What Is Conscious Evolution? by Gregory Ellison

"Homo sapiens, the first truly free species, is about to decommission natural selection, the force that made us. ... Soon we must look deep within ourselves and decide what we wish to become." -- Edward O. Wilson Consilience, The Unity of Knowledge

Mankind is on the verge of an evolutionary leap in consciousness, to a whole new way of thinking and being that will put us as far above our present concept of "man" as modern man is above our stone age ancestors.

Until roughly the present time, the forces of evolution have been external to mankind. Whether we think of these forces as essentially physical/biological, or essentially spiritual, in either case we have not consciously directed the course of our own evolution. This is simply where the journey has brought us.

But no more. From this point forward we will consciously participate in the direction of our own evolution. We will become what we choose to become.

There are many things that point to this moment in history as a time of major transformation. Religious and spiritual prophecy from many different traditions point to this period as the "end times" where the old world falls away and the new millennium arises. Astrology recognizes this as the dawning of the "age of Aquarius," a transformation to spiritual awareness, peace and brotherhood.

But we need not rely on myth or revelation to know that we now chart our own destiny: science and technology too inform us that we will soon have the capacity to alter our own genetic code, extend our life expectancy, and expand our capabilities far beyond those nature has bestowed on us. Already we do not need wings to fly above the mountaintops, nor gills to swim the depths of the sea. We can throw our voices around the world at the speed of light, transmute matter to energy in nuclear reactors (and bombs), stroll on the surface of the moon.

We have superseded natural selection. Where once we were at the mercy of our environment, now our environment is at our mercy.

And therein lies the rub: we have become powerful enough to make ourselves extinct, and we stand shuddering at the doorway to this brave new world because we are scared silly that we might do just that!

We have grown in knowledge and power beyond the wildest dreams of our ancestors, but our wisdom has not kept pace. In fact, it might be argued that human wisdom has taken giant steps backward since the astrological, shamanistic and mystical traditions that flowered thousands of years ago!

Our politics today are still based on the model of domination-oriented city-states that characterized the ancient Sumerian empire, our economics are still based on the same model of amassing personal wealth, our interpersonal relationships are still based on possessiveness and ego gratification.

The day of reckoning has come: unparalleled power without the wisdom to balance it is a mortal danger to all life. Unless our collective wisdom makes a quantum leap to match our Godlike power, we can look forward only to global warfare, totalitarian domination, and predatory consumption and waste-production, culminating in ecological suicide. What will we become?

The good news is, we are now at a turning point. Mankind is now in the process of shifting our normal state of awareness from an individual/ego point of view to a global/spiritual point of view, and our basic choice is to cooperate with that process and help it along, or to resist it. We can usher in a world transformed by Love and spirit, or see our world mired in the dark extremes of the unbalanced direction we have been heading. We get to choose.

The system of thought that has structured our collective reality until now is hierarchical organization:

This is the familiar "top down" model of organization that we use to structure nearly everything we think about. As you can see, it looks like a corporate organization chart among other things, with the CEO at the top and the workers at the bottom.

This is how we think about everything. It is how we organize scientific knowledge, how we classify library books, and how we organize our sports tournaments! It is also how we structure society, with kings, dictators and presidents at the top, bureacrats and the wealthy "upper class" in the middle, and the "unwashed masses (peasants) at the bottom. It is a "pecking order" view of reality.

There is nothing wrong with hierarchy - it is a mental tool that has served us well in many ways, making scientific progress possible and enabling our rational mastery of many challenges of the material world. But, like the once-useful notions of a flat earth in the center of the universe, it has outlived its usefulness as a model of reality.

The Universe as we are coming to understand it now is not a competition for position in a pecking order, but a harmonious unfolding of creative potential as separate "parts" merge into greater "wholes." The new consciousness sees the world through holistic eyes, as a holarchy rather than a hierarchy. In a holarchy, every element is in direct communication with every other element, but none are "above" or "below" each other. The relationships are not among superiors and subordinates, but rather among essentially equal "parts" and the "whole" that emerges from them.

In a hierarchy, order is imposed from the top down. In a holarchy, order emerges from the bottom up. When a studio producer hires musicians, assigns them parts to play, and hands out musical scores, that's hierarchy. When several musicians get together to jam and they gradually develop a "groove" together, that's holarchy.

Every part is a whole, and every whole is a part. Anything you can think of - a toaster, a galaxy, a supermarket, or your next door neighbor - is a "whole" made up of "parts." At the same time, it is also part of a larger whole, or perhaps many larger wholes. Your next door neighbor, for example, is a part of the human race (or so we hope!) What's more, every whole is similar to every other whole in some respects.

For example, atoms are composed of many sub-atomic particles such as protons and electrons. In turn, each "whole" atom is itself a "part" of a larger whole, such as a molecule. Going up the scale, the molecule is part of a cell, the cell is part of an animal, the animal is part of the living planet, and the planet is part of the solar system. And oddly enough, the electrons circling the nucleus of the atom bear a strange resemblance to the planets circling the Sun!

Every part is a whole, and every whole is a part.

Conscious Evolution is the evolution of consciousness to the next stage of awareness - the "awakening" of the parts to their awareness as a whole. Simply put, we are now living through the birth pains of the planetary mind!

Of course, this is not a new concept - the idea that "we are all ONE" is the fundamental notion of all mystical thought. But until now it has often been seen as a threatening idea, because it implies that we will lose our individual identities while being absorbed into a mystical one-ness with all life. We are afraid to take this leap for the same reason we are afraid to die, even though we "believe" in eternal life. The ego has been all-powerful for a long time, and it likes it that way!

But the new consciousness is showing us that this is an unfounded fear ... wholes emerge from their parts, they do not replace them! A single cell of my body is a living "creature" in itself, but when it joins with other cells to create a "higher" organism (me!) it doesn't lose anything of itself. It still has its own "identity" - its own boundaries, and its own limited consciousness - but to that is added the newly emergent properties of a human being, including my greater range of conscious awareness.

When the transcendant global mind emerges from our individual consciousnesses, we will not "lose" ourselves - instead, we will gain a perspective that puts an end to all war and hatred and the thousand-and-one faces of man's inhumanity to man. Can you imagine the cells of your right hand going to war against the cells of your left hand? Of course not! Nor will I harm my brother when I know in the very core of my being that to harm him is to harm myself.

Having taken the leap of Conscious Evolution, we still look out on the world through the same eyes in the same familiar body. But we know that the "I" who looks out through these eyes is the same "I" who looks out through all eyes. We identify ourselves as something much larger than our individual bodies and egos ... and that makes all the difference!

The mission of the Conscious Evolution website is to support this transition, both intellectually and through concrete activities and spiritual practices that aid the emergence of the new consciousness.

The features, articles, and discussions you will find here support this mission in an eclectic way, through traditional approaches like astrology and other spiritual paths, as well as state-of-the art insights drawn from general systems theory, cybernetics and quantum physics. There are many paths up the mountain, but the view from the summit is all the same. Call it cosmic consciousness, enlightenment, union with God ... or call it Love.

Welcome to Conscious Evolution!

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About Conscious Evolution - Linda Goodman Forums

We could all use a little motivation in our lives! Here are 10 powerful personal development quotes to help inspire you into taking more action to get the results that you deserve!

James Allen As a Man Thinketh

Andr Gide Autumn Leaves

T Harv Eker Secrets of the Millionaire Mind

Epictetus Enchiridion

Gandhi

Mark Twain

Steve Jobs

Albert Einstein

Oprah Winfrey

Tony Robbins

Do you have some favorite personal development quotes that you would love to share? Leave me a comment below and let me know if one of these quotes inspired you, or if you have a favorite that should be added to this list. I appreciate you for taking time to read this post!

This post was written by a guest blogger on this network, if you would like to write posts on this blog, learn more at KalatuBlog.com

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10 Personal Development Quotes To Motivate You!

The Cincinnati Zen Center was founded in 1994 and is part of the Furnace Mountain Sangha, a world-wide Zen community under the direction of Guiding Teacher Zen Master Dae Gak.

The intention of the CZC is to provide a space and the support of community for those looking directly into the matter of this human life so that all beings may be free of suffering. Membership is not required for participation. In the spirit of Sokei-An, the first Zen teacher in America: All who come are welcome and those who leave are not pursued.

Other local centers affiliated with Furnace Mountain include the Northern Kentucky Zen Center, the Zen Fellowship of Dayton and the Christian Meditation Group at Northern Hills United Methodist Church in Cincinnati. See our Weekly Schedule for details.

The Cincinnati Zen Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit religious organization solely supported by donations, event fees, and the generosity of its participants. See our Membership page for details on ways to contribute.

Thank you for your interest in the CZC and in the Dharma. May your efforts save all beings from suffering.

Myogetsu Osho, Resident Teacher Todd Juengling, Abbot Mark Shores, Vice Abbot

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Cincinnati Zen Center - Ohio Buddhist Meditation Practice Sangha

Sahaja Yoga means spontaneous union from within. It is an enhanced and enjoyable meditative state of awareness where thoughts are slowed down and stopped. At this level, our sense of self broadens and we start to understand the bigger picture of our existence. There is no trance, hypnotism or creative visualization involved.

To achieve this state one only needs the desire to experience it and a vibrational spark from another to awaken an inner energy called Kundalini. As the energy rises, it enlivens the subtle chakra system that controls many aspects of our lives.

In the short term we gain peace and joy from a pleasant meditation. But with longer-term practice, we open ourselves to transformation as negative and destructive energies and influences in our lives are gradually self-exposed and thus easily discarded. Our system becomes cleansed and we evolve into a better state of balance physically, mentally and emotionally.

Sahaja Yoga International

A registered non-profit group under the name of Vishwa Nirmala Dharma, Sahaja Yoga Meditation is active in cities throughout the US and in more then 100 countries worldwide. It was founded in 1970 by Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi (1923 2011), who was the wife of retired 4-time UN Maritime Secretary General, Sir CP Srivastava. There is not, nor has there ever been a charge for the practice of Sahaja Yoga Meditation. Money cannot buy what has already been created inside. More information maybe found at http://sahajameditation.com/

You can log on anytime to enjoy a free Sahaja Meditation online course at the website, http://www.onlinemeditation.org/

You can join online guided sessions EVERY DAY (Monday Friday) at 8 PM EST at the following link, http://live.sahajameditation.com/stream Here, you will also find the pre-recorded session which will let you meditate any time in case you are unable to attend the live session.

Sahaja Meditation is a unique discovery. Its spontaneous awakening of the internal energy is a precious personal experience. As you meditate, you will notice the positive changes in you and around you. Sahaja practice draws on the great strength of group meditation, which has a more pronounced effect on the practitioner, and we invite you to attend more classes to enjoy growing deeper in your journey of self-discovery.

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Sahaja Meditation in Cincinnati | Free Meditation Instruction ...

We welcome all who want to learn more about Zen Buddhist meditation. Our vibrant community is committed to Zen practice and teachings, and offers daily sitting meditation, weekly classes and lectures, and monthly intensive meditation retreats.

Our Center is located on the eastern shore of Lake Calhoun in south Minneapolis. People from all over the region come to here to listen to talks by teachers, attend classes and workshops, participate in retreats, attend services, and, most importantly, to do sitting meditation (zazen).

A good place to begin would be Introduction to Zen Meditation on Sunday mornings or Tuesday evenings. Each session includes meditation instruction and teaching on how meditation and Zen relate to daily life.

For Introduction to Zen Meditation join us any Sunday morning or Tuesday night and then return the next three Sundays/Tuesdays to complete the four-week cycle. The four parts are not sequential, so you may attend them in any order. You are welcome to attend as many sessions as you like, but attend all four for the best overview. These classes are open to all with no pre-registration necessary. Admission is first come, first served, and the class often fills. We advise that you come a few minutes early. Those who can't attend the Introduction generally stay and enjoy the talk in the main hall instead. Donations are gratefully accepted.

The class meets every Sunday from 10:00 11:00 a.m. and each Tuesday 7:30 8:30 p.m. Participants are welcome to stay for tea and social hour after the class.

If you are visiting MZMC to fulfill a class requirement, we suggest attending the talk in the main hall on Sunday at 10 a.m. or Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

Nothing Holy About It: The Zen of Being Just Who You Are by Guiding Teacher Tim Burkett published by Shambhala Publications in April 2015

Tim's new book was published this spring. He is currently touring the Bay Area for the month of September. Click here for more information on the tour and the book. Click here to listen to his recent talk on the book at San Francisco Zen Center. Click here to order the book.

Sunday mornings and Tuesday evenings are good times to become familiar with the MZMC community. The weekly talk (same talk is given Sunday morning at 10 a.m. and Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m.) provides continued learning about Zen Buddhism and offers you a chance to know the teachers more fully. You are invited to join us for any part of the Sunday and Tuesday schedules. We hope to see you then!

Sunday Morning Schedule 9:10 Meditation 9:30 Short Stretch Break 9:50 Meditation Ends 10:00 Introduction to Zen Meditation 10:00 Sunday Talk Click here for a list of Sunday/Tuesday Speakers 11:00 Tea/Social Time (except during retreats)

Tuesday Evening Schedule 6:40 Meditation 7:00 Short Stretch Break 7:20 Meditation Ends 7:30-8:15 Tuesday Talk Click here for a list of Sunday/Tuesday Speakers 7:30-8:30 Introduction to Zen Meditation 8:15-9:00 Tea/Social Time (except during retreats)

Click here to listen to Sunday/Tuesday Talks online

Subscribe to our Sunday/Tuesday Talks podcast using iTunes.

To subscribe to our Sunday/Tuesday Talks podcast with another service, use this rss feed:http://mnzencenter.org/audio/rss.xml

Activites are listed here on the "Home" page for convenience but can also be found under the "Schedule" tab and on the calendar.

Dharma Family Sundays Coordinated by Susan Nelson Second Sunday of each month 11:45 am 12:45 pm, with tea and social time at 11:00 am This group will not meet when retreats are taking place. Please check the calendar. By donation; no preregistration required

Dharma Family Sundays is for parents and children of all ages to come together to share the dharma with stories, meditation, songs, activities and food. This is a time for parents to share their practice place with the rest of the family and for children and parents to make connections with others in the Zen community, (not limited to members of MZMC).

Fall Practice Period: Nothing Holy About It (Tim's new book!) with Tim Burkett and Wanda Isle Wednesday evenings, October 7 November 18, and Monday, November 23, 7:15 8:45 p.m. (There is also a morning option for those who cannot attend Wednesday evenings: Thursdays, 7:30 9:00 a.m.) Cost: $145 members; $180 nonmembers Register Please register five days in advance.

In this practice period (led by Tim Burkett with the assistance of Wanda Isle) we will read and reflect on the first half of Tim's book, Nothing Holy About It. In the first two chapters we'll reflect on ways in which our longing for a timeless joy may be transformed into a powerful aspiration to realize and manifest this joy. In chapter 3 we'll discuss how this penetrating joy is actually an aspect of who we already are. Then in chapters 4 and 5 we'll see how the path to joy leads right through the fear body. But we don't have to get stuck there. Chapters 6 & 7 offer ways to move through the fear body to the abiding joy that is always with us.

Participants are expected to attend the eight weekly meetings, commit to regular zazen practice, attend at least one day of retreat and one work practice day, read the assigned text(s), and have regular meetings with an assigned practice partner.

Zen Forms and Etiquette with Bussho Lahn Choose one the following dates: October 16 or November 29 5:30 6:30 p.m. Suggested donation: $10 Register Please register five days in advance.

This class is one-hour long. The same information is covered each time. We will cover the basics of traditional Zen forms: bows, entries and exits, walking meditation, etc. This offering is designed for the newcomer who would like an overview of forms to help them be more comfortable when joining us for morning zazen or one of our sesshins. It is also a great refresher course for those more experienced.

Sitting with Sutras: A Contemplative Afternoon with Bussho Lahn Saturday, October 10, 12 3 pm Cost: $30 members; $35 non-members Register Please register five days in advance.

Spend a weekend afternoon in silent contemplation with some of the great words of Buddhism. We'll read short passages from the sutras, listening deeply as we prepare to enter into silence with them. Short periods of shared reading will be followed by longer intervals of meditative silence as we quiet our ordinary minds in order to immerse ourselves in the experience underlying the words.

Half-Day Sesshin October 17 with Bussho Lahn Hours: 5:45 am noon Cost: $30 members; $40 nonmembers Register Please register five days in advance.

This brief immersion in the traditional sesshin schedule is a good opportunity to become familiar with the forms, stay in practice, or brush up after some time away. This morning includes an orientation, zazen, kinhin (walking meditation), liturgy, a formal vegetarian breakfast using oryoki bowls, and one-to-one meetings with the teacher.

Fall Work Practice Afternoons Sunday, October 18, 11:45 am 3:45 pm Saturday, November 7, 11 am 3 pm

Work practice is our opportunity to give our efforts to the community by taking care of the space we share. In work practice we can express the essence of Zen, the delight of mindful activity, and appreciation of the manifest world.

Work practice afternoons include a vegetarian lunch or snack, so please let us know in advance if you plan to attend. Thank you. info@mnzencenter.org

One-Day Retreat November 14 with Guy Gibbon Hours: 8 am 5 pm Cost: $50 members; $65 nonmembers Register Please register five days in advance.

One-Day Retreats are conducted in a contemporary context, without the formal elements involved in sesshin. They include walking and sitting meditation, a dharma talk, one-to-one meetings with the teacher, a vegetarian buffet lunch, and work practice. Meditators at all levels of experience are invited.

Rohatsu Sesshin 2015 with Tim Burkett Seven-day option: Sun., November 29, 7 pm Sun., Dec. 6, 4 pm Five-day option: Wed., December 2, 5:45 am Sun., Dec. 6, 4 pm Two-day option: Sat., December 5, 5:45 am Sun. Dec. 6, 4 pm One-day option: Sat., December 5, 5:45 am Sat. Dec. 5, 9 pm Hours for full days: 5:45 am 9:00 pm

Cost for seven days: member $335; nonmember $435 Cost for five days: member $250; nonmember $325 Cost for two days: member $100; nonmember $130 Cost for one day: member $50; nonmember $65 Register Please register five days in advance.

Rohatsu (Buddha's Enlightenment) sesshin is arguably the year's most important event for Zen Buddhists. All over the world we sit in meditation, celebrating Buddha's awakening to an intimacy with all life as our own awakening. This formal retreat includes zazen, kinhin (walking meditation), liturgy, dharma talks, formal vegetarian meals using oryoki, dokusan (one-to-one meetings with the teachers), and work practice. All participants should attend the orientation on Sunday, November 29, at 7 p.m.

The MZMC primer series is composed of short overviews of topics of interest in Soto Zen Buddhism and in Buddhism more generally. The series is intended to give readers a comprehensive, but brief, introduction to a topic. Click here for more information and to download primers.

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Minnesota Zen Meditation Center

Eckhart Tolle is author of the New York Times #1 best seller The Power of Now and the highly acclaimed follow-up A New Earth, which are widely regarded as two of the most influential spiritual books of our time. He is also a pioneer in using technology to disseminate his teachings. Through EckhartTolleTV.com, he gives monthly talks, live meditations, and answers questions from viewers.

Not aligned with any particular religion or tradition, Tolle excludes none. His profound yet simple teachings have already helped countless people throughout the world find inner peace and greater fulfillment in their lives. At the core of his teachings lies the transformation of consciousness, a spiritual awakening that he sees as the next step in human evolution. An essential aspect of this awakening is transcending our ego-based state of consciousness, a prerequisite not only for personal happiness but also for ending violence on our planet.

Eckhart was born in Germany and educated at the Universities of London and Cambridge. At the age of 29, a profound spiritual transformation virtually dissolved his old identity and radically changed the course of his life. The next few years were devoted to understanding, integrating, and deepening that transformation, which marked the beginning of an intense inward journey. Later, he began to work with individuals and groups as a counselor and spiritual teacher.

Widely recognized as one of the most original and inspiring spiritual teachers of the modern age, he now travels and teaches throughout the world.

I keep Eckharts book at my bedside. I think its essential spiritual teaching. Its one of the most valuable books Ive ever read. Oprah Winfrey, Oprah.com

I would do anything to be anywhere in the vicinity of Eckhart Tolle. Jim Carrey, actor

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Eckhart Tolle | Omega

To the uninitiated, Eckhart Tolle might be mistaken for a nature photographer. His personaa soft German-accented voice, a boyish visage, his love of vestsdoesnt exactly scream, guru! Yet Tolle is one of the worlds most popular spiritual teachers and a literary powerhouse whose best-selling books The Power of Now and A New Earth have influenced millions.

Born in Germany, educated at the universities of London and Cambridge, and now a resident of Vancouver, Canada, Tolle writes and lectures on the evolution of human consciousness. His work synthesizes many world views and spiritual teachings, including those of Buddhism, the New Testament, the Bhagavad Gita, and the German mystic Bo Yin Raall delivered with wry, gentle insights.

Tolle has embraced new technology to connect with others, airing videos and live feeds of his lectures and guided meditations on his web channel, Eckhart Tolle TV. In June, he plans to be in San Francisco, where hell record new material to share. S&H Editor-in-Chief Karen Bouris spoke with Tolle recently about how we can best deal with daily human challengesboth personal and collectiveand transform them into opportunities.

Why are people so focused on this notionof enlightenment?

If people are focused on enlightenmentor whatever word they are using to describe self-realization or awakeningat least theyve realized that the answer does not lie in external things. They have realized that the answer lies within rather than in obtaining more possessions, or achieving this or that, or changing the world out there. So its a good thing. Its a transitional stage from the normal state of consciousness, where all the solutions and problems are seen as external, to realizing that whatever we experience as our external reality is a reflection of our inner state of consciousness.

Its true that the people who are looking for enlightenment are a minority. In ordinary human existence, people want to find the ideal partner, acquire more things, gain power, or acquire a better body. And in ordinary consciousness, you look to those things for salvation, fulfillment, and happiness. As youre beginning to awaken, you realize its not there. But even for those who are beginning to awaken, the old mind patternthe deeply ingrained pattern that always looks to the future for fulfillment and salvationstill tends to operate.

So, even when we are searching, we are stilllooking toward the future?

Yes. This mind pattern assumes that the future is going to be more important than the present. It ignores the present moment, does not honor it, and does not give it its due. I have met people who have been spiritual seekers for 20 years, have read hundreds of books, attended workshops, gone to ashrams in Indiaand they are getting frustrated, asking, When am I going to get it? When am I going to get enlightened?

The actual experience of awakening can only be in the present moment. The future does not exist, because nobody has ever experienced it. You can only ever experience a present moment. The future is a mental projection that you are having in the present moment. Im not talking about the practical aspects of the future, like booking a flight or planning what you want to do this year, but the psychological future. Thats where we can get trapped. If you are always focused on the future, you miss the reality of life, which is the present moment.

When people get very old, there isnt much future left, so they tend to focus mainly on the past. But they are still not in the present moment. Life is now.

How do you catch yourself from drifting into the past or the future, maybe even avoiding the present moment?

Whenever you get drawn back into the mind and into the future, youll notice it because usually you dont feel so good anymore. You become upset, discontented, irritated, depressed. It means you lost the present moment, you lost the vertical dimension, and you lost awareness of yourself as consciousness. [Youre back to being] a mind-created person with this limited personal history and a mind- created little me, the ego. Its never satisfied for long.

You can only break through to a deeper level of ones self in the vertical dimension of the present moment. Thats regardless of the circumstances of your life. So many people say, Oh, if I had more free time, if I didnt have to worry about my finances, or I didnt have this or that, I could dedicate all my life to spiritual awakening. Wouldnt that be great?

Yes, the idea of the monk sitting peacefully on themountaintop.

It would not be great, because its through the very challenges of daily life that you become more motivated to awaken. You can actually use whatever the circumstances are, and instead of working against them, see if you can align yourself with the present moment internally.

When people talk of being present, though, there is this idea theyll only encounter good, positive feelings. Can you talk about observing presence, as you call it, in the face of negative feelings or situations?

Its important to bring awareness into whatever arises in the present moment. Negative feelings arise, and negative is not a moral judgment; it just means it doesnt feel good.

The difference between being aware and being unaware of the negative feelings is that when theres a lack of awareness, then you get completely taken over by those negative feelings. Theres no inner space anymore, and you think, say, and do things that are controlled by that negative energy inside you.

Often it happens that people get taken over by that temporarily, and then when they become a little bit more conscious again, they say, Oh, how could I have done that? or, How could I have said that?

So the difference is, when the same thing happens again and you become irritated, you become angry, whatever it isreactive in some waysad or depressed, theres an awareness that this is happening to you. You have the observing presence in the background thats more who you are rather than the emotion. You are still there as it happens.

Can you give an example of an observing presence?

Lets say youre in a long line at the supermarket or the airport. The line isnt moving and youre getting irritated and angry. If youre present with it, you may realize its not the line thats causing you to be angry. Its your mind, whatever your mind is telling you. And the emotions are your bodys reactions to your thoughts about the situation. Thats a very important realization, because now an element of choice comes in. You see that it just makes your life unpleasant to be feeling those thingsthe irritation and anger serve no purpose. It doesnt change the situation. And now you have the choice of letting go of those thoughts, to experiment to see what the situation is like when you dont attach these thoughts to it. Youre in the same situation, totally free of negativity.

What about dealing with other people? Isnt that harder?

You have a lot of power and freedom to become free internally from external conditions. That includes other people and whatever they do and how they behave. They no longer have the power to determine your inner state of consciousness.

If you meet a person whos rude to you, for example, your thoughts automatically are, You shouldnt behave like that! But of course, these thoughts conflict with reality, because the person is behaving like that. [When you are observing,] youre able to let go of those thoughts. Youve realized the fallacy of internally arguing with what is. And you can simply be with what is in any given situation.

How should we look at global challengesthings like climate changefrom this place of awareness? Is it a response of my ego, for example, to think that I have a responsibility to help save the planet?

Personal challenges can sometimes be quite big, whether theyre challenges with health, finances, or relationships. Yet sometimes those personal ones are actually connected to the larger challenges in the collective.

We need to save the planet, of course. Yes, its true that we need to save the planet. But lets not fall into the erroneous thinking that all the solutions are out there somewhere. Because most of the problemsviolence, pollution, war, terrorismall those things have their origin in human consciousness or unconsciousness. So your primary responsibility is not doing anything outside of you; your primary responsibility is your own state of consciousness. And once that is achieved, then whatever you do and whomever you come into contact with, and even many people you dont come into direct contact with, get affected by your state of consciousness.

If you dont take responsibility for your state of consciousness, and you believe all the solutions are out there, then you fall into errors like they did with communism, for example. The initial motivation for communism was actually idealistic; it was good. The proponents said, Theres so much injustice in the worldthere are people who are exploiting millions of others, which was true. They wanted to create a society that was more just and fair and do away with personal property. It all sounded wonderful, but what they had neglected was there was no change in their state of consciousness. And once they got into power, they re-created the same evils. What they ended up with was as bad as, if not worse than, what they had fought against. So many revolutions have ended up like that. Initially people had good intentions, but good intentions are not enough if you bring your old state of consciousness to them.

So if you have awareness, then you can beginto engage in awakened doing?

Yes. Awakened doing is when you dont create suffering anymore for othersor for yourselfby your own actions. It also implies that your primary intention, the focus of your attention, is on the doing in the present moment, rather than the result that you want to achieve through it. Joy flows into what you do, rather than stress. Stressful energy arises when you think some future moment is more important than the present moment, and the doing becomes only a means to an end. Many people look always to the end of the workday, or the end of the week, or the next vacation or a better job. Millions of people live in almost continual stress because they are not aligned with the present moment.

In some of your books, you mention the imbalance between the male and the female energy. Can you talk more about this?

Yes. Male energy doesnt necessarily mean men, and female energy doesnt necessarily mean confined to women. But male energy resonates more with doing, and the female energy resonates more with being. The world is out of balance because it is focused primarily on the doing, and there is a loss of the awareness of being. This is when stress and negativity arise: when people try to get things done and they no longer are centered within that aware space of being. You cannot feel your being anymore; you cannot feel the consciousness behind all the doing. So many women these days have internalized the imbalance and are also out of touch with being more focused on doing.

Both society as a whole and individual humans needto find some kind of inner balance between the ability to be still and the ability to do. Personally, Im more in the feminine realm than in the male realm. Im much more drawn to being than doing. Every human needs to look within to find some kind of balance. In the famous symbol of the yin and yang, the two sides are embracing each other. But in the middle of the white side there is a black spot, and in the middle of the black side there is a white spot. Even within the stillness, there needs to be the dynamic quality of doing so that you dont go to sleep. And when youre doing, there needs to be a stillness at the center. Otherwise youll lose yourself in the doing.

Its sounds so simple, the idea of balancing presenceand stillness. So why does it feel hard?

The difficulty is the shift from the old consciousness to the new, because the old consciousness still has a momentum behind it. When we step out of the old consciousness, yes, the transition may be difficult, but the more we embody and live through the new consciousness, life actually gets easier for us. It doesnt mean that there wont be any more challenges; the challenges will continue to come, but youll find youre more capable of meeting the challenges when you arent creating the negativity around them. S&H

One Perfect Sentence

You may remember the book The Road Less Traveled. The first sentence of that book is Life is difficult. I think its the best beginning of any book Ive read, says Tolle, referring to the 1978 classic by M. Scott Peck, a psychiatrist who blended theology and science in the study of human behavior. He says once you accept the fact that life is difficult, its not really difficult anymore. Its only when you think it shouldnt be, that it makes it very hard. Were here, were meant to be challenged by life, and that is part of the how consciousness evolves.

Tolle asks us to imagine a world where we could all choose our own life circumstances. Everyone would say, I want love. I want to have absolute financial security. I would like to have perfect health. I would like to have a wonderful and happy relationship with no conflict, children who are no problem. A good job, a fulfilling job. But if you actually had that ideal life, he says, it would not contribute to your awakening. Its the very things that we dont want that provide the motivation for becoming more conscious.

Originally posted here:
Eckhart Tolle: The Easier Path | Spirituality & Health Magazine

"Just as in the great ocean there is but one taste the taste of salt, so in this Doctrine and Discipline there is but one taste the taste of freedom." - The Buddha

Buddhism teaches that every human being has the potential to become happier, kinder and wiser - even infinitely so. The Buddha was a human being who, through his own efforts, realized the Path to Enlightenment. Rooted in awareness that all things are impermanent and constantly subject to change, Buddhist teachings are a means by which, through our efforts, we too can realize our fullest potential.

The Seattle Buddhist Center is part of an international Buddhist movement known as the Triratna Buddhist Community (formerly the Friends of the Western Buddhist Order). The Triratna Buddhist Community is dedicated to communicating Buddhist teachings in a context that is both understandable and appropriate for the modern Western world.

The Seattle Buddhist Center is a great resource for newcomers to Buddhism. We offer ongoing introductory classes on meditation and Buddhism in a welcoming and casual atmosphere. Our introductory meditation courses are good place to learn how to meditate, whether you consider yourself a Buddhist or not.

We offer a wide variety of activities using many different approaches to practice. Visitors and members are encouraged to participate to the degree that they feel comfortable. Although we have a strong and dedicated core membership, our approach is casual and friendly, and we are always happy to see new faces.

The Seattle Buddhist Center is entirely volunteer-run. To find out how you can support us, check out our 2015 Pledge Drive.

Continued here:
Seattle Buddhist Center Home

According to Benjamin Radcliff, the key beliefs of Zen focus primarily on The Four Noble Truths and The Noble Eightfold Path.

In general, Zen is different from other religious groups. Zen is not a religion in the sense that religion is generally understood. Zen has no God to worship, no ceremonial rights to observe, no "future abode" to which the dead are destined. Zen is free of all dogmatic principles that Christianity and other religions are tied to. Zen has no set doctrines which are imposed on its followers for acceptance. Zen teachings come out of one's own mind. It is addressed to the human heart. It is a living experience, a "creative impulse."

All major religions, Buddhism included, have split into schools and sects. But the different sects of Buddhism have never gone to war with each other and they go to each others temples and worship together. This understanding by the different Buddhist sects is vary rare. Buddhism has evolved in different forms so it can be relevant to different cultures. For example, the practice of Zen Buddhism is different among the Chinese, Americans, and Japanese. Becuase Zen Buddhism is the creation of the T'ang dynasty in China (where it originated), it is difficult for Anglo-Saxons and the Japanese to absorb anything quite so chinese as Zen. The Chinese practices involves the achievement and respect for a vision of a universal way of nature, where in good and evil are both considered as parts of existence. Japanese Zen promotes rigid self-discipline and was popular among the Samurai class. Meanwhile, American Zen is self-conscious and subjective and is used to justify life and one's desires. The types of Buddhism all may seem very different but at the center of all of them is the Four Noble Truths and The Eightfold Path.

Zen @ Sunsite If you are wondering what Zen is, this is a link for you. It gives you some direction on what sites to explore based on what you want to discover about the wonderful world of Zen. Included are links to The Electronic Bodhidarma, The Zen Garden, and The Zen Mountain Monastery. Also, one can explore Zen "texts" by taking a peak at this site. http://sunsite.unc.edu/zen/

Journal of Buddhist Ethics Click here to explore the many global resources for Buddhist studies. Connect yourself to the Center for Buddhist Studies in Taiwan or perhaps you want to visit the Albuquerque Zen Center or the Toronto center. Introduce yourself to the study of Buddhism in a "global" way. http://www.psu.edu/jbe/resource.html

Dark Zen: The Teachings of Mystical Zen Watch this website to explore the teachings of Dark Zen. Read the essays and lectures on Mystical Zen and join in on the Zennist e-mail discussion group. Perhaps an on-line chat group would answer your uncertainties about Zen. Come take a trip the Zennist and explore the Buddha mind. http://www.teleport.com/~zennist/zennist.html

Nifty Links to Buddhist Sites This "nifty" link provides connections to "women active in buddhism," a link to additional Buddhist resources, Tibetan Buddhism, Zen Buddhism + links to many more fascinating and educating sites. Come explore some nifty links to enhance your knowledge about Buddhism. http://www.lancs.ac.uk/staff/miltonj/buddhism.htm

The Ultimate Buddhism Glossary A great way to introduce oneself to the Buddhist religion! A large index of Buddhist terms. Differences between Mahayana Buddhism from Theravada. Also The Five Precepts, The Four Noble Truths, and The Eightfold Path are simply defined so anyone can understand these concepts. http://www.uwyo.edu/A&S/RELSTDS/budglent.htm

Rich Resources on Buddhism This is a link to the Buddhist studies database of Taiwan University: a very rich resource in Buddhist text collections and Buddhist scholarly works. An excellent research tool for one interested in doing an in depth examination on the Buddhist faith. Very up-to-date! http://www2.gol.com/users/acmuller/index.html

Buddhism China Established by East Asian Libraries, this megalink provides connections to sites on Buddhism, including the Buddhism Virtual Library. Other links include Buddhist art, journals and periodicals, and an abundance of resource materials and texts. http://www.uoregon.edu/%7Efelsing/cstuff/bud.html

Questions about Zen This link provides those interested in discovering the world of Zen with answers to frequently asked questions. Questions concerning the history of Zen, the spirituality of Zen, Zen writings, and the experience of Zen practices in meditation all are answered and easily understood by those unfamiliar with Zen practices and Zen faith. This link also provides an introductory reading list for those who become interested in further exploring the wonderful world of Zen Buddhism. http://www.teleport.com/~zennist/zenfaq.html

The Buddhist Resource File Take a look at this immense list of Buddhist resources on Buddhist activities and literature. It provides an index that easily accesses the web browser to different Buddhist associations, centers, texts, and more..... Come explore the different schools of Buddhism by clicking on this incredibly resourceful link. http://www.io.com/~cin/bibliography.html

The Buddha Room This site provides links to those who seek more of an understanding of Buddhism. It guides you to Buddhist resources on the internet as well as Zen organizations and sources. http://edge.edge.net/~jimreid/buddha1.htm

Iriz Home Page Boasts one of the largest collections of Buddhist primary texts materials on the internet. Includes Zen art, zen centers, news, and many more interesting topics for the Zen Buddhist navigator. http://www.iijnet.or.jp/iriz/irizhtml/irizhome.htm

Zen: Lineage of Master Deshimaru A great website to find understanding to what is Zen, the posture of Zazen, Zen in western countries, and Master Kosen Thibaut. Also provides links to Zen hot lists, teachings, and even a Zen Master on Line! http:www.cwi.nl/~gruau/

Zen Buddhism Provides links to understanding Zen Buddhism by providing links to resources and information, magazines, and newsletters, and teachings. http://www.math.uic.edu/~dturk/zen.html

A Lighter Side of Buddhism Are you tired of reading dry and dull topics on Buddhism..if so, click on this link. According to this site, Buddha was known to have a good sense of humor. This link presents some funny short stories, comments on Buddhism, and links to another "Buddha World." http://www.cologne.de/~cmtan/buddhism/Lighter/index.html

A Spiritual Quest In search for spirit? This link provides related Zen/Buddhist sites on the web that have much to offer. Some sites that are included are: The Zen Web of Original Mind, Zen Mountain Monastery, and a guide to meditation. http://www.hnt.com/tc/spirit.html

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Zen Buddhism - Primus Canada

Psychedelic experience is only a glimpse of genuine mystical insight, but a glimpse which can be matured and deepened by the various ways of meditation in which drugs are no longer necessary or useful.If you get the message, hang up the phone. For psychedelic drugs are simply instruments, like microscopes, telescopes, and telephones. The biologist does not sit with eye permanently glued to the microscope, he goes away and works on what he has seen.

Alan Watts

Alan Watts (1915-1973) was one of the foremost interpreters and popularizer of Zen, eastern and western philosophy and psychedelics. A poet, an ex-priest, a modern mystic and a close friend of Aldous Huxley.He was a critic of modern society, especially with regards to its infinite feeble attempts to bring everything under its control. He always saw the big joke of it all, continually making fun of institutions and gurus, and thereby also himself. He labelled himself a philosophical entertainer and with his clarity of thought and masterful use of prose he inspired many to re-think their way of life. His famous if you get the message, hang up the phone was certainly meant to be applicable to every external crutch.

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Top 5 Videos Of Alan Watts | High Existence