How change occurs from the most amazing places

I have supported the campaign to free Tibet for many years but really I could'nt see how things would ever change. If I had looked carefully at how major change occurs in our world I should have expected the unexpected. The fact that China are (well up to now anyway) hosting the Olympic games has provided the world with a chance to stand together and show that we do care about human rights and that the treatment of the Tibetan people will not be tolerated. This is our time to make a difference, it may never come again.

A thought for the new year

This is the time of year that we start to think about changing our lives. Start something, stop something, the 1st of Jan 2008 sounds like a good time, a new beginning.

However come that day when the wheel of life slowly starts to grind again our new beginning can soon become the same as last year. How about instead of making that resolution we take a little bit of time to be grateful for what we have got. If we do make a resolution how about deciding that this year we will make an effort to help others less fortunate than ourselves.

By placing the emphasis of change away from ourselves and focusing on others who knows in what ways we may change and grow.

We are all substantially flawed, wounded, angry, hurt, here on Earth. But this human condition, so painful to us, and in some ways shameful----- because we feel we are weak when the reality of ourselves is exposed--- is made much more bearable when it is shared, face to face, in words that have expressive human eyes behind them. Alice Walker.

Wonder and Awe

On a recent holiday I visited the caves of Nerja in Southern Spain. They were breathtaking, unreal, you just stood there and looked in wonder. This got me thinking, we can look at buildings and admire, we can look at technology and think how clever. However only nature will stop us in our tracks and inspire words like awe and wonder. To think we can control nature is very arrogant, perhaps we should use nature to guide us when we design and build, we still have a lot to learn. If you think that a tiny acorn can produce with just sunshine and water a wonderful tree, how can we compete with that! I guess its the equivalent of putting a brick in the ground and waiting for your house to grow, that I would look at in wonder.

So next time we look at the latest mobile or admire a new faster car, just take a moment to look around you at nature maybe that will put things in perceptive.

Planet Negativity

Today as I passed a newsagent I glanced at the headlines on the various papers on display. We had street crime and knife attacks, people frightened to leave the house. Hurricane Dean raging through Jamaica heading for Mexico. A plane burning on the runway in Japan. Our soldiers waiting for the government to find a way out of Iraq. More warnings about global warming, and stories about murders, kidnappings and anarchy on the streets.

If I landed from another planet I don't think I would even open my suitcase I would head straight home. I don't buy newspapers because it seems only doom and gloom sells, but what about all the positive news.

Is our planet out of control? or is it media hype? Thom Hartman wrote a brilliant book " The last hours of ancient sunlight" he proposes that the only lasting solution to the crises we face is to re-learn the lessons our ancient ancestors knew- those which allowed them to live sustainably for hundreds of thousands of years- but which we've forgotten.

Reading this book may change the way you view the world and the influence of the media, and may provide surprising answers to how our world operates.

To celebrate the first month of the truepotential blog we will send a copy free to the best comment received by 20/9/07.

Shake up your day

How easy it is to just automatically float through our day, knowing we are bored but just watching the hours pass. Today I could have easily followed that road but instead I chose to shake up my day and do something new. Thinking about my options I decided on a visit to an art gallery. This is something I haven't done for a very long time, my wife Kathleen and I spent hours admiring the paintings and the skill it takes to create such a wonderous thing.

By stepping out of our automatic state we can re-engage with the world and expand our day, why not try it next time you are slipping into the realm of boredom, go do something you don't normally do. Take your curiosity and sense of adventure with you, don't pre-judge the trip go with an open mind and really pay attention, you may well be surprised at the outcome.

Our trip was free, you will be surprised what is on your doorstep.

Goal setting or a journey of discovery

It is well written that people who set goals achieve more, and just maybe lead a more fulfilling life, although this last point is open for discussion. But what happens if you don't know what you want out of life and so find it difficult to set your goals. This can result in a feeling of being stuck, going nowhere and frustration. The trick here is to set a goal, preferably quite a big one, but to then become detached from the outcome. By this I don't mean forget about it, but as you progress towards it have a wider perspective, follow everything that arises to it's conclusion. You don't have to be passionate about the goal but you do need to be determined to complete it, however as you follow other paths you may well find something you are passionate about. The key to this form of goal setting is determination and curiosity, above all else it will get you moving in life and who knows what you will discover. Remember set the goal and start your journey if something arises that interests you follow it, if it turns out to be more interesting than your original goal, ditch the original and follow the new one. If it isn't, back to your original goal and so on...........

Setting goals is like looking
at the stars

You might not be able to reach
them

But they can help you
navigate.

Aruna Ratanagiri: Harnham Buddhist Monastery

Today I visited Harnham Buddhist Monastery, the scenery was stunning and the calm and tranquil atmosphere created a wonderful sense of peace. I spent an hour with Ajahn Munindo discussing meditation practise and mindfulness. We discussed how we really need to be in the now when meditating, both in mind and in body. And how it is sometimes useful to label thoughts, feelings and emotions during our practise, to notice and label without judgement.

The conversation was fascinating and the hour passed very quickly, it is not often you get to spent time with someone so experienced in mindfulness and Buddhism, you must listen carefully, for they are precious moments.

http://www.ratanagiri.org.uk/

http://www.forestsangha.org/