Written by Michael Douglas

Table of Contents
Introduction
The Balanced Path
The Key to Happiness
Basic meditation
Caution
Contemplation meditation
Understanding the Seeds
Practice
Truth
Wisdom
Peace
Morals
Thought
Words
Mind
Heart
Faith
Awareness
Consciousness
Spirit
Balance
Freedom
Joy
Compassion
Angels
Wealth
Success
Wants
Obsession
Pain
Ignorance
Suffering
Demons
Death
Now
Experience
Enlightenment
Becoming a Master
Island of calm
Insights
Warning against drug use
How to Conquer Yourself
The Relationship Foundation System
Suggested Reading

Introduction
A balanced way of life is the only path to true enlightenment. Balancing the physical and spiritual sides of life is essential to promote happiness and develop a way of thinking that will lead to enlightenment. Western culture is out of balance. Focusing more on the physical side of life. With issues such as money, work, bills, buying things, sex and drug-use. The minds of most westerns (by which I mean Americans.) are clouded to the things of the spiritual realm. Things like meditation, psychic experience, development of the senses, development of the awareness of the subtle realms, and the experience of Unity. (There is growing interest. Yet, there are more who don’t care.) My hope is this book will help busy westerns slow down a little and balance their minds, bodies and spirits. If the west becomes more balanced with its social and emotional development, we might begin to use our technological development in less destructive ways. As we realize everything is connected we become more aware of how every action affects us all. Leading a more balanced life allows us more freedom to choose and act. While giving us more control over our lives. Remember waking up can be hard and painful, but the rewards are almost beyond imagination.

The Balanced Path
Balance is finding the middle of two extremes. Like, neither hot or cold, but warm.

This is a barebones look at the balanced path. Balance in all things is the way to wisdom and a happy life.

• If you are honest with yourself. You will know when others are being honest with you.
• If you respect yourself. Others will respect you.
• If you love yourself. You will know how to love others.
• If you have faith in yourself. Others will have faith in you and you will be able to put faith into others.
• If you trust yourself. You will be able to trust others.
• If you accept yourself. You will be able to accept others.
• If you control yourself. You won’t feel the need to control others.
• If you praise yourself. You won’t need the praise of others.
• If you pay attention to yourself. You won’t need the attention of others.
• If you enjoy being yourself, by yourself, you will enjoy being with others more and not feel lonely when alone.
• If you develop yourself. You will gain power over yourself, and not feel like others have power over you.
• If are kind to yourself. You will know how to be kind to others and accept their kindness.
• If you make peace with yourself. Others will not conflict with you.
• If you balance yourself. Your life will come into balance.
• If you can do all of this. You will learn how to make yourself happy.
• If you learn how to make yourself happy. You won’t rely on other people or things for your happiness. Then, you will be able to share your happiness with others and they will enjoy sharing their happiness with you.

The Key to Happiness
Happiness comes from within yourself. Your acceptance of who you are, good and bad. From the realization that you can only be “you” and no one else. You are alive right now in this moment. Your past is memory, your future only imagined. You must choose happiness like you choose your favorite color. You should look for it in the sensation of your own being. Realizing that things, status, money and other people are important to life. Yet, they in themselves can’t make you happy. If they could everyone would already be happy. Some people don’t understand what real happiness is. It is “not” an end to all your problems. It is like a consistent state of emotional balance. Like a calm lake. Even when the wind blows. (When you have problems in your life) It only causes ripples on the surface. The depths of the lake are undisturbed. To be happy you must find your calm center. Don’t get excited or look for some kind of intense experience. Those things never last. If you simply embrace this moment without expectations or conditions. Just watching the way life unfolds. You can remain in your center of calmness. When you can do that your emotions will no longer overwhelm you. You will realize the vast freedom this gives you in how you can act and react to the events and people in your life. The process does require work and practice. Yet, the rewards are far better than the dull pain most people call their everyday life.

Basic meditation
Before engaging in any of the meditations here please read the warning about drug-use at the end of the book. To begin basic meditation you will need at least an hour alone. With no noise or interruptions, at about the same time everyday, for a month. This can be anytime day or night so long as you are consistent. This will condition your mind and body to relax every night (or day) at about the same time. At first when you practice meditation your muscles will twitch. You may find it difficult to focus on your breathing. This is normal for beginners. Because tension is a habit. You will find trying to meditate very unusual. Although, if you stick with it for about a month of daily practice you will notice the benefits with increased energy, calmness and clear thinking. One thing more to mention is your mind will most likely wander while you are trying to practice. This is normal. If you gently bring your awareness back to your breathing each time it wanders. You will find over time that your mind will begin to settle down more and more. The goal is to blank out the minds chatter altogether. Leaving a blank, black chalk board or emptiness in your mind. Some may find this strange or a bit scary. Remember, your mind can not hurt you. If the idea of emptiness does not appeal to you. You can try a nature scene. It may be a tropical waterfall, deep evergreen forest or maybe a snowy mountain peak. Whatever you envision keep it the same so your mind will relax and not wander while you practice. In my own practice I just try to stay aware of my breathing while my mind settles down. I don’t force it. I gently bring my awareness back to my breathing when it wanders.

Basic Meditation Exercise
The three steps are: 1. Breathing, 2. Relaxation, and 3. Empty mind. Breathing is the overall rhythm of meditation. There are many types of breathing patterns. The one used here is most easily learned by beginners. It is called 2/4 breathing. It is much easier to do than it will seem on paper. You will begin by sitting cross – legged or lying down on the floor or a mat. Be sure your neck, back and head are in a straight line. Become aware of your breathing. Start by slowly inhaling for a count of four. You will always count your own heart beats. Next, hold in the breath for a count of two. Slowly and evenly breath out for a count of four. Then, hold out the breath for a count of two. Once you repeat this rhythm a few times you will find it gets easier to do over time. As you practice this pattern keep in mind that you are to make the air flow slow, steady and even. Try not to close your throat while holding the breath in or out. Allow your throat to relax.

Do not breath through your mouth. You want to keep your mouth lightly closed while you breath through your nose. Relaxation will begin when you start the breathing pattern. Your breathing controls your emotional state and tension levels within the body. As tension is a habit it will take time and practice to really relax. Once you have mastered the breathing pattern and practiced it for about a week you can move on to this relaxation technique. Begin with your breathing pattern as you normally do. Lying flat like before. You should gently become aware of your feet. Without losing your count in your breathing pattern. Allow yourself to become aware of the muscles in your feet.

As you exhale let go of your muscles. As your muscles relax they will flutter and pulse if they were holding a large amount of tension. When they become fully relaxed they will feel very loose and light. When your whole body is totally relaxed you may feel like you are floating. Breath in without adding tension to your feet. Now, exhale and let your feet relax even more. You should continue your pattern. Relaxing your feet until you feel they are very relaxed. Next, you will move up to your ankles, lower legs, upper legs, lower abdomen and back. As you move to each area spend at least four or five breaths allowing the area to release its tension and relax. Some areas may require more time than others. This is fine. Your goal is just to become as relaxed as possible. After your back is fully relaxed. Move to your stomach and then to your chest. These areas will take a bit more time to relax in men. Because men tend to hold tension in these areas more than women. Now, relax your shoulders, upper arms, forearms, wrists and hands.

At this point you should feel very good. In some people they become warmer from letting their muscles relax. This is because as your muscles expand the blood vessels are opened. Allowing a larger amount of blood flow. Thus, increasing body heat. As you continue your relaxation. Finish by relaxing your neck and head. Remember to continue using your 2/4 breathing pattern throughout the exercise. Take your time with your relaxation. In the beginning it will take longer for you to relax if you have never consciously done so before. As you progress in these skills it will take less time for you to complete the entire relaxation phase. Practice, patience and four months work with this phase. Then you can move on to the next phase. The Empty mind: Begin by using your 2/4 breathing with relaxation. Slowly, stop thinking about anything. If your mind wanders keep brining it back to your breathing. After you can go for a few seconds of being aware without thought. Then you will know what it feels like. You can then just focus on that sensation and try to relax into it. Remember, trying to force your mind to empty out will not work. It takes relaxation, focus and practice.

Caution
As your awareness grows. Your senses will become very intense. For some people this intensity may make it necessary for them to change their lifestyle. Because everyday life will become more intense in the realm of your senses it will take less stimulation for you to enjoy what you are doing. However, this works both ways. things which are taken for granted like going to the store or a movie will be extremely intense. It will take time for you to learn how to turn the input level on your senses up or down depending on where you are and what you are doing. This is up to the individual. As everyone has different strengths and weaknesses. Just try not to push yourself too far. Meditation is meant to help develop the mind, emotions and spirit. Try reading some of the books listed in the section at the end. They can give you more information than can be covered here.

Contemplation meditation
Begin with 2/4 breathing and relaxation. Once you have become fully relaxed. Mentally review a seed you have memorized. If you want you can do the meditation in a sitting cross – legged position. This will allow you to look at the seed to be contemplated.

Ask mentally what the seed means to you. Relax, allow your mind to ramble. Do not attempt to analyze the responses from your mind. It may come as a single picture or memory. It may be a torrent of images and sounds. Try to remain relaxed until you feel the seed has been fully contemplated. Slowly, open your eyes and stretch. It is a good idea to write down: The seed, the date and time plus the resulting images from your contemplation. It is possible to contemplate a single seed many times. Receiving deeper and deeper revelations about yourself in connection to the concept being represented by the seed. Contemplation in this meditation context is a form of soul searching and self-discovery. It will take you to a new understanding of yourself and your life. Do not fool your self into thinking that it will be easy. Learning to do this right will take practice, work and time.

Understanding the Seeds
The Seeds are free-verse poems that need to be internalized before the essence of the wisdom they impart can be experienced. For this to happen some basic ideas about the right point of view one needs to understand the seeds should be covered. Each seed is an expression of a basic virtue or vice; and how to balance it within the self.

Each seed is also “Distilled Knowledge”. This means there is more information and meaning in how each is being presented as a whole, than just what the words say. In fact, what is left out or implied is also important to the overall meaning of each seed. The seeds are arranged like a ladder or staircase. Each seed builds upon the next to lead the reader to, not only knowledge of, but an experience of enlightenment. The seeds should be read through once or twice. Then, after the meditations have been mastered one can begin to unify each concept into the essence of one’s being. This will promote a new approach to life and an opening of the doors to new experiences. The wisdom presented in the seeds is to be experienced as well as understood. Adding to the balancing of the self in everyday life. No transformation will occur overnight, but gradually over time you will find the essence of the “Seeds of Wisdom” growing within you, leading you to enlightenment and a happier daily life.

The Seeds

Practice
Life is breath. To breath correctly allows life to flow in balance. Practice is breathing for balance. Practice has no beginning or end, just practice, this is the work and the reward. With work the meaning is not strain or labor, but awareness of being and breath with relaxed concentration. When practice is regular and daily, all factors of the self will work in harmony. This will balance the thoughts, emotions and body. To realize the value of practice is the beginning of wisdom.

Truth
The good are good. The wicked are wicked. The good strive to be better. The wicked strive for more. But, only the good get more. The wicked find themselves starving and thirsty for truth. Yet, cannot grasp it. For they fear change. Only change of mind and heart. Only the seeking of truth through goodness can yield the fruit of life. The fruit of life is joy and fulfillment.

Wisdom
Wisdom is knowing how and when to use knowledge. Information rightly understood and applied is knowledge. To be wise is to know what not to say or do as much if not more than which action to take. The wise seek wisdom and apply it to daily life. Understanding themselves first and others second. When applying wisdom the wise think of others first and themselves second. The wise also know which wisdom to use depending on the situation. For the wise, all wisdom is fully understood knowledge that has been proven true. It is said, “The wise value truth and faith”. It is wise to have faith in what is true, and to have faith in ones self that they are able to tell truth from lies. Based on fact and a clear spirit. Wisdom is a hidden gem that no thief can steal. Yet, in using or giving, it is not spent but lasts forever.

Peace
Peace is a state of harmony and balance. Established by security from danger or disruption. Peace has two forms: Inner peace and Outer peace. Inner peace is developed through discipline, understanding, patience and meditation. The result is a unity of spirit, mind and heart. Which endows one with great power and insight. Outer peace is formed by codes of conduct, laws, the enforcement of laws and morals. The result is the majority of all follow most of the codes and laws, but are lacking morals.

Next, half follow laws and abandon codes and morals. Last, a small percentage follow only their desires with no regard for codes, laws or morals. Therefore, Outer peace is forced and is only rejected by a small group. Yet, resented by all. Where as Inner peace is sought after and worked for. Those who develop it govern themselves. Which seems as though they follow codes, laws and have high morals. Inner peace frees the seeker from himself. Outer peace forces the bearer to conform without voice or question. This breeds distrust, disloyalty and resentment.

Morals
Morals are a standard of expected practices which allow or disallow certain actions. Morals of themselves are not good or bad. They are tools to direct the self in the best way of living. A way of life which is moral produces peace, happiness, joy, contentment and success in all activities. Action which are considered amoral are not against others, but against the one taking the action. Morals that are well known are: Do not steal, Do not kill, Do not lie, Do not want what others have, Do not falsely accuse someone of a crime, Do not betray your marriage vows. Morals that are not well known are: Respect all life, Help those in need, Be honest to your self as well as to others, Have respect for all people, Show kindness to all; No matter how they treat you, do what is right for goodness sake, Do not boast about your ability, Keep your good deeds to yourself, let others praise you; Treat everyone as an equal even if they are not; love and respect yourself. Morals rightly understood, when used, will keep danger and imbalance at bay.

Thought
All action begins with thought. For the action to produce the desired result.
Mind and heart must work together. Mind rules the intellect; heart rules the emotions. The balance of mind and heart is like walking a narrow board across an abyss. To ignore the danger would mean death. To forget the goal of balance while focused on the danger would leave one stranded. Only when the mind and heart work together toward balance can the self effectively direct and control its actions. Only when intellect and emotion work together can one cross the abyss.

Words
Spoken words have their uses. They are able to help with daily activities. It is with the finite they were formed. So, with the infinite they become useless toys. Words are not the meanings they present. Meaning is conveyed more clearly without them. As the finite becomes the infinite, What word of finite measure will satisfy to hold meaning that is infinite. The jewel of knowing is conveyed in the silence of true meaning. This is the beginning of higher understanding.

Mind
As the ruler of the intellect the mind is King. If the mind is balanced, information will flow without distortion. If the mind is dominated with narrow views, prejudice or an irrationally selfish current. Information will be choked, drown or blocked. To balance the mind observe all information calmly and learn all the facts. Remember there are three sides to every story. Yours, Theirs and the truth. When dealing with others view them as reflections of your self. To prevent irrational selfishness: Think how your words or actions would affect you if others behaved this way toward you. Also, concentration does not mean strain but, relaxed awareness. Only with relaxed awareness of all the facts can the mind balance the information collected and thus rule the intellect as a good and honest King.

Heart
The heart is ruler and Queen of the emotions. Balancing the heart entails cleaning away: Fear, doubt, anger, pride, envy, lust, greed, violence and rebellion.
When this is done the true nature of the heart, which is joy, will shine through.
Calmness and peace become constant companions. When the heart is balanced,
kindness and generosity pour out. This is the essence of love. The heart Queen in balance is the mother of all. Love is the fruit of a clear heart.

Faith
Faith is a mystery. What else is it like? Faith is believing in what can not be seen.

Faith is like a hidden seed, within the ground. It can not be seen, yet, it exists. As the seed grows the plant breaks through the soil. To reveal the mystery. Faith is seeing the potential of things. Knowing before the event the outcome. Faith in ones self is knowing the abilities not yet manifest. The faithful speak in terms of the future. Because, to them the action or event has already taken place. Their faith allows them to see it as already complete. The faithless scoff and speak in terms of the past. Because, their lack of faith blinds them. To what they may accomplish. For the faithful life has hope. For the faithless life is an endless struggle.

Awareness
Normal awareness is like a beam of light, flashing from thought to thought, from object to object. Normally, the beam is dim and narrow, while it illuminates small things, it is surrounded by the darkness of unawareness. When the awareness is cleansed and balanced. It, with work, will begin to grow brighter and wider. Higher awareness is a lantern. Who’s light shines brightly in all directions. Allowing one to see all things clearly.

Quiet and practice, is the long hard road of transformation. That turns the beam in to the lantern.

Consciousness
What can be said of consciousness? It is awareness and will. It is the awareness of self. Yet, the director of will. Like a stream running through a woods. Ever bubbling and flowing, unmoved yet moving. As rain falls the stream swells. Thus, it grows rapid and turbulent. Over time it returns to its normal flow. With practice the flow of consciousness is brought to awareness. Where it is maintained, calmly. Even when it rains, when there are problems, it will not become turbulent. If it is balanced and free of debris.

Spirit
The essence of spirit is “being”. Being is awareness and attention. Having awareness of being is to contact the spirit. Being, unaware of spirit will try to replace it with material things. Which leads to imbalance in mind and heart. The clear essence of spirit is the awareness of “being” aware. Only from this state of calm attention focused on “being.” Can the mind and heart be balanced. The experience of awareness of being is like waking up after a long sleep. The light is blinding and the sounds deafening, for a time. Then the awareness adjusts and the “being” aware of itself. Feels the value of spirit. Thus, life becomes balanced and meaningful. Knowing the spirit is like looking down from a high mountain. Everything seems small and simple. Life is simplified through the spirit. For we are unfolding “beings” of God.

Balance
Balance is like a ball. All sides being equal, it rolls when moved. If a ball where cut in half neither side would roll or bounce. Thus, it would be useless. Balance is never too much or not enough. The middle of just enough, this is balance. Without balance birds would not fly, trees would not grow and the day and night would not exist.
To find balance is a great treasure. To know when enough is enough. This is the wisdom of the nature of life. All things with balance work with nature and live long productive lives. All things lacking balance work against nature. Yet, only for a short time. Nature is the rule of balance.

Freedom
Freedom is a state in which one may choose actions without being controlled or influenced by another force. Any force outside or within that one believes must be present in order to feel good is not experiencing true freedom. A force within or outside that one tends to avoid is also a form of control. True freedom means being free to choose actions without disturbance from other sources. Also, without interference to the well-being and freedom of others. To direct the self in all things with balance.
Knowing one’s strengths and weaknesses. Without hindrance or manipulation from cravings, desires, emotions or others. This is true freedom. Few people today are truly free.

Joy
Happiness is but a dew drop compared to joy. If satisfaction, pleasure, happiness, love, contentment and relief where combined into a drop of water…
Joy would be the oceans of the world. The way to joy is through practice.
Practice leads to enlightenment. Enlightenment is one with joy.

Compassion
One of compassion has found that helping others is helping the self. Compassion is a golden flower which never dies. As it is given it multiplies. The work of compassion has at its core, the spreading of joy for all. To be compassionate is the realization. That all are one. The flower of compassion is the gateway to the heart and love.

Angels
A beam of pure white light from heaven. The Angel is an awakened being of this light. Shrouded in mystery they serve the light of truth. Truth, being good is the highest awareness and the ultimate being. Some call this “God.” Angels are the children of the light. As one grows closer to the light the sight of Angels will become as common as trees in a forest.

Wealth
What is real wealth ? In the west the view of wealth tends toward material things and the amount of money attained. In the east however, things are different. Wealth is seen in terms of knowledge, skill, wisdom and inner peace. To say one is wealthy can mean many things. True wealth is a balance of the material and spiritual sides of life. Without this way of understanding. No real wealth can be maintained. As the walker of a tightrope needs balance to cross. So too does the seeker need balance and wisdom. To attain true wealth and hold on to it. The secret of the wise is to seek after inner peace. Once attained then secure material gains. This way both will be easier to balance and keep.

Success
Individuals are different from one another. Each moves through different stages of life, at different times, which calls for their own agendas. So, each individual will view success in terms of goals they have set for themselves. The Monk who’s goal is serving God may find success in his daily duties at a monastery. The businessman who’s goal is to make a sale. And thus, money. Will view his work successful only after he has made a profit. Neither is wrong or right, each found success in the path they have chosen. True success is realizing one’s path and goal, And allowing others to find their own path and goal. No matter how different the two may be. Wisdom in knowing “all” are different and are made happy by different goals is the beginning of freedom.

Wants
Wants are desires for things that make life more comfortable. Wants are not needs. Needs are the basic requirements to live. They are: Air, water, food, clothing & shelter. Some confuse wants and needs. Saying that a want of some object is a need.

Truly, the wise know the difference and prefer to fulfill needs before wants. The simple joy of knowing one’s needs for life are at hand. This is the wisdom the life is more than material things.

Obsession
Dwelling on thoughts of any kind can lead to obsession. The thought-life affects the way we perceive the world. If the thoughts of revenge, lust, greed, envy, fear, or

other negative drives are allowed to flow freely in the mind. It may result in a rip within the mind. This will cause obsession. Which is the inability to stop thinking about something one wants or hates. If obsession is not cleansed and balanced. It may, if of a violent nature, allow a foot hold for either personal demons or true demons to enter the self. Knowing your thoughts and maintaining balance will prevent obsession.

Pain
Physical and emotional pain is a message that some partof the self is damaged and needs healing. Never ignore pain it is a warning to prevent further injury. Pain should not be feared. Respect it for what it is. A sensation designed to get attention aimed at a wound or injury. This way one can start right away to relieve the pain.

Which is the beginning of healing. To be healed and healthy is to begin to find balance.

Ignorance
Ignorance is not bliss. To not know something may hurt the unaware. As the wise know, information rightly understood is knowledge. Knowledge is power. To be ignorant of something is to be weak in that subject. Ignorance is also manifest in attitudes that one’s way of thinking or living is the only way. To blindly assume all people should or do think the same is not only ignorant but a form of self-deception. That at its heart is a way to control and dominate others. For if the masses were to think and perceive the whole world from the same point of view. This would make it very easy for an aggressor to

manipulate that perception and control all. Thus, the wise not only seek to learn more

but, to learn how to see life from multiple points of view. This will balance and erase ignorance.

Suffering
Not one soul should suffer. Suffering is not a good thing no matter the cause.

Suffering can be physical, mental or both. This restricts those who are suffering only to the awareness of their hardships. It promotes a way of thinking which focuses on the negative. The bleak aspects of life. If one suffers much in youth. This one may become unable to live without constantly dealing with one or more problems. In essence this one may become a “Problem – Magnet.” To eliminate suffering one must learn to look within.

For Inner peace and strength. To balance the self, in all things. From this point.

With the self centered and balanced. The problems of daily living will not overwhelm or cause suffering. The wise know that a simple life is easier to maintain and less

likely to cause suffering for others or one’s self.

Demons
The darkness of the self spawns self-destructive habits and emotions we call personal demons. The opposing force of the Light is the Darkness. From which shadows of corruption issue forth. Seeking to hinder or harm those on the path toward the Light. These are True Demons. As light fills and destroys darkness. So too will those filled with light sweep away the shadows within and without. This process is time consuming and sometimes painful. Yet, the dawn of the light and the scattering of the Demons. This is the beginning of Joy.

Death
Death is the greatest change that all must some day face. Life is a state of constant change. Birth, childhood, youth, young-adult, adult, midlife and old-age.

The wise know that death is not an end. Only, yet another stage in the ever-changing process of learning and growth. Death should not be feared. For all life is preparing for death, the ultimate transformation. Ever material thing is on its way to somewhere else.

This life is just a short transition in between phases of existence.

Now
The present moment “now” is where life takes place. The past and future do not really exist. One may remember the past of imagine the future. Yet, these thoughts are not the moments in time one has or will experience. The “NOW” moment is where the future becomes the past. To be aware of the truly ever-moving Now moment is to ride

a wave that is in constant motion. Aware of the Now moment the wise know it is the unfolding of the future. Paying close attention allows the wise to see the “patterns” in time. This allows the wise to make subtle changes in the Now. That will shape the future.

Experience
Experience is remembered events and happenings from the past. These memories are recorded by the five physical senses: Sight, hearing, taste, touch & smell.

They are also recorded by the psychic senses which mirror the five physical senses.

Yet, they function at a higher level. In the wise the Ten senses are developed far beyond the normal common awareness level. As the wise are more sensitive and aware their experiences are always fresh and clear. As if they had just happened, even if years have past since the events occurred. For most this is not so. They may have a few or only one psychic since functioning and not very clearly at that. The physical senses left undeveloped tend to distort incoming information. As well as warp existing experiences.

Over time if one tends to lean toward a certain point of view based on “experience.”

The distorted senses will only allow the observer to see what will support those beliefs.

The wise know experience is only good if the observer has developed the senses and mind to their full potential. If not the mind will corrupt and warp experience to fit the beliefs held by the observer.

Enlightenment
To awaken to the direct awareness of one’s connectedness to everything, this enlightenment. For the mind to travel along a different path than the body, this is enlightenment. To realize that all the knowledge one has or may attain. That there are still things unknowable, this is enlightenment. To be aware of the present moment and one’s own being moment after moment, this is enlightenment. To have compassion for others in their suffering without becoming entangled in it, this is enlightenment.

To hold a flower in one’s hand and to not only feel its weight and presence but to actually become the flower directly as if it were a part of the holder, this is enlightenment. Enlightenment comes in flashes or glimpses to some. To others it is as if they just wake-up after a long sleep. Enlightenment is different for everyone. One must plant the “Seeds of Wisdom” deep within one’s self and continue along the path moment after moment. Only then can the seeker find the door and truly awaken.

Becoming a Master
Martial Arts, Chi Gung and Zen training is a way to skill, wisdom and Enlightenment. There are other ways. The first lesson to becoming a master is to remember there will always be something new to learn or room for improvement. To be a master you must always seek Truth and Light like a perpetual student. A master must be slow to anger, quick to forgive, powerful in presence, quiet in speech, graceful in movement, clear in thought, direct in purpose, compassionate toward others and pure at heart. The master is a student who knows how to learn from everything and everyone around him. Life is his teacher. Seeking Truth, Light and Wisdom. A master is ceaseless in his quest. Direct experience of the wisdom from past masters is the core to finding the path toward becoming a master. The true master is an ocean of compassion. Yet, he is not caught up in the struggles or problems of those around him. He simply helps where and when he can. If he can not help. He will either find someone else who can help or leave the situation alone. A master first must learn to balance his own life. The balance between his physical and spiritual sides must be achieved before he attempts to help others. To come from a place of imbalance would only harm those he wishes to help. A student must train daily. Being continuously mindful of his intension to achieve the status of a master. The training should include a balance of both physical and spiritual elements. Meditation and Kung Fu training are an example of this balance.

Seek first the balance within yourself then your life will come into balance on its own.

Island of calm
Only, a few push past the storm of the world. Even fewer have the strength to step out of their own inner torment. They feel they don’t belong. Or, that life is some kind of battle. So many people are like sea foam. Shoved around on the currents and waves of their own uncontrolled emotions and desires. They never find the path that leads them out to peace. Fear holds them down. So, they embrace their pain. Feeling a need to hold on to something. While believing in nothing. It’s only when we truly surrender to faith, love, life and God. That we find ourselves on the island of calm. Our inner conflicts and pain washed away. While still in the middle of the storm, the rest of the world continues to inflict upon itself. This empty pursuit for material success. Without a balance between the material and spiritual. The Quest of status, wealth, power, fame or things seems such a waste of time. When you are here on the island. Spiritually, mentally and emotionally. Everything seems so simple, so clear. You want to show others the way to this wonderful peace and joy. Then you realize. They can’t even see “You.” Who you really are. All they see is their own problems and pain. Their fear, ignorance and pride control them. The best you can do is just be compassionate, kind, loving, and forgiving. While you wait on the island for others to wake-up and find the way. So, I’m waiting……….

Insights
Some of the Wisdom I have learned. The true goal is to conquer yourself. If you fail to plan…your planning to fail. Your thoughts determine your reality. The unbending branch is broken in a strong wind while the reed bends to the wind and remains whole. A rigid mind will break where a flexible mind will bend and adapt to the stresses and challenges of life. The only limits anyone has are those they place on themselves. All people seek happiness, harmony, love and oneness. Seek first the Kingdom of God within you and all else will be added unto you. The Kingdom of God is within you and all around you not in buildings of stone and wood. Split a piece of wood and I am there. Lift a stone and you will find me. Fear, doubt and worry drive us away from the peace and happiness we all seek. Faith, hope and love takes us into the heart of joy and fulfillment. Your energy produces the situation. As above, so below. As within, so without.

Look within yourself for the answers. Give up the need to be right. Sink into the balance within you. Surrender into faith. Gentleness overcomes strength. Harmony overcomes
conflict. Know what you are doing and why you are doing it. Meditate to still your mind and refresh your spirit. Happiness is a choice made in the deepest part of the soul. Embrace your pain and become one with it. Only then can you release your pain and move forward. Know yourself and do what is in your own best interest.

Never expect anyone else to know or do what is right for you. Only you can know what is right for you. Lead yourself don’t follow others. You can never escape from yourself or life. Embrace who you are “NOW”. Then you will gain the power to change. Progress toward a goal is sometimes more rewarding than the goal itself. Whatever you do will come back to you. The past is memory the future only imagined. The present is the true reality we have to work with. Embrace what is. Simplify your life. Help others without hurting yourself. Those people you allow around you influence your thoughts, words and actions. Birds of a feather flock together. You can’t choose your family. So, choose
your friends wisely. Seek neither the praise nor accept the condemnation of others. Do not accept the opinions of others about what your strenghts and weaknesses are. Define your self and your reality based on what works for you.

Guide yourself by your own inner compass. Who’s moral north points to the character of God. All things and people are interconnected. Bless everyone. Avoid all evil. Do good. Purify the mind. Free your mind. Love is the strongest force in the Universe.

Warning against drug use
If you use any of the following: Marijuana, caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, cocaine,LSD, magic mushrooms, opium or any other mind altering drug for recreation. Do not use the meditations in this book. The meditations in this book will heighten your senses and release very powerful energies. Drug use releases energy that is out of balance. If you use ANY mind-altering substances and practice these meditations the two different forms of energy released will conflict within you. This could result in a combination of physical and mental disorders. In short you’ll do yourself more harm than good. The meditations are very safe when approached with a clean and healthy system.

Most people will increase their general health level once they become proficient with these meditations. (Consistent effort over time is the key.) Remember, any one who offers you drugs is not really thinking of your best-interest. No matter who they are. Friend or family member. It will be you who suffers the health problems in the end.

Your health is your life. Why risk it?

How to Conquer Yourself
Written by Michael Douglas on 10/02/2001

First, you must create a stable work area within yourself. A place that is emotionally balanced and mentally calm. “Balanced Ground”. We do this with basic meditation, creative visualization, awareness-training and keeping a daily journal.

The journal provides us with a way to lay our thoughts and feelings out on the table.

To look at the patterns and basic assumptions behind them. To begin the process of getting to know and understand our self. Next, we recognize that our picture of reality (or life) is really just a “picture” in our head. The same place we experience dreams while asleep. Our five senses along with our assumptions, beliefs, fears, expectations, inner dialog and experiences. All combine in our imagination to create this experience we regard as our life. Or, our picture of reality. This picture is different for everyone.

The secret is that our mind can’t tell the difference between the picture that’s being

formed from outside or the images we created in our mind’s eye. This means the mind will act on whatever picture we create in our head. Most people do this without knowing it. They create an unhappy reality for themselves and their mind makes it real. So, we need to figure out where we are. Now, we determine what our current relationship with our self really is. What is the picture we are creating now? Where did this picture come from? (Childhood?) Looking at all the levels of our self without judgment or fear: Physical, sexual, emotional, mental, creative and spiritual. This is why we must first create “balanced ground” within our self. So, we will be strong enough to look at the dark and unpleasant parts of our self. Seeking to weight our good and not so good qualities. We figure out what we want to keep and what we want to change or develop.

Next, we use the same tools as before. To reshape and redesign those parts of ourselves that we are not happy with. (Only you can really make yourself happy. You must learn to do this before you can expect others to know how to connect with you or make you happy.) In effect, transforming, or painting over the “picture” in our head really does change us and our life. It changes the way we see our self. How we affect and are affected by our inner and outer worlds. Once, we have a blue-print of the person we want to become. We then make as detailed a picture of the life this person will live. So, we must now lay down the foundation for a better, and more balanced relationship with our self. We do this with the Relationship Foundation System. (Or, RFS.) This system will not only help you create a better relationship with yourself. But, it will also show you how to recreate better relationships with those people you already know. Or, how to lay the foundation for a healthy relationship (friend or love) with someone you just met.

No one can escape from themselves. But, they can accept and change themselves into the person they have always wanted to be. Regardless of age, gender or current spiritual beliefs. Because this is a system of self-development based on basic principals of psychology. It doesn’t matter what faith, if any, you belong to. In fact, this system may give you a deeper understanding of you chosen beliefs.

The Relationship Foundation System
A good relationship, friends or love, has these basic elements: Trust & Honesty: Trust is earned over time through the consistent practice of being honest with yourself and those around you. Be honest, but remember to be tactful in how you present it to others. Understanding the assumptions of both (or all) people involved. Assumptions are the building blocks of belief. Mapping out all the expectations. So, there are no hidden agenda’s or motives. To know what both sides want and if they value the same things. Laying down boundaries in the beginning. To ensure that both people don’t

unintentionally hurt each other. Before habits form. Communicate: Learning how each person express themselves and what their personal style is. What meanings do they attach to the words they speak or write? Is it the same meanings you have or are they different? Discard Myths: Let go of old outdated ideas and ways of thinking that don’t

apply to your current situation. No two people are the same. Just because your X acted or treated you badly. Don’t use that experience as a measure for all of your future relationships. Time alone: We all need time to ourselves. Time to think. Too much togetherness can be a bad thing. This is the time when you can write in your journal or read over earlier entries. Or, you can just relax and recharge you social-batteries.

Freedom: No one likes to feel like they are being controlled or used. You want to be wanted. Not needed. Dependency is not real love. If you want someone to need you.

Then, you are trying to hold some kind of control over that person. This is when you need to go back and look at your relationship with yourself again. Humor: Be fun & silly. Laugh. Why take life so seriously? It isn’t permanent. Learn what makes you happy. Then, you can share that happiness with others. Study: Any kind of relationship requires work. If you want the relationship to thrive. You must nurture those qualities within yourself that will ensure personal growth and balance. There are many good books on the market which can help in your studies. Through the use of this system. You will be able to communicate your assumptions, beliefs, expectations, fears, experiences and boundaries without making the other person feel judged or attacked. You will find a new level of freedom. (Unless they are compulsively competitive) While, at the same time a deeper connection with those around you. Do you want to overcome those inner conflicts and fears that hold you back from the type of life you’ve always dreamed of having? These skills can, with practice, be learned by anyone. If your willing to put in a little time and effort everyday. Over a few months time you start to notice how small changes can have big effects. Imagine just for a minute. How wonderful it would be if you could remake your life anyway you want it. The truth is, you have already

unconsciously made it the way it is today. You can continue to live your life as it is.

Or, you can take conscious control and redesign yourself, your relationships and your life. Into what they should be. Happy, fun, loving, based on mutual trust and respect.

Experiment with these ideas until you find what works best for you.

Suggested Reading

• TAO TEH CHING: by Lao Tzu Translated by John C.H. Wu.
• The Art of SHAOLIN KUNG FU: by Wong Kiew Kit.
• CHI GUNG: by L.V. Carnie.
• Zen Mind, Beginners Mind: by Shunryu Suzuki.
• Creative Visualization: by Denning & Philips.
• The Handbook to Higher Consciousness: by Ken Keys J.R.
• Looking out for number one: by Robert J. Ringer.
• You’ve got to be believed to be heard: by Bert Decker.
• Nasty People: by Jay Carter.
• How to win friends and influence people: by Dale Carnegie.
• Influence: by Robert B. Cialdini, Ph.D.
• Negotiate like the Pros: by John Patrick Dolan.