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Kathryn Howard

Kathryn Howard

Certified yoga master, herbalist, hypnotherapist and master...

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Sharon Janis

Sharon Janis

Author of Secrets of Spiritual Happiness

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Richard D. Blackstone

Richard D. Blackstone

Speaker and author of Nuts & Bolts Spirituality

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Take Your Time

Take Your Time

Do you feel like all your spiritual endeavors leave you coming up short, or never amass to any kind of internal change? On The Huffington Post, Father John Bakas says, “God takes two days to make a mushroom; He takes 60 years to make an oak tree. Do you want to be a mushroom or an oak tree?” Whether or not you believe this literally, the analogy to life’s developments and the time they take is very insightful.
 
We live in a society that often aims for gratification obtained as quickly as possible, but if you want to live more spiritually, realize that the gratification will be gradual and slow-coming. Father John Bakas describes spirituality as “a life-long process, not static but dynamic,” something akin to planting a seed and seeing it through all of the stages with patience as well as determination.
 
Remember to never give up on your spiritual pursuits, because even if you aren’t aware of it, you are making progress. Have you experienced moments of frustration along the way? [The Huffington Post]

Posted: 7/9/08
Monishakti

I agree that it's hard to stay in the present moment. One thing I find useful is precisely what jenny says about being grateful. Sometimes, though, when I'm "negative mode' I don't fin that easy to do so I resort to my plan B: just being aware of what's going on inside of me (I'm aware of my anger/ my pain7 my negativity etc). That sort of acceptance brings me back to here and now and it's easier for me, from there, to be grateful.

JennMermaid

It's not a trick... whenever you notice you aren't IN the momnet as you would choose to be, take a breathe and find something you are GRATEFUL for in that moment. No matter how small. Then, my guess is, you'll be there...

JennMermaid

It's not a trick... whenever you notice you aren't IN the momnet as you would choose to be, take a breathe and find something you are GRATEFUL for in that moment. No matter how small. Then, my guess is, you'll be there...

futya4ness

I agree with all the living in the present stuff, it makes a lot of sense. However, I find it very difficult to stay present. I don't want to give up trying, but it does feel like i'm never gonna get there sometimes ! any tricks, cheat notes or suggestions ?