zen
The Spiritual Wisdom Of Letting Go
I sometimes do readings for clients who feel they have to control absolutely everything in their lives. They are rarely calm, rarely happy, always frazzled. There’s a constant tension around them, a palpable anxiety, as if they’re always one step away from a meltdown, or even a complete breakdown.
Many of us have experienced this feeling or seen it in others – the compulsion to control every outcome, every detail, believing that by sheer force of will we can make life bend to our wishes.
But here’s the thing: life has a way of moving on its own, whether we like it or not. And often, the more we try to grasp and hold on, the more things slip out of our control.
A song that often comes to mind when I think about this is the song Let It Be by the Beatles. Let it be, let it be. There will be an answer, let it be. This timeless classic is a simple yet powerful reminder of the peace that can come from stopping to resist and simply allowing things to unfold as they are meant to.
Letting go is not about giving up; it’s about trusting that life has a rhythm, a universal flow, and when we align ourselves with it, life becomes infinitely more peaceful and enjoyable.
In my work as a psychic consultant, I’ve found that those who feel the need to control every aspect of their lives often carry a heavy burden of stress. They struggle to find joy because they are too preoccupied with micromanaging every little detail. Life becomes a series of hurdles and challenges, and instead of going with the flow, they are constantly swimming against the current. It’s exhausting and soul-destroying.
The Spiritual Significance Of A September Cleaning
Did you know that cleaning can be so much more than a boring chore? When done mindfully and with intention, it can become a transformative ritual that aligns our physical environment and the spaces in which we live and work with higher spiritual energies.
By clearing away dirt, clutter, and disorder as a form of mindful meditation and cleansing ritual, you can also cleanse your inner being, releasing what no longer serves you and making room for new energies to flow. The act of cleansing can then serve as a bridge between the physical and spiritual realms, allowing the harmonious flow of life force energy, or chi, through your physical environment.
Everything in the universe is interconnected, including the spaces we inhabit. Metaphysically, our homes and workplaces are extensions of our own energy field. When these spaces are cluttered or dirty, they begin to affect or even block the flow of positive energy, leading to feelings of lethargy, confusion, and spiritual stagnation. More importantly, negative energy imprints and residues tend to accumulate in our homes through our interactions with other people and the outside world. Cleansing thus becomes an essential spiritual practice, similar to meditation or prayer, that helps restore balance, flow and harmony.
The physical act of cleaning is not only about maintaining order and hygiene in our surroundings, but also about aligning our internal energies and preparing our minds for deeper spiritual engagement. It’s like meditation, but with a broom and a mop!
By systematically organizing and cleaning, we can practice mindfulness and focus on the present moment and the task at hand. As unnecessary items are discarded and surfaces are cleaned, we experience a corresponding release of old emotions and thought patterns that no longer serve us. In this way, the simple act of wiping down a shelf or sweeping a floor can become a profound spiritual practice that connects us to the sacredness of the present moment.
Release Your Attachment To Attract ‘Zen Love’
I have talked to so many people over the years who desperately want someone special to come into their lives, but it never seems to happen for them. They wonder why they can’t connect with anyone, why they never seem to find true and lasting love.
When I do readings for them, Spirit often reveals that the root of the problem is that they either want it too much, or they turn themselves and the other person they are trying to attract into “polar magnets,” pushing each other away instead of being attracted to each other.
In order to attract what you want into your life, you have to let go of any attachment to the outcome, stay clear of any negative emotions, self-sabotage, and limiting beliefs, and essentially allow it to come to you without any obsession or force. I call this attracting “Zen love.
Zen love is finding someone when you are not really looking. It’s when you want it, but you don’t want it so desperately that it just doesn’t happen. I equate it to thinking about someone and then letting go of the thought. It is usually when you let go that they suddenly call you on the phone.
You put out the intention to meet someone special and then you let it go. That is being “in Zen. Not forcing it. Going on with your life and staying positive and just having that inner knowing that everything is going to be okay. That inner knowing without any added force allows good things to come to you.
Meanwhile, if you really want someone special to come into your life, instead of constantly dwelling on it or stressing about it, be proactive and put that wasted energy to better use. Get out more, live wholeheartedly, go places and do things.
The Meditative Art Of Sumi-e Painting
As a spiritual advisor and artist, I’ve always been drawn to the ways in which art and spirituality intersect to offer pathways to deeper self-awareness and tranquility.
One such path that has had a profound impact on my life is Sumi-e painting, also known as suibokuga or ‘ink wash painting.’ It is a traditional Japanese painting technique that uses black ink, typically in varying concentrations, to create brushstroke-based works of art.
Sumi-e is characterized by its minimalism, simplicity, and emphasis on capturing the essence or spirit of the subject rather than its literal representation.
Paintings often feature subjects such as landscapes, flowers, birds and other natural elements. Artists use various brush techniques to create different textures, tones, and depths using only black ink on absorbent paper or silk.
The art form has deep roots in Zen Buddhism, which emphasizes spontaneity, simplicity, and harmony with nature. Practitioners often meditate before painting to cultivate a clear and focused mind, which they believe enhances their ability to express the essence of the subject.
Sumi-e painting has had a significant influence on various art forms, including calligraphy and other East Asian brush painting styles. It continues to be practiced and appreciated for its timeless elegance and ability to evoke profound emotions with seemingly simple brush strokes.
Transform Your Chores Into Moments Of Zen
I recently had to find my “inner zen” when I had to file my taxes in person. Even though I was really, really not in the mood and not looking forward to it at all, I decided to make the most of this dreaded chore by practicing a time-tested spiritual technique of just being present in the moment. This attitude made my day so much easier and more fulfilling.
As I waited in line at the tax office, I couldn’t help but overhear a less than happy man ranting in one of the booths. I felt bad because, well, we are all human and this is about paying taxes, for goodness sake! We can hardly blame others for reacting this way. I mean, who really enjoys doing their taxes?
But I think it’s better to stay calm and carry on, because in the end everything will be fine. Having a “panic attack” or “hissy fit” like the guy in that booth won’t change the situation, except to make it worse. I know from experience that keeping an inner calm always wins the day.
If you have to deal with a chore or task that you are not looking forward to, try to embrace it and immerse yourself in the experience rather than making it worse by creating a lot of resistance around it. There is a lot of ancient wisdom in “being present in the now.” It is no accident that this concept is rooted in various spiritual traditions and teachings throughout history, as it points to a universal truth that is essential for spiritual living and personal well-being.
The Inner Truth Of External Clutter
We are almost a month into the new year, the time when most people begin to flounder in their resolutions. For me, resolutions are like empty promises, so my only resolution every New Year is to not make any resolutions.
Instead, I try to simply live my life with a few consistent rules. I have found that staying true to these personal and lifestyle guidelines eliminates the need for major resolutions each New Year.
Clutter is a big one for me. I make it a point to clean out the clutter in my life on a regular basis, whether it is physical, material, emotional, or spiritual.
Material clutter is the easiest to deal with because it is tangible and visible. It is hard to ignore a pair of shoes that you never wear anymore and have to move around in your closet over and over again.
It is also hard to ignore all those old clothes from another era that you have held on to in the hope that one day they will come back in style. Equally difficult to deal with are those old spice jars and other pantry items past their expiration date that you should have thrown away years ago!
These small lifestyle annoyances may seem insignificant on the surface until you consider that material clutter goes hand in hand with mental, emotional and spiritual clutter. The way we live, the way we manage our environment, and the way we organize our outer existence are a reflection of our inner being. The resulting clutter then becomes a recurring pattern that leads to more clutter, chaos, and dysfunction in our lives.
How To Achieve Inner Peace This Holiday Season
I recently did a deep meditation to ask Spirit how we can achieve inner peace this holiday season, as well as throughout the rest of the year. Here is what Spirit revealed to me.
Self-Care
Take better care of yourself – mind, body and soul. This is key, because if you are not taking care of your own health and well-being, then you won’t have much to offer others.
Do not neglect your spiritual practice. Pray. Meditate. Chant. Journal.
Eat a healthy diet. Get enough sleep. Exercise. Moving the body helps with circulation and helps with all kinds of pain. You will feel better for taking an hour to exercise. We are happier when we feel better.
Take some time to relax and have fun. Read. Reading is very relaxing and is a healthy escapism. What interests you? Find books on subjects you enjoy and start reading. Someone once said that books make good friends.
And most of all, don’t neglect your daily spiritual practice. If you do not have a practice, get one.
Goodwill
Think about this past year, and make a list of those that were naughty and nice to you. Pray for both. Ask for happiness, joy and goodwill to enter everyone’s lives, and then also visualize this. Visualize each person and open your heart. Wish each of them goodness.