Q: Dear Todd, I don't know how it is possible to not judge something as "negative" when I have found a wish in my heart and then things happen that seem to be the opposite to what my heart sees. TODD ANSWERS: I know exactly what you mean but it really is true that nothing is positive or negative. They really are two sides of the same coin. There is…
Q: So does that mean, even though they (the suffering?) exist in the mind, we have a choice in that moment how we let these moments affect us? TODD ANSWERS: We definitely do have a choice, but there may also be unhealed trauma as well. For many, our trauma may be the cause of our awakening out of suffering. For others, awakening may be the cause for our trauma to…
Q: Dear Todd, I feel extremely unsettled when I sense that I am being deliberately excluded. How do I find the source of why this unsettles me so much? TODD ANSWERS: The source is not in the situation but in the mind. It is caused solely by mental activity. Like an improv troupe, our mind throws out a suggestion and then we create a whole show around it. Instead of…
Q: Dear Todd, why does our mind want to harm our mental peace? TODD ANSWERS: I think we're just not designed for modern life away from nature, and so our protective brains have gone into overdrive. But, what makes humans unique is our neuroplasticity and adaptability, so we can unlearn this deeply ingrained subtle state of constant stress and alertness that no longer serves us. Path to Peace with Todd…
We all have times in our lives when we are going through difficult times and we start to wonder why the heck we're here? We can begin to lose faith that we are here for any other purpose than to suffer. But there is a cause for this crisis of meaninglessness. When we understand the cause, we are able to see that it is not life that has lost meaning.…
Q: Dear Todd, could you please give me guidance right now? I just got scammed and lost my hard-earned money when planning my family trip. I've been maintaining a high frequency the past few days but my fury doesn't seem to be contained to the point where I dreamed of finding the suspects and harming them and cursing them in all universes and existence. I know Karma will deal with…
Q: Dear Todd, my narcissistic mother only preyed on me during my most vulnerable times. I'm beyond disappointed, and there's a lot of anger in my heart when I think of her. How can I heal? TODD ANSWERS: This is a very tough experience to go through. It is not fair that the person who should be our greatest source of love and support should act in this way. Children…
Q: Dear Todd, So, do we just avoid and walk away without commenting, do we just nod and show compassion with simple words without true feeling? I need to know how to respond exactly. I live with one chronic complainer currently and can't get away so simply yet. I mean, I could, but only in a situation that I don't feel is a ton better and not without a lot…
Q: Dear Todd, what exactly is God's role in being within us and present everywhere? Why is it so helpless while witnessing all the violence, crimes, suffering, and misery? How can it not do anything? If this was the design, this big puzzle, then what's God's role? We cannot even hear His voice because our minds are constantly playing games. If there's a divine energy within us, how do we…
Q: Dear Todd, I am mentally ill, widowed, and my toddler died too. So, I raised four other kids alone. I have been in a hospital once for depression after hurricanes Irma and Maria hit the island, just three years ago. With an empty nest, retirement, and a p/t job in a garden center I stay busy. But, coming back to the USA and our old town is so painful.…
“I thought my biggest fear was growing old and dying in prison. In truth, my biggest fear was growing old and not knowing myself.”
- Rick Smith, Albama inmate
Path to Peace - A newsletter not just for your mental health but also for your spiritual health.
