Brad4d Savasana

It takes more energy to play a role than just to be ourselves. That’s why so many of us come home from work, shed our “work selves,” and restore our sanity. Be careful, though, not to believe this false self IS you.

So many of us want to be “free,” but we don’t want to let go of the things that keep us in chains. Many of those things are cultural messages of materialism. To live a fruitful life, we must adhere to the universal virtues of a spiritual life. To be truly “free,” we must practice self-control.

The most authentic teachings go against the worldly teachings of power, prosperity, and sensory gratification. Too often we get bombarded with the worldly messages that would have us believe that we don’t have enough. They train us to believe that we lack something, then they try to sell us the solution. Pay attention to the authentic messages that invite us rather than compel us.

American society loves to emphasize success and growth. We’re always looking ahead towards what we want to gain. Are we ready to let go of something to move forward? Many times, we don’t want to accept the season we’re in. Although we’re always growing and moving forward, sometimes growth only occurs when we shed or let go of something.

It’s not easy to take a look at ourselves. It requires a bit of humility, humor, and self-compassion to see where we might be infiltrating our message. Our message might be noble, but our intentions and desires can turn people off the message. It’s not that we should put on an act or a different character when we’re with others. If we’re practicing self-awareness, we can be ourselves no matter the...

You don’t have to be in your midlife to wonder, “Is this all there is?” So often our expectation of what we hoped for isn’t quite what we get. Even if we achieve success, we might feel unfulfilled or that it’s not enough. What we need to ask is—what new life is yearning to spring within me? What do I need to let go to let this new life take root?

Research shows that our negative thought patterns can keep us stuck there. Our need to vent our frustrations then spread our negativity to others. To keep us in balance, it’s important to look in a different direction to see something positive. It might be something we take for granted. When we keep a steady stream of gratitude, we’re less likely to be thrown off by setbacks.

Personality tests can be fun, particularly when they explain how we’ve interpreted and perceived past situations. However, they don’t give us much insight about how or if we’ve grown over time. They only give us a snapshot of who we are now. Furthermore, they don’t offer much help how we can evolve. This takes a little more time and reflection.

Our culture and our innate instinct seeks pleasure and avoids suffering and sorrow. We know that sorrow is difficult to endure. The Cloud of Unknowing and the Dark Night of the Soul both describe this spiritual and sensory aridity. We feel nothing is moving, yet we know we can’t go backwards. Rather than do something to avoid this spiritual winter by vacationing in a warm spot, we endure it, knowi...

In achieving what we want in life, we often hear “go to the extremes.” Many spiritual traditions will say, “no, practice moderation.” We do all things with God in mind, including taking care of ourselves rather than our egos. We put sensory pleasures such as drinking, eating, or sex in their proper place. We carefully discern how they can interfere with our walk with God.

The Katha Upanishad recognizes the need for self-control. The world offers so many promises of sensual pleasure and liberation, but we have very little discipline over our desires and pleasures. If we don’t tighten the reins of our minds and use our discriminating intellect, our desires and pleasures can cause suffering for others and eventually ourselves. It only brings about imbalance. Instead,...

Many people who complain about being unable to meditate suffer from the overwhelming chatter in their heads. This excess chatter more than likely also continues off the meditation cushion, whether within the mind or in interacting with others. With practice and time, this chatter loses power. We find ourselves needing less words, and the words are much more effective. The Cloud of Unknowing even t...

The world lost a great teacher this past Thursday. Thich Nhat Hanh was a key influence on my understanding and welcoming Buddhist teachings into my life. We can honor him by living and sharing his teachings. Here is a short passage from Miracle of Mindfulness that tells us to look for the miracle in this moment.

When we move about the world without taking time to reflect, we might find ourselves merely reacting to the world from our unhealed past. We might try to glaze over it with a “positive mindset,” but that will only repress our reactions. Repression only creates more stress within us, and it will explode eventually. We must have the courage to look back at moments that angered us and let them go.

In Thomas Merton’s Asian Journals, the appendix includes some rich reading and reflection. In this episode, you’ll hear a closing prayer that emerged from the silence. He didn’t script it. It’s a call for unity among all people. It’s what happens when love speaks. Perhaps some our members of Congress need to hear this. No, everyone needs to hear this. It’s time for us to drop our swords of divisio...

Some circles will make being “a contemplative” sound like this exclusive club that God’s special chosen belong. That’s just pride talking. Being a contemplative is an approach, a process, and a life. According to Chapter 27 in The Cloud of Unknowing, it’s a matter of “forsaking the world.” Each moment, each day, we drop the attachments and aversions that keep us bound in a vicious cycle of craving...

The yoga and Christian traditions both teach purity. Purity of heart is clearing away any intentions of personal gain. In our prayers, meditations, or contemplations, we align our intentions towards the Divine, who seeks to bring harmony and balance to the world.

The Cloud of Unknowing is a text to be savored over time. In fact, it’s taken more than 15 years for it to blossom within me. Within it contains a simple yet challenging approach to devotion and some reassurance about the contemplative path. This passage from Daniel London’s The Cloud of Unknowing, Distilled provides comfort for those struggling with worry or anxiety. We place these worries in The...

There’s a ton of misinformation in Christian circles about meditation and yoga. Most of it is rooted in fear of “the devil” infiltrating the mind and warping people into doing evil. Well, kids, that happens even without yoga or meditation. When others tell you that you shouldn’t meditate or practice yoga, they’re not trusting you to discern what is from God and what is illusory. The Vatican docume...

The desire to achieve enlightenment might be a noble one, but the biggest barrier to it is the pride of the false self. If we seek enlightenment for a self-serving benefit, it will elude us. If we’re looking for a sensory experience, it will elude us. When we drop expectations and attachments of the false self, enlightenment emerges like a deer from the woods.

The philosopher Seneca said that we have an abundance of time, but we don’t know how to use it. How easily we busy ourselves with the ridiculous, yet we don’t make time for what’s most important? How we spend our time says what’s important to us. It tells us our priorities and what we really value. Sit down for a moment and ask yourself, “How do you spend your time?”

The Cloud of Unknowing is a 15th Century text that serves as the basis for Centering Prayer. The discourses themselves provide insight into contemplative living. Several chapters deal with humility, which is often lost these days in self-centered social media. Humility is a critical virtue in that it brings us in communion with others through forgiveness.

Although I’m quite critical of self-help for its emphasis on division, there is definitely a need for self-inquiry. Too often we speak from our “gut,” which is often an emotional reaction based on unhealed wounds. In our self-improvement efforts, the goal isn’t being right or being above others. It is about bridging divides through love and understanding.

In spirituality, we often like to dive into the deep end head first. We want the profound contemplative experience quickly. It’s like rushing love in a relationship—it takes time to grow. Take the time to progress through each stage, continually moving forward as your love deepens.

When we talk with people with whom we disagree, we sometimes label their comments or their personality using extreme terms like “fascist” or “racist.” Labeling others is ineffective persuasion. It furthers divides and reveals your need for approval from your group’s standpoint.