Comments on: Spiritual Growth: The Willingness to Change http://jaredakers.com/spiritual-growth-the-willingness-to-change/ Happiness for the Practical Mind Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:05:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Jared http://jaredakers.com/spiritual-growth-the-willingness-to-change/#comment-1020 Jared Thu, 07 Jan 2010 01:00:58 +0000 http://www.spiritualzen.net/2009/12/spiritual-growth-the-willingness-to-change/#comment-1020 Andrew, Thanks for the comment. That sounds pretty close, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sadhana" rel="nofollow">sadhana</a> "a means of accomplishing something" or more specifically "spiritual practice." Andrew,
Thanks for the comment. That sounds pretty close, sadhana “a means of accomplishing something” or more specifically “spiritual practice.”

]]> By: Andrew http://jaredakers.com/spiritual-growth-the-willingness-to-change/#comment-1019 Andrew Wed, 06 Jan 2010 18:39:21 +0000 http://www.spiritualzen.net/2009/12/spiritual-growth-the-willingness-to-change/#comment-1019 Hi Jared, Seems like the sanskrit, <i>sadhana</i>, describes your message here pretty well. Your quote, "No matter what I do for a living or what my circumstances in life are, I can choose to grow," seems to describe the potential to seek<i> sadhana</i> no matter the circumstances. Hi Jared,
Seems like the sanskrit, sadhana, describes your message here pretty well. Your quote, “No matter what I do for a living or what my circumstances in life are, I can choose to grow,” seems to describe the potential to seek sadhana no matter the circumstances.

]]> By: Nadia - Happy Lotus http://jaredakers.com/spiritual-growth-the-willingness-to-change/#comment-1018 Nadia - Happy Lotus Thu, 24 Dec 2009 13:28:31 +0000 http://www.spiritualzen.net/2009/12/spiritual-growth-the-willingness-to-change/#comment-1018 Hi Jared, I think many people do not venture out of their comfort zones due to fear. For example, I have friends who refuse to travel outside of the US because they just have no desire to see another part of the world. They love what they have and that makes them happy. I never understood that way of thinking since I have spent a good portion of my life traveling around the world. I never understood the lack of curiousity. However, as I got to know my friends more, I realized that they were scared to be exposed to things that were not familiar. They were so afraid. And I think that is the problem with a lot of human issues. We are slaves to fear and yet fear is such an illusion. Hi Jared,

I think many people do not venture out of their comfort zones due to fear. For example, I have friends who refuse to travel outside of the US because they just have no desire to see another part of the world. They love what they have and that makes them happy.

I never understood that way of thinking since I have spent a good portion of my life traveling around the world. I never understood the lack of curiousity. However, as I got to know my friends more, I realized that they were scared to be exposed to things that were not familiar. They were so afraid. And I think that is the problem with a lot of human issues. We are slaves to fear and yet fear is such an illusion.

]]> By: Jared http://jaredakers.com/spiritual-growth-the-willingness-to-change/#comment-1017 Jared Mon, 21 Dec 2009 13:11:16 +0000 http://www.spiritualzen.net/2009/12/spiritual-growth-the-willingness-to-change/#comment-1017 Dena, Great for you studying abroad! I bet that was a bit scary! It is really amazing when you think about it, how much we grow when we do things outside of our comfort zone... yet we seem to want to avoid them at times. The more I get outside of my comfort zone, the more faith I get in the process and the ability to grow for the better. Thanks for the comments! Dena,
Great for you studying abroad! I bet that was a bit scary! It is really amazing when you think about it, how much we grow when we do things outside of our comfort zone… yet we seem to want to avoid them at times. The more I get outside of my comfort zone, the more faith I get in the process and the ability to grow for the better. Thanks for the comments!

]]> By: Jared http://jaredakers.com/spiritual-growth-the-willingness-to-change/#comment-1016 Jared Mon, 21 Dec 2009 13:11:02 +0000 http://www.spiritualzen.net/2009/12/spiritual-growth-the-willingness-to-change/#comment-1016 Kimberly, I love that, "a little peace seeps in as we take the difficult steps to face our fears, to change." That's the way it was for me also, peace seeped in over time. I didn't just wake up one day full of enlightenment and inner-peace. Although I know it make work like that for some. My experience was the result of taking action, like doing things that were/are uncomfortable, and the result is peace seeps into my being. Most people see the change in us before we do, but looking back we can see now from a different perspective. Not too long ago I was sitting at an intersection waiting for a break in oncoming traffic to cross, this man behind me was getting irate that I was taking so long. I could see him pounding on his steering wheel gesturing for me to go! I prayed for him to find peace and it reminded me of how I used to be (and still can be at times). A good gauge of my current serenity level comes out while I'm driving. If I'm getting upset easily, I'm not in a good place spiritually and realize I'm driving selfishly. Thanks for stopping by and commenting! Kimberly,
I love that, “a little peace seeps in as we take the difficult steps to face our fears, to change.” That’s the way it was for me also, peace seeped in over time. I didn’t just wake up one day full of enlightenment and inner-peace. Although I know it make work like that for some. My experience was the result of taking action, like doing things that were/are uncomfortable, and the result is peace seeps into my being. Most people see the change in us before we do, but looking back we can see now from a different perspective. Not too long ago I was sitting at an intersection waiting for a break in oncoming traffic to cross, this man behind me was getting irate that I was taking so long. I could see him pounding on his steering wheel gesturing for me to go! I prayed for him to find peace and it reminded me of how I used to be (and still can be at times). A good gauge of my current serenity level comes out while I’m driving. If I’m getting upset easily, I’m not in a good place spiritually and realize I’m driving selfishly. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!

]]> By: Jared http://jaredakers.com/spiritual-growth-the-willingness-to-change/#comment-1015 Jared Mon, 21 Dec 2009 13:09:53 +0000 http://www.spiritualzen.net/2009/12/spiritual-growth-the-willingness-to-change/#comment-1015 Lance, Thanks for the great comments. I agree totally about each moment being what life is comprised of. I'm reading this book right now by Mitch Albom, "Have A Little Faith." Last night I was just reading this section about building a personal legacy-with family and how we're remembered once we move on. That it's the memories we create in certain moments that last. The more I get outside of myself and become "a part of" as opposed to "a part from," the more I'm able to create memories that I and others may value. For me, I see it as a way to be more of service. It's like when I really want to take the stairs at work, wanting to avoid having to interact with anyone on the elevator because it can be uncomfortable sometimes. I have to remind myself to quit making it about me, put myself in a position to give or receive a smile or a helping hand. I even have to remind myself at times to keep my head up and look people in the eye and smile. Just be open to any possibility in any given moment. Lance,
Thanks for the great comments. I agree totally about each moment being what life is comprised of. I’m reading this book right now by Mitch Albom, “Have A Little Faith.” Last night I was just reading this section about building a personal legacy-with family and how we’re remembered once we move on. That it’s the memories we create in certain moments that last. The more I get outside of myself and become “a part of” as opposed to “a part from,” the more I’m able to create memories that I and others may value. For me, I see it as a way to be more of service. It’s like when I really want to take the stairs at work, wanting to avoid having to interact with anyone on the elevator because it can be uncomfortable sometimes. I have to remind myself to quit making it about me, put myself in a position to give or receive a smile or a helping hand. I even have to remind myself at times to keep my head up and look people in the eye and smile. Just be open to any possibility in any given moment.

]]> By: Kimberly http://jaredakers.com/spiritual-growth-the-willingness-to-change/#comment-1014 Kimberly Mon, 21 Dec 2009 07:47:44 +0000 http://www.spiritualzen.net/2009/12/spiritual-growth-the-willingness-to-change/#comment-1014 The shy thing was always mine to. As I grow, I am learning to do things that are "uncomfortable" or scares me and the gift is, I grow more. Life starts opening up, things start flowing and a little peace seeps in as we take the difficult steps to face our fears, to change. Love the post. Thank you for reminding us of this. The shy thing was always mine to. As I grow, I am learning to do things that are “uncomfortable” or scares me and the gift is, I grow more. Life starts opening up, things start flowing and a little peace seeps in as we take the difficult steps to face our fears, to change.

Love the post. Thank you for reminding us of this.

]]> By: Dena http://jaredakers.com/spiritual-growth-the-willingness-to-change/#comment-1013 Dena Sun, 20 Dec 2009 10:25:01 +0000 http://www.spiritualzen.net/2009/12/spiritual-growth-the-willingness-to-change/#comment-1013 Jared, This is a great post. You are absolutely right! We learn so much by stepping out of our comfort zones. During my last year at University I decided to study abroad in Kenya. I was so scared and all of my friends & family thought I was a bit off my rocker -- but it ended up being the most transformational, amazing experience of my lifetime. Thank you for this inspirational post. -Dena Evolution Jared,
This is a great post. You are absolutely right! We learn so much by stepping out of our comfort zones. During my last year at University I decided to study abroad in Kenya. I was so scared and all of my friends & family thought I was a bit off my rocker — but it ended up being the most transformational, amazing experience of my lifetime.
Thank you for this inspirational post.
-Dena
Evolution

]]> By: Lance http://jaredakers.com/spiritual-growth-the-willingness-to-change/#comment-1012 Lance Sun, 20 Dec 2009 03:01:59 +0000 http://www.spiritualzen.net/2009/12/spiritual-growth-the-willingness-to-change/#comment-1012 Jared, When I read this, I'm drawn in to the idea that our life is made up of moments. The question, though - are we really in those moments? Are we really experiencing them? Or do we (I) let them slip by sometimes - because it might somehow be uncomfortable. Jared, this is so good to read. Especially this idea of going out there, today (or tomorrow now for me, since I'm staying in for the rest of the night!) - and stepping a bit out of that comfort zone. Jared,
When I read this, I’m drawn in to the idea that our life is made up of moments. The question, though – are we really in those moments? Are we really experiencing them? Or do we (I) let them slip by sometimes – because it might somehow be uncomfortable. Jared, this is so good to read. Especially this idea of going out there, today (or tomorrow now for me, since I’m staying in for the rest of the night!) – and stepping a bit out of that comfort zone.

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