There is nothing in the universe that can stop us from growing, except our habitual, mechanical nature.

It's well known that storm-tossed waves often expose new treasures along the shoreline; there is unexpected wealth to be collected by those who know the secret value of rough seas. And yet, even though most of us have little tolerance for anything that "rocks our boat," the truth of the matter is self-evident: *Unwanted moments introduce us to parts of ourselves that would otherwise never get...

Have you ever wondered why our best intentions and the ability to accomplish them seem to live in two different universes? We intend not to do something mean-spirited or otherwise self-defeating. Yet that is often just what we do. Then we ask, "What happened... how could we?" Yet, for all of our questioning, this mystery remains unsolved. See if the following insight doesn't shed much-needed...

Blaming conflict-filled feelings on any condition, or person, outside of yourself is like getting angry at your shoes for being laced too tight. So here is an effective inner life step designed to help you grow and develop greater spiritual strength: No matter what happens, never blame anyone -- or anything -- for the way you feel. Rising above the blame game is the same as learning how to be...

Question: Your teachings say that making demands and having expectations just sets us up for trouble. I know it's true. I always plan how other people should act and how things should turn out, but they never do what I expect, and then I become angry and disappointed. I sense that I am causing all my own pain. If I could just learn to want for myself what life wants for me maybe I wouldn't...

Topics covered: There are a legion of false friends within us that we presently do not realize are false friends that deceive us through promises of comfort and consolation; The consciousness responsible for the conflict we feel doesn't change when you temporarily cover up the pain of the moment through a distraction of one kind or another; The same mind that creates the conflict...

Topics covered: Something in me wants to keep me in fear and humiliation; Why do I feel more negative during the holidays; Feeling like a fake; Resisting unwanted moments; How do I take the high road and forgive someone who hurt me; I want to help my family cope with the death of a loved one...