The Shift Part 2 of 5: From
June 30, 2010 by dr. lam · Leave a Comment
The original title of The Shift was From Ambition to Meaning, a title that Dyer did not particularly care for because he thought the title, The Shift, was a more elegant way of describing this transformation. In the book, he uses the original title and labels each chapter based on the progression of the words, “From”, “Ambition”, “To”, “Meaning”.
In the first chapter, “From”, he discusses where we came from. Most assume that we are a product of our parents, our culture, our religion, our politics, our socio-economic class. Perhaps those elements are profoundly us but not necessarily where we came from. We as material beings came in essence from nothing, or as Dyer puts it, From Nowhere to Now Here. He posits that if we came into this world from nowhere, that nowhere is a vital part of us, and that nowhere is a spiritual essence.
Although our lives are made up of daily happenings and externalities, we are from a higher place and a higher calling leading us to where we are today. We can look at that perfect image of who we can be and allow it to influence how we make that shift into a better place.
The Shift Part 1 of 5: Introduction
June 29, 2010 by dr. lam · Leave a Comment
It is rather appropriate that I return to my blog writing with one of my favorite authors, Wayne Dyer, who has had a profound influence in my life and has helped me become a better person. Last year I saw his movie, The Shift, and was tremendously moved by its message. In short, we all can move our lives from one of pure ambition to one centered on meaning. It is with meaning in our life through giving back to others that we create the greatest fulfillment by finding our purpose. Rather than accumulating wealth, we accumulate happiness by giving up things and focusing on others. That shift in our life occurs when our spirit is open to it. It is one that I am working on on a daily basis.
I encourage anyone who has not seen the movie to do so, but also to read the book of the same name. It delves deeper into the subject of the shift and what each dimension means. I hope you enjoy this blog series as much as I enjoyed writing it.
(I am planning to have blogs come out as I am inspired to write them rather than every day, so please stay subscribed to know when new ones come out!)
Mindfulness Mondays 57: No More Questions
June 28, 2010 by dr. lam · Leave a Comment
Upon meeting a zen master at a social function, a psychiatrist asks him, “How do you help people?”
The zen master replies, “I get them where they can’t ask any more questions.”
The point of this short story is not that we should not ask questions in life. Instead it is that we ask so many questions because those questions reflect in us a lack of trust, belief, and calm. We need to know more and more and more, but we are never satisfied. We need answers to our questions, but we don’t wait for the answers because those answers are not enough to make us happy. When we explore whatever opportunities that exist in front of us we are tied down by the what, what ifs, why nots, etc. that we can’t think straight. When we get to a point of calm and peace, the questions magically disappear.
Mindfulness Mondays 56: The Swordsman & The Tea Master
June 21, 2010 by dr. lam · 4 Comments
The master of the tea ceremony accidentally slighted a soldier. Realizing his mistake, the tea master quickly offered his deepest apologies. The soldier refused to accept it and compelled the tea master into a duel to settle the score. The tea master not knowing how to wield a sword in combat asked a zen master who was gifted with the sword to teach him how to use a sword properly. The zen master said, “You do not need a sword. Just stare at him with deep tranquility and concentration, as you do when you perform your tea ceremony.” The next day, the tea master encountered the swordsmen who shuttered when he looked at the deep tranquility and peace in the tea master’s gaze. The swordsmen apologized and walked away.
Many times we think we need to intimidate someone who is intimidating us. Instead, we can save both of us when we not engage in the fight but remain at a higher plane of peace and tranquility. That level of peace can radiate and change ourselves and all of those around us. Lower your swords.
My Last Blog…
June 15, 2010 by dr. lam · 6 Comments
I would like to thank all of my faithful readers who have read maybe not all of my blogs but many of the blogs that I have written over the past few years. This one is my 621st published blog. I do not think this is going to be my last blog, but I plan on taking a little break from writing. The pressure to maintain this blog series has taken a toll on me, especially over the past 2 to 3 months when I have been furiously working to finish a textbook with which I should be completely done in a short while.
I will maintain my Mindfulness Mondays for a while longer, as they have been perhaps the most well received of my writings. These blogs have been an incredible joy for me to write and to share, especially getting feedback on them from my loyal readers. It was interesting that two weekends ago when I was struggling on the idea of stopping my blogs that I ran into a woman at a party who had recently been commenting on my blogs and who let me know how much they meant to her. Then the following day, I received an email from a woman who had been raped and had a child unbeknownst to her for 7 months (she had an irregular cycle, obvious question) and gave the child up for adoption. Here is a link to her story. It moved me to tears, and I appreciate very much her appreciating my blogs. Perhaps I was being told from above that I should continue…
As any consolation, I am not saying that I am stopping all together. I just need a break. Perhaps all of you do as well. At least there is a massive catalog of over 600 blogs on love, leadership, personal and professional development, spirituality, peace, happiness, health, food, and I actually think I have one or two on plastic surgery. (LOL.) — all of which I will leave on line for your perusal and use. I hope you continue to enjoy the Mindfulness Mondays I have left and which I may continue forward with. For now, I think a small hiatus is well deserved and may be good for all. Hope you are having a fun, healthy, rewarding, and meaningful summer. (I also hope for those of you subscribed to my blogs that you maintain your subscription to my blog so that you know when new ones come out.)
Peace and Love,
Sam Lam