Psychology Has It Backwards

Discernment is not judgement.  We can speak up if we see a friend heading down a dangerous path, or if we notice a client shading the truth, etc.  The difference between the negativity of "judgement" and exercising our common sense with good will and a loving feeling is the difference between harboring negative opinions and speaking from wisdom when we see something of concern.  It would not be an act of love or a responsible service to others to fail to reprimand a child for stealing, or try to stop a friend from entering a bad deal.  As long as we are coming from a good feeling and sincerity, we should be true to wisdom and be able to express concerns without harm to others.Support the show

The podcast explores the concept of judgment, including both harmful and necessary judgments. It discusses the delicate balance between caring for someone and allowing them to make their own choices, as well as the importance of compassion and discernment when providing feedback. The podcast also shares personal stories about confronting potential Medicare fraud, counseling clients with substance abuse and anger management issues, and helping a homeless woman overcome her alcohol problem.

This podcast explores the concept of being ordinary and its importance in personal growth. It challenges the misconception around being ordinary and highlights the negative impact of society's obsession with being special. The speaker shares their personal experience of realizing our common humanity and emphasizes the importance of recognizing our own ordinariness as a beautiful gift. The podcast also discusses the perils of being attached to external image and the wisdom of philosopher Sidney Banks. It encourages listeners to focus on love, trust themselves, and create a beautiful life.

It's that time of year again when we're all expected to be joyful and enthusiastic, and a lot of people just feel stressed, pressured, and anxious about doing all the things they think they have to do for the holidays. We forget that we're making it up. It's our own thinking about holidays, our own exaggerated ideas of what we need to get done, our own pressure to make everything perfect for friends and family, that creates a lot of worried, stressful thinking. We don't lose our natural resilience during the holidays; we simply forget to depend on it and get caught up in thinking and planning and striving. When we start feeling the tension build, it's a good time to stop, clear our heads, and quiet down. It all works out.Support the show

(We are re-sharing a podcast from last year during the holiday season because it feels timely to us to remind ourselves and all of us that love and understanding are the answer to to human suffering and the problems of the world.)The universal energy of creation finds expression in human beings through our ability to think and experience our thinking.  It moves from perfect formlessness into the forms we create via thoughts.  We "see" thoughts come to life as our personal reality.  We remember our thoughts, which become our personal "library."  But each moment is a moment in which we choose to recall and reconsider memories or bring fresh thoughts from formless energy to form, so every moment offers the possibility of a fresh start.  When we discover our true spiritual nature, formless energy at the essence, we are in touch with pure, unconditional love and understanding, the source of life and the forms we give love in it.Support the show

Many people struggle with the painful feeling of shame.  Perhaps we were told as children that we "should be ashamed" of something.  Perhaps we suffered mistreatment that we interpreted to mean we were not worthy of love and care.  Perhaps we did things for which we harbor shame.  Shame is nothing more than a negative thought about ourselves.  As we understand that people are always doing what makes sense to them at the time, given their level of consciousness, we realize that there is nothing to be ashamed of.  We can see beyond negative situations and learn from them, but there is no shame in being human.Support the show

Delve into the importance of defining oneself beyond external validations. Discover how prioritizing personal growth leads to genuine connections and mental peace. Explore how consciousness can transform communities and resolve conflicts, enhancing mutual respect. Learn about the journey towards inner peace that transcends financial success, highlighting the significance of seeking happiness from within. Embrace the idea that understanding others paves the way for harmony and personal fulfillment.

We are often asked, "Why is my child hanging out with 'bad' friends?" Or "Why do I keep falling for abusive men?" Or "Why do I keep doing business with people who cheat me?"  Those questions arise from one deeper question: "What is it about the state of mind I live in that attracts me to the 'wrong' people?"  Everyone lives in a range of feeling and understanding that they would call "normal."  People who live at the same level we do feel safe and familiar.  So our own security and peace of mind determine our associations.  As we change, some drift away and others are drawn in.  If we want "better" friends, we deepen our own understanding and find more peace of mind.  Then it happens naturally.Support the show

Everyone has guilty thoughts. Some people get stuck in guilt and never lose the feeling. Others experience guilt and make amends if possible, or learn from the experience it's related to and move on. Guilt is a feeling that informs us we have done or said something that we realize was not right or caused harm. It is healthy to experience the feeling, reflect on the source, and clear it up. It isn't healthy to go on and on harboring guilt over things from the past which we cannot resolve or change. We act on the thoughts that make sense to us at each moment in life, given our state of mind and level of consciousness. The gift of growth in understanding is to see beyond thoughts that no longer make sense.Support the show

Exploring the concept of spirituality and its impact on behavior. The deep feeling of spirituality and recognizing beauty in life. The value of wisdom and common sense. The limitations of diagnoses in therapy and creating multiple realities through our thoughts. Recognizing the spiritual essence of life for finding peace.