Ah Man Blog

Wisdom and Joy

Wisdom is a natural part of going within and rediscovering your Inner Self.  I am not necessarily speaking of textbook knowledge.  The knowledge I am speaking of is the knowledge of within, making use of your intuition.  A knowing and assurance will come into your life that was not there before.

Joy will be abundant.  Yes, life will still have its sorrow and other feelings, but the joy you feel is lasting Joy. It comes from your wisdom, your faith and knowing that all is well in your world because you see it all as a gift to be experienced from within and without.

 

To sign up to receive newsletters and updates from Michael, scroll to the bottom of the Ah-Man Web Site. You’ll find additional information and resources in the latest issue of the Ah-Man Newsletter. Read about his new book, Returning to WHOLENESS… Discovering Ah-Man at Amazon.

 

Love and Peace

By continuously practicing going within to your Inner Self through the practice of prayer, practicing the Presence and meditation, one begins to walk with Love, Peace, Wisdom and Joy in their life, more and more.

You will begin to Love others that at one time might have repelled you. The love I speak of is a love that gives you the insight to know that they (those who repelled you before) are much more than who they think they are. They are also teachers for all of us in many ways.  Teaching us things we might have not been able to comprehend without their actions.  These lessons will deepen your understanding of all those you come in contact with, allowing you to come from your heart and not your anger or physical senses.

The Peace that you will find in your life is not one of walking on clouds, but one that allows you to experience life without it scaring you, as it would have before. You will no longer be as quick to anger as you once were.  People will notice that you have changed, but they might not really be able to put a finger on what it is that has changed.

To sign up to receive newsletters and updates from Michael, scroll to the bottom of the Ah-Man Web Site. You’ll find additional information and resources in the latest issue of the Ah-Man Newsletter. Read about his new book, Returning to WHOLENESS… Discovering Ah-Man at Amazon.

Communion

So how does one commune with Inner Self? 

Prayer, Practicing the Presence, and Meditation are some of the ways.

Prayer is a very personal devotion for all of us.  In my case, I’ll simply say it is a way of communicating directly with either the Duality or Non Duality of God/Spirit/Inner Self.

Practicing the Presence can be reading scriptures or chanting the names of God.

Meditation is simply the unfolding of the silence within.  Going deeper and deeper within until I feel that peace.  It doesn’t necessarily mean that thoughts still don’t come and go.  They do.  I am just able to get to a place where I’m not fighting or struggling with them.  I have come to a place where I realize that it is just my part to experience them.

My meditations are usually assisted by listening to prayers or mantras by others, then silence.  Sometimes I focus on the seven chakras (seven temples/churches of the astral body), and at each chakra I will chant a mantra, begin to feel that chakra pulsate, and then move on to the next.  When all seven chakras have been aligned, I focus back on either the place between my eyes, or just behind the heart area and let the peace wash over me, letting any thoughts that come also was over me.

 

To sign up to receive newsletters and updates from Michael, scroll to the bottom of the Ah-Man Web Site. You’ll find additional information and resources in the latest issue of the Ah-Man Newsletter. Read about his new book, Returning to WHOLENESS… Discovering Ah-Man at Amazon.

Inner Self

So what is our Inner Self?

It is that part within us that cannot be seen, heard, touched, tasted or smelled. So we are not able to witness it with our limited senses.  Nor can we witness it using our intelligence.  Our Inner Self is not of this world, yet it is eternal, full of knowledge and bliss.

So imagine going beyond our limited perceptions and all the knowledge of this world and experiencing something that you cannot describe to others: experiencing a knowingness that cannot be explained…feelings that cannot be defined with words.  That is not an easy task for a lot of people. I think you can see why. For some of us, it may have something to do with stepping outside our respective comfort zones. While for others, it’s not that hard to do. But most of us can, if we really want to.  We can go within and discover our Inner Self.

The Inner Self is also known as our Soul or that light/spark of God within.  So it is not hard to understand why, when you are experiencing your Inner Self, you are in a place of Peace.

Saints, Sages and Avatars come from this place all the time.  They see and walk this planet from their Inner Selves, thus continuously experiencing Sat Cit Ananda, which is Eternal Truth, Consciousness and Bliss.

 

To sign up to receive newsletters and updates from Michael, scroll to the bottom of the Ah-Man Web Site. You’ll find additional information and resources in the latest issue of the Ah-Man Newsletter. Read about his new book, Returning to WHOLENESS… Discovering Ah-Man at Amazon.

 

Spiritual Practices

In this month’s Ah-Man Newsletter, I posed the question: Can we have “Peace on Earth”? I followed up on that question with the fact that while we are on this plane, i.e., the material world, we will experience some peace and pain, sorrow and happiness, etc., on an external level, but the Peace on Earth I speak of emanates from Within.

So in this month’s weekly blogs, I will touch on some of those things that, if practiced on a daily basis, will enable us to first experience a glimpse of that Peace on Earth and, as we continually observe these practices, we experience Peace on Earth more and more in our everyday lives.

How many hours a day does a ballerina or a musician practice?  Do you think they attain their goals buy practicing when they can?

Or an electrician, a carpenter, lawyer, doctor or any trade person…do you think they were able to get and stay where they are without practice or dedication?

Many of us fit our Spiritual Practice into our lives that way; “when we can.” Then we wonder why it’s not working and become frustrated and quit.

Our human life is meant for us to “go within” or link up (yoga) with the God of our understanding or Self Within. When that is attained, we will have Peace Within, Peace on Earth.

When we have that Peace Within, people will say, “I really enjoy being with you,” or “You have such a sense of calmness” or “It feels good to be with you,” etc. I’m sure you’ve said similar things it to others.

So why does the very thing that gives us everlasting Peace…the thing that can bring Peace On Earth…get so little of our time?

Life on this plane will disillusion you; trick you into thinking that the “Toys are more important than the Toymaker Her/Himself.” In the Vedas, that disillusion is called Maya. George Harrison wrote a song in the 70’s, “Beware of Maya.” That song rocked my soul. It shook the foundations of my material world.

I will not go in depth about the practices I will mention, simply because I already have so many times before.

But for me and for many of those I have encountered on the journey of life that have found Peace On Earth, these three essential spiritual practices have helped Awaken the Peace within, and thus enabled them to bring Peace on Earth to all those they meet.

• Prayer
• Reading of scriptures and writing of Saints and Sages
• Meditation

They aren’t listed in any specific order. It could be one or all three. Each of us has our own unique relationship with the God of our understanding and will be intuitively led, as we practice more and more to a particular spiritual practice.

Namaste,
Michael

To sign up to receive newsletters and updates from Michael, scroll to the bottom of the Ah-Man Web Site. You’ll find additional information and resources in the latest issue of the Ah-Man Newsletter. Read about his new book, Returning to WHOLENESS… Discovering Ah-Man at Amazon.

Walking Our Talk

In this month’s Ah-Man Newsletter, I posed the question: Can we have “Peace on Earth”? I followed up on that question with the fact that while we are on this plane, i.e., the material world, we will experience some peace and pain, sorrow and happiness, etc., on an external level, but the Peace on Earth I speak of emanates from Within.

So in this month’s weekly blogs, I will touch on some of those things that, if practiced on a daily basis, will enable us to first experience a glimpse of that Peace on Earth and, as we continually observe these practices, we experience Peace on Earth more and more in our everyday lives.

So now that we’re following all the natural laws, we’re doing fine, right? Not always, because we are human. As you have heard before, “Its progress, not perfection.”  Another one I like is, “I’m a ‘work in progress’ project.

So enjoy the journey; don’t rush to get to the end. It will take most of us the better part of our lives to recondition our thoughts and habits. If you’re reading or listening to these blogs, chances are that you’ve been on the planet for a while and have not yet attained Sainthood. 

Walking our talk is practicing what we say and doing the things we say we’re going to do.

Yes, we have to walk out talk, but take it easy. We can easily get caught up in the “perfection trap,” as well…thinking we should have this by now or the I’m never going to get that angst we put ourselves in, not to mention the I’m better than that person drama, etc.

The most important piece I think you can do as you do “the next right thing” is not to have expectations of yourself or others. That is where you’ll definitely get your knickers tied into a knot.

Be present while you are doing what you are doing. If you can, be conscious and grateful that you are able to do what you are doing, be it at the workplace, chores at home, duties with family, eating, etc.

By being present in your actions, and by not having expectations of yourself and others, you will remain focused and walking your talk.

Of course there are a certain amount of expectations we have for children, friends and ourselves. It’s the unspoken of expectations I am speaking of.

Namaste,
Michael

To sign up to receive newsletters and updates from Michael, scroll to the bottom of the Ah-Man Web Site. You’ll find additional information and resources in the latest issue of the Ah-Man Newsletter. Read about his new book, Returning to WHOLENESS… Discovering Ah-Man at Amazon.

 

Doing Peaceful Things

In this month’s Ah-Man Newsletter, I posed the question: Can we have “Peace on Earth”? I followed up on that question with the fact that while we are on this plane, i.e., the material world, we will experience some peace and pain, sorrow and happiness, etc., on an external level, but the Peace on Earth I speak of emanates from Within.

So in this month’s weekly blogs, I will touch on some of those things that, if practiced on a daily basis, will enable us to first experience a glimpse of that Peace on Earth and, as we continually observe these practices, we experience Peace on Earth more and more in our everyday lives.

The practice I want to start with is living a “good” life and thinking “good” thoughts. This one will eventually bring you into a more peaceful place.

What I mean by “living a good life,” is to follow those natural laws of life; both the spiritual laws of the commandments of the Bible or those of the Vedas, Yama Niyama and those of our society.

Most of us have been taught right from wrong. We have been told not to steal, not to lie, to respect others and their property, not to kill, honor your mother and father, honor your Lord, and more. The Yama Niyama and the commandments of the Bible both say the same thing. So the question really is not if we should follow these natural laws of the God of our understanding or not. When followed, they bring harmony to the outer world and Within. When the natural laws are not followed, however, disharmony results.

In the Vedas, in the Golden Age, one was accountable for their thoughts. In today’s age, although we are not punished for our thoughts (Thank God!), I am sure we all can see that our thoughts can lead us to some negative or painful places, which interrupts the flow of “peace on Earth” for us.

When it comes to diets, even though I have been a vegetarian for 40 years, I have found that we all must eat according to need. I have been blessed to be in the company of saints and sages (some vegetarians, some not), but they all had Peace on Earth Within them.

Do we need to respect our bodies?  Yes. They are the “temples” that house our True Selves.  So eating with healthy habits will help lessen some of the pain we might bring upon ourselves. But will our diets make us Holy or give us Peace on Earth? No; not based on my experience.

Namaste,
Michael

To sign up to receive newsletters and updates from Michael, scroll to the bottom of the Ah-Man Web Site. You’ll find additional information and resources in the latest issue of the Ah-Man Newsletter. Read about his new book, Returning to WHOLENESS… Discovering Ah-Man at Amazon.

 

Faith

Faith is one of the cornerstones of the Archway, which our journey passes through on our way back home…back to Godhead. Faith allows us to live in the world, but not of the world. Our Faith allows us to know that there is so much more. Yes, this world offers wonderful things to experience, but those things represent just a ray of the wonderful sunshine that we will experience by living a life of Faith, Belief and Trust in The Absolute Truth.

Faith allows us to do our duty here in the material world, enjoy it, but not get wrapped up in it because we know there is so much more. We experience more than most because of the faith, belief and trust we walk with in the world. This allows us to be “whole” and not fractured.

When you are walking with faith, belief and trust in your heart, there is no question of acceptance and forgiveness. It is as natural as water being wet.

With Faith, Belief and Truth in our lives we fulfill our purpose of life by bringing together both the human and the Divine pieces of ourselves, thus bringing peace to our life and those around us.

Namaste,
Michael

To sign up to receive newsletters and updates from Michael, scroll to the bottom of the Ah-Man Web Site. You’ll find additional information and resources in the latest issue of the Ah-Man Newsletter. Read about his new book, Returning to WHOLENESS… Discovering Ah-Man at Amazon.

 

Trust

In my first blog of the month, I said that Trust/Truth is the keystone that supports our Belief and Faith. And with that comes Hope and Acceptance.

Trust is acting on our Belief. And Belief is a knowing or something you are certain of because you have experienced it.

Trust is another one of those things that can’t be defined or explained. In some ways, it’s like Faith; it is beyond the mind and of the spirit. Trust in the Absolute Truth…how can you explain that? You can’t. But it will start with Belief and Faith. Then Trust comes into your heart.

To sign up to receive newsletters and updates from Michael, scroll to the bottom of the Ah-Man Web Site. You’ll find additional information and resources in the latest issue of the Ah-Man Newsletter. Read about his new book, Returning to WHOLENESS… Discovering Ah-Man at Amazon.

Belief

Belief is a knowing or something you are certain of because you have experienced it.

Let’s see what Wikipedia says:

Belief is the psychological state in which an individual holds a proposition or premise to be true.

As you will see, I have a slightly different idea of Belief. When I speak of Belief, I am speaking in terms of spirituality. So for me (or for you), it is not a proposition or a premise. It’s a fact.

There are certain core beliefs we all have that help us go through life without second guessing everything. As I drive down the road and I have a green light, for the most part I am going through it without much thought. Yes, I will be a defensive driver and take precautions, but for the most part I believe everyone will abide by the rules of the road.

Using this example, you can see how our core beliefs are rocked at times in our lives, just like when someone runs a red light and slams into our car, we will thereafter be apprehensive about each light we come to, which, in itself, can be dangerous.

The same goes for other life situations. When we are abused by someone we trust or know (or don’t know, for that matter). When someone we love dearly, dies suddenly. When we ourselves are in good health one day and the next week we are diagnosed with a life-threatening disease.

With any one of these situations, our belief system can become clouded and uncertain, no matter how solid it was before. It’s normal. But in time you will be able to drive through a green light without total anxiety. With proper spiritual counseling/guidance your Trust can be rebuilt. Often, this type of spiritual counseling is augmented by working with a therapist.

So what is it that holds our belief system in place? It is Trust. We’ll talk next week about Trust.

To sign up to receive newsletters and updates from Michael, scroll to the bottom of the Ah-Man Web Site. You’ll find additional information and resources in the latest issue of the Ah-Man Newsletter. Read about his new book, Returning to WHOLENESS… Discovering Ah-Man at Amazon.