Wu Wei is a key concept of Taoism that can be translated as “do not act” or “do not intervene”. However, it is not a passive attitude. It’s letting go to allow the action to flow effortlessly and in harmony with the “original cosmic order”, without attempting to modify it. The result will be merging into the spontaneous movement of nature and life. When talking … Continue reading Wu Wei, the Art of Non-acting
Language, even with our most precise usage, proves totally inadequate at expressing the Truth of the Absolute; for it soon becomes apparent that expressions about It are forced by their inherent limitations to remain verbal or written representations–not the original, Itself. Thus, in describing via our “A, B, C’s” (or equally valuable letters of other languages), we create a distorted view of That which is … Continue reading Only “This”
Hi! We’ve just posted a new episode of the Wise & Shine podcast. Have a listen as I talk with the uber-talented and insightful Art Russell. In this podcast, we attempt to answer the question “What’s Really Important?” Thanks for tuning in! Continue reading New Podcast Today!
I’m pretty upset with myself. I grew up in the Austin area (and yet!) I never once heard of El Arroyo restaurant, not until a few days ago. Since the 1980s, besides serving fine Tex-Mex cuisine to countless customers, the eatery has been posting imaginably funny and clever signs in its parking lot. In fact, if you search for the restaurant on the internet, you’ll … Continue reading That’s Punny!
I recently viewed a YouTube video in which a guest related the account of a friend who had just bought a very expensive house. This wasn’t expressed, but his friend was probably quite proud of his achievement. The guest went on to share that his friend had attended a party at someone’s home; and during the tour of the house, he learned that a rare … Continue reading Worth Beyond Definition
I want to tell you about a fellow named David, a retired educator and part-time tutor of mathematics who works in the Math Learning Center, a place just down the hall from the Writing Assistance Center, the place I manage and often mention in blogs I write for Wise & Shine. David is one of the most relentlessly positive people a person is ever likely … Continue reading David’s “Walking Lunches”
Alice kept a close eye on time. It was a driving force in her life. She was fascinated by it, at least when it wasn’t driving her around the bend. The thought of ever being late was a stimulus that could set her pulse racing. She had a small collection of favourite watches; one for every occasion. Every spring and fall she even synchronized her watches with … Continue reading Forever Now
Check out Wise & Shine’s new podcast. In our latest episode, I talk with Wynne Leon about “Finding My Father’s Faith,” her memoir. Enjoy! Continue reading New Podcast!
In this article, we’re going to depart from our inquiry into the nature of our true Self and examine The Law of Attraction in greater depth. For persons who are unfamiliar with the subject, the law is basically summed up as follows: “We bring about what we think about.” One well-known example of the law at work is related in the Bible, through the account … Continue reading This Mental Universe
This article was inspired by the following question and answer from “I Am That,” a well-known spiritual book which chronicles talks between Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj and seekers who were eager to recognize true Self: Q: “Is there no way of making out who is realized and who is not?” M: “Your only proof is in yourself. If you find that you turn to gold, it … Continue reading The Divine Mystery, You
Hi, everyone! Happy Friday! A new podcast, this one a conversation on aging between Troy Headrick and Todd Fulginiti, two Wise & Shine writers, is now available for your listening pleasure. In addition, two more episodes have been completed and will be posted soon. We have upcoming podcasts on the topic of “Heroes” and a really interesting interview I did with Victoria of Victoria Ponders. … Continue reading More on the Wise & Shine Podcast
During the years that I have studied the law of attraction and our essential nature, I’ve faithfully used many affirmations. One of my favourites is the abridged version of the passage found in Matthew 17:20: “If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible … Continue reading Moving Mountains
A scene from a movie that I watched several years resonated deeply with me; so much so, in fact, that the impression it left serves as the foundation of this article. In the scene, six or seven patients having group therapy are seated in a circle with a psychiatrist in the center of a room. Realizing that one patient has an issue related to control … Continue reading Crumpled Pieces of Paper
Happy Saturday, all! I struggled this week. I wrote three or four pages on a topic that I thought would become a blog I could publish today or tomorrow, only to discover that I needed to hold off on posting it. Midway into the piece, I realized that my ideas hadn’t yet ripened and thus I’d be sharing something a mite inedible (perhaps even bitterly … Continue reading Projects and Podcasts
A Flow State of Mind Continue reading A Jazz State of Mind: Entering the Flow State
In the spring of 2019, I was drawn to purchase “I Am That,” which is considered a spiritual classic. At the time, I was consciously unaware that its content would play such an important role in liberating “me” from “my” life. The book, which relates the wisdom that Sri Nisargatta Maharaj shared with seekers of Truth, has a bold and highly recognizable design–a bright yellow … Continue reading Notes From Beyond
Intuition has always been a fascinating subject of study. It is generally associated with genius, because the greatest scientific discoveries happened thanks to moments of intuition. Einstein wrote: Intuition is a sacred gift of which reason is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honours the servant and forgets the gift. In addition, we all know that it is thanks to our intuition … Continue reading The Power of Intuition
To go for a stroll with someone you love is one of the grandest experiences we could ever have. In the right company, with the right prevailing spirit, a walk hand-in-hand is sublime–a blessing for both. It is both comfortable and exciting at the same time. When we are moved by a deep sense of love, it matters not the conditions. Most persons quite naturally … Continue reading I Walk With You
Slow down and look around. Notice and take stock. Clear your mind and let “what’s now” take over. Continue reading Being Present: What’s Now
John Steinbeck, who is one of my favourite authors, won the Nobel Prize in literature in 1962. His novella entitled Of Mice and Men would undoubtedly be considered one of John Steinbeck’s literary gems. Although shorter than some of his other masterpieces, which include Grapes of Wrath and East of Eden, it is on par with their greatness. This morning, I was struck by an epiphany, which I believe may … Continue reading Beyond “Mice and Men”
