When life feels overwhelming, when anxiety or the rush of adrenaline courses through your veins, you have the power to choose a path back to simplicity. The first step is to immerse yourself in the words of your favorite book, one that inspires your higher consciousness. Next, kneel down and pray. Pray when faced with financial insecurity, pray after a fight with your spouse, or when you encounter difficulties with your child. Pray when challenges arise in business, when fear of flying looms over you, or when battling addiction. Begin with the serenity prayer: "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." This prayer, simple yet profound, holds deep significance, but its true power takes years to grasp.
An ancient philosophy suggests dividing life into two categories: things beyond our control and things within our control. We must contemplate these categories daily and dedicate our time to focusing on what lies within our control. We must learn to accept things as they are and find ways to calm ourselves in the face of anxiety. If we allow anxiety to consume us, we activate the lower brain, and our decision-making process becomes governed by it. The lower brain seeks solace in drugs to alleviate mental discomfort, while the higher brain remains sober. It is the lower brain that loses temper and spirals out of control when provoked. It is the lower brain that succumbs to laziness, hindering our progress. Prayer is a vital action as it symbolizes our willingness to change if necessary. Therefore, pray earnestly.
In the modern world, many struggle with a sense of God. Some may identify as atheists, agnostics, or simply apathetic. Others believe in God but find it challenging to establish a connection or incorporate God into their lives, especially in our modern context. When we mention God, different images and emotions arise. Some envision something grand and benevolent, while others may have an aversion to the word. Rather than judging, let us seek to understand. God can represent whatever aligns with your personal beliefs. You can follow the teachings of the Bible or any other spiritual text and attain self-realization as long as you genuinely believe and embody the wisdom of your chosen faith, with compassion being a common thread. Ancient tales contain invaluable stories that illuminate human struggles, conflicts, and character.
If the word "God" doesn't resonate with you, you can substitute it with "nature," "the universe," "the forces of nature," or "the governing laws of physics in this universe." Alternatively, you may consider the concept of the divine, representing the creation beyond our current scientific and mathematical understanding. Contemplating your existence and life within the framework of consciousness is a significant pursuit for the human mind. Throughout history, various cultures have developed methods to ponder the nature of reality. While some may use the word God to explain reality, others approach it from a more materialistic perspective. Nonetheless, there is value in contemplating the nature of our existence, the essence of consciousness, and the meaning behind it all.
When individuals struggle, it is often an indication that they have lost conscious contact with their highest consciousness, which can be synonymous with God, the divine creator, or the mystery of mysteries. Nevertheless, contemplating these matters and engaging in their study holds great power. It is essential to have faith in something, to believe, to investigate, and to surrender to the forces of this miraculous universe. To me, consciousness itself is synonymous with God—both concepts remain largely misunderstood, and the truth eludes us all.