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Freeing Ourselves from Our Personal Prisons & Flying Free

This is the year, the month, the day, the hour, the moment that we can set ourselves free. Free from the constraints of worry and holding on to the past.

It’s all too easy to cling to yesterday with white knuckles, even when the present and the pending future is full of unlimited possibility.

“Anything is possible,” declared my yoga instructor this evening.

I remember thinking the same thing when I was a youngster. Magic was in the air in those days. But as we grow into our adult costumes, it’s easy to get lost and forget that the magic and the miracles are still around.

And so, moving forward into a space of freedom — I’m thinking it means living for now. Letting go of my conception of what should be. Loving without condition. Loving with a rawness that can only be found in the authentic now.

Freedom comes in the moment — when you are in a flow. Yes, a majestic beautiful flow. It comes when we lift our heads and our chests to the sky. When we dare to look into a stranger’s eyes and smile.

Freedom comes when we love freely, without rules or chains. The mind must find a sense of peace, if true freedom is going to reign.

It’s easy to cling to the past. To talk about what is dead and what has died. Whether it was a person, a relationship, or a dream. But there comes a time — to let it all go and claim that gift called freedom.

Pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional. When pain arrives, it’s important to feel it — to own it — to accept it — and then let it go. Otherwise suffering becomes all we know. We become caged and freedom turns elusive.

But now it’s time to breathe. It’s time to claim the miracles and the magic that float through the universe. That live in our veins.

The winds of freedom have arrived, and it’s time to fly.

- Jen Engevik
Project Be Bold

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BUSHguru

Tale of the Seeker & the First Bold Step by Lama Surya Das

There is a story about a seeker who travels to the Himalayas, looking for an enlightened Buddha in order to receive personal teachings. This seeker wants the last word on the subject of enlightenment. Walking and trekking for days, he begins to drop his heavy gear as he makes his way to the top of a high peak in Nepal. He drops his tent, his camping equipment, and his heavy backpack.

BUSHguruStripped of almost everything and having breathed so many hundreds of thousands of breaths, he has finally forgotten about his worldly preoccupations. He is ready to arrive and very ready to listen. He pulls himself up over the final rim of the mountain and looks into the mouth of a cave. Amazingly enough, the Buddha-like master is sitting right there.

Stunned, relieved, and overjoyed, the seeker asks the Sage, “What is the first principle? What is your most important truth and teaching?”

The seeker thinks this is going to be his big moment and that he is about to become enlightened. He is going to discover the one essential thing for him to ponder. And then the Buddha replies: “Dukkha. Life is suffering, life is fraught, life is difficult.”

And the seeker is totally disappointed! He looks around wildly and shouts, “Is there anyone else up here that I can talk to?!!”

I love that story. What do we do when we experience something that isn’t quite what we hoped for, or worse, when we experience something that is truly difficult?

A Buddhist wise guy’s rendition of the First Nobel Truth of dukkha (or dissatisfaction) is that in life pain is inevitable, BUT SUFFERING IS OPTIONAL. How much we suffer depends on us, our internal development, and our spiritual understanding and realization.

By recognizing this, we can learn to use loss and suffering in ways that help us grow wiser and become more at peace with ourselves and the universe.

Lama Surya Das

Lama Surya Das

I believe that this is the time to become warriors for peace and dialogue, not warmongers or mere worriers. We must learn the hard lesson that without the pain of inner irritation, the pearls of wisdom will not be produced within us. I lovingly call this The Pearl Principle: no pain, no transformative gain.

- By Lama Surya Das in Letting Go of the Person You Used to Be: Lessons on Change, Loss, and Spiritual Transformation

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inner peace

The Art of Discovering Inner Strength

“Be kind, for everyone is fighting a hard battle.” –  John Watson

I begin my post with these word for one simple reason — I read them in a book by William Hart entitled The Art of Living: Vipassana Meditation as Taught by S.N. Goenka. The book has been sitting on my shelf for a handful of years entirely unread. I had tried to read the first page a number of times, but for some reason couldn’t continue. And then…just at the right time, I have found myself devouring it.

Why am I devouring it now? There are numerous reasons why, but here are a few very candid ones:

inner peace1. I need to deepen my friendship with myself.

2. I want to become more compassionate.

3. I need to let go of some things in order for the next chapter of my life to evolve.

4. I want to deal better with suffering and loss.

5. I need to reconnect with my true purpose and inner truths.

The list could go on and on, but these are my main goals.

So, Sir Goenka created a meditation philosophy and technique that at one point requires you engage in a 10-day silent retreat. In the  process you burn through your mental garbage — limited perceptions and the dramatic stories we tell.

One of my best friends has done it twice. The first time PJ dared to experience the process, he said the first day of complete silence freaked him out.

“You can’t imagine the mental noise that I experienced. I began by thinking of the things I should be doing, then I moved on to the things I have done, then I thought about crazy dramas from my past, and sometimes I even found myself humming in my mind. I couldn’t help myself!”

As the ten-day period progressed, he dove deeper into the pains that he had suffered in his life. His failed marriage, his relationship with his parents, failed business pursuits, and the list goes on.  In his silence, he would all of a sudden find himself sobbing as he relived moments. He forgave himself and others for mistakes made along the way.

And then one day…

He sat on his mat and he experienced complete mental silence.

“Jen, you wouldn’t believe it. I didn’t have anything else to think about, and I was perfectly fine.”

And so yesterday it was September 25, 2013 — strangely, it is almost four years to the day that my friend told me about his experience. And I’m finally ready to experience the process myself.

What I’ve learned so far is that I am the possessor of a mind (and you too) that has so much potential. But, before we experience our full-potential, we have to become friends with ourselves. “Become an island unto yourself. Strive hard and become wise,” Hart quoted Buddha within his book.

This doesn’t mean that we abandon those we love. It means that we seek to become healthy and whole, which will enhance our relationships with others. True satisfaction in life can’t be attained through obtaining massive riches, experiencing “the right” relationship, reaching the greatest of goals, etc.

This comes when we are OK with silence…a personal friendship with ourselves…and the truth that lives within.

- Jen Engevik

Project BE Bold

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The Art of Being Jordan Pease

 

I was lucky enough to interview the very talented and bold author/comedian Jordan Pease. When we began our conversation, I was immediately taken by the 23-year-old’s passion for life and dedication to his craft.

“When I first moved to California from New Jersey, I had grandiose dreams of everything magically falling into place,” said Pease. “But I quickly learned there are numerous amazingly talented people trying to follow the path I’ve chosen. It became clear that if I am to succeed, I need to throw everything into my work.”

Jordan Pease in San FranciscoHard work wasn’t a new concept for the youngster. As a youth in New Jersey, Pease was a leading varsity soccer player and gifted student -

“I always had a deep sense of pride in anything I attempted. I was taught from an early age that if presented with an opportunity or a talent, I should give 100 percent of what I’ve got.”

The same is true where his inner-truths are concerned -

“When it became clear that I was gay, I knew I had to be real with my friends and family.”

This included telling his soccer teammates.

“They were totally supportive and treated me like any other player. I worked hard, they worked hard, and that was all that mattered.”

And then his father died.

“I was 19 and in the process of trying to get the balls up to make something of myself. I always felt there was a greater purpose for my life. The challenges I faced (including the death of my dad) pushed me out of my comfort zone and toward LA.”

Pease didn’t know a single person when he made the big move and this didn’t stop him for a second.

“The secret to my success thus far is to never stop. I’ve always got a notebook with me. I never know when inspiration is going to hit or when I may score a gig. So I’m always trying to be one step ahead of the game.”

In 2013 alone, Pease has performed at more than 60 comedy shows throughout the U.S. and abroad.

imgres-1“I have a long way to go,” said Pease. “I won’t give up until I make the big time. I want to prove to people my age and younger that with had work anything can happen.”

“I keep hearing tons of excuses from my peers as to why they aren’t working hard toward a goal. One of the lamest is that the economy sucks. I’m going to prove that’s a bunch of B.S.”

Not only does he continue to score gigs, Pease is also the author of two books. His first, Don’t Let me Go, was published in 2010 and is based on his varsity soccer years. The second is a memoir that was published at the beginning of this year. Accidentally Ok satirically chronicles his 90-day adventure through Europe when he was 21.

While Jordan Pease is undoubtably a hilarious human being, I’m most impressed by his willingness to be artfully himself and belief that his wildest dreams will one day come true.

You can’t get much bolder than that!

Enjoy one of his comedy acts, and please pass it on:

Post by Jen Engevik
Project Be Bold

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thay prayer hands

“Darling I’m Here for You”

thay prayer handsThroughout my days, I can recall distinct moments in which I wish I would have been bold enough to say exactly what was on my mind or dared to use a better set of words toward those I love.

As the sun rises in the East, I often find myself reflecting on those moments and silently vowing I will never make the same mistakes. Thankfully, with a new day comes the power to wake anew and set specific intentions to act with authenticity and love.

I recently listened to a conversation that Oprah had with Vietnamese monk Thich Nhat Hanh (also known as Thay or teacher by his students). Their discussion equipped me with a set of Mantras that I want to apply to my daily interactions with others.

I hope they will be valuable to you as well:

1. “Darling, I’m here for you.”

Use these words to reveal that your loved one has your full support. He or she will be filled with a new sense of strength and belonging.

2. “Darling, I know you are there, and I’m so happy because you are truly there.”

The simple acknowledgement that a loved one exists and provides meaning to your life is utterly priceless. Don’t get caught in the fable that you have forever, be here and now — acknowledging the beauty of your person’s presence.

3. Darling, I know you suffer, that is why I’m here for you.”

When a loved one suffers, there is no need to come up with a solution or blast them with your opinions. Simply listen and offer your heart.

4. “Darling, I suffer and I’m trying my best to practice. Please help me.”

Rather than hiding your pain and fears away, ask for support.  If your loved one has disappointed you and your natural reaction is to lash out or crawl into your shell, be humble enough to ask for help.

“You must go to him or her and practice this,” says Thay. “You will suffer less right away.”

- Jen Engevik

Project BE Bold

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boy with super powers

The Man (or Woman) Who Thinks They Can by Walter D. Wintle

 

If you think you are beaten, you are;boy with super powers
If you think you dare not, you don’t;
If you’d like to win, but think you can’t,
It’s almost a cinch you won’t.
If you think you’ll lose, you’re lost,
For out in the word we find
Success begins with a fellow’s will,
It’s all in the state of mind.

If you think you’re outcasted, you are;
You’ve got to think high to rise.
You’ve got to be sure of yourself before
You can ever win a prize.
Life’s battles don’t always go
To the stronger or faster man;
But soon or late the man who wins
Is the man who thinks he can.

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know_yourself

Getting to Know Ourselves Deeply

know_yourself“How are we going to choose to live? Who are we? What are we living for?”

These were three questions poised by Anand Mehrotra at the end of the documentary “The Highest Pass.”

I was blessed with the opportunity to finish the film this evening and found my eyes welling up with tears a few times. There is something to be said for being willing to risk life and limb to accomplish a goal.

In this case, it was a group of motorcyclists — with very little experience riding — daring to trek over the “highest pass” in the Himalayas.  One rider in particular said something so very profound. To paraphrase him, he said at the beginning of the film that when things got rough on the trail he wanted to run home to his family.

After much thought, he chose to stay and continue the journey. In the end, his being was filled with a new sense of love. “Now instead of returning to my family out of fear, I want to return to them out of pure love.”

As we go through our days, it is common to seek comfort — the easy way out. Yet at the same time our hearts are crying out for some sort of adventure — authenticity.

Soren Kierkegaard once wrote, “Boredom is the root of all evil – the despairing refusal to be oneself.”

highest pass

From “The HIghest Pass’ Documentary

We walk around with our hearts aching — our minds wishing we could accomplish something beautiful and lasting, experience love in its fullest sense, get over the hang-ups and patterns we cling to.

Mehrotra, Kerkegaard, and Socrates alike teach the importance of knowing ourselves deeper. Discovering our most precious and sacred hopes and dreams that were planted in our hearts for a reason.

Those who say things like, “he/she is a dreamer…her head is in the clouds” are those who tend to lack vision. What if Steve Job’s parents told him he was a dreamer and he was silly  enough to listen? Kiss your iPhone and iPad goodbye baby! :-D

When we know ourselves, we can be reintroduced to our child within — that being that understands the power of imagination, dreams, and life in the present moment.

“To inherit the kingdom of heaven, you must be like a child.”

To me, these words spoken by Jesus mean much more than taking a trip to a place beyond the clouds of this world. It’s that for the most part children aren’t as jaded as we adults. They have so much to accomplish, so much to see, and do. They laugh when their tummies tickle and they weep when their hearts are pained.

child with imaginationA child is self-aware and present in such a profound manner.

Why do so many of us adults rob ourselves of the same enjoyment? Why not dream and stick our necks  out to undertake something bold and amazing?

How about we  take time to connect with our purest selves? Discover our fearless and powerful beings. The only way to surmount our challenges and create life anew is to dig in and feel the emotions, pains, disappointments, frustrations, and fears we have experienced throughout our lives. No more burying our histories with silly, meaningless diversions.

Authenticity is where its at — and once we dig deep inside there is no turning back. Our true purposes will be uncovered.

“Beautiful things will be revealed. It’s just that you have never given yourself the opportunity to reveal what you are capable of. Do not let fear keep us from our own capacity.” - Anand Mehrotra

Be good to yourself!

-Jen Engevik

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