Are You On A Journey?

I've had this picture in my office for a few months now, and the reason I chose it was because it reminds me that we are all on a journey. Whether we realize it or not :)

The difference between all of us is in how we see this journey.

Let me explain.

I was very excited to put this up in my new office, as it was one of the first things I had up for decorations. I knew it was going to be an attention getter, and it was. Everyone who generally just walks by in the hallway put on the brakes as they were passing the first time and came back to have a second look. What did surprise me were some of the comments...

"Wow, that is so cool!"
"Hey man, I really like that. Awesome pic."
"Man, I'd love to just run out on that bridge!"
"It looks like you're actually on the bridge when you're sitting there!"
"Very peaceful. That's so you."
"That's so creepy."
"Walking a tight line, are you?"

What? Those last two comments surprised me. I had never had those thoughts as I looked at the picture...why did they?

That's when I realized, duh! People see in that image not what is actually there really, but only what they perceived through their own filter of "reality". If they thought life was great right now, and they had on 'life is great' coloured glasses, that's what came out. If they were going through more difficult times, or had had strange experiences in relation to certain things, then that was the colour of the reality their eyes saw through. Or maybe they just didn't like jungles or rope bridges.

Anyway, if anyone made a comment about the image on my wall, it gave me another little glimpse of how they were experiencing the world.

So I have to ask.

Since we are all on this journey called 'Life', and we all experience things from a slightly different perspective...how are you perceiving your journey right now?

And where is it leading you?

Wherever the path is leading right now, is it where you want to go?
Whether it is, or it isn't, do you have the COURAGE to face your fears along the way?
Do you have the COURAGE to listen to your Heart...and the WILLINGNESS to do what's required, for the greatest good of all?

Just something to think about.

Enjoy the day.

CHB

Copyright 2012 © Charles Bégin

If you would like to reprint these articles or pictures in part or in whole, please include my site (www.CharlesBegin.com) so that others know where they came from and the copyright is respected. Other than that, feel free to share... and thank you for reading!

Questions, Questions...Where Are The Answers?

How do we navigate the waters of life effectively?

Have you ever thought of that? I mean, we all exist for a certain time in this physical form, on this planet...but do we just drift along, seeing where we end up? Or can we navigate these seas?

Many changes in my life recently have made me ponder these questions, and many others.

Who or what am I? What is this place? Is there a point to it all, or is this just an experience? A game? Does anyone ever win? Is there such a thing as winning or losing? If everything truly is already perfect just as it is, what are we here to do?

I know these can be very heavy, or deep, questions to ask...and to find the answers we must be willing to also go deep inside of ourselves.

Then again, when you do get an answer, how do you know if it is the truth?

How can you guide yourself to better relationships, better health, wealth, happiness?

Well, recently I had the pleasure of reading "Living In The Light" by Shakti Gawain, the updated edition. I had never read any of her books before, but felt called to pick this one up. It was exactly what I needed at that time.

Essentially, Living In The Light is all about learning to listen to our true inner voice, our intuition...our gut. It's about learning to truly trust our Selves to guide us to true happiness and freedom, if we listen, and act on it...no matter how strange or scary it might seem.

Being a very intellectual person for many years, I have resisted this idea for a long time, preferring to use my mind to try to figure out the best solutions. Using our minds is definitely not a bad thing, especially compare to not using it. The problem becomes when we have to make a decision where not all the facts are availlable, or unknowable...which is most decisions in life.

Have you realized that even very simple decisions can have factors that we have no idea about? Like the decision to listen to that inner voice that says "go ahead, meet them for coffee" about a stranger you just talked to on the phone or via email...who might end up impacting the rest of your life in amazing ways?

I've been having a few of these lately...

Here's the thing: there is always WAY more going on than our limited mind, with it's limited perspective, can see or understand. The fact that our gut/intuition can give us a much better answer than our minds could ever come up with if we let it, is EXTRAORDINARY.

The lesson that is SOOOO hard for many of us to get is that in truth, our minds are just tools, just servants. The true master of our lives is our HEART.

To live an enchanted life, let the Heart lead, and the mind serve it on it's path.

We also have tools like applied kinesiology which, when applied correctly by the right people, can allow us to have instant confirmation as to the truth or falsehood of anything in the past or present we can imagine. ANYTHING.

How's that for mind-blowing!

So here's what I am now experimenting with: I intuit the answer to anything I am wondering about or have challenges with (taking a guess based on a heart/gut feeling). Then, I research it as best as I can and/or test it kinesiologically to confirm the intuition.

Again, I highly recommend "Living in the Light" by Shakti Gawain to learn how to listen to and trust your inner wisdom. Also, check out "Power Vs Force" by Dr. David R. Hawkins, or "Your Body Doesn't Lie" by Dr. John Diamond to learn more about applied kinesiology.

Once I started listening, trusting, and acting from my intuitive inspiration, miracles became more and more common in my life. Miracles of meeting exactly the right people at the right time, of getting money in the perfect amounts, exactly when needed, of finding solutions to long-standing health challenges and personal fulfillment questions.

It's amazing.

Eventually, my goal is to learn to completely surrender myself to be guided by the Universe...to be the greatest I can be, and do the greatest good during my time here.

Because, as I have noticed on many occasions, of my own little self and little mind, I can only see and know a very small fraction of everything that goes on behind the scenes...and how everything ultimately comes together in this grand symphony called Life.

So where does it all connect to the great questions of who and what we all are?

Only by connecting to your deepest Self will you be able to find the answers...to these, and to all the others you ask yourself on a day to day basis.

Do not be afraid of the darkness inside...go deep...dive for the treasures within.

Go ahead, ask yourself these questions, and dive deep in the eternal stillness for the answers:
What am I?
What is this place?...

What comes up might surprise you.
Trust it.
And open your heart.

That's how you effectively navigate the waters of life.

CHB

Copyright 2011 © Charles Begin

If you would like to reprint these articles or pictures in part or in whole, please include my site (www.CharlesBegin.com) so that others know where they came from and the copyright is respected. Other than that, feel free to share... and thank you for reading!

What I Think Of Rich People

Have you ever thought someone was a certain way and all of a sudden, after getting to know them a little more, realized that they are completely different?

I actually had a few of thoses experiences lately, and was pleasantly surprised.

And both had to do with my perceptions about "rich people".

Let me explain.
Growing up, I would say that I never really knew anyone who was what I would call "rich". I grew up on an isolated farm 20 minutes away from the nearest town, which had a population of 300 people. Everyone pretty much knew each other, and people were either doing "ok" in a middle to upper middle class way, or they were struggling financially. People went to church, heard all about how blessed were the poor, and how a rich man couldn't get into heaven (I was raised Catholic). Stories about very wealthy people made many grumble about how "they don't need that much! They should give it to those who need it, instead of spending it on themselves!" and about how "if a few get all the money, there won't be any left for the rest of us!"...

Needless to say, it wasn't very positive.

Most ideas I seemed to remember from childhood revolved around the concept that money was somehow a bad thing to have, and if you could manage to live with less, and help people by doing more for them (even to the point of being poor yourself) that made you a good person and you would go to Heaven.

AND, at the same time, movies, the news, and the "media" in general seemed to promote this idea that rich people are bad people, or that those who are really wealthy have done and are doing bad things with it, and that they all conspire to keep most of the world poor so they can keep getting richer...

Does any of this sound familiar?
Can anyone relate to this?

Do any of you see how potentially dangerous these ideas could be?

So lets be logical here. As a boy I hear that money is bad. I don't want to be a bad person. So, I don't want money. But, I need money to live in society...Oh, the messes we put ourselves into by misinterpreting the words of others!

Anyway, to make a long story short, over the last few years I have been healing my beliefs about money, and helping others with that as well. It has been refreshing to understand the truth about how money is neutral and can be used for good as well as bad, depending on who is using it and why. I've since seen "bad" people become rich and continue to be "bad". I've also seen "good" people become rich and do extraordinary things for the world.

Wealth is like Health, there is an unlimited amount for everyone. We just have to cultivate it.

More to come...

CHB

Copyright © Charles Begin

If you would like to reprint these articles or pictures in part or in whole, please include my site (www.CharlesBegin.com) so that others know where they came from and the copyright is respected. Other than that, feel free to share... and thank you for reading!

Is Success Really Within Your Control?

"Let him that would move the world, first move himself." - Socrates

There have been times when I have asked myself if success was really within my control.

I'm sure a few of you probably have as well. When you feel you have done everything possible and you still don't achieve the desired result (whether it be with money, health or relationships...) it might make you wonder if there is some force out in the universe that is out to thwart your efforts... or that has some other plan for you that you cannot quite see yet.

Is it about luck? Is it about destiny? Is our fate already written and so there's no point even trying?

Well, I would say "yes" and "no".

Sometimes that's just the way it is. We all make mistakes, it's part of being human (along with desires, fears and insecurities), and life can definitely take you in directions you have never imagined. Often, if not always however, the surprises turn out to be blessings in disguise... as long as we can allow ourselves to embrace the change instead of resisting it.

It can also be necessary to live through certain experiences in order to prepare us for those to come... but we often only see the wisdom of it much later, looking back.

Anyway, is there ANYTHING that is in our control then?

Two things actually:
A) Attitude - How you think, or don't think, about something.
B) Activity - What you do, or don't do, about something.

You can think about what you want or what happens in many different ways, all of which are essentially up to you. You can also do many different things, or not, in response (or reaction) to the way things go.

It's been said that the harder you work, the luckier you tend to get. After all, "genius" is only a matter of having your attention, your focus, on something and working so much on it that you get "lucky" and find the answer. Or, more accurately, the answer finds you when you have done the work to prepare yourself, and become ready to finally accept it.

The more you "work" on it, the more "ready" you become.

Now, depending on the way your life has been successful, or not, in your mind, there is also a third point to add that applies to the others. Here it is:

To learn and to grow in order to improve both the way you think about things (expanding your knowledge or consciousness), and the way you do them (skills, competence, mastery) ... or, to NOT learn and grow.

Either way, it's up to you.

That's where your choices are... to be or not to be (a certain way)... to grow or not to grow...

Outside of that, the world has a flow that you can't really control. Just like the weather, you can't control what others will be or what others will do, you can't control where the financial markets will go, you can't control whole populations or corporations or nations to try to protect yourself or others... the world will be what it is, with or without your consent.

Forget about changing the world.

You can't do that anyway until you change YOUR world.

"Be the change you want to see in the world." - Gandhi

Focus on what you CAN control: your attitude, your activity, and whether you grow yourself or not. If you do, you will lead a truly successful life, even if it does not turn out exactly the way you planned it. Who knows, compared to what you wanted, it might just be better.

And always remember, the journey never ends.

CHB


Copyright © Charles Begin

If you would like to reprint these articles or pictures in part or in whole, please include my site (www.CharlesBegin.com) so that others know where they came from and the copyright is respected. Other than that, feel free to share... and thank you for reading!

The Meaning Of It All

What is the meaning of life? What is the meaning of love? What is the meaning of money?

Any ideas?

Some pretty heavy concepts to wrap your head around, eh?

Well I've been searching for answers for these for quite a while now...going deeper and deeper into the truth...and it seems that deeper travels are still in order.

The challenge is, and always will be, that you can read, study or debate the issues forever and you will never make any great leaps in insight until your consciousness shifts.

What do I mean by that?

I mean that you have to get your mind to shift or change it's perspective before any type of insight or revelation can become apparent. Usually by a personal experience in your mind, or in the world...which is the same anyway.

One way to look at it is to imagine the mind as a filter, and what the filter allows through depends on your level of consciousness.

As an example, If you were deep in depression, that emotional/psychological state would color/filter what makes it way through your eyes so that you perceive the world in a depressive way because the only things that get to you through your mind filter are those things which continue to make you depressed. Also, to get out of that state, you must shift your perspective on the world to raise your consciousness to a more hopeful place. A inspiring book, a movie, a stimulating activity, a funny joke, a word from a friend, a drug even (although only temporarily) and many other things could do it.

It's not that complicated really, although that doesn't mean it's always easy either.

Certain things, people, events, or activities, help us to change our perspective on a situation and bring us to a higher level where we feel more empowered than before.

In contrast, someone who has just received a wonderful surprise can see all the world around them as wonderful, no matter what comes up. Your state of mind colors the world you see.

Now, what does that have to do with the meaning of life?

Well, the answer you give to each of the questions depend on your perspective and understanding of the world, your level of consciousness essentially. Life could be a journey, a party, a game, a test, a school... a number of things depending on your level of consciousness. I always like to say that the meaning of life is to LIVE. Then again, your level of consciousness will have to define what it means for you "to live" or to "feel alive".

You raise your level of consciousness by focusing your mind on topics of higher and higher consciousness.

Like what?

Well, "higher consciousness" could be defined as being in "greater or broader perspective". So, when you look back to when you used to think only of your stomach and wether you were hot or cold (as a baby I hope) your perspective was only on you without really being that much aware of others. No more than the tip of your nose.

As you grow up, your view of the world widens. You see more. You understand more of how things fit together into the bigger picture of making your life work, caring for those you love, helping your community and the world... to infinity.

As your perspective widens, your consciousness expands.

A very interesting series of books is written by Dr. David R. Hawkins on the subject of consciousness, starting with "Power vs Force", if you want to deepen your understanding of it. Anyway, on to the questions.

For you to live fully, what would be necessary?

What makes you feel alive?
What gives you that sense of freedom?
What is freedom for you?

Do you realistically need money to be free today?
Could you live off the land and be self-sustained, you and your loved ones, and participate in society?

Perhaps...

Would you be restricted in what you can do?
Yes.

Is money evil? Is it "unspiritual"?
Has there been good done with money?
Yes.

Then it has nothing to do with the money itself... it has to do with the person.

As has been phrased in many ways before, if a jerk gets more money, you get a rich jerk, but if a saint gets more money, you get a saint with more money to ease the suffering of the world.

If you could have all the money you ever needed, exactly when you needed it, and never have to worry about it... and none would be harmed in providing you with that money, actually all involved would be incredibly empowered themselves...would that give you more options...and therefore more freedom?

All the money, none of the worries? I would say "yes".

Does your heart and soul yearn for TOTAL FREEDOM? No limits! No restrictions!
I know mine does.

Where does that come from?

...

What IS life?
Is it change? Growth and death?
Hmmm...

...

What is power?
Is it always evil or can there be good power?
Or is it all always neutral? Is it's use for "good" or "evil" purposes up to the user?

Can physical strenth be used for good or evil... yes.
Hmmm...

Is power, as defined by physics, then simply the capacity to do work? To accomplish something?
...

What is love?

That definitely depends on your level of consciousness.
What perspective do you hold? Is it sex? Is it dirty? Is it sacred? Is it friendship? Is it sacrifice? Commitment? Hugs & kisses? Is it a combination of all of these and more?

Or none, in some situations...

...

What is consciousness?

...

Does it matter?

Does any of this matter?

It does if you want to consciously direct your experience of living on this planet, instead of just being a leaf blown in the wind.

I don't really enjoy the feeling of being thrown around by powers I do not understand. I would rather be the captain of my own fate. That's what started this journey in the first place... a moment of inspiration that I could become something greater than I was. A notion that there was more to me than meets the eye. That deep inside, somewhere, was hidden a much greater capacity. A much greater power resided inside and wanted to be released, to be free.

Free to experience fully of the love, and beauty, and bliss hiding in this world...as much as possible.

It whispered in my mind when I allowed myself to be calm.

It nudged me to look here, search there, go in that direction, read this book, learn this skill, talk to that person...

It whispered that when the moment was right, I would see the world with new eyes... but I would need to learn much and grow much, to expand and crack the shell that kept the filter, the veil, in front of my vision.

It whispered that life's experiences would burn, and pound, and pierce me... to soften, shape and forge my soul in order for me to be ready for the greatness to come.

It whispered that my little human self would eventually make way for my True Infinite Self.

I learned that the infinity has always been there, and always will.
Although the layers and layers of filters we call the human self tend to hide it.
And it seems to take a LOT of focus, dedication, and time to break through.

But it IS possible.
And, from what I understand, WORTH IT.
More than you can imagine.

...

So what is the meaning of life, of love, of money, and all the rest?
What is the meaning of it all?

I hope to find out.

CHB

Copyright © Charles Begin

If you would like to reprint these articles or pictures in part or in whole, please include my site (www.CharlesBegin.com) so that others know where they came from and the copyright is respected. Other than that, feel free to share... and thank you for reading!

All Limits Are Illusions

As someone immersed in personal and professional development for many years, I've heard it said many times that we use only a fraction of the brain-power available, we have much more potential than we actually use and we are all being far less than we truly are.

I know that to be true, because every single person I have ever met, no matter what their level, has been able to continue to expand, learn and grow in any direction... if they chose to. Any "diminishing returns" or "genetic ceilings" or other limits have been self-imposed within the confines of social consensus. A consensual paradigm of reality anchored in mass perception and belief. In other words: ILLUSIONS.

I have never met, heard of, or read about, anyone ever reaching their absolute highest potential. EVER.

And you can argue that as much as you want, I don't believe we actually have ANY limits to what we can become and achieve.

Many fast cars have a device called a "governor" which sets an artificial speed limit that the vehicle can't exceed. From what I've been able to learn over the years, our predominant thoughts and beliefs act as the "governor" on our potential. They "set the bar" on what we can become and achieve. As soon as someone rises to a higher level of consciousness, a higher perception, and their belief in themselves rises...they can do greater things than what they could do before. No exceptions. Who we become is always limited by what we believe or allow ourselves to become.

So many times, "experts" have set the bar on the "limits" of human potential and were disproved by someone who either were certain it wasn't true and set out to proove them wrong, or simply did it because they didn't know it couldn't be done.

One of the most renowned examples in sports is the story of Roger Bannister and the 4 minute mile. In 1954 most experts said it was physiologically impossible, that the human body could never handle it and that a human heart would explode from the pressure. All the scientific information at the time "prooved" that humans could not and would never be physically able to run a mile in under 4 minutes. Roger broke that barrier by running a mile in 3 minutes and 59.4 seconds, and many other athletes have run sub-4 minute miles since.

It was the same with the belief that climbing Mount Everest without supplementary oxygen to breathe was impossible and to even try to was said to be absolute "lunacy". In 1978, Reinhold Messner and Peter Habeler did just that, and completely shocked the medical and mountain climbing community with their success. Since then, several others have succeeded in climbing the world's highest peaks without using supplementary oxygen.

In business, there's the well-known stories of Henry Ford, Walt Disney, A.L. Williams, Ray Kroc, Mary Kay Ash, Sam Walton, Bill Gates, Warren Buffett and many more. These people all broke records and did things that many experts would have considered absolutely impossible.

There are many more of these stories about overcoming odds and breaking records in sports, exploding into tremendous success in business, miraculous healings in medicine and every other subject out there. Just read the biographies of the greatest people and organizations in history and you will have all the evidence you need. The common thread seems to be around having a clear vision of what they wanted to be or accomplish, making a decision, and going for it until it was done. No matter what stood in the way or how long it took.

Oh, and they didn't listen to the people who told them it couldn't be done.

Since we're coming to Christmas and the end of the year, why not take some time this holiday season to look back over the past year, be genuinely grateful for all the experiences, and make some decisions about 2010? As Robin Sharma says it, what would make your 2010 the best year ever?

Have you ever put any serious thought into a question like that before? It could change your life forever. Or how about:

Do you know how far you can actually go here, in this lifetime? What your true potential is?

I say we don't really have any limits, so it all depends on what you feel is your destiny here on earth... and on how far you want to travel on your journey and what you truly desire to be and do.

No one can tell you what you can or cannot be or do. No matter how "expert" they are, or how "proven" something is. Hey, just because it's never been done before doesn't mean it never will. It just means no one has yet. Might be up to you. There is still much we do not fully understand.

As far as I can tell, if you truly desire something, there is always a way. All limits are illusions. You just have to get yourself to the consciousness you need to see it.

So here's an exercise you can use to help you along:

Take a deep breath... then another, ... and another. As many as needed.
Feel very, very calm and relaxed throughout your entire body.
Now, look deep inside yourself... go as deep as you can... to the place where there is no sound.
Just breathe...
Listen to the silence carefully... here you will find your answer.

Here you will know who you can truly become.
You will also know what you must do now to move forward.

...

What you do with it is up to you.

...

Good luck, and have a very merry Christmas.

CHB

Copyright © Charles Begin

If you would like to reprint these articles or pictures in part or in whole, please include my site (www.CharlesBegin.com) so that others know where they came from and the copyright is respected. Other than that, feel free to share... and thank you for reading!

What's Alignment?

Just doing a lot of reading and learning lately (even more than usual!) and I am having a few epiphanies.

You know how you sometimes have to read something or hear it more than once to actually "get" it?

Well that's what I've been experiencing quite a bit with some of the material I've been studying. One concept in particular, being in vibrational alignment with what you really want, has started to really sink in for me. It's funny because I've read about it quite a bit and taught it to others successfully. I've also been able to attract quite a few wonderful things in my life as a result. Things like friends, money, businesses, books, courses, health, trips, cars... but it always felt like I would focus and try and work hard on it and try again and nothing was happening... and then later, after having completely stopped thinking about it... it appears.

Ever happen to you before?

Well, being aligned is what's really going on. When you're 100% in alignment (vibrationally) with what you want, and that means no more doubts or resistance, or that you're 100% certain that it is yours... then it is. The trick is gettting yourself to be 100% in alignment.

And that's what I'll discuss next time.

CHB

Copyright © Charles Begin

If you would like to reprint these articles or pictures in part or in whole, please include my site (www.CharlesBegin.com) so that others know where they came from and the copyright is respected. Other than that, feel free to share... and thank you for reading!