Excerpt from Beyond Belief interview with Timothy Freke:

What I hear at the heart of every single spiritual tradition which I’ve had the privilege of studying is essentially the same message, and it’s this, and that is things are not what they seem to be, and that we’re not who we think we are.  Because this moment, this strange experience we’re having, this flow of colors and sounds, its like a collective dream, and we can wake up.

And what I’ve seen in my own experience is that waking up is comparable to the experience of lucid dreaming.  So, when I dream normally I’m completely engrossed in my dream.  I think I really am the particular character I happen to be dreaming myself to be.  But when you dream consciously you recognize that you’re dreaming, so you are still dreaming, but you are conscious that you’re dreaming.  So when I dream lucidly I recognize that, ah ha, things aren’t what they seem, and I’m not really this person in this dream world.  There’s a deeper level to my identity, actually I’m Tim, who’s dreaming, and in that sense the whole of the dream is in me, and I’m one with the dream, the whole thing.

This waking up which the mystics from every time and place have talked about is the same only it’s right now while we’re awake, and that’s why I call it lucid living, because it’s just like lucid dreaming.  You start to become more conscious.  You start to recognize that things aren’t what they seem to be.

And that there is a deeper level to our identity, and that deeper level to our identity is much more than just Tim.  And that, the life dreamer, the dreamer of this dream of life if you like, there’s one of us, there’s one of us dreaming itself to be everyone and everything and then meeting itself in all these different forms.

So the waking up happens when we become conscious of this deeper self, which Hindus call it the Atman, the Buddists call it the Buddha Lecha, the Christians, the Gnostic Christians they called it the Christ, and each one of us calls it I.  We each give it the same name, and we write it like a one (1) which is kind of cute because there is 1 of it.

So here we’re separate in this dream of life and then if we become more conscious we realize there’s another element to our identity, where there’s one of us.  And that I think is what spirituality at its deepest heart has always been about: waking up to that.

When we’re lost in the dream of separateness, its terrifying.  It becomes a nightmare.  It doesn’t look good for this.  I mean look around you, it doesn’t look good.  There’s illness, there’s old age, there’s death, and if we are really identified with the separate self, and we’re not terrified, we’re in denial.

And there’s a loss of, to cope with that there’s a numbness.  We become more unconscious.  If we don’t lighten up we tighten up.  We become stuck in our story about who we are, and we start to even forget we’re really alive.  Once we begin to pay attention to the moment, then you can reverse that process.  You start to wake up, and you come to life.  For me its very much like I remember, I’m alive.  Oh, I forgot that I’m here at all.

And when you do that suddenly the colors are richer, the body is pleasurable, just to breath can be such a fantastic experience.  And you are aware of the miracle of your own existence, which you don’t even notice when you are asleep in the dream, you don’t even notice the most obvious thing about our predicament which, that a life is this awesome, breathtaking mystery.  But pay it attention, and all that comes into focus.

Timothy Freke is one of the experts featured in the documentary Beyond Belief. Get the DVD at:  www.beyondbeliefthemovie.com

by Jonathan Ellerby Ph.D. (part two)

Of all the things that people have in common around the world, stress and suffering rank at the top of the list. Regardless of how much you make, your age, looks, culture, or job, you likely do not escape frustration and aggravation with ease – it’s a part of being on planet earth. Fortunately, we also share the ability to rise above these things, and in many cases we can even learn to heal the stress and suffering in our lives. Spiritual traditions have long been the refuge from stress with simple techniques and philosophies that can transform daily life.

It is easy to feel that stress and suffering are unavoidable or that somehow you are doomed to face them again and again. This helpless feeling stems from the mistaken assumption that our emotions need to drive our decisions and our lives. The strong emotions that create suffering are rooted in either hurts of the past or unfulfilled expectations of the present.

A spouse, friend, or boss that talks to you the way a parent did while in a cruel or impatient mood will trigger the same old feelings, as if you were a child encountering the hurt again. If you have an expectation that people should always be polite or that airplanes should always be on time or that traffic should not be heavy when you are late, then you will consistently encounter the stress of that disappointment.

A spiritual perspective says that emotions like anger, anxiety, and sadness are normal and need to be felt, but when it comes to making decisions and taking action, we need to look deeper. It is possible to be less driven by old hurts and release the tight grip on unrealistic expectations. Learning about the power of perception and the mind-body connection can turn everything around. Here are six timeless techniques for managing or ending stress and suffering.

(continued from part one..)

FOUR:  Learn from Everything

Another common spiritual perspective that transforms hard times is to look for the lesson in each situation life presents. Even the most unpleasant and unexpected situations can offer you a great chance to learn what to do better next time or what to avoid or heal in your life. This is about the power of optimism and the ability to take a disappointment and turn it into something that makes you a better person.

Failed relationships can teach you things like the importance of having clear boundaries, the importance of good communication, the importance of trust, or how to let go of self-doubt. A loss of work can open a door to find new opportunities, refine your focus on what gives you joy, or show you where you have things to improve.

People who learn from each situation are always bettering themselves and bettering their chances at not running into a wall again. They understand that you will always be happier and less stressed if you learn to define your situations, instead of letting your situations define you.

FIVE: Set Inner Intentions

One of the biggest hooks that catches most people in life is attachment to outer goals and desires. Spiritual  traditions have long been warning people about how dangerous it is to place all your hopes and intentions on wealth, sex, beauty, a dream house, and clothing. These things come and go and are based on things we cannot always control. Even the most wealthy find that possessions can be taken away at a moment’s notice, and the desires of life often go unfulfilled.

An inner intention is a goal that is based on the type of person you want to be. It is about growing your character. It is about being more balanced and mature. The desires to be peaceful, loving, kind, or patient are all examples of inner intentions. If my goal is to love myself or be kind, then, no matter what happens, I can practice working toward that goal. In contrast, if my goal is never to be alone, I might fall apart every time a relationship ends. Inner intentions are goals we can take responsibility for and influence through choice. Outer intentions are like traps waiting to go off in our lives. Learn to let go of expectations about things that are beyond your control! Commit to one inner intention for the week. Try being grateful, non-judgmental, or kind.

SIX: Commit to a Spiritual Practice

A spiritual practice is a regular time out from life to do something that helps you to feel at peace, learn about yourself, and connect to a sense of what is important. It is a time apart from stress and helps put pain and loss in perspective. It could be taking a daily walk in nature (without cell phone), meditation before work, prayer before bed, yoga, Tai Chi, bible study, volunteering at the hospital, or working in a garden. The key is to make it regular, intentional, and a non-competitive, non-work related activity. It should last long enough that you get a real break from the rush and demands of life.

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About the Author: Jonathan Ellerby, Ph.D., Spiritual Program Director for the highly acclaimed Canyon Ranch Health Resorts, has a doctoral degree in Comparative Religions and has traveled throughout the world, studying with spiritual teachers from more than 40 cultural traditions. He is the author of a new book published by Hay House, Return to the Sacred: Ancient Pathways to Spiritual Awakening. Jonathan Ellerby is also an interfaith minister and leads workshops, retreats, guided travel journeys, and trainings.

Jonathan Ellerby is one of the experts featured in the documentary Beyond Belief: www.beyondbeliefthemovie.com

by Jonathan Ellerby, Ph.D.

Of all the things that people have in common around the world, stress and suffering rank at the top of the list. Regardless of how much you make, your age, looks, culture, or job, you likely do not escape frustration and aggravation with ease – it’s a part of being on planet earth. Fortunately, we also share the ability to rise above these things, and in many cases we can even learn to heal the stress and suffering in our lives. Spiritual traditions have long been the refuge from stress with simple techniques and philosophies that can transform daily life.

It is easy to feel that stress and suffering are unavoidable or that somehow you are doomed to face them again and again. This helpless feeling stems from the mistaken assumption that our emotions need to drive our decisions and our lives. The strong emotions that create suffering are rooted in either hurts of the past or unfulfilled expectations of the present.

A spouse, friend, or boss that talks to you the way a parent did while in a cruel or impatient mood will trigger the same old feelings, as if you were a child encountering the hurt again. If you have an expectation that people should always be polite or that airplanes should always be on time or that traffic should not be heavy when you are late, then you will consistently encounter the stress of that disappointment.

A spiritual perspective says that emotions like anger, anxiety, and sadness are normal and need to be felt, but when it comes to making decisions and taking action, we need to look deeper. It is possible to be less driven by old hurts and release the tight grip on unrealistic expectations. Learning about the power of perception and the mind-body connection can turn everything around. Here are six timeless techniques for managing or ending stress and suffering.

ONE: Breathe

When stress rises, the body moves in to a reaction mode: the body tightens, the mind races, and it is hard to gain a better perspective. Try taking some deep breaths. Breathe in through the nose, and instead of puffing your chest out, try imagining that you are sending the breath into your belly – push your stomach muscles out.  Then, notice where you are tense or tight, and imagine you are breathing it all out your mouth, slowly and easily. When you are in a difficult moment, take at least 2 full minutes to be with your breath.

TWO: Stick to the Facts

One way we create our experience of stress and suffering is through emotional ideas like worry and regret. Instead of keeping our attention in the present moment and focusing on the limited truth we know for certain, too often we spend our energy on worrying about things that haven’t happened, or we dwell on the past we regret. Remember, “sticking to the facts” doesn’t include judgments like “she’s wrong” or “he’s a fool” or “what if I lose my job?” Those are emotional ideas, not facts.

A fact sounds like this “all I know is that he is late, but I don’t know why.” An emotional idea sounds like “he is late because he is selfish and doesn’t care. I must be a pushover.” A fact sounds like this “lots of people are losing their jobs these days, and some fall on hard times, and some find new work.” An emotional idea sounds like this “I am so worried every day I go into work. What if I lose my job and then cannot pay my bills and car payment – I cannot concentrate.” Learn to limit those thoughts, and stick to the facts.

THREE: Forgive

The cornerstone of most spiritual philosophies lies in learning to forgive. Forgiveness does not mean that you pretend you are not hurt by someone or something, nor does it mean you condone a cruel or harmful act. Forgiveness does mean that you are committed to letting go of the energy, stories, and actions you have become caught up in.  Forgiveness means that you are committed to letting go and moving on. It doesn’t start with a feeling; it starts with a decision. Start by changing the way you act and think, and then, eventually, the feelings will follow.

For example, if you have been hurt by a coworker or a romantic partner, you can invest a lot of time in complaining to friends, gossiping, and reviewing the offense in your head. Or you can say that being hurt once is enough, see that each time you replay it you are only hurting yourself again, and learn to change the topic.

Each time we encounter stress or hurt there is a small chance to practice forgiveness. The quicker we forgive a situation and accept it for what it is, the quicker we end our suffering and move on to better things.

TO BE CONTINUED in Part Two…

Jonathan Ellerby is one of the experts featured in the documentary Beyond Belief: www.beyondbeliefthemovie.com

by Rev. Greta Sesheta, Minister at Agape Intl Spiritual Center

(excerpt from interview for the documentary)

To awaken to your life’s purpose is an opportunity. to awaken, to listen, to do what we call lowly listening.  To get still, to get quiet, to move into a place of serenity, and actually, listen. Sometimes this involves asking a question.  And it’s important to ask the right question; the questions that will get you the results that you’re hoping for.

So the questions would not be for example, “Why is this happening to me?”, which then just brings up all of the justifications, the excuses, and keeps me in the place of a victim, but the question might be, “What is it that’s happening now?  What is it that’s wanting to be experienced by me?  What is it that’s wanting to express itself as me?”

And then having asked the question, listen, and be aware of the ways that the question might be answered.  It might be something that I hear, it might be just a sense that I have about things.  There might be a sign or a symbol somewhere, even in a bumper sticker.  The signs are all around us.  Listening, asking the questions, being aware, being open, being receptive to the answers that you get.

To move out of judgement about what the answers might be, or my preconceived ideas about what a good answer is, or what the answer wasn’t that I was looking for, but to be open to the divine wisdom, guidance, and direction that is within me and is all around.

I think that meditation, having a time of quiet reflection and contemplation is like it’s a requirement for the day.  Start the day with it, end the day with it. Take a couple of moments, it doesn’t have to be hours and hours.  It can just be, on the breath, an inhalation, and exhalation, breathing in the breath of god, a meditation.

And reflective reading, reading things that inspire and uplift me and support my ideas and stretch my imagination in terms of what is possible for my life.

I think that being of service is very importaint in the community.  Wherever it is that I am, where I can support someone, that I can offer, that I can give a smile, that I can share something of myself, that I can volunteer my time.  Any way of being in service to some greater good, within community is the idea of come unity, people coming together.  Like minded people coming together to grow and to share together.  Those are very important tools.

Greta Sesheta is one of 24 experts featured in the inspiring documentary Beyond Belief.  To see the trailer and get the DVD go to:  www.beyondbeliefthemovie.com

Short video by Jonathan Ellerby, PhD.   See more of Jonathan in the inspiring film Beyond Belief:  www.beyondbeliefthemovie.com