thoughts – Stillness Awaits

2025-02-15

Is Free Will an Illusion? The Soul’s Pre-Planned Journey and the God Within

We often believe that we are in control of our choices, that free will defines our ability to shape our lives. But what if free will is just an illusion? What if, before we were born, we had already mapped out our journey, setting the experiences, challenges, and choices we would encounter?

This perspective suggests something profound: that we are not merely humans making decisions, but divine beings who pre-planned our own path. In essence, we are our own god, orchestrating our experiences for a greater purpose.

The Illusion of Choice

At first glance, life seems like a series of choices. We decide what to eat, where to work, whom to love. Yet, many philosophers, neuroscientists, and spiritual teachers argue that our decisions are not as free as they appear.

• Science & Determinism: Neuroscientific studies suggest that decisions are made in the brain before we consciously register them. This implies that free will may be an afterthought rather than the cause of our actions.

• Karma & Destiny: Many spiritual traditions teach that our actions are influenced by past karma, shaping our circumstances long before we make a decision.

• The Soul’s Blueprint: Some mystical teachings propose that before incarnation, the soul chooses its lessons, experiences, and even key relationships, creating a script that we follow once born.

If this is true, then what feels like free will is actually us playing out a divine script—a script we ourselves wrote.

The Forgotten Truth: We Are the Creators

This perspective doesn’t make life meaningless. On the contrary, it reveals something empowering: we are not victims of fate, but the architects of our reality.

Imagine watching a movie you wrote but temporarily forgetting you were the writer. You feel immersed in the characters, the ups and downs, believing in every choice made. Then, one day, you remember: This was my creation all along.

Spiritual awakening is the process of remembering. It’s realizing that every experience—joy, suffering, success, failure—was chosen for a reason. Even what seems like chaos is part of a deeper harmony.

If You Pre-Planned Your Life, What Changes?

The question is no longer “What should I choose?” but “What did I come here to experience?” Instead of resisting life, we begin to trust it. Challenges become opportunities for growth. Suffering becomes a lesson rather than punishment.

When we remember that we are both the experiencer and the creator, we shift from fear to empowerment, from struggle to surrender. The divine is not something outside of us—it is us.

So, the next time life presents you with a choice, ask yourself:

“Did I already choose this before I was born? And if so, what am I here to learn?”

The answer may surprise you.

2025-02-15

An Indescribable Reality

Wordless reality is a realm of pure experience, untouched by the confines of speech or the structures of thought. It’s where essence precedes expression and where being transcends description. In this reality, sensations and perceptions exist in their rawest form, unmediated by the mind’s tendency to categorize or interpret. This is a space of direct knowing, a profound silence that speaks louder than words, where the essence of all existence is felt but not spoken. It’s akin to the still moments just before dawn, where the world exists in a hushed anticipation, or the deep calm at the bottom of the ocean, untouched by the storms above. In trying to articulate what is inherently wordless, we brush against the ineffable, where understanding is felt rather than formed.

2025-02-122025-02-15

To Be or Not to Be: The Awakening of Being

Shakespeare’s famous soliloquy, “To be, or not to be, that is the question”, arises from Hamlet’s contemplation of existence—whether to endure the suffering of life or to surrender to the unknown of death. In the context of spiritual being, this phrase can take on a deeper, more transcendent meaning.

“To be” is not merely to exist but to become aware of one’s true self—the eternal essence beyond the veil of form, beyond fleeting identities and suffering. It is the choice between awakening to being or remaining entangled in the illusions of the mind.

To be is to embrace presence, to step into the depth of the Now, where life unfolds not as a series of struggles but as a dance of consciousness.
Not to be is to stay asleep, to exist in a dream-like state of ego, attachment, and illusion—a life dictated by external forces rather than by the stillness of the soul.

Hamlet’s turmoil reflects the struggle every seeker faces: the pull of the conditioned self versus the call of the higher self. If we interpret his words spiritually, we see a question that goes beyond physical survival—it is the question of whether to awaken or to remain in illusion.

The Fear of the Unknown

In the soliloquy, Hamlet wonders if death is truly an escape or if it brings a new suffering, an unknown realm that may be worse than life itself. Spiritually, this can be likened to the fear of ego death—the fear of dissolving the false self and stepping into the vast, formless reality of pure being.

To cling to the familiar (even if painful) is the choice of the conditioned mind.
To let go and surrender is the choice of the awakened heart.

This is where suffering serves as a teacher. It is not an enemy but a guide, pointing toward something deeper. The dissolution of the false self—the “not to be” of ego—feels like annihilation at first, yet it is actually the path to true life.

Surrendering into Being

The question “To be or not to be?” ultimately asks: Do we live from presence, or do we continue in resistance? The one who chooses to be aligns with the eternal flow, allowing life to unfold without fear. The one who resists remains caught in mental suffering, always questioning, doubting, and fearing.

To be is to rest in stillness, to know that you are not just the waves but the vast ocean itself. It is not about escape but about full immersion in the Now, where nothing is missing, and everything is as it should be.

So, the seeker stands at the crossroads:
“To be”—to awaken, to shine, to embody presence.
Or “not to be”—to remain asleep in the dream of separation.

What do you choose?

2025-02-06

The Chair That Wasn’t Mine

For years, I had the same chair at work. It wasn’t anything special—just a regular office chair, but it was my chair. It had molded to me over time, adjusting to the way I sat, the way I leaned, the way I thought. It was always there, predictable and comfortable, an unspoken companion in my daily routine.

But one morning, I walked into work and something felt off. I sat down and immediately noticed the difference. The cushion was firmer. The armrests were slightly higher. The chair I had known for years was gone—replaced by something that was not mine.

Annoyance bubbled up instantly. Who moved my chair? Why would someone switch it? I’ve used that chair forever! My mind raced, grasping for justifications for why this was unfair. As I sat there, adjusting, fidgeting, and silently resisting, I could feel something deeper stirring—attachment.

It was just a chair. A chair. But my mind had made it mine. My familiarity with it had turned into possession, and that possession had become comfort. And now, because something had shifted outside of my control, I was experiencing discomfort, frustration, and even a little resentment.

That’s when it hit me.

How often do we do this in life? How often do we latch onto things, mistaking familiarity for necessity? We cling to routines, relationships, identities, and objects, believing they define us. And when they change—or worse, disappear—we feel lost, disturbed, and sometimes even angry.

The truth is, the chair was never really mine. It had simply been where I placed myself day after day. Just like so many things in life, it was temporary. The only thing making this moment uncomfortable was my resistance to what is.

I took a deep breath and let go.

Let go of the expectation.
Let go of the attachment.
Let go of the illusion of control.

And just like that, the frustration dissolved. The chair didn’t need to change—I did.

From that moment forward, I saw everything a little differently. Every time I felt resistance rise in me, I asked, What am I holding onto? What am I afraid to release?

Because true freedom is not in holding on—it’s in knowing we were never meant to hold onto anything at all.

2025-02-05

Gratitude: Questions To Reflect On

What was one moment today that you felt grateful for, and why?
Name a person who helped you this week. What did they do and how did it make you feel?
What is something small that you often overlook, but truly appreciate when you think about it?
When was the last time you felt thankful for something unexpected? Describe what happened.
What is one way you can show gratitude towards someone this week?
Think about a difficult situation. Can you find something in it that you are grateful for?
What is an ability or skill you have that you are thankful for? How did it help you recently?
Reflect on your surroundings. What is something in your environment you are grateful for today?
Who is someone that you haven’t thanked recently but deserves your gratitude? Why?
What is something you’re looking forward to, and why are you grateful for it?

These questions can prompt players to reflect on various aspects of gratitude in their lives, from interpersonal relationships to self-awareness and appreciation of the mundane.

2025-02-032025-02-03

Love Languages – A Tool For Transformation

The concept of the 5 Love Languages (words of affirmation, acts of service, receiving gifts, quality time, and physical touch) is meant to help people understand how they give and receive love. However, it can also unintentionally reinforce a framework where people focus on compensating for a lack rather than expanding into love’s fullness.

If we view love as something we must receive in a specific way to feel whole, we risk reducing ourselves to a set of unmet needs. But if we approach love languages as a means to express love more fully—rather than just filling perceived voids—then they can become a tool for deeper connection rather than a limitation.

True love is expansive, beyond categories. It is not something we need to get but something we are. If we focus too much on how we receive love rather than how we embody love, we may unintentionally operate from a place of deficiency rather than abundance. What do you think?

Once unconscious beliefs about love and worthiness are identified, the next step is not just removing dependencies but transforming them into wholeness. Here’s a process that can help:

1. Awareness Without Judgment

Recognizing a dependency (such as needing affirmation or physical affection to feel loved) is powerful. Instead of rejecting it, observe it like a compassionate witness. Ask yourself:

Where did this come from?
What does this belief protect me from?
How has it shaped my relationships?

2. Releasing the Illusion of Lack

Many dependencies are rooted in the belief that love must come from outside. The truth is, love is within you, always present. A simple practice is to pause whenever you feel the craving for external validation and ask:

If I already had this love within me, how would I feel right now?
How can I give this to myself?

This shifts the energy from seeking to being.

3. Reparenting Yourself

If your love dependency stems from unmet childhood needs, you can “reparent” yourself by offering what was missing.

If you lacked encouragement, speak affirmations to yourself.
If you lacked presence, practice deep self-connection through meditation.
If you lacked physical affection, engage in self-care that nurtures your body (massage, movement, mindful touch).

The key is to become your own source of love, meeting yourself where others didn’t.

4. Expanding Love Beyond the Self

When love is no longer a dependency but a state of being, you naturally extend it outward. Instead of seeking, you overflow. Acts of kindness, deep presence, and giving without expectation become effortless.

This shift transforms relationships:

You love freely, without attachment.
You receive love without fear of losing it.
You recognize that love is not transactional—it simply is.

5. Living as Love Itself

At the highest level, love is not something to be “received” but recognized as who you are. When you dissolve the illusion of separation, the longing disappears—not because you don’t experience love from others, but because you realize you were never without it.

Does this resonate with you? Where do you feel the greatest attachment in receiving love?

2025-01-082025-01-08

Nature Does Not Discriminate: Why Should We?

Nature is one of the greatest teachers we have. It operates with a quiet wisdom that transcends the boundaries humans often create for themselves. When we observe the natural world closely, we notice that it functions in harmony, free from judgment, prejudice, or discrimination. The sun rises for everyone, the rain falls on all, and the wind doesn’t choose who to embrace. If nature, in its infinite wisdom, does not discriminate, why should we?

The Inclusivity of Nature

Imagine a tree standing tall in a park. It offers shade to everyone, regardless of who they are. It doesn’t ask if you’re rich or poor, young or old, black or white. It simply is. The ocean doesn’t turn away certain swimmers because of their beliefs or background. Rivers flow freely, nourishing every living being in their path without hesitation. This is the natural order—an unbiased, unconditional giving and coexistence.

Discrimination Is a Human Construct

Discrimination, at its core, is an artificial boundary created by human minds. Nature doesn’t create these divisions; we do. We label, separate, and categorize each other based on factors like race, gender, religion, and social class. But these are all human constructs—ideas we impose on ourselves and others. The natural world reminds us that these divisions are illusions.

What We Can Learn from Nature

Nature invites us to look beyond surface differences and see the interconnectedness of all life. The diversity of a forest, with its countless species of plants and animals, teaches us that strength lies in variety. Each element contributes to the ecosystem’s balance and thriving. Without the bee, there’s no pollination. Without the rain, there’s no life. Everything is interconnected, and every part has value.

When we discriminate, we disrupt this natural flow of unity. We rob ourselves of the richness that diversity brings. By embracing the lessons of nature, we can begin to honor the inherent worth of every individual, just as nature does.

The Spiritual Call to Equality

From a spiritual perspective, we are all sparks of the same divine light. Every soul, regardless of its external appearance or circumstances, carries the same sacred essence. Discrimination blinds us to this truth. It keeps us trapped in fear and separation, while nature calls us back to love and unity.

When we embrace the mindset that nature models for us, we open our hearts to compassion. We begin to see others not as “different” or “less than” but as equals on this shared journey of life. The truth is, the world needs all of us—just as it needs the rain, the sun, the rivers, and the trees. Together, we create the wholeness of existence.

A World Without Discrimination

Imagine a world where humans followed nature’s example—a world where kindness replaced judgment, and love outweighed fear. A world where we embraced each other’s differences as strengths, rather than obstacles. This isn’t just a utopian dream; it’s a possibility waiting to be realized. It begins with each of us making the conscious choice to let go of prejudice and embrace unity.

Let’s Return to Harmony

Nature’s message is clear: we are all part of one interconnected whole. When we discriminate, we go against the natural order of harmony and balance. Let us take a lesson from the trees, the rivers, the sky, and the earth. Let us rise above the man-made divisions that separate us and return to the unity that is our birthright.

As spiritual beings on this human journey, let’s honor the wisdom of nature and strive to live in harmony with one another. After all, if nature does not discriminate, why should we? Let’s choose love, equality, and unity—today and every day.