Ah Man Blog

Spiritual Practices

In this month’s Ah-Man Newsletter, I posed the question: Can we have “Peace on Earth”? I followed up on that question with the fact that while we are on this plane, i.e., the material world, we will experience some peace and pain, sorrow and happiness, etc., on an external level, but the Peace on Earth I speak of emanates from Within.

So in this month’s weekly blogs, I will touch on some of those things that, if practiced on a daily basis, will enable us to first experience a glimpse of that Peace on Earth and, as we continually observe these practices, we experience Peace on Earth more and more in our everyday lives.

How many hours a day does a ballerina or a musician practice?  Do you think they attain their goals buy practicing when they can?

Or an electrician, a carpenter, lawyer, doctor or any trade person…do you think they were able to get and stay where they are without practice or dedication?

Many of us fit our Spiritual Practice into our lives that way; “when we can.” Then we wonder why it’s not working and become frustrated and quit.

Our human life is meant for us to “go within” or link up (yoga) with the God of our understanding or Self Within. When that is attained, we will have Peace Within, Peace on Earth.

When we have that Peace Within, people will say, “I really enjoy being with you,” or “You have such a sense of calmness” or “It feels good to be with you,” etc. I’m sure you’ve said similar things it to others.

So why does the very thing that gives us everlasting Peace…the thing that can bring Peace On Earth…get so little of our time?

Life on this plane will disillusion you; trick you into thinking that the “Toys are more important than the Toymaker Her/Himself.” In the Vedas, that disillusion is called Maya. George Harrison wrote a song in the 70’s, “Beware of Maya.” That song rocked my soul. It shook the foundations of my material world.

I will not go in depth about the practices I will mention, simply because I already have so many times before.

But for me and for many of those I have encountered on the journey of life that have found Peace On Earth, these three essential spiritual practices have helped Awaken the Peace within, and thus enabled them to bring Peace on Earth to all those they meet.

• Prayer
• Reading of scriptures and writing of Saints and Sages
• Meditation

They aren’t listed in any specific order. It could be one or all three. Each of us has our own unique relationship with the God of our understanding and will be intuitively led, as we practice more and more to a particular spiritual practice.

Namaste,
Michael

To sign up to receive newsletters and updates from Michael, scroll to the bottom of the Ah-Man Web Site. You’ll find additional information and resources in the latest issue of the Ah-Man Newsletter. Read about his new book, Returning to WHOLENESS… Discovering Ah-Man at Amazon.

Walking Our Talk

In this month’s Ah-Man Newsletter, I posed the question: Can we have “Peace on Earth”? I followed up on that question with the fact that while we are on this plane, i.e., the material world, we will experience some peace and pain, sorrow and happiness, etc., on an external level, but the Peace on Earth I speak of emanates from Within.

So in this month’s weekly blogs, I will touch on some of those things that, if practiced on a daily basis, will enable us to first experience a glimpse of that Peace on Earth and, as we continually observe these practices, we experience Peace on Earth more and more in our everyday lives.

So now that we’re following all the natural laws, we’re doing fine, right? Not always, because we are human. As you have heard before, “Its progress, not perfection.”  Another one I like is, “I’m a ‘work in progress’ project.

So enjoy the journey; don’t rush to get to the end. It will take most of us the better part of our lives to recondition our thoughts and habits. If you’re reading or listening to these blogs, chances are that you’ve been on the planet for a while and have not yet attained Sainthood. 

Walking our talk is practicing what we say and doing the things we say we’re going to do.

Yes, we have to walk out talk, but take it easy. We can easily get caught up in the “perfection trap,” as well…thinking we should have this by now or the I’m never going to get that angst we put ourselves in, not to mention the I’m better than that person drama, etc.

The most important piece I think you can do as you do “the next right thing” is not to have expectations of yourself or others. That is where you’ll definitely get your knickers tied into a knot.

Be present while you are doing what you are doing. If you can, be conscious and grateful that you are able to do what you are doing, be it at the workplace, chores at home, duties with family, eating, etc.

By being present in your actions, and by not having expectations of yourself and others, you will remain focused and walking your talk.

Of course there are a certain amount of expectations we have for children, friends and ourselves. It’s the unspoken of expectations I am speaking of.

Namaste,
Michael

To sign up to receive newsletters and updates from Michael, scroll to the bottom of the Ah-Man Web Site. You’ll find additional information and resources in the latest issue of the Ah-Man Newsletter. Read about his new book, Returning to WHOLENESS… Discovering Ah-Man at Amazon.

 

Doing Peaceful Things

In this month’s Ah-Man Newsletter, I posed the question: Can we have “Peace on Earth”? I followed up on that question with the fact that while we are on this plane, i.e., the material world, we will experience some peace and pain, sorrow and happiness, etc., on an external level, but the Peace on Earth I speak of emanates from Within.

So in this month’s weekly blogs, I will touch on some of those things that, if practiced on a daily basis, will enable us to first experience a glimpse of that Peace on Earth and, as we continually observe these practices, we experience Peace on Earth more and more in our everyday lives.

The practice I want to start with is living a “good” life and thinking “good” thoughts. This one will eventually bring you into a more peaceful place.

What I mean by “living a good life,” is to follow those natural laws of life; both the spiritual laws of the commandments of the Bible or those of the Vedas, Yama Niyama and those of our society.

Most of us have been taught right from wrong. We have been told not to steal, not to lie, to respect others and their property, not to kill, honor your mother and father, honor your Lord, and more. The Yama Niyama and the commandments of the Bible both say the same thing. So the question really is not if we should follow these natural laws of the God of our understanding or not. When followed, they bring harmony to the outer world and Within. When the natural laws are not followed, however, disharmony results.

In the Vedas, in the Golden Age, one was accountable for their thoughts. In today’s age, although we are not punished for our thoughts (Thank God!), I am sure we all can see that our thoughts can lead us to some negative or painful places, which interrupts the flow of “peace on Earth” for us.

When it comes to diets, even though I have been a vegetarian for 40 years, I have found that we all must eat according to need. I have been blessed to be in the company of saints and sages (some vegetarians, some not), but they all had Peace on Earth Within them.

Do we need to respect our bodies?  Yes. They are the “temples” that house our True Selves.  So eating with healthy habits will help lessen some of the pain we might bring upon ourselves. But will our diets make us Holy or give us Peace on Earth? No; not based on my experience.

Namaste,
Michael

To sign up to receive newsletters and updates from Michael, scroll to the bottom of the Ah-Man Web Site. You’ll find additional information and resources in the latest issue of the Ah-Man Newsletter. Read about his new book, Returning to WHOLENESS… Discovering Ah-Man at Amazon.