'NYC Fit Living'

I watched a young woman sing, a nd boy, can she sing. There was something in her voice that technique alone could not explain—a depth, a passion, a haunting reflection in her tone that seemed to come from somewhere beyond the personality . . . as though something greater than herself had found a voice through which to sing. Perhaps she knows she is good. Perhaps applause has told her. Perhaps audiences have told her.  Perhaps somewhere within her, the ego quietly knows: I have something special. But another question arose in me: Does she know why? Does she know where that voice comes from? Does she understand the mysterious convergence of body, breath, sensitivity, experience, consciousness, and something altogether unexplainable that allows one human being to open her mouth and move another human being to tears? Or is she simply living inside the gift without yet recognizing its miracle? And suddenly I thought of Eden. Adam and Eve lived in paradise. But perhaps there is a differe...

Think of yourself—not the personality, not the story, but the silent Observer—as the vast open sky. And thoughts? They are clouds. They appear from nowhere, drift across the spaciousness of Awareness, linger for a moment . . . and disappear. Some are light and harmless. Others arrive dark and heavy with worry, fear, memory, or desire. But look carefully. No cloud has roots. It owns no piece of the sky. It has no permanent address. It is simply a wandering nomad passing through. The sages discovered something remarkably simple: Suffering begins when the sky forgets that it is the sky . . . and mistakes itself for a cloud. A thought appears: I am not enough. And instead of witnessing the thought, we become it. Another appears: Something is wrong. And suddenly the vastness of Awareness contracts into a story. We become this and that. Successful and unsuccessful. Loved and unloved. The past we regret. The future we fear. Yet through every passing thought, something...

  Consider this: most people aren't suffering because life is happening to them. They suffer because they have become identified with the endless stream of thoughts moving through their head. So begin here… Take one long, slow, conscious breath. Then another. Turn your attention inward.  Allow the body to soften. Let the endless commentator of the mind grow quiet. There is nowhere to go. Nothing to achieve. Nothing to become. Only this moment. Become deeply curious. Not about the world… But about the one who is aware of it. Before another thought appears… Before another memory calls your name… Simply notice the undeniable fact that you are aware. Everything else can wait. This is where the journey begins. Notice the thoughts appearing upon the silent screen of Consciousness. Do not judge them. Simply observe. Are they thoughts filled with gratitude, possibility, compassion, and quiet confidence? Do they elevate your energy? Do they leave the heart feeling open and exp...