Free yourself from the daily drama of life by observing how you are reacting to it. Are we a partner in our life experience or is everything predestined and beyond our control? Is this all just random chaos or is there a karmic path laid out before us? Regardless of what we believe, when we truly admit that the truth of the matter is that we really don’t know how any of this works, we begin to become receptive to new ideas and new ways of thinking. When we understand that we are simply holding on to a belief or an opinion, we can see how it’s just an idea, not a truth. But where is our control then? Where is our direction? Will we turn into mindless robots? Will we walk away from our responsibilities and lives? What’s the point of it all? When we reach this precipice of the unknown and feel the true fear we have of just not knowing, we are at the perfect point where we are finally receptive to newness. The new idea is this: If we can see that we are only truly in control of one thing in life, we can start to live from our true selves and be free of the daily dramas. This one thing we are in control of is how we are reacting to our situations and circumstances. Learn more in the latest podcast: Technorati Tags:
podcast, fear, chaos, needs, meditation, true self, quiet mind, peace, love, happiness
Freedom from the daily drama of life.
Robert (and others who read here),
Thanks for the wonderful podcast. It comes at an important time. My 98 year old great-grandmother passed away last night. She has been in a nursing home for the past few years, physically and mentally deteriorating, and sincerely ready to leave this earth. When I heard she died, I was very peaceful because I knew she was ready and she would suffer no longer. I’ve spent time today remembering the wonderful things about her and I started the process of sponsoring a child in her memory because that is something she did and was important to her. So, as far as the direct situation, I feel totally at peace. The issue that has come up is with my mother. She has been spending the day crying, hyperventilating, and basically blasting me with all forms of guilt. I live 10 hours away, work full-time, and wasn’t planning on attending the funeral… as I mentioned before, I feel fine with how I’ve said good-bye. My mom feels that it is my duty to be there for her sake. I will be seeing my mom in two weeks anyway for a planned visit from my parents. Also, I am 100% available for her to talk to whenever she wants by telephone. My father will be with her for support, so she won’t be alone. But she is equating my choice not to go as some sort of proof that I don’t love her. She is going through a difficult time anyway. (Starting through menopause and all the emotional drama that entails.) I’m just not sure how to respond and how to not be effected by her guilt tactics. I’m doing my best to remain equanimous through all of this, but I think that is offending her more. I think she would be happier if I were in hysterics, too. Anyway, any words of wisdom would be appreciated. Namaste, Jennifer
Jennifer,
I think I know almost exactly how you feel. My uncle (mother’s brother) died unexpectedly on a Friday. The funeral was the following week, the week my wife and daughters were going on a Spring Break trip and I was left to run our business on my own. We operate a small business (only two of us) and any time away is difficult, especially when we’re both away. The funeral was about 5 hours away from me, meaning either a major day of driving (to go up and back) or an overnight trip.
Also, I hate funerals (as does my mother). I haven’t attended one since I was a teenager and I’m well into my 40s now. I’d rather meditate on how the person was when s/he was alive, pray for them and remember their spirit than to sit through a funeral. My father called and said I should attend the funeral “for my mother”. Well, I had spoken to my mother numerous times and she knows I am here for her, have been praying for her, etc.
I finally decided not to go to the funeral and not to feel guilty about it. I honored my uncle in my own way and I know that he knows I love him (and I mean that in the present tense). I spoke with my mother afterwards and explained my feelings. Hopefully she understands. I think she does. But, I feel comfortable that I made the right decision for me.
This is really weird that I should come across your post this morning. My uncle died only two weeks ago Friday and yours is the first comment I’ve ever read on this blog (I’ve listened to a couple of the Podcasts. But, I’m WAY behind).
Peace,
Brian
Brian,
Thank you so much for your response. It is good to hear from someone who has gone through a similar situation. If you don’t mind me asking, when you say you decided not to feel guilty… was it as simple as that (simply deciding, I mean), or was it something you had to work on? Thanks again for your reply, and I am sorry for the loss of your uncle.
Namaste, Jennifer
Oh, if things were only as simple as “deciding”. I’d decide not to worry so much. I decide to exercise more, etc., etc.
No, it wasn’ quite as simple as just deciding. I’ve been working on getting the ability to decide for a while now. Learning the balance between compassion for others and taking care of myself is something I am still working on. It’s important to take care of the needs of others and I always want to keep that. But, during those times when I have to make a decision for myself, there’s no point in making the decision if I’m going to beat myself up over it. So, I’ve “decided” that when I make a decision I will “forgive” myself rather than keep rehashing why I maybe should have done it differently. Hopefully, my family understands why I made the decision I did. If not, I can’t change that by feeling guilty about it. The guilty feelings serve no useful purpose. So, I “choose” to let them go when they resurface (and they do).
Make sense?
Thanks for the condolenscences concerning my uncle. I was insensitive. I should have said I am sorry for the loss of your great-grandmother as well.
Peace,
Brian
Brian,
Yes, that makes total sense to me. Thanks, again, for your response. Please don’t think for a second that you were insensitive, when you’ve taken the time out TWICE to try to help me! I sincerely appreciate it.
Take care,
Jennifer
I think this would be fun to try. At least fun to try out on the comment spammers, of course, not on me!
am on a major project at work with unrealistic deadlines and drama around every turn. This podcast was right on time. I sold my business of over 15 years because of the constant stress of projects like this. I do not, for a moment regret that as it was tearing my life apart, but I now approach this kind of “potential stress’ with a more realistic and calm perspective. In fact, some of my coworkers have asked me “What are you on?” I shared the podcast with them without a fear that they would think I was some kind of nut. ALL of them have since downloaded some of your audio files. I told them, this is good stuff and legal, non-narcotic, real peace of mind. Thanks for you help with my daily practice. Again I tell you, you are helping more people than you know. As it is with Karma, what comes around, goes around. May you feel it’s return in this lifetime!
Dan