Posted By admin on May 19, 2012

“All a man can betray is his own conscience.”  —  Joseph Conrad

Have you ever had the experience of meeting anyone without a conscience?  I have brushed past a few over the years.  It is quite eye-opening given the ramifications of the meeting.  However, when you become a skilled observer of human behavior either by interaction or another means, it becomes inherently clear what selective choices were made.

As an educator, I had the privilege of interacting with hundreds of young people whose efforts embraced dreams yet unfulfilled.  These young minds sustained a great deal of unbridled hope directed toward achievement, success and reward.  In any given moment, I sometimes experienced individuals with a different agenda . . . and completely without concern regarding any specific outcome.  This pervasive behavior wasn’t “age specific,” and I often pondered how this attitude might evolve over time.  Early on in my teaching experience I sincerely believed the words of  Jaagi Vasudev Sadhguru, “If you are deeply involved with the simplest aspects of your life, you will see every aspect of your life is spectacular.”

As I have now realized with a great deal of objective experience, there are individuals at every stage in our journey that we respond to with another skill set.  We may wish to acknowledge acceptance as the appropriate tool for these unique instances, however with additional examination . . . it is the response from you specifically,  that resonates more deeply and causes a subtle shift in your consciousness by an inherent recognition of release without remorse.  This is an extremely challenging concept, however in realizing this I also have come to understand the words of Joseph Conrad with a little more clarity . . . “Never test another man, by your own weakness.”  The responsibility lies in knowing who you are, and the rest takes care of itself.       JLR

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Posted By admin on April 30, 2012

“The dysfunction of the human mind and its condition is becoming more and more intolerable to the planet, and to humanity.  People can’t live with themselves much longer.”   —  Eckhart Tolle

What does the above quote impart to the question of consciousness, you may ask.  The response is simple, direct and straight-forward . . . everything.  Momentarily, take a quick mental inventory of what surrounds your  environment, space, work place etc.  Rather than being a subjective participant in your “world,” become objective and begin to really scrutinize whether you are part of the problem or the solution in your own life.  This takes blatant honesty with yourself, and a focused priority integrating a relentless, continuing conscious effort.  Of course, that being said . . . another aspect of “non-engagement” may include this thought interjected by Don Miguel Ruiz, “Humans are mentally sick with a disease called fear.”

Once clarification is made as to exactly where you are in this moment, consciously, moving forward is a choice.  That choice takes courage, dedication, integrity, honesty, principle, truth and the investment of your time to work through whatever is impeding your ability of present awareness in your own life, which may be paralyzing you with abject fear to act.   Most individuals refuse to do the work necessary, leaving it to another time . . . which ultimately never arrives.  A select few will take the initiative and act . . . now.  In a quote I’ve used before and once again reiterate by Heraclitus, “Man’s character is his fate.”

Presently, is there anyone that you hold in high regard, admire or greatly respect?  Why?  What was it in their content of character that pierced your present awareness or consciousness?  It has been extremely apparent in my experience, that it is becoming more challenging, difficult and at times impossible to brush up against individuals that inherently project unique, uncompromising traits of honor.  Oh yes, you definitely know when you have met this type of human being . . . there is no mistaking that indelible imprint.

Have you noticed how “robotic or even comatose” individuals have become?  Compliant with schedules, deadlines, appointments, meetings, seminars ad infinitum is a way of life, scrupulously protracted as to give substantive meaning to an unconscious existence.  What individuals repeat to themselves and others through the emptiness of speech is reflected in another way by James Joyce, “The actions of men are the best interpreters of their thoughts.”  As you read these words . . . what now motivates your intention of conscious thought, with a purpose that propells you to act?     —    JLR

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Posted By admin on April 18, 2012

“We see the world, not as it is, but as we are — or, as we are conditioned to see it.”    —  Stephen R. Covey from The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.

Over the passage of years almost imperceptibly, we become layered with repeated behavior we find difficult to recognize.  The perspective and perception that we allow to filter our existence, is so indelibly imprinted in our being, it is an exercise in futility to use any form of objective awareness toward  individuals who don’t/can’t see with the “eyes behind their eyes.”  Personal experience over many years, has repeatedly shown me this obvious principle without exception.  Unless and until one can release a conditioning that has colored their daily lives, almost nothing penetrates this “doctrine of darkness.”  It appears these individuals are impervious to who they are, what they project and how they reflect a persona of conflicted intention.  Thomas Sowell has another take on this, “Talkers are usually more articulate than doers, sense talk is their specialty.”  The expression talking heads comes to mind, and form over substance certainly engenders what many of us experience consciously on a universal level.

Embracing consciousness today, is almost . . . for many, a lost art.  It appears we don’t respond graciously, it is more a knee jerk reaction coupled with a rejoinder that smarts, stings and rebukes with swift aplomb.  Let’s take a step back a moment, and make a conscious choice to see the world not as we are.  Big leap . . . and necessary for change . . . if you so choose.  Not easy . . . however, to see the world without the pre-conceived layers of conditioning is very much like jumping off a cliff. Those around you may not recognize the subtle change which will gradually evolve, however as Herm Albright put it so well, “A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort.”

Only you can change yourself . . . of course that means that you see a reason to do so . . . consciously.  Those around and about you, will or won’t reinforce this choice . . . so be it . . . move on.  Present awareness, responsibility for your actions, accountability with discovery of your personal truth, will enrich and fulfill your life beyond measure.   This is not expressed to convince you of anything.  You must want to change the present circumstances, and do the work toward that end. In the Talmud are these words so aptly directed . . . “You can educate a fool, but you cannot make him think.”      JLR

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Posted By admin on April 6, 2012

“Truth that’s told with bad intent, Bests  all the lies you can invent.”  —  William Blake

This quote takes in all of us, on levels we only begin to understand.  When you finally distill and listen to what you are thinking, saying, and doing day after day an enlightenment of purpose usually follows.  Unfortunately, our layers of behavior and misguided intent veils our efforts . . . sometimes for decades.  It is painful for many to take an honest look at themselves perhaps for the first time, and peel back the layers of how truth has been used, manipulated, configured and modified for “bad intent.”  Another way of looking at this comes from Don Miguel Ruiz, “You re the way you are because that is what you believe about yourself.”

Take this one step further . . . before you even read these words . . . did you give it a second thought?  No matter how hard we try, we haven’t conquered running away from ourselves with much success . . . in the last analysis, we have become abject failures in that regard.  Self-respect when based on lies equals what?  Buddha’s words resound quite loudly, “All that we are is the result of what we have thought.”

We can possess honors, receive accolades, have buildings dedicated in our name, attend the most prestigious colleges/universities that reflect unparalleled educational/intellectual prowess, and miss the greatest gift we will ever know, experience or comprehend.  What is that gift to you?  When your consciousness takes precedent of every sound you utter, every act you perform and the conduct/behavior that you exhibit on a day to day basis, you begin to see your life without the layers of conditioned reality obscuring your vision.  Discernment, intent, purpose and content of character begin to resound with a little more truth through these words of Thomas Sowell, “Too much of what is called ‘education’ is little more than an expensive isolation from reality.”

It is never too late to re-invent yourself.  In fact, you might have already begun and not realized it.  You may have been living a lie, and through some life changing experience made another choice and went in another direction. The process may have already started, and will get your attention when you least expect it.  Aristotle in this quote uses words that are quite poignant, yet direct when he says, “No notice is taken of evil, but when it increases it strikes the eye.”  Awareness is a contagious element of the human condition, influenced by a conscious mind standing in its own truth without compromise.       JLR

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Posted By admin on March 21, 2012

“Personal importance or taking things personally, is the maximum expression of selfishness, because we make the assumption that everything is about me.”  —  Don Miguel Ruiz

How many instances can you name in the past two weeks in which you have taken a personal affront when an individual or group ignored, disagreed or insulted you?  What was your knee jerk response?  Over time, we have been carefully conditioned to react and not respond to what we believe are personal attacks.  Stepping back objectively and not subjectively, gives us an opportunity to respond, if that is your choice . . . or simply say nothing at all and walk away.  One of the most challenging principles to incorporate into our behavior and interpersonal relationships, is not to take anything personally, or make assumptions. What is really going on within the conduct/behavior of another human being is only supposition on our part.  We can’t know all the intricacies of what we believe is a personal attack . . . and practicing the conscious choice of letting it go, takes tremendous insight and practice which I do not minimize by any means.  Eckhart Tolle had another insight . . . “Meet everyone and everything through stillness rather than mental noise.”

When we first monitor ourselves and consciously perceive how we interact with everyone, brings us an immense awareness that is immeasurable.  Once this process begins there is no turning back, because you have now removed the filter that blocked your conscious ability and understanding to move forward.  I appreciate the words of Gian Carlo Menotti when he states, “A man only becomes wise when he begins to calculate the approximate death of his ignorance.”

What are your fundamental priorities?  In this moment, if you had to distill only one driving force in your life that takes precedent over everything else, what would it be?  With conscious awareness, the response to this question is not impossible . . . challenging yes . . . which may take some individuals a great deal of contemplation.  We are products of our orientation, environment, education over-lays, and indoctrination by well-meaning individuals.  Consciousness at times, becomes the essence of a select few and is further reflected in the words of Ayn Rand, “The truth is not for all men, but only for those who seek it.”   Are you seeking consciousness, truth or something else?     JLR

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