From My Spiritual Journal, Volume 2, Dated September 17, 2024

"The important thing is to live on the fine line between doing and not doing. We come here [to the Earth] to overcome [/work out] our karma -- how we spent our energy in this and [from] previous lifes. By pushing in one direction, an absence is created in other places. This generates karma. The cycle goes round and round, always putting energy into one thing that creates a vacuum in another – then trying to make it up by filling a void we (inadvertently) created. Round and round we go on the Karma Wheel.

"The way out of this never ending cycle is to rise above it. A problem can't be solved at the same energy level in which it was created – so you have to change, grow, and resolve the karma wheel we are caught in, [again] by rising above it. The tools we have for this is meditation, and through this, [we can] gain spiritual growth [i.e. evolve spiritually], which allows us to rise above our current situation.

“Eventually, one gathers enough Spiritual Energy [Shakti] to begin to evolve. Sometimes this comes all at once through a flash of enlightenment [or insight], and at other times through years of working on ourselves through daily mediation and intaking of shakti from our teachers and the world around us.”

Probably the most difficult task a human being can accomplish is changing themself. Those who manage this self-change will grow and evolve. It can take years and more likely lifetimes, but spiritual growth is the ONLY thing you can take with you from this life when you leave. I still find it amazing that so many people's true religion is greed. This shows both ignorance and selfishness.

We all have the right to work hard and live a comfortable life, but the more comfortable life becomes, the more we stop struggling and ultimately growing spiritually. If one lives a middle-class lifestyle, what more does one require? Especially with so many people and other creatures dying from starvation or becoming extinct. At some point, too much excess is just wrong, especially when this excess could contribute to a better planet and saving lives.

If you use the fabulous brain you were given, it should be clear that in the scope of the life of a planet (i.e. billions of years), a human life is very short. Think about it: isn't it really foolish to spend most of your time acquiring excess money and possessions only to leave it behind when you pass on? And by spending all our time this way, don't we fail to work on ourselves and grow spiritually? To improve as both a people and a planet, shouldn't we give up our selfish behaviors, put aside our lower emotions of greed and envy, and work together to evolve?

As always, my love goes out to everyone. Be kind to each other and generous always.

I remember as a child I longed to be a scientist. To this day, I hold a deep appreciation for science; its devotion to being methodical in learning the truth of the universe in which we find ourselves, to painstakingly experiment again and again until the light turns on and the truth is revealed. Every postulate can be proved, every new development based on and build from what came before; a system that is consistent and is willing to accept what is discovered, even if it is unpleasant or goes against what we think ought to be. But as I grew, it became clear that there was a major flaw in the science system of understanding: It believes it is the only and absolute truth.

I grew up involved heavily in a Lutheran church with a mother extremely devout to the point of righteousness and absolutism. The church had the advantage over science in some ways, especially the willingness to believe in truth that at this time can't be proved through systematic experimentation. But alas, western religion seems to have the same affliction as science, the belief that they hold the only and absolute truth. Even when it is obviously contradictory to their beliefs. Evolution, for example.

From this, I have learned to be very cautious of absolutism. I draw truth from a variety of sources: Science, spirituality, experience. We are much more than we tend to think we are. Each of us come into this world with a heart, mind, and psychic system, which at a fundamental level, consists of many chakras. Please don't take my word for it; the heart and mind and chakras all can be experienced. We are each touched by the divine. Explore this and see if I am correct.

I feel the best tools a human being can employ are an open mind and an open heart. If you can experience something, it is truth, even if it can't be defined through systematic experimentation. Just because another wearing a priest's robe tells you something is truth, question it, especially if you don't experience it or “feels” wrong. Trust yourself. Approach life with love and an open heart. Use your own mind.

Much Love. Bob

Imagine if you will, a still, mountain pond. Nothing is moving over the surface except a gentle breeze that does not disturb the pond's surface. Then a tremor in the earth dislodges a pebble, named James, and he falls into the water creating a ripple pattern; even, predictable, clean. Another pebble, Amy, soon falls into the water setting off another ripple pattern. The two ripples intersect. The dual wave ripples form a new, strong pattern, clear and understandable. James and Amy's reality intersect, but the result is harmonious. Both understand the reality they created together and there is little confusion. Both see the pattern clearly and understand their combined reality. For them, it was the truth.

Another tremor dislodges 100 or so more pebbles, which all begin to fall into the pond. The patterns formed are no longer clear. It is chaos, with waves rippling pell mell over the surface of the pond, colliding and intersecting in ways that appear random. The newcomers try to define their combined reality. Each feels they contributed to the joint reality, and in truth, they did. However, the result of the input of 100 new pebbles created a reality that wasn't clear to even James and Amy, who wish they could still see the simple reality they used to.

Finally, someone said that they knew the truth. Soon another responded that they knew the truth. Yet both saw it differently. The mountain looked down at the pond and sighed. It said, “That is maya and all the pebbles contributed to it.”

After a while, the ripples subsided, leaving the pond surface clear once more. A bird landed near the water to drink. Looking at the still water, it said, “Now I see the truth,” and drank its fill.

We have few traditions in our spiritual practice, but welcoming in the new year is one. We connect in person or on Zoom and sit in deep meditation as the old years rolls on and the new one is born. It is a time to really let go of all the baggage we collected during the previous year and not carry it forward. Rudi once said the easiest way to let go of the old is to walk to a street corner and turn your back on it all, and simply walk away leaving the troubles, stress, negative energy, and tribulations behind you. Don't look back.

I invite everyone to JUST LET IT GO. The past is gone and the future hasn't been written. There is only NOW. A simple and understandable concept, yet simply being in the NOW seems to be one of the most difficult of human endeavours. Make 2026 the year of rebirth. Start your new life today. Let go of the old. Sing, dance, and welcome in the new, fresh vibrations of 2026. The past is gone if you let it go. Don't add to the weight you already carry.

My love to all!

We all have learned certain “truths”/"lessons" in life of which leave no doubt in our minds as to important keys to the living puzzle. I am going to share some of mine in this post and I invite everyone who feels compelled to share theirs as well. Maybe we can learn from each other. Ok, here are 4 things I know are true:

1. Everything is ok; not good or bad, but ok. Everything is as it should be.
2. 95% of everything I thought was real turns out to be Maya. And the other 5% is questionable.
3. We all are more the same than we are different.
4. We are exactly where every decision we have made in our lives have led us. We can decide to change…

Here are some words of wisdom/truths that came to me in the form of song lyrics:

• Right and wrong, good and bad, are just ideas someone had; reality is often just a fad (From Alone on the Painter CD)
• Magic always comes to mark ordeal's end (From A Prelude to Happiness on the Serpent Power CD)
• You can't take it with you, except your progress. It's not free this undertaking; there's no end to success (From The Carnival Fantastic on the Serpent Power CD)
• You can steer against the current; you can feel you're in control. You pretend that you're important, Master of the dice you throw. But each cycle has an ending, you might buy a few years. And when it's time to stop pretending, you can let go of all of your fears (Also from The Carnival Fantastic on the Serpent Power CD)
• The chain I wear, I forged long and hard. It just occurred, I could will it apart. I can change who I am, I can become a different man. The change lies deep within my heart (From Destiny on the Painter CD)
• Destiny is fate that we control, thoughts in my mind become real. I used to think that there were answers but now I just trust how I feel (Also from Destiny on the Painter CD)
• Hope is not the answer and neither is belief. Anger offers power but it never brings relief. Happiness guarantees that sometimes you'll be sad, just as things we think are good imply that there is bad. (From Firebird on the On Letting Go CD)
• Life is not a contest, to win or lose. It's more like a garden to grow what you choose (From Free Time on the On Letting Go CD)
• Patients is a virtue, yeah but sometimes it's a curse… (From Godmother on the On Letting Go CD)
• Faith in yourself is all you need to feel alive. Avoid those who judge - let your conscious be your guide. Help each other keeping love as your drive. Weed out your judgements and your garden will survive, it will revive, oh yeah it will thrive! (From Judgements and Classifications on the On Letting Go CD)
• Honor, virtue and duty are goals worth striving for. Faith in yourself is your anchor,and peace is your roots and your core (From Karma's Song on the On Letting Go CD)
• Illusions always hide in the things we think are real; the answers always change because the questions are concealed. (From Learning to Swim on the Painter CD)
• Cause and effect are deceitful twins. Duality is the root of sins. And when we finally see that all is really one, the healing will have begun (From Maya on the On Letting Go CD)
• If you should falter remember this my friend: A battle without struggle is a war lost in the end, and everything of value is won for a price, but if you are patient you will never have to fight (From The Mystic Sea on the Serpent Power CD)
• If you treat the world as if a young girl, instead of something to be conquered. You'll find she rhymes, she dances in time, and joy will keep your heart reassured (From Nothin' to Stand On on the Painter CD)
• The faster I push to get over the hill, the harder the journey becomes… (From Oracle on the On. Letting Go CD)
• Run like a river, weave in and out with the flow. The path of least resistance is the way I should go. Run like a river, fluid and strong; inevitables seem conquerable when you're right where you belong (From Run Like A River on the Painter CD)
• There was so much time to wonder, and so much time to be free. I'm a me I remember, but who is the real me? (From So Much Time on the Serpent PowerCD)
• Balancing marbles on a string, I just can't manage everything… (From Strings and Things on the upcoming double CD Rock Opera Remembering Tomorrow).

That's enough for now. Again, I invite everyone to share their lessons of truth from life so I can learn from you. It is an amazing thing, this life we have. What a joy it is to share the world with everyone. Thank you for letting me into your life by reading my blog.

Open your hearts!

– Bob

“Hope is not the answer and neither is belief.” (From Firebird on our On Letting Go CD). In our culture, “hope” is considered a positive, pure emotion, something to place faith in. But it is not. Hope us akin to wishing, which is maya. It is certainly true that we have the ability to make things occur with thought energy, but hoping is a blind wish that things will work out in our favor. Don't waste time hoping, a passive experience at best.

Visualization through meditationis a much more proactive tool. Fantasizing is a product of our immense imaginative power and can help with visualization if we don't get lost in it, but avoid “believing” as much as possible. Stick with what you KNOW and can EXPERIENCE. Spend time daily in quiet meditation to develop your chakras. As you develop spiritually, you begin to see the truth and trust life because you experience it. This is very different than hope and belief. My teacher S says there are 3 aspects to life. 1) Gaining your Humanity: learning to live with an open heart by developing our chakras and filling your heart with love to work out your karma; 2) Spirit: connecting with “God” (or whatever you feel comfortable calling it). Open your crown chakra and connect. 3) Kundalini: The power that resides resting in your root chakra needs to rise up your spine and opens your crown chakra. All these things are the result of a lot of work, but as far as I'm concerned, are the purpose of life. Experience tells us that anything of value we gain comes from working at it, not “believing” it comes for free. Learn to transform all the negativity and suffering into love and joy.

I'm asked sometimes about my own spiritual practice and why it isn't just a substitute belief system. I know because it is visceral; I can feel it. It takes work to make it happen, but sitting quietly and opening my chakras allows the flow of shakti into me. I can feel it. I feel my chakras open and the spiritual energy flow. As a result of daily practice, my life has improved. I no longer get depressed or worry about things. The experience of this vast inner life has opened so many possibilities in my life. I'm so glad I had the fortitude to continue my practice because it takes time and effort. So far, it is the most valuable aspect of this lifetime. I truly wish this for all who are seeking spiritual enlightenment. Find a real teacher and practice, practice, practice. Every day. You can learn from books, but real knowledge comes from experience.

Love and blessings!

Each of us enters this life from a previous state of development. We all have our own individual karma to work out during this life. In order to work out our karma, we must evolve to a higher spiritual place then we are now. To accomplish this, we must develop a strong chakra system (as my teacher S calls it) within us so we can connect to our higher self, god, higher creative energy, the spirit of the universe, whatever you want to call it. It is from there that we receive all wisdom and deeper understanding. This is a lifelong journey. However, we are also granted the ability to explore the physical world and gain a wide variety of experiences. Between inner guidance and outer experience in the world, we evolve.

Coming from the condition of being ADHD, I tend to cycle through a series of activities. As I lose interest in one I start becoming interested in another. The driving interest brings me a lot of inner joy and satisfaction. I've come to accept this pattern and I no longer become saddened when one project fades from my scope of interest. I simply pack the stuff I was exploring and working on and shelf it, while I pull out the material I need for where my drive and interest have directed me. There are some projects I hope I complete in this life and many I know I likely won't. The older one gets, the more he is reminded that life is a short-time experience. That is ok. I've accepted all these things as simply how my life works, and I am at peace with it.

However, the one constant I strive to maintain is my spiritual practice. I see so many join our group and then soon leave again. No judgement; they likely got what they needed at the time they were here. Not everyone is ready to commit to their own development. Many are “digging holes” as Rudi called it, looking for a practice that resonates for them. I've seen some that come to meditation practice for a while, leave, and return again. It is another pattern. Whatever people choose to do is where they are, and it's not about being right or wrong. These are mental constructs anyway; part of maya. Whatever we do leads to learning and gaining experience. If we generate a lot more karma than we overcome in this life, it just adds to what needs to be overcome and worked out in future lifes.

I don't focus on suffering as the path to Enlightenment. As far as I can tell, it is a valid path. Life is more like a mountain. Even if it looks different from the North side than the South, it's still the same mountain. I don't see the personification of God in all things either, but recognize that is another valid path to Enlightenment for some. The important thing I see is to stay away from “belief systems." They only entrap you. Develop your inner life as well as your outer life. Life seems to work more pleasantly when balanced. After you've selected the practice you feel is right for you, try to discipline yourself enough to remain on it as long as you can. Do some inner work every day. Grow. Love. Expand. Enjoy.

KARMA. A word with so many layers of meaning. It seems the more I understand karma, the less able I am to explain what it means. I suppose on the simplest level it reflects the notion that one gets back what they put out: There is a reaction to every action. For every deed there will be a recompense. If you do good, good will be done to you. Etcetera. This is karma at its most basic level.

There are deeper meanings to karma. I feel we are born on this earth to “work out” our karma. In order to do this, we have to evolve spiritually. Everyone's karma is different, but you cannot work it out until you are able to rise above your current spiritual state. I plan to discuss this notion of karma in more detail in a later post, but for today, I was thinking about an idea I call “Karma Debt."

Each life is a amazing gift from the universe. It is through life that we are able to evolve spiritually. As we evolve, we approach enlightenment. When we reach enlightenment, we break free of the continuous cycle of death and rebirth, and move on to other realms of existence. However, nothing is free. We each owe something for the gift of life we received. I call this our Karma Debt.

The idea is simple, but likely not very easy. We owe for what we have been given. Like all unresolved karma, what is not resolved in this life is added to the karma burden we must resolve in subsequent lifetimes. So what can one return to the universe to show gratitude for this life?

It is an individual prospect. A common resolution of one's karma debt is to have and raise children, thus extending the opportunity of the gift of life to others. However, those of us who have discovered our own unique and special talents are further obligated to leave the world with the art we produce, allowing those talents to enrich those of future generations. In my case, my karma debt became crystal clear to me a few years ago: I needed to leave the world with the music I have been privileged to hear in my mind and write down as songs. Up until recently, I had not considered my music composition as anything but a hobby. Through meditation and my efforts to evolve spiritually, it occurred to me that these songs were something only I could produce. They were unique to me and as I began to share them with others, it became clear that they moved other people as well and were a benefit to them. I sought council with my guru and spiritual teachers whom all encouraged me to share the music. Thus I began the arduous task of recording and publishing the fairly vast storehouse of music I'd written throughout my life. It is unlikely at my advanced age I will see much monetary reward from the publication of A Dose of Tao's songs. In fact, it costs me a lot of money to do the recordings. But I know this is my karma burden, and I gladly pay it for having the privilege of my life and this fresh opportunity to grow spiritually.

It is certainly not my place to tell anyone what to do. Everyone has a unique life and set of talents. We all come into this physical life at the point of spiritual development we have obtained up until the event of our birth. Unfortunately, many “western” civilizations at this particular point in history don't provide many spiritual growth opportunities, however, those who are born here with the deep inner need to have a spiritual life seem to be able to find avenues to help themselves evolve. If you have been reading this blog, you are likely on or seeking a spiritual path.

I wish to conclude with this thought and suggestions: The only thing you can take with you when you leave this life is your degree of spiritual evolution you have obtained while you were here. Spend a little time everyday working on yourself: Do some yoga, tai-chi, or meditation. Volunteer each week to give back to the community which supports you. Mentor children and especially teenagers. Care for the animals of the world. Open your hearts. Love is truly the power of god, and we all have the ability to love. Think about that…

Mei Linn spied her Grandfather relaxing by the koi pond and ran to embrace him. “Papa!” she cried, throwing her small arms around the old man.

“Little Flower!” Grandfather replied, delighted to see her. “And how is my beautiful blossom on this warm summer afternoon?”

“I am great!” the child replied with enthuseum, and settled beside her beloved elder. “What shall we talk about today, Papa?” she asked with a broad smile and twinkle in her eye.

“First,” Grandfather began, “You must tell me who is asking the question?”

“Well… I am, Papa,” the girl responded, face twisted in a quizzical expression. “Me!”

“Ah, Little Flower, but who are you?”

The girl burst forth with a gleeful laugh. “I'm me, Papa! You know me, silly.”

“I'm not so sure. Where is the you that you say you are?”

Mei Linn thought for a bit. Grandfather sometimes talked funny, but he always caused her to consider something she had not conceived of before. “Well, I guess I'm here,” she stated, pointing to her forehead.

“So that is you? There, between your eyes?”

“Yeah… But inside more,” she added.

“So that is you: Behind your eyes and between your ears. Is that so?” The old man bore a sly smile and a twinkle in his elderly eye.

“I guess so, Papa. It feels like that is where I think, so I must be there. That is an odd question, Papa. Aren't you there in your head too?”

“It's hard to say, dear one. Sometimes it seems like I am here,” the aged man replied, pointing to his abdomen, “And sometimes, I'm not inside my body at all. The more I think about it, the less sure I am as to who I am and where I'm at,” he added after a pause.

“Hum… You may be right, Papa. Maybe I'm not sure who I am either.”

“And that is because you are a very wise little girl,” Grandfather remarked, hugging her gently. “The more you try to find yourself, the less sure of who it is that is looking. Something to think about.”

"I will. Thank you. I love you, Papa.

“Whoever I am loves you too, Little Flower.”

From inside the house, a voice called across the beautifully landscaped yard. It was Mother calling the family for dinner.

“I know who you are, Papa,” Mei Linn stated slyly, helping the old man up.

“Oh?” grandfather responded. “Who am I?”

Mei Linn hugged his leg. “You're my Papa!” she said, giggling, and they walked together into the house for the evening meal.

When teaching creative writing in High School, I always taught a unit on creating and motivating characters. I often was asked what was melodrama? The basic answer is characters performing actions based on unrealistic motivations. So what does motivates people? There are two things: 1) We are motivated by what we want/desire, for example, I want to live in a nice house so I will go to work each day to earn the money to pay for it; and 2) We are motivated by what we fear or really don't want to happen. For example, we may decide to obey the traffic speed law because we DON'T want to get a penalty (i.e. a traffic citation). When writing characters, either motivation is “realistic”, so it is important to decide what each character truly wants and really fears.

When looking at the three big Western God-Believing religions, it is clear that “believing” in concepts presented by the various churches is critical to being a successful member of a congregation. I'm really only familiar with Christianity, so I will explore the fundamental ideas presented by the Christian church here as an example of a “belief-oriented” religion. It is interesting that there are so many denomination of the Christian church because it seems the participants can't agree on various lesser details. For example, which day of the week is the sabbath (i.e. holy day?) or how to perform a baptism. Apparently, these details are enough to divide the church into many splinter groups.

The primary basis of Christianity (a split-off from Judaism), is that one must accept (i.e. believe) that Jesus, an unknown person who was deemed the “Son of God”, was brutally killed by being nailed to a cross and hung upright until his lungs filled with fluid and the drowned. If a person believes that Jesus, the Christ, died for their personal sins, then that person's soul, upon death, would end up for “eternity” in the place where God resides. If not, their soul would land in “Hell”, spending eternity with the enemy of God, the “Devil” where they suffer unnamable tortures, pains, and punishments. Apparently, the church makes a convincing enough argument for believing in Jesus because millions of people have adopted Christianity as their “faith”. If something as important as eternity in either heaven or hell is in question, I think one should explore this concept and test his or her beliefs. After all, from this point of view, life is a one-time event, and then boom: eternity. Does “heaven” sound like some place you want to spend forever and forever in?

I started this entry talking about motivation of characters (as well as people). No one I've discussed Christianity with has had any personal experience with any of the concepts described above other than vague feelings. In fact, I'm not sure the human mind an actually fathom “eternity” -- the state of no time. Literally EVERYTHING we have experienced or are experiencing has a time element to it. One minute follows the next. An experience is a series of events which occur IN TIME. So, what is eternity? Is it a kind of limbo where nothing changes? Honestly, I'm not sure any of us can wrap our heads around the concept of eternity. So why do so many people accept this idea? Maybe it's the second kind of motivation: the desire or fear of Hell that is the true factor. We all suffer and experience pain here in life, and it's usually not desired or pleasant. Regardless, I think something as important as what happens to your immortal soul deserves an understanding of eternity, because nothing we have experienced in life can really prepare us for eternity.

Another concept is the belief that Jesus died for your sins. This implies that one believes in “sin”. So what is sin? The church has lists of actions and even “thoughts” it has determined are sinful. Is a sin and act against God? It seems clear to me that sin is not so much about right and wrong as it is about violating certain laws set down in the bible. I hope all Christians have at least pondered the concept of sin, especially those they feel (or are made to feel) guilty about committing. I think this is a personal issue; that everyone should decide for themselves about what is sin and if they indeed do commit acts which should dam them to hell for eternity.

What about the linchpin: believing Christ died for your sins and will “save you” from hell. Hum. I've never been able to comprehend this concept. So really, all I have to do is truly believe in my heart that Jesus is my savior, and I'm saved? Nothing I've experienced in life works like this. I've have experienced working hard for something I really wanted, then obtaining it made it even more worthwhile because I earned it. I guess each person has to make sense of this for themselves. 

So, when I'm asked about my Spiritual Practice, I have a different set of answers. First of all, belief (or any other dogma), is not required for it to work. We are taught about our energy centers (termed “chakras”), but these are actually experienced during meditation and I don't have to believe in something I can't “touch” or experience. Every part of my practice is experienced. I experience the flow of spiritual energy through my body (called “Shakti”). I experience my mind becoming clear of baggage I've carried all my life by seeing these memories dissolve and no longer residing within me. I've experienced myself becoming happy/content, no longer suffering from bouts of depression or melancholy blues. I have experienced the power of my mind and how I can actually change my life.

It is not my place to criticize another's religious beliefs or promote my own. Each person owes it to themself to explore their beliefs to see if they serve him or her in some meaningful way. I invite my brother and sister human beings to actually explore the “beliefs” they so desperately clutch on to. Do these beliefs improve your life? Make you a happy or better person? Help you overcome “sins”? If not, maybe you should look at alternatives. If you truly believe your immortal soul will go to heaven or hell when you die, you should be screaming in the streets! There is nothing more important than saving your soul. I think, however, if people are willing to be honest with themself, they may discover that they don't exactly believe as much as feel they “ought” to believe because that is what they were taught as children. When beliefs do't have a counterpoint in one's experience, they create an inner conflict that can lead to serious consequences. Don't follow everyone blindly jumping off a cliff. Think for yourself. Start weeding out ideas and beliefs that no longer serve you. You are powerful and can be in control of yourself. You are smart and can think for yourself. Spend some time in solitude and quiet each day and reflect on what really matters to you. What do you really believe vs. what you think you ought to believe? Most importantly, learn to open your heart. Love is the power of God. Find it in yourself.

Change the world…