Cultivating a
genuine sense of regret is not the same as feeling guilt. Guilt is actually a block to transformation,
but remorse can shift something deep within us and lead to positive action.
Simply be still,
silent, and open enough to allow positive qualities to emerge naturally.
You can access the
first inner refuge, unbounded sacred space, through the stillness of your body.
Access to the second
inner refuge, infinite awareness, is through the silence of your speech. Here, infinite refers to the limitless
possibilities of each moment.
What separates us
from peace is our smart ego, with its endless judgments, opinions, and advice.
Any time you
identify with a sense of "I"--- "I feel something"; "I
have lost something"; "I am lost" --- you are identifying with
the wrong person. You are identifying
with the ego, with your pain body, not with your true nature.
Through any external
appearance -- any form, event, or relationship --- you can either become
separate from yourself or connect with the richness of the inner refuge.
Often we project our
distress onto people around us, particularly those we are closest to, thinking
that it is their behavior and not our own discontent that is the source of our
unhappiness.
Retrieving your soul
starts with finding a deeper connection within.
From there, a deeper connection with others is possible.
The true medicine
for loneliness is the connection with the inner refuge. It's about feeling at home with yourself.
Changing our
familiar habitual responses can seem difficult at first. One common excuse is I don’t have the
time. I am constantly hearing this
mantra from Westerners. They think a lack of time is a reasonable excuse, but
it really makes no sense, especially when it comes to nourishing one's inner
being.
