Interracial Marriage
I would love to hear your thoughts on marriage between different races.
Being on the spiritual path we all know that everyone is equal, we are all connected to the one Divine Source and it is all important to see what is on the inside of a person rather than their exterior look. I am married to a man from Indian descent and I am from European stock. I have always tried to keep a high vibration of love and integrity around people that believe races should not mix but I must admit it has been difficult. Especially when some people hold very strong, old fashioned views and they think they have the right to express them. My question is, how does one live in a world where your heart and soul say one thing and society (loudly at times) says another?
Inspirational Overwhelm
I really enjoy reading your books. I find them exciting, hugely insightful, peaceful, and the words I read really resonate me. However, I sometimes feel overwhelmed when trying to implement the teachings into my life. I feel that to follow these teachings and still go about my day to day business is hard work. I feel like I have so many things to remember from your teachings and I feel down on myself for forgetting some of them.
My goal is to live from the level of the soul as much as I can. With this in mind what should I focus on most from day to day? I want my mind to be as clear as possible.
Answer:
Caged Tiger Koan
I understand the phrase ‘It’s the silences between the notes that make the music’ and the phrase ‘It’s the empty space inside the vessel that makes the vase’, BUT I can not grasp the phrase ‘It’s the space between the bars that hold the tiger’ . I have pondered it many times. Would you please explain it to me?
Answer:
Zen koans such as this don’t necessarily have one correct interpretation. They are meant to force the mind out of linear conventional thinking into transcendent insight. This is certainly a good one to ponder for that.
Chakra Clearing Sensations
I have purchased your chakra clearing CD and used for the first time this morning. Whilst listening to the meditation CD, I experienced an
intense sensation like a buzzing and vibration at the base of my spine as I started to visualise the colour red at my root chakra. It was
incredibly intense, uncomfortable even, and I can still feel tingling in the area now several hours later. Is this ok? Should I be concerned?
Answer:
Choosing a Spiritual Path
I am only now starting my formal spiritual quest, and just finished your book, Buddha - very enjoyable. However, I am troubled in perusing your site that so much seems geared toward fulfilling western drives for material “success,” and that it seems geared toward realizing the “self,” while my rudimentary understanding of Buddha’s teachings seem clear that self is an illusion and an impediment to enlightenment. Please help me understand?
I am looking to eastern philosophies to help chart a path for unified humanity beyond the contemporary focus on individual achievement, material acquisition and individual “salvation” for the individual “soul,” none of which I believe exist. Am I traveling the wrong path?
Unhappy with God
Becoming the Light of God
I once had an experience where I as a light had become part of the entire light and consciousness and at that time was able to see out from his eyes and at that point all time was happening at the same time. no fear, no mystery, no darkness. Just the glow of love and the light of all knowledge.
It’s always been my inner belief that God originally separated himself from himself in order to be able to see, self validate and to confirm himself ? And we as beings simply the many separated parts of him all possessing a common thread which sews together the tapestry of this universe? I’ve always felt this and that I was a part of God.
My question to you is are you and I of the same mind with what I just said?
Too Restless to Meditate
I am not able to meditate or even still my mind for a moment. The incessant chatter of the mind goes on continuously without any specific subjects and I feel tired of myself. My mind does not know how to relax. I have tried various methods, even hypnotherapy. Though I must say that after the hypnotherapy course I felt good for some time and was able to focus better on things. I keep trying to search for something (I don’t know what so I can’t give it a name, happiness, peace, security, God??). But seem to fail. I’ve tried practicing Buddhism, follow different faiths and I am still where I was… nowhere.
I am sure my question also sounds confused. Do you really think the PSM would help?
Answer:
Bipolar Disorder and Enlightenment
How do you know if you are experiencing a higher state of consciousness or you have a mental illness such as Bipolar 2? I have had what I thought were higher states of consciousness such as feeling the presence of God but now that I have been diagnosed with a mental illness (Bipolar II) I do not know what to believe, what is real and what is not.
Answer:
Higher states of consciousness are generally understood in the Eastern wisdom traditions to be a permanent state of self-realization that actualizes one’s potentiality, creativity, intelligence and compassion. It is not a temporary glimpse or episode of insight, ecstasy or inspiration.
