Level 1.99 - Humor

Level Your Life - [The Level of Humor][1.99]

Humor

One of the greatest mistakes you can make is to think of any spiritual training as deadly serious.
When you find yourself lost in a frowning cosmic space, take the s out of cosmos and laugh at your cheerless sobriety.
Many of us on a physical, emotional and spiritual path take ourselves too seriously.

If you run, bike, swim or partake in any other exhausting activity , notice what happens and how you feel when you change your frown from the pain of exertion to a smile. Instantly, you are transformed : your body relaxes and the activity seems painless.

When you are tired and hurting, picture the Happy Buddha, his belly shaking with laughter as if filled with jelly.

The ability to laugh at ourselves and experience the humor in our mistakes and foibles is an indication of self-awareness and consciousness.

When your performance falls short of your high expectations, your ego interferes and you feel embarrassed by such setbacks. You begin to measure your self-worth as a person by your mistakes , errors and failures. You may instead want to create expectations that are more process then product oriented. For example, expect to do well, have fun and allow good things to happen. Rather than dwell on the darkness, affirm your efforts to be your best: affirm your health and the opportunities given to you and your friends. Laugh, knowing that after all, you are an imperfect, vulnerable , and sometimes silly human being .

When you see the humor in things and don´t take yourself too seriously; you usually perform at highter levels.
Humor relaxes the body, mind and spirit and , as we know, this has the effect of improving outcomes.



Declaration: While I take what I do seriously, I refuse to attach my ego to the outcomes. I choose to laugh when I blunder.

Reflection: Why might some people think of sprituality as a serious experience ? In retrospect, when have I taken myself too seriously and how would I handle that today ?








[paraphrased and inspired by Spirit of the Dancing Warrior]

Level 1.92 - Fortitude

Level Your Life - [The Level of Fortitude][1.92]

Fortitude

We know that continuous,consistent strength and high-level performance are not possible. You may want to always be your best, look your best and be fast but no one is capabale of this all the time,not even the Buddha. During down times- times of striff, loss, setbacks, mistakes, uncertainty and disappointment - the warrior adopts the virtue of fortitude , a sense of quiet inner strength, trust and confidence , closely aligned with the warrior virtue of perseverance, that helps one to endure. We know from our own experience that this virtue will help you through a slump, a losing streak, an injury or a disappointing result.

For the seeker, fortitude is a strong spiritual weapon that helps fight the inner wars of fear and self-doubt. It is this virtue that gets you through the moment , that enables you to endure shock and disappointment.

At its foundation are a quiet confidence and a deep belief that everything will work out.

Fortitude  , or bravery, is your ability to bend and dance in the wind of adversity.

Declaration: I am brave and strong enough to endure all setbacks and adverse conditions. I have the courage and confidence to continue on the path and realize my true potentia.

Reflection:In what specific ways can I apply the concept of fortitude to my present physical and emotional life? Whom do I know and respect who demonstrates this warrior virtue and in what way?

[paraphrased and inspired by Spirit of the Dancing Warrior]