Thanks lol. I like these though I don’t now the exact origin… Watched that reality show couple of times, was between hell and entertaining
I sense so much wisdom when reading these words Kevin, thank you for articulating so very well. On this, I’d also add somethings I’ve learnt and resonated with from the Dalai Lama…
The Dalai Lama states that all sentient beings, particularly human beings, want happiness and do not want pain and suffering. On those grounds, we have every right to be happy and use different methods or means to overcome suffering and to achieve happier lives. The methods however should not infringe on the rights of others, nor should they create suffering for others.
He believes that if someone really wants a happy life then it is very important to pursue both internal and external means. Part of this could be ‘spiritual development’ but when he says ‘spiritual’ he does not necessarily mean any kind of religious faith. He says “when I use the word ‘spiritual’ I mean basic human good qualities.”
Qualities like human affection, honesty, discipline and human intelligence guided by good intention and motivation. We have all these things from birth; they do not come to us later in our lives. Religious faith, however, comes later. In this regard, the Dalai Lama believes there are two levels of the various religious teachings. On one level, religious teachings talk about God or the Almighty, or, in Buddhism, about Nirvana. Yet on a different level, all religious teachings and traditions teach us to be good human beings, to be warm-hearted people. These religious teachings simply strengthen the basic human good qualities which we have from birth.
Being aware of your preconceived notions about things, yourself, others, events, religion and beliefs is important to keep in check. When your daily practice becomes centred on kindness and compassion, it’s my belief that our ego is given less power and our true self, our Light shines through 
I will let my heart be my temple.
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Thanks Kev, quite a bit to take in so gonna take some time to digest. I like the quote, definitely agree with the basis of it and I think " violence" is an apt word. Violence as in chaos!
I try not to identify myself with any sort of societal group or belief. I am part of humanity, but, yes, I can certainly see deeply ingrained subconscious traits that are part of me because of my upbringing and experience. And most of them stem from being “white male”.
I’ve been aware of all the contributing factors that influence my thoughts, decisions and feeling and try to, when looking at something, especially a new thing, to see it without these preconceived biases.
I wasn’t aware that the ego was connected in such a way as to influence our decisions.
Does this not make it hard to make a totally unbiased opinion?
That’ll do for know. I need to reflect.
But I must admit that previously I have tried to make unbiased opinion, on any preconceived basis, but am now wondering how unbiased I have actually been.
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Maybe I would be more open to the writings of the Dalai Lama.
As I felt way more comfortable with the above. But then my “awakening” came through the Hindu path at school. It was the one “faith” view that clicked with me in religious education.
So I guess I’m overthinking things again as I too believe that by being true to oneself and compassionate to others then the ego has less power, to use your words.
Thanks
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I love the Dalai Lama. watched some of his talks on YouTube, found there’s a lot to learn through him. I also love the teachings of Hinduism. There is much wisdom to be gained from all faiths, for they are all leading us in the same direction… to an awakening of our soul. to show, give and receive love through kindness and compassion. Love is always the answer, no matter what the question. We only have two choices in life, at the end of the day, and they are: Love or Fear. I’m learning to always choose love
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You may also find benefit in Pema Chodron and Thich Nhat Hahn’s writing.
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I was just thinking about this and was wondering why I have a biased against Tolle and others of the genre and my feelings towards the Lama are better. And I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s based within my dislike of capitalism.
Tolle et al make money off of it. I understand that what they are saying is good but there is a part of me that thinks " yeah, and your making a pretty packet off this mate!"
Whereas with Hinduism, it’s not about material wealth.
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Thanks Sassy, I think Pena Chodron has been mentioned before.
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Tolle, as many others before and in future, will make money by quoting old wisdom. Sometimes easier to chew up for westerners. Cannot say if that is good or bad… it’s good if it helps someone…?
Edit btw happen to know some Hindus who are not immune to material wealth matters. And the caste system in India still goes strong…
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Totally agree Hanna. If it helps then it helps. I just have this thing with greed that I obviously can’t get past.
And I don’t really get involved in other cultures ethics. It’s bad enough trying to deal with the western societies continued attempts to destroy itself.
I’m well aware that all cultures have their defects.
And unfortunately I think the media like to highlight all the negativity so to keep the world at odds.
Which is why I don’t pay attention. It’s hard to find unbiased opinion in the media.
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True. That’s how they get clickbites. I’ve said this before and say it now, that all bad in this world is originated from greed and lack of compassion/love. I think you have an inspiring and intuitive way of reflecting phenomenons of this crazy world. You’ve got it, you have a little shaman in you 
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This came across my path this morning 
resonates with me.
Living a life of presence
One of Eckhart Tolle’s central teachings is that the present moment is the only slice of time that ever truly exists. The past and future are illusions of the mind—projections of the “Small Self” into theoretical situations that have not manifested or have already dissolved.
However, Eckhart suggests that thinking about the past and future (much like the act of thinking itself) is actually advantageous for interacting with the world of form. Though the future is just a mental construct, it’s still useful to plan for those moments when the construct becomes reality. Similarly, events that have already come to pass contain valuable lessons for existing skillfully in the present moment.
The key, Eckhart teaches, is not to attach your sense of self-worth and identity to these nonexistent time frames. It’s one thing to maintain a calendar and remind oneself of the due date for a big creative project; it’s problematic, however, to constantly worry about it or obsess over the fame and fortune you long to experience, or obsess over what has been. Bring yourself back to the Now.
The Ego - teachings from Eckhart Tolle as told by Leigh Newman…
One way to think about ego is as a protective heavy shell, such as the kind some animals have, like a big beetle. This protective shell works like armor to cut you off from other people and the outside world. What I mean by shell is a sense of separation: Here’s me and there’s the rest of the universe and other people. The ego likes to emphasize the “otherness” of others.
This sense of separation is an intrinsic part of the ego. The ego loves to strengthen itself by complaining—either in thoughts or words—about other people, the situation you find yourself in, something that is happening right now but “shouldn’t be,” and even about yourself. For example, when you’re in a long line at the supermarket, your mind might start complaining how slow the checkout person is, how he should be doing this or doing that, or he failed to do anything at all—including packing the bag of the person ahead of you correctly.
When this happens, the ego has you in its grip. You don’t have thoughts; the thoughts have you—and if you want to be free, you have to understand that the voice in your head has created them and irritation and upset you feel is the emotional response to that voice Only in this way can you be present to the truer world around you and see the golden shade in a pound of pears on the scanner, or the delight of a child in line who begs to eat them.The trick, of course, is to work to free ourselves from this armor and from this voice that is dictating reality.
Observe Your Mind
The first foundational step is to become aware of what kind of thoughts you habitually think, especially negative thoughts: irritation, anger, impatience and perhaps even some kind of sadness. You might, for example, complain about yourself, how useless you are. If you start to hear these repetitive thoughts, then you will suddenly realize, “I’ve been thinking these same thoughts again and again almost every day without really knowing it.”
Distinguish Between the Voice of Ego and the Actual Situation
Awareness is the beginning of becoming free of the ego because then you realize that your thoughts—and the negative emotions they produce—are dysfunctional and unnecessary. For example, let’s go back to the supermarket line. As you stand waiting, you aren’t actually irritated because it’s taking a long time to get through to the checkout, which is the situation. You are irritated by what your mind is telling you about the situation—which is that all this waiting is bad and a waste of your time. But you could actually be enjoying that moment if you say, “This is simply what is. There’s nothing I can do about it, so why not breathe in deeply and look around and enjoy the world around me?”
Let Go of Limiting Stories
Sometimes the danger is not even pessimistic thought. If, for instance, you have been let go from your job, you might so resist being negative that you say, “It’s a great thing that I lost my job!” That kind of willful optimism is not necessary. We hold on to the fairy tale of supposed happiness—that we should be happy. But this keeps you stuck where you are. Instead, try to describe only what is happening, without judgment: I do not have a job. I must look for one.
Bring In Your Awareness
When you see the difference between your voice and the reality of the situation, that’s the beginning of awakening. This is often a moment—a flash that sizzles and disappears. Initially you still lose yourself again, and the old thoughts arise, but gradually, you gain awareness, and the dysfunctional thoughts subside. It’s a gradual transition, this bringing in of your awareness, because the ego doesn’t want to change. It doesn’t want to disappear, so it will give you plenty of reasons why you cannot be present.
Lay Down Your Weapons
Your challenge will be to become more aligned internally with the present moment. Fighting with your ego by will just makes it stronger. By declaring war on it, you make an enemy. A simple example: You wake up in the morning, and it’s raining and gray, and the mind says, “What a miserable day,” and this is not a pleasant thought. You likely feel some emotion: dread, disappointment, unhappiness. You suddenly realize that your judgment of what kind of day it will be is based on a mental habit, an unconscious default. That simple awareness creates space for a new thought to emerge. You can look again out the window without that preconception and just see the sky. It’s gray. There’s some sunlight filtering through the sky. There are, perhaps, raindrops falling. It’s not actually miserable at all. It has a certain beauty. Then suddenly, you’re free. You’re no longer imposing something on reality, and you’re free to enjoy what, previously, you had rejected.
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Golden!
To be honest this is where I am. I’m still listening to that voice, but I’m aware it’s there and do work towards shifting focus.
The bit about the shell, that’s similar to Tara Brach’s spacesuit. The ego is our protection.
Yes I liked this. Thank you.
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Interesting! I think it’s like the knowing or understanding … intuitively… that awareness is empty, so there is no object you are trying to observe. It is just awareness being aware of itself. There is a silent witness, behind the mind, the one who sees; it’s consciousness.
I read this just the other day, an experiment of the Awareness Watching Awareness Method:
Look at an object in the room.
Notice the awareness that is looking through your eyes.
Now shut your eyes and notice that you are still aware.
It is the same awareness that was a moment ago looking at the room.
Now, with your eyes still closed, observe your awareness.
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This confuses me because I think I’m trying to over complicate things! It’s essentially turning your thinking mind off for a moment whilst still being aware of the mind that’s not thinking?? 
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Two new mantras that are really my focus atm-
Whatever is not an act of love is a call for love
&
My only reponsibilty to see love and feel love
(Everything else is just complicated ego shenanigans, bring awareness, forgive and let go!)
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Ha ha ha yes some medications leave me like this too! It can take me the whole 10 minutes to realise my minds buggered off out the door, down the street and into next week! I guess that’s the whole point though and gently except it’s happened again re focus! Because the act of catching your self drifting is where the awareness comes in??
this is my favourite, and I’ve really noticed a change in my sons energy/mood the more present I am for him.
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This is so true! You sound like a fabulous dad and your kids are very lucky indeed esp if they inherit your good taste in music
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Love these mantras Fran, I think I will adopt them too 
thank you!
Reminds me of one of my favourite quotes of all time, from the movie Moulin Rouge ~ “the greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love, and be loved in return”
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