
Mike
on June 20, 2007
in Books, Comic, Religion/Spirituality and Writing
. 1 Comment

Several weeks ago, I got an email asking if I would like to review a new book which was being released. After agreeing that the content of the book was something which related to the general content of my blog, I responded that I’d be honored to participate in what is now being called the Book Blog Tour for Brad Swift’s Life on Purpose: Six Passages to an Inspired Life.

Glancing over some of the other blogs participating in the tour, I see that the book has thus far received overwhelmingly positive feedback. I’m pleased that I’m not here to argue with the other reviewers. Dr. Swift’s writing is genuine and warm, and you can definitely feel the coaching roots of his prose. While I don’t think I am in the target audience for this book, I can see how it could help those who find themselves in the bewildering position of what can only be described as an identity crisis.

Life on Purpose: Six Passages to an Inspired Life is a detailed step by step method of discovering purpose in life. When Dr. Swift writes of a life purpose, he rejects the traditional western association of career with identity and presents a more balanced approach. He suggests that through thought, intuition, and contemplation, we can come up with a sort of guiding statement for our lives. This statement is meant to be the cup which holds the liquid of our lives. The book is scattered with helpful and inspirational quotes from famous thinkers and utilizes spiritual insight from multiple schools of spiritual thought. Those familiar with Zen and Taoist philosophies will notice many familiar techniques utilized in this system, which to me is a fantastic thing. Dr. Swift’s methods advocate contemplation and meditation techniques, as well as learning to live in the moment in order to keep our life purposes on track. The book is filled with exercises and techniques for discovering what kind of life purpose you wish to have, and for keeping the things you do within the context of that purpose once you’ve found it. Some of the most helpful parts of this book (in my opinion) were the sections dealing with what Dr. Swift titles the Inherited Purpose, something brought about by our past experiences and which influences the way we behave and the decisions we make in our lives. These sections really bring to light the history of your actions and the things which shape the person you’ve become.

While reading through this book, I sometimes felt that Dr. Swift’s directions were tailored for a child, or a very slow learning adult. I also felt that this book was written mostly for an audience of burnt out baby boomers. Despite these things, I always felt that Dr. Swift had my best interest at heart and if you can overlook these small and unimportant points, I’m sure you’d feel the same way too. If you’re lost in life, looking for meaning, or finding yourself constantly switching jobs, partners, or life circumstances, I would highly recommend this book as a system of self healing. Go into it with an open mind and a warm heart, and only good can come from the endeavor.

Oh, by the way - all the talk of a life purpose brought up an idea for this comic.

Reminders of the Moment

Published
by
Mike
on March 29, 2007
in Nonsense and Religion/Spirituality
. 0 Comments

Sometimes when I wake up for work and I hear the rain, I dread stepping out into it. Today was one of those days, but when I stepped out, I was amazed at the depth and richness of the colors outside. The sky was a deep brooding blue with blending greys in some areas, and the light this gave the grass, the new formed buds on the trees and the blossoms left on the fruit trees was amazing. It was like stepping into a painting and I really appreciated nature’s way of picking me up during a long work week.

At this moment, I am drinking some green tea and enjoying the sights from my desk window. My life isn’t perfect, but I’m enjoying this moment. That’s what life is about, isn’t it?

Published
by
Mike
on December 7, 2006
in Books, Nonsense and Religion/Spirituality
. 0 Comments

It’s been pretty windy and wet here lately, but I’ve been trying to get outside and take walks when I have the time. I really enjoy it, as I can feel the power of nature and witness winter in a way I hadn’t really appreciated before. I’ve written a few haiku based on my walks. Being out there seems to inspire that sort of thing.

I’m feeling good right now. It’s been a really intense month or two at work, and I was having a lot of problems dealing with it. I’ve always had a hard time dealing with stress, and working extra hours and being under a lot of pressure didn’t help things. I think I’ve finally gotten to the point where I can deal with things properly, though. I’ve had a lot of ups and downs in the past, but as long as I give myself enough time for meditation and reflection, I think things will stay good. I just need to use the time I have wisely instead of avoiding things in my life.

I’ve been reading a book called The Places that Scare You by Pema Chödrön which contains a lot of techniques which have helped me lately. I’ve really enjoyed it, and I may read some more of Pema Chödrön’s work. I think I’ll also reread some of my Dalai Lama and Thich Nhat Hahn books as well. Both of their teachings have really helped me in the past.

Steph got me a couple of books which I think I’ll enjoy. I’ve been meaning to read something by Nietzsche for a while now, so she got me Basic Writings of Nietzsche. She also got me Goethe’s Faust which is awesome, as I’ve always wanted to read it. I still have yet to get stuck into Walden, so I’ll have to read that as well. It looks like I’ll be busy during my week off this month.

I still haven’t edited my photos from our America trip yet. I keep meaning to do it, but it slips my mind. I’ll try to post some when I get a chance. I hope all of you have a wonderful season, whatever your holidays or beliefs may be.

Published
by
Mike
on February 14, 2006
in Books, Nonsense and Religion/Spirituality
. 0 Comments

I just ordered 3 books which look interesting:

Life of Pi

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night
Adios, Havana: A Memoir

I just finished reading The Kite Runner, which was fantastic. The way the author depicted the kite scenes really made me feel like a kid again. I want to get a kite and fly it. I haven’t done that in so many years. The book also got me really interested in the culture, food, and language of the people in it. I’ve never been that interested in the past, but the way this book was written made it all much more exciting.

At the moment, I’m reading An Open Heart: Practicing Compassion in Everyday Life and it seems to be helping me with my meditation. The past couple days things have gone really well. I feel much calmer now, and life is pretty good overall. I’m also reading a true story about a chinese woman who was unwanted as a child and treated poorly by her parents. I can’t remember the name of the book, but perhaps I’ll post it later. I just started reading it last night.

As you all know, today is Valentine’s Day. I’ve been reading about how it is all nonsense here. That being said, I love you Steph! Happy Valentine’s Day!

My friend Ryan came up to me today and asked if I wanted to learn Italian with him. It is an idea, since I’d probably be more likely to learn other similar languages after I learned that one. We have both been toying around with learning languages for a while now, but always different languages. If we both tried to learn the same one we’d have a better chance, since we’d be able to help each other at it. So I think maybe we’ll try it.

Steph and I are still doing our organic box scheme which includes vegetables, fruits, and eggs. I think it’s really changing the way we eat, and I really love it. We’ve made some really delicious soups and stir fries, and the fruit is really good. I tried an avocado for the first time in my life yesterday, and I loved it. Anyway, more on that to come in a later post.

I might post a little bit later, but I’m starving and I really want to go to lunch.