Will Bowen Audio

Many people are familiar with the 10 Commandments.

However, most Westerners are not familiar The Yamas and Niyamas, which are the Hindu guides o the ideal conduct.

Unlike the 10 Commandments, which are just a list of “ don’ts,” the Yamas and Niyamas are a list of both “dos” and “don’ts”.

Today, let’s begin with the first don’t – – AHIMSA.

AHIMSA Means, “Don't injure.“

Don’t hurt anyone or anything.

Do not hurt people's spirits with harsh words, do not hurt their bodies with unwanted or hurtful touch, do not hurt their minds with critical words .

In short, remember the words of the Hippocratic oath, “First, do no harm.“

How would your life change if everything you did was with the intention of causing no harm to anyone in anything?

Consider ways you could begin to bring your light in alignment with the concept of AHIMSA.

Ann Landers famously said, “Problems are opportunities in work clothes.”

If you look back on your life, you’ll probably find many times when something went wrong; then, as a result you discovered something that could be SIGNIFICANTLY improved — something you’d never have seen without the problem guiding you to the opportunity.

The challenge is that when we’re in the middle of a problem, it’s hard to step back and say, “Oh good, this is an opportunity.”

But when we do (even if through gritted teeth) we open ourselves up to new and better ways of living.

Starting today.

Just the day I was in my hometown of Columbia, South Carolina and I was staying at an Airbnb near the University of South Carolina when I heard some disconcerting news.

My fraternity, Sigma Chi had been kicked off the USC campus for a minimum of six years.

When I asked a friend what had happened he responded, “Hazing.“

This blew my mind!

When I was at USC and part of that Sigma Chi chapter, the main thing we were focused on was ANTI-HAZING!

In fact, our anti-hazing policies were considered the best and were adopted by others.

How in just a few short decades could the leaders of caring for new members become the leaders in tormenting them?

The answer is: slow and incremental acceptance.

What are you rationalizing as “ok” today that in the past was not cool?

Good question for us all.

Most people curse — worldwide, a preponderance of human beings curse when they’re upset (or more often).

Cursing has been called the cause of language as well as a replacement for crying.

But what is cursing, why do we curse, and how could we (or should we) get ourselves to stop?

Believe it or not, we’re going to JumpStart Cursing (don’t worry, it’s still PG 13).

Historical evidence proves that, contrary to what you see on the news, human beings are becoming more peaceful and less violent over time.

It’s simple stats.

You can see it very simply in the idea of not spanking children, which was OK with more than 3/4 of people just 40 years ago but is now considered unacceptable by more than 2/3 of people surveyed.

Remember this?

When I was a kid, you always got spanked on your birthday.

And yet, as I look at it now it seems crazy to do violence to someone because they’ve managed to live another year – – right?

People are shifting and growing and evolving as a species and that’s a good thing.

Today, let’s take a look closer look.

Currently, my favorite podcast is “Stuff You Should Know“ because I love learning and these guys teach you so much IN a very short period of time.

Recently, they did an episode on the origin of the Sandman.

It’s amazing how children stories were once horrific and are now far more gentle.

And yet, do you original story had a very good intention behind it.

Today, learn the story of the Sandman what we can learn from it when working with other people.

Gertrude Stein said it best, “When you get there, there is no there there.”

Our very existence impacts the reality around us making everything we do important and, in a global scheme, ultimately important.

Perhaps people of all religions believe in a heaven — surely, their MUST me a place where everything is whole, finished, and complete.

People are not designed to be finished — ever, and life it designed to stimulate us to grow and change until we die.

Accepting reality can shift from a drag to a blessing and give you renewed strength and enthusiasm.

You’ve probably heard the old saying “ inch by inch, anything is a cinch.“

In other words, you don’t have to make great leaps towards your goal, you just need to make consistent small steps.

Unfortunately, I’ve discovered that most people have what I call a “short intention span.”

They start strong and end fast!

Today, let’s talk about keeping your focus on your intentions towards them even when times get you up.

It is possible.

And I’ll show you how.

Because I travel so much, and because travel is so stressful I’ve written out this little reminder which I read every time I’m driving to the airport.

Perhaps, when you travel via plane you’ll find peace in this as well.*********

I am about to get into a flying, compressed tube with a bunch of stressed, haggard, and frightened human beings.

Every one of them is afraid they have forgotten something, is on high alert because of justifiable security threats, is probably sleep deprived, hungry, and worried about both things they have left undone and things they are about to do.

The airport personnel who serve me endure such people constantly.

Let me remember that my energy either enriches or depletes everyone I encounter.

I will breathe deeply, smile consciously, be patient, and remember that everyone I meet is doing what they consider to be their best while they also endure every stress and struggle that is everyday human existence.

What do you do if you’re getting lousy service, or even bullying treatment from a customer service person?

Please have an amazing day and I tried something.

And it worked great!

In this post, and share with you what happened, what I learned, and how you can implement it to make sure people treat you with the respect you deserve.