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The Truth About Life's Challenges

Topic: Zen and MindfulnessBy Dr Brenda ShoshannaPublished Recently added

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In the midst of our lives, hungry, thirsty and often weary, nthere comes a moment when we stop and wonder, “Is this all nthere is? Is there another way to live my life that will nbring the joy and contentment that eludes me?”

Caught in the patterns of our lives, each of us has an intuition of something beyond the way we are now living. This something has the power to dispel sorrow and transform our lives into one of wholeness and joy. It has the power to heal division and offer the strength, compassion and refreshment we all desire.

This is what happens as we live from the wisdom nwithin, our true nature, the essence of who we are. Rather nthan seek to fulfill everyone else’s beliefs and nexpectations, when we turn within for wisdom and guidance we nhave a way of seeing things differently. Rather than respond nautomatically, we are true to ourselves, to our own nperception and vision and then have the opportunity arises nto look at the world through fresh eyes.

As we do this, we can often grow like flowers, planted nin the soil of our daily conce
s. This may also be called, nliving our lives from the inside out, trusting ourselves and nour own intuition.

As we begin to do this, we develop a new way of knowing and of being in the world. We do not analyze, explain or justify what happens. Rather than try to mold or control our experience, we simply make friends with it, become acquainted, let it instruct us and be our guide. n
First Steps

As we embark upon this pathway, there are certain pointers nand warnings which are helpful. Some are listed below: As nthey become part of your daily lives, you will easily and nnaturally see how your relationships benefit as well.

Pointers and Warnings

Take a deep breath. We are not going anywhere fast. In fact, nwe are returning – back to our original home. Put down nfantasies, hopes, expectations for a moment. Just simply nlea
to be where you are. Sit still without moving, and ntake in all that is going on now. Don’t judge it, hate it, npush it away. Be with everything, just as it is. Including nyourself.

Pointer 1 - Stop Looking For A Quick Fix

A great danger in our lives is looking for a quick fix, nbelieving there are all kinds of wise ones around who have nthe answers for our lives. That is not the point here. As nthey say, “Don’t put a head on your head. What’s wrong with nyour own, anyway?”

Pointer 2 - Give Up Unnecessary Pressure

Most of the time we create all kinds of goals and drive nourselves crazy to reach them. We measure our progress, ncompare ourselves to others, judge ourselves relentlessly.
This is not our way. Here we focus upon each breath, each nday, each moment and experience it totally. One complete nbreath brings the next. This path is made by walking.

Pointer 3 - Go Back To The Beginning

Many are constantly seeking more and more, exploring new nterritories, ideas, relationships. They then feel they are nadvancing and gaining ground. However, many rush forward nwithout really knowing where they are going. Once they narrive, they quickly set a new destination and start rushing nto it again.

Our way is to return to the beginning. We stop, sit down, nlook within. We remember where we came from, who we are nand where we are headed. We also remember to take ncare of our simple lives as well as the lives of others nalong the way. By returning to our original nature, we nremember how to sit, breathe, eat, play and re-claim the nexcitement, joy and adventure we felt as children, but lost nalong the way. n

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About the Author

Discover The 2000 year old Zen secrets for being calm, nbalanced and positive, no matter what’s going on in Dr Shoshanna’s program, Living By en, ‘http://www.livingbyzen.com. Psychologist, speaker, author and long term Zen practitioner she has helped thousands become strong, stable and fulfilled. Contact her at topspeaker@yahoo.com,or http://www.brendashoshanna.com. n(212) 288-0028. n