This past week has been kind of interesting for me. I have been receiving so many wonderful emails from people sharing with me their views about making a living while trying to actually live. Every single email has been such a joy for me…words cannot describe the gratitude.
As a result of all of this wonderful feedback, I realized how much I love writing. Words cannot describe the sheer bliss that comes with creating a post or story or poem or whatever. I love writing with every ounce of my being.
With all these thoughts percolating in my brain, I began to think about the direction of this blog. In addition to my love of writing, I also have an intense love of spirituality. Spirituality is so much a part of my being, I no longer think about spirituality as being separate from me. It is me. As is writing.
Now the problem with spirituality is that it scares some people. Mention the word “spirit” or “God” and most people go running in the other direction. It is kind of funny but also kind of sad.
I do not know about you but sometimes spiritual writers tend to get a little too serious and forget that life is somehow supposed to become more fun when you have spiritual awareness. Yes, there is pain and yes, there is suffering. But from all historical accounts, Buddha and Jesus were fun people too.
Jesus danced at weddings and told parables as did Buddha. Both wandered around their homelands with their disciples and had a sense of humor. I think if they were miserable people they would not have changed the world as they did. Seriously, to be charismatic, you cannot be cranky. Do you truly think a miserable human being could take water and turn it into wine? Not likely.
Now please know that I am no where near being a Buddha or a Jesus. However, I have had a rich spiritual journey. I have lived my life based on what I wanted to experience. I have been blessed to have traveled the world and to have known all kinds of people. I have held all kinds of jobs. I have been rich and I have been without a home. I have seen things which would break your heart and yet I have seen miracles too. I have truly walked the road less traveled….Robert Frost would be proud.
For most of my journey, I have struggled with who I was as a person. When you are a product of a mixed religious and ethnic background, you have no sense of identity. Combining that background with being a free spirit is hard when you live in a world that is defined by certain expectations. It can be quite humorous too.
So this past week as I thought about my life and my journey, I recalled how years ago I had an idea for a column about being a spiritual/free spirit while being in the world. One editor loved my idea and gave me a column in a magazine over in the United Kingdom. Writing those columns was so much fun but due to funding issues, the magazine had to shut down.
Many other things were happening in my life at that time so one thing led to another and that column got pushed back into the memory banks of my brain. It lived deep in those memory cells until two days ago when I began to think more about my writing and blog.
With each thought, I realized that one of the things that I really would love to start doing is to write that column that I once started years ago. As much as I love spirituality and as much as I am a deep thinker, I think it is vital as a spiritual writer to be honest and humorous about the journey. None of us are perfect.
The spiritual path scares some people because of all the stuff that comes up. Don’t get me wrong, the spiritual journey does require dedication and inner work. Yes, it can be hard and yes, there are moments when you will long to be ignorant again. However, despite all of that, there are certain joys and funny moments along the way.
For example, when you really come to understand karma, it totally affects the way you interact with people. I have been in situations, where I went back into a store and apologized to a person that I could have treated better. Or I have been in my car while in a parking lot, praying with all my heart for the Universe to give me another chance to make it up to someone. Normal people do not do this to themselves but once you are on a spiritual path, forget about being normal.
Yes, life is meant to be taken seriously but it does not mean that you take yourself so seriously that you lose sight of what this journey is all about. As much as I have written deeply about certain subjects on this blog, I am also the kind of person who believes in enjoying life. In my mind, spirituality is to enable a person to shed the chains that bind them and to be who they really are. For to live life based on what you think you should be is not living at all. A person has to be true to themselves and speak their truth. We crave authenticity in the world, well…it starts with us being authentic when we are in the world.
To walk around with a sense of superiority because one is spiritual defies the point of being spiritual. To talk in a cold manner in an effort to sound like one is detached from who they are is not a sign of spiritual wisdom. In order to be of greatest benefit to another human being is to be real and honest with who you are as a human being.
So with all of this in mind, I have decided to make these posts more reflective of my life. For spirituality or personal development to have any value, it has to be candid and real. And that is my aim. If you have any thoughts or suggestions for topics you would like me to cover, please email me at admin [{at}] happylotus.com . I would love to hear from you.
Please know that I will still write from deep within my heart. I just want to be a bit more personal and raw than I have been. Kind of like writing in a diary. I hope you will continue the journey with me. May we all find inner peace and joy – for those things are our birthright!
{ 64 comments }
Wow, love your words, the honesty, the happy spirit and the reflective one. This is so powerful, maybe because it is you being so true to yourself. Not many of us have that courage and ease. What strikes me is that you’ve already been so honest all this while. I wonder what awaits (eager anticipation). Your points about karma were also very useful.
All the very very best for the writing that is to come. Am sure all your readers , old and many new will await. Sounds like fun. God bless
Hi Uzma,
Thank you for being so kind and supportive. I am truly very grateful.
As for the courage and ease in being true to yourself…I think when a person comes to accept themselves for who they are (and that means accepting the positive and the not so positive), it enables a person to be at peace. And in that peace, it is easy to be true to oneself and talk openly about it for there is no shame.
Hope all is well! God bless you too!
Nadia,
I love the direction you are delving into here! I have personally found that when I write something that is more personal – the response is always much more than I expected. And I think that’s because there’s a craving almost, for real and authentic. I know that I am drawn into these stories, because they are real, because they are spoken from the heart. They all just feel more tangible and like something I can wrap my arms around. I’m excited to see the direction this takes you in, and to be along on the journey as you share here…
.-= Lance´s last blog ..Sunday Thought For The Day =-.
Hi Lance,
Isn’t it amazing how we all crave something real and authentic? I used to think it was only me who was eager for that kind of communication but with time, I have come to see that it is a universal feeling. I think we tend to be so private that we forget that we are all looking and searching for the same thing. We all want a more authentic experience and usually it starts with us being more authentic when we are engaging with the world.
Please know that your support and kindness are both very much appreciated.
Hi Nadia,
How wonderful that you have chosen to go with your “passion.” Having made this decision, your “excitement” comes through loud and clear….
Being authentic and living in our integrity is the only way if we want to gain and retain readers. Our words are windows into our soul and if we think we are fooling anyone…we are really only fooling ourselves. Our readers are much wiser than the credit we sometimes give them
I believe that’s why we get a much better response when we are honest and weave our own personal life into our posts.
As for others being ‘scared’ of the word spirituality…sad but true….
I believe people choose to stay in ignorance because they know that with knowledge comes responsibility…and, they simply don’t want responsibility. (Little are they aware that they are being held accountable anyway!)
Your writing is a “JOY” to read…
and, isn’t that what life is all about?? JOY!!
Hugs,
Kathy
.-= Kathy Dobson´s last blog ..Companionship =-.
Hi Kathy,
Thank you so much for all the kind things you wrote and for being so supportive. I am very grateful.
You are so right, people are far more intelligent that we may think. I have always said that people can sense when something is coming from the heart or when it is fake. We have seen enough fake stuff, it is time for all of us to be more open and real with who we are and how we view the world. The only way things can get better is by having an open dialogue about life. The more we come to see how we all have the same desires and wishes, the more we will see how we are all much more alike and how we truly are all one.
Hugs right back at you!
Nadia, I love your new direction. I believe what is needed in the spiritual/ motivational/ inspirational blogging genre is for the writing to be more personal, less abstract. We have so many zillions of blogs these days, and they all seem to write the same things, straight out of books (or google)… just information. But when you can make it real, personal and authentic, you add a whole dimension to it that is easier to relate to.
As Uzma said, you’ve already been so honest and upfront, it’s hard to imagine what your Happy Lotus Diaries will be like, but I am so looking forward to them. Keep it real, my friend; you have wonderful stories to share!
.-= Lisis´s last blog ..Inspiration from Pema Chodron: Everyone and Everything =-.
Hi Lisis,
Thank you so much for all the support and of course, the friendship. I am very grateful for both.
You are right, when something is more personal, it makes a concept far less abstract. I think there is so much pressure in the world to give the appearance of being perfect and the irony is that no one is perfect. If we were perfect, we would not be here. So with that in mind, I think it is really important that there be an open dialogue about life. The only way we can heal is by being open with where we are and how we feel.
This is a great idea, and I can’t wait to read all the great stuff I know will be forthcoming!
.-= Jay Schryer´s last blog ..Loving It for What It Is =-.
Hi Jay,
Thank you for the words of support. They are very much appreciated!
Nadia, I already love the topics you present here but mostly the way you write them. To me you are already very very spiritual in your topics here. Your passion shines forth, so that’s what I’d like to see — anything that grabs you deeply enough to share it with us in your special way — as personal as you wish to delve into, the better.
And alas, since I am a bit cranky bytimes, I now realize I probably shall never travel the lands with minions in tow. Oh well, can’t have everything.
xo
Hi Jannie,
Thank you so much for all the love and support. You rock!
As for traveling the lands with minions in tow…well….I think you already do with your music and blog. So see…you can have everything!
Hi Nadia,
It is pure joy and excitement for me to read accounts of people finding joy in his or her life. My heart swelled when I read that you once had a column in a magazine writing about being a free spirit while being in the world. This brings you such joy, Nadia. Also, I can related to the pure joy you feel when you write. I’m with you, girl!
I don’t know about others, but for me, when people are doing things they love, it spills over to me. It thickens my life soup! I simply love this direction, Nadia. You already know I love being steeped in the human experience, and your experiences are so rich – steep me!
The best way I can summarize my thoughts on your new direction is this: BRING IT ON, BABY!
I’ll be here supporting you on your blog’s sidelines!
Lots of love and hugs to you, Nadia.
~xo
.-= Lori´s last blog ..Front Porch: Pearl’s Widsom =-.
Hi Lori,
Thank you so much for being you and for being such a wonderful friend and supporter! You are awesome!
And I love how you wrote “life soup”….that is my kind of soup too! All natural and no perservative crap!
Hi Nadia, I wish I was around to read your past newspaper column! I am glad you are thinking of moving in that direction. Your idea is a great one. Definitely we could all use more practical wisdom, humor and spirit in our daily lives. I’m excited for this next wave from you! xo, Jodi
.-= Jodi at Joy Discovered´s last blog ..Forgiveness, Letting Go, and Freedom =-.
Hi Jodi,
Writing that column was so much fun. I truly loved it and plan to recreat it on here. Thank you so much for all the support. This should be fun!
Hi Nadia
I too agree with the others that it is a brilliant idea.
We can all be spiritually alligned when we are in a monastry, but how to do it in real life when we are confronted with our old lurking beliefs and conditioning and other people’s resistence, is another story.
I too find it important to tell it how it is to stay centered and true to our newly developed yet tender beliefs in daily life that still operates from the old beliefs we are shedding.
I find it very comforting when you share, it supports me to carry on as well in the face of non agreement from the rest of the world.
Sharing how it is for you is may be more important than we think, so you have my wholeHEARTED vote and support.
Love Wilma
.-= Wilma Ham´s last blog ..Community is dead, long live community =-.
Hi Wilma,
Thank you so much for always being so kind, loving and supportive. You are right, it is relatively easier to be spiritually aligned when removed from the world. Therein lies the challenge though…to be in the world but not of it.
Hope all is well!
I agree with you wholeheartedly about the being too serious. In my past, I escaped into academic success until one day I realized it is far more valuable to be kind than to be intelligent. Also, the idea of “lightheartedness” being a spiritual strength. I think that is why I like reading your blog because there is something authentic in your voice, a real person who is truly looking for spiritual truth rather than abstractions and intellectual debate. No matter what direction you decide to go in, I will keep reading what you write because I love your writing and I love the voice that consistently comes through.
.-= lena´s last blog ..The Best Gifts are Creative Gifts =-.
Hi Lena,
Thank you so much for all that you said. To be candid with you, intellectual debate gives me a headache. There was a time when I used to engage in it but I think that was because I was miserable and not at peace with who I was. The more at peace I became, the easier it was for me to be open with how I felt and to express those feelings. I think it is awesome that you realized that it is more important to be kind that to be intelligent.
And amen to the idea of lightheartedness being a spiritual strength. The best example in my mind is the Dalai Lama. The man has a message of non-violence and says that his religion is kindness. And yet he manages to be a threat to so many world leaders. Being kind is truly much more powerful than many may realize.
Hope all is well with you!
Good for you Nadia. I do find the topic of “spirit” can become heavy and all too serious so I love the idea of it being more light-hearted. It seems like the new direction feels right to you. In my opinion, that’s a sign to go for it!
Hi Sami,
Thank you so much. Life is too short and we might as well spread love and light where we can. Hope all is well with you in the land down under!
Nadia, this sounds like a great idea!
It is amazing how far away from authenticity “spirituality” can get, especially when it’s something we write about or talk about all the time. That’s something I’m struggling with as I try to gain traction with Buddha Does — I want it to be relatively focused (Buddhism for real life), but I also don’t want to get stuck in any of the following ruts…
* Preachy writing
* High theory (except where it’s deeply inspiring for life down here on ol’ planet Earth)
* Too much third-person “we” schlock, like I’m some genius
* Naive positivity that can’t cope with reality
You’re right — spirituality scares a lot of people, especially as they start to practice it. It’s scary as hell to see the ways we deceive ourselves, and to open up to the bad as well as the good and learn how to cope with it.
Thanks as always for sharing such wonderful thoughts with us, on your wonderful site.
.-= Thomas Hochmann´s last blog ..Conversational Candy =-.
Hi Thomas,
I think the ruts you mentioned are phases that all spiritual seekers go through. I know that I have gone through all of them. Looking back at it, I think it is part of the whole journey to discover how to be in the world but not of it. The spiritual path can be hard…there is no doubt about that but I think there is also a lot of freedom and joy that comes with that path. It may time to get there but the joy is there.
As I wrote in the post, men like Jesus and Buddha don’t achieve what they did by being miserable. There is a lot of joy and happiness with spiritual awareness. You just have to work through the dark stuff and see the beauty. To be born as a human being is huge blessing that so many of us take for granted. As for what you mentioned about the deception, you are right in that it is scary but it can be comical. Have you ever seen someone going through road rage? They look like a wild animal with their veins popping out and throbbing. All because some car went too slow…that is kind of funny…it is also kind of sad but it shows you how messed up we are when a slow car can cause us to erupt like a volcano.
And before I forget, thank you so much for always being so supportive and for being a friend. I am very grateful!
Nadia:
Thanks for sharing your thoughts here…I agree with you about spirituality…it is a tough thing for a lot of people to focus on. I especially love your line in this post…”Seriously, to be charismatic, you cannot be cranky.” What an awesome line and sounds true. In any case, I would be interested to read anything that you write here…you are incredibly gifted. I also admire you and your desire to reveal more about yourself. I look forward to continuing this journey with you and I’ll be sure to send you any ideas that I have. Have a good week!
.-= Tim´s last blog ..Weekend Video Diversion: The Orangutan and the Hound =-.
Hi Tim,
Thank you so much for the support. It is much appreciated. As for spirituality, you made a great point about it being something that is tough for people to focus on. I never really thought about it in those terms but I can see why it would be a tough thing. The irony is that it is not that tough…it is just an illusion.
Hope all is awesome!
> I think if they were miserable people they would not have changed the world as they did
Beautiful point. There are better change agents than misery
I think it’s a good reminder too that today’s influence is really about edu-tainment.
> For spirituality or personal development to have any value, it has to be candid and rea
Nothing beats keeping it real!
.-= J.D. Meier´s last blog ..What 16 Movies Can Teach Us About Life and Leadership =-.
Hi JD,
Misery never brings about change…it brings about more misery.
And as for being real….there is no other better way to be.
I think that whatever you write, it will be beautiful and inspired, just like its author. And imagine how many more people will be drawn to you who live their lives from exactly the same space of authenticity? I love it!
I can’t wait to see what’s next, Nadia, and I’m so glad I get to watch it all unfold as one of your loyal readers. (smile)
.-= Megan “JoyGirl!” Bord´s last blog ..Read. LAUGH! Repeat. =-.
Hi Megan,
You are so kind and sweet. Your support means so much. Thank you for all that you wrote. I am so grateful. Should be an interesting ride!
Hi Nadia
That sounds wonderful! I think it is great of you to be making this move to write more from your personal side of things. I think a lot of people want that so much today because everything seems so impersonal. We want to connect with others, we want to know that they are real, so this sounds like a perfect idea!
.-= Evita´s last blog ..Essential Energy with Cyndi Dale: Beyond the Golden Rule =-.
Hi Evita,
Thank you so much for being so supportive. I am so grateful. You made a great point about how so many things these days seem impersonal. I was out for of this morning doing some errands and it struck me how everyone seemed so caught up in their own world, it was as if no one really saw one another and that just made me kind of sad. Hopefully this will change sooner as opposed to later.
woo hoo!
It is a shame sometimes that spirituality scares people off. But then I would have never been open to this amazing spiritual life had I not been desperate enough. Who wants to grow and dig deep into their fears, desires, wants, etc. if they don’t have to. It hurts sometimes to see people just settling or getting by in life. But the most I can do is be kind, loving, understanding, and lend a loving hand when its needed or asked for. Knowing that the real change and spiritual growth I obtained was because I sought it. No one forced it on me. So I give others the same respect. That’s the best thing about writing, people can read it or not. I learn about myself just as much through the process. I’m as sick as my secrets.
Several years ago I started going to a local hospital detox center and sharing my experience as a recovering alcoholic with the patients there. I would say all these amazing things, give them my phone number, tell them to call me and I would take them to an AA meeting. Out of hundreds of times I gave out my number, maybe a handful called. The point is, I don’t have to convert or convince anyone that they should or shouldn’t lead a spiritual life, or do anything I suggest for that matter, just share what I’ve learned and if they ever need help, maybe they’ll know where to go or they’ll know it might be possible to get better. I think the main thing we share is Hope.
“spirituality is to enable a person to shed the chains that bind them and to be who they really are”
I could write for weeks about this but I will simply say, I concur.
“For to live life based on what you think you should be is not living at all. A person has to be true to themselves and speak their truth.”
On the back of every sobriety coin, which is always in my pocket, is the saying, “To Thyne Own Self Be True.”
For most of my life I saw myself through the eyes of others. I had this “vision” or idea of what I wanted to be, the person I thought maybe I could be. But never lived up to it. I’m not sure why… fear I guess. Fear that maybe I would find out I was not a good person or capable of great things. Today I can honestly say I’m as close to that ideal self as I ever have been. The by-product is peace and happiness.
.-= Jared | SpiritualZen.net´s last blog ..Live and Let Live: 9 Ways of Letting Go =-.
Hi Jared,
Thank you so much for being so open with your views and journey. I think it is awesome that you do what you can to help others who are struggling with their addiction. We are all suffering in our own way. Some people resort to the bottle, others to food and so on. I think we all have our issues that we need to work through. None of us are immune to this reality.
The problem is that there is so much pressure to appear perfect and that need to seem perfect prevents a lot of people from being open or tolerant. Usually when someone is unhappy, they tend to be very intolerant. Happy people want other people to be happy and so it is easy for them to share what they have been through. I think that is why you are able to do what you do.
As for spirituality, I think what has messed it up is religion. Religion and spirituality are two very different thought systems. Many people equate them as being the same but they are not. Spirituality expands and loves. Religion binds and there is no freedom when you think your way is the only way. Life is rooted in love and tolerance. Human beings have to be the same…loving and tolerant.
I love this Nadia…this is exactly how we all need to attend to Spirit…with authenticity…just being our true selves as we connect with others…and then the Light cannot help but shine clear and bright…alleviating fear and despair while inspiring compassion and joy.
sending so much love,
Laura
.-= Laura Hegfield´s last blog ..New Mountains to Climb: MRI -Tysabri Adventure Weekend =-.
Hi Laura,
Thank you so much for all the love and support. Both are very much appreciated. I think it is so important to be authentic…life is too short to waste by being fake.
I think people can be quite severe in sharing their spiritual expressions with others. They can be self-righteous and down-right mean. That is what scares people. Especially any of us who have been slapped around with fundamentalist doctrine of any religious form.
It sounds like our backgrounds are similar in that I also have had a wide variety of religious experiences and traveled during my formative years. It does make a rich life and encourages compassion and understanding.
Personally I believe the journey of the spirit should be one of grace, with an encouraging word and a generous helping of tolerance. I look forward to enjoying your thoughts and writings in this area.
.-= Erin´s last blog ..What Do We Deserve? =-.
Hi Erin,
You are so right. There is a lot of self-righteous behavior that occurs in spiritual circles. I have always found that funny and yet sad. Fundamentalist doctrine never really does anything except promote intolerance and all the world religions promote being tolerant. So the irony is just weird.
And I am with you about the importance of grace. That is one of my favorite words.
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and for the support. I am very grateful for both. Hope all is well.
Hi Nadia .. what a great idea to recreate your column – please come over .. I’d love to have you in the UK – preferably down south!
You have so much to offer the world – your message will spread and your ideas will sprout little seeds of richness .. I liked Erin’s thoughts above .. “the journey of the spirit should be one of grace, with an encouraging work and a generous helping of tolerance” ..
I look forward so much to the new direction –
Go well, go forth and multiply your ideas ..
.-= Hilary´s last blog ..What is a Persian Palette…? Turquoise, Seagreen, Magenta … =-.
Hi Hilary,
Thank you so much for always being so kind and supportive. I really appreciate it.
And I know what you mean about Erin’s comment. Her thoughts about grace were just perfect.
As for visiting the UK, I have gone over there a couple of times and just loved it. I am hoping to be able to go back to Europe sometime in the next few years. We shall see what happens.
Hope all is well!
Nadia,
Like everyone else, I support your new direction. I think the spiritual undertones have always been there, bringing them to the surface sounds like a great idea.
.-= Eric | Eden Journal´s last blog ..WIN a $25 Amazon Gift Card! 5 Weeks of Contests, 5 Chances to WIN. Week 2 =-.
Hi Eric,
Thank you so much for the support. You are right, the spiritual undertones have always been there. It is a part of who I am. I just think being spiritual is a whole lot more fun than people think. Maybe it is just my perception but life is meant to be enjoyed and being spiritual just adds to the joy. I mean…it makes the whole experience of being out in the world a whole lot more fun.
Hope all is awesome with you!
Oh, Nadia, how welcome this will be! As I feel my own way with what I want to say and learning how I feel most comfortable saying it, seeing others step into brave new territory is so inspiring. Evita, Robin, Bernie, Lance, Tess, Megan…so many “instructors…” And you. Although a new reader, I’ve become as enamored of you and your messages as the others who’ve shared, here. I’m SO looking forward to your new avenue. Thank you for sharing it.
.-= Julie´s last blog ..More in Love Than Usual: Celebrating Fall =-.
Hi Julie.
Thank you so much for all that you wrote and for being so supportive. I think we all want to be more open but we live in a world where being open is viewed negatively. I will admit that when I was miserable, I was not an open person. When I began to love myself and felt more at peace with myself, the easier it was to be open. So I think the two go hand in hand.
Hope all is awesome with you. And one more thing, I just love your gravatar image. You have a happy aura about you. You go, girl!
Hi Nadia!
I am SO excited for you that you are following your heart – this is always a GOOD thing! You honor yourself and you also honor all of US by going where you feel you are being led. I look forward to every one of your blogs – always!
Hugs
suZen
.-= suzen´s last blog ..Monkey Goes Bananas on Banana Schpeels =-.
Hi SuZen,
Thank you so much for always being so supportive and for always making me smile. I am blessed to know you. May we all honor ourselves and speak our truth. The world needs it.
And I always look forward to your posts too. You rock!
Nadia,
Road rage? How about CUSTOMER rage? I’m luckier than most who work in retail, since most of our customers are really awesome. But I had a lady yell at me and Suzy the other day because we didn’t “warn” her that a fax costs $1.25. She said we should tell customers the price for each item every time we mention it. Of course, she was ignoring the fact that pretty much everywhere else (Staples, Office Max, and especially other UPS Stores) charge much more than that. LE SIGH.
It is pretty amazing/amusing to see how people blow up tiny little things waaaaayyyyyyyy out of proportion. I have a lot of sympathy for customers, and I have a pretty high standard of ethics for dealing with them — but I also know how to smile at the tiny problems that people seem to hitch their unhappiness to.
Hi Thomas,
I was just talking to someone this morning about customer rage and here is your comment on the same topic. Kind of sad how rude customers can be. I often see that in the stores and it breaks my heart. So I always make sure to be nice to whomever is helping me. The funny thing is that as a result of other people’s rudeness, my extra niceness ends up with me being well known at stores. So whenever I walk in to the supermaret, bookstore or whatever, I am always happily greeted. Other customers glare at me especially if someone comes out from behind the counter and hugs me. People are people regardless of their jobs and what matters is someone’s heart and not their job title.
People are just miserable because they just do not know another way. I think all miserable people do not want to feel like crap. If they knew better, they would do better. So a lot of it is ignorance combined with ego. People want to feel superior in the hopes that it means that their lives hold meaning. The funny thing is that ALL of our lives hold meaning….we just do not see it.
I love writing too. And awakening and writing is unfolding concurrently. It’s quite an adventure.
Clarity did not come to me through spirituality. It is of course all about spirituality in the sense that spirituality when it is True is about spirit and not fixed points of view or specific theories. And so, at least in my experience, many spiritual concepts, such as gratitude and karma and acceptance and forgiveness and compassion, become easy non-conceptual experience when awareness expands and delusions are let go of. Spirituality, in the way you talk about it, can give these experiences a framework–some substance.
That’s funny what you said about serious spiritual people. A friend recently remarked that some of the unhappiest people he knows are spiritual people. It’s as if some spiritual people are determinedly unhappy, having lost their sense of fun in concepts and theories.
Well, whatever it is, I’m sure you’re coverage of spirituality will be inclusive and wise. I look forward to it.
k
.-= Kaushik´s last blog ..On gold-smuggling, refugees, and the strength of women =-.
Hi Kaushik,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and for your support.
I truly have known monks who were so happy, they literally glowed. I kid you not. One monk, in particular, was in his 50′s and looked like a teenager. His skin was always glowing. I once asked him what was his beauty secret. He laughed for like ten minutes and said it was happiness and spirituality. I never forgot that. Now the irony is that all of his students were the most miserable people I had ever known. It was the strangest constrast. To see this guy who was glowing, teaching people who were anything but glowing.
Spirituality is a serious subject….meaning you have to be serious in doing the inner work required. That said, the result of spirituality is to liberate people from their prisons. The sad thing is that many become arrogant which creates an even bigger prison. Discipline is just a matter of being focused…it does not mean being without joy.
Hope all is awesome!
Hi Nadia,
I haven’t read through all of the responses, but girl…when we decide to do what we’re passionate about, the entire Universe conspires to help us get where we want to go. I know when I decided to open up and share pieces of my journey, the flood gates opened. How does that song go?
I can see clearly now
the rain has gone
Gone are the dark clouds
that had me down
it’s gonna be a bright
bright
bright sunny day!
Follow your bliss…the rest will follow!
.-= Peggy´s last blog ..Happy Thanksgiving! =-.
Hi Peggy,
Now you got that song in my head!
I love it…especially since it is cloudy over here and I love sunshine!
Thank you so much for all the support and kindness. I truly appreciate it. And amen for following our bliss. Joseph Campbell was one wise dude.
Mind if I share what has worked for me? Thought you won’t have an issue with my request so I shall proceed. What has been helpful is that I make a spiritual request (simply just ask aloud) that I be given the experiences I need for messages to share with my readers. As a result, I have no lack of inspired ideas on blogging topics as experiences unfold the lessons I needed to learn myself. My problem lies on finding the time to put down all down in writing.
Glad that you have found your voice through the blogging platform. I am really enjoying your authenticity, grace and humor!
With love,
Evelyn
.-= Evelyn Lim´s last blog ..Timeless Unfolding of Truths =-.
Hi Evelyn,
Thank you for sharing what you do. Great minds think alike! I do the same thing too. The posts pretty much write themselves. Meaning I am always somehow guided as to what I should write. Inspiration always comes. So like you, I have no lack of ideas.
And thank you so much for your support! Hope all is well.
you change the world because of who or what you have become not really what you do. Intention helps a lot too. Don’t forget to mention Krishna
wish you all the best
Hi Florin,
You made a great point about how we change the world by who we are and not what we do. That is very true. And intention is vital. Yes, I do know about Krishna but not many people know about him as they know about Jesus and Buddha. So hence why I did not mention him.
Hope all is awesome!
Hi Nadia .. have a good and happy Thanksgiving weekend .. be at peace with your memories .. love Hilary
.-= Hilary´s last blog ..Witches, Hazels and helmets … =-.
Hi Hilary,
Thank you so much.
Nadia…such a fabulous post. I love the way you weave your ideas together with so much heart. And yahooo….I think the personal stories are what touch us all, I look forward to honoring the space you create.
And I must say I am a big proponent of joy and laughter as a spiritual path (this is not breaking news hehe!) I love the quote from Buddha, “When you realize how perfect everything is, you will tilt your head back and laugh at the sky.” It feels very true…as I have brought more joy and lightness into my spiritual approach, I watched old patterns shed quickly.
There is so much for us to rejoice in. And one of them is your honesty and truth.
Katie
.-= Katie West/The Levity Coach´s last blog ..The Upside of Gravity =-.
Hi Katie,
Thank you so much for all that you wrote. I know you do what you can to spread joy and laughter which I think is awesome. You go, girl!
I also love the Buddha quote. So often people think the spiritual path only makes things more intense. It does make life more intense but not in a negative way. It truly makes life intense in a very positive way. When you realize that everything that we think is so vital are just illusions, you cannot but laugh. I mean…if you watch how some people just take things way too seriously, it is somewhat comical. The material possessions all remain here when we go so why not just be sure to take with us all the joy and love. Those things last forever.
Hope all is awesome and Happy Thanksgiving!
I recently found your page and I will be following …love this idea too ~
Writing from the heart ..
I find my blog is my diary also…
hope to keep reading
Jen
.-= Jen´s last blog ..At a loss for words =-.
Hi Jen,
Thank you for finding your way here! Writing from the heart is the best way to go…in my opinion. Don’t get me wrong, the mind is an important attribute but when writing, it has to come from the heart if it is going to do anything of value to others.
Hope you keep reading too.
Hi! Nadia,
I finally found a blog where to relax and find things to enjoy and reflect about. It feels good
having you around to inspire us in this chaotic and turbulent world ! I will follow your posts closely. The “Diaries” are a great reading. You have the talent to bring in clarity and understanding in things that are a puzzle for most of us.
I will keep on reading. Thanks.
With blessings,
Mike.
Hi Mike,
Thank you so much for all the support and for reading my blog. I greatly appreciate it.
{ 1 trackback }