Tag Archives: consciousness

“The Privilege of a Life Time” by Peter Metzner

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The privilege of a lifetime is being
who you are.
The goal of the hero trip
down to your jewel point
is to find those levels in the psyche
That open, open, open,
and finally open to the mystery
of your self
being Buddha consciousness,
the Christ.

That’s the journey
(Joseph Campbell) Reflections on the Art of Living – A Joseph Campbell Companion

“Find a place where there is joy and the joy will burn out the pain” .

According to Campbell, Satan is the epitome of the intractable ego. That part of ourselves needing to be right, to defend ourselves, feeling separate, better than or not as good as others depending on our beliefs, dogma and life’s situations. Hell is the concretization of your life experiences, a place where you’re stuck, the wasteland. In hell, we blame others for our condition and are so bound to ourselves that grace cannot enter. What is hellish is being stuck without hope, without relief.*

How we mature, depends on taking responsibility for our choices, no longer blaming others, or expecting rescue from them. And to acknowledge the pain of loneliness however much we are invested in social roles and relationships. (James Hollis) Swamplands of The Soul. The mature person i.e. one who is psychologically free : “is confident in his inner world, responsible for his strengths and weaknesses, consciously able to love himself, and thus, able to love others”…. Marion Woodman

In a simple and poignant description of the human condition, and of growth; Jolande Jacobi, a Jungian analyst writes: “Like a seed growing into a tree, life unfolds stage by stage. Triumphant ascent, collapse, crises, failures, and new beginnings strew the way. It is the path trodden by the great majority of people, as a rule unreflectingly, unconsciously, unsuspectingly, following its labyrinthine windings from birth to death in hope and longing. It is hedged about with struggle and suffering, joy and sorrow, guilt and error, and nowhere is there security from catastrophe. For as soon as a man tries to escape every risk and prefers to experience life only in his head, in the form of ideas and fantasies, as soon as he surrenders to opinions of ‘how it ought to be’ and, in order not to make a false step, imitates others when possible, he forfeits the chance of his own independent development. Only if he treads the path bravely and flings himself into life, fearing no struggle and no exertion and fighting shy of no experience, will he mature his personality more fully than the man who is ever trying to keep to the safe side of the road.”
J. Jacobe, The Way of Individuation

There are two gremlins we face every morning.

Fear: I am too tiny it is too hard… I can’t do it.

Lethargy: – chill out tomorrow is another day…

Each will eat us alive… Fear and lethargy are the enemy they are not out there they are inside
Carl Jung wrote: The spirit of evil is the negation of live force by fear… only boldness can overcome that fear.
If the risk is not taken, the meaning of life is violated”

Our task is to recover our personal authority and discern the meaning of our lives.
Who are we to stand in its way?

How to Manage Stress: Daily Habits for a Healthier Life

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Finding Balance: Practical Ways to Reduce Stress and Restore Well‑Being

With chronic stress taking such a toll on our health, productivity, and overall sense of well‑being, it’s essential to develop habits and strategies that help bring balance back into our lives. Everyone is different, and each of us may find unique approaches that work best. Below are practical, immediately useful insights that can help you cultivate greater joy, meaning, and resilience. The good news is that none of them are expensive.

Make Time Each Day for Something Relaxing

We all need at least one activity each day that is calming and done purely for enjoyment. For me, meditation is the ideal way to start the morning. I visualize what I want to accomplish, how I want to feel, and the impact I hope to have through my classes, seminars, and coaching. Setting an intention truly works.

Move Your Body

Exercise is one of the most effective stress busters available. Even a brisk 30–40 minute walk helps flush out stress hormones and provides a fresh perspective. Research consistently shows strong links between poor diet and chronic disease. Processed foods and sugary snacks contribute to obesity, high blood pressure, mood swings, low energy, and inflammatory conditions. A diet rich in whole, unprocessed foods—especially fruits and vegetables—gives the body the fuel it needs to repair and restore itself. Think of it this way: if you wouldn’t put low‑grade fuel in your car, why put it in your body? Avoid the “hit‑and‑run” junk food trap.

Shift Your Mindset

An optimistic attitude enhances coping skills and helps us manage stress more productively. When we accept our current situation without harsh self‑judgment and view challenges as opportunities for growth, a profound shift occurs. Problems become “needed developmental opportunities for us to grow and become more capable and mature.” Choosing the belief, I can do this helps rewire the brain, triggers more positive emotions, and supports the actions needed to move forward.

Manage Negative Thoughts

Learning to quiet negative, self‑critical, or anxious thoughts is a powerful form of personal mastery. This requires creating an inner space where you can reset. Daily meditation is a highly effective way to detox both mentally and physically. Ironically, the “discipline” lies in doing nothing—simply learning to still the mind and rest in inner quiet. As Wayne Dyer said, “You will find your Self in the space between two thoughts.”

The Science Behind It

Dr. Andrew Newberg, a radiologist at Penn and a leading authority on neuro‑theology, found that even novice meditators improved their memory by meditating just twelve minutes a day for a few weeks. Simply reflecting on the values most important to you—compassion, peace, love, empowerment—strengthens the neural pathways that help you live those values more fully.

References & Additional Reading

Pamela Holzman: http://www.pamelaholtzman.com/its-not-obsession-its-discipline/

Steve Volk, “Fringe-ology: How I Tried to Explain Away the Unexplainable—And Couldn’t,” HarperCollins, 2011

The National Wellness Institute: http://www.nationalwellness.org/