My situation is I think similar to most people on this planet although I was a particularly bad case in that I lacked poise. However most people lack confidence, frequently they do not feel good about themselves and they judge themselves harshly and have many opinions about themselves, which limit their growth and potential.
For the full article visit this page on Poise
What are the benefits of such a practice. It seems morbid and depressing. And it seems completely opposed to the modern culture in most countries that stresses youth, activity, sex, achievement and consumption.
For more see this page on Mindfulness on death
The story of the Two Rings
A rich old man died leaving two sons...I had hoped to give you in my ebook some conclusive logical proof regarding the existence of of the Absolute and of the soul (or Atman or Self). But there are none.
Immanuel Kant - the German Philosopher - proved conclusively in the 19th century that we cannot hope to prove of disprove or know God through logic or the intellect. But our problems are here and how and very real whereas mystical experiences are very far away. How then can we use these teachings to guide our day to day life.
George Gurdieff was an Armenian mystic. He has been praised by Osho Rajneesh as one of the most enlightened masters of modern times. This is the story of what Gurdieff claimed was the greatest lesson of his life.
When Gurdieff was a young boy his father died. When faced with the ups and downs of life,Still the mind remains unshaken,Not lamenting, not generating defilements, always feeling secure,That is the greatest happiness.
You might think that the above statement the universe is one organic whole – is the conclusion of saints and mystics. In fact I have derived this concept from the relatively new discoveries of Physics – specifically Bells Theorum and Quantum Mechanics.
As described later in the book the recent conclusions of quantum physics are that the universe is one organic whole.
This is what the eastern Religions have been saying through the ages - be it Hinduism, Buddhism or Taoism.
How would you like to feel so secure, at such peace with yourself that all your problems and challenges become almost irrelevant?
What is true happiness?
I have found the answer to this question in EasternPhilosophy and I encourage you to do so as well.
In today’s materialistic culture one can easily mistake happiness as being found in money, having lots of friends, a beautiful wife (or girlfriend, or a successful and charismatic husband), ...