“You Exist Because You are Loved”

“You exist because you are loved.” These words popped into my head after work one day, out of the blue. I remember right where it happened: I was starting the first leg of my pedestrian commute, walking block one out of eight. Headphones on, music loudly playing. And right as I was passing a giant, …

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In ‘Recognition’ of Happiness

Why do we need to apply conditions to our perceived state of happiness? Can you be happy always, anytime? I was confronted with these thoughts recently, and finally saw them for what they were: illusion breakers. Undoubtedly, the first time I saw a quote or meme that stated something along the lines of “Happiness is …

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In Search of “Authenticity”

Self-expression. Is there any arena, stage or circumstance where self-expression is not wanted? Where it’s a bad thing? I think the generations that have preceded us might have given a different answer than we would today. And if there are situations where self-expression is unwanted, we are slowly ushering them out – asking ourselves why, …

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Adam & Eve (& the Self)

The biblical story of Adam and Eve has always troubled me. It is a story, a teaching, with many pieces that have always felt incongruous in my heart. Maybe I am wasting my time, but lately I have been trying to reconcile myself with it after realizing that there might be some intellectual and psychological …

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Tending to the Gardens of Mind

Do we need an “evil” figure in our lives in order to recognize the good? Do we need to unite against an “enemy” in order to rally to peace? I’m feeling these questions acutely right now, especially given current events in the ongoing election. What is happening to us? Is this some sick social experiment …

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“Go With the Flow”

Are thought waves or thought ‘states’ like an onion that you peel, one layer after the other? Do we prefer one kind of thought wave over another? I find much of my time unwilling or unwanting to “downshift” my conscious thought into the mired details. If a game or a task requires strategy or logistic-style …

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What is “Enlightenment?”

What does it mean to be enlightened? My husband and I were arguing about it the other day. Okay - after writing that down and looking at that statement again, I laughed to myself out loud. What an absolute JOY to be arguing about enlightenment! Of all the trivial things we could be discussing, we …

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