The Monthly Focus Blog, is an insight Blog. Daniel will share his insights and provide monthly focus stories. Daniel asks people to share their personal liberation (breakthrough) stories for the benefit of others, so the Path may be a little clearer or simpilier for those just beginning to inquire into their own lives. If you would like to post a comment click on the blog topic. You will also find links to the sources for information contained in the blog entry.
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What are you thirsting for?
I was out running the other day, it was very hot and I was thirsty and I did not bring any water with me. As I thought about my thirst an idea came across my mind; what are we really thirsting for? Water has become a huge crisis on our planet, clean fresh water is disappearing. The oceans are becoming more toxic, and we will see the result of this in a very short time span. But beyond just the physical thirst what are we all thirsting for? Personally it is truth; it is such a rare experience to talk with people who speak truth. I have recently experienced several situations where people smiled in my face and told me something to satisfy my questions, and all the while never intending to give an honest answer or offer a solution. Once again this week a US politician said they are innocent one day, and plead guilty the next week. The list is quite long for half truths and out right lies that are going around. So... what are you thirsting for?
Standing in the Shadow
During a recent seminar the topic of "Standing in the Shadow," came up for experiential work. Standing in the shadow of some authority figure can be protective for some time in our life, and stifling or growth stunting in others. The shadow can be created by a positive authority figure; someone who is famous, wealthy, funny, beautiful... and somehow we feel inadequate next to them, and never step out of the positive shadow they cast. For others the shadow is more negative in nature, the actions of the authority figure are shaming, fearful, depressive, angry... and we feel bound to that same shadow.
It is a very powerful contemplative practice to feel if you are standing in someone else's shadow. If we find we are standing in a shadow, then it becomes our duty to step out of that shadow, and into the light of our heart and mind. Freed from mental and emotional attachments we have developed towards authority. Then we are free to live our own authority, to be who we are at the deepest levels of expression.
Standing in the Shadow, will be a weekend seminar in the coming year; thank you to everyone who participated in the Furstenfeld seminar in Austria!
Tangible Results
I have noticed that one of the biggest challenges to stick with meditation practice is "tangible results." When I practice yoga, or run, build something, paint, or work in the garden; I have a tangible immediate result. Meditation however is different. Although I feel relaxed, awake, calm and more present, which are tangible; the deeper aspects of meditation are not necessarily perceptible on a daily basis. One day I simply notice something new, different, a deeper calm, sense of compassion, intuitive awareness that was not there the previous day. The never knowing when signs will appear or manifest is a challenge to practice; I sometimes wonder, am I really "progressing," am I doing anything of value sitting and meditating? Of course I could have a long philosophical discussion with myself or others about the "doing!" I thought I would share this experience and find out what your thoughts are about the benefits of meditation and the challenge of tangible results in our culture.
What Do you want to do...?
The seminar I am leading in April in Furstenfeld, Austria will focus on helping people take an abstract idea such as, "I want to do something to help people" or "I want to give something back" and clarify the "how they are going to do it." They may be able to create what they want in their current position, or career path, and simply need to internally claim and exert the will to do it.
Some people drift from profession to profession, great idea to great idea, and never manifest their dreams. When asked "what do you really want?" people often respond in an abstract or generalized way. It shows they have the basic awareness of what they want to do. Staying in the abstract form however will result in nothing happening in the visible world. That is why I am offering this seminar; to help people say yes to manifesting their unique dream.
It is a great time in the world today to manifest ideas, inventions, works of art, technical information development, and healing modalities. The need is great!
I will offer this seminar in the US later in 2011; stay tuned for details.
Ayurveda Practice
I am pleased to announce that I will be "officially" opening my Ayurveda practice on February 21, 2011. Sessions are by appointment only; I will post a list of services on the Ayurveda page within this site over the next few days. If you are looking for basic information on Ayurveda, or in need of a serious lifestyle change program, those options will be available. I hope you find time to explore the holistic wisdom of Ayurveda.
Do what you love, no matter what.
Here is the main point of my absence from writing: Do what you love, no matter what! Life may be hard even if you are doing what you love, you may struggle; but living a life doing what you do not love is unbearable. I have reconnected with what I love, and I will be offering seminars, consultations and private sessions once again in 2011. Thank you to my friends, and teachers who have supported me during this time of renewal.
Redefining
It has been several months since I have written in my Blog pages; a very big no-no in the website world. I have been redefining my seminar and private practice work. I will be offering more Ayurveda basics workshops in 2011, incorporate Ayurveda and sports performance articles, bring back more of the spontaneous Shamanic/Tantric seminars, and hopefully help people create Sacred Circles on their land. Here is to a prosperous and and creative 2011.
November Monthly Focus
Reflection
During the month of November, I would suggest focusing on the theme of reflection. Reflection can be a process of reflecting back on what you really want to give, bring, or do in life. It can also mean looking out at the world and seeing what reflection you see. What qualities do you see, hear, feel, taste and touch? Does the world reflect your inner world? Does the world reflect hope, faith, peace, or a mixture of the light and the dark?
November is a good time in the Northern Hemisphere to reflect back upon the spring, summer, and fall; and to prepare for the coming darker and colder months of winter. It is a time to bring your awareness to your base energy center and connect with the earth element; reflect upon the qualities of all the elements contained in the earth itself. Reflect upon how we are part of that magical mixture, and what part we chose to play.
As always, let me know what you experience,
Dan
October Monthly Focus
Forgiveness
What is real or true forgiveness? That is the focus during the month of October; I know there is a short time left in the month October as of the writing of this suggestion, but it is an important topic. If you are focussed it need not take up a large amount of time.
The meaning or actions of forgiveness according to the Thesaurus are: absolution, exoneration, remission, dispensation, clemency, mercy, reprieve, amnesty. When I feel into each of these descriptive words, what comes through is that if we truly forgive ourselves or others then we are liberated, or freed from debt, or ongoing punishment.
Many people are seeking freedom and liberation in their life, it may be that forgiveness is one of the keys to being free and liberated.
Let me know what you discover; and share it through the blog!
Wounding Cycle and Detachment
If you are looking inward for causes of unrest in your mind; one option is to consider the three actions of the wounding cycle.
If you have been abused, abandoned, betrayed, ignored, neglected...., the first consideration is to admit that you have been hurt, that the experience did happen. If you are self-protecting and making it not real and denying the depth of your pain from the original experience, you will never be able to fully forgive or let go of the attachment to the event. You do not have to relive the event over and over to let go of it but you must feel it as deep as it went in.
The second consideration is how you are doing the same thing to other people; this will either be directly or indirectly. If you still have some attachment to your wound, you are wounding others in the same way. You must find out how you do it, and this may take some time to catch yourself doing it. We really do not want to hurt others, but in times of stress we do! You need to be aware of what you are saying and doing, or not saying and doing. By not saying or doing you may be allowing hurt to happen in your life.
The third consideration is how you are doing the same thing to yourself. The deepest pain and suffering is from what we do to ourselves. Actions or inactions create the loss of love toward others and ourselves. Again this may be very subtle, or right in your own face kind of actions. I mentioned this cycle in a monthly focus several years ago, and recent events in my own life reminded me of the truth that the wounding cycle functions, but when we pay attention and are very honest with ourselves we can detach and be happy again.
Whom do you imitate?
This is an excerpt from the book "The Commanding Self." page 78, by Idries Shah.
This story reflects one of the primary goals of my work, to help people know who they are.
Whom do you imitate?
It is one of the commonest things in life to imitate. People copy kings or sages, according to whether they are snobs, or spiritually-minded (as they call it). People applaud or deride the act, instead of noticing the common factor, mimicry.
Mimicry is trying to look like someone or something else. But what about looking, feeling or being like yourself?
A wise man once said: 'In the next life, you will not be asked, "Why did you not behave like such and such a person?" 'You will be asked: "Why did you not behave like your real self?"' 'If you know who and what you are, you can start to be that person, instead of a copy of the ideas, the behaviour or image of someone else, or some collection of people. Then you can really be."
Articulate it.
One of the challenges with the seminar work I offer has been to articulate what I am offering; what are people investing in.
Wisdom, is what they are investing in. You cannot purchase wisdom because it is part of an experience; just showing up at a seminar or personal consultation does not mean you are actually participating and will have a direct experience of your own inner wisdom!
"I help catalyze permanent change in beliefs by helping people tap into their own wisdom."
If you have been to one of my seminars or private consultations, what do you think about this attempt at articulating the essence of my work?
September Monthly Focus
During the month of September you might consider: if no one had ever told you the story of God, Jesus, Buddha, Krishna, Mohammed, or other spiritual teacher and philosophy; would you on your own, have questioned the idea of Spirituality?
Take time to reflect on how you came to your religion and spiritual path.
Take time to reflect if you truly live the philosophy of your chosen path.
Take time to reflect if you find fulfillment on your path.
Take time to reflect if you are on your path.
Send your insights; thank you.
July 2010
After six years of not being able to jog or run; I am"back on the road again!" Last year I had knee surgery to repair a torn meniscus, and had micro-fraction to repair damaged bone tissue. This past week I have been out running three times without pain or swelling and I cannot say how joyful it feels. While I was running today, these are the insights that came up.
When you really love, there is no replacement. You can find things which are close but not the same. I have tried cycling, rowing, and other forms of cardio-conditioning, but they never gave me the same rush as running.
To be honest when I started running many years ago I did it to escape from a poor relationship; I ran for many years to try to get out my anger, sadness, and fear. Today, I consciously realized all those years I was not processing out the emotions but driving them deep into my tissues; all the way into the bones and connective tissue. If I can share any advice it would the same as I have heard for years; "you cannot run away from your troubles!"
Exercise is important, find one or two types of exercise that you love to do. Do them often; if you love something why would you not do it? Exercise may be challenging but the benefits to your body, mind and spirit are unmatched. Exercise is not recreation, or work; it is conditioning, improving your capacity to move, endure, and accept more of life.
If you love exercise, or hate it, share your thoughts.
June Monthly Focus
My, Me, Mine
During the month of June I am encouraging you to consider the theme: my, me, mine.
The inspiration for this focus comes from the Ayurvedic philosophy of being and becoming. We are some "thing" (if I may call myself and you the reader a thing) at the moment, and we are becoming something different. What we become could be worse, basically the same, or better than what we currently are "be-ing."
I have been working with the concept and active process of taking official ownership of my skills, talents, desires, weaknesses and strengths. Making them truly mine has been an interesting process, because I find that a great many ways that I have been thinking or ways of acting are based on outside information coming from books or people. Most of that information is not bad, it is simply not based on direct experience. Therefore, the "Me" I present to the world is not really "Me"; the "ME" who I am at the core of my being if I peeled away all the external conditioning.
We are all like this for most of our lives; we go through some form of schooling/educational system and are "taught" how to be, think, and act. And we do it, because that makes us good, and able to function in society.
Of course we will eventually prefer, or will be drawn to certain specific conditioning systems and choose to live out those ideas, ideals, and beliefs. We will gravitate to a certain economic class, education or career path, political party, religion, etc. We will often follow in the footsteps of our family tradition.
Tradition can be a very good, positive, nurturing mechanism. It can also be a prison for those who wish to be something different than their assigned role within the tradition. Many people never have an opportunity to be the "ME" they truly are within.
As you explore your consciousness this month you will discover that you simply accept information as being true or false to quickly. I have explored this topic in seminars using the five senses. People primarily use only one or two of their five senses to come to conclusions; for example, we very often see something, and/or hear something, and based on that limited information we decide if something or someone is true or false, good or bad. We seldom take time to consider all the information coming through the remaining three senses (touch, smell and taste).
This limited integration of the information of the five sense inputs relates to the "my, me, mine" theme. How can you expect to feel or be whole or complete when you do not take time to consider all the energetic stimulus coming into your mind?
So... here are some contemplative questions:
Who is the person you call "me"?
What are the things you name "my"?
What are the thoughts and actions you call "mine"?
Let me know what you discover; please join the Monthly Focus Blog and share your insights with others.
May Monthly Focus
Love, Sex, Power, and Money
During the month of May I am suggesting people consider the role of love, sex, power, and money, in their personal and professional relationships. I have done several seminars focussing on these topics, and every time great insights are gained. The topics of love, sex, power, and money, are common themes we deal with everyday. Yet, most people have never taken time to consider their own relationship to them. Without first reflecting on their own intimate relationship with them, how can a person possibly expect to change their outer relationship with them?
How does love relate to sex? How does love relate to money? How does love relate to power in your experience?
Hows does sex relate to money? How does sex relate to power? How does sex relate to love (this is different then love relating to sex) in your experience?
How does power relate to love, to sex, and to money, in your experience?
How does money relate to love, to sex, and to power in your experience?
Whatever you discover is the relationship between these themes, your daily and life experience will be a direct reflection of those internal relationships. Take time in May to reflect upon how you developed those strong or weak relationships; consider if you would like them to be different, and explore new options of relating with them. You may need to look at your value systems and re-prioritize your values. You may need to heal an old wound in your personal or professional life. You may need to decide you actually like love, sex , power, and money! That they make life joyful, passionate, and creative.
Let me know what you discover; and Happy Mothers Day to all the mothers!
Dan
Volcanic Activity a Spiritual Wake-up?
I find it very interesting to listen to the news concerns about the volcanic ash; the disruption of air travel, the concerns over long term ash production, and the loss of money throughout the world. Should we consider this some sort of Spiritual message, wake-up call or happening?
If the world itself has consciousness, or self awareness at some level, and it was feeling out of balance would it not want to come back into balance? Just as we when feeling sick or out of balance take some sort of action to make that feeling go away or get better; perhaps the earth is creating a blanket of ash to lower the earth's temperature. Just simply taking the easiest most effective route to accomplish the goal of cooling itself off. That would be a huge leap for many people to consider the earth itself as a conscious being capable of taking care of itself.
What if the earth is not self-conscious, and this is simply a matter of the earth changing and we are here to witness it. Then we all will need to make choices that deal with the aftermath; most of those concerns are not in the headlines.
What are the majority of people most concerned with right now across the globe? Their long term existence and survival, or the short term fix for the economy, or personal comfort? It would seem the short term if we listen to the media. But is that true?
This incident allows us to see our vulnerabilities, on many levels. From our personal behaviors when faced with adversity, to the global economic and technical.
What does this volcanic eruption mean, or symbolize to you?
Dan
April Monthly Focus
Preparation
During the month of April, I would suggest contemplating and incorporating the actions of preparation into your daily experience. April is a time when farmers are preparing the fields for planting, gardens are being tilled, early vegetables are already in the ground preparing to bloom. Each of us can use the spring time quality to do our inner work of preparation.
Last month I focussed on waiting; if you reflected on that theme you may have discovered what your goals are for the coming months or year. If this is your first reading of my monthly focus you should take some time to decide what you do want personally and professionally this year. Set your long range goals, plan backward from that goal, and see what you need to do now as a preparation for the manifesting of your goal to take place.
Till the soil of your body, emotions, and mind. Plant good seeds, seeds of will, purpose, love, and determination. Fertilize the soil of your body and mind with good thoughts and actions. Take care of your self with good food, good friends, and good communication that challenges your assumptions and supports your plan. Pull out the weeds of negative thinking, unsupportive friends, and weak willed ideas.
Spring is a perfect time to prepare for what you want; and you cannot prepare this summer or fall, if you want to harvest fruit this summer or fall! Each of us in our personal or professional life is in a spring season; a new beginning time. Prepare for success, for a good harvest. Get your hands dirty, you might be a little sore because of the hard work preparation takes, but it is a "good" soreness!
Good luck; and let me know what you do, and experience in relationship with the theme of preparation during the month of April.
greetings, Daniel
Refreshing website pages!
If you are returning to this site please refresh all the pages; I am making updates quite often and if you do not refresh the pages you may be viewing old information. This new site is giving me many opportunities to explore new ideas, and I want you to have full access.
Embracing Pitta
I have to share an interesting insight. I have been studying Ayurveda for a long time and I thought I knew my Prakruti or constitutional type; I have finally come to embrace the truth that I am a very strong Pitta. I have been learning pulse reading and have been working with fellow students and my teacher which has helped me understand that yes, I really am Pitta dominant. The fiery quality of Pitta I had mainly identified with anger, however that is a distorted expression. Upon deeper investigation I have learned that Pitta can with awareness be a source of inspiration for positive change. That Pitta people are very good leaders, visionaries, and initiators of new ideas. This lesson is important; because even after years of looking within I still found that it is possible to deny my most powerful and unique gifts. I understand more clearly how even when we respond with negative thoughts and emotions, there is always the opposite present at the same time. I hope this insight helps some of you to reclaim your own unique gifts and qualities.