Tag: spirituality

In the Eyes of Our Enemy

May we have the courage to sit down with our enemies

Look into their eyes

Seek to understand why they harm us

To truly love someone we must first have the courage to understand them

Keep asking questions and seek to understand with curiosity

Soon you will see the suffering in their heart and mind

They were born into the suffering of war, violence, and greed

Taught wrong perceptions by their ancestors and society

If you look deeper we can see that our enemies were once innocent smiling babies

They were not born with hatred and fear in their hearts

With this deep insight, compassion and understanding will be born

This deep love will be liberate us from hatred and violence

And a river a joy will rush through us

This is the way of the peaceful warrior

To love our enemies and pray for those who spite us

With love,

Johnny

Keep Your Eyes on God

On the spiritual path there are many obstacles diverting us off towards pleasure, money, or fame

Each time our eyes divert from God we must return them

If we can keep our eyes on our family, friends, coworkers, jobs, bank account, shopping, food, or pets we will be diverted off the path towards God.

We will be lost and afraid in the woods

Not knowing which way to go and suffer tremendously

It takes tremendous conviction to keep going on this path

But the rewards of inner peace, serenity and complete liberation are more precious than diamonds

The path towards God is liberation from all greed, hatred and fear

God brings many the gift of unconditional love which liberates us from all self-centeredness and fear

If we keep our eyes on God we have nothing to fear and our days will be filled more and more with love, joy, and inner peace

With love,

Johnny Hoffman

Service

Any path that isn’t for the betterment of others is not worth taking

Even if we find our spiritual path though Buddhism, Hinduism , Christianity, yoga, or transcendental meditation

Our practice is still driven by ego if the sole intention is to better ourselves

We must take what we learn on the yoga mat, church, mosque, or meditation cushion, roll up our sleeves and help others in our daily lives

Don’t discount even the smallest acts

Even a smile or a kind word to a stranger can significantly help others

Choose compassion over apathy

Love over fear

Curiosity instead of judgment

With aloha,

Johnny

Attachment: The Root of Our Suffering

Attachment is at the root of all suffering

Attachment to youth

Attachment to wealth

Attachment to our spouse, family & friends

Attachment to life itself

If attachment is the root of all suffering..

What is the root of joy?

Freedom is the root of joy

Freedom not to hurt ourself or others but freedom from fear, anger, and hatred running and ruining our lives

Liberation from old ways of thinking & doing that make us miserable

Today is the day to start changing, even small changes can lead to huge results in time

When we look at nature, we see that everything is impermanent.

Even our own sun has a shelf life

So why do live as if relationships, wealth, family members, and our own life will last forever?

If we live a full life, one life is enough.

With aloha,

Johnny

Life & Death

Life & death are interconnected, not two separate concepts

The ultimate yin & yang of the cosmos

Each day cells are born & die in our own bodies

Death surrounds each moment of life
Without death there is no life
Breathing in I know I’m of the nature to grow old
Breathing out I know I will die one day
Knowing this noble truth I will enjoy this beautiful life that has been gifted to me
Each day is a new opportunity to pay gratitude to the universe
I will do my best to live a compassionate, peaceful, and loving life
I will not let fear, hatred or greed control my one life.

“To truly live, we must die each moment.” -Thich Nhat Hanh

With aloha,

Johnny

Brothers & Sisters

There once was a star in the milky way

Until one day this star grew old

This distant star died & transformed into a supernova

Sending its space dust in the vast darkness of the Universe

Until one day this dust accumulated and condensed under pressure

To form our home, Earth

The star never truly died

It was reborn

Reborn as you, me, and every species that has existed on this planet

We are brothers & sisters

Sharing this beautiful planet together

With Aloha,

Johnny

You are Divine.

Divinity is found within all

Even if they don’t realize it

Buried under years of conditioning

Fear, anger & greed cover the jewel that is your true nature

To be kind

To help

To love

Wisdom is the process of unlearning

Unlearning old habits & beliefs that hold back us from touching true joy

Allowing us to see our true nature

The Battle Within

Divinity is found

Within you and I

But also ego

All humans have this battle within

Dark & light

Devil & angel

Ego & divine

Grow the divine fertile seeds with love & compassion

Acknowledge the ego

Bow to it

Feed it carefully

Feed it with understanding

Care for the darker side

For in caring for the dark we grow the light

All Will Be Okay.

When we are lost

When we hit the lowest of lows

There is always light

Light within us

Surrounding us at every moment

 

Let the wind dry your tears

For every storm will pass

The sun will rise once more

Bringing light into the darkness