Happy New Years!

So here we are… on the event horizon of a new year. So, I have to be honest; there was much to dread and loathe January 1^st 2011. There were financial woes, concerns about wellness and a host of other uncertainties that made the outlook for 2011 not so exciting. I had just turned 40 and still had unanswered questions. There were mistakes made and regrets actualized.

So what recourse was there? What kind of resolutions would bring happiness? It was all so confusing and overwhelming. My ego and false self wanted to simply chug along like business as usual. Yet, deep down there was another voice. It was feeble and meek at first but once I took notice and connected to this quality of True Nature within, I discovered a new energy and empowerment: Not from Jesus or church. Not from self-help books or antidepressants; but from a powerful and healing dynamism inside: A place somewhere between heart and mind where space and clarity resides. Through energy and self-discovery I began connecting to this vast and amazing Responsive Universe.

I did away with credit cards and began severing my attachments to money and material devices. Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with making money and being successful. But when we attach our well-being and confidence to something so fleeting as currency, we are bound to suffer. With plummeting stocks, soaring credit card debt and foreclosures becoming a daily occurrence, walking away from material and financial attachments was the best decisions ever.

I began bike riding on average 20 miles a week. Bike riding in our local natural preserves was meditative and therapeutic. I have never been in better shape. I also changed my diet: I have cut my meat intake by 50% and dairy by 75%. I have been juicing daily since last summer – kale, spinach, beets; all vegetables I would never eat – yuck! ….Guess what, now I crave veggies!

I have been meditating religiously: Daily sessions of mindfulness from deep meditation to daily affirmations. My meditation regiment has been an amazing facet to my evolution. By letting go of ego and false perceptions, I have allowed the Responsive Universe to take over – to nudge me in directions and areas never imagined. For example, I did not find Reiki and self-healing – Reiki and self-healing found me. By taking heed to the synchronicities and signs that surround me – by finding clarity and awareness for the moment, my entire life over the course of 2011 has transformed into something sublime.

Now, when challenges arise, I no longer get stressed out. There is space and energy for everything that drifts my way. I have fresh perspectives and blossoming creativity that flows from the well of self-evolution. So, as 2012 nears, I have incredible anticipation and excitement for the new year. I see a world of possibilities in 2012 and beyond.

This quality of self-evolution is something we all have within. There is no need to journey to Mecca or worship deities in the form of man. Everything we need is found within. It requires us to open up and settle into the spacious vision of life and love. To be aware of our surroundings with our minds rooted in the present. Believe and love yourself and soon new doors will open. Listen to your heart wish and inner voice. Take power away from ego and false perceptions and take control of your own destiny. Once you understand that the Universe is responsive and what we give will eventually return to the source, there is an unmistakable empowerment actualized. Enlightenment will slowly filter its white light upon you. Just give it a chance…

Be kind to yourself…

Hug your love ones…

Have compassion for your enemies…

Be open to new possibilities…

… and have a Happy New Year!

John C. Bader
www.responsiveuniverse.com

Foolishness can sometimes look you straight in the eye

Foolishness can sometimes look you straight in the eye – the ironic thing is I am looking at my own reflection. I will try to explain. Hard wired behaviors and control patterns can be unseen governing forces as we carry ourselves in life. Sure I am a product of my own upbringing and sometimes being a parent and Father has its challenges. Sometimes I do not even know what I am doing in regard to child rearing. The whole process of life can be a blur of work, paying bills and raising children. Yet, somehow, we all move on with smiles on our faces –most of the time.

Sometimes I am tough on my 10-year-old son. Tough in ways that I think are proactive to his wellbeing and development. Am I a professional at this thing called parenting? I guess so; I have been at it for 10+ years. Still, today, I realized when I look into my son’s eyes; I am looking at myself 31 year ago – a mirror image of a child and existence that seems so far gone. Maybe that is why I do not relate to my sons frustrations and challenges as well as I could or should. Well, not anymore… Today, while on the beach in Kauai, I had an epiphany. In the reflection of my son’s eyes, I saw myself as a child: meek, soft-spoken and awkward in many ways. Though most of my thoughts do not turn to actions, I still feel bad and remorseful. Could I be a better parent? Actions speak louder than words, right?

Enough of the negativity… I turned and praised my kid for all his good attributes and gave him a big hug and a kiss. And then I gave him another big hug and kiss. No one is perfect, but we can improve – even as parents of wonderful children.

Ohana means family in Hawaiian. As New Years looms, I am very thankful for my family. We all make mistakes time to time, but the important thing is to learn from our errors and makes sure our kids know they are loved.

Tomorrow is New Years Eve in the Hawaiian Islands – more to come!

John C. Bader
www.responsiveuniverse.com

Being mindful of the present is an amazing gift

The sounds of Bob Marley permeate the vicinity as the rustle of trade winds bring movement and rustling leaf resonance to the tropical foliage and trees that surround my meditative beach head. The sounds of crashing waves in the distance seem to only add to the reggae music that anchors my mindfulness here in the present. A child’s laughter is heard somewhere behind me – bottles clanking across the street as locals say “pau” and call it a short work day. An airplane in the distance, buzzing and sputtering home from its adventure; a bird calls to its companion as the day matures and invites dusk in for a short visit.

Being mindful of the present is an amazing gift. It sits on a metaphorical island paradise all by itself. Yet there is nothing desolate or negative about being rooted in the present – With thoughts connected to what is simply NOW, one can find a surprisingly simple and unfettered gift. To be connected to the present, sans of fear and the past and future and fantasy; to be rooted in the present moment of life and your surroundings… Wow, what a feeling of clarity and reverence as I sit, simply soaking up sounds, sights and the thoughts driven by my mindfulness.


Aloha

John C. Bader
www.responsiveuniverse.com

Grounding yourself to Simplicity

Interestingly enough, I have settled into uncharacteristic surroundings on this retreat from the ordinary: An errant washer and dryer discarded on the side of the house that appears as old as the 100 year old plantation cottages that reside here; about 50 feet away, a vintage school bus that has been claimed by the twisted vines and flowers of the jungle. Red dirt and rocks paint the uneven driveway bordered by wood piles, wild chickens and feral cats. Rusty corrugated roof tops, wild banana bushels and towering mango trees. It is a collage of third world characteristics blended with unadulterated tropical beauty; and guess what, I love it!

My ego says I should be embarrassed by my lodging here on the west side of Kauai. It is a stark difference from the aesthetic home I keep in the northwest suburbs of Chicago or the resorts on the other side of the island. There is still this urge born out of my distant middle school years that says I should care what other people think. Truthfully, it is a great lesson in life: To force yourself to swallow shallow pride and face your internal insecurities and doubts. This is a valuable message learned: To dig deep down and ground yourself to simplicity and True Nature. To see the beauty even among discarded junk and debris dotting a down trodden local neighborhood.

An old tire with a tropical flower growing out of its inner reaches, a gecko races along the rotted beam of a partially collapsed garage across the way. Blue sky above accented by a rainbow to the east as rain contemplates its journey across the island’s spine. Once grounded and centered, beauty is born from most things tangible. Here on this meditative retreat from the normal, I feel relaxed and aware – spacious and driven – my thoughts of the future, are the paying currency of wellness as I watch 2011 wane and disappear – only to remain as memories of the past.

Aloha,

John C. Bader
www.responsiveuniverse.com

10 steps to living a Positive Existence in 2012

My office in Kauai

New Years is just around the corner and it is never too late to begin planning for a more positive

existence in 2012. Please check out my latest article at MindBodyGreen.com titled

10 steps to living a Positive Existence in 2012

Aloha

John C. Bader

Website: responsiveuniverse.com

Twitter: @JohnCBader

Facebook: The ResponsiveUniverse

Patience…

Patience…

Patience is the quality of endurance one can take before reaching a level of negativity.
I suppose patience is trying to sit in one place on an airplane for 10 hours to reach the western outer reaches of Hawaii. 15 hours of airports and travel can wear on anyone I suppose.

Patience is trying to get a wireless internet signal in Hanapepe, Kauai. I had to walk down the rock strewn driveway, navigating chickens and thorns to post this blog.

Patience is also used to refer to the character trait of being steadfast. I think this part of the definition is important. It is one thing when my son is asking a myriad of questions as I try to concentrate and write. No, steadfast patience refers to our ability to complete a process of development and evolution: To exercise and eat well even though it is easier to meddle in mediocrity. To meditate for 2 hours this morning under the pressures and rigors of roosters cawing in surround sound outside my window – that is steadfast resolve! To make lasting decisions and changes in our lives that will bring betterment to 2012 – this is my focus as I countdown to New Years.

So, I guess the first lesson actualized here on the Island of Kauai is patience.

This sunset photo  is a great example of patience…

…and so it seems the gift of patience is capturing the rarity of the “green flash” on film…

John C. Bader

www.responsiveuniverse.com

Holiday musings and random thoughts

Okay, okay… where am I?

Oh yeah, here we go… toothbrush, check!

Extra contact lenses; check!

Paid the monthly bills and actually have money left over for my trip; check!

Curious… I think I am in a Holiday whirlwind of festival lights and controlled chaos… With Christmas knocking yet again on the door of life, I am prepared to buck tradition and do something completely different this year:

Bodyboard and fins packed? Check!

Lap top to blog from afar… Check!

Right now I am wearing an Aloha shirt with penguins barbecuing under palms trees adorned with Christmas lights. Who says I am not in the Xmas spirit? Spiked eggnog? Check!

Camera with extra batteries; check!

This is where I am traveling to on Christmas Day… The western most reaches of the United States:

Tis the season isn’t it?. My Birthday is actually the day after Christmas. It’s hard to compete with Jesus; yes you can feel sorry for me and yes I was screwed out of presents.

I have found that people are nicer on Christmas…

People are normally tired and hung over on my Birthday.

I think my favorite Holiday is New Years… I like that concept of “out with the old and in with the new”. You kind of get a clean slate to start over. Last year I was a “Pirate looks at looking Forty” (I love that song by Jimmy Buffett). 2012 is going to be the year “That anything is Possible”. I like adding a theme to my New Years expectations. Granted it is a little narcissistic, but it sets a bench mark that allows me the entire year in which to fulfill my destiny. This year I will be ringing in the New Year in simplistic tropical desolation. My 2012 expectations are left in the optimistic hands of the Universe. All I am going to do is be a little more patient, be more compassionate and hopefully karma will do the rest…

I hope your Christmas Holidays are wonderful and you find yourself in the arms with someone you love.

As for me? Well, back to packing…

Sunblock? Check!

Hiking shoes? Check!


John C. Bader

Website: responsiveuniverse.com
Twitter: @JohnCBader
Facebook: The ResponsiveUniverse

Holiday Season Radical Sabbatical

What is it in life that everyone searches for, especially during the Holidays? I mean, are we put on this Earth to simply procreate and die? Where is the festive holiday spirit in that? Sorry if I am being too deep and philosophical days before Christmas – Truth be told, I resonate more with Buddhism than any other prescribed faith, yet the trappings of Christianity surround me. Still my thoughts transgress; the odds that conscious life evolved here on Earth is incredibly rare. There lies the true Christmas miracle. We should consider ourselves a magnificent anomaly. And knowing there is a bigger vision out there – this connection to the Universe and all that exists, begs the question: What is my purpose here on Earth? Is there a purpose? It is no wonder religion was invented.

I must confess, I am being a little dramatic. I have had a bad cold and fever the last couple days and I feel my energy levels are low. I actually know the answer to this question and I explain it in detail in my upcoming 2012 book release, The Responsive Universe. Still, even after a spiritual awakening I experienced several years ago, and my constant thirst to know and understand, I still feel I am far from evolving to where humans are intended to advance – we all are missing the mark as a collective species. I find it exasperating that we are given this gift of conscious life and yet on a global scale we fight over our differences instead of celebrating our commonality. Even during the days leading up to Christmas, people are exploiting those final dollars in their bank accounts to buy presents – money they really do not have. What is this social pressure that sends us shopping, especially here in America? There is not much I agree with when it comes to Christianity. Except this: I also wish they would put the CHRIST back in Christmas and get us away from all this commercialism. Sure, I loved it as a child, but as an adult, it is a little like indentured servitude. don’t get me wrong, I do enjoy the Xmas lights!

It is difficult to contemplate our place in the Universe when we are buried in the feverish pace of the Holidays. For many it is too much to ever contemplate. I know many people who are simply comfortable with reality TV, paying down Christmas credit card debt and adhering to blind faith. Ignorance is bliss, right? I am not one of those people. For this reason, I am bucking social tradition and sweeping my wife and son off the North American continent for two and half weeks of tropical relaxation. To the shock of many in my family, we are catching a 9am flight on Christmas morning and traveling 5000 miles west of Chicago to a lush island paradise. It is sort of a “ holiday season radical sabbatical”. Truthfully, I need a break from the holidays.

For my wife and I, we are both going in search of answers or at least hints to where the next steps in life reside. With job, family and the static of life muddling clarity, it is difficult to stop everything and simply listen to yourself breathe – and from deep within take heed to your inner voice. For me, I am looking forward to turning off the cell phone and settling into the simplicity of my own meditative thoughts – who knows what creativity and insight will arise from within. I know my wife is looking for her own clues to what comes next in her existence. Annamarie is at a transition in career and life and is hoping that inspiration and empowerment will arise from desolation and simplicity. For my ten year old son, simplicity could be his biggest enemy – or maybe his best friend? 16 days without cable TV and Xbox? The kid is going to go into shock! No hotels, no fancy dinners, laundry pinned on a clothes line, unimaginable stars and the painted stoke of the Milkyway at night.

We leave in 4 fours days – Happy Holidays!

John C. Bader

Website: responsiveuniverse.com
Twitter: @JohnCBader
Facebook: The ResponsiveUniverse

New Years Meditative Retreat

Last summer I disembarked on a road trip across America in search of Energy Vortexes. An energy vortex is a unique place where the energies found here on Earth actually gather in a specific area or region. Throughout the ages people have spoke of such places which include Stonehenge in England, the Uluru-Kataijuta rock in Australia and the Pyramids of Egypt. My focus was to visit special places of beauty and through mindfulness and on-site meditation attempt to connect to something bigger than ordinary life. The results were amazing! Throughout my trip I visited the Great Plains, the Maroon Bells atop the Rocky Mountains, the canyons of Utah, enchanting Sedona and the Pacific Ocean. All of these regions hold natural beauty that can harness amazing and unique energies that surround us. From my experience, the more beautiful and unique a place, the more energy it seems to hold. There is something grand that sits just below the surface of our ordinary reality; something pure and remarkable exists underneath the controlled chaos that is our ordinary lives.

After two weeks and 4830 miles, I came to a theorized conclusion: So, it seems the concept of God as it relates to the Universe and the concept of energy as it relates to Cosmos is already found within us. Places of beauty like the Maroon Bells and Sedona only help us connect to this dynamism with more vigor and intensity. Still, I want to take this experiment a step further. The rigors of travel, though exciting and memorable, took a physical and emotional toll on me. Driving thousands of miles in search of natural beauty and energy was enriching but exhausting. The next step was easy enough: I wanted to pick one amazing place of beauty and simply settle into the energy and simplicity of the experience. No hotels, no fancy dinners; just basic lodging, simple subsistence, unadulterated beauty and serenity; a relaxing meditative retreat that would ring in the New Year: Intense self-reflection, reiki, meditation and hopefully profound awareness and clarity. Who knows what might arise from within? Much needed relaxation? A stronger connection with nature all things tangible and intangible? Perhaps a higher level of responsiveness? Maybe a new awakening?

I leave on Christmas Day….

Next week I will reveal my intended destination and also how to follow me as I hike mountainous canyons, explore desolate beaches and settle into a much anticipated meditative retreat.

John C. Bader
www.responsiveuniverse.com

The wounds of child abuse can heal

The investigation into childhood memories can be both good and bad—both a retrospect of anger, fear and frustration. Hopefully you also have fond memories which include well being and love. All experiences, whether good or bad, shape us into the person we were in the past, who we are in the present, and who we will become in the future. I love the game of poker and surprisingly there is a metaphor to be drawn here. Poker is a challenging game because it requires skill, luck and some psychology. It reminds me of life in many ways. Even with all the skills to navigate this ever changing world, still there is the element of luck and probability. Some things we just can’t control. The game of “Draw Poker” can be frustrating when round after round you keep getting dealt bad cards. Our childhood and distant past are poker cards in the game of life. Many times, our history deals cards that do not help our proverbial chip stack, but in keeping with this playing card metaphor, we always have the opportunity to discard the bad and draw new cards. We can also fold our hand completely if we do not like what has been presented to us. We can reject what has been dealt to us but still have faith that better luck will come.

When we look back on a shadowed past, you and I need to realize that these past childhood issues can be affecting us as individuals on many unseen levels. Everyone has witnessed a myriad of positive and negative experiences that have shaped us to some degree. You must realize, however, that the shadows of the past may be concealing an enigma that is influencing your future and perhaps even the futures of others around you. For me, I noticed that anger and frustration began to surface as an adult and later as a parent. This frustration born from ego and control patterns was directly related to how I was raised as a child. Still, I acknowledged a trigger of awareness. This awareness came when I felt frustrated and angry. I used this as a trigger of mindfulness to stop and not react blindly. I directed my attention to the vastness of my True Nature; a place within us all that is constant and dependable. Now, I have learned to make space for such control patterns that facilitate anger and frustration. When I realized I was heading down a path of dysfunction, I made a positive change in my actions. Instead of reacting blindly and reinforcing old patterns of behavior, I changed my actions for the better. I broke the chain of dysfunction by connecting to a higher level of awareness. Lets face it, there are some things in the past we just can not change. Still, all our future actions are the key to self-evolution and wellness.

If your feelings and memories feel a little abrasive; if this process feels uncomfortable, then you are heading down the right path. Feeling raw emotions is a level of mindfulness and it is an integral part of the overall process. Think about it, we need to know pain and suffering in order to know the difference between that and pleasure and bliss. Otherwise, how would you differentiate the two? Feeling an abrasive quality as you toy and catalog your past emotions is healthy. Still, please attempt to tie it all into a positive completion of the process. Feel the negative emotions of the past, but then relish in the notion that things will get better. Surrender into your spacious vision that the Universe is not evil – only humans exhibit evil. Find confidence that though the stars at night may be obscured by the clouds, this is only temporary – that clear skies will prevail. Find positive awareness in these emotions and feelings from the past. Understand the past and then move on with only positive will and compassion. A shadowed past does not need to be a disability. Let it be a lesson in the school of life. Learn, love and create new positive energy.

John C. Bader
www.responsiveuniverse.com

A Poem – Positive Energy

Positive energy…. A dynamism from within
Brought forth by action, a veering path from ego
Born from the present where mindfulness brings space
Such space acquires clarity and it is such awareness that
Creates positive energy; a birth of responsiveness
that permeates even the coldest skies
An energy that transcends all earthy trappings
An energy based on love and compassion
that feeds the essence of our soul and True Nature
A step forward in evolution
Eyes wide open
Visualizing self-actualization

A special thanks to my friends at MindBodyGreen for posting my blog on

Positive Energy. Check it out at MindBodyGreen.com

John C. Bader

www.responsiveuniverse.com

Is a Soul dependable?

Yesterday, I discussed how science can actually prove through varying theories that an afterlife is possible. This is refreshing news for those of us that believe we are part of something magnificent, but are tired of all the religious dogma and social trappings associated with modern theology. From the inspiring research of String Theory and Black Holes, there is strong evidence that consciousness can live on after cessation. This got me thinking about the concept of a soul…

The soul is the principle of life, feeling, action, and thought. Yet there is a lacking quality to the theoretical idea of a soul because it is not dependable. The concept of a soul is similar to True Nature – that constant energy, free of ego and suffering that we can open up to and depend on. Like our True Nature, the soul is often regarded as a distinct entity separate from the body, one filled with God and all things positive. The soul and the concept of True Nature parallel each other to a point. From a philosophical point, the idea of a soul does fall short due to the religious trappings associated with it. Souls are an energy source that can be taken from you. As an example, in western religion, the Devil can take your soul and trap you a place call hell. There lies the contradiction with True Nature. True Nature is also an energy force associated with God and Universe but there is no commodity driven element associated to it. Our True Nature is immovable and unaltered by prescribed evil. It has been said that we are actually made up of two beings. One is our mortal shell of flesh and bone. The other is our soul that always exists. The difference is, we feed our souls with positive actions we make daily but that celestial energy can be taken from us. If something as monumental as a soul can be altered, moved or stolen, how are we expected to find solace and peace here in the present and the afterlife? Do we protect and try to defend our souls through blind faith and fear? Fundamentally, we need something more pure and permanent. The edicts and rules that govern organized religion use the quality of a soul as a tool to manipulate people and their belief systems. There is nothing pure about that. In fact it is selling fear to the populace for gain. Something as pure and golden like the concept of a soul should be indestructible and unwavering: True Nature is that force.

Have faith in yourself. Be kind to yourself…Trust in your ability to connect to energy and inspiration that transcends our existence here on Earth. Instead of listening to others, listen to your own inner voice. Settle into the magnificence of all that exists; not just our earthy trappings, but the grand scheme that is the quantum Universe.
John C. Bader
www.responsiveuniverse.com

Can astrophysics prove that an afterlife exists?

I do not claim to have all the answers to life’s most enduring questions. I do have the freedom to question authority and by asking the questions, maybe the answers will come. I have made space for such quandaries like the ageless question of whether or not there is life after death. Making space for such inquiries allows for clarity to arise from within. There is an innate wisdom that can be found when we settle into the vastness of the mind. Small nudges from our inner-self lead us to life’s most intimate answers.

Still in its infancy, astrophysics is proving that an afterlife can and does exist without the trappings of religion. Thats right, an afterlife proven by science. Lets forget for a moment the most substantial piece of evidence and one of the most important laws in science: Energy cannot be created or destroyed. Thus, in some facet humans, possibly even their consciousness, lives on within the tapestry that is quantum energy, coalescing and regenerating throughout the Cosmos. But is there more?
Have you ever heard of String Theory?

String theory is an active research framework in particle physics that attempts to reconcile quantum mechanics and general relativity (the theory of everything). String theory teaches that the electrons and quarks within an atom are not 0-dimensional objects, but rather 1-dimensional oscillating lines or strings, hence the name. These invisible vibrating strings may be infinitely diverse with variables of inestimable value. This would suggest that other cosmic manipulations could exist beyond the edge of our known Universe. Many theoretical physicists including Stephen Hawking believe String Theory is a step towards the correct fundamental description of nature and the Universe. An intriguing feature of String Theory is that it predicts extra dimensions, possibly even alternate Universes. One such theory is the 11-dimensional M-theory, which requires the Universe to have eleven dimensions as opposed to the usual three spatial dimensions and the fourth dimension of time. Other research in String Theory has purported as many as 26 space time dimensions for the Bosonic String explanation. These theories present us with a new picture of the Cosmos. Scientists including Andre Linde and Allan Guth have been studying the concept of “Multiverses” for decades. There are questions abound in regard to the origin of the Big Bang inflation as well as the statistical data that supports the theory that the Universe is expanding even quicker – a possible contradiction to current mass and gravity data. Further mathematical measurements of dark energy are not matching current theoretical equations. The concept of multiple Universes would support the disparities seen within our quantum dominion. Further, such cosmic diversity could result in duplicates of Universes based simply on statistics and probability. String theory is still in its infancy and there are many exciting discoveries still to arise from the world of physics. If modern physics is capable of proving validity to alternate universes could these spatial dimensions be alternate realities or realms of the afterlife? As we continue to uncover the intricacies of the Cosmos, it has become clear that anything is possible because String Theory itself presents a universe of infinite possibilities.

What about Black Holes?

What is based on more substantial scientific evidence are recent discoveries in black holes and their theorized physics. A black hole is a region of space from which nothing, not even light, can escape. For decades it was thought that nothing could survive the plunge into a black hole. It is now a widely held theory that light and energy that is trapped in a black hole can survive. This is important because nothing is more violent and ever changing than the environment that exists at the event horizon of a black hole. Observable matter appears to be stripped down to elementary protons, electrons and neutrons. Much like in death, we return to our source of elementary particles. Still, current physics states in principle, complete information about a physical system at one point in time should determine its state at any other time. This means Quantum mechanics proves that information that is created cannot be destroyed, even during the strenuous gravity and light vacuum characteristics present in a black hole. As stated earlier, energy and thoughts can be considered united and appear to be stable and transferable even when matter changes form. This means our thoughts can in theory live on after death.

Studies in Near Death Experiences (NDE) and reincarnation help add a humanistic quality to what happens after death. Do we retain our human form or do we return to instinctual energy upon demise? There is this element of fear associated with death that permeates the epoch of mankind. Further, there is this undeniable thirst to know what happens after cessation which has been a major supporting factor in contemporary religion. Still, the concept of God as it relates to the Universe is mind boggling. For many, it is enough to know that modern science proves we live on in some form or facet. The dogma and humanistic trappings of reincarnation, heaven and NDE are promising and heartwarming, but true solace here on Earth can be found by connecting to our True Nature that exists within all sentient beings. As stated, True nature that is that quantum governed energy force that is constant and unwavering. Much like the concept of a soul, our True Nature is an instinctual energy field comprised of waves of subatomic light and matter. So it seems, the best approach to understanding life after death is taking heed to the wisdom of few and then following your True Nature. The answers lie within and once you come to understand that we are simply energy changing form, gone will be any fear of death. You will come to understand we are a part of something magnificent and in some form we will always remain connected and pure like the energy that surrounds us. It is ego and false perception that has bred religion, fear and notions of hell and purgatory. Once you strip away the ego and all that is adulterated and polluted, all that is left is energy – pure and powerful. We come from energy and we will go back to energy.

John C. Bader
www.responsiveuniverse.com

Happy Thanksgiving... - I think...

I thought I would chime in on this enigma called Thanksgiving. Simply by viewing my site stats across multiple blogs, I get a fair share of international traffic. Decent traffic from Germany (could be my German last name) and interestingly enough, site views from as far east as Singapore. The reason I mention this is because for all intensive purposes, Thanksgiving is a US Holiday. Even our friends in Canada will be business as usual this Thursday.

Not the case here in the USA. Even today while trying to grab lunch, the Super Markets were ablaze with scurries of people exhibiting zombie like persistence – last minute shopping can be a stressful experience. It makes you wonder how many Turkeys lost their lives last week? Well, 90% of Americans eat turkey on Thanksgiving – According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, more than 45 million turkeys are cooked and eaten in the U.S. at Thanksgiving—that’s one sixth of all turkeys! There is some turkey trivia for my international guests.

I overheard a fellow employee talking about how he has to get up at 3:30 am tomorrow to help his wife cram the raw turkey into the oven – apparently it is too heavy for her to lift on her own. Have you ever held a 18lb raw turkey? It feels more like 30lbs and it is awkward and cumbersome too. The 3:30 am wake up call is what grabbed my attention – 3:30 am? That sucks…

My mother in California is hosting a family gathering tomorrow. It will be mostly siblings attending and should be intimate but also crazy with kids running amok and in-laws and uncles weighing in on politics and how much money they made this year. This is when the extended family fractures and people are torn between which house to visit and who they may piss off based on their choice of roofs to share Thanksgiving under. For the record, I am going over to my mother in laws house though I would have enjoyed going to my mother’s house as well. It is a win either way for me.

It takes at least a day to make all the fixings to accommodate a dinner of this magnitude. It seems, especially here in the Midwest, it is mostly a female managed operation. Guys get a pass on this one: The days are reserved for intermittent naps, cold beer and football. Though, by the end of the day, there is an emotional and physical toll waged on everyone – man, woman and child alike. As the tryptophan, sugar and booze bloats, the only thing Americans are thankful of in the end is their beds.
So what does Thanksgiving stand for? I bet if you asked most US teenagers their answer would be something about Indians and Pilgrims. As with most US holidays, marketing, commercialism and watered down traditions bury the origin of most celebrations. I think Black Friday is a holiday in America?

Kidding aside, it is nice to celebrate the art of being thankful. Every day I meditate, I start the practice with giving thanks. I think it grounds me and reminds me of what is important in life. Here are some things I am thankful for everyday:

My wife and family – these are people that love and confide in me – I am blessed

My Job – without it, I could not type this blog on a computer at work during lunch

My health – I am thankful, there is a drive within to eat well and exercise – something that was lacking when I was younger.

And finally, clarity – an awareness of love and energy and that we are connected to something so vast it boggles the imagination.

So with that, have a Happy Thanksgiving!

John C. Bader
www.responsiveuniverse.com

Were we born from nothing?

I usually always get myself into trouble when I discuss these topics of god and origin. Maybe that is why I like to stir things up a little. Anyway, here we go… Release the Hounds!

Were we born from nothing? When we start talking about God or the Universe at this level it becomes difficult as really we do not have words or equations that can explain such energies and form – especially “pre-Big Bang” scenarios (please notice I do not include man made religion in this discussion). Quantum physics has been resolute in its efforts but there is still so much to learn – like for example how do we combine the worlds of gravity with sub atomic physics – something we have yet to define in equations. From a philosophical standpoint it seems everything is in the form of a Mandala (a revolving circle of inner and outer energy) – whether there is a birth, death and re-birth of new life; whether there is spring which turns to summer, autumn, winter and then back to spring again; karma revolves from actions to reactions as do energy vortexes and chakras. Even storms rotate as do planets, galaxies and cell structure. It seems there is also a beginning, an ending and then a new beginning (regeneration). From a philosophical standpoint the Cosmos would react the same way: Birth (Big Bang) and then death which again would give way to a new birth or Big Bang (over the course of billions of years). Excluding the actual Big Bang Theory, which is well explained, science has yet to prove such musings on cosmic death and much of what we know is comprised of loose theories and conjecture (this is why religion exists).

There is a quality to life that exceeds our ability to understand and rationalize. Humans have not reached the evolutionary goal of knowing how the Universe exists (and this is quite fine). How did the Big Bang arise? That is a perfect example of something (the Universe) expanding from nothing (pre-Big Bang existence). There is a paradox here that suggests a more precise definition of nothing. Nothing is a state that is the simplest of all conceivable states. It has no mass, no energy, no space, no time, no spin, and no life. How is that possible? An interstellar vacuum? Still, was there something that existed before the Big Bang? One would think in order to have something tangible; it would need to change form because something can’t arise out of nothing? If the Universe always existed that would mean there was no birth – suggesting infinity? (Again a paradox from conventional wisdom) – That is where the intelligent design concept arises. NOT intelligent design as pushed by Christians trying to get Genesis taught in schools but a concept so vast and magnificent it exceeds our wildest imagination and knowledge. How did the Universe arise? Whether you call it science, god or the Universe we have been born into an amazing Cosmos – such gifts are important to self-actualize and appreciate – the beauty of nature, love and energy is all related – we are all linked to this web of energy as explained by quantum psychics. Once we connect to our True Nature and experience an awakening of sorts it is enough to know we are a part of this amazing tapestry. It is enough to satiate our being and there is no requirement to understand everything in minute detail –in fact such things are not expressible in words – still we can sense the awesomeness of it all as we are a part of the entire puzzle: This unexplainable Universe made us. Carl Sagan once said, “In order to make apple pie, you must first make the Universe”.

I guess the main premise is this – whether we were born from nothing or something we need to consider ourselves part of the system or development. Even every little action and reaction in our lives is connected to this thing called the Universe. Whether we like it or not, every facet of life on Earth and beyond is connected to this magnificent dynamism. Therefore whether we understand it or not does not matter – paradoxes aside, either way we are a part of something so vast it allows us to connect to the boundless nature of it all. There lies the gift we all share – we can revel in the excitement of it all because we are part of the grand immensity of it all. For an enlightened soul, free from ego and fear, full of love and bliss, that is enough…

John C. Bader

www.responsiveuniverse.com

Fear

My wife casually mentioned to me this morning that she was really nervous about her first day on the job tomorrow. She is a Special Education teacher and will be starting in a new school district this Monday. I think we all can relate to her reservations and worries. I can even recall the first day of elementary or middle school being a nervous day wrought with apprehension and uncertainties. Starting a new job is probably no less challenging: The unseen variables, new people, each with their own egos and agendas; thoughts about whether or not we are a good fit for the job. The build up to the big day can be a lot of weight on someone’s mind. I supposed there is a innate level of fear attached to the quality of the experience. Maybe a fear of the unknown? Anyway, it got me thinking…

Fear is a form of suffering and is in fact probably the most debilitating. Primal fear is a basic survival instinct that initiates a “Fight or Flight” response. This specific stimulus occurs from pain or a threat of danger. Fear is the ability to recognize a threat or danger and react instinctively to find safety. Yet, in our sometimes chaotic lives, the concept of fear was been watered down, muddled with ego and mentally misinterpeted.

Psychologists have noted that fear belongs to a smaller set of basic instinctual emotions which also includes anger, sadness and even joy. Fear is sometimes grouped or connected to the emotional state of anxiety. Yet, anxiety is different and typically occurs without any external threat. Coupled with our ego and a low level of self-esteem, fear and anxiety is a disability.

Sure there are things in life to be fearful of: Hungry bears while on a hike, shark frenzies while swimming or an avalanche careening toward your vacation chalet. These would be situations of “Fight or Flight” and as humans we have the instincts to fight our way to safety or run like hell to safety. Yet, in our sometimes crazy life, there are fears of losing our jobs, fear of loneliness, fear of starting our own business – the common denominator to some degree would be the fear of failure. It is this response that is not instinctual. The concept of “Fight and Flight” is part of our nature. Societal fears like the dread of failure are based on a conditioned or a nurtured sense. Through conditioning and ego, from the approval or disapproval of others, there can be a level of anxiety or abrasiveness that is created and it can eat at you from the inside out.

Studies show stress is a major factor for high blood pressure and other health ailments like heart attacks and emotional instability and depression. The prescription drug Xanax (or the generic form Alprazolam) is one of the most prescribed drugs in America. Guess what it is used for? Anxiety. Conditioned fear and anxiety go hand in hand. Remember that our True Nature is the stars we can see on a clear night. The clouds that come and go are our egos, control patterns, anger, fear and anxiety – all of which causes suffering. If you can slowly come to an understanding that our True Nature represents the stars which are unchanging, then you will understand that the clouds that sometimes obscure them are temporary. Stress, anger and other suffering are always transitory. Much like a storm: it may be a violent and turbulent tempest, but we have faith in knowing that it will eventually pass and the sun will again shine. Try to turn toward, conflict, anger and depression with the faith that it is temporary and that life will get better. Eventually you may even see that emotions like anger and jealousy are really not necessary.

“Those who fear life are already three parts dead”.

-Bertrand Russell

We have to recognize that our suffering and negativity is not intrinsic to our existence. It is projected upon us by others and we sabotage ourselves with our varying levels of ego and control patterns. Many of these unnecessary emotions are just smoke and mirrors. It may seem hopeless at times but there is optimism. We need to connect to that clear sky analogy as there is a part of us, deep down, that is constant and pure. As you will learn in later blogs, space gives rise to well being. Feeling free of stress and anxiety is a form of space. When we feel stress or even anger, there is this closed off feeling within the mind; our psyche feels hemmed in when anxiety and suffering takes hold. Panic attacks are a good example of a lack of space in the mind. Conversely, have you ever gone on vacation and felt open and alive? Have you felt relaxed and spacious? There lies the difference: Our True Nature is a spacious vision that we all can connect with. Once you have the space in your mind, you will have the ability to better handle the stresses of life. With space, you will learn to have more tolerance for the challenges that surround us.

Sure it is easy to write this all down in a blog and push the “PUBLISH” button, but to live by our words is much more powerful. Actions do speak louder than typed words. I do not think anyone is free from stress and anxiety completely and we all get butterflies in our stomach when we head into unchartered territory. This is a completely natural feeling. Still, it is how you interpret the stress or challenges and how you act that truly defines the experience. Most social or workplace scenarios are dependent on how you react to stress and unseen occurrences. Further, I truly think feeling nervous about something is a good thing. It means we are alive and aware. More than that, it means we are pushing ourselves to be better and more evolved. Being nervous is a good sign that things are progressing in your life and you are pushing yourself to the next level.

Take a deep breath and remember such stresses and uncertainties are merely clouds floating by and your True Nature is the steadfast sky that is unfettered, unadulterated and indestructible. Everything will be fine, feeling nervous is good! Now go make a difference!

John C. Bader

www.responsiveuniverse.com

How do we make a difference?

I once read a quote from the Dalai Lama which I will paraphrase now: “Humans will never reach enlightenment until everyone else within the world ceases to suffer”. It is our empathy for others in need that truly makes a difference. Indifference solves nothing. Compassion is a huge component to Buddhism and it is integral to any true path to enlightenment no matter what religion or creed. Yet in a world wrought with war, famine, religious persecution, oppression and climate change; the challenge is not to be compassionate for humanities shortcomings, but to not be overwhelmed by the weight of the worlds suffering. The Dalai Lama’s sentiments ring true. How can a sentient being reach enlightenment when there is so much suffering and discourse that surrounds us? In a world governed by money and large corporations, what is one to do? Further the weight of the world on our compassionate minds is enough to make anyone educated and mindful to ask: “Where are we really headed as a global community?” Such frustration and disappointment makes people wonder if ignorance really is bliss.

A friend and I were discussing this topic last night. We both differ on political views but we both agreed that not only is the US political system broken, but our food, medical care, education and spirituality is held hostage by big money. My friend asked the question: “What recourse is there for the frustrated middle class person?” Even voting seems to have little effect in the long run. In the end it is the 1% in control of the world’s money that has power over everything. And this power is not in the best interest of planet Earth. When you look back on history, the one defining factor is revolution: Normally a violent revolution with bloodshed and loss of innocent life, which if successful, tears the elite power away from a few and temporally gives it back to the people. It seems we are having a passive revolution now with the “Occupy Wall Street” movement.

But even violent revolution seems barbaric, transient and fleeting. How do we give the power back to the people and live in harmony and not discourse. How do we feed the starving, stop fighting and celebrate our commonality as a human race instead of fighting over our differences? My answer to my friends question was not what he wanted to hear. I said it will take thousands of years for humans to evolve to that point. “A thousand years?!!!!”, he yelled. He wanted results in his life time. Truthfully, it may never happen. It seems money will always govern and corrupt. History has painted a pretty clear picture in that regard.

Still there is a solution. Humans need to progress to the next level of evolution no matter the social/political environment. I know in my heart that this is our destiny. This includes being mindful; working to keep our thoughts rooted in the present and not stumbling off in fear and fantasy, past and future. We have a metaphysical connection to the Universe that needs to be realized and celebrated. The solution is to live by example. Empower those around you not by preaching self-actualization; empower those around you by living by example. Words are hollow and lose their meaning quickly with inaction and indifference. Words are easy to say but to live by those words is truly powerful. Each of us can make a difference by simply living humbly away from our egos and teaching (through success and experience) our friends and love ones that there is another way. The best way to make a difference is to live though your own positive virtues. Eventually it will catch on. It might take a thousand years, but that is inconsequential. Live, love and set an example and it is the best anyone can do. Happiness does find those that walk a clear path that is chosen not by big money, ego and materialism, but your heart wish. Listen to your True Nature and the wisdom from within and live by example.

I am interested in your comments on this discussion. The more insight the better!

John C. Bader
www.responsiveuniverse.com

A Path to Infinity - a Poem

We do not question if the Sun is going to rise tomorrow

For it is something we can depend on

Much like blue sky, rain, love and eventually cessation

The Responsive Universe is a path to infinity.

Here in the material world: Rationalization born
from misinterpretations

Created by our parents and mentors; or someone else’s distorted perceptions

Is evil interwoven for our eye’s to see? Is it fact or fiction?

Or just plain stupidity?

Archaic religious virtues – vestibules of another century

Its misguiding agenda haunts modern philosophy:

Corrosive and contagious

Yet, high above the storm clouds stands a renaissance of reasoning

Found on the road to evolution

Some find it, many never will

The right answers sought by a few

A pulse fed by pure thinking

The clarity of an open mind

Is it the movement of the future?

That nobody really knows

Because personal destiny

Is for one to see…

An intimate journey

With a path to infinity

John C. Bader

www.responsiveuniverse.com

Love yourself first and then find love and compassion for others…

Some of us find it hard to love ourselves. What does that really mean to love ourselves? It can be easy to find faults in who we think we are. Maybe you are unorganized or have bad habits. Maybe you get stressed out easy or are being medicated for depression and or anxiety. Maybe you wish you were healthier or more fit and lean. Maybe you do not like crowds or being the center of attention. All of this self-loathing is rooted to our egos and false perceptions. It makes us want to be someone else or we mentally berate ourselves as if we are unworthy and unlovable. It is one thing to love who you are and it is a completely different thing to love what you are. There is a fundamental difference to be actualized. Our perception of who we are is rooted in societal pressures, what we see on television, etc. Our happiness is regulated by self-esteem and the approval of others. This sets us up for failure. It’s no wonder religion was invented.

Yet, there is another kind of love… In fact, there is another way to love yourself; and this other kind of love transcends all the passive chaos that envelopes planet Earth. We are products of the Universe and thus are born from quantum positive energy. There is a quality to this that is pure and unfettered. We are the sons and daughters of vibration, light and love and that is something no one can take away from you. This is our True Nature, vast, boundless and reliable. It is easy to love yourself when you look at where the source of our being is rooted (True Nature). Look up at night and marvel at the stars. Appreciate nature and the love for a pet or child. This is a love that is all powerful and unchanging. Put your confidence into this type of love and soon you will realize all of your shortcomings in life, all of your bad habits and self-loathing are just products of a self-esteem driven by ego. Such worries and deceptions will seem trivial and unnecessary once you find empowerment from an inner source.

There is nothing confident and steadfast about our egos. Much like money, the ego comes and goes and for many it regulates our happiness and suffering. The more control we take away from the ego, the more we connect to the steadfast vision that is our True Nature. Love what you are (a product of the Universe born from love and energy) and happiness and confidence will root itself in your life. Once you have this unadulterated confidence of what you are, soon your perspectives in life will change. Soon you will make little changes in life like eating better, exercising or getting more organized. Soon, very soon, you will connect that love of what you are and who you are as one – A quality of oneness bathed under the light of self-actualization and enlightenment.

Once you love yourself for what you are, you will begin to love yourself for who you are. Once one has reached this milestone in life, our work is not finished. Now, it is time to love others and find compassion for those still in need. Love is powerful and is the connection between the Universe and humankind. Find it, be it; and love it…

John C. Bader

www.responsiveuniverse.com

Autumn brings promise…

I have noticed that when being mindful of my surroundings, inspiration and inner wisdom seems to flow. Just this morning I disembarked on a brisk morning bike ride. The sun was out and the blue sky above was streaked with white wisps’ of clouds. As I rode into the local nature preserve near my home, I was immersed in all the glory of autumn. I love fall here in the Midwest: The vibrant colors of red and orange as wild maples turn the corner to winter. Leaves fall like butterflies as I ride under the color of the forest canopy. The smells of cinnamon and dew permeate my senses as the chilly air refreshes my face…

The entire experience sort of got me thinking about the seasons and how they may relate to life. The quality of nature can reveal many secrets when we stop for a moment and settle into our surroundings. When you think of summer, you may think of warmth, life and greenery. As autumn arrives so do the many colors of nature – it is almost a grand finale of sorts – a celebration before the cold grey qualities of winter befall us. Winters here in Chicagoland can be brutal: Snow, ice and below freezing temperatures almost metaphorically represent an ending; an ending to summer and all that is warm and alive. Still, we can have confidence in the fact that spring will emerge and with it a birth of new life.

Autumn it seems offers us a promise – a promise of a new beginning. I tweeted this while out riding my bike a few mornings ago: “What does Autumn represent? The celebration and ending of a cycle with the promise of rebirth? With every ending there is a beginning… “ And this notion is so true. As with anything in life, there will be a beginning and an ending. Life and death represents that concept. When we visualize the Universe as vast and boundless, what qualities are representative? Well, the birth and life of stars, followed by their eventual cessation – then a rebirth as new stars form the tired gases of deceased stars. It is seems everything has cycles and exhibits a quality of relativity.

Life it seems is a revolving door. We were born from existing energy, we will eventually return to energy. Based on what my inner wisdom tells me, we are here to live and learn to love; to make the right decisions and to teach others the path of enlightenment so that we can evolve as humans; when I see the autumn leaves begin to fall revealing the naked branches underneath. When I see the green of summer dry up and decay, I see a promise of something new. So it seems, even old age and death represent merely a transition. We can celebrate the fall season as not an ending to something, but a transition to something new and fresh – a new beginning. And it is this wisdom which can translate qualities into all facets of life.

You can follow me on Twitter at JohnCBader
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Or please visit www.responsiveuniverse.com

John C. Bader

Awareness...

In a post a few days ago I discussed the element of mind and space as being something synonymous with the Universe – boundless in nature. This concept or quality also relates to our True Nature which represents unfetter confidence and a steadfast vision; all of which relates to our minds. Does your mind have a border or periphery? Can you visualize your mind as a shape with an edge and limits? Where do thoughts arise and where do they drift off to? The tangible mind may seem small but the psyche seems vast when you contemplate such musings. When we attached ourselves to the concept of space, there is this boundless quality to everything in life. We realize we are simply a part of something so vast our petty differences and trivial materialistic needs seem insignificant. Further, there is now room for the many challenges we face in life. We when feel closed in and stressed out, there is an anxious claustrophobic quality associated with space. Here the ego runs rampant and fears define our actions and reactions. We need to find space in our mind and in our vision as we move forward in life. Finding a quality of space within and throughout our surroundings breeds awareness.

Awareness is basically clarity in any given situation and or scenario. Clarity and awareness involves being cognitive of an issue or situation and having openness and space for it. When we are rooted in the present and our thoughts are not dependent on the past or future, we tend to carry a higher level of precision and space within the mind. When we discuss the concept of space at this level, there is a quality of energy that is unchanging and dependable. As discussed, much like the Universe, the mind can be considered vast and seemingly boundless. Knowing this breeds acute transparency in the mind. Clarity is seeing the quality of our experience and as stated, an open mind and space brings forth this awareness: A fresh, sharpened perspective on issues and challenges that may face us on any given day. As we learn to reap the benefits of meditation and self-reflection – thus shedding our egos and false perceptions; awareness leads us to the voice of wisdom. This is the clarity and awareness of your True Nature speaking insight – your inner voice; not ingrained with ego but an unfettered true reality that represents the unadulterated you! This is a voice free of anger, ego and hollow confidence. The inner voice echoes our heart wish to love, be happy and find compassion for our enemies. Increasing awareness is experienced as a sense of something new- something fresh and interesting. Having clarity will trigger responsive consciousness to not answer conflict and challenges blindly; to be aware of the hardwired control patterns that sometimes unknowingly control us. As we remain mindful of the present and more aware of our feelings and surroundings, a sharpened quality of awareness is actualized. This is an important step to reaching higher levels of self-actualization.

John C. Bader

www.responsiveuniverse.com

You will be missed Steve Jobs...

I tweeted this quote yesterday from the recently deceased Steve Jobs: “Death is very likely the single best invention in life”. I found this quote in the editorial section of USA Today. I believe it is from a Stanford University graduation ceremony speech a few years ago. It was not the wisdom of his words that inspired me to share his quote. After further scrutiny, I really think it was his courage and guts that really impressed me. When I hear these words echo across the vast space of my mind, I see a man who faced a grim diagnosis of cancer but looked death in the eye with no fear. It may be no surprise to some that Steve Jobs was a Buddhist. His moral ethics and belief systems were not governed by fears of Hell or other religious dogma. He knew the world as a vibrant place full of energy and opportunity. He knew that if we gave to the Universe, we would receive something back in return. The success of Apple is certainly proof of that. Still Steve Jobs was not afraid to fail. Further, he did not place blame on the world for his unfortunate disease that took his life last week. He understood it for what it was and was accepting to his future destiny.

I dug a little deeper and found this excerpt from that Stanford graduation speech:

“No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don’t want to die to get there. And yet death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it. And that is as it should be, because death is very likely the single best invention of life. It is life’s change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new. Right now the new is you, but someday not too long from now, you will gradually become the old and be cleared away. Sorry to be so dramatic, but it is quite true.”

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”

Wow!

I am speechless… I think we could all learn a little something from how Steve Jobs carried himself in life, especially when he had the shadow of death glaring over him. You will be missed Steve Jobs.

John C. Bader
www.responsiveuniverse.com

Boundless – a Poem

Boundless

Clarity

Responsiveness…

Stillness encourages inner harmony

My reverence creates positive thinking

An admiration
for simplicity

Veneration for
my surroundings

Mindful of my
body and inner energy

Awareness of my infinite
vision that transcends all dogma

A journey of
self-introspection

Void of
persecution and stigma

Karma is the watchful
eye of my progression

Peace and
tranquility

Unfettered and
unswerving are my feelings

A dynamism in the
moment that outshines past and future

Bringing forth compassion
born from intrinsic nature

Unlimited is my ability

Love and bliss
my sensitivity

Wisdom unravels
life’s meaning

Boundless

Clarity

Responsiveness

The key to
happiness…

John C. Bader

www.responsiveuniverse.com

Spaciousness – Boundless – Vastness…

Spaciousness – Boundless – Vastness… what do these words mean?

Space or openness is the infinite quality of our minds as it is relates to our True Nature. Many of us can acknowledge that during meditation and in daily life practice, countless thoughts race through our minds. Imagine the space required to create and field all those thoughts. How about memories? What about useful daily skills and dreams? The brain seems small, yet the mind seems vast. Settle into that spacious vision of our True Nature, visualizing it as a vast area of space. How about the night sky? The stars we see at night are actually neighborhood stars within a small snapshot of our Milky Way galaxy. The stars we see with the naked eye are really only a handful as compared to the billions of stars within our galaxy. Some of these stars are light years away (millions upon millions of miles). Then there are billions of galaxies beyond our Milky Way galaxy. The Cosmos is vast, maybe infinite. Much like the Cosmos, our True Nature is also vast and shares qualities that are infinite. In fact, there is this basic feeling that somehow it is all connected. Words can’t describe this relationship, only that it feels familiar and there is a connective feeling associated with it all. Just as the immensity of the Universe boggles our mind, the same character or value can be associated with our spacious True Nature. Further, the boundless characteristics of the Cosmos and our true nature can be compared to the mind. When you think of your mind and all its processes and capabilities, can you put your finger on its size and borders? Does the mind have an edge or boundary? Where does the mind begin and where does it end? It makes one wonder if the mind is also infinite in nature especially when we consider that all things are relative.

When ancient civilizations looked up into the night sky, it was concluded that what you see is all that exists. This was an era when it was collectively thought that the world was still flat. Do you see how this is a primitive and close minded view of our surroundings? Even today, people walk around with the same closed-minded perceptions all of which breeds stress, fear and anxiety. Ignorance, religious dogma and racism could be examples of modern close-minded behavior. If there are boundaries in our mind, we can feel pressured and claustrophobic, especially when challenges arise. Still when we find space and settle into the vastness of our true nature, there is a fundamental confidence actualized. Imagine trying to count every grain of sand on Earth. It is impossible, right? Still, there is faith that all this sand exists on our worlds beaches and deserts. Though it is impossible to quantify the many grains of sand on Earth, we know they exist. It may be an indefinable value, but it still is a value. It is something we can count on and there is a spacious and comforting quality about that; knowing it simply exists and there is nothing we need to do about it. Many times in life, there is very little we can count on; home prices and the stock market will continue to fluctuate. Love can be fleeting as can good friends. We as humans even age and eventually die. Still, one thing is constant: The spacious vision of our True Nature that exists within us all. Find space for everything and you will find it is unending in its capacity. Think of your mind as a spacious, boundless tool where anything is possible. Further, look to your surrounding environment for inspiration as it relates to space: A cloudless sky, the moon, an open field or even a tall building; being mindful of space on many aesthetic levels breeds clarity – connect to the confidence that you are surrounded by space.

John C. Bader

www.responsiveuniverse.com

True Nature - a Poem

In the autumn be
certain the leaves will fall..

Scents of cinnamon and
colors of red and gold

An Indian summer
greeted by winter

And in spring will
summery birth

Flowers and greenery
abundant

For such things are dependable

The stars at night

A full moon

Blue sky

Unwavering we cannot
deny

John C. Bader

www.responsiveuniverse.com

How do we combat Negativity?

Negativity appears to be a human born trait. Why would I say that? Well, there is nothing negative about the Universe. The Cosmos which is everything that exists can be visualized as a vast concentration of quantum energy that pulses and connects across a web of particles, gravity and waves of light. In universal terms birth gives way to death and thus facilitates re-birth. Stars born from hydrogen gas will eventually die and exhale their tired gases to form new stars. Humans will also be born and then die – There is nothing negative about that concept. Yet, negativity does exist here on Earth. Born from human emotions and driven from ego, in some facet, we all harbor our own negativity – some worse than others. Unfortunately, it is a grim facet of our existence –driven by money, jealously, anger and greed, negativity in some form has existed since humans began walking this Earth. No wonder religion was invented…

Even the unfettered honesty and innocence of a young child can be molested by negativity. Child abuse is a good example of passing on such dysfunction. Social pressures and ego only seem to ratify and reinforce such behaviors. I personally have had several negative defining experiences in my childhood. Such negative experiences can affect us at the core of our being and mature and grow with us into adulthood. I will use a broad model that we can all base experience on: These negative experiences that I endured as a child continued to affect my self esteem all the way into high school. The control patterns that I harbored (hardwired learned behaviors) would morph from one psychological issue to another. Just when I thought I got my self-esteem under control, a new issue arose; an inflated ego. Unknowingly, I replaced my fear and low sense of self worth with a false sense of security. I fed my ego which in turn self gratified my need for acceptance. For me, low self-esteem was the main problem but feeding my ego simply masked the problems that were still rooted to my childhood. It makes one wonder if ego really is the root of all negativity.

We are all faced with such challenges: Child abuse is just the beginning for some. When we look at the world as a whole, what do we see? A lot of suffering! Once we can let go of our egos, there is a fundamental desire fix the world. Yet, in order to do that, we need to fix ourselves first. We need to realize that negative issues can be affecting us as individuals on many unseen levels. Everyone has witnessed a myriad of positive and negative experiences that have shaped us to some degree. You must realize, however, that the shadows of the past may be concealing an enigma that is influencing your future and perhaps even the futures of others around you. For me, I noticed that anger and frustration began to surface as an adult and later as a parent. This frustration born from ego and control patterns was directly related to how I was raised as a child. Still, I acknowledged a trigger of awareness. This awareness came when I felt frustrated and angry. I used this as a trigger of mindfulness to stop and not react blindly. I directed my attention to the vastness of my True Nature; a place within us all that is boundless, constant and dependable. Now, I have learned to make space for such control patterns that facilitate anger and frustration. When I realized I was heading down a path of dysfunction, I made a positive change in my actions. Instead of reacting blindly and reinforcing old patterns of behavior, I changed my actions for the better. I broke the chain of dysfunction by connecting to a higher level of awareness.

Next, I am going to talk about space and how it relates to us as individuals: The space that surrounds us and also the space within the mind – there lies the key to creating more happiness and less negativity.

John C. Bader

www.responsiveuniverse.com

Forks over Knives!

Okay, so this week I want to talk about food. Being
mindful about what we eat …As the saying goes…. We are what we eat, right?

I watched this documentary Monday with my wife called Forks Over Knives…. Wow!

Now, let’s back track a bit to last weekend. I took my son to his first Bears game at Soldier Field. Typical of tailgating, we threw almost everything with eyes and a tail on the grill: Shrimp, steak, sausage – it was a Midwest BBQ bonanza! It was really good too! Yet, Monday morning, the hangover was not from too many Coors Lights – nope, it was all the heavy food I ate. I had gut rot – literally.

So, then I watch this documentary Monday night and it just about blew the doors off of all things rational – or what I thought was rational. Most of us would contend that eating animal based products, which includes meat and dairy, are good for you in moderation. We need the protein and amino acids right? This documentary, Forks Over Knives, presents evidence that a whole food plant-based diet can prevent, and in many cases, reverse degenerative diseases; diseases caused by animal protein diets!

There was a section of the movie that showed historical data from Norway before, during and after the Nazi occupation during WII. They had documentation showing heart disease death rates during this era. It is interesting because before the war there was a substantial rise in related deaths. When the Nazi’s occupied Norway, they horded and confiscated all the cattle and livestock for the German front lines. The result: No meat! Thus, a dip in death rates related to heart disease – The Norwegians were forced to eat more veggies and plant based products. Guess what happened after the Nazis were defeated? A spike in food related deaths when the meat returned to the daily diet.

This was just one interesting historical comparison. There is other convincing data and test results done in China and here in the US that proves without a doubt that animal protein diets, coupled with items of convenience: Soda pop, french fries and really anything processed causes health problems – America is the worst apparently. Supposedly the US health care bill is more than our military budget – according to this movie; most of our health care costs could be reversed if we changed our diets. Ailments like bad cholesterol, high blood pressure, cancer and diabetes are all proven to be diet related and account for most of the surgeries and prescription drugs we are enduring.

So, fast forward to this Tuesday at the local grocery store. Yeah, that’s right, life change! Here are a few things I bought out of guilt:

Amy’s Southwestern Organic Burritos – 4 for $10 bucks (yeah there is cheese in it)
Natures Path, Flax Plus Red Berry Crunch – USDA Organic – $5.79 a box
Garden of Eaten Red Hot Blue Organic Tortilla Chips – $3.99 a bag
Annies Homegrown Bunny Grahams – All Natural – $4.99 a box (for my son, serious)

Point is, healthy food is expensive. For the money I spent above (and that was the tip of the iceberg), I could have fed my family at McDonalds for a week off the dollar menu.

As I put away the food from my health kick purchase, I stumbled upon the lunch menu for my son’s school. It was stuck to the frig with a magnetic. In bold writing, “USDA approved lunches”. It was interesting, because I noticed that hotdogs are a daily option on the menu. Wow, I had no idea that hotdogs were a well balanced meal. Last time I checked, I thought hotdogs were made from pressed lips and assholes – I am not even sure what animal hotdogs come from – and what about the preservatives and nitrates? Huh, makes you wonder who you can trust: The government and large money corporations that control our food supply or the highly educated doctors they discredit. Further, how can middle class and struggling families even afford organic, healthy food?

The long and the short, go rent this documentary. I may not be a scientist, but I can tell you I have never seen an unhealthy vegan…

John C. Bader

www.responsiveuniverse.com