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What is the Difference Between Perfection and Enlightenment?
When we talk about perfection we’re often speaking of fantasies we have about what we should do and be. For example, the fantasies might sound something like: “I would be a better person if…” “…my butt was tighter.” “…I earned more money.” “…I was taller/shorter.” “…I was smarter.” “…I had a bigger house.” “…I had…
Read MoreHow Enlightened are You John?
I’m not enlightened. But, I’m definitely lightened from my enlightenments. Once I try to claim enlightenment for myself my ego grabs a hold of the idea and everything gets very strange quickly. I start feeling grandiose, heavy, and unhappy. I’d rather stick with just being me. My doubts, thoughts, and emotions are not me. My…
Read MoreDo I Need to be Spiritual or Religious to Have an Enlightenment Experience?
No! You just need to inquire into the truth of how things are. There is no difference between enlightenment and truth. The enlightenment experience itself is direct. In other words, there is no sensory intermediary between you and what you are experiencing. The experience, the experiencer, and the experienced are one and the same. However,…
Read MoreTransforming Shame to Strength
In my study of how human beings work, nothing has been more interesting than shame. The good news is that you don’t feel shame because there is something wrong with you. Human beings are hardwired to feel shame as a social survival mechanism. Shame is a profound evolutionary advantage. Human beings are alive on the…
Read MoreWhat is Enlightenment?
The first thing to understand about enlightenment is there’s nothing to actually attain. It is truly, “just you,” your natural state. As we come into this life we gather identities of different kinds. We select what is “me” and what is not “me.” In this way, we need to develop an ego in order to…
Read MoreMy Meeting with the Buddha
In 2004, After a friend gave me the book The Power of Now, I decided to start a meditation practice. Although I didn’t consider myself a Buddhist, I joined a Buddhist meditation group. This was partly out of curiosity and partly because I didn’t want to just meditate alone every day. Several months after I…
Read MoreThe Spiritual Bypass
Back in 2004 I was in a lot of personal pain and wanted to find the quickest way through it. Who could blame me? It felt miserable waking up every day and facing my life. I wanted a different one. My interest in spirituality increased considerably at around this time. How could I find peace…
Read MoreEnergize Draining Activities
Step 1 Does it need to be done? Check to see if the task actually needs to be done. If the task doesn’t need to be done, you’re done with it. Step 2 Do I need to do it? If the task does need to be done, see if there is a person more suited…
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