Lessons from Turtle - Spirit Animal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Turtle has been a “Keeper of the Earth” for many millions of years.  She has evolved and adapted to change as required.  She made the transition from water to land, and now, most of her kind are able to move between the two worlds of water and earth – something that humans cannot do without an adequate air supply.

Many of our human sayings are from the life that turtle leads.  Some are:

• Don’t stick your neck out unless you know what is going on.
• Travel lightly for your home is always with you.
• Slow but sure wins the day.
• Behold the turtle. He makes progress only when he sticks his neck out.
• Sleepy turtles never catch up with the sunrise.
• Try to be like the turtle – at ease in your own shell.
• Trusting in wealth is like looking for feathers on turtles.

What we humans see when we look at a turtle is a being that is so wise, completely comfortable with its life, and a being that is a survivor.  We would all like to be as resilient as a Turtle. 

Blessings,

Judy

The Voice Inside You

We often think that only other people carry wisdom around with them, and that wisdom in ourselves is non-existent.  Many people actually ignore the little voice inside themselves.

So what is that quiet voice?  There are many ideas about what it is.  Some say it is your soul talking.  Others say it is your angels giving you telepathic thoughts.  Still others say that it is your connection to the Universe that is letting you know that YOU should do something.  Others have said that it is your Ancestors talking to you at a cellular level.  Another view is that it is your heart talking to you.

Regardless of the what, the wisdom from that small, quiet voice is very valuable and generally a hundred percent right for the situation at that moment. We don’t listen because our ego over rules the common sense that says that you should listen.  We therefore make choices that lead us into all sorts of trouble.

The next time you hear that inner voice, welcome it and have a conversation with it before you make a choice.

Blessings,

Judy
 

Buddha’s Advice on “Who Do You Believe?”

Last week, I had a question from a reader who wanted to know about information in a book they were reading.  The question was to ask me to confirm if the book was correct or not in what it was saying.  

This is a tough question because depending on the book, and when the book was written, the information may have been true at the time, and now in the 21st century, it may be proven false. 

When I wonder about information because something about it doesn’t ring true, I go back to the words of Buddha.  In his teaching that has become known as the “Kalama Sutta”.  The word “Kalama” refers to the people in the village in a township in India that had the question around “what is the correct teaching?”.  The word “sutta” has a complex meaning.  However, for simplicity’s sake, let’s agree that it means “rules”.  The teaching then, is “Rules for the Kalama”.  The principles are sound.  Buddha says not to take anything on face value.

Well, I won’t say anymore.  Read this and you will see how sound this advice is.  But, don’t take my word for it!  (Smile.)

Judy

  

Kalama Sutta

The people of Kalama asked the Buddha who to believe out of all the ascetics, sages, venerables, and holy ones who, like himself, passed through their town. They complained that they were confused by the many contradictions they discovered in what they heard. The Kalama Sutta is the Buddha's reply. 

• Do not believe anything on mere hearsay. 
• Do not believe in traditions merely because they are old and have been handed down for many generations and in many places. 
• Do not believe anything on account of rumors or because people talk a a great deal about it. 
• Do not believe anything because you are shown the written testimony of some ancient sage. 
• Do not believe in what you have fancied, thinking that, because it is extraordinary, it must have been inspired by a god or other wonderful being. 
• Do not believe anything merely because presumption is in its favor, or because the custom of many years inclines you to take it as true. 
• Do not believe anything merely on the authority of your teachers and priests. 
• But, whatever, after thorough investigation and reflection, you find to agree with reason and experience, as conducive to the good and benefit of one and all and of the world at large, accept only that as true, and shape your life in accordance with it. 
• The same text, said the Buddha, must be applied to his own teachings. 
• Do not accept any doctrine from reverence, but first try it as gold is tried by fire. 

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Many blessings,

Judy