Month: July 2011
Are You Aware Of Your Unconscious Tendencies?
Are You Aware Of Your Unconscious Tendencies?
posted by Deepak Chopra
The question of free will versus determination is huge. In the one reality, every pair of opposites is ultimately an illusion. We’ve already blurred the division between good and evil and life and death. Is free will going to turn out to be the same as determinism? A lot seems to ride on the answer.
Free Will = Independence, Self-determination, Choice, Control over events, Future is open.
Determinism = Dependence on an outside will, Self determined by fate, No control over events, Choices made for you, Future is closed.
These phrases sketch in the common understanding of what’s at stake. Everything in the free-will column sounds attractive. We all want to be independent; we want to make our own decisions; we want to wake up with hope that the future is open and full of endless possibilities.
On the other hand, nothing seems attractive in the determination column. If your choices have been made for you, if your self is tied to a plan written before you were born, then the future cannot be open. Emotionally at least, the prospect of free will has already won the argument.
And at a certain level nobody has to delve any deeper. If you and I are marionettes operated by an invisible puppeteer – call him God, fate, or karma – then the strings he’s pulling are also invisible. We have no proof that we aren’t making free choices.
There is a reason to delve deeper, however, and it centers on the word Vasana. In Sanskrit, a Vasana is an unconscious cause. It’s the software of the psyche, the driving force that makes you do something when you think you’re doing it spontaneously. As such, Vasana is very disturbing.
Vasana is determinism that feels like free will. If unconscious tendencies kept working in the dark, they wouldn’t be a problem. But human beings, unique among all living creatures, want to break down Vasana. We crave the assurance of absolute freedom and its result – a totally open future.
Is this reasonable? Is it even possible?
Adapted from The Book of Secrets, by Deepak Chopra (Harmony Books, 2004).
Today’s I Ching Hexagram for July 24 is 9: Small Influences
9: Small Influences
General Meaning: A gentle wind gathers the clouds, but still, no rain. Softer influences predominate as the power of subtle forces grows. This is a time for smooth and friendly persuasion.
In the ebb and flow of events, there are always ‘low tides’ — times when sweeping action is impossible or inappropriate, but when small matters can be attended to profitably, leading to bigger and better things later on. When the tide is rolling in, by all means, ride the wave; but when it is receding like it is now, focus on little things.
When the times are such that you cannot do much to affect large matters, persuasion and subtle influence can prepare the way for strength in the future. Use your intuition to chart your long-term course, but avoid bold actions for the moment, for they are unlikely to work. This is an excellent time to refine existing abilities or develop new talents.
Be wary of others’ intentions if they hold the upper hand in a situation. Examine their sources of power, so as to discover subtle influences you may be able to exert upon them.
What Is Real Happiness?
What Is Real Happiness?
posted by Deepak Chopra
What is real happiness? It is being at one with your soul. So, then what’s a soul? Its everything that the ego is not. The ego tries to build you up. It makes you feel special and protected. But what’s really happening? You wind up being incredible insecure.
“I’m stuck on myself, on my way of doing things. I don’t love the way I am, but I’m addicted to it, and I don’t know how to stop.”
Your soul and your ego are as invisibly mixed as white wine and water. That’s why people are so confused. They wander through life searching for the soul when it’s right there. They all believe their soul will go to Heaven after they die, but the soul is everywhere already.
In other words, the soul is a mystery. It can’t be lost or found. It is neither here nor there. It belongs to you and yet it belongs to God. Without a process, no one would ever get to the bottom of it.
You’re searching for a label. Don’t. The process can’t be named. It’s invisible and yet all-powerful. It alters everything you say and do, yet nothing you say and do is part of it.
You can’t own the process. You can’t cling to it, any more than you could hold on to the smell of the ocean. The process happens entirely in the present. It’s here one second and gone the next.
You keep going back to your old self. That’s the worst addiction. As long as you crave the old self, you can never fully contact the unknown. Everyone is addicted to their old self.
You can’t have real roses, so you buy plastic ones. You can’t think sweet thoughts, so you gobble down sugar. You can’t figure out how to be happy, so you make other people laugh. There’s nothing wrong with what you do, but that’s not real happiness.
Adapted from Why Is God Laughing? The Path to Joy and Spiritual Optimism, by Deepak Chopra (Harmony Books, 2008).
Today’s Tarot Card for July 24 is The Emperor
The Emperor
This Tarot Deck: Dragon
General Meaning: In the most practical terms, what has traditionally been called the Emperor card represents the highest leadership, a head of state or the most exemplary and powerful person in the realm. This archetypal ruler is responsible for the positive working out of affairs of a society or community, which are directly proportional to his well being and happiness.
The more enlightenment and cosmic perspective this energy brings, the better life is for all. The Emperor archetype masters the world of matter and physical manifestation. When you apply this card to your situation, acknowledge your potentials for mastery. Reinforce a sense of sovereignty within yourself, despite any self-limiting beliefs, habits or appearances to the contrary.
Cosmic Calendar – July 24
Once you get through the main challenge of the day – a caustic, 45-degree skirmish between Mars in Gemini and Jupiter in Taurus (12:08AM PDT) – the universe pretty much gives you a wide-open Sunday to do whatever you want. Yes, any Mars-Jupiter joust can be somewhat jarring and provocative – physically, emotionally and mentally. Therefore, don’t think the Mars-Jupiter encounter is a trifle. Nevertheless, the Sun parallels the Moon at 8:14AM PDT – an alignment that has similar energy to their monthly union in the zodiac. As a reminder, parallels and contra-parallels are solar, lunar and planetary alignments calculated (North and South) relative to the Celestial Equator rather than the Ecliptic (Earth’s path around the Sun). The parallels and contra-parallels reveal a more vertical, power-oriented focus than the zodiacal aspects – which are more relationship-oriented because they are calculated in a horizontal manner along the Ecliptic. Utilize the grounded, practical and pragmatic vibrations of Taurus Moon today to get all your cylinders clicking in gear. Give stubborn behavior patterns the boot. Return to physical fitness routines with enthusiasm. The love boat enters exotic ports of call tonight as the Moon in Taurus approaches a supportive, 60-degree rapport with Venus in Cancer (forming exactly at 1:45AM PDT on Monday). Social activities and the creative arts can also become your personal playgrounds.
Courtesy of Care2.com http://www.care2.com/greenliving/astrology/cosmic-calendar/2011-07-24/Affirmation of the Day for July 24
I am EARTH – I nurture my roots. I am AIR – I breathe deeply. I am FIRE – I radiate passion. I am WATER – I feel at peace.
About.com http://healing.about.com/od/affirmations/a/0724.htmthe daily humorscopes for sunday, july 24
the daily humorscope
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Aries (March 21 – April 19)
You will discover a large deposit of gold, when you’re out on a stroll. Unfortunately, wealth will not make you happy.
Taurus (April 20 – May 20)
Excellent day, today. Unless today is your 15th birthday, of course, in which case you’re destined to have a particularly embarassing episode involving a cat and an argyle sock.
Gemini (May 21 – June 20)
This will be a very happy week for you. And you know what they’ve been saying about that for thousands of years, don’t you? “Happy Good! Me Like Happy!”
Cancer (June 21 – July 22)
You will invent a new type of lingerie, and will make millions. The stripes are the key to your success. You will call it “Ze Bra.”
Leo (July 23 – August 22)
You will be “on the move”, soon. Especially movements of a gastrointestinal nature, as it turns out. Good day to stay close to home.
Virgo (August 23 – September 22)
This might be a good time to consider night school. That’s night, not knight. Unless you enjoy clanking around in armor, of course. Some people do.
Libra (September 23 – October 22)
Today will be the best day of your life, if you can just remember … er … now what was that? Hmmm. If you can just remember something really important. Otherwise, no. Hmmm.
Scorpio (October 23 – November 21)
A very pale young woman wielding a broadsword will approach you today to ask if you’d like your carnations pruned. Be nice and say yes. Reincarnation is tough on some people.
Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21)
You will dream about arrows without points, tonight, and it will have a deeply spiritual significance for you. You won’t know what to make of the episode with the lime Jell-O, though.
Capricorn (December 22 – January 20)
Your manager will be a twit, today. That’s ok, though — it’s what he’s paid for.
Aquarius (January 21 – February 18)
You are about to invent a night light in the shape of a chess piece, which you will name the “Nighty Knight”. You should be ashamed of yourself.
Pisces (February 19 – March 20)
If you keep going the way you are, you’ll soon be fit as a fiddle! (And as you know, a fiddle is very buff, for a stringed instrument.)
Happy Sunday To All!
Good afternoon and Happy Sunday! I hope everyone is having a fantastic weekend. It is in the hottest part of the day here. The heat index is 115 degrees. So its to hot to get out and do any yard work (which I actually planned on doing). I was in the kitchen yesterday and something hit the side door hard. I was cooking and hot, I flew to the door. To come to find out it was my neighbor weeding my fountain area. I quickly shut the door. I had a beautiful rose-bush which was in sort of a garden honoring cats. Well I had bought a few pieces of lattice. I put them in the yard were it needed fixing. Well my lovely neighbor came over and picked up the lattice and put it right on top of my rose-bush were he could mow. All the beautiful red roses died and I am nursing the plant to keep it from dying. My husband told me we would have to start mowing the day after he got through to keep him from being so helpful. My neighbor and I had a discussion and I told him how I loved to do yard work. He told me he knew how I hurt due to my back. Also I had no business on a riding lawn mower. I told him I appreciated his concern but I felt better when I had been mowing and getting fresh air. I just never dreamed of moving to the boonies and having neighbors like this. I told my husband I thought they were normal when we moved in. Come to find out this is the local insane asylum. I am sorry I know you all don’t give a crap about my neighbor driving me crazy. But it helps me to get it off my chest. I got out in the yard last night and actually found his footprints so you probably won’t be hearing me bitch about him anymore. But hey, you live out in the sticks there is never no excitement, lmao!
I hope you enjoy today’s postings. Have a great one!
Lady Abyss
The Witchcraft Chronicles 
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