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Daily Question, September 24

How is a challenging situation helping me to open my heart and my mind to a more expansive way of embracing the world?

  • Jayne

    My challenge recently was my ninety-six year old mother's passing. She suffered from congestive heart failure and we spent 24 hrs. a day at her side for almost two months. In the final analysis we all felt grateful for that time, those last hours with her. She told us stories we never head before, shared her pain and her anxiety for us and our lives. The experience was exhausting and exhilarating, sad and joyful and it made our love for each other as a family stronger. We fear death and change b...

    My challenge recently was my ninety-six year old mother’s passing. She suffered from congestive heart failure and we spent 24 hrs. a day at her side for almost two months. In the final analysis we all felt grateful for that time, those last hours with her. She told us stories we never head before, shared her pain and her anxiety for us and our lives. The experience was exhausting and exhilarating, sad and joyful and it made our love for each other as a family stronger. We fear death and change but I found the experience beautiful, life changing and rich.

    Read More
  • Maya

    My challenge today was a modest one: I felt a bit lonely where I currently am (in Bahia, Brazil) after I didn't hear back from a few people I had reached out to. As I was walking by myself on an almost empty beach I was wondering whether I should really go ahead and make the commitment to launch a big new phase of my research here? Funny enough, as I returned to the beach hut, I met a group of Brazilian women, with one of whom I ended up talking animatedly - about French social theory, of all t...

    My challenge today was a modest one: I felt a bit lonely where I currently am (in Bahia, Brazil) after I didn’t hear back from a few people I had reached out to. As I was walking by myself on an almost empty beach I was wondering whether I should really go ahead and make the commitment to launch a big new phase of my research here? Funny enough, as I returned to the beach hut, I met a group of Brazilian women, with one of whom I ended up talking animatedly – about French social theory, of all things! And as I mentioned to her that I was questioning my research because of loneliness, she smiled at me from the side and said: Didn’t God give you an answer right now?
    How does the challenge of temporary loneliness help to embrace the world in a more expansive way? Today taught me to be still, to listen, and to embrace the moments of quiet and silence, rather than find them worrisome. They may lead to the most unexpected encounters and “actor-networks” (with a nod to French sociologists).

    Read More
  • Aine

    I am currently in a situation of having to trust a way will be made where there is no way, at least none I can readily see. The key component of this is learning TO trust during the every day challenges, which is harder for me than the overall grand scheme of things sort of challenge.

    Through this, I am learning that the elements of Trust and Self-Compassion, especially through times of struggle, really do have the power to change the world for the better.

    Self-Compassion is really Trust...

    I am currently in a situation of having to trust a way will be made where there is no way, at least none I can readily see. The key component of this is learning TO trust during the every day challenges, which is harder for me than the overall grand scheme of things sort of challenge.

    Through this, I am learning that the elements of Trust and Self-Compassion, especially through times of struggle, really do have the power to change the world for the better.

    Self-Compassion is really Trust as well — trust that the Divine finds me lovable and worthy just as I am, which then leads me to treat myself better. That, in turn, leads me to be open to more opportunities to share that Love and compassion with others.

    Read More
  • Hot Sauce

    My current struggle to improve in cross country is helping me to empathize with others who feel frustrated when they are not improving and is teaching me to change my way of thinking and working to figure out how to attract what I want in life, so that I can see that anything is possible with faith!

  • Ose

    If I can manage to become still in the midst of the challenging situation, there is space, and in this space there might appear an answer/ solution/ help of higher order, other than “I” could think of, which may widen the view and open the door to expansion and embracing whatever appears to go through the challenge in a good way.

    Another way for me is when I understand afterwards, why a challenging situation was may be meant to be. It then may lead to becoming aware and let go of obstacles ...

    If I can manage to become still in the midst of the challenging situation, there is space, and in this space there might appear an answer/ solution/ help of higher order, other than “I” could think of, which may widen the view and open the door to expansion and embracing whatever appears to go through the challenge in a good way.

    Another way for me is when I understand afterwards, why a challenging situation was may be meant to be. It then may lead to becoming aware and let go of obstacles hindering unfolding consciousness and awareness. Lately it happened for example when unconscious ego-needs were needed to be integrated in a larger scope.

    Another way to open my heart and mind is expressed in the word for the day, which is joy.
    This weekend was full of joy for me. While being together with many others – a “simple” situation, which could easily become a challenge for me, there was stillness and space and deep joy to simply be fully present and of service when needed.

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  • Malag

    Having gone through a number of bereavements in the past couple of years I’ve become a little more open hearted to those around me and also more kind to myself.

  • Ed Schulte

    It re-minds one stay in touch with those others who are working for the advancement towards Self-Realization, Locally and Globally

    Example
    Hi,

    Here’s some exciting news! If you missed any portion of Deepak Chopra and Eckhart Tolle’s all-new, no-cost webinar Awakening from the Illusion of Separateness: Spiritual Truths to Help Heal a Divided World . . .

    we’re providing you with one final opportunity to experience it TOMORROW, Monday, September 25th, at 5 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. ET.

    ...

    It re-minds one stay in touch with those others who are working for the advancement towards Self-Realization, Locally and Globally

    Example
    Hi,

    Here’s some exciting news! If you missed any portion of Deepak Chopra and Eckhart Tolle’s all-new, no-cost webinar Awakening from the Illusion of Separateness: Spiritual Truths to Help Heal a Divided World . . .

    we’re providing you with one final opportunity to experience it TOMORROW, Monday, September 25th, at 5 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. ET.

    Join two of the world’s most sought-after spiritual masters as they reveal the simple shifts you can make to find and sustain a deeply authentic sense of peace and connection in our increasingly divided world. Access the no-charge event here.

    More than 100,000 people have registered from all over the world!

    Here are just two of the heartfelt responses we received from people who participated in the event when it first launched earlier this week:

    “When Eckhart explained that life has arranged it in such a way that unconsciousness in humans creates problems and suffering . . . and then it is those very problems and our suffering that causes humans to potentially awaken . . . I felt such a sense of hope for the future and a profound responsibility to wake up!”
    —Mary O.

    “Hearing Deepak say that we’re all being challenged – including him! – to see ourselves in the other because that is how we will come to know our true selves and because it is the very definition and highest expression of love, I felt humbled and inspired.”
    —Elsa R.

    We hope you’ll be able to join Deepak and Eckhart, along with thousands of people from around the world, as they reveal how you can use the discord in your life and in the world to cross the chasms between us and ultimately to find a sense of peace, empowerment and connection.

    Join Deepak and Eckhart for this final, no-charge online event that happens TOMORROW!

    Namaste,
    The Chopra Center

    Read More
  • John

    My challenge as a consultant is to find balance and meaning in my work and life when my clients work 24×7 and even on vacation.

  • Dee

    I am learning the daily lessons of humility that comes from living in the midst of people, with their attitudes, moods and personal opinions. God is teaching me to look beyond the situations and trust the lessons they teach me.

  • Kevin

    Well, my mind and my heart, I believe, are already open well enough, but the challenging situation that I continue to struggle with personally involves my own physical limitations, at least to a degree. While my back surgery was very successful some four months ago, I still deal with Sacroiliac Joint pain which was not a part of the surgery I had and is a condition that cannot be “fixed” with surgery. The more I do physically, the more “SI” joint pain I endure. I remain quite active phys...

    Well, my mind and my heart, I believe, are already open well enough, but the challenging situation that I continue to struggle with personally involves my own physical limitations, at least to a degree. While my back surgery was very successful some four months ago, I still deal with Sacroiliac Joint pain which was not a part of the surgery I had and is a condition that cannot be “fixed” with surgery. The more I do physically, the more “SI” joint pain I endure. I remain quite active physically for a 67 year old man, for which I am grateful, but also find out quickly when I’ve done too much!

    I would love to take off and assist the victims of recent floods and hurricanes, for example, but I know that my own needs would quickly impede my ability to be fully present to others. So for now I continue to consider how I can offer the skills that I have that might be useful to others who are in need beyond my doorstep.
    – Kevin

    Read More
    • Aine

      That pain is one that I am working on, too, Kevin, one of the latter holdouts of the Lyme that is a bit stubborn. I am sorry. I know the impact it can have. Perhaps acupuncture could help? I find that it reduces my pain levels a good bit. (To put your mind at ease, the needles, however, are not located precisely in the, ahem, affected spot.)

      • Kevin

        Thanks, Aine, I too have found Acupuncture helpful for that pain too, including soft tissue massage as well. I’ve also had a series of fancy nerve blocks on he SI joint nerves too called radio frequency ablation which relieves pain for 6-9 months. But I need to wait a bit before having that done done again until they’re sure everything is calmed down from the May 30 surgery. So we’ll see! Thank you.

  • Antoinette

    I am learning to let go and that sometimes letting go of what we cling to most is the only answer.

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