Without Ego

When reading philosophical teachings and writings, I often wonder why the body and the ego are seen so negatively, as if they somehow are antithetical to spirituality. Although ego, body and mind are not all we are, each is part, an expression of the whole self, included in our precious gifts from God, the Universe, Life, Spirit. It would be as sensible to hate or degrade a mathematical problem given me by a teacher for learning purposes. Of course I can be frustrated in my efforts to solve a difficult problem; that is merely an expression of myeagerness to achieve. How much easier on me, however, to enjoy the puzzle, to marvel at my reasoning processes and their growth and development as I draw nearer, bit by bit, to the solution. Even so, frustrated or not, I learn.

There are those of us who love school, and those who hate it. Nevertheless, we are all in school. And the ego, the mind and the body are our major learning tools. Through them, we learn the concepts of attachment/detachment, freedom/responsibility, joy/pain, wisdom/ignorance. These concepts, once grasped and mastered, are our prerequisites for the next level of learning in which we are (perhaps) freed of body/ego and introduced to new tools.

If I reject my body, my ego, or my so-called negative emotions, I am rejecting myself. If I reject myself, I am rejecting a holy creation and gift. If I reject or denigrate integral parts of my self, then I am split, dysfunctional, not whole, and not comfortable in my body and with my sense of self. How much more joyful it is to regard my life as the finest Montessori School of all time, where the sandbox and mudpuddles offer learning experiences equally as rich and essential as do the books of poetry and lofty philosophy.

Without body:

We couldn't enjoy the many sensory and sensual experiences of this life

We wouldn't learn the invaluable lessons of getting obsessive about those experiences, and learning the self-control they teach us.

We would miss out on learning to love and cherish our brief moments on this planet, the fleeting nature of which is reflected back to us by the body's aging process.

We wouldn't be able to interact on a cellular level with the air, food, minerals, water, and the other beings, literally becoming one with the planet on a daily basis.

We would miss the powerful lessons we're learning right now, that if we pollute our environment, we pollute ourselves - physically, emotionally and spiritually.

We would not have the viceral (gut) experiences of the physical components of our emotion - the hormonally driven ecstasy and agony of emotional joy and pain.

We'd miss out on so much of artistic expression - dance, the musical beat that originally was born of heartbeat, sound, light, color, poetry, theater and all the rest of that exuberance.

Without ego:

We'd have no control over our emotions, and be battered around by them, like a ship in a stormy sea with no rudder.

We wouldn't be able to protect ourselves against others' emotions and feelings, and every little thing others said and did would cut us to the quick.

We wouldn't be able to make plans and follow through to reach goals

We couldn't keep ourselves going in a productive direction when obstacles come along

We'd have no sense of who we are, how we are the same or different from others, and we'd never learn the lessons of shared humanity.

As a psychologist, I seek to help people integrate all the components of ego, body, emotions, mind and spirit until they all work together in a healthy human way. Perfection is not the goal - healthy living is. When your body (with all its human flaws and imperfections) functions well, all its many cells, organs, hormones, fluids, muscles, bones, nerves and sinews cooperate and work together to help you experience and express your life. When your body, mind, spirit, emotions - and yes, your ego -- work together, spirit doesn't have to work against ego, ego doesn't have to work against spirit, and there's no internal fight - no struggle for supremacy, no inner denial or right/wrong battle. Each component does its part, and all work together to help you become the most shining example of who you are. That's what the old gospel song about "this little light of mine" and "inner light" or "inner spirit" means - when all of who we are works together, we are free to be the best of who we were born to be.

When I think of my body with all its billion miracles and exquisitely effective methods of expression both conscious and unconscious; with all its components of which I approve and those for which I have enough self-denial to disapprove - I am suddenly reminded to regard my whole self (body, mind, spirit, emotions, and ego ) with the awe,gratitude, and gentleness I deserve. I know I can count on all my component parts to help me through my lessons for when my body, my ego, or my feelings you insist I focus my attention I cannot deny them.

My Ego has a sharply focused viewpoint; boundless pride; a fine-tuned sensitivity to others' egos; and the ability to keep me focused: on my uniqueness (often auto-interpreted as weirdness); my responsibility to me; and my essential human aloneness. It is a precious, irreplaceable tool. When I can manage to see myself, not as a disparate collection of separate parts, but as an amazing, cohesive design of interconnected, finely designed components working smoothly together, I am filled with awe at the miracle of each one of us, myself included. When I stop trying to resist, resent, overpower, deny or ignore parts of myself, and instead seek to help the whole human package be the best I can be, I find myself as peaceful and joyful as I have ever been.

I sense that when the time cones to exchange my body/ego for new tools, I will feel bereaved. Let me not waste a moment of this opportunity to learn with such companions as I may not know again, my ego, my emotions, and my body!

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What Are Your Margins? (By Chris Atley)

I enjoyed a fabulous week quasi off with the kids for spring break and quasi working. It was a nice combination. I especially loved retreating for the night with my business women's group I personally belong to for my own business growth and development. We were at a fellow member's property where she runs retreats, and it is such a spiritual spot tucked away in the mountains from all of the busy-ness. Here is a picture of the hillside surrounding the retreat center.There is a lot of talk in the personal development marketplace these days about how much people are making, and it can be really discouraging for the folks that aren't there yet. There is a lot of judgement and comparison. In today's article I talk about what is really important and how to move away from the judgement and do what is best for you. Read on below.

Have a wonderful weekend and Happy Easter to those of you celebrating with family and friends. We don't have family in town this year, and are looking forward to an Easter egg hunt with the kids tomorrow morning and to the beach in the afternoon with friends. Our theme this year is about being thankful for what we have and the people in our lives.

First, I want to start of this week's article with us focusing on what is really important to you in terms of profit. Have you taken the time to look at what type of lifestyle you are really wanting? If it's been awhile, go ahead and do it again. Things shift, people change.

What do you really want? What is important to you? We want to be really mindful of not falling into comparisons and "shoulds" here. What is important to you in life and business? What type of business do you ultimately want to run, what support do you need and what does it look like cost wise? Do the same in your personal life. What lifestyle do you want and what is important to you? Is it travel, experiences with your family, savings, college funds, etc.? What is it for YOU?

Get clear on this first and drop the judgment and comparisons from there. This is about you living life to the fullest on your terms and no one else's.

Second, take what others are saying with a grain of salt. When a business owner talks about how much their company did in a given month or year, this is typically gross, not net. It's not a criticism, but something to keep in mind when you hear this info. so that it doesn't bring you down and make you feel bad for not being where you want to be. You could be earning way less, but keeping way more. It's all relative. A better determination of success is looking at your profit margin. How much are you earning versus how much you are keeping over a given period of time. That is a better indicator and most small businesses don't look at that percentage.

* You can calculate your profit margin by taking your total revenue and subtracting your total expenses, and then taking that number and dividing it by your total revenue to get the percentage. The percentage is your profit margin.

Start looking at this for your own company and determining what you would like to see happen. The average standard for a healthy business is having a profit margin of 25% or over, generally speaking to give you an idea. Once you figure out your own profit margin, you can then use your own business results to compare to and not others going forward. Let's get you to where you want to be in your business and what feels good for you, and not for someone else.

Happy calculating and planning!

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Principles of Growth and Chance (By Gaurav Sharma)

Is there any easy way to achieve quality of life and strong relations with other people?

In life, there are sequential stages of growth and development. I have personally never skipped any step. I find these in all areas of development. Today I learn piano and effective communication with work associates, with this I found truth in individuals, marriages and organizations.

But for one to live in harmony throughout is difficult and not much common. So I like to see others look for a shortcut, expecting to be accurately skip some of the vital steps in order to save time and effort.

It's like I am an average tennis player but I decide to play at a high level in order to make a better impression. Can only positive thinking alone enable us to compete effectively against a professional?

Lets start, I am on a ten point scale at level two in my field. I have to prepare some unique steps which could take me to level three and so on.

'A thousand mile journey begins with the first step.' What if I can only take one step at a time.

To relate effectively with a lady, a man, her children, her husband, her friends, etc must learn to listen which requires emotional strength. Listening involves patience and the desire to understand (highly developed quality).

It's so much easier to operate from a low emotional level and give high level advice. Development cannot be pretended. I believe that most of us know the truth about ourselves. Many people around us, the people we will or work with are also aware of themselves (what's inside them).

According to a book written by J. Krishnamurti, happiness is a state of being unconscious. Only at the time of misery, a person realizes the importance of his past happiness. He believes that a person must overcome negativity and harmful thought waves. By conquering negativity a person can easily adopt positive approach towards everything. If the water of a pool is dirty and polluted, the bottom of the pool is not visible, similarly our minds must be free of dirt(negativity) so that it can lead us in a positive path.

I ask myself about the irony of my life that why do I keep looking for answers and not follow anyone directly. How come people around me achieve the goals they set for themselves and I fail. I understood that we all have some qualities and techniques that if followed help us in achieving our objectives.

* We know that Abraham Lincoln was self educated. He used to borrow books and read them under the street light or bonfire.

* Benjamin Franklin did not attend any school.

* Even the Wright brothers were not properly educated scientists. By profession they were bicycle mechanics yet they invented air transport and gave the world a whole new scenario.

I've learnt that inspiration,aspiration,desperation and perspiration makes a man determined to his ambition. From these four inputs anybody can change their luck. In the process of achieving goals we have certain obstacles which can be transformed into tools for success. Success is an internal as well as an external process. It starts within our mind and end physically. In order to be successful we must accept our responsibilities that will ultimately shape your destiny. We must learn from our mistakes and try not to repeat them. I was taught to develop character, confidence, values, beliefs and personality by referring to the lives of the successful people. One thing is common in the lives of all successful people that each of them combines integrity, patience, understanding, conviction, courage and loyalty. They have both ability and character. Hence, they succeed in anything they wish to achieve. Never postpone your happiness in order to work. Enjoy your work and do it with loyalty. We must be surrounded by people who bring out the best in us. While focusing on our objectives we must not forget to help others in achieving their goals freely. During a congregational service once a priest asked the people that all those who desire to go to heaven must stand up. All stood up except Abraham Lincoln. When asked by the priest Abraham kept quiet which frustrated the priest. Later Abraham calmly said 'I want to go to congress'. We must learn that happiness is something which can be felt or experienced. It is a quality of life associated with faith, hope, courage and ideas.

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I get some information about the incongruity of my life that why do I continue searching for answers and not tail anybody straightforwardly. Why individuals around me accomplish the objectives they set for themselves and I come up short. I comprehended that we as a whole have a few qualities and methods that if took after help us in accomplishing our goals.

In life, there are successive phases of development and improvement. I have by and by never skirted any progression. I discover these in every aspect of advancement. Today I learn piano and successful correspondence with work partners, with this I discovered truth in people, relational unions and associations.

It's such a great amount of less demanding to work from a low passionate level and give abnormal state guidance. Improvement can't be imagined. I trust that the majority of us know reality about ourselves. Numerous individuals around us, the general population we will or work with are additionally mindful of themselves (whats inside them).

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Understanding Sleep Better

An activity that is not favoured on an average by toddlers but is very dear to adults- sleeping.

Did you cry too when you were a child being put to bed but you wanted to play some more? Did you too later realise how important those hours of sleep were when you pulled all-nighters during exams or lost sleep over piling up work in office? Today let's understand some technical aspects of sleep, what it does for the body and brain, how it is important for your memory and the effects of sleeplessness.

So what is sleep? A commonly accepted definition explains sleep as- a condition of body and mind which typically recurs for several hours every night, in which the nervous system is inactive, the eyes closed, the postural muscles relaxed, and consciousness practically suspended.

Sleeping is a phenomenon, or activity that occurs in a repetitive manner for hours every night. During this time all our voluntary movements such as walking and talking are usually inactive, so are certain involuntary actions such as blinking of the eyes. Our heart however continues to beat, lungs keep breathing and stomach digests the food consumed previously. Another important activity for which sleep is important is memory, which we will come to in detail a little later. All the muscles in our bodies are very relaxed during our sleeping hours unless we experience a nightmare where they tighten up in response to our mental activity.

Scientists still do not know what sleep really does to our bodies. Results show that it doesn't exactly provide any extra energy as people say. What it does is, that it gives the body some time to replenish its energy. During our sleep, our brain channels energy towards repairing damaged parts in the body since it has a larger reserve when most of our bodily functions are inactive. It not only repairs the muscles but the brain also has a chance to repair itself and strengthen its own skills such as communication, speech, language, innovation etc.

If you are someone who has missed a lot of hours of sleep to meet deadlines you truly understand the importance of sleep. It keeps your head from hurting, makes you less groggy and irritable, and it keeps you from being forgetful. Scientists who have studied people sleeping have seen their brain have conversations with itself though the waves and it creates. This isn't the brain actually talking or even dreaming, but it is sorting through our memory. Whatever we see and learn every day is stored in our brain for future use. It is in our sleep that the brain decides whether what information it received should go to the long term compartment or the short term compartment. Therefore, a very good way to remember everything you study during exams is to get enough sleep so that your brain has time to process all the information.

Lack of sleep can cause you to hallucinate and feel odd emotions. You will function normally to begin with, but if you keep that up it will only get worse. This is a way for your body to tell you that it needs rest so it can perform other activities for which some of your functions have to be shut down temporarily.

Sleep is very important for your growth and development, and you must give yourself a normal sleep pattern for best results.

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