Lighten Up with Lisa
This Spring take time to stop and smell the flowers with Winnie-the-Pooh
By Lisa Dawn Wax
The other day I was looking at my boyfriend. Actually, if I may be so bold, I was gazing lovingly into his serene blue eyes. He stared back at me and asked, “What are you thinking?” I paused briefly and realized that I wasn’t thinking anything at all. So, I replied, “I’m not thinking. I’m just being and I’m enjoying the moment.” He paused for a moment and said, “Wow! I wish I could do that.”
Most of us get stuck in this habitual mindset of labeling, justifying, qualifying and quantifying as we go through our lives. I doubt this is due to human nature as children don’t appear to do these actions. Granted there is a time and place when and where being in such a mindset may prove necessary and/or beneficial; however, if you seek true peace and happiness then do so by just letting it all go. Ask yourself, “Why can’t things just be?” Then answer, “They can!”
In 1982 Benjamin Hoff wrote a wonderful, humorous yet informative book called, The Tao of Pooh, in which he explains the principles of Taoism through Winnie-the-Pooh for the purpose of simplicity. He writes, “While Eeyore frets and Piglet hesitates and Rabbit calculates and Owl pontificates…Pooh just is. And that’s a clue to the secret wisdom of the Taoists.” For those of you unfamiliar with Taoism, some believe it is both a philosophy and religion while others believe it refers to a variety of related philosophical and religious traditions that have influenced Eastern Asia for more than two thousand years. In simple translation Tao means “the Way” and one major principle of Taoist thought is the wu wei, which translated means action through inaction. In his book Hoff focuses on the basics of Taoism as a way of appreciating, learning from and working with whatever happens in everyday life. The natural result of living with appreciation, learning and acceptance is living harmoniously in happiness. He even goes so far to say that, “…happy serenity is the most noticeable characteristic of the Taoist personality.” The final chapter sums it up beautifully, but I’ve paraphrased the highpoints for emphasis.
In the morning sunshine a small Bear travels through a Forest. Why did we follow him when we were so much younger? He is, after all, only a Bear of Little Brain. Is it really Brain that takes us where we need to go? Or is it all too often Brain that sends us off in the wrong direction, following the echo of the wind in the treetops, which we think is real, rather than listening to the voice within us that tells us which way to turn?
A Brain can do all kinds of things, but the things that it can do are not the most important things. Abstract cleverness of mind only separates the thinker from the world of reality, and that world, the Forest of Real Life, is in a desperate condition now because of too many who think too much and care too little. To avoid disaster we must change our approach and learn to value wisdom and contentment. These are the things that are being searched for anyway, through Knowledge and Cleverness, but they do not come from Knowledge and Cleverness.
The Masters of life know the Way, for they listen to the voice within them, the voice of wisdom and simplicity, the voice that reasons beyond Cleverness and knows beyond Knowledge. That voice has been given to everyone. Those who pay attention to it are too often treated as exceptions to the rule, rather than as examples of the rule in operation.
Within each of us there is an Owl, a Rabbit, an Eeyore, and a Pooh. For too long we have chosen the way of Owl and Rabbit. Now, like Eeyore, we complain about the results, which accomplish nothing. Ergo, we must choose the way of Pooh because without it, we will never find our way through the Forest.
Another Taoist book I recommend is “The Tao of Love” by Ivan Hoffman which teaches lessons of trust, love and letting go. Here are a couple of paraphrased excerpts:
The Tao teaches us that we must act in accordance with the natural order of the universe, the natural order being called Tao, the way. Behaviors that are natural, unforced, and in accordance with this natural order is called “wu wei.”
If we let go of our attempts at controlling the world and allow it to find its own level, it can find a level of peace and harmony. By changing our perspective and trusting in the Universe we are able to let go of our need to control because we are living in harmony and balance with our surroundings instead of trying to dominate them.
The bottom line is to remember that regardless of how we may feel at low points or even high points in our lives, our lives are all perfect because what our lives are is what our lives are supposed to be. When we fight the natural order and live against the wu wei it leads us to anger, frustration, and sadness. If instead we can learn to practice breathing, relaxing, taking pause, patience and acceptance, then we can enjoy a more peaceful, harmonious and happier life.
Until next time, may your days be brighter and your lives be lighter.
Lightworker Lisa
Let me ignite the light in your life!
A Lightworker is someone with an innate ability to know and heal and whose divine mission is to write, teach or counsel others about spiritual teachings. Lisa Dawn Wax, aka Lightworker Lisa, is a born Lightworker, certified Angel Healing Practitioner and Reiki Master Practitioner; all of which basically confirm her intuitive abilities to help, heal and teach. Using reiki (energy healing), guided meditations, divine messages and intuitive readings, she has helped many people to identify the source of their pain, clarify current life situations, and successfully redirect their focus into positive channels. If you are in need of affordable healing and life coaching with immediate results, call her at 561-594-3948 or visit her website www.lightworkerlisa.com. You can also listen to her new weekly radio show “The Youtopia Hour” on W4CY.com Mondays at 2PM ET.