I love the truth but, truth be told, I struggle every day of my life to remember it in moments I really need to! Though I don't like the thought, lately I'm beginning to think that maybe my relationship with Truth/Light is more imagined than real, but I'm in the dark about this! Any comments? (From student correspondence)...

Vernon Howard once said, "When you realize that 'you' are all wrong, you will be all right." How many crises does it take to prove that? Our minds have been programmed from day one to be all wrong -- blaming, judging, criticizing. It is an endless horror story and not one easily recognized and given up. I don't know how to turn it off other than to stay as alert as possible and not fall for it...

Question: I am a full-time elementary school teacher and I find the workload and daily demands of the classroom nearly unbearable. I got into teaching because I have a passion for literacy and wanted to help children learn to read, however with the demands of my current position, I only spend maybe 30 minutes a day doing the "dream" aspects of my job. I feel strongly about my passion...

Question: I understand that the purpose of this moment is not to feel certain or to feel better about "myself." I know that my work is to see this lower nature in me, to watch it fall down, and to consciously suffer that. I want to work to be a sincere student, to deliberately set aside more time for prayer and attention exercises, yet I continue to feel used by a nature that acts...

In your book on Breaking Codependency, you refer to "desire" as us wishing for something. For me, desire is a natural impulse to create in the universe. Without it we would never be compelled to move. Don't you think that the word "want" more accurately expresses the lack we feel when we don't have something and the sense that having it will complete us?...

I have failed in all areas. I have nothing to give to the world. I am waiting for my faith, and to remember God's grace. I want to live without fear, insecurities, pain, shame, or ridicule. Do I have it in me to end the torment of my existence now? I am not strong enough to keep the torment at bay, and therefore seek your help.

The past keeps coming into my thoughts when situations arise that bring rehearsed doom and gloom feelings that hamper the chance for success in the present. What do I do in that moment? Meditate? Pray? Try to think of another more pleasant time? I have trouble and fear with all of this. What is the mind to do at this point to overcome the present problem?...

I play a difficult musical instrument to master, but I have a wonderful teacher, known all over the world. He has corrected me many times, and yet as I continue to practice, these supposed corrections still come out wrong...as well as my anger towards myself for failing to learn! What am I missing here; why do I continue to fail? (From student correspondence)...

I am listening to one of your tapes on the freedoms we don't have when we want to say things to people. It came across to me that I don't say what's on my mind at times. But when I'm annoyed or sometimes tired, I say what's on my mind without any hesitation! (Student correspondence, 2/19/07)...

I believe in God but I feel so detached from him -- I don't know spiritual love. I have no feelings for him one way or the other. Can you please tell me what it takes to come to truly love God? I would appreciate any insights you have that may enlighten me. (Student correspondence, 10/31/06)...

While it's impossible to be free of "my" psychological body, including the elements inherent in the ceaseless appearance of its conditioned reactions, I am free to change my relationship to that body and -- in so doing -- do the interior work of liberating myself from its equally ceaseless identification with its own self-created dark states.

Many times because I feel empty, I wonder if I'm broken beyond repair. It seems the more I intend to become aware of the self, the worse I feel or can't seem to apply in the moment what I know is right and true. Sometimes its like the closer to God I want to be, I begin thinking "you're only doing this to get what you want, not what Life wants." (From student correspondence)...