Daily Dose of Inspiration

3/22/2020: Daily Dose of Inspiration

“…They deny the need to change by making up all sorts of ideas about why their own [structures] are better than others. This has always been the Sufi critique of religious or cultural institutions: These institutions are human creations, intended to serve human development and happiness. The real religion behind all religions, according to the Qur’an, is that there is only one Reality, and all people and all cultures share it, no matter which sacred names they use or stories they tell.”

~ Neil Douglas-Klotz, The Sufi Book of Life

Whether an individual or an institution, we all must be flexible and willing to change with the times. Nothing can last forever. Even our own beliefs and what we consider truths will evolve as we experience more of life and gain new perspectives.

Don’t get stuck in old patterns of thought, my friend. Take every situation that challenges your belief structure (even the ones that make your hair stand on end) and see if the love deep in your heart takes offense.

Often we have layers of judgments that keep us from the love and acceptance that is the one Reality. Releasing these judgments is liberating!

3/21/2020:Daily Dose of Inspiration

“The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.”

~ Carl Rogers

As we teachers teach a Bikram Yoga class we see who is able to focus on themselves in the mirror and who isn’t. When necessary we will subtly, continually remind everyone to focus on themselves in the mirror. You know why? Because we know that that mirror is a cosmic mirror. It forces everyone to face themselves. To see themselves fully, flaws and all, and to literally look into the eyes of their best teacher.

Sometimes we don’t like what we see. Sometimes it’s hard to face “reality”. But there’s method to the madness, my friend. Self-acceptance is a magic balm. It is the act of surrendering all judgments and resistance. Acceptance releases the blocks to the free flow of life, love, grace and good things.

What is is simply what is in the present moment, my friend. Your acceptance allows for change.

3/20/2020: Daily Dose of Inspiration

“When you focus upon an unwanted aspect of something in an effort to push it away from you, instead it only comes closer, because you get what you give your attention to whether it is something that you want or not.”

~ Abraham-Hicks

Know why you feel so relaxed after a Bikram Yoga class?

Because for 90 minutes you’ve been challenged to just listen and follow along. Yes, you sweat. Yes, you work hard. And yes, your heart is pumping fresh oxygenated blood through every part of your body. But the biggest reason you feel so good, my friend, is because you’ve had a 90 minute reprieve from all your woes and worries, from all the thoughts you normally let frustrate or upset you. You drop your resistance and then …

… ahhhh… you get to enjoy the bliss of an empty mind!

3/19/2020: Daily Dose of Inspiration

“Evil (ignorance) is like a shadow — it has no real substance of its own, it is simply a lack of light. You cannot cause a shadow to disappear by trying to fight it, stamp on it, by railing against it, or any other form of emotional or physical resistance. In order to cause a shadow to disappear, you must shine light on it.”

~ Shakti Gawain

What is hiding in your shadows, my friend? Are you afraid to find out?

The problem with that approach is that that thing that’s lurking is oh so subtly controlling you.

Don’t be afraid now. All it takes is shining some light. You got this, my friend. Whatever it is, you can handle it.

3/18/2020: Daily Dose of Inspiration

“People who have the most to teach us are often the ones who reflect back to us the limits to our own capacity to love, those who consciously or unconsciously challenge our fearful position.”

~ Marianne Williamson, A Return to Love

Did you get that, my friend? It’s those who get under our skin that are our most potent teachers. Oh, how we love to hate them! We try and try to get away but somehow they, or someone just like them, keep coming around. And guess what? They’ll continue to torture us until such time as we learn what we need to learn.

What are their most glaring shortcomings? Might it be possible that there are times when you behave that way yourself? Maybe? I’m just asking because sometimes what we can’t see about ourselves is the very thing that bothers us the most about someone else.

And, remember, resistance is futile. It only prolongs our suffering. But just watch, someday, once you get it, your annoyance will turn to respect. You’ll see that, just like you, they’re just trying to feel better about themselves.

Won’t that be a good day?

3/17/2020: Daily Dose of Inspiration

“Resistance is Hell, for it places man in a ‘state of torment.’”

~ Florence Scovel Shinn

Are you feeling tormented, my friend? Well, I suppose there can be varying degrees of torment as at some level we’re all resisting something. What might you be resisting?

I have learned that hiding behind that thing I’m resisting is the very thing I want. It’s almost as if the thing I’m resisting is some sort of test or lesson I need to learn before I can have what I want.

So next time you notice that you’re feeling tormented, my friend, even if only slightly, ask yourself what you’re resisting and embrace it, or at least face it, and notice what happens. At the very least the torment will be gone.

3/16/2020: Daily Dose of Inspiration

“The pain you create now is always some form of nonacceptance, some form of unconscious resistance to what is. On the level of thought, the resistance is some form of judgment. On the level of emotion, it is some form of negativity. The intensity of the pain depends on the degree of resistance to the present moment, and this in turn depends on how strongly you are identified with your mind…

“Always say “yes” to the present moment. What could be more futile, more insane, than to create inner resistance to something that already is? What could be more insane than to oppose life itself, which is now and always now? Surrender to what is. Say “yes” to life–and see how life suddenly starts working for you rather than against you.”

~ Eckhart Tolle, The Power of Now

Okay, my friend, you’ve probably heard the saying, “what you resist persists”, right? Well, it’s true. And any time you’re struggling or suffering in some way, you can be sure you’re resisting something.

So the next time you find yourself suffering in some way — even just being frustrated — ask yourself, “What am I resisting?” The next step is acceptance, stop resisting it and just let go.

When you take the fight out of it, life will begin to flow again. And then, my friend, ahhh… It’s such a relief!

3/15/2020: Daily Dose of Inspiration

“Holding on to anything is like holding on to your breath. You will suffocate. The only way to get anything in the physical universe is by letting go of it.”

~ Deepak Chopra

When you let go, my friend, what you’re really letting go of is control. Have you noticed that the stronger your need for control the less faith you have — the less you trust that the right thing will happen?

What is it you’re really afraid of, my friend? This is what you have to figure out first. Because until such time as you face your fear and confront it head on it will forever control you!

And what’s even more interesting, whether you’re letting go with faith or by giving up, it’s the act of truly letting go that makes it possible.

Daily Dose of Inspiration

Receive the Daily Dose of Inspiration personalized and delivered specially to you every morning. Sign up here.