The Serene Way

“Only human beings can change their evil ways, their ups and downs, pitfalls, shortcomings, anger, pride—all their bad qualities. Then they can experience their own divine nature.”

Paramahamsa Hariharananda

In Tibetan Book of the Living and Dying, Sogyal Rinpoche states, “Hatred and anger, when truly recognized, arise with diamond like clarity, free from grasping; this is the ‘mirror like wisdom.” Here is the wonderful imagery of the mirror, a reflection upon the surface. When we are not in front of the mirror there is only the reflective surface; it is only when we stand in front of it that we see a reflection of our physical self. There are many surfaces upon which there are reflections, whether a mirror, a conversation, or words upon a blank piece of paper. Each of these allows us the opportunity for realization and an unfolding of awareness of the self. To that end, when we fight or argue, we are arguing against and with ourselves; the mirror absent of the divine self.

Anger and resentment can manifest with righteous indignation. A recent posting, titled “The Secret & Law of Attraction as Fabrications of Greed”, elicited the following response:

“I read the article you posted and thoroughly agree with its central precepts. These are concepts that I have felt inwardly to be true for a long time.

However, the downfall of the materialism which you mentioned, that the Gnostics and Cathars considered to ruin the souls of men and lead them away from the path of light, can only be achieved by the demise of world Jewry and the final destruction of ‘man-centred’ Judaeo-Christian thinking everywhere.

The Jew is the archetype of capitalist man and only stands to gain from a sterile economic worldview. That is why you find them as the the spiritus rectus behind globalisation and the New World Order—the ferment of decomposition of peoples and nations.”

In this response we see a concept that singles out a cultural/religious group in order to place blame. To be true to the facts, this group was given, by another religious group, the fiduciary responsibility that these ‘Christians’ were unwilling to shoulder based on the dogma of their belief system. Even then, there was an occlusion from society for those that were given this usury provision. Historically speaking, there has always been a division based on class, economic background and heritage, whether the kings and queens of ancient Egypt, the caste system of India, or the hierarchy of any other society, old or new. The only concern involves the society that creates this segregation and separation and continues to maintain the illusion of elitism.

A ‘man-centred’ ideology is not limited to Judeo-Christian belief—it is a fact of the world around us, no matter the cultural or religious background. It is this ‘man-centred-ness’ that prohibits forward movement and progress. It matters little what we say ‘against’ current belief systems; it matters little that we ‘point fingers’ or argue and feel resentment towards any group. It is what we can do individually to change our self, our immediate circle of influence in terms of acceptance and tolerance offered with compassion, that is important.

The manifestation of anger can result from something as trivial as squeezing a tube of toothpaste from the top. Again, the egocentric person feels resentment when their preferences are seemingly disregarded. This resentment unleashes anger. The tube of toothpaste has no feeling whether it is squeezed from the top or bottom. It is within the self that these emotions are created with various ego-centred rationalizations. These too are illusions of the mind, the distorted reflections of the mind upon the mirror.

Anger and resentment are currently observed every day as ‘road rage’. There seems to be a sense of entitlement to space and an inability to have patience (i.e., tolerance, consideration and empathy). The space is not ours, as space itself is an illusion and we are merely here to ‘tend’ to this world and each other. We are integrally connected to all that is around us; cause and effect is a ‘two-way street’—that which is given out is returned.

I have seen cars weave in and out of traffic to get to the ‘head of the line’, speeding as if in a race. There is little difference in the minute or two gained, or reaching the next street light before someone else. If we are moving we will get to our destination. In the meantime, if we appreciate all that is around us, we realize acceptance and tolerance.

Many times I have been cut off while riding my bicycle in traffic. Luckily, on a bike you can stop pretty quickly, and being out in ‘space’ you are able to breathe. It is within this breathing that we are able to manifest tolerance and compassion, and experience the wonder of the world around us.

We can only change our self. We can alter how we react to the mirror in front of us. It is with awareness that we can transmute anger and resentment—whether they stem from economic or cultural factors, religious elitism, or simple daily stressors—into a realization of compassion, tolerance and acceptance on a Path to Light.

©T.S. (Tim) White, 2008

All rights reserved.

www.TheSereneWay.com

“In every one of us there is the yearning for life, for knowledge, for happiness.”

Swami Yatiswarananda, Meditation & Spiritual Life

Recently I heard, “When one lives with an open heart there is no need for protection.” This is a simple truth; it is on a Path to Light that we develop this ability of detachment from the energy, reactions and actions of others, as well as our self as defined by the ego. There are lessons along the way that assist in reaching this goal, one of which is discernment: ‘the quality of being able to grasp and comprehend what is obscure’ or ‘the power to distinguish and select what is true’. Now, there’s the rub: what is true and real and how do we distinguish it?

We often look to our external environment to provide knowledge and happiness. Osho, in The Book of Secrets, says, “Whatever society has given can be taken away again…” This simple statement illustrates the transitory nature of possessions and culture as a means to happiness. A culture lasts only as long as it controls its members or holds that influence, in which case we give away our control to an entity other than our selves. When we think of knowledge, we usually think of it as coming from outside our self. In the age of the Internet, there is a particularly muddy situation as information comes at us so rapidly, yet with many caveats. We must consider who is promoting the information, who financed the research, and what is the purpose of disseminating the information. Whether it be possessions, culture or information, discernment is key in order to sift through this endless barrage.

When it comes to culture, the ‘con’ keeps us all believing in regulations and social manners that keep us in control. We can look at the history of organized religions and how they have risen and fallen throughout history. They have used knowledge as their power base, keeping the masses uneducated in order to maintain a façade of stability. To bring this closer to home, we can see the same thing with the current economic turmoil. In this case, the economic culture has brainwashed society into believing that ‘bigger is better’, promoting the worship of the almighty dollar—values monitored on the screens of the global markets. These are ‘cons’ of outrageous proportion that affect society in its entirety.

There are everyday smaller ‘cons’ in each of our lives, which are employed by the egocentric to manipulate and control, though these are not nearly as evident as those of organized religion and global finance.

I was social networking and received a couple of notes from a ‘self-help’ practitioner. The first two were misaddressed and indicated “how may I ‘serve’ you”. The one correctly addressed said, “What do you need me for; you have your own gig”. I cannot comment on the practice of this person or their ability to help others, but I use this incident to illustrate a point: what a person says to your face may not be what they say behind your back. This is not walking the walk or talking the talk; it is this sort of double-face that necessitates discernment.

There are those that see us as ‘marks’, offering the snake oil remedy, the quick fix; again, the ideology that purchase will buy happiness surfaces. At a health and wellness expo I attended, there was a doctor promoting a machine that costs thousands of dollars. We were discussing the science and research behind this product. He made a most interesting statement: “Say anything to get them in and make the sale.” Here, a person of knowledge and apparent cultural status was ‘buying’ into society’s acceptance of information manipulation in order to sustain the economy of greed and excess.

There are unnerving trends in the ‘self-help’ industry (which is what it has become); it is big business. Recently, I have seen seminars and products promoted as ‘recession insurance’ or ‘recession proof’. But in reality there is no insurance against recession. It is only our ability to deal with the repercussions that can be developed. There are those who play against our fears and insecurities for their own self benefit. Again, discernment is necessary in order to have ‘the ability to understand and discriminate between relations’.

Conscious awareness is necessary for discernment. This allows an ease in identifying those factors that require our attention. This is an individual process; that which works for one may not work for another. It is within that we find the answers, the knowledge and truth. It is here that we can tap into those concepts that resonate with our life’s purpose.

Conscious awareness can assist us in penetrating these façades by developing the ability to judge wisely and objectively, thereby revealing authenticity. This action requires an internal search for our own authenticity. When we discover the authentic self, when it is revealed, then whatever bombards our senses can be dealt with in a positive and constructive manner. I have been known to jump in where angels fear to tread. This has led to many wonderful experiences, each one of which I appreciate as a lesson. Some situations are repeated until the lesson has been fully realized. A simple truth evolves from the experience and can be utilized in a practical manner in other situations.

Life is a rollercoaster; without the ups, the downs have no meaning or reality. The reverse is also true: all is defined by its opposite. Upon accepting that life is full of opposites, these opposites lose their power, as they are non-reality, transitory and illusory.

Once there is a conscious awareness of the mind and its machinations, then we can begin the journey to our centre, our heart. There we can manifest a condition of understanding with complete honesty and detachment. This creates trust within our self. Once established, we can see the truth in others—a gift of discernment on a Path to Light.

©T.S. (Tim) White, 2008

All rights reserved.

www.TheSereneWay.com

‘The Secret’ and ‘The Law of Attraction’ as Fabrications of Greed

“The enemy will hide in the last place you would ever look.”

Julius Caesar, 75 B.C.

The pursuit of happiness and peace is caught in, and now churn and grease the wheels of, consumerism, commercialism and materialism. This ultimately makes a mockery of spirituality and the quest for meaning in our lives, and never so dynamically and ubiquitously as both The Secret and the ‘Law of Attraction’. For years we have been hearing and literally ‘buying into’ the promise that we can have all that we want—the good life—through visualization, belief and a modicum of effort. This only serves to intensify desire, leading to greed and a further spiral into the illusion that materialistic gain will give us the security for which we search.

Perhaps we can say that the rape and pillage of the earth began with Imperialism. Certainly the Industrial Revolution introduced many benefits. However, when we look closely, we see its empty results: the destruction of our air, our water, our earth. We continue to pass down to future generations the responsibility of repairing what we have been systematically destroying. We have not been able to set an example for these future generations, teaching them how to shoulder responsibility, nor have we demonstrated much more than a single care about them. They see only a continuation of the same actions, of single-minded greed that keeps the current system intact and causes endless cycles of crisis.

This repetitive program results in a pattern of fear which is based on illusion, currently manifest as the profit turned in ‘paper’ transactions upon which our ‘free market’ society is based. This programming has become a source of control for the mechanisms of consumerism—its manipulation, calculation and deception. It has been instrumental in separating us from our selves, in giving power to someone or something—an entity—other than our selves.

How can the goal of the bigger house, the faster car, the gold, diamonds and pearls fill this emptiness within? The idea of more, more, more and guzzle, guzzle, guzzle can lead only to a repetition of history, where stock markets plummet and fear grips the world. It certainly hasn’t changed in this lifetime; we need look no further than the real estate crash of the ’80s, the dot-com crash of the ’90s, and now a combination of both monetary lending for real estate and commodities crashing today. Trillions of dollars have been said to have been lost on the global markets, and a single country is spending $700 billion to bail out those that continue this repetition of historic pirating.

The promise of ‘abundance’ has proliferated like nuclear missiles and weapons of mass destruction. In the end, it creates the same emotional reaction—fear—out of power, control, and an ‘I am better than you’ mentality. These ideas, no matter who discusses or promote them, whether it is Rhonda, Oprah, Jack, Bob or Phil, lead us down the path not only to earthly ruin, but to the ruin of humanity itself. It appears that the last bastion of the self—our soul—is becoming fodder for the markets.

Perhaps we are getting what The Secret and ‘The Law of Attraction’ promise, as there is never an action without a reaction.

It has been said there is enough for everyone on this earth. These works, which promote the manifestation of our materialistic desires by focusing on our intentions, lead only to a further exhaustion of all non-renewable resources and move us closer to the brink of extinction.

“We can have what we want” is the chant and chorus bombarding our senses. Do we need a 5,000 square foot home? Do we need a television for every room in the house? Do we need all those gas guzzling cars? They only serve to suck up limited resources and abuse the fertile soil we need to sustain our selves. We encroach upon the habitat of other animals without concern for their demise, only appreciating their monetary value. We continue to destroy the symbiotic relationship we have with this planet and all that exist upon it for the sake of power, control and materialistic gain.

Perhaps the better question is, “What do we need to exist?” No longer do we gather for the long winter. Instead we horde for the sake of hording and feed the illusion that this will give us a sense of identity, our desires creating a self image in a society lost on its path to light. The cycle of abuse perpetrated not only on this planet but upon ourselves has manifested itself in the form of the current economic turmoil—we reap what we have sown.

Originally, abundance and attraction were intended to enlighten, to instil a true sense of security and self. They are now being used against us. The plunder has reached into our most basic nature, raping our very souls. The sanctity of self is being prostituted, sold and re-sold as pretence of materializing the divine—an impossiblity, since it is an infinite expression of energy.

We continue to take an internal quest and externalize it in the form of materialistic goals, missing the point completely. The secret is not to manifest materialistic desires but to release them.

The secret is to know that abundance and wealth in physical terms are illusions. They are transitory; they are ‘no’ thing, not everything.

Take the opportunity to release these attachments and create a new world order that will manifest understanding and compassion on our path to light.

© T.S. (Tim) White, 2007

All rights reserved

www.TheSereneWay.com

World Talk Radio - Amendments to the Food & Drugs Act

Bill c51 - Toronto Rally - June 14

Rally against Bill C51 (amendments to the Food & Drugs Act) at Queen’s Park this Saturday, June 14

Bill C51 – Response to government agenda  The Big Pharmaceutical lobby continues to strong arm the government into pushing through legislation to change the Food & Drug Act to include ‘Therapeutic Products’. What affect will this have on our ability to choose traditional options for preventative care? At what expense to the current health care model will this push a beleaguered system over the brink?   Our government is telling us, “This Bill is part of our strategy to ensure that food and products that are available on the Canadian Market are safe for consumers.” How can they ensure this when laws governing prescription drugs or even day to day products lack this ability? Recently, it was reported by Canadian Press that ‘The federal government is considering declaring a substance used to make chewing gum as toxic after tests on the colourless liquid with a sweet, fruity smell linked to cancer…” Apparently, there is a law in place to protect the consumer from this ‘toxic’ substance.  “All of Canada’s major international trading partners have the authority to recall a drug, cosmetic or medical device if a serious incident were to occur. While most companies willingly remove dangerous product from the market, without this Bill, Canada would not have the authority to intervene if a company chooses to ignore requests for withdrawal.” Teflon pans that are now prohibited from sale in Canada, again, there is a law in place that can remove products and ensure consumer safety. This new legislation certainly didn’t have an impact upon this product and yet the government managed to deal with the issue.  A recent response to an email regarding Bill C-51 elicited the following response, “Under this Bill, natural health products will continue to fall under their own unique set of regulations and the provisions for safety and quality will continue to be appropriate to the relatively low risk profile of this class of products.” Clearly a law already exists for consumer protection. Safety and quality?  Where are these terms in relation to prescription drugs, I was on the subway the other day and one of the advertisements stated, “In Canada, 300,000 hospitalized for misuse of prescription drugs.” That’s one percent of the entire population hospitalized for taking what is prescribed. Can the same be said for supplements? A recent article in MacLean’s Magazine (Apr. 21^st, 2008) titled ‘Vitamins can be hazardous to your health.’ quoted a British 2003 study that indicated, “…34 vitamins and mineral studied, one could cause cancer, six could induce ‘irreversible, harmful effects’ and three could have ‘short-term harmful effects’. Here’s the kicker, at levels over 10 times the recommended dosage. Yet little was said in the article regarding even one ray of hope in regard to the positive effects of supplementation. A Canadian University study in the 1950’s of vitamin IV therapies on paranoid schizophrenics found that within a three month period participants received a clean bill of health. There are countless other examples that we don’t get to see and aren’t covered in the media.  What constitutes low risk?  Definitely not the prescription drug advertisements that inundate our televisions, where we see untold numbers of ads for ‘prescription’ drugs that have a list of side effects as long as your arm. Take a bottle of aspirin and you could end up dead. Give a child a tube of toothpaste and they too could have ‘irreversible, harmful effects’.  As for low risk, I ask, is death a relatively ‘low risk profile’. We have seen numerous drugs flood the market only to be taken off when further ‘testing’ reveals levels of risk higher than previously claimed. We don’t have to look that far back to remember Vioxx. Are current laws protecting the consumer in this case?  Who’s most at risk? Another quote from a message regarding the government’s stance on Bill C-51; “We need fines in the Bill to deter criminals from abusing their privilege to market safe products … the Bill also says that the fines must be tailored to the risk of the product.” Would these laws be applicable to the Big Pharmaceuticals or better said are they being applied to them now? I think not and I don’t think so! If any supplements to come under this legislation, it is the Big Pharmaceutical companies have the most to gain. They are unable to patent plant matter, yet when they discover a chemical compound that affects the body, they can patent that process and the synthesis of the ‘drug’. Who pays for it? We do.  Research since the discovery of ‘sulpha’ drugs in 1850’s has changed from the more holistic approach to a prescription approach, in no way affecting the underlying issues regarding disease. Will mediation become part of this ‘therapeutic product’ as recent discoveries have proven its effect on all systems of the body? What criteria would be used to define a ‘therapeutic product’? The advertising claim on most of the food we eat certainly is becoming more oriented to the therapeutic affect of ingredients. Is our food destined to become by prescription only? Are the current laws protecting the consumer or the large corporations? In the instances here, Big Pharmaceutical companies are the beneficiaries of current regulations and they are sure to continue to be unless we act.  Please write to your governmental representatives today, to stop this process.
Canada - www.StopC51.com
US - http://www.healthfreedomusa.org/   Please sign the petition and forward this information, we are all affected by these changes. http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/StopC51 Peace, love & lightT.S. (Tim) White

Oprah, we all need your help!!!

The state of health of all North Americans is in jeopardy.

Here in Canada big pharma is strong arming the government to pass Bill C51 (www.stopc51.com) There is a similar Codex in the US and this government is following its southern counterparts lead. This would restrict access to natural remedies, such as vitamin and herbal supplements to a prescription basis. The government would have the authority to enter one’s home without a warrant and seize one’s property as well as levy fines upwards of $2,000,000 and jail time for drying herbs in your own home.

I’ve signed the petition “Stop Bill C-51″& http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/StopC51

This is the note I attached to my signing of the petition.

12:50 pm PDT, May 7, Tim White, Canada

Thanks in part to natural supplements and herbal remedies; I have been able to control my Irritable Bowel Disorder for the past 2 1/2 years. It is with this continued support that I do not have to avail of the health care system at a great expense. Giving in to Pharmaceutical companies is just another indication of how government is for the corporate sector and not of the people for the people. Stop the process of this act immediately. How much more can the health care system sustain. Extended Health Care premiums would skyrocket and how few can afford them as it is.

We must all fight to ensure that neither government enacts laws that restrict access to our ability to take care of ourselves. We must be free of big brother Pharma trying to squeeze more out of the average citizen by its lobby.

We need your help to get this message out to as many as possible so we can protect our right to avail of natural products and be responsible for our own health and wellbeing.

Many thanks

Tim

Strengths can be measured as security or support.  

There are strengths of a financial nature which provide stability in the external world as society is currently structured the details of living in a consumerist society weighted to products, balance sheets and bottom lines – a necessity yet can create an impediment to furthering individual spiritual development.  

There are strengths of an emotional nature which provide sustenance for the soul which is at odds with the current social economic paradigm. Both are necessary, however current priority is given to cash flow status, which in effect imprison us within boundaries of an external nature. A balance needs to be achieved in order to function within the confines of our social structure.  

Our overall balance is usually found in another person and within an interpersonal relationship, like many other balances within our psyche. We seek out those that can compliment and balance our individual natures; it is through this process that we can learn to achieve that balance within our selves – the primary and driving objective as long as it is self-realized. 

It is very important that the intention with which either support is given is to be honest and true, if it is not; the vibration of that energy will pervade the situation. It would met with scepticism and distrust for the spirit of the offer or use of a particular strength would be lost. There is an emptiness to it as if it is given with a balance sheet in mind. Scales measuring the balance of something which should be offered in spirit has transformed into a commodity with a price. Can this then qualify as a strength, if another is made to feel weak or beholding to its use? 

In many relationships there is the ‘bread’ winner and the ‘bread’ maker. The financial stability of the household rest with the major ‘bread’ winner or money maker, should this balance be heavily weighted there is a tendency to return to 1950’s stereotypes. In this instance the ‘bread’ winner, feels entitled to put little energy into the emotional aspects of the household and in time sees little value in the ‘bread’ maker’s role. This reveals the power struggle in many relationships. I do this so you have to do that. Of course, the reverse can also be true where the ‘bread’ maker neglects the stability the ‘bread’ winner brings to the household. Neither extreme is conducive to the overall stability of the relationship. There is no difference in the value of either function; one does not exist without the other. None is totally independent.    

There is a wonderful story… 

 Though we may prepare (‘bread’ maker) the food we eat, it has been bought at a store which employs people to stock the shelves, clean the floors and cashiers to ring in the items and take the cash (‘bread’ winner). The food is delivered by trucks which have to be made by people from materials that are mined and refined. The vehicles need drivers, brokers, dispatchers and fuel, which comes from oil well which have other people to build the well to take it to the refinery then to the depot for distribution to the gas stations. The produce has to be taken to market (more vehicles) which is sold by more people. It is from the farmer that the produce is sown in the ground and with the minerals in the ground grows with sun, water and air… 

We are all (inter)dependent on much whether for physical existence or spiritual development. There is value in each part of the equation for without one the whole cannot remain intact. None has greater value for both are important to create with strength the sum of the parts. This is true whether in a relationship or in a business environment, pedestals and hierarchy are creations for the continued power struggle and relates directly to the ‘bread’ winner and ‘bread’ maker analogy. 

When we offer our strength freely; with generosity and for the benefit of the greater picture, then the spirit in which it can be received can manifest great love and generate spiritual development, emotional and financial stability. When one uses their strengths to best effect, they are given freely and we raise our vibration to a level which gives us great joy and leads us further on the path to light.

© T.S. (Tim) White, 2007  All rights reserved