19 Comments
User's avatar
Meredith's avatar

Life is what it is. We cannot afford to worry about how things "should" be. This will only end in suffering. Accept what is, and you will be peaceful. Guaranteed.

Mike Clark's avatar

Tere are a majority of people who believe that Vedanta is the same as any other spiritual phylosophy doesn't matter which one. After stadying Vedanta for about 8 years, I had a biot of a stale period & was looking for something closer to home. I found Gnosis, of which learn't a great deal & learned many thins in life. Meditation was a big part of my daily life. I then received a mesage on Messenger from Suzie (at the Vedanta Acadamy) informing that Ryiaz was coming to Australia and giving talks in Perth. I instantly realised that was my calling back to Vedanta. I have not looked back since. It is so valuable in my life. Changed my life literally. Some people think I'm crazy, but I don't care about negative critism. I aways try to help these people to gain a different perspective on life and what it really has to offer us.

Meredith's avatar

That’s fabulous, Mike. Sometimes it’s necessary to take a detour only to get back on track as quickly as possible.

Vedanta is the only philosophy that offers pre-meditative practices for meditation. All others go straight into meditation, which is a huge mistake. You need to prepare prepare prepare.

Are you still doing classes online?

Mike Clark's avatar

Well I think I'm back on track now:)

Yes I'm still attending the Zoom classes with Ryiaz most Sundays.

I find it very helpful. The class numbers are slowly reducing. Lee East is also there most Sundays

Mike Clark's avatar

Very interesting and true article Meredith. It just shows how easily we are governed by our immediate thoughts (the uncontrolled mind and no discretion of the intellect) when things don't go to plan in life. After reading this article, I have changed my thoughts around from resistance to resilience and not expecting things to change (they may or may not). To be attached to the pain and discomfort is like torturing yourself. I am now beginning to understand why pain is inevetible, but suffering is not. It is a very difficult thing to understand.

I am now accepting things as they are and I can get on with my life without the worry of whether things will or will not get better. Hence, a more peaceful and pleasant life focussing on the things that help me to grow as an individual (objectivity).

Meredith's avatar

So good to read this Mike… Apologies for my delayed response. Spirituality is a constant awareness of truth.

Mike Clark's avatar

Yes Meredith, I have now been studying Vedanta for over 10 years and it is only now that all the work is beginning to pay off with consistency of purpose and practicality in daily life....As you say awareness of truth...So Good

Meredith's avatar

You’re definitely one of the fortunate ones. I don’t know how people are living without Vedanta.

pen n. bolsillo's avatar

“stay grounded without being tethered” i love this!

Gunther Hammel's avatar

It has taken me too long to come to the realization that the way things should be is actually the way that things come about. The cosmos is far larger than any one of us or our petty wants. One of my favorite quotes: "Things turn out best for those who make the best of the way things turn out." (Art Linkletter)

We don't control what happens, but we control what we do once they've occurred.

Meredith's avatar

That’s a lovely quote. And I agree, we often wish we had know earlier what we know now.

Rea de Miranda's avatar

Great message, Meredith! It is easier to go with it than to fight it. Detach from expectations.

Meredith's avatar

Yes, we have to rise above our circumstances. Detach from the past and future and move forward with clarity.

Tara Deacon's avatar

Beautiful peice!! So well written!!

Meredith's avatar

Thankyou Tara. Really appreciate you taking the time to read this.

Amilia TOMIC's avatar

I've learnt thru pain - we can only keep walking - this in itself brings change:_) as we are in a different space from when we first started - every day has change, the last moment is not the same as the present moment, & is yet to become the next moment - love your article, contains so much thought and reflection to understand self better and to be able to move forward, thankyou Meredith:_)

Meredith's avatar

Pain is something we all experience. Learning through it is something else. You are fortunate to be reflective. Many just blame the world and never learn.

Glad it resonated Amilia 🤍

Amilia TOMIC's avatar

The pain of Loss-thankyou Meredith-yes we all experience it. We cannot blame the world-it's the pple, all of us in it, and our thinking or collective thinking, may we all awaken with a kind and loving heart, clarity of mind & hope for Life & Living:_)!