A Resonant Life

Our world is full of people and situations that cause outrage and anger causing us to scream into the void - or shout at our TVs or send nasty online messages. But we can use that which outrages us as gateway to becoming happy joyful people that create peace around them. We are not our emotions, but we can use our emotions to foster joy.

The Equinox - or seasonal divide - gives us an opportunity to reflect and look at who we are and how we became the people we are. At this time, it is a great practice to share our blessings and wishes for peace with others - including those who have gone before yet played a role in making us who we are.

When life seems to be a slog with a too heavy backpack, practicing and focusing on being resilient and looking around at how we can help others increases our spiritual strength and capacity to not only go on, but do so helping others and with a more abiding happiness in our lives.

Consciously making efforts to become a help for others in all of our thoughts, intentions and actions changes us from within, freeing us from a "cosmic rut. " This frees us to experience sustained happiness in our lives while still succeeding in life and becoming a person others miss.

An experience with a friend showed me how I was being judgmental - and accepting the criticism I was able to see the arrogance for what it is -- confidence without humility. This episode is my journey to getting back on track.

"Embracement" is giving life a big hug. Accepting and embracing everything to create a mosaic that celebrates the individual and unique self while making it part of the whole. To do so, we engage in actions that help us manifest equanimity, loving kindness, compassion and joy.

Our lives are made measurably better when we change ourselves, situations and circumstances, steering toward altruistic actions and thoughts -- action is getting up off the nail that causes us pain, discomfort and unhappiness. Instead of remaining stuck and complaining, we can live with more joy. #Buddhism #Happiness #Joy #AltruisticLife #LifeCoach #Vajrayana

Being in toxic situations -- be they professional and work, family or social - can have the effect of shrinking us, making us smaller. Like a cornered timid animal we often try to become invisible, unnoticed. A good day is one where we avoided any toxic encounters. This is no way to live in either our work or personal lives. We are meant -- it is our innate nature -- to flourish and extend ourselv...

Pain and illness - and their accompanying suffering - narrow our scope and capacity for engaged and active compassionate actions. But, like a lens we can focus it to reveal clarity - the clarity of the authentic self.

Meditation isn't always sitting in silence and contemplation. For most of us, meditation in action is a great way to rewire our lives for happiness and become a force of kindness in the world.

Consciously unleashing sincerity and humility in our actions changes the world and people around us for the better.

What happens when our initial response to everything in our life is a resounding "yes!" Certainly possibilities abound and instead of being stuck we flourish.

We all make mistakes, and our mistakes can be a cause of hurt for others. There are ways to clean up the spilled milk of our lives that lead us to living more compassionately and authentically rather than tears.

How do we define Happiness? We know when we have it, we know when we don't. But what is it? Let's explore from a Buddhist perspective how we can become and share abiding happiness.

We did not emerge fully formed from the cosmos -- we are the product of the influence  of innumerable people, experiences and circumstances. Cultivating gratitude for this as a conscious practice opens us to infinite joy.

Like piles of autumn leaves, the small hurts and irritations of daily life can accumulate. Sweeping up this emotional clutter gives us opportunities to change and help others change.

How do we use irritation and annoyance to create harmony around us?

How do we generate more happiness around and within?

A Resonant Life is produced by The Time is Now Productions and hosted by Mike Thompson. Join us for Buddhist-centric discussion, reflection and finding courses of action to create more joyful lives for ourselves and others.