Contemplative Living

Recognize the Divine In Others - Soul Gazing

In this week's Contemplative Living Podcast, we explore "Recognize the Divine In Others - Soul Gazing". Our eyes are a representation of the heart chakra and it takes a sense of inner peace to be able to look into someone else’s eyes. Remember, our ultimate goal is to create a connection with each other. Keeping your focus and providing space for that connection strengthens us all. Invoke a feeling of serenity and be cognizant that you are connected with yourself, all living beings, and everything else in the universe.

Perseverance Through Our Spiritual Practice

This week on the Contemplative Living Podcast, we explore Perseverance Through Our Spiritual Practice. Adaptability is one of the most important traits for spiritual growth; over time, our practice develops into something deeper and more meaningful. We cultivate steadiness and consistency in our lives through our practice—and this requires effort, energy, diligence, and enthusiasm. Each moment of dedication pulls us closer to the truth we seek; by nurturing good mental states within our minds and eradicating negative ones, we can form a better understanding of suffering's origin.

Time for Seekers to Receive

Our Contemplative Living Podcast this week explores "Time for seekers to receive." We are constantly searching for that which will bring us back to ourselves and make us alive within the present. Our longing for knowledge and discovery is unceasing. It is through stillness and relinquishment of our sense of lack that we release everything - there is nothing to be changed or controlled in such moments. Practice and achievement become one, disregarding traditional ideas of dualism. We can appreciate the extraordinary while being part of a transitional state filled with change and time.

Cultivate Inner Strength through Patience

This week on the Contemplative Living Podcast, we look at how to sustain inner strength through cultivating patience. Through conversation, we can build an appreciation of mindfulness and being present. Patience provides us with resilience and knowledge of ourself and those around us in the face of life's trials. It also helps us to rein in our strong emotions and cravings, helping us gain self-discipline and tolerance. Additionally, it teaches us that good things take time; when we stay inquisitive and welcoming towards others, our ability to put up with them is increased. Despite difficulties that may seem too much to handle, keep your strength and endurance alive. Calmness and wholehearted acceptance of what is happening leads us closer to the state of patience required to reach a desired outcome.

Where Me Meets We

“Where Me Meets We" is the topic of this week's Contemplative Living Podcast. We all need someone to talk to. It's easy to become isolated. To grow, we need to think beyond "Me." Touch the person you really are — not the person you seem to be. We can't see each other because we are all stuck in our I. Understanding who I am and showing compassion for all creatures is true to who and what I am. We don't have to produce compassion. We are compassionate. Our separate selves are not all we are. We have learned to go above and beyond and help in all situations.

Discipline Forms A Strong Foundation

This week on the Contemplative Living Podcast, we explore discipline and its impact on creating a solid foundation. Right actions taken on a daily basis help to cultivate our ideal and to return to it frequently. Incorrect behaviors from our bodies, words, or thoughts create an internal disturbance and can cause us to become restless. When mindful discipline is applied, it brings us closer to our divine purpose. This means our minds do not constantly fluctuate from one emotion to another. When surrounded by good people, we naturally develop qualities of virtue and wisdom that can benefit us now and for future generations.

Be Curious Through Uncertainty

This week's Contemplative Living Podcast looks into ways to explore curiosity within uncertainty. Acknowledge impermanence and identify the source of your unease. When faced with public discourse, we may be overwhelmed by our own views of suffering. Curiosity allows you to spot patterns, make decisions, and involve yourself in ideas. Wonderment opens doors to understanding what empowerment really means - providing strength, assurance, and power over your life.

Keep Moving Forward

This week's Contemplative Living Podcast invites us to push our spirituality forward. Just like a ship, it requires a lot of energy to get started but less and less to keep going. Even when life is tough and confining, we can find a way out with an open mind and connection to greater spiritual depths. Throw away thoughts that limit you and your potential for personal growth. Instead, be thankful and enthusiastic as you move onwards towards something better - even if you don't know what that is yet!

Desire Narrows Our Awareness

In this week's Contemplative Living Podcast, we investigate how desire constricts our consciousness. Those who have attained a sense of liberation share their insights on vacancy and the enormity of the cosmos. Our aspirations measure us against implausible expectations. Our cravings impinge on our contentment. We need to alter our outlook so that we can comprehend the essence of desire. Everyone seeks joy, yet we pursue it with uncontrollable tendencies that cause us distress. Through mindfulness, we can lessen the grip of desires and gain a comprehension of changeability and the strength of purpose. Whatever we imagine becomes reality. Intention is essential.

It’s Our Nature To Bloom

This week's Contemplative Living Podcast discusses the fact that it's in our nature to blossom. A tree might generate thousands of seeds in one year, but how many emerge as trees? All too often, we feel held back by obligation or even voluntarily adopt a materialistic mindset. To break free from these ties and reach our full potential, we need to tap into our spiritual aspect. In today’s highly individualistic culture, we become attached to our identity and autonomy. But remember, it's not us who are doing the work – it's our practice that is working on us! Our spiritual practice has a profound impact on us and helps us bloom. We can stay devoted to our goals and draw all the necessary strength from them as we progress through life. It is indeed our nature to bloom - let’s start doing so right away!