These 7 Concepts help me
to better understand my own
spiritual journey. I love sharing
the wisdoms I find along
my path.
For the majority of my life (to age 46), I was raised Christian and attended a formal organized religious church. Even here in Savannah, we still have gone to mass and church services.
When I was living in Gainesville, FL, I went to the Krishna Compound in Alachua and started to awaken to the fact that religion is a personal journey, and that there are all types of religions that have enlightenment, not just the 3 Abrahamic religions. I then started reading the Tao Te Ching Book by Laozi again (it's something I had been fascinated with throughout my life). I started to explore even more spiritual books and concepts.
My own personal path has led me to realize that the guilt, fear and condemnation that most Christian Churches preach are a type of indoctrination. That heaven and hell and the Bible were invented to control the masses. Though I do still read the Bible, I read it for the enlightenment of spirit not for the rules.
It is my belief that God/Universe is living in each of us, in every plant, in every animal and fish. We are meant to live in love, God/Universe is not some magical phenomenon in the sky, it is the cellular makeup of our entire existence. Our bodies are 70% water, we are not solid, we are made of millions of individual cells, we even have stardust in our DNA.
Regardless of where you stand in your spiritual journey, these 7 Japanese concepts may help further your own path...
Ikigai
Discover your purpose in life.
Determine the reason you awaken each day.
Choose a path that aligns with your strengths, passions, and needs the world can utilize from you.
This is what gives your life meaning.
Shikita ga nai
Let go of what you can not change.
Recognize that there are some things that are simply out of your control and that's okay! Let go and focus on what you can change.
Wabi-sabi
Find peace in imperfection
Recognize that nothing in life is perfect, including yourself and others.
Instead of striving for flawlessness, find joy in imperfections that make life unique.
Gaman
Preserve your dignity during tough times.
Show emotional maturity and self control, even when faced with challenges.
Remember to be patient resilient and understanding.
Oubaitori
Don't compare yourself to others.
Everyone has a different timeline and a unique path.
It is important to focus on your own progress, rather than trying to measure yourself against others.
Kaizen
Always seek to improve all areas of your life.
Even small changes can add up and make a big impact over time.
Shu-Ha-Ri
"When a student is ready, the teacher will appear. When the student is truly ready, the teacher will disappear." Tao Te Ching
It is a way of thinking about how to learn and master a technique. There are three stages to acquiring knowledge:
Shu: Learn the basics by following the teachings of one master; imitating the work of great masters also falls under this stage.
Ha: Start experimenting, learn from the masters, and integrate the learning into practice.
Ri: This stage focuses on innovation and the ability to apply your learning to a variety of situations.
A'ho Dawk'ee ~ Namaste
Catherine (Cat) Valliere
After a lifetime of exploration; 2020 Covid life, led me to a full time focus on the gifts of meditation, alternative health and spiritual well being. Anything I share comes from a place of healing from within myself and in no way is meant to replace professional medical advice. Please follow my journey...
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DISCLAIMER:
A'ho Namaste creates peace movement content and this information is not presented by a medical practitioner and is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding any type of mental or physical issues. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read.
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