Expand your horizons.
LIFE AND DEATH
The spring rain washes
The sunny daffodil
Into the stream
It bobs up and down
In a kind of struggle
Circling…twisting
Holding onto existence
With no memory
Of where it has been
Finally caught on a pointed stone
Ripples of water
Gnaw at its vitality
No longer moving…
A glimpse of beauty fades.
© Doris Ann Bridgehouse
Shine in the social spotlight.
Celebrate your successes no matter how small.
UNFULFILLED PEOPLE
Unfulfilled people become spiritless hungry ghosts who
feed off the unhappiness of others. They seek victims to
satisfy their insatiable appetite. Think of the hungry ghost
as an entity with a gigantic body and small mouth. It perpetually
feels empty—never at peace. Their approach to a
victim is subtle. Every word and situation is carefully chosen
to manipulate individuals into the idea they are not
worthy.
Soon your sense of self crumbles, destroying your clarity.
Physically and psychologically you become submerged
in self doubt. The present moment feels wearying and stultifying.
You hate yourself as well as others. At this juncture,
you are willing to listen to a hungry ghost’s empty promises.
You become a hungry ghost. Now you are prepared to
pull others into your solitary dead zone.
How does one break free from being a hungry ghost?
Starvation is the key. Examine your motives. Be mindful of
your actions—own your responsibilities. Recognize that it
is okay to make a mistake. Keep your emotions intact. Express
yourself with compassion. Do not allow your paranoia
to get the best of you. Every time you feel yourself
slipping back into the hungry ghost syndrome, free yourself
by speaking the truth.
Example: Hungry Ghost Syndrome
1. Gossiping:
A person hides insecurities by diverting his or her inadequacy
toward others.
2. Immaturity, Feeling substandard:
Anyone taking foolish chances such as drinking and
driving, sexual promiscuity, and anger are not being responsible
for his or her actions.
3. Fear of intimacy, Violence:
A person is emotionally tormented or in psychological
pain.4. Demanding, Obnoxious, Rambling, Cursing:
Individuals live in a world of delusion and illusions.
5. Lying and Cheating:
Feeling bewildered—at a loss. Hate in one’s heart.
6. Spending Money Irrationally:
Measuring one’s worth through others—not feeling
good enough.
7. Avoiding Responsibility:
Peter Pan syndrome: Not wanting to grow up.
Example: Hungry Ghost
How many people have you heard give a compliment,
but at the same time take something away? For example,
many years ago I worked in an office where there was a
young lady who dressed in her own style—her look be
longed to her. Many of the colleagues—behind her back--
criticized her appearance. Some of them felt they should
approach her with the advice she would be very attractive
“only if” she knew how to dress correctly.
It is this sort of condescending remark that is really an
insult fancied up as a compliment. Note that hungry ghosts
seek to ridicule someone in order to feel superior. If individuals
are truly happy with themselves, they would not
want to change another person.
Exercise:
Take a deep breath. Say out loud, “I breathe in the positive.”
As you exhale, say out loud “I release myself from...
(state the negative situation) and I choose to move forward.”
Practice this step whenever you feel aggravated or
you are in a blaming mode.
ARGUMENTS
Most arguments are based on two people seeing the opposite
side of a concept. Points are weighed by subjective facts
and internalized by the ego’s meticulous score. A difference
of opinion cannot be resolved where one stands with his
or her feet firmly planted into the ground.
If it is imperative to give an opinion, try explaining the
positive basis of your evidence. People are more likely to
adopt new ideas than drop an old ones. And they are apt to
be receptive to well-grounded comments when they are
not annoyed. In all discussions, there are no easy answers--
usually the answer lies between the best sides of a choice.
How necessary is it to expose a person’s weakness or
belief? I cannot think of anyone who would not balk at
being singled out because he or she is wrong. This behav-
ior provokes defensiveness. Besides, showing people the
error of their ways does not make someone right—an opinion
is an opinion. Note that there are moments in life one
should stay mum, especially if the subject is none of anyone’s
business.
DORIS ANN'S OBSERVATION:
Feel free to email questions concerning life's journey.
I'll place a dialogue on the web with an answer.
EMAIL: kindredspiritri@yahoo.com
dorisbridgehouse11@gmail.com
Practicing any form of meditation
Brings you closer to the you...your spirit.
If you have any questions, feel free to mail me.
