Nine Things I Wish had been Taught in School

1. The interconnected structure of the local ecosystems.
2. Identification of the local plant, tree and animal species.
3. Respectful interaction with nature.
4. How to recognize the tracks and signs of animals in nature.
5. Basic survival techniques.
6. How to design, plant and harvest an edible garden.
7. Basic construction techniques.
8. Introduction to philosophy as a path to wisdom.
9. Respectful introduction to the world’s religions as a path to spirituality.

Reading the words or falling into a flow of loving intent?

Have you ever thought about how you read? Are you a trained speed reader? Do you prefer to read from the back forward? I first read as I was taught, each sentence for comprehension in the common vernacular.

There is another way I have found to be very rewarding, especially with spiritually oriented work. Try to look beneath the words, around the words and then beyond the words. Walk past the words, float amongst the words, watch the words fly by, until the words are no longer there and you are now only experiencing the true nature and intentions of the author. It is you and the author together sharing the actual ideas, not the translation by the mind anymore. The objective is for the words to come off the page directly into the consciousness without the ego’s reply. In its purest sense it is absorption, not translation.

At first it is somewhat difficult as there are vocabulary issues; some words are more commonly used in spiritual works. Each author may intend different meanings for words like mind, ego, duality, spirit, soul as well as God, devil, angels, demons. One author’s voice is metaphorical other’s may be concrete. But once past these obstacles, a rewarding experience is close at hand.

Did you know?

Research shows that at any moment up to 90% of our thoughts are negative. That’s right 90%. And we are completely unaware of this. Part of the problem is the constant drumbeat of negative messages that surround us. I stopped watching the local news long ago because of this.

Is this an indicator of our level of spirituality? I have found that as my own spirituality has progressed my thoughts have become more and more positive. Part of this is that I have fewer and fewer thoughts. As the surrender to spirit occurs the racing mind of illusion slows.

There are those who say that in time the egoic mind will completely stop for the spiritual seeker. While this is appealing, it may also have its downside. Without the ego, is it possible to operate in a world full of ego and personality? Would we even be able to communicate? Aren’t our words learned and acquired full of the meaning assigned by the ego?

Maybe our response to negativity should be to bring our full attention to it. Can we look for the things that we like instead of the things we dislike? Can we focus on what we will do instead of what we won’t?

Just think of how our relationships might change. Who doesn’t like to be around the person who can see the good in things, who focuses on what can be done, who sees the light instead of the shadow. Think about how much better we might do at work, to be known as the person who gets it done with joy and happiness.

I was listening to a radio show recently and a relationship expert said that the secret to better relationships was converting our negative propensities into saying at least five nice things each day. When was the last time someone said five nice things to you in a week, let alone a day? How nice would that be? Dare to be that person if you can. It all starts with our full attention.

The Search (mine)

It came out of a feeling of contentment. I had reached all of my professional goals at a fairly young age. And for me, this was enough. I have never understood the old battle axes like Donald Trump, Abe Greenberg (AIG), and Jack Welch (GE) who seemingly go on and on. Is it that ego and desire for more money and attention never ends?


There were many coincidences; the friend who sent books on spirituality, the guy on the plane who recommended further reading, the convenient timing of personal freedom to pursue the search, to name a few. Maybe these coincidences are always there, but our eyes and ears are not open to them.


Unlike some others, I fell into this search from a position of contentment, not of despair. I was open and listening for the call. So maybe, if my experience is relevant, you do not need to come to this out of a fall,.


There were many messages, most of which were helpful. I was lucky early on to realize that in the world of words, I needed to be careful. I realized words travel through personality and ego, limiting their usefulness and interpretation, no matter the level of spirituality. Many of the readings were translations incorporating additional error and potential for misinterpretation. Over time, I developed an ability to expect this, to listen to my inner self, and understand the intended direction of the words. Specifically, here is what I found most helpful, ranked by priority:


In H.W.L. Poonja’s “Wake and Roar”, I heard the truth. This was not in long-winded explanation, but in demonstration of inner being. I was not ready for this until later in my search.


In Dennis Lewis’s “The Tao of Natural Breathing” and Bruce Frantzis’s “Relaxing into your Being”, I heard the integration of body and soul. I learned the role of breathing and energy cultivation in spirituality.


In Don Miguel Ruiz’s “The Voice of Knowledge”, I saw my personality and ego for the first time. This allowed me to surrender to the song of H.W.L. Poonja, to hear its truth.


In Dainin Katagiri’s “Each Moment is the Universe”, I realized the present moment. This realization shifted time from scarcity to abundance. And then there are the other favorites:


Thich Nhat Hahn “Peace is Every Step” Inner grace

Meister Eckhart “From Whom God Hid Nothing” Early spirituality

Charles L. Moore “Synthesis Remembered” Our magical, mystical nature

Brian Hines “Return to the One” Plotinus’ ancient wisdom

Sri Aurobindo “The Life Divine” Masterpiece of spirituality

David Hawkins “Power versus Force” Science merged with spirit

Eckhart Tolle “The Power of Now” The search for present moment

Ken Wilber “Sex Ecology and Spirituality” Modern masterpiece of integration

Marianne Williamson “Everyday Grace” Inner grace and power of prayer

Dzigar Kongtrul “It’s Up to You” A songbird of truth

Arjuna Ardagh “The Translucent Revolution” Spirituality rising today

Thomas Merton :Book of Hours” Power of prayer and inspiration

Foundation for Inner Peace “A Course in Miracles” Distinctively inspiring song

Shechen Rabjam “The Great Medicine” A songbird of truth

Khenchen Thrangu “On Buddha Essence” A songbird of truth

Erving Goffman “Presentation of Self ” Ego’s stage and our part on it