Last Sunday, a few of us went to an event at the Urban Zen Center called A Spiritually Inspired Future, with Deepak Chopra, Andrew Cohen & Arianna Huffington. I was excited to go since this is so much of what I am about. Before I continue, I do want to suggest that people who are not familiar with Urban Zen go to their web site and register for their newsletter. They have really great events including one coming up this Saturday called Wisdom 2.0.

It was great being in that space, surrounded by like minded people who are interested in making a difference in the world. The conversation with Arianna, Deepak and Andrew was provocative and stimulating as it inquired into the nature of our minds and our consciousness. For me one of the most important points that was raised had to do with the existential issue that many people come face to face with: Is life good? In other words, is living a worthwhile experience? Does it have any value, meaning? As Andrew said, most people are not sure whether it is or not.

Until you have a clear answer to this question, you cannot really create a spiritually inspired future for yourself or people around you. Choosing to affirm life, to embrace life, to love life, is an essential ingredient in creating the life you want. If you are uncertain, then recognize that your number one priority in life is to discover the answer for yourself. It doesn’t mean that you will feel this every moment of the day, but it is a place you want to cultivate within you. If you don’t know how to begin finding the answer, then ask for help. The quality of your life depends on it. If you have children, then remember that you are their role model. If you are not motivated to doing it for yourself, do it for them.

My definition of a Spiritually Inspired Future is a future that consists of having a clear sense of identity and purpose. Living in a state of interconnectedness with everyone and everything. Appreciating the dance of duality- pain/joy, good/bad, right/wrong – knowing that we cannot have one without the other, and embracing it all. Appreciating that we are but a drop in the ocean of time and using our precious time here to benefit our planet and each other. Accepting our nature – human nature- with all its darkness and light, as we bring patience and compassion into our relationships with ourselves and people in our lives.

LIVING IN THE PRESENCE OF LOVE!

---