Unless you know the basic mechanics behind the workings of the ego, you won’t recognise it, and it will trick you into identifying with it again and again. This means it takes you over, an imposter pretending to be you.
Week 3 has been particularly interesting. I’m unsure what to make of it as yet but I suppose its purpose will be revealed soon.
I’d like to think I’m not stupid. So when I heard the expected knock on the door that shouldn’t be opened, I knew very well I was opening it…
An essential part of awakening is the recognition of the unawakened you, the ego as it thinks, speaks, and acts, as well as the recognition of the collectively conditioned mental processes that perpetuate the unawakened state.
I posted earlier on week 1 knowing that I was not going to be able to post on Saturday night or Sunday due to a spiritual function we usually help host.
All went well so I can add that week 1 ended on a spiritual high that I desperately needed.
Week 2 began on Sunday which found me completely wasted from working like a plough-animal both in the kitchen while dishing out and serving up to 1000 people and then cleaning up the hall afterwards – which entailed getting down on hands and knees to clear up the mess left behind… upsetting to think that people could disregard food in that manner and waste as much as they do but that’s a rant for another time or maybe never… Yes I’m much more tolerant this year – I didn’t even lose my temper over the weekend – which I normally do – and I actually had reason to this time! I’m proud of me!
I rode the crest of that wave until it crashed me to the ground in the middle of the week. I’m still a bit flabbergasted at the turn of events from something so positive to literally having an open door slammed shut on my face!
I have to admit that I did not deal with it well internally. The tempest rose and tumultuous waves of anger, pain, disappointment and self-doubt beat at me and had me curled up in the foetal position for hours. It took hours of internal argument to rise up and accept that I have no control in the situation so I should look forward and sail on. Fear lingers though and when coupled with doubt, it is debilitating. I do constantly remember a friend once telling me that the opposite of fear is Faith/God. Meaning to have no fear is to trust entirely in God.
I DO trust in the Almighty especially when I am fearful of my future. So keeping those two concepts as polar opposites can’t be right – yet somewhere in my mind I know it’s right.
I’m human, fallible and my thoughts and feelings can’t always be perfect. I know the Almighty sees that – He made me after-all. My faith doesn’t waver – I know that without difficulty, life isn’t savoured as completely. I’ve lived that my whole life! It’d be nice to be cut some slack every now and again though.
Despite receiving a crushing blow this week, there’s still a silver lining… Iya is back from a long vacation in Australia and all us girls are back where we belong!
The weekend was brilliant with a family wedding bringing perspective back to life! Great company and lots of laughter is the cure for any melancholy!
Here’s hoping your week 3 is a wonderful one!
Not a long time ago, in a free, independent country not very far away, a citizen was arrested, suspected of being a spy, detained and was put on trial.
Not a long time ago either, in another country not very far away, that is said to be free and independent, a citizen was arrested, taken to a detention facility and was never heard of or from again.
One country is in the west, and the other is in the east. No prizes for guessing which of the above countries is where.
Randomness done. Let me fill in the blanks.
Quiet, natural and peaceful
Once there is a certain degree of Presence, of still and alert attention in human beings’ perceptions, they can sense the divine life essence - the one indwelling consciousness or spirit in every creature, every life-form – recognise it as one with their own essence, and so love it as themselves.
The beginning of the New Year brought with it a sense of excitement for me – a sense that something is just waiting to burst forth. I’m eager to make that happen – whatever it is!
I spent the last two weeks of 2011 at the house of my friends who were away and left their cat in my care. The house was in the Presidential Compound/Estate and since it was the end of the year, the entire place was pretty much deserted. When I say it was just me, the cops and the cat, I mean it.
Inspired by Moniera’s “30 Days of Everyday Amazing” I’ve decided to embark on 52 Weeks of Wonderful.
Here’s the thing: I talk about knowing that every day is a blessing regardless of what happens and I DO believe it. However, I often find myself being woeful about something or the other. So yes, it’s easier said than done.
I’ve been having trouble writing for this site for most of the year… You’ve noticed… some of you.
Part of the reason is that I haven’t yet decided if I want to personalise this space or keep it for substantial/meaningful thoughts and analyses. That’s not to say that my personal thoughts aren’t meaningful – they are to me – even if they may be completely ridiculous at times.
So this past week I’ve been mulling over the year that has passed and how it has impacted me and I’ve been wanting to put it down “in black and white”, which would mainly help me clarify my conclusions but also share the experiences and lessons [and madness] with those of you who visit this space.
I have also – at the same time – been re-united with my internal political analyst who was on hiatus while I’ve been further developing social me. There has been plenty going on in the world that I have an opinion on and I would love to share said opinions [which is my favourite thing as most of you know of me].
Now I hear some of you say that this can’t possibly be a dilemma – “just post both personal and analytical stuff and we’ll do with it what we please”. But here’s the other part of the reason I’m quiet… I’ve been trying to get the words in my head out through the keyboard and it just wasn’t happening. I’ve stayed awake some nights trying and I type up paragraphs and then just lose interest or say to myself that this just isn’t appropriate for a public space, and then I shut down and go to sleep. I’ve also been revelling in doing nothing – especially over the past two weeks.
Well, the New Year is almost upon us and I’ve decided that I’m not going to sweat it… I’m writing now and hopefully when 2012 hits, I’d have posted at least this particular ramble and hopefully another one. If I don’t get that far – it’s ok… we’ll all survive.
So Happy New Year y’all. Go ahead and make a resolution for 2012 – its good to have a goal – and if you don’t keep to it, it’s ok… we’ll all survive…
Unless, of course, the Mayan predictions turn out to be accurate! 
Just dropping by to say it has certainly been a busy few weeks but I’ll be posting regularly again soon. There’s just something I want you all to take note of: You can be a hero!
The launch of the Enviro-Heroes project for WEF (Wildlife Education Foundation) went very well and I started a new romance – this time with a cheetah called Romeo who is also handled by Tigerman John Wagenaar and lives at Ramela Ranch.
By the way, John is absolutely amazing with these creatures and they love him so… A more amazing human being I have yet to meet.
I believe that they have many more wonderful little critter that will steal my heart so a trip to Ramela Ranch is on the cards for me as soon as possible.
The big point to this post though is that I want everyone to get involved with environmental improvement in whatever way you can wherever you are. Contact the WEF if you want educational programmes presented to your schools or at your companies (South Africa for now only) and for more information about the Enviro-Hero project.
The whole aim is to make individuals realise that they can be heroes by doing their little bit to help the Earth.
