believe in miracles

I recently decided to study "A Course in Miracles" (pdf) and its a beautifully empowering course that in essence is founded upon forgiveness and the grace of prayer and meditation.

Given it is the time of year 'for giving', I thought I'd share this wonderfully inspiring TED talk from Gabrielle Bernstein that my old colleague and friend Farrel Brest sent me.

I have found one of the biggest cathartic miracles in life has been to forgive myself for... well... urm... everything... including things that probably weren't my doing but I felt responsible for them nevertheless. Before traveling at times I slipped in to self-doubt whether it be in my career, in association with my body, my mind and my ability to live my truth and pursue my dreams... as ridiculously unattainable as I thought them to be.

There have been many moments on the road where I wondered "what is this for?" and "where am I going?" while also sensing a world that doesn't always reflect what I'd like to see; witnessing needless unkindness between people, towards nature, towards children and the conditioned systems in place that seem to bind more than liberate the human spirit. Dealing with shame has been a powerful lesson.

My work now is more focused on being a conscious miracle worker, as yours can be too. Waking up and being grateful for life, for friends, for family, for the lessons one must learn is important; as I have found letting go of what doesn't serve the highest good be it an emotion, person, place or material item - as much as a very human part of me might want to cling on to it.

It becomes a living practice to consciously “empty your cup,” again and again and again. The cup fills up easily, especially on the road; we want to fill it with the tea we “like” and it takes fierce courage to choose love over being right or comfortable. It takes a commitment and courage to be empty, open, and receptive. It takes courage to hold out your empty cup to receive something new and unexpected, including what seems to us the dark, not-so-sweet side of the 'Mystery of Life'.

For me it whittles down to being kind while learning to tread lightly on the hearts of others and the land we rely on to survive.

This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness. 

~ Dalai Lama