A Zen Gift

What does it really mean when someone says that they have faith? It's such a "heavy" word with a kind of preachiness attached to it. At least that is what I used to think.

These days I have a little bit different perspective. The older I get I have begun to notice a pattern. When I was just a young thing I used to ride the ups and downs of life with less than a modicum of grace. When a challenging situation would present itself I felt like a scared animal on the defensive - my heart would start racing and my dander would stand on end.

Unlike the [intelligent] human, the animal does not have the complex brain that we have been fortunate enough to be born with. So many times a reaction is primal and immediate. Sounds just like me not too long ago. On top of being in reactive mode, my mind took off in a downward spiral - imagining the worst, fear, and panic. And of course all that wonderful self doubt and stress that goes along with that.

Now, don't get me wrong, I still have moments like this, but they are happening less and with a diminished intensity. The main reason - I have adopted an attitude of faith.

I do not consider myself to be a religious person, and I do not want to go into that. It is such a personal thing and I do not like labels. It makes me think of the poor slob who has an epiphany (or just a fun night on the town) and decides to get a tattoo - permanent ink has of a way of defining you to a degree.

Not that I have anything against tattoos and those that wear them (far from it, if it makes them happy). As a personal choice, I simply prefer to keep my choices embedded inside. This is my faith. When I lead my life listening that silent voice (our inner source) - it becomes a whole lot easier to keep the hungry wolves at bay.

But, like most things in life, developing and implementing faith is a process. I find it helps to breathe and take a moment when a challenging situation presents itself. If you can, go to a room where there are no people. Or, even better, step outside. When you are in nature, among the groundedness of the trees and the scents of plants with the sole purpose of being and giving, it is easier to take the focus off of your mundane concerns.

Once you are outside practice these steps:

1. Appreciate the vastness of the universe.

2. Marvel at your connection to it.

3. Allow yourself to see the energy that moves through everything.

4. Know you are able to draw the abundance and peace of it to you.

5. Realize this is not only possible, it is meant to be the natural way of things.

6. Begin to understand how worry is man's way of blocking all the good stuff.

7. Reflect on the fact that faith is man's way of attracting the peace and prosperity you deserve.

With all the brainpower we humans have, many times we think ourselves into a state of chaos. Life is really very simple. What you put out, you get back. The universal law of attraction is more than a new age parlor game - it really works. The law operates just as naturally as the sun rises, with no judgments or conditions.

I like to think of every choice I make that strengthens my faith a zen gift to myself. Zen is about purity and simplicity. This is the state we were in when we were born into this material existence. As adults, it is our gift to the rest of the world (and to ourselves) to act in a way that reestablishes that connection we had as infants.

As science begins to meet ideas of spirituality, it is easier to have faith - at least I find this to be so. We each come to our own conclusions based on our personal experiences, and each journey is sacred. Enjoy the road ahead of you, lift your head and take in the warm of the sun, express a silent "thank you", and the next step you take will be a little easier.

http://www.ZenFireflies.com