Evolución del concepto histórico de suicidio

If you take fifteen minutes and be an observer of your thoughts, you will probably find you are thinking about all kinds of things that are totally unrelated to what you are physically doing, unless that requires a great deal of concentration and focus. You may be thinking about the past, making projections about the future or simply daydreaming about whatever. Saint Germain made the observation that with most of humanity, the mind is as undisciplined as a tramp dog. Our minds are used to running all over the place unchecked. It is virtually impossible to not think or have a thought for more than a minute or two. Anyone who has tried to meditate for that length of time without thinking about anything can attest to that!

Much of your suffering comes from not living in the now. As Paramahansa Yogananda put it, "You live in a state of anxiety for the future, or of regret for the past", and therefore you suffer.

Your power is in the present

Our minds are unbelievably powerful when focused, but most of that power is lost by not living in the moment. The present is where your power is! Of course, in the present you can still be

planning for the future or consciously contemplating the past in order to gain knowledge or to learn something, and there is nothing wrong with that. However, living in the past and revolving old events is essentially a waste of time and energy as the past is dead and gone. You can learn from the mistakes you made in the past, but then you need to let go and move on.

Worrying takes you from the present

I very rarely think about the past, and when I do it is usually only briefly when remembering something. I have found that what has taken me out of the present the most is worrying about things. Worrying is projecting future possibilities, so you are not in the present when you engage in worry. Worrying is pretty pointless when you stop and think about it. Your worry will not change the future outcome a bit. In fact, it could make it worse, because if you worry about something long enough with enough focus, you can actually energetically propel your worried future into reality!

Benefits of living in the moment

One day, I decided to get really serious about staying in the present, and boy it was not easy at first!

But I was determined, and gradually over time I was able to stay more and more in the present. I practiced this for quite some time, although eventually I went back to my old habits - although not totally. From time to time, I really focus on living in the moment and have found there are wonderful benefits to doing that. First of all, worries and stress evaporate, you start seeing things more clearly and hearing things you never really did before. Colors seem brighter and you begin to notice more of the beauty that surrounds you. I definitely find myself becoming more peaceful when I am really

81

focusing on being in the present. By having less stress and more peace, your health may improve and you can sleep better.

In the present there is no worry, no fear, no suffering (unless you are in the midst of a circumstance that in the present is invoking those conditions), there is only the "isness" of what is happening.

There is no need to fear future situations as those situations are not happening in the present, which is the only time that exists.

____________________________________________________________________________

“Most people live in the past or future. When you can be truly happy in the present, then you have God.”....Yogananda

____________________________________________________________________________

Living in the moment can prevent accidents from happening. I'm sure all of us have experienced times driving where we had no idea how we got from point A to point B - and that's scary! By focusing on the now you are better able to tune into events and circumstances surrounding you.

I believe much of the discontent we experience is because of time spent fantasizing about a better future (which implies there is something wrong with the present) and requiring it to be a certain way.

Once you let that go and focus on the present, you become more content with what you have now.

Most importantly, you can only connect with your Higher Self when you are in the present. If you are constantly thinking about the past and projecting into the future, you are cutting yourself off from the innate wisdom of your Higher Self. You cannot receive answers and guidance when you are cut off from that Self by worrying and projections - guidance that could eliminate the problem you are thinking about!

Practice living in the moment

Living in the moment takes practice as we are constantly being distracted from what we are doing.

Start out by just trying to be totally immersed in what you are doing for a few minutes - whether it be driving, doing the dishes, or whatever. As you become used to that, try to extend those periods more and more throughout the day. Doing things differently - such as taking a different route to work - can help you concentrate on the new surroundings (while of course, still focusing on our driving!). Dancing is a wonderful way to become immersed in the music as your body moves to it.

Getting involved in a creative project is another great way to keep your attention focused on the now by concentrating on what you are creating.

Another way to be in the now, is to focus on your senses - what can you see? what can you hear?

what can you smell? what can you feel? what can you taste? - right now! Try doing this for a minute or so throughout your day. It's a great exercise for developing a stronger focus on the Now.

Meditation and Concentration

Meditation and concentration are two things that are valuable aids to help calm the mind and focus your attention. Meditation is also a major key to connecting with your Higher Self. Meditation can be as simple as focusing on our breathing or a beautiful sunset. (See section on Meditation for more information.)

Over the years, I have done concentration exercises which have greatly improved my ability to focus and image things in my mind. By teaching the mind to concentrate and focus, it becomes easier to stay in the present. I highly recommend this set of exercises:

For each letter of the alphabet, pick a subject to concentrate on, such as A - Apple. For 5 minutes, focus on an apple in your mind - seeing it clearly, touching it, smelling it, cutting it open, eating it,

etc. Do one letter each day.

After completion, you should notice a dramatic increase in your concentration abilities.

____________________________________________________________________________

"Forget the past, for it is gone from your domain!

Forget the future, for it is beyond your reach!

Control the Present!

Live supremely well now!

It will whitewash the dark past, and compel the future to be bright!

This is the way of the wise."....Paramahansa Yogananda (from "Inner Peace", pg. 45 - SRF Publishers, LA, USA)

83

DISCERNMENT

Discernment as the Masters tell us is a gift of the Holy Spirit. Discernment comes from the Heart, from your Higher Self. As you strengthen your connection with your Real Self, your discernment will also grow stronger. You come to trust that "still, small voice" of your Higher Self, who knows what is best for you at all times.

Many Decisions and Crossroads in Life

As you journey through life, there are many situations you encounter that require a decision that will alter the direction of the path you are on - some are minor, and occasionally you come to a major crossroad. Ultimately, there are probably no "wrong" choices as eventually we all will find our way.

However, lack of discernment of what is the BEST path for you can cause you to be diverted and add years or even lifetimes to your journey. I am speaking of your spiritual journey. Sometimes you make decisions that seem to be good in other respects, but may take you far from the path you may need to be on spiritually. There are many paths that will take us to the "top" (symbolizing the end of our spiritual journey here on earth) and they will all get there eventually. My father told me when I was growing up to see our journey as a mountain. Some paths will go straight up (the harder ones) and most will spiral around and around the mountain in varying degrees before reaching the top.

Your Higher Self knows what is the best pace and best path for you and will unerringly guide you in making the choices that will take you where you need to go - in all aspects of your life. Once you cultivate discernment through your Higher Self, you can be confident we are making the "right"

decisions along life's path!

Cultivating Discernment

My grandfather had told me early on that especially with spiritual teachings, one must first take everything to the Heart (the Higher Self) to see what "feels" right. This has always served me well.

He also told me that if something initially did not feel like the truth or there was resistance to accepting something, to just put it aside for the time being. In those cases, it might not be an indicator that something is incorrect or not true. It may simply be that we are not ready to "hear" the truth yet. Your Real Self knows what is true, however, due to your belief systems and resistance to hearing certain things, you may block the truth and be unable to accept it at the time. There is nothing wrong with that, as each must spiritually develop at their own pace. When you are ready, you will be able to discern and know the truth.

Cultivating discernment comes through strengthening the connection with your Higher Self and continuously taking decisions and questions to the Heart and through deep meditation, seeking answers and direction. Initially, the answers may not come immediately. Many times they will be revealed synchronistically later on through a sign you receive, somebody mentioning the very thing you have been thinking about, or through a book you suddenly come across. I've even had books literally jump off the shelf that have given me what I was seeking. One time, I even opened up a large book I had inwardly been directed to to the EXACT page with the answer I was seeking!

Some important situations and problems you are seeking direction for may be charged with emotion and anxiety, making it difficult to receive an answer or discern if an answer you are

receiving is coming from the Higher Self or is being fed by your own desires. In those cases, I have found that centering in the Heart before going to sleep and asking for a clear answer or direction

upon awakening works very well much of the time. If an answer isn't immediately forthcoming, which sometimes happens with important decisions, let the situation go and know that the answer will eventually be revealed. A good way to do this is to surround the situation in a bubble of white or pink light, ask for the best solution to be revealed to you, and then release it by seeing it floating up and away. Sometimes anxieties and strong desires can actually push away the correct answer, so by releasing it to higher levels, you can also clear any blockages to receiving the solution.

Once you start developing discernment through your Higher Self and peeling away more layers of your onion, the answers you seek will come faster with less sense of struggle when ascertaining a course of action. Sometimes we are faced with decisions that require an immediate answer. The stronger the connection with your Higher Self is, the easier it will be to take whatever short amount of time you have (seconds, minutes), center in the heart and come up with the answer you need. By including your Higher Self in the decisions you make, you automatically strengthen your connection with that Self.

Aid for Clearer Vision

Occasionally you will come across situations where you can't seem to get an answer to what you are seeking. In those cases, that may be due to strong desires or conflicting answers you are perceiving. Whatever the case, it always helps to ask what is God's Will and to ask for clear vision in seeing the solution. Surrendering your lower self's will to a Higher Will and what is best can many times clear up conflict and allow you to see things more clearly.

The Discernment you receive is for you alone

The discernment you receive from your Heart and Higher Self is for you and you alone. It is not our job to be a "Discernment Director" for anybody else. We have no way of knowing what is best for someone besides ourself. Some people need to take the harder road to learn a life's lesson - they need to go down that rough road. If you really feel they are in a bad situation, you can always ask for assistance and decree/pray for them - always adjusted to God's will of course. So you need to concentrate on your own Path and discernment will light the way for you!

85

LETTING GO, SURRENDER & TRUST

One thing I have been working on for many years and have made a lot of progress on, is to realize that we cannot control everything and the events in our life through the human self. Sometimes it is necessary to "let go and let God". Letting go involves surrendering yourself (and your ego!) to a higher force, and the ego does not like that at all. As you connect more and more to your Higher Self, surrendering and letting go becomes less difficult.

Letting go also means surrendering your fears, worries and insecurities and trusting God/the Universal that everything will work out. One of my favorites stories is about a rope and letting go.

I'm not sure who the author is, as there are many versions around, but I wanted to share its message here. I have altered it slightly to coincide more with the version I remember:

The Parable of the Rope

"We are like a person holding on to a piece of rope.

We hold on for dear life, knowing that if we were to let go we would fall to our death. Our parents, our teachers, and many others have told us this is so; and when we look around we can see everyone else doing the same.

Nothing will induce us to let go.

One day we pray to God for help and He answers us. He tells us that holding on is unnecessary, that the security the rope offers is illusory, and only holds us where we are.

He talks of real security, of deeper joy, of true happiness, of peace of mind. He tells us that we can taste this if we will just release one finger from the rope.

"One finger," we think; "that"s not too much to risk for a taste of bliss." So we agree to take this first initiation.

And we do taste greater joy, happiness, and peace of mind. But not enough to bring lasting fulfillment.

"Even greater joy, happiness and peace can be yours," God tells us "if you will just release a second finger."

"This," we tell ourself, "is going to be more difficult. Can we do it? Will it be safe? Do we have the courage?" We hesitate, then, flexing our finger, feel how it would be to let go a little more . . . and

take the risk.

We are relieved to find we do not fall; instead we discover greater happiness and inner peace. But could more be possible?

"Trust me," God says. "Have I failed you so far? I know your fears, I know what your mind is telling you -- that this is crazy, that it goes against everything you have ever learned -- but please, trust me.

Look at me, am I not free? I promise you will be safe, and you will know even greater happiness and contentment."

"Do we really want happiness and inner peace so much," we wonder, "that we are prepared to risk all that we hold dear? In principle, yes; but can we be sure that we will be safe, that we will not fall?"

With a little coaxing we begin to look at our fears, to consider their basis, and to explore what it is we really want. Slowly we feel our fingers soften and relax. We know we can do it. And we know we must do it. It is only a matter of time until we release our grip.

And as we do an even greater sense of peace flows through us.

We are now hanging by one finger. Reason tells us we should have fallen a finger or two ago, but we haven't. "Is there something wrong with holding on itself?" we ask ourself. "Have we been wrong all the time?"

"This one is up to you," God says. "I can help you no further. Just remember that all your fears are groundless."

Trusting this quiet inner voice, we gradually release the last finger. And nothing happens. We stay exactly where we are.

Then we realize why. We have been standing on the ground all along.

And as we look at the ground, knowing we need never hold on again, we find true peace of mind."

Sense of Struggle

I have found this story to be very true - that a lot of our worries and fears are totally groundless and are manufactured in our minds and by false beliefs, some that have been instilled in us since we were young. Thinking we have to hang onto the rope for dear life or something dire will happen, can create a tremendous sense of struggle with life. As Saint Germain has said, "the sense of struggle, creates the struggle." In other words, whatever you hold to be true in your mind will create how you are experiencing things. Life doesn't have to be that way, but you first have to be willing to surrender and let go of false beliefs and perceptions.

Unfortunately, there are many on a spiritual path who believe they must walk the so called "via dolorosa" (the route that Jesus took between his condemnation by Pilate and his crucifixion and

Unfortunately, there are many on a spiritual path who believe they must walk the so called "via dolorosa" (the route that Jesus took between his condemnation by Pilate and his crucifixion and