We’re being reminded here lately that when the rule of law decays in the culture, it’s usually because there are insufficient corrective measures to keep it in place. The implication is that we (especially the young) need to be aware of this decay when its occurring. It is the language of this discussion that made me want to add it to my Camino minutes. We’re talking about things like fairness, integrity, and truth with the particular emphasis on truth. In other words, we’re being reminded in 2018 that truth should matter.

Distraction is anything that puts us in our heads. The problem of course is that most of us are already there. Experts say in fact, 60,000 thoughts a day. Individuals on a different speed than the world around them can be challenging. Imagine ‘shame’ for speeding on the highway (as silly as that sounds) and you understand the anxiety, rapid speech, and hyperactive thinking of a distractible person. Always speeding. Always being told to slow down. Always breaking the speed limit. Always feeling like they are overwhelming anyone they interact with. Their first impulse is to be aware of their impulses. It’s this vigilance that creates anxiety. Hyperactivity and distractibility quickly become another reason to apologize for ‘‘how’ they are. Ironically, this energy has nothing to do with ‘what’ they are…a to be alive force that wants to reach its fullest expression…just like everyone else.

I couldn’t help but wonder what the western world was doing the other day with the Pope’s reprieve from hell. If you missed it, the timing was interesting – it was just before Easter. The relief from hell only lasted a few hours. If you didn’t see it the headline read ‘Pope says Hell doesn’t exist.’ I had to laugh and thought could you imagine…right. But, the folks around him were quick to say that the conversation may have happened but what the Pope meant was that ‘the WAY’ we talk about hell… doesn't exist. Here are my thoughts.

When passing the midway point on the Potomac (92-93 miles) the thought occurred to me that this would be a wonderful time to tell you a story—in particular—your story. One that captures your beginnings but doesn’t get your attention until the midway point on your path (35-45 years of age). You can tell me if it resonates.

If there is one repetitive theme that psychology sees in the human experience it is the conditioning that there is a right and wrong way to be. If you’ve been alive for very long, you’ve probably learned that rules nor morals actually change behavior.

If anyone is connected to Oprah, I strongly encourage you to have her people seek me out. Her recent quote on GMA captures the core of Intentional Guided Evolution a psychospiritual model of the human condition born out of my work with severe trauma. Though her words are beautifully valid, the culture lacks a context for the internal GPS she speaks of.

Emma Gonzales created the most poignant moment of the March on the 24th—with silence. 6 minutes and 20 seconds of not speaking created the reflection and introspection that happens when we are directed inward. Though the silence was striking, even solemn, it was a reminder that some things are beyond words.

Inner lives matter becasuse this dimension can be known. We need to remember that our inner world can be influenced by the ego but NOT controlled. The human heart knows our past but can still live in the present. Because of this gift, the heart demands to be heard! Ironically, the ego has more supporters because we’re asleep to the choices available. Our nature is to explore, inquire, and ask questions. This cultivates our inner lives. The subjective life feels in the same way that the ear hears and tongue tastes. It is a natural. To prevent, block, or deny its wise, deliberate, and guiding force becomes spiritual death. When we lose this form of communication with ourselves we cease to evolve and become robotic. This show solves the mystery

We would all agree that the excessive chatter of ego can rob our attention. We’ve also learned this distraction is at it’s worst when our inner whisper becomes a scream. While feelings desire a reciprocal communication with ego, emotions simply condemn and demand obedience. Feeling and emotiing is the difference between re-acting or re-enacting our lives. Spiritually, we need to know the source of our ego’s suffering if we are to comprehend its intent. As an adaptive function, we must understand what it has summarized as truth. If we don’t, our life is at the mercy of a false idea of who we are. This podcast teaches the importance of review and revision. Tune in as we discuss how to manage the volume of your inner chatter.

The soul’s wisdom can be ‘dimmed’ by our external lives so much so that we are guided by the ego’s negative self-assessment. The problem becomes that the ego (unless present) cannot experience ‘feelings’ in real-time. Nor, can it SEE that it’s not the observer. Thus, the biggest trick it plays is getting us to believe IT is, in fact, our witness. It accomplishes this by teaching us that a thought/feeling combined is more powerful than a feeling alone. Finding fault or shame in the past/future, the ego has little time to discover these feelings do not exist in the present. Everyone begins with a feeling nature that can evolve into a compassionate disposition. This is absolutely known in the heart and can be remembered. The formation of ego creates a ‘difference’ between these inner and outer worlds. It’s second trick is convincing us that the external is true and our inner life false. Actually, it is the reverse.