Mind

Short and Sweet #118 – Mind and Ego = ME = False Self

/ Tim Custis / Leave a comment

Do not be fooled by your thoughts into believing that the body you inhabit is your True-Self. We need the ego, mind and body for this human experience. In fact, the body is one of our greatest spiritual teachers. However, they are only tools to be used during our time here.

If we do not question our thoughts and beliefs, we will be lulled into believing what they tell us. We then make decisions based on this false guidance. Do not take my word for it; prove it to yourself by beginning to listen to your thoughts, question your beliefs and begin to see the truth unravel before your eyes.

I do not need to be psychic to know that you have suffered in your life because of your thoughts, perceptions and beliefs about something or someone. Our beliefs and conditioning are so deeply rooted that it can be hard to break away from the False-Self. Without awareness and awakening from the lower vibration of the human form, we are destined to continue to suffer.

It is only when we are trapped by the ego and mind that we feel justified in our suffering. We point outwardly to the problem; it is something or someone else’s fault. However, the real problem lies within us because of our beliefs, perceptions and the thoughts that arise from our conditioned and distorted view of life. When we let go of these false views we see that our suffering was in vain.

The next time you find yourself suffering, begin to see it as an opportunity to let go of your false views. Know that your suffering is not a waste of time and use it for your highest good. It is telling you that you are seeing things through the eyes of the False-Self, it is a wake-up call.

You do not have to allow the mind and ego free reign over your life. You can release the False-Self and uncover your True-Self without suffering by bringing your awareness into the present. Recognize that your suffering is a signal to come back to your True-Self and know that with it your suffering will end. You now have a useful indicator and with practice you can eliminate suffering from your life. In the meantime, you can shorten the duration of your suffering by using your awareness ending the rein of the mind and ego over your life.

 

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What’s on your mind? I am always open to questions and comments or for a healthy and supportive discussion about these topics.

Short and Sweet #110 – Go to the Root

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“Human beings, by changing the inner attitudes of their minds, can change the outer aspects of their lives.”-William James

Our pain, suffering, problems and misfortune are often mistaken for their label. We think it is bad luck or that we cannot catch a break. If you are waiting for your good luck to show up you might have a long wait. Even when things are going well we find ways to feel unhappy, lonely or lost. There is always something to keep us from experiencing the fullness of life, even in the midst of that fullness.

Is it life that has to change or do we have to wake up from our slumber? One thing I know is if we do not have a practice of self-inquiry and go to the root, there will always be that next thing to keep us unhappy or feeling unfulfilled.

Know that whatever is happening has purpose. Look at your life or the lives of other people; you can see that what is terrible, tragic and traumatic when used to go to the root always produces positive changes on the other side. This is not just once in a while it is every single time.

When someone does not go to the root and the lesson is refused or resisted, his or her suffering multiplies. Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to help people who are in this state, no matter how much we may want to, however we must realize that this too has purpose and allow it to happen. Remember to understand that you do not understand. This may be challenging but a necessity, otherwise we create suffering for ourselves out of someone else’s suffering. Does this sound like a useful thing to do?

Going to the root is usually not our first choice. You would think that after a few times, we would understand the benefit but for some of us it takes more than a few times to win us over. Seeing the benefits repeatedly helps to make it our first choice. Using it consistently on a daily basis reduces suffering, increases happiness, balances the up and downs of life while awakening to our True-Self.

“I went to the root of things, and found nothing but Him alone.” – Mira Bai

 

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What’s on your mind? I am always open to questions and comments or for a healthy and supportive discussion about these topics.

Short and Sweet #97 – There is Always a Solution

/ Tim Custis / Leave a comment

When difficult times come or you have a big decision to make, do not fret. We often feel overwhelmed in these situations for no reason. Our worry keeps us from hearing Divine guidance and leaves us feeling unsure or fearful. The mind creates a story that is not based in fact but conjecture. It may create various scenarios often with a negative downside, which continues the cycle of worry and indecision. This is not a time to spend precious moments up in the mind but to become quiet. You can still use the mind to compile pros and cons but worry has no benefit.

Divine guidance, our intuition and soulful inspiration will not usually be heard in the midst of turmoil. We spend hours in worrisome thought, losing sleep and potentially creating health issues or body pains, including migraines. When we look back at situations from the past, we can see that all the stories we thought could happen never do. How useful has worry been in the past for you? Did it change the outcome for the better or in any useful way?

When we fill our centered, grounded and peaceful tanks up on a daily basis, we have the reserves to draw on during difficult times. This is the reason for having some form of regular practice. If you cannot keep up a peaceful state without a practice then it is my belief that you need them until such time that you do not. If you cannot keep up your centeredness when things are OK what do think will happen when something goes wrong?

Make this a special time of the day for you to recharge and connect with the creative energy of the universe. Your mind will always find an excuse not to do your practice. What you have to decide is who is in charge, your mind or you. How important is it to you to have a more relaxed and peaceful life. Moreover, what are you willing to do to carry out this intention? I understand that you feel you do not have the time or that there are more important things to do.

Your mind will always tell you that there are more important things to do. However, is this true? For some I expect the answer will be yes because they have different priorities. However, for others like myself there is nothing more important. What are your priorities? When I take the time to do my practices, I have more to give and I receive so much. I am more creative, patient, relaxed, less prone to upset and illness. These are only a few of the benefits. There are many practices to bring about a more awakened state, find what works for you. Remember, no matter what is happening in your life there is always a solution so worry in never needed. Higher guidance is always available; are you in a state of listening or worrying?

 

 

 

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What’s on your mind? I am always open to questions and comments or for a healthy and supportive discussion about these topics.

 

Short and Sweet #93 –You Do Not Understand

/ Tim Custis / 2 Comments

Simply understand that you do not understand. Many things become known when we open up to this truth. We can never know what someone else is going through or why they are acting the way they are. Look at all the wrong things people do under the pretense of understanding. When we can admit that we do not understand instead of creating a story in our own mind about why things are happening the way they are, then we can begin to attract the light of insight. We have become too attached to what we think we know and understand; from here, the door of intuition is closed and receiving insights of real understanding rarely happen.

How do you know if you really understand something? You can feel it in your body. This is not about going up into the mind. We must connect with the body and go down into the heart. There is no judgment, anger or retaliation and you will feel the truth through empathy, love and kindness. Know that until you know your understanding is not fixed it will change. This is why you always want to be in a state of not understanding. Do not be deceived by THINKING that you understand because your mind will tell you that you do.

Please know that we live in a world that is full of empathy, love and kindness. Look for this, focus on it and do not put your attention on the negative. Now I am not telling you to ignore what you see but you do not have to put all your attention on it. This will only make you fearful, sad and depressed. We choose the path we walk and so it is up to you. Remember to understand yourself first and then you will understand others. If we allow ourselves to go up into the mind and we listen to the carefully woven story that it creates, we lose touch with our body and the True-Self, then we react from the story instead of responding from truth. Know that our spiritual path is a journey of ever-deepening honesty with oneself. In addition, you get to choose how you respond to each moment. What will you choose today?

If you like this post please help your friends by sharing it. Have it delivered to your inbox by signing up for an email subscription on your right.

What’s on your mind? I am always open to questions and comments or for a healthy and supportive discussion about these topics.