If Egos are So Bad, Why Do We Have One?

Why do we have an Ego?

Almost all spiritual guides say that we must eliminate or dispose of our ego before we can reach enlightenment. If this is true, then why did our creator burden us with an ego to start with? Would it not have saved considerable struggle just to let us be born with only a spiritual side and not have an ego to fight with all the time? A fight that most people seen to loose.

What is the ego anyway? The ego is that part of us that makes us separate from other people and things. It is the opposite of oneness that most spiritualists are trying to achieve. The ego is, as the Taoist express, the ten thousand things. So then why do we need one?

The ego allows me to be different from you even though we are made from the same dirt. Namaste. The ego is built from our individual histories or dharma. No two can be alike.

The ego expresses the opposite of the unifying field that leads to enlightenment. We tend to look at the ego as bad and oneness as good. However, the Taoist teach that nothing is either good no bad, it just is. So the ego cannot be bad or evil, it just is. So, why do we have to destroy it to get where we want to be?

If we look at the ego as one extreme and the all encompassing oneness as the other, we see that as humans living in physical bodies that our path lies somewhere between the extremes. When we were created is was so that the creator could experience life in as many different ways as possible. The ego defines each of the infinite different ways. As long as we realize that the ego is just part of the continuum between oneness and the individual, then we can stop wasting our energy fighting our ego and let out lives flow naturally between the extremes of ourselves as different and our selves as part of the whole.

Mike Strawbridge is a Performance Consultant enhancing business and personal performance by integrating mind, body and spirit.

http://www.mikestrawbridge.com

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Louis P Pojman

Are You Experiencing a Spiritual Bypass?

Are you pursuing a spiritual path? Have you found yourself disappointed or frustrated? Either with the people or the work? Are you ready to give up?

Here is what I think is happening. There has been a great deal of interest in pursuing mystical, esoteric, spiritual mysteries. People have been jumping on the band wagon spiritual pursuit, both traditional practices and "commercialized" versions of enlightenment. What I am suggesting is that one needs psychological healing in psychotherapy before spiritual work is effective.

What is a spiritual bypass then? It is when you are not recovered from your psychological wounding, and to heal you become involved in a spiritual pursuit. Thinking this is "THE" answer to everything that has been bothering you. The outcome often is feeling let down, one loses faith and trust.

The ability to trust, have faith and have discipline to practice true spiritual pursuits requires one to have a balanced psychological foundation. With out this you are bypassing work and jumping to spirit to find peace and balance. You have no foundation to support this work and it will collapse.

Here is one example of how this might happen. Early psychological wounding (first year of life) can result in an impaired ability to form healthy attachments. The wounding to early consciousness needs to be repaired in order to provide a balanced, solid foundation. Someone wounded in this way will attach to the people and practices of the tradition in a dysfunctional way. They might want to be controlled (taken care of), becoming dependent on, or becoming so disappointed by the humanness of their companions that they reject all.

Do yourself a favor. Heal yourself in the emotional and mental realms first. Do not try to climb the ladder to the divine until the lower rungs of your ladder have been repaired.

First make sure the basics in your life are handled. You have a secure home and way of maintaining your day to day living. Then heal your psyche. Seek a therapist or group to work through any wounds, patterns or beliefs that are destructive.Counseling can help you discern what is truly healthy for you. Now when you begin your spiritual journey you are prepared to respond to the wonderful fulfillment as well as the disappointments, and frustrations along the way.

Now you are off to a good start. For more about maintaining these changes, getting through challenges, and responding to the mental and emotional changes that come along with the process, check out my website: http://www.debrajoygoldman.com/ or call me at 561-844-1340.

Recognized as a leading counselor and educator for the past twenty years, in the South Florida area, Debra Joy Goldman specializes in counseling individuals, couples and facilitating groups The mother of three adult children and grandmother of two, Debra and her husband (her high school sweetheart) have been married for 33 years and live in South Florida with their cat Leo (who really runs the house).

Spencer Johnson

Effective Goal Setting, Using the SMART Method, Part One of Three

Make a list of your dreams, goals, and desires. What do you really want to be, do, and have. Do you want to be a great public speaker, climb a mountain, learn to fly an airplane, own a new luxury car? What gets you excited? What gets your "juices flowing"? What are some of the things, that if you dug way back in your memory banks you could remember you truly wanted when you were a child and uninfluenced by other people or limiting beliefs. Make a list of some of those things that you remember, the ones that still get you really excited just to think about.

Now that you have a list, go through the list and pick several that you believe you can accomplish in the next one year, three years and the next five years and place the numbers 1, 3, and 5, next to those items. Go back through all of your 1's and choose several that you really want to go for in the next year, goals that may seem a little over the top right now, goals that you will know that you've really done everything right in order to accomplish them. Do the same with your 3(year)'s and 5(year)'s.

Next you'll write out a set of goals. 3"X5" index cards make great goal cards, they are large enough to write plenty of goals on each one and they are small enough to carry with you anywhere. One method of goal writing which is very successful is the "SMART" method. This is the acronym for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time connected. Some other important aspects of goals is that they be powerful, exciting, and fun. Powerful in that they draw you toward them, exciting in that they challenge you, and fun so that you always want to be going after them.

You want to have goals that are specific, measurable, and time connected, you also want to have goals that you will have to stretch for to attain. An example might be if you regularly earn $60,000 to $65,000 per year. To have a goal of earning $65,000 to $67,000 is easily attainable, not much fun, as you are not stretching to get there, and you would probably reach that level without any effort as far as changing your mental habits or setting goals. In this example a goal of $80,000 this year would be a stretch, a lot of fun when it is attained, and would take mental changes, changes in your actions, and work with goal exercises in order to attain.

You will want to write your goals in the present tense, as if today were your goal date, one year from now. Its September 30, 20__, and I now have $ _________, in the bank, I drive ___________, or I now live in a beautiful __ bedroom __ bathroom home in ______(suburb), _________, (city), _________ (state).

DO NOT write your goals as follows: By September 30, 20__, I will have $ _______ in the bank, and I will be driving _____, and I will live in a beautiful __bedroom __ bathroom home in ________(suburb), ______(city), ________ (state).

The reason for this method of writing your goals will be more apparent in later articles in this series. Be sure to read Part Two, Bringing Emotion to Your Goals. Charging your goals with emotion is fun, and will assist you in reaching them.

George L. Kenney is an online marketing professional. He will assist you in learning how to leverage your time, money, and technology to put you on the fast track to success. To find out more about the Marketing Mentors Program Click Here

Where is Heaven

Many people live their lives with the assumption that Heaven is out there somewhere and is completely separate from life on earth. Many are taught that Heaven is a mystical place only accessed through death of the physical body. But in actuality, the spiritual planes of reality and the physical earth plane interpenetrate one another in the same point in space. Each plane has its own unique energetic structure that vibrates at its own frequency. The physical world is the lowest vibration of energy and actually lies within higher vibrational planes.

We can routinely access some of the higher, less dense planes through sleep, meditation or prayer. Whenever we are in an altered state of consciousness, we align with higher vibrational planes of reality and may come to have an expanded awareness that we dont experience in a waking state.

In the case of meditation , as we connect with our higher self, our creativity may be awakened or we may experience a light bulb moment that gives us a better understanding of who we are or of a situation going on in our lives.

As we dream, we are whisked off to a land of symbolismthe secret language of Spirit. Dreams can offer clues that can help us to resolve matters in our current waking lives. Through our dreams, we may also come in contact with deceased friends or family members or even catch a glimpse of an event that hasnt happened yet. Dream interpretation is a very useful tool that can bring the workings of Heaven into our awareness.

In prayer to the God of our understanding, we place ourselves in a position to be humbly conscious of the limitless possibilities that Heaven offers us. By recognizing the opportunities open to us, we can act on them and bring them into manifest.

Heaven is not a place, it is a system a system of subtle energies that are constantly stirring about and creating new effects that help shape and transform our daily lives. The earth plane is not separate from this system; it is merely the physical component of it. The system that sustains us in life is the same system that sustains us in death.

Karin Nemri is a Spiritual Counselor, Aiijii Healer and inter-nationally known Lecturer/Presenter. She has a private practice in Connecticut. You may wish to visit her website, http://www.SoulutionsofLight.com to learn how Spirit works through her to help others.

10 Tips For Great Goal Setting

Less than 3% of people write down their goals. We are statistically more likely to spend time organising exactly what we want from the supermarket instead of working out what we want from life. Crazy but true.

The chances are that you commit most of your working day to helping your boss to achieve their goals, instead of spending time working on your own.

One way to enhance the quality of your life is to learn how to apply an effective goal setting program. These tips will help you on your way to doing this.

1. First of all why set goals?

The biggest predictor of success is direction. If you dont have something to aim for in life, the chances are you will end up achieving very little. Almost every successful person in the world started with a clearly defined goal in their mind of what it is they wanted to achieve. This provided them with a fundamental sense of purpose and direction.

The beauty of setting goals is that they help to streamline your life, adding a focal point and something tangible for you to work towards.

In some ways goals are like beacons helping you to stride through life towards something that holds special importance to you. What that special something is, is up to you.

2. Working out what you want

It amazes me how many people work towards goals that they dont really want.

Usually the motivation to achieve these goals comes from a feeling that you should want them. Fame, recognition, and a high status job, are some of the modern day desires that society conditions people to think that they want.

It is important that all goals and aspirations come only from a place of wanting and not from a place of should.

When you cut out all the noise that society deafens you with, and directly ask yourself, what is it that you want? honestly and whole heartedly, you are able to generate goals that come from a place of inspiration, and not from a place of conditioning.

It is from inspiration that all worthwhile goals are created. When you work from here your commitment to your goals is full of desire, passion, and zest.

Set goals based on your values

Working out what your goals are is often the hardest part of the goal setting procedure, and the part which requires most thought.

The first step to working out what you want is to establish what is important to you in life.

If for example you value your friends and family above anything else, then it makes sense to set a life goal of spending as much quality time with these people as possible.

If financial independence is valued highly you may chose to construct a goal that focuses on reaching a specific sum of money within a set time frame.

Ask yourself a series of incisive questions that force you to address who you are and what is important to you in your life.

Consider answering the questions below and start devising goals around the answers you produce:

What would you want to achieve if you knew you could not fail?

If you could leave one message to the world what would it be?

Who are you when you are at your best?

If you had one day to live, what would you do?

The responses to these questions should provide you with some information about what is important to you in your life and aid the goal setting process.

3. How will you know when you have reached your goal?

Your goal needs to be clear and precise so that you know exactly when you have reached it. One way to do this is to set the goal as a numerical figure. If you can produce a clear yes, or no response to whether you have reached your goal then you have successfully created a measurable objective.

For example, consider the goal of generating a financial target of ?100,000 by the end of the year. The numerical and precise nature of your goal allows you to effectively evaluate whether or not you have successfully reached your target when the end of the year arrives.

4. Does your goal make you go wow?

It is important that the goal you set is wildly ambitious.

Old schools of thought believe that goal setting should be realistic and attainable, avoiding excessive ambition. On the surface this makes perfect sense, because you want to set goals that you have a good chance of hitting. And arguably, failing to hit your goals because of aiming too high may leave you feeling little despondent.

The reason why I suggest that goals should be set as high and as ambitious as possible, is because there is no logical reason why you cannot achieve whatever it is that you want.

It is only through your negative internal belief systems that you decide what is and what isnt realistic. Years of conditioning, of being told what you can and cannot achieve have encouraged us to construct a warped view of our true potential.

This is why unrealistic and wild goals ironically are sometimes closer to what is realistically possible compared to your conditioned view on what is realistic.

If you set the ambitious goal of making ?1,000,000 in 1 year, work with dedication and drive and end up making ?600,000, I am pretty sure that you will not feel despondent at the end of the year.

It is certainly better than aiming to make ?50,000 within the year, and hitting the target easily, without having to push yourself in any way.

Aim for the stars and you will catch the moon

5. Have you written down your goal?

Once you have precisely and clearly established what it is that you want to aim for, write it down.

Your goal needs to be written down in a specific style in order to be successful.

Although goals are inherently in the future write your goal in the present tense. For example; instead of writing I will have a successful business, write I have a successful business. This will add immediate impact to the strength of your goal.

The second point is to make sure when you write down your goal it is something you want instead of something you dont want.

If you focus your energies on what you dont want unfortunately you will attract what you dont want into your life.

It is always more powerful to move towards something, instead of away from something.

For example wanting to make more money is much more effective than focusing on getting out of debt.

6. Is any goal better than having none at all?

Even if you do not master an effective goal setting program at your first attempt, devising a bad goal setting program is better than producing nothing.

Setting any kind of goal is better than relying on the lap of the gods to decide your fate.

Teddy Roosevelt once said, in any moment of a decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.

Even if you obtain a goal that you realise you did not actually want, at least you are one step closer to finding what it is you really want. As Tom Watson (Founder of IBM) famously said; if you want to be a success, double your rate of failure.

7. Have you fallen into the trap of setting too many goals?

An easy trap to fall into is setting too many goals. Successful people usually only set one goal at a time. This focuses their efforts on one target, speeding up the actualisation of their goal. Once the first goal is completed, you can then look to tackle your next one.

If you set too many goals in your life, the danger is that your focal powers will become so spread out that you end up achieving nothing. As the old proverb states; if you chase two rabbits both will escape.

8. Are you in the right state?

The meaning of the word goal is outlined as a clearly and well defined measurable state. The goals you aim to achieve in life-whether it is to marry and have a family, to build a multi-million pound business, or own a mansion in the middle of the country are strong motivations because of the way you envisage they will make you feel once you have obtained them.

If you believe that having a multi-million pound business will make you feel secure, powerful, and liberated, then these desired states are the driving force behind obtaining the goal..

Physical experiences are a bit like vehicles that are designed to take you from your current state to your desired state.

Before setting out to make your dream become a reality it is important that you associate with the internal state that you will experience once you have obtained your goal.

For example if building a multi-million pound business will make you feel secure and liberated, it is important that you generate these emotional states before you begin building your empire.

This will optimise and speed up the process of actualising your goal.

9. Have you taken action?

Unaccompanied, all the ideas in the world are worth nothing. However if you couple ideas with productive action, then your innovations can begin to take form.

It is common for people to spend a significant amount of time constructing worthwhile goals, but if you are not prepared to act on these intentions then nothing will ever be achieved.

All successful people have one thing in common; they get more done in the time given to them, than most people.

Whatever lofty idea you have in mind, you must begin working towards it the moment that your goal has been set.

It is important to develop a sense of accountability and commitment towards taking action, otherwise you may find that you talk yourself out of making your goals a reality.

10. Do you have a deadline?

Remember to give yourself a deadline to achieve your goal, otherwise you could end up spending a lifetime working towards it. Without setting a deadline you run the risk of becoming a procrastinator, always putting off the things you need to do. By constructing a concise time plan you streamline your focus, making sure that every second of your time up to this date is dedicated and organised to achieving your aim.

Remember: A goal is a dream with a deadline

Conclusion

If you are going to be successful, you need to make sure that you live your life with a real sense of purpose and direction. Creating goals is one of the most effective ways to do this.

Sam Kotadia is the managing director of Mindsport ltd. The company delivers extensive free resources to help a global audience get an edge in the realms of sport, business and life. All resources can be found at http://www.mindsportlive.com

The Art of Clowning - The Joy of Spiritual Clowning

Unknown to many, clowns can also be spiritual. Their purpose is not basically to entertain but also to bring the audience in a state of spiritual awareness. In some cases, it is though the manifestation of a clown's art that the spectators are also exposed to the stage of deepening their religious faith and thus called Christian clowning. Other defines Christian clowning as a way to get people to loosen up, enjoy themselves, and have fun in a way that is wholesome and exciting. This can be said as different from the rest of clowning styles.

And because of its noble intent, spiritual clowning becomes a growing market today. Why? Simply because this clowning style has dual effect - fun and upliftment of the spiritual aspect. No doubt, that many people are looking into the possibility of venturing this field. Another plus factor about this Christian clowning is the fact that it will introduce fun in a Christian way getting away from the typical merriment which in a sense is purely fun and merrymaking. But, wait, you still have something to know about Christian clowning.

You might be thinking differently, that the clown who is purposely for fun now turns into a preacher of doctrines, dogmas and beliefs - which might end up boring. Of course not. If you thought that way, you're wrong. Actually, Christian clowning doesn't have to be strictly construed as referring to Christian ideals. If you take this term in a hard core way of understanding then you will not get the point. It is a clowning style where the substance and presentation is done in a clean and exciting way for all ages. In a gist, it is good, wholesome and clean fun.

It is something that the audience will have something to reflect, discern or learn from the show. It is not the ordinary merriment and fun wherein when all the lights are off and the clown is gone also signals the end. In Christian clowning the audience is lifted in a high-spirited mood, lightening all their heavy loads of problems and worries and at the end they have something to ponder -beautiful lessons of life. If you are into Christian clowning you'll discover and be amazed how the audience acts in a very relaxed and well -disposed manner. Yes, they are enjoying every moment with a good laugh and some neat tricks. After all, this is a wonderful way to share in the fellowship that Christian people should share.

And just like ordinary clowning, Christian clowning also needs few things. First, you will need an outfit. One of the greatest things about clowning is that there is no uniform. You can freely choose your style.

The usual clowning tools like bright colored outfits, oversized pants and shirts coupled with tiny vests and suspenders, big shoes are important. Second, is the clown make-up. The make-up will create an illusion or drama and third, be yourself. Be creative. Explore the world of possibilities and impossibilities.

So what about Christian clown skits? Well, you just have to be harmless. Your styles and tricks should be appropriate for all ages and for the church. Make sure that your dialogues are part of the scripture.

As your guide you can make skits and scenes that show good Christian values, such as taking care of others, being honest, and doing the right thing. All of these values can be great elements for a skit for young people or people of all ages. In this way, you can bring the Christian message to the people watching - even if they aren't aware of it.

With Christian clowning, you can do just that - and have a lot of fun in the meantime!

As a child one of Adrianna's favorite memories was the visits to the Circus. She loved all the antics of the clown's and the wonderful color and happy atmosphere that everyone demonstrated while attending "The Big Top." Because Adrianna is a firm believer in laughter and fun, she began looking into all aspects of Circus history and life. Our focus is on the art of becoming a clown, in particular. We are offering a FREE report on, "Clowning, How To Be A Clown." You will benefit from her years of research making her an expert of sorts. http://www.Clowning.us

If you want to have even more information on "Clowning" please visit the blog where you will be able to see much more. The offer of a book on the subject and a soon to be released Pictorial Book "Clowning" http://www.Clowning.us/blog

America's Sacred Contract - Crisis Or Opportunity?

What does it mean to be an American? A most wonderful and passionate story teller, Caroline Myss has created an intriguing audio CD titled, "The Sacred Contract of America." It will enlighten you.

America, according to Caroline Myss, "is on a respirator." She notes that many Americans, disappointed by what America has become, are ready for change.

Then she gives the history of America that is inspiring, moving, and helps you to reconnect with the vision of our founding fathers. By reconnecting with the original vision, you can rediscover that it means to be an American.

She does this through her concept of "A Sacred Contract." A sacred contract is an agreement made for the planet's highest good. Each individual, family, and nation, has a sacred contract. It is a combination of patterns of power, which she calls archetypes, which give the pattern to the purpose of our lives.

Myss describes twelve major archetypes of America, and how they have influenced our lives. Once we become aware of them, we can learn when the archetypes are beneficial and when they are not. Then we can consciously choose to use them for good.

Each individual's sacred contract is woven into that of their nation, and needs to be maintained conscious citizens. Myss believes that America is one of the most pivotal nations in the world for seeding global self-esteem.

Caroline Myss challenges us to reconnect with America's original vision by honoring the wisdom that has gone before us. At the same time, more practical answers are needed on what people can do. This is where we can better coordinate our resources.

Visit http://www.life-attractionsblog.com for cutting edge information and teleseminars on key factors that bring happiness and success to your life.