Tag: Spiritual Longevity

New Years Resolutions

Tao strategies for achieving your goals (series)

Article 1 in this Goal Series

Summary:

  • This article is the first in a series of posts on Tao strategies for achieving goals and living a long and successful life.
  • The main Tao principles for avoiding failure: The document discusses some of the Tao teachings that can help people overcome obstacles and challenges, such as meditation, wu wei, oneness, moderation, simplicity, and desire.
  • The ultimate goal of longevity: The document explains that longevity is more than just living a long life, but also living a content and well-being life that is aligned with one’s spiritual harmony.
  • The importance of working on the self first: The document emphasizes that the quality of the mind creates the quality of existence and that one should cultivate sovereignty, which is the ability to detach from the ego and take charge of one’s life.
  • The role of self-discipline and willpower: The document advises that one should be mindful and careful of the goals they select and that they should have the self-discipline and willpower to resist distractions and bad habits that can lead to failure.
  • The next step in the series: The document announces that the next blog post will discuss how to wake up and take charge of the mind through meditation and mindfulness.

It’s January and we are all starting a new year. I was curious about what the new resolution failure rate is so I asked an AI (MS Copilot). Copilot says that a 2016 study that of the 41% of people who make resolutions, only 9% feel they were successful in keeping them; and that means a 91% failure rate.

I have spent a lot of time contemplating failure, and until I began following the Tao, I was one of the 91%. Once I began practicing some of the Tao teachings, I was able to achieve a higher success rate.

A New Series – Being Successful in 2024

This post will be the first in a series of articles on Tao strategies for avoiding failure and achieving goals for a more successful life this year. I anticipate topics later not listed below, these are at least what will be covered.

Discussion Post Topics

Meditation / Mindfulness vs Distraction

Wu Wei – detached action  vs Striving and attachment to outcome

Oneness vs wrong thinking

Moderation, balance, and Harmony vs Excess, imbalance, and entropy

Simplicity vs complexity

Desire: Want vs Need

What is your life goal?

Longevity is the ultimate life goal. Taoist longevity is more than just clawing your way to old age only arrive to senior hood in such a poor condition that you cannot fully enjoy the golden years. There are those [seniors] who can enjoy many years of contentment and well-being having successfully traveled a long life journey avoiding chronic disease and poverty. Your life goal could be to live long and well, experiencing, learning, and evolving spiritually. The longer you live the further you advance. How well you advance, and how successful you become will be determined by lots of factors. The goal of longevity is to live a long, content, and successful life.

Photo by Sharefaith on Pexels.com

Most people have learned that big goals are accomplished by breaking them down into actions and steps that carry them along to their destiny. This new year we have begun another time segment along the way. We are experiencing life and passing along a timeline cycle that begins January 1st and ends December 31st. This is a moment when you consider your destiny.

Thanks to Lao Tzu, Tao cultivators know that the future is not pre-determined. That we craft our destiny in the choices we make each moment of each day along our life path. Tao cultivators also know that physical longevity is reflected by the cultivating of spiritual harmony. Spiritual harmony is cultivated in the relationship between the spirit, the mind, and the physical world. Remember, we are spiritual beings having a physical experience. The quality of the mind creates the quality of existence. Taking a moment to be self-aware and reflecting on your Life goal is a most powerful step for Longevity and well-being.

  • Where do you want to be in life by the time you become a senior? Think of how you want life to be like then.
  • Now think about where you want to be at the end of this year.
  • What do you need to do, what are the action steps you need to take to get there?
  • Can you see that all other goals either take you towards achieving your Longevity (life goal) or they take you further away from them?

Picking the Right Goals

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Be mindful and careful of the goals you select. If you are not setting goals that create a destiny of well-being, you are wasting time and resources. By this statement, I am asking you to examine your New Year resolution to see if you are striving for success as defined by ego mentality. I have noticed in my “self” and others, that when in an ego state of mind, I will find my “self” thinking/saying “I will be happy when _____(fill in the blank). These can be empty goals. This ego trap can be avoided by learning to be content in the present moment and not postponing happiness and well-being until some future moment when you may or may not achieve the goal. Also, be realistic and consider carefully how achievable the goal is.

  • What are the costs? Consider the cost to be more than just money, but also time and energy. How will the money, time, and energy spent on working on this goal affect other areas of life?
  • What motives or intentions are behind your decision to pursue this goal? Are they driven by ego traits such as vanity, greed, or any other superficial desire? Or are they based on more virtuous reasons such as being fit and healthy? Are they simple, straightforward, less expensive, and not complicated?
  • Are the actions and steps simple and easy enough that you can do them without striving? Are they challenging enough to be meaningful when completed?

Do you have the self-discipline and willpower to resist the many ego distractions that can take you down a side path and away from the true path that leads to success? Be honest [with your “self”] and consider how well you can maintain these two virtues. If you answered no to self-discipline and willpower, then this book is for you. Without these two virtues, you will fail. Willpower and self-discipline fall under the Tao principle of Sovereignty, which is to be able to be detached from the ego influence and take charge of your life.

Let me be clear, goals are important. Ship captains all have a distant port that they are navigating towards for a future arrival. Yet all sailors know that along the way, day by day, life goes on while the ship slowly makes its way toward its destination. All sorts of obstacles and challenges can appear along the way. As long as the Captain, crew, and ship stay focused and do their job they maintain their forward progress. A voyage will face challenges, slow-downs, and setbacks, but the Captain stays on course by dealing with all the small and large problems they will encounter.

A journey of a thousand miles begins beneath the feet.

Lot Tzu’s Tao Te Ching, v11, Chapter 64

Moment by moment, mile by mile they keep tracking towards their destination. Each step is right here, right now. The example of the Captain, ship, and crew is a metaphor for your life journey. The ship’s Captain is you, the spirit commands and makes all final decisions. You are the Captain of your journey through life and your crew are all the people you interact with who help you get to where you are going. Letting the ego take over your mind, would be like the Captain going to sleep and only waking up when the ship runs aground. Or letting ego emotions take over the mind is like a crew that mutinies and takes over the ship, and decides to change course and go to a more attractive destination. When this happens, the cargo is never delivered, the goal is not accomplished and problems get worse.

Pirate crew as a metaphor for ego traits that cause problems when the spirit is weak (without Sovereignty)
Photo by Arian Fdez on Pexels.com

So the Tao lesson for doing this is called “working on the ‘self’ first”. This means that in the moment-by-moment, day-to-day journey of life, you are awake, aware, and mindful of each step you take to get where you intend to. All ships face stormy weather and other obstacles along the way. A voyage is a series of course corrections that keep the ship heading in the right direction to the intended destination. Your life voyage is the same with each moment offering choices that either lead you toward your goal or away from it.

The Topic: Sovereignty – The Spiritual Discipline of “self” management.

The first Tao principle for you to begin working on is Sovereignty. As mentioned above, research uncovered by the Copilot AI, that most people (91%) will fall off of the path and not keep their promises to themselves. My experience is that it takes Willpower and Discipline. Or more accurately it takes “Self” discipline.

I define a Sovereign as one who is the supreme authority or ruler over a domain. You can think of it as being the leader of a country like a President, a Prime Minister, a King or a Queen. Sometimes these supreme rulers are great leaders and are loved by the people, and sometimes they are hated as wicked despots. History remembers them as benevolent and wise leaders. Modern society has memorialized their words as common sayings. And you can look back through history and see where the powerful tyrants have created catastrophe and suffering. These types of monarchs have left devastation and are remembered as examples of humanity’s dark side.

For a moment think of yourself as a Czar and the empire you rule over is your life. Within this dominion are the people you interact with and the challenges you experience. As the ruler over your life, how is it going? As the president of your life, your choices and decisions play a prominent role in both the present moment and your future. The seeds of the future, your destiny, are planted in the present moment. The present moment you are experiencing now began in your past. As the top decision-maker, what kind of life have you created?

Sovereignty is about how you can become a successful and efficient ruler through consciously cultivating “self” discipline and will-power. Sovereignty is more than just a term; it is a state of being. It is being self-aware and mindful of how you perceive reality along with wise choices and right actions. It is a management system implemented in a state of self-awareness. This self-awareness is an awakened state, as a spiritual being, managing and experiencing life. See the blog devoted to cultivating The Tao of Sovereignty.

If you look back over your life and consider the areas where you have failed, you will see that being unable to control ego, desire, and other emotions was the main reason.

“…Accumulating virtues means there is nothing one cannot overcome

When there is nothing that one cannot overcome

One’s limits are unknown

The limitations being unknown, one can possess sovereignty…”

Excerpt from Chapter 59, Tao Te Ching

Cultivating Sovereignty is simply working on the “self” first. In this case, “self” is the ego aspect of your mind which is often in control. If the ego becomes the ruler over the mind and all of the many life choices, you will experience failure often. Working on the “self” means waking up, transcending, and becoming free of this mental state so that your deeper essence, your spirit, and your true self are in charge of your life. To wake up is to become “self-aware” and to detach and to move beyond being trapped in the ego mind. As the old master Lao Tzu states with this ability “One’s limits are unknown”.

About the ultimate goal of Life, which is Longevity, you will no longer be trapped in continued failure but instead create a destiny, a future that is the one filled with a series of continued successes. To be even more specific, with Sovereignty (spiritual self-discipline), you will be able to break those dangerous habits that cause chronic disease. With willpower, you will be able to resist bad financial choices that lead to not having enough money to live comfortably.

The next step is to learn how to wake up and take charge of your mind. We will discuss that in the next blog post: Meditation and Mindfulness.

I invite you to read a copy of the book, The Tao of Longevity, which is filled with much more detail than found in this blog series. If you are an Amazon Kindle Unlimited Subscriber, you can get a free copy of the book here.

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The Tao of Longevity

I asked an AI to summarize the book.

“The Tao of Longevity is a book that explores how to prevent and heal chronic diseases by following the ancient wisdom of Taoism. The author, Samuel E Beasley, shares his personal journey of overcoming two chronic diseases that were caused by his unhealthy lifestyle habits. He explains how he discovered “the way” of Taoism, which is a philosophy and practice of living in harmony with nature and oneself. He also provides practical advice on how to adopt a Taoist lifestyle that leads to natural longevity and well-being. 🌱

Some of the topics covered in the book are:
How to stop making bad choices that cause chronic disease and how to take control of your life and destiny.

How to cultivate a calm and disciplined mind that can make the right choices and stop self-destructive behaviors.

How to nourish your body with natural foods and herbs that support your health and vitality.

How to exercise your body with gentle and effective movements that enhance your energy and immunity.

How to balance your emotions and cultivate positive feelings that enrich your life and relationships.

How to connect with your spirit and discover your true purpose and meaning in life.

The book is based on the author’s personal experience and research, as well as the teachings of Taoist masters and sages. It is written in a simple and engaging style, with anecdotes, examples, and exercises. The book aims to inspire and empower readers to transform their lives and achieve a long life of well-being. 🙌

I hope this summary gives you an idea of what the book is about. If you are interested in reading the book, you can find it on Barnes & Noble, Goodreads, ThriftBooks, Amazon, or other online platforms. You can also follow the author’s Facebook page for more updates and information. 😊
If you have any other questions or requests, please let me know. I can also generate creative content

Microsoft Copilot
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The Tao of Oneness (part two)

The Tao of Oneness continued.

This image shows different images of the same jar. One is with the mud and water disturbed and murky, the other image shows the mud settled to the bottom and clear water above which is reflective of what happens to the mind when one sits in meditation. Murky water is a metaphor of an anxious mind which is represented by the jar on the left. The other represents a mind that is still and has clarity (oneness with the Tao).

If you missed The Tao of Oneness Part One, go here

Part Two of this Chapter (the middle part) indicates what happens without oneness.

The sky, lacking clarity, would break apart

The earth, lacking tranquility, would erupt

The gods, lacking divinity, would vanish

The valley, lacking abundance, would wither

Myriad things, lacking life, would be extinct

The rulers, lacking standard, would be toppled.

Verses 9-14, Chapter 39, Tao Te Ching

Lao Tzu’s Tao Te Ching translated and annotated by Derek Lin.

When the weather is stormy, the skies are cloudy and not clear. When our minds have stormy weather, our choices and decisions lead to negative results.

When the earth erupts, it can be like a volcanic eruption, which is a good example of what happens when people lose their temper. Anger and violence create cataclysmic mistakes and create tensions, strife, violence, and devastation.

When spirituality is put aside or forgotten, a person loses the benefits that come with it, such as wisdom, discipline, and faith. When cultivation stops, we become vulnerable to mistakes and consequences.

When the valley and the river that provide nutrients (abundance) dry up, all those living things that are dependent on it begin to wither away.

When the myriad of living creatures lacks vital life energy and die off, which leads to extinction. In a more modern and personal context, this means health.  Without oneness, health declines and will lead to death.

When rulers lack the world standard (being a good example), people no longer listen to or follow them. They are no longer looked up to or can be seen as someone to follow as a source of advice, and they lack credibility. Without oneness, they become irrelevant. loss of oneness leads to as reflected in the sky, earth, divinity, fertile valley, life, and leadership:

  • A lack of clarity (being clear-minded and having understanding).
  • Cataclysmic results interrupt well-being and bring about suffering.
  • Spirituality (divineness) begins to erode and disappear, which leads to the emptiness of purpose and spiritually void and empty. (Ego will fill the void).
  • A lack of abundance in its many examples. Quality of life withers, and suffering fills the void.
  • Loss of health and well-being. Atrophy sets in, and unless it is turned around will lead to death.
  • With rejection and loss of natural leadership. You become irrelevant at best, and no one will see you as someone to follow or listen to because of such an inferior performance.

In summary, these reflections of existence deteriorate.

The benefits of oneness:

  • Clarity
  • Tranquility
  • Divinity (Spirituality)
  • Abundance
  • Physical Life and Health
  • Leadership

The consequences of not having oneness:

  • Unclear judgment and thinking
  • Destruction and life coming apart in disintegrating fragments
  • Being controlled by ego and its emotions
  • Poor health leads to death
  • Becoming an example of failure in life (how to not live life)

You can see the importance of Oneness. So, what is Oneness?

Answering this question requires examination from three aspects. Unity, Connectivity, and the One True Path.

Unity.  Unity begins with the perspective of bringing the unity of all things into one reality. On the largest scale, this would be the universe and everything in it as one collective. Oneness of the Tao begins on a personal level that is relevant because our lives reflect all other aspects of the Tao. It’s a pattern that you will recognize.

For example, we can see that the universe is not empty but filled with stars, gases, planets, and other elements. It is a collection in a working system that is thought to begin with the big bang.

A reflection of that system is the human body. We are a universe contained within our physical bodies. We have many different elements from the skeletal bone structure down to the microscopic cells that keep us alive. We even have life forms living in symbiosis within our gut. From large down to small it is a living system, a collective that works in harmony with natural law, the Tao. Taken to an even smaller level, such as microscopic, atomic, and quantum, the same pattern is seen. It is a collective of many parts that is unified and inseparable.

Connectivity. Another perspective is to see oneness as the connectivity between us as a people. Collectively we are one, yet despite being individuals we are all connected. The perspective of being separated from everyone else is an illusion that is opposite from Oneness. This [illusion] or desire to be separated from everyone else leads to division and separation. Lack of unity and divisiveness creates strife and conflict. Unity opens the way for cooperative harmony. Unity is Oneness. Reasonable people will see this to be true on every level beginning with everyone in your neighborhood, in your town, in your state, in your country, and especially throughout the world. Together we have Oneness. When as a world society we develop Harmony, prosperity, and well-being follow. When we have disparity and disharmony between societies, we have war, famine, and large-scale suffering. There is Harmony when people ascend the ego mind. There is disharmony when people are prisoners of their egos. Those who find their true path, join with others who are where unity brings widescale well-being. When ego-centric people collectively follow their own self-destructive paths there is widescale suffering.

The third aspect of Oneness is the One True Path which is a rich topic and is revealed in detail in Part Two of the Oneness Feature. This post is just a paraphrase of Derek Lin’s Lecture on Oneness. This has been just a brief report on what he goes into detail about. Here are the links to the lectures that this lesson is sourced from. I invite you to watch and listen to the in-depth translation and explanation of this especially important Tao principle.

Part Three

(The Third Part of the chapter on Oneness) How to Attain it.

The Tao of Oneness – Finding the One True Path

Therefore, the honored uses the lowly as basis

The higher uses the lower as foundation

Thus, the rulers call themselves alone, bereft, and unworthy

Is this not using the lowly as basis? Is it not so?

Therefore, the ultimate honor is no honor

Do no wish to be shiny like jade

Be dull like rocks

Verses 15-21, Chapter 39, Tao Te Ching

The One True Path.

Left the muddy water represents a turbid mind. Right is a settled mind that has clarity. The sediment has dropped away through tranquility and stillness.

Parts One and Two ended with two of the three aspects of Oneness. They were Unity and Connectedness. The third aspect of Oneness with the Tao is finding and staying on the One True Path to attain oneness. Attaining oneness is to gain:

  • Clarity of mind and spirit
  • Tranquility of heart
  • Divinity (Spirituality, Self-Awareness, Awakening)
  • Abundance (robust fitness for longevity)
  • Robust life energy (Qi) to maintain and enjoy life
  • Sought out by others due to success (example for others)

The One True Path is the one that is unified with Tao teachings. It is the one that creates, sustains, and promotes successful living. The Tao, also known as “The Way,” is the one true path. This aspect of how to be on the One Path is something that most people will not recognize with a skilled teacher points out the intentions of Lao Tzu. Which path is the true one? You must seek that answer by finding clarity. As mentioned above, you must do this yourself. It happens through practice, trial, and error. This is what cultivation is. How do you know if you are being successful? Karma is your judge by enacting cause and effect. You will know when life becomes simpler and better. You will know when your spirit is right (clarity), and your heart is tranquil. You will know when the people around you start to notice and want to mirror what you do and have.

The True Path is the most optimal and beneficial. When you sit and contemplate this you can get a sense of which way to go; which path to take. In those moments of choice when destiny awaits, you step forth carefully with wisdom.

Your true path is unique to you. Of the many choices, only one is the true one, the most optimal. Tao cultivators have learned that the Tao teachings reveal which path, is right and which is wrong. This one true path is that which has Oneness with the Tao and not the distracted side paths of the ego.

Here are some steps for finding and attaining Oneness with the Tao. This section is characterized by the virtue of Humility.

  • Humility becomes the way to self-honesty. With self-honesty, you can take ownership of your faults and change your ways. As you contemplate what this all means to you, ask yourself what you need to master to attain Oneness? What is it you will commit to? What speaks to you in such a way that you are willing to invest in and stick with for the long term. It is writing this book and sharing what I learn through blogging. I do this because I have seen it work in my life. This can be one of your most important decisions, so think carefully before vowing and committing to it.
  • As you consider this be truthful with your self-talk. What are you holding in your heart and mind? What is the underlying intention behind your consideration? Your motivation should come from a place of gratitude. Solid intention and a foundation of gratitude are necessary parts of the recipe for Oneness to work.
  • These two virtues will empower and motivate you to action, which is the next step in the process. As you experience the benefits of Oneness, the feeling of gratitude will join with the intention to share what you found with others. As you gain clarity and tranquility, Oneness arises. As you begin to master Oneness, you will look back at the past with a feeling of never wanting to repeat the lack of vision, the instability, the spiritual awakening, the lack of abundance, and the lack of leadership amongst your peers. Naturally, having transcended that, you will feel grateful for your newfound wisdom.  As you begin to attain Oneness, others will notice your success. They will want to know the secret, and you naturally attain leadership by request.
  • Then you will gladly take the next steps because you know how effective they are, and you want others to receive the same benefits. These actions become second nature and will compound over time, leading to a mastery of life.
  • The Protocol steps and levels listed above are:
    •  Commitment,
    • Intention,
    • Gratitude,
    •  Actions,
    • Mastery

There is an alchemy of bringing these spiritual ingredients together in such a way that the sum is greater than the individual parts. The result is Oneness and the One True Path. For true results, practice this every day until it becomes second nature over time. Be patient and remember why you committed to the process.

With Humility in your heart, you start over and begin taking small steps following the protocol above. Begin and build from the ground up so that you have a strong foundation. Make a commitment to yourself to finish what you start and do a good job. Success at this commitment will help you develop the right intention where you realize a sense of true gratitude about being able to improve your well-being, quality of life and longevity. With gratitude you take actions with courage and confidence because you know that the process works through experience. After a time of success, you will realize that are ascending toward Mastery. With mastery, comes the natural leadership for those who want to know how you do it. With Humility as your foundation, you will not let ego go to your head and stray from the path.

Know that you will have setbacks which are inevitable in training, so know what to do when it happens. Meditation and mindfulness are the self-management skills to deal with those days when can’t hold Oneness. When you can become aware of your cloudy and turbid mind you can find the Clarity and Tranquility that you need through meditation. Mindfulness practice helps you to pay attention and notice the moments when you have a lack of Clarity, and the mind is not tranquil.

When you lose your feeling of gratitude due to the inevitable times when the challenges of life temporarily distract us from our higher self. In those times you can step back (mentally) and remember those times in your life where you were experiencing life with contentment and joy.

  • Remember those things that you have experienced and are grateful for. Look at some photos of time where you were really enjoying life.
  • Remember how as you attained Clarity in other areas how it brought more success and joy to life.
  • Think of people who love you
  • Think of people who you love and enjoy spending your life with
  • Take some self-time to enjoy a moment in life again.
  • Look at all you have accomplished through Oneness up to this point.
  • Be humble and recognize the fault and resolve to do better.

Summary: Oneness is a powerful Tao Virtue that will improve every aspect of life that you practice it in. As stated in the beginning of this chapter, Oneness is reflected in every aspect of life, especially in spiritual longevity. Spiritual Longevity opens the way for Physical Longevity.

  • Cultivate Oneness through Meditation, Mindfulness, and Spiritual Cultivation.
  • Through Tranquility and Clarity, discover your true self and your true path.
  • Let humility and gratitude be the foundation virtue and guide for attaining Oneness
  • By adhering to and following your true path, you will transform your life by reducing suffering and achieving Well-being and Longevity.

 For a deeper insight into Oneness, watch the original lecture from Tao Teach Derek Lin.

Chapter 39 Part One: You are a mirror for all aspects of the Tao, Introduction to Oneness : https://youtu.be/r4ZEOQ5T194 April, 6th 2020

Chapter 39 Part Two:  – What happens when you do not have Oneness,

Section Two: Oneness

https://youtu.be/eR6UZoaQk20 April 20th, 2020

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Physical Longevity Is a Reflection of Spiritual Longevity

“The Tao of Longevity and Lasting Vision”

Acumulating virtues, means there is nothing one cannot overcome

When there is nothing that one cannot overcome,

One’s limits are unknown.

The limits being unknown, one can possess Sovereignty.

With this mother principle of power, one can be everlasting.

This is called deep roots and firm foundation.

The Tao of Longevity and Lasting Vision

Longevity is a topic that is becoming more prevalent these days, with fitness a $96 billion dollar industry worldwide. This may be driven by the collective ego of people who simply want to look good for everyone else. Yet there are plenty of people who are sick with chronic diseases who simply want to live longer and experience contentment. This is the group that I hope to offer assistance to. So rather than focus just on physical longevity, The Tao (the way, the path) of Longevity begins with Spiritual Longevity.

What is Spiritual Longevity? Like many spiritual traditions, Tao Cultivators understand that there is much more than just the physical aspect of “self”. For those who believe in reincarnation, there is a never-ending cycle of life and death in which the spirit experiences many lives. Too often these lives are filled with suffering and misery through no fault of their own. Yet in this modern age, there is a lot of suffering that people cause for themselves. The glaring question is why we as a society, especially Western Society, do this to ourselves.

Six in ten Americans live with at least one chronic disease, like heart disease and stroke, cancer, or diabetes. These and other chronic diseases are the leading causes of death and disability in America, and they are also a leading driver of health care costs.

Source: CDC (Center for Disease Control)

The answer I believe lies within. Too many people are dominated by ego-driving desires and distractions living in a waking dream of always striving for more. According to the CDC, six out of ten people cause themselves to be chronically ill, a category of self-caused suffering. The course of action to stop this destructive behavior is learning to control themselves. Or more specifically learning to control ego and desire. One must learn to wake up and become conscious and aware of what they are doing and why. The becomes the foundation of “self” discipline, where “self” is binary. The ego-self must be controlled by the spiritual self, also known as the “True Self”. This is the intent and purpose of spiritual cultivation which is internal. So before a person cannot effectively work on physical longevity, they must first awaken and cultivate spiritual longevity.

Your Destiny Is Not Predetermined

The sub-title to the new book and this blog, “Your Destiny Is Not Predermined”, means that you do not have to end up one of the 6 in 10 people who developed a chronic disease and die before you should. If you truly want to have a long successful life, you can become the sovereign ruler over your physical life and manage the ego so that the choices you make lead to a much better destiny. We make choices every moment of every day that creates our future. When we are awake and aware, consciously choosing those actions that are right, and promoting harmony, physical longevity will follow.

What is meant by waking up and paying attention? Most people who have not trained in mediation, do not comprehend just how distracted they are. Their busy minds are inundated with too much activity, stress, and drama. Their mindstream can be like a mountain river after a flash flood; out of control. Meditation is the state of being where the spirit, also considered to be the “observer” remains detached and awake, not lost in the incessant stream of thoughts and emotions. This is covered in detail in the book. Once awakened, the higher self becomes the Sovereign ruling life through wisdom and experience, avoiding the ego traps that cause suffering. This state of being is known as “self-awareness”. Once awake and aware, the observing true self (spirit) can pay attention to the mind and guard against ego takeover without being reactive to it. Through stillness, desire is dispelled and the ego becomes distant.

The term “Tao Cultivator” simply means one who cultivates the way. It is the way of reality, the way of living successfully, and with harmony in world around us. Harmony, as you will learn in the book, is no small thing. It is a powerful virtue, that through the cause and effect of Karma, turns the choices you make into the destiny of wellbeing. So if you want to truly have a long successful life, now and in future lifetimes, cultivate spiritual longevity and the physical will follow. Karmic affinity will follow your lives with the wisdom you attained, so that each time around you can improve and get better. Spiritual longevity is not just about this life, but also about the ones that will follow.

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