40 Useful thoughts

1. Exercise every day and while you do it, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.
2. Sit in silence for at least 30 minutes each day.
3. Buy a DVR and tape your late night shows and get more sleep. (or better still, don't watch T.V at all).
4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, ‘My purpose is to __________ today.’
5. Live with the 3 E’s — Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
6. Read more books than you did last year.
7. Make time to practice meditation. It provides us with daily fuel for our busy lives.
8. Spend time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.
9. Dream more while you are awake.
10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
11. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.
12. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
13. Clear clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new and flowing energy into your life.
14. Don’t waste your precious energy on gossip, OR issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper.
17. Smile and laugh more. It will keep the nagative blues away.
18. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
20. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
21. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
22. Make peace with your past so it won’t spoil the present.
23. Don’t compare your life to others’. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
24. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
25. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: ‘In five years, will this matter?’
26. Forgive everyone for everything.
27. What other people think of you is none of your business.
28. Remember time heals everything.
29. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
30. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
31. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.
32. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
33. The best is yet to come.
34. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
35. Do the right thing!
36. Call your family often.
37. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I am thankful for _______. Today I accomplished ____.
38. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
39. Enjoy the ride. Remember this is not Disney World and you certainly don’t want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life so make the most of it and enjoy the ride.
40. Laugh when you can, apologize when you should, and let go of what you can’t change.

The Seven Valleys

The path of the soul on a spiritual journey passing through different stages, from this world to other realms which are closer to God, can be described as a journey through 7 valleys:

The Valley of Search

The valley of search is described as the first step that a seeker must take in his path. The seeker must cleanse his heart, and not follow the paths of his forefathers. It is explained that ardor, and patience are required to traverse this valley.

The Valley of Love

The next valley is the "Valley of Love" and in this valley the seeker is compared to a moth who has found a flame. The heart of the seeker is touched, and the seeker has fallen in love with God.

The Valley of Knowledge

The knowledge referred to in this valley is the knowledge of God, and not one based on learning; it is explained that pride in one's knowledge and accomplishments often disallows one to reach true understanding, which is the knowledge of God. It is explained that the seeker, when in this valley, begins to understand the mysteries contained within God's revelation, and finds wisdom in all things including when faced with pain and hardship, which he understands to be God's mercy and blessing. This valley is called the last limited valley.

The Valley of Unity

The next stage is the valley of unity, and it is explained that the seeker now sees creation not by its limitations, but sees the attributes of God in all created things. The seeker, it is written, is detached from earthly things, is not concerned with his own self and has no ego; instead he praises God for all of creation.

The Valley of Contentment

The next valley for the seeker is the valley of contentment, where it is explained, that the seeker becomes independent from all things, and even though he may look poor or is subjected to suffering, he will be endowed with wealth and power from the spiritual worlds and will inwardly be happy. Happiness is explained to be the attribute of the true believer, and it cannot be achieved by obtaining material things, since material things are transitory.

The Valley of Wonderment

In the valley of wonderment the seeker, it is written, is struck dumb by the beauty of God; the seeker becomes conscious of the vastness and glory of creation, and discovers the inner mysteries of God's revelation. Being led from one mystery of creation to the next, it is explained that the seeker continues to be astonished by the works of God.

The Valley of True Poverty and Absolute Nothingness

The final valley is the valley of true poverty and absolute nothingness and it is the furthermost state that the mystic can reach. The seeker, it is explained is poor of all material things, and is rich in spiritual attributes. It is explained that it is the state of annihilation of self in God, but not an existential union: the essences of God's self and the mystic's self-remain distinct, in contrast to what appears to be a complete union in other traditions.

Source: Wikipedia

BE KIND TO YOURSELF

The Buddhist monk Matthieu Ricard likes to tell an anecdote about the Dalai Lama. 
"During a conference on how East meets West in the Indian town of Dharamsala, one of the American psychologists talked about ‘self-loathing’. At first, the Dalai Lama thought he’d misheard, and he asked the interpreter to repeat his translation several times. He then asked for someone to explain what on earth this concept was, since it was inconceivable to him that a human being could hate himself."


It’s important to stem the flow of negative thoughts about ourselves.
We also need to stop the negative flow of thoughts we have towards other people.
It’s only by freeing ourselves from this habit of criticising others so harshly that we can in turn be freed from the voices judging us.

Fii bun cu tine insuti

Calugarului budist Matthieu Ricard ii place sa relateze o anecdota despre Dalai Lama.
"In timpul unei conferinte despre cultura occidentala si cea orientala in orasul indian Dharamsala, un psiholog american a vorbit despre ura de sine a occidentalilor. La inceput, Dalai Lama a crezut ca nu a inteles bine si i-a cerut interpretului sa repete ceea ce ii tradusese. Apoi i-a cerut altcuiva sa-i explice ce poate sa insemne asa ceva, lui ii era imposibil sa perceapa cum o fiinta umana se poate uri pe sine."


Este important sa oprim fluxul gandurilor negative despre noi insine.
Trebuie, de asemenea, sa oprim fluxul gandurilor negative despre altii.
Doar prin eliberarea de acest obicei al criticii permanente putem sa ne eliberam si de vocile rele din mintea noastra.

Test of Three - about backbiting

In ancient Greece (469 - 399 BC), Socrates was widely lauded for   
his wisdom. One day the great philosopher came upon an   
acquaintance who ran up to him excitedly and said, "Socrates,   
do you know what I just heard about one of your students?"   

"Wait a moment," Socrates replied. "Before you tell me I'd like   
you to pass a little test. It's called the Test of Three."   

"Test of Three?"   

"That's right,"Socrates continued "Before you talk to me about   
my student let's take a moment to test what you're going to   
say. The first test is Truth. Have you made absolutely sure   
that what you are about to tell me is true?"   

No," the man said, "actually I just heard about it."   

"All right," said Socrates. "So you don't really know if it's   
true or not. Now let's try the second test, the test of   
Goodness. Is what you are about to tell me about my student   
something good?"   

"No, on the contrary..."   

"So," Socrates continued, "you want to tell me something bad   
about him even though you're not certain it's true?"   

The man shrugged, a little embarrassed.   

Socrates continued. "You may still pass though, because there   
is a third test - the filter of Usefulness. Is what you want   
to tell me about my student going to be useful to me?"   

"No, not really..."   

"Well," concluded Socrates, "if what you want to tell me is   
neither True nor Good nor even Useful, why tell it to me at   
all?"   

Testul Filtrului Triplu - despre bârfă

O anecdota adevarata, din viata si filosofia lui Socrate, de eterna actualitate.

In Grecia Antica, Socrate era renumit pentru respectul cu care isi trata prietenii. Intr-o zi o cunostinta l-a intalnit pe marele filosof si l-a intrebat:
“Stii ce-am auzit despre prietenul tau?”

“Stai putin”, a replicat Socrate.”Inainte de a-mi spune ceva as dori sa facem un test. Se numeste testul Filtrului Triplu.”

“Filtrul Triplu?”

“Exact”, a continuat Socrate.”Inainte de a vorbi cu tine despre prietenul meu , ar fi o idee buna sa stam un pic si sa filtram ceea ce vei spune. Acesta este motivul pentru care il numesc testul Triplului Filtru. Primul filtru este Adevarul. Esti absolut sigur ca ceea ce vrei sa-mi spui este adevarat?”

“Nu”, spuse omul. “De fapt doar am auzit despre asta si……”

“In regula”, a spus Socrate.”Deci nu stii daca este adevarat sau nu. Acum hai sa incercam si al doilea filtru, filtrul Bunatatii.. Ceea ce vrei sa-mi spui despre prietenul meu este ceva bun?”

“Nu, din contra………”

“Deci,” A continuat Socrate, “Vrei sa-mi spui ceva rau despre el dar nu esti sigur ca este adevarat. Totusi poti sa treci testul, deoarece mai este un filtru: filtrul Utilitatii.Ceea ce vrei sa-mi spui despre prietenul meu imi va fi de folos?”

“Nu, nu chiar.”

“Bine”, a concluzionat Socrate, “Daca ceea ce vrei sa-mi spui nu este nici adevarat, nici bun, nici chiar folositor, de ce mai trebuie sa-mi spui ceva?”