June 29, 2009

Peace is your nature - a meditation

Sit comfortably, close your eyes and breathe deeply. As in all forms of meditation, begin by withdrawing your attention from the external world and focusing on being here now.  Let go of all the thoughts of the day and just be here now. If any thoughts enter your mind, just release them gently and return your focus to the here now.
   Give yourself time to become aware of yourself, of the Presence of yourself, of yourself being here now. A good way to increase this awareness is to focus on your breathing. Just watch your breath going in and out. In and out.  As you do this, you will experience yourself slowing down and becoming more and more centered, and more present in the here now.
   Continue this focus on your breathing for a few moments or minutes. And if your mind starts to wander, just gently return your focus to your breathing.
   Now as you feel yourself becoming more and more calm, gently focus your attention on the silence that is surrounding you. Whatever sounds you become aware of, in the room or outside the room, focus your attention not on the sounds, but on the silence that is surrounding these sounds—and on the silence that is in between these sounds. Once you focus your attention on the silence that is behind sound and which is supporting sound you will discover that this silence was there all along and that it is a vast, huge ocean. Far vaster and far more immense than the intermittent and changing sounds themselves.
   When you make this discovery, you understand that this silence has always been there, surrounding everything, supporting everything. That it was there before you were born—that it was there from the very beginning—and that it will be there after you leave this body.
   This discovery/realization brings an immediate and immense sense of Deep Peace. A Peace that is so huge, so vast, so eternal, so blissful, so enduring, so comforting, and so utterly lovely that you wonder how you could have overlooked it so long!
   Finding this Peace is as easy as falling off a log. It takes no effort whatsoever. All you have to do is focus on it and surrender…
   Then to your great and eternal delight, yet another sublime realization comes to you: You didn’t have to create Peace either. Blissfully, you realize that Peace like silence was there all along. That Peace—Deep Peace—is always there, always here now, and always was. In truth, peace—deep peace—is the Nature of Reality. It dwells in the here now, in the vast, immense and blissful silence that is the womb of all phenomena.
   The state of blissfulness that can be attained by focusing on the silence behind, between, above and below can also be reached by focusing on another emptiness: Space.
   All of manifest creation is suspended in space. That you know. But what about when you look inward? When you focus your attention inward—on your inner physicality? When you do, you discover that your body is made up of cells that are made up of molecules that are made up of atoms that are made up of protons, electrons, and neutrons that are made up of sub-atomic particles that are made up of…. And you discover something more—the further inward you go, the vaster the space is in between these atomic and sub-atomic particles. This space within you is so immense that you discover that most of you is space—inner space—the space behind and between the physicality of you, which is supporting you. Space, which is a vast huge ocean of what—of emptiness, of Bliss, of Peace, of Serenity.
   Do not ask what in fact this space is because you have come to one of the foundation stones at the heart of manifest creation. Space is. It’s as simple as that. Just as silence is.
   No one can explain more or tell you why.
   But one thing is for sure—contacting these states in their essence brings to every being that extraordinary sense of Deep Peace that is at the very heart of creation.
   And it’s as easy as falling off a log.
  That is, my friend, if it is your intention.
   So now you know.
   What it is. Where it is.
   But never the how of it—nor the why of it.
   Only that it is like a vast, vast ocean of infinite depth—and that this ocean is You.
   Such is the truth of it.
   You are this vast, vast ocean of infinite depth.
  
   But then you say but what of the thought waves that thrash about on the surface of this vast, vast ocean? What of them answer the Wise. But these thought waves are stormy, changing, sometimes even violent you say. And what of it reply the Wise. No thought wave no matter how violent has the power to touch or influence in any way the vast ocean below the waves that is the real You.
   Such is the Nature of You.
   Such it has been for all eternity—and such it will continue to be.
   This depth and vastness no thought wave can touch.
   Such is the Nature of You.
   So just allow yourself to be it… to swim in it say the Wise.
   Because in the depths of this vastness that is You, there is Peace—a Peace that never was or ever will be touched by the changing, restless thought waves that come and go on the surface of your mind all day long.
   So say the Wise, now you know.
   Now without a shadow of a doubt, you know that nothing—not even the most powerful thought wave can influence the Peace, which is your Nature.
   So you can breathe more easily now my friend and allow yourself to fall even more deeply into this vast, vast ocean of Pure Being, which is who You are and which is Peace.
   Thus say the Wise, Peace is your Nature.
   This indeed is comforting to know.

June 20, 2009

Good things to remember

In fact, nobody has ever bothered you. You’re just bothering yourself.

Just forget about who you think you are and it will disappear.

God is the Hassle-Free Boyfriend/Girlfriend.

Our incarnational agendas are different.

The Truth is true whether you demonstrate it or not.

You just have to calm down enough to calm down.

Do not put yourself in any situation that does not feel like Love.

Where are we evolving to? What is the Highest Thought in the final analysis?
The Christ Consciousness, God Realization, finding your Buddha nature.

We have one thing to give, namely, our attention.

Take it for granted that…
…the universe supports you
…that everything is Good for you
…that Good health is your natural state
…that prosperity is your Divine right
…that you are doing great service
…that everybody loves you

Dream a better dream… it’s all one big dream machine anyway.

 

June 17, 2009

Love is kind - a meditation

Here is one of my favorite meditations - from my book "The Spiritual Pathway"....
One of the most effective and wonderful ways to heal all your problems—whether they be relationship problems, health problems or financial problems—is to mediate on and contemplate Love. Meditating on Love is also a wonderful shortcut to experiencing the bliss of Pure Being.
   Here is one suggestion of what to do:
   Decide to dedicate 15-20 minutes to thinking about, contemplating and meditating on Love. Go somewhere where you can be alone and quiet and then just relax for a few moments. Close your eyes and then systemically turn over some of the following ideas in your mind. For example, what is Love, what does Love mean, what does Love do, how does Love feel, where does Love come from, what does Love look like, how does Love act, why is there Love?
   To contemplate Love deeply and profoundly, it is wise to first read and ponder the thoughts of one of the Great Masters on Love. The thoughts of the Great Ones and their words and descriptions of Love are wonderful signposts that can trigger the ever-deepening realization of the miracle of Love in each of us.
   For example the wonderful words of 1 Corinthians, Chapter 13 that so many of us know are an excellent way to start a meditation on Love is Kind.  “…Love suffereth long, and is kind: love envieth not: love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things, Love never faileth…” Or read the wise words of the Dalai Lama on compassion… or any other text, which helps you to profoundly connect to the energy field of Love.
   Once you get a strong sense of Love in your heart and feel its magic working in and through you, you can end your meditation by sending this energy out like healing balm into the various areas of your life. For example, let the healing balm of Love descend and caress your loved one and closest relationships. See how this divine energy softens, soothes and heals all troubles and banishes all dismay. Send Love to your friends, to your workplace, to your distant relatives, to your business associates, and to other so-called trouble spots on Earth.  Each time you send this energy out to someone, you will feel how the miracle of Love is acting as a softening agent, immediately melting hardness, anger, criticism and despair. Always this Love energy brings a feeling of kindness to every situation and a renewed sense of hope. This is because Love is kind.
   Allow yourself once again to contemplate what Love is kind means and feels like in all the areas of your life. There is no more effective healing than this. Even in terms of your physical body. Send the kindness of Love to any area of your body where there is distress or pain and let the kindness of Love do its healing work in you. If you contemplate the depths and wonders of Love on a regular basis, there will be no end to the wonders you will experience. Because indeed…
   Love is kind.
   This is the blessing of Love.

June 16, 2009

The Perfect Here Now

In a perfect moment of bliss, the Perfect here now appears. Behind the ever changing, restless world of light and shadow is another realm, the Blessed Realm, the realm of the Absolute, the world of Infinite Goodness and Perfection. Everything there is bright and pristine clear. A white light is shining and there are no shadows at all. Everything is more beautiful, more immaculate, more clean and clear than words can describe. Thus words are only signposts, but their intent here is crystal clear—to point you in the direction of the Perfect here now.      
   Know that It does exist. Know that the time and the place are here now, not behind, not ahead, not tomorrow, not beyond, not anywhere but here now. Know that you are living in It and of It. Know that this Blessed Realm is You—your very nature. Know you are part and parcel of It, a Perfect Manifestation of a Perfection so unimaginable that you can only experience It, be It, breathe It, live It.
   There is an indescribable brightness so luminous and quiet, so peaceful and free… and then you see you have walked there always. And your pathway left no tracks, no traces, no despair. For no disturbance exists in the Blessed Realm, only Perfection. More perfect than words can describe. And you are perfectly at home there, always were, always will be.
   But where?
   When?
   Just follow the signposts, written in the fiery light of your heart—indelible in your soul. It is not difficult. In fact, it is the easiest thing in the world. It is surrendering to your destiny, to the Goodness that has been waiting for you since the beginning of time.
   Why? There is no why.
   Quite simply this is the technology of you.
   Soul technology.
   The Perfect State of Perfect Love and Light—you know the taste even now, though long forgotten.
   But the state itself is indescribable and can only be experienced. 
 

She died

Well she died and I noticed she didn't go anywhere - at least not as far as I am concerned. She's still fully alive in my mind, which I also noticed was the only place she ever was alive for me. Now isn't that interesting? All the feelings, emotions and stories I had about her in life I still have about her in her so-called death. Everything she meant to me, everything she taught me, everything. It's still all there and all I can say is her death has really stirred up the past... making me see once again that you don't want to go around on the Earth plane with too much unfinished business. So if you can, talk to the people you need to talk to now! Clear up what you can clear up... now! You never know if you're going to get hit by a bus when you walk down the street. Actually one of my son's friends did get hit by a bus when she was walking down the street with her girlfriends in London... and lucky for her, she survived! Well friends, THIS IS THE DAY!   Enjoy it for you!

June 08, 2009

Death is the great equalizer

When someone close to you is dying, you notice that death is the great equalizer... and we're all going there. Some sooner and some later. But all of us are heading towards death right now. It can be a great gift to remember this... and the people dying around us are giving us this gift. Telling us now is the time to be mindful and use our precious time wisely. Are you?

June 01, 2009

The Dalai Lama in Copenhagen

We were blessed, so blessed to have the Dalai Lama here in Copenhagen this weekend. Tim and I attended his wonderful workshop.. and it was so moving and amazing.

Here is the Bodhisattva vow we took with the Dalai Lama at the end of his sessions:

With a wish to free all beings
I shall always go for refuge
to the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha
until I reach full enlightenment.

Enthused by wisdom and compassion,
today in the Buddha's presence
I generate the Mind of Full Awakening
for the benefit of all sentient beings.

As long as space endures,
as long as sentient beings remain,
until then, may I too remain
and dispel the miseries of the world.

What a wonderful heart-opening! Thank you thank you thank you!

May 26, 2009

Join our 5-day summer intensive in Copenhagen!

Dear friends in Denmark and Sweden,

Give yourself the best summer experience!  Go deeper with us and join our 10 Ways to Live a Happy Life - 5-day summer intensive. Please note, the workshop is in Danish so I'm sorry I can't invite everyone!

The summer intensive will be held here in Copenhagen from Monday July 20 to Friday July 24 from 1 pm to 5 pm each day. In this intensive 5-day workshop, we will be taking an in-depth look at all the things that are preventing you from a living happy life right now… whether it is your partner, your health, your job, your age, your weight, or the financial crisis. We also investigate many of the basic thoughts you might have about what you think you “should” do and what it takes to live a happy life. The human mind is really something so we will consider some of the many ingenious things we are thinking and doing that prevent us from living happily right now. We guarantee some eye-opening fun! And we can tell you that we have seen people get the most amazing, life-changing insights when working through the exercises we use during this intense process.


For those of you who have joined our 5-week 10 Ways to Live a Happy Life evening workshop series in Copenhagen – this summer intensive is an in-depth version of the evening series. We will be going even deeper and will have time for exercises we didn’t have time for in the evening series. Plus every day we will be meditating, going for “mindfulness” walks and more. So if you have attended the evening series, this is a great opportunity to go even deeper!

We will be using the 10 ways from my book Are You Happy Now? 10 Ways to Live a Happy Life as pointers to greater freedom and clarity in our daily lives. 

The’s 10 ways are:

No. 1: Accept what is
No. 2: Want what you have
No. 3: Be honest with yourself
No. 4: Investigate your stories
No. 5: Mind your own business
No. 6: Follow your passion and accept the consequences
No. 7: Do the right thing and accept the consequences
No. 8: Deal with what is in front of you and forget the rest
No. 9: Know what is what
No. 10: Learn to see beyond impermanence

 What you will get out of the Copenhagen summer intensive:

-         Greater insight into your own processes

-         A better understanding of how your mind works

-         Insight into all the things you are thinking, saying and doing that are preventing you from living a happy life right now

-         A glimpse of the difference between reality and your thinking

-         A better understanding of how your own expectations are blocking you from experiencing the good that you seek

-         Meet other people who are interested in the same things are you are

-         Concrete tools you can use in your daily life after the workshop

-         Suggestions for a daily program to use when you get home

-         Lots of fun

 For details and how to register, see our Web site - www.beamteam.com

So don’t miss this chance to really give yourself the best gift of all – the gift of insight!

Looking forward to seeing you!

Love, Barbara



May 16, 2009

How to lower your blood pressure

A dear friend of mine is very ill. She was in hospital and her blood pressure was very high. She was very afraid. I told her to turn her attention away from her body and meditate and think about God. This is what she wrote back to me:

"Interestingly I took my blood pressure before meditation and it was bad 170. 94. pulse 99. I sat down and thought of you and cried. And then I went into meditation, it took some time with the breathing and the mantra I am using (OM nama Shivaya). I bowed to my inner self, I bowed to the Lord who abides within... and suddenly I was there, deeper, and deeper, even though I am so tormented. I was in a split second in touch with God, or my inner adviser, or whoever it is. For me it is God, or the inner self, and I got the message: This will pass. And then after 20 minutes, I felt my blood pressure was lowering. I took a pause and measured my blood pressure and now it was 140, 80 and my pulse was 76."

And I wrote back to her: " This is fantastic news. I am so proud of you! This means you really and truly know what to do. It means you know how to take care of yourself. You have proved that by going into the silence and focusing on God – you can find peace and that then your body reflects back this peace. This is wonderful, wonderful news. You MUST do this regularly – 2 or 3 times a day… even when you start to feel better. Nothing is more important than this! You must turn your focus away from your body, away from the pain, away from your fears – and rest in the Love of God…  meditate and breathe and say your mantra and rest in the peace…"

This story shows that even though we cannot change our bodies directly - we cannot say - "blood pressure go down" and make our blood pressure go down. But we can influence our bodies indirectly by working with our thinking. In other words by turning our focus to God and to the things that give us peace and comfort. And then the body reflects back our change to us. This is a very important secret to understand.

May 11, 2009

Bollum talks to Barbara about twitter.com

Bollum: You really must join twitter.com
Barbara: Really? I don’t even know what it is.
Bollum: You don’t? I’m shocked.
Barbara: Really? Well what is twitter.com?
Bollum: What is it? You’ve got to wake up woman and get with it. Twitter is the latest social networking phenomena and it’s simply so hot!
Barbara: Really?
Bollum: Yes really. Where have you been girl?
Barbara: Been? Right here for your information. So why is Twitter so important?
Bollum: Well it’s a way to be part of the global conversation. Just check out their Web site and see.
Barbara: I’m looking at it right now – and well you can only write about 2 sentences.
Bollum: Yeah, that’s why it’s so cool.
Barbara: What good will 2 sentences do?
Bollum: Well it’s fast communications my dear.
Barbara: Well I can see that it’s fast but why is that good?
Bollum: Because it lets you keep up with what everyone’s thinking and doing right now?
Barbara: And why would I want to do that?
Bollum: Because it’s important.
Barbara: Well now you’ve lost me. Why would I want to keep up with what everyone’s thinking and doing right now? It sounds exhausting – and like a total waste of time.
Bollum: Don’t you want to have your finger on the pulse? Don’t you want to know what everyone is thinking and feeling right now?
Barbara: Not especially.
Bollum: What are you anti-social or something?
Barbara: Hmm maybe… it’s just
Bollum: Don’t you want to have the latest input on whatever your problem is?
Barbara: Hmm maybe… it’s just
Bollum: Don’t you want…
Barbara: But isn’t it just another distraction? Another way of keeping us outer focused instead of inner focused?
Bollum: You are missing the point completely. It’s about global communications – the one being which is all of us – talking together. Feeling each other. Supporting each other…!
Barbara: I can’t believe I’m hearing this from you! You might be onto something!
Bollum: Thanks for listening for once…