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: Dear Todd, my problem is that I become depressed when reading the news and seeing angry, bigoted, homophobic, leaders who spew hatred. I can look at individuals as loving souls, however, if they follow certain political beliefs, I find it very difficult. And there are people who are simply cruel selfish beings. Can you speak to this in more detail and how to live in peace with such hatred…
Q: Dear Todd, I have been trying meditation for at least a couple of years, reading books and blogs, and studying Buddhist teachings, yet I feel no different than I ever have. I want to feel a connection, I want to feel safer, loved, and be in communion with my spirit. What am I doing wrong? TODD ANSWERS: I wonder what kind of meditation you’ve been doing because different kinds…
Everyday for a few moments, put away all distractions and find peace in the present moment, in the stillness.There is awe and wonder and beauty in everything. If you don't see it, you have to look deeper because it's there.As long as you make a life worth living, as long as your job is just a job, and the more you can be happy for other people's successes and happy…
Q: Dear Todd, how do we deal with the cruelty going on right now, here in our country and elsewhere in the world? How does one control anger about towards those who are uncaring and greedy and mean?! TODD ANSWERS: Anger is an emotion that always carries us away. When we develop the ability to stay present in the midst of these emotional storms, we can recognize that anger doesn't…
Q: Dear Todd, in my eyes, peace doesn't always protect, especially against tyrant leaders and overlords. We might fight alongside justice and love, with actions like those of war veterans. We do this to preserve and protect what we have built with love for those we love, so we may be at peace and in harmony. What are your views on this?TODD ANSWERS:This is an excellent point and I am…
You may get your annual physical. You may see a therapist from time to time for a checkup from the neck up. But we rarely, if ever, check in with that deepest part of who we are. Some call it soul, others spirit. It has many names: source, prana, life-force energy, consciousness, essence, Atman, and Self.Spiritual health is more important than mental and physical health because from our state of…
Last week I talked about how to do a spiritual health check-up. This week, let’s talk about how to go from spiritual health to spiritual wealth.We all have spiritual wealth already, but it gets obscured by incessant thinking, traumatic events, and a chaotic and negative mind. So here is how we can expand our consciousness, raise our awareness, and prolong our presence.It’s first important to realize that from awareness and…
If grief is love unexpressed, then express that love to yourself so the healing can take place. When we relinquish our attempt to control or suppress our grief and simply allow it to exist, we grant it the freedom to unfold naturally. Understanding impermanence on a deep level, and being aware of it rids the mind of any ability to experience loss, grief, sorrow, and detachment. Only the nonmaterial, empty…
We are not just spiritual beings. We also have a responsibility to these physical bodies to make sure they are safe and well taken care of. It is very difficult to be spiritual when our physical needs are not met. This is why we must all work to ensure that people everywhere have access to affordable medicine, shelter, safety, clothing; and clean food, water and air. This survival mode is…
If this work has supported you, would you consider supporting this work?
Even the smallest bit can make a huge difference.
