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Browse every published article connected to Michael Hoare, with exact attribution and full-archive search.
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Browse every published article connected to Michael Hoare, or search within this exact expert archive.
Whether we call them resolutions, promises, initiatives or some other name, many of us are almost always in some stage of making changes to one or more aspects of our lives. We determine to quit bad habits, acquire good habits, eat less, save more, etc. You know the drill. Unfortunately, these are the types of superficial changes that mask the REAL changes that need to take place in our lives.
Spiritual acceptance comes about in as many different forms as there are people who experience it. There is no one way that it comes about. But, generally, the experience is sudden or gradual. First, let’s clarify the difference between acceptance and spiritual acceptance. Sportscaster Warner Wolf would often say, “Let’s go to videotape.” I say, “Let’s go to Wikipedia:” Acceptance is when a person agrees to experience a situation, to follow a process or condition (often a negative or uncomfortable situation) without attempting to change it, protest, or exit.
For those of us who have not only been able to make it through a traumatic life event, but have actually been able to grow from the experience, we often think...What Now?
So what does Divine Feminine Energy mean? What is it? What does it look like? How does it feel? The answers will be different for each of us, of course. But there are also similar characteristics that we will all experience. In a general sense, I want to share with you the answers to those questions and more. But before I do that, I need to break it all down. Divine….what does that word mean? First, I have to say that I am using the word as an adjective. The free online dictionary defines the word as: 1. a. Having the nature of or being a deity.r
The three types of love are Eros, Philo and Agapé. If you recall, both Eros and Philo are conditional and temporary types of love. The basis for these is “as long as I get what I want, I will continue to love you.” Agapé Love/Spiritual Love/Lasting Love is unconditional and Divine. Lasting Love is centered on a commitment to another’s highest good. It is unselfish, and the fulfillment of the commitment is its own reward.
This inherent feeling of wanting more is the very essence of our being. It helps us continue moving down the path on our journey of discovering who we are (beyond the outside designations of male or female, black or white, accountant, physical education teacher, etc.), why are we here (what is our life purpose?), where are going (once we have done all that we are meant to do here on Earth) and how do we get there (what are we to do to prepare us for that journey)? Who Are We? That’s a deep question.
There is lots of talk about individuality in today’s world but, ironically enough, that “individuality” is all centered on the ego and self-gratification…how one looks, presents him/herself, finds a career, etc. These are important. We need to live comfortably and must be able to support our families. But all of these endeavors direct attention to the body…the outside part…the part that houses our soul.
Spirituality means knowing of our Self, our Essence and our Source: Allah, Buddha, Krishna, Yahweh, Yesuah, etc. Anything that has to do with a material outcome is not spiritual. But can we use such things to help our spirituality? I would respond with a resounding yes!
Is the present state of the world overwhelming you? Does the uncertain economic future seem frightening? Lately, the world often seems to be falling apart in front of our eyes. Our economic situation hasn't really been dealt with. It seems that we are addressing the symptoms instead of the issue. As soon as some countries are able to overthrow their brutal oppressors, others appear and fill the void. Unstable countries continue to threaten other nations with nuclear weapons, and the negativity goes go on and on.
At some point on our lives, typically January, most of us resolve to make profound changes in our lives. We resolve to quit bad habits, acquire good habits, eat less, save more, etc. You know the drill. While these are all good things to do, unfortunately, these are the types of superficial changes that mask the real changes that need to take place in our lives.
I've been actively meditating since 1972, when I was 16 years old. There was some meditation in church when I was growing up, but I didn't participate. My first real experience with meditation was listening to "My Sweet Lord," by George Harrison. As I listened, the chanting in the background became more and more clear, and I just focused on that part of the song.
What are addictions? The Merriam Webster dictionary explanation is: 1: the quality or state of being addicted <addiction to reading>2: compulsive need for and use of a habit-forming substance (as heroin, nicotine, or alcohol) characterized by tolerance and by well-defined physiological symptoms upon withdrawal; broadly: persistent compulsive use of a substance known by the user to be harmful.
I once spent a weekend at a Buddhist retreat, where the theme was “Being Present.” It was a wonderful time and an awakening experience. I knew the importance of being here now. My life was extremely busy, and my mind was in the past, thinking about something I did wrong (and replaying the moment over and over), or it was focused on the future (obsessing about something that had not yet happened and might never happen). I was rarely in the moment…in the present.