Paradise is Not a Place

In this final episode of season one, I talk about mantras or sound tools that are a common adjunct in the practice of meditation. There will be an opportunity to practice meditation with the Buddhist (although secular wording) mantra 'Om Mani Padme Hum' that translates to 'Praise to the jewel in the lotus.'

This episode was originally broadcast the day after the death of friend and work colleague Mo Dibba from Covid-19. May he rest in peace. There is a story about an infamous diamond thief who sought to steal only the most exquisite and precious of gems. This thief would hang around the diamond district of the city to observe wealthy buyers purchasing the gems, so that later he could pick their pocket. One day he saw a well-known diamond merchant purchase a much sought-after jewel. It was the most purest, most pristine diamond. The thief excited by the prospect of such a steal followed the diamond merchant as he boarded the train, getting into the same compartment. He spent an entire three-day journey trying to pick the merchant's pocket and obtain the diamond. When the end of the journey came and he hadn't found the gem, he was very frustrated. An accomplished thief, he employed all the skills at his disposal but was still was not able to steal this precious jewel. When the diamond merchant got off the train, the pickpocket followed him again. Finally, he just couldn't stand it any more, and he walked up to the merchant and said, 'Sir, I am a renowned diamond thief. I saw you purchase that beautiful diamond, so I followed you onto the train. Though I used all the skills of my art, which have been perfected over many years, I was not able to find the gem. I must know your secret. Tell me, please, how did you hide it from me?' The diamond merchant replied, 'Well, I saw you watching me in the diamond district, and I suspected you were a pickpocket. So I hid the diamond where I thought you would be least likely to look for it — in your own pocket!' He then reached into the thief's pocket and pulled out the diamond." We have a source of unalloyed peace and happiness within us - we just need to look and try not to miss the obvious!

"The chains of habit are too light to be felt until they are too heavy to be broken.” - This is Warren Buffet quoting the English philosopher Bertrand Russell. These words so aptly describe the insidious nature of bad business habits that don't become apparent until it is too late. Meditation creates space allowing you to cast your awareness on this conditioning, an important first step.

We can probably spend the whole day without checking in with ourselves, distracted by the comings and goings of the world, events in your life and in your mind. Just one conscious breath can make all the difference, two even better. The more often that you can return to the present moment, the more at peace you will be. You cannot be breathing consciously and not be in the present moment.

“Drop the idea of becoming someone, because you are already a masterpiece. You cannot be improved. You have only to come to it, to know it, to realize it.” ~ Osho Wise words indeed from the controversial spiritual teacher Osho. Note how in this vast universe of ours, there is no one quite like you. Why would you want to be anyone else anyway; it takes up so much of your time and effort.

Notice the irritation you feel when you are talking to someone and they don't make eye contact or when you are trying to have a conversation with someone who is distracted by other things. Presence, or giving someone our undivided attention is perhaps the greatest gift that we can give another. Lack of attention to this attention has been known to end relationships!

“Your emotions are the slaves to your thoughts, and you are the slave to your emotions.” ~ Elizabeth Gilbert It's important to recognise that emotions, no matter how powerful they are, are just thought forms that have recruited internal body sensations to amplify their effect. Unfortunately the thoughts often go unrecognised, the mind made story often elaborates unchecked and before you know if, waves of emotions overcome you. Being aware of the passing and constantly arising thoughts creates some space. When you become aware of how much nonsense goes in your head (in your name) you can decide not to give any of your attention to it. *the volume in this recording is back to normal range at 30 seconds.

Gandhi famously said "Be the change you wish to see in the world".  We can have a tendency to judge, be irritated by or complain about things we don't like in the world. Try instead to embody the change that you want in the world. Lead by example. Peace and happiness are contagious!

"Paradise is not a place; it's a state of consciousness." ~ Sri Chinmoy Our natural state is one of peace, happiness, fulfilment but it is the thinking mind and the clamour of the outside world that prevent us from returning there (whenever we want to). Finding paradise is about turning within.

"Wear gratitude like a cloak and it will feed every corner of your life" ~ Rumi This episode is about gratitude - the ultimate game changer :)