Dr. Wayne W. Dyer - My 12-Step Program for Simplifying Your Life

Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

    My 12-Step Program for Simplifying Your Life

    Here are 12 very specific tools for simplifying your life. Begin using them today if you’re serious about hearing that ultimate call to inspiration.

    1. Unclutter Your Life. You’ll feel a real rush of inspiration when you clear out stuff that’s no longer useful in your life:

    If you haven’t worn it in the past year or two, recycle it for others to use. Get rid of old files that take up space and are seldom, if ever, needed. Donate unused toys, tools, books, bicycles, and dishes to a charitable organization.

    2 Get rid of anything that keeps you mired in acquisitions that contribute to a cluttered life. In the words of Socrates, “He is nearest to God who needs the fewest things.” So the less you need to insure, protect, dust, reorganize, and move, the closer you’ll be to hearing inspiration’s call.

    3. Clear your Calendar of Unwanted and Unnecessary Activities and Obligations. If you’re unavailable for Spirit, you’re unlikely to know the glow of inspiration. God will indeed work with you and send you the guidance—and the people—you need, but if you’re grossly overscheduled, you’re going to miss these life-altering gifts. So practice saying no to excessive demands and don’t feel guilty about injecting a dose of leisure time into your daily routine.

    4 Be Sure to Keep Your Free Time Free. Be on the lookout for invitations to functions that may keep you on top of society’s pyramid, but which inhibit your access to joyful inspiration. If cocktail parties, social get-togethers, fund-raising events, or even drinking-and-gossiping gatherings with friends aren’t really how you want to spend your free time, then don’t. Begin declining invitations that don’t activate feelings of inspiration. I find that an evening spent reading or writing letters, watching a movie with a loved one, having dinner with my children, or even exercising alone is far more inspiring than getting dressed to attend a function often filled with small talk. I’ve learned to be unavailable for such events without apologizing, and consequently have more inspired moments freed up.

    5Take Time for Meditation and Yoga. Give yourself at least 20 minutes a day to sit quietly and make conscious contact with God. I’ve written an entire book on this subject called Getting in the Gap, so I won’t belabor it here. I will say that I’ve received thousands of messages from people all over the world, who have expressed their appreciation for learning how to simplify their life by taking the time to meditate. I also encourage you to find a yoga center near you and begin a regular practice. The rewards are so powerful: You’ll feel healthier, less stressed, and inspired by what you’ll be able to do with and for your body in a very short time.

    6 Return to the Simplicity of Nature. There’s nothing more awe-inspiring than nature itself. The fantasy to return to a less tumultuous life almost always involves living in the splendor of the mountains, the forests, or the tundra; on an island; near the ocean; or beside a lake. These are universal urges, since nature is created by the same Source as we are, and we’re made up of the same chemicals as all of nature (we’re stardust, remember?).

    7 Your urge to simplify and feel inspired is fueled by the desire to be your natural self—that is, your nature self. So give yourself permission to get away to trek or camp in the woods; swim in a river, lake, or ocean; sit by an open fire; ride horseback through trails; or ski down a mountain slope. This doesn’t have to mean long, planned vacations that are months away—no matter where you live, you’re only a few hours or even moments away from a park, campground, or trail that will allow you to enjoy a feeling of being connected to the entire Universe.

    8 Put Distance between You and Your Critics. Choose to align yourself with people who are like-minded in their search for simplified inspiration. Give those who find fault or who are confrontational a silent blessing and remove yourself from their energy as quickly as possible. Your life is simplified enormously when you don’t have to defend yourself to anyone, and when you receive support rather than criticism. You don’t have to endure the criticism with anything other than a polite thank-you and a promise to consider what’s been said—anything else is a state of conflict that erases the possibility of your feeling inspired. You never need to defend yourself or your desires to anyone, as those inner feelings are Spirit speaking to you. Those thoughts are sacred, so don’t ever let anyone trample on them.

    9 Take Some Time for Your Health. Consider that the number one health problem in America seems to be obesity. How can you feel inspired and live in simplicity if you’re gorging on excessive amounts of food and eliminating the exercise that the body craves? Recall that your body is a sacred temple where you reside for this lifetime, so make some time every single day for exercising it. Even if you can only manage a walk around the block, just do it. Similarly, keep the words portion control uppermost in your consciousness—your stomach is the size of your fist, not a wheelbarrow! Respect your sacred temple and simplify your life by being an exerciser and a sensible eater. I promise that you’ll feel inspired if you act on this today!

    10 Play, Play, Play! You’ll simplify your life and feel inspired if you learn to play rather than work your way through life. I love to be around kids because they inspire me with their laughter and frivolity. In fact, if I’ve heard it once, I’ve heard it a thousand times: “Wayne, you’ve never grown up—you’re always playing.” I take great pride in this! I play onstage when I speak, and I’m playing now as I write.

    Many years ago I was given a tremendous opportunity to appear on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. The man who took a chance on me, booking me even though I was an unknown at the time, was a talent coordinator named Howard Papush. It was my first big break, and I went on to appear on The Tonight Show 36 additional times. Now it’s my turn to say thank you to Howard. He’s written a wonderful book titled When’s Recess? Playing Your Way Through the Stresses of Life, which I encourage you to read. (Howard also conducts workshops that teach people how to play and have fun in life.) In the book, Howard shares this great quote from Richard Bach: “You are led through your lifetime by the inner learning creature, the playful spiritual being that is your real self.” I couldn’t agree more—by all means, get back in touch with your real, playful self, and take every opportunity to play! Notice how it makes everything so sweet, and so simple.

    11 Slow Down. One of Gandhi’s most illuminating observations reminds us that “there is more to life than increasing its speed.” This is great advice for simplifying your life—in fact, slow everything way down for a few moments right here and now. Slowly read these words. Slow your breathing down so that you’re aware of each inhalation and exhalation...

    When you’re in your car, downshift and relax. Slow down your speech, your inner thoughts, and the frantic pace of everything you do. Take more time to hear others. Notice your inclination to interrupt and get the conversation over with, and then choose to listen instead. Stop to enjoy the stars on a clear night and the cloud formations on a crisp day. Sit down in a mall and just observe how everyone seems in a hurry to get nowhere.

    By slowing down, you’ll simplify and rejoin the perfect pace at which creation works. Imagine trying to hurry nature up by tugging at an emerging tomato plant—you’re as natural as that plant, so let yourself be at peace with the perfection of nature’s plan.

    12 Do Everything You Can to Eschew Debt. Remember that you’re attempting to simplify your life here, so you don’t need to purchase more of what will complicate and clutter your life. If you can’t afford it, let it go until you can. By going into debt, you’ll just add layers of anxiety onto your life. That anxiety will then take you away from your peace, which is where you are when you’re in-Spirit. When you have to work extra hard to pay off debts, the present moments of your life are less enjoyable; consequently, you’re further away from the joy and peace that are the trademarks of inspiration. You’re far better off to have less and enjoy the days of your life than to take on debt and invite stress and anxiety where peace and tranquility could have reigned. And remember that the money you have in your possession is nothing but energy—so refuse to plug in to an energy system that’s not even there.

Quotes from Reviving the Islamic Spirit ( #RIS2013) - Toronto

"Peace, justice and dignity are essential notions that need to be lived and celebrated"...Dr Tariq Ramadan

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"This whole world is one big womb and eventually we will exit it and be birthed into the hereafter."..Shaykh Hamza Yusuf

"Depression is a spiritual disease & there are many prayers that can cure it ".....Shaykh Hamza Yusuf

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"Intelligent people surround themselves with people who challenge them, not yes people" -Shaykh Hamza Yusuf

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"Don't share sinful, indecent, or scandalous matters through social media. Spread good, virtue, and benefit".. Habib Ali al-Jifri

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"Jellyfish are mindless, spineless and; all they do is consume. This is the manifestation of our state"..Shaykh Hamza Yusuf

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"We don't need national unity, we need tolerance for pluralism where people can disagree safely"...Sr. Dalia Mogahed

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""In the face of injustice, silence is a political statement."...Dr Tariq Ramadan

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"The South Africans will never be free until the Palestinians are free. - Nelson Mandela"..Imam Zaid Shakir

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"Thomas Jefferson "Muslims are not enemies as they are creatures of God" - Denise Spellberg

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"Everything physical in this world will perish, but the spiritual endures." - Imam Zaid Shakir at #RIS2013 Knowledge Retreat

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"Only the Lord can judge the intentions of people, to do so is trespassing against Allah's (swt) territory." Habib Ali al-Jifri

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"We remember Allah swt at our level, but He remembers us at a level of His magnificence that our minds can't encompass." Habib Ali al-Jifri

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"Nothing you seek through your Lord will be difficult and nothing you seek through yourself will be easy." Imam Zaid Shakir

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"Prophet's (saw) last words to his ummah were about upholding Salah. Salah purifies the inner eye" Shaykh Mokhtar Maghraoui

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"I used to think that the Muslim world had a spiritual problem. The crisis of the Muslim world is a crisis of knowledge, a crisis of the intellect."- Shaykh Hamza Yusuf #RIS2013 Knowledge Retreat

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"A sinner in repentance to Allah (swt) is one of the nearest servants to Allah (swt)."- Shaykh Mokhtar Maghraoui #RIS2013

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Don't be disappointed by this world (dunya). Its not suppose to be easy. Allah (swt) said "We will test you" Imam Zaid Shakir at #RIS2013 Knowledge Retreat

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"A sinner in repentance to Allah (swt) is one of the nearest servants to Allah (swt)."- Shaykh Mokhtar Maghraoui #RIS2013

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"Greatest pleasure for one is from the eyes and the ultimate pleasure is upon seeing the Divine."Shaykh Hamza Yusuf at #RIS2013 Knowledge Retreat

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"Patience is emotional, not intellectual. It is to withstand the bitterness & pain of adversity." Shaykh Mokhtar Maghraoui at #RIS2013 Convention

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"Having a proper response to hardship is dependent on having a positive opinion of Allah (swt)".Yasmin Mogahed at #RIS2013

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"Islam's genius is to prevent extremism in activism and spirituality" Dr Seyyed Hossein Nasr at #RIS2013

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"Love your enemies, bless those who curse you and be good to those who mistreat you." Habib Ali al-Jifri

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"Have refuge with Allah (swt), paradise in your heart and the winds of adversity will not effect you." Yasmin Mogahed at #RIS2013

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"Obstacles strengthen your faith and help you to obtain wisdom and skills." Professor Tariq Ramadan at #RIS2013 Convention.

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"There is no sacred text that speaks about nature as much as the Quran." Dr. Seyyed Hossein Nasr at #RIS2013 Convention

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"Muslims are a vital organ in the body of society and not a benign cancer." Dalia Mogahed #RIS2013

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"If we are distanced from the source, then we cannot drink from it. To get out of darkness, Allah says Help yourselves with patience." Shaykh Mokhtar Maghraoui at #RIS2013

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"When we don't forgive negative emotions, we experience darkness & constriction in our hearts." Shaykh Mokhtar Maghraoui #RIS2013

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"Pain & concern you feel for others like seeing a child freezing in the snow is an act of worship" Habib Ali al-Jifri "In Islam our definition of brother should never mean other." Ambassador Shabazz at #RIS2013 Convention

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"Don't victimize yourself & tell people they should know about Islam. Muslims need to know the people." Professor Tariq Ramadan at #RIS2013

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"Ethical role of North American people is to say we stand for justice, we stand for dignity" Professor Tariq Ramadan (official) #RIS2013

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"If anyone who says there's no environmental crisis in order to get elected is committing a sin." Dr. Seyyed Hossein Nasr"

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"Humanity that tried to live in the idea of an absent existence of God is now facing the consequences." ~ Dr. Seyyed Hossein Nasr

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Our heart is the same as our center. Once we lose our own center it is impossible to avoid extremism. ~ Dr. Seyyed Hossein Nasr

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Happiness does not exist by excess but by harmony and balance. ― Dr. Seyyed Hossein Nasr #RIS2013

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"Islam's genius is to prevent extremism in activism and spirituality" Seyyed Hossein Nasr at #RIS2013 Convention

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Only way to overcome environmental crisis is the revival of the sacred sciences - Dr. Syed Hossein Nasr #RIS2013

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PHP Source

Larry Ullman

Muslim restaurant workers forced to eat pork, awarded $100,000 in discrimination case

http://metronews.ca/news/toronto/887812/muslim-restaurant-workers-awarded-100000-in-discrimination-case/

Nelson Mandela's quotes not in the media

We wanted to share some Nelson Mandela quotes which we don't expect to read in the corporate media's obituaries: . Source : http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2013/12/06-0

1. "A critical, independent and investigative press is the lifeblood of any democracy. The press must be free from state interference. It must have the economic strength to stand up to the blandishments of government officials. It must have sufficient independence from vested interests to be bold and inquiring without fear or favor. It must enjoy the protection of the constitution, so that it can protect our rights as citizens."
    
2. "If there is a country that has committed unspeakable atrocities in the world, it is the United States of America. They don't care for human beings."
    
3. "The current world financial crisis also starkly reminds us that many of the concepts that guided our sense of how the world and its affairs are best ordered, have suddenly been shown to be wanting.”
    
4. "Gandhi rejects the Adam Smith notion of human nature as motivated by self-interest and brute needs and returns us to our spiritual dimension with its impulses for nonviolence, justice and equality. He exposes the fallacy of the claim that everyone can be rich and successful provided they work hard. He points to the millions who work themselves to the bone and still remain hungry."
    
5. "There is no doubt that the United States now feels that they are the only superpower in the world and they can do what they like."
    
6. “It is said that no one truly knows a nation until one has been inside its jails. A nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but its lowest ones.”
    
7. “Overcoming poverty is not a task of charity, it is an act of justice. Like Slavery and Apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made and it can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings. Sometimes it falls on a generation to be great. YOU can be that great generation. Let your greatness blossom.”
    
8. “We know too well that our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians.”
    
9. “No single person can liberate a country. You can only liberate a country if you act as a collective.”
    
10. "If the United States of America or Britain is having elections, they don't ask for observers from Africa or from Asia. But when we have elections, they want observers."
     
11. “When a man is denied the right to live the life he believes in, he has no choice but to become an outlaw.”
     
12. On Gandhi: "From his understanding of wealth and poverty came his understanding of labor and capital, which led him to the solution of trusteeship based on the belief that there is no private ownership of capital; it is given in trust for redistribution and equalization. Similarly, while recognizing differential aptitudes and talents, he holds that these are gifts from God to be used for the collective good."

Isaal e Sawab

http://brailwi.blogspot.ca/2012/05/fatiha-3-days-10-days-and-40-days.html

http://haq2012.wordpress.com/2012/10/06/the-permissability-of-reading-quran-on-behalf-of-the-deceased/

Modest Muslim Wedding

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/altmuslim/2013/11/the-case-for-a-modest-wedding-in-islam/

Based on the hadith narrated by Anas about the Prophet’s marriage to Safiya:

“Then, when we were on the road, Umm Sulaim prepared her (Safiya) for him (the Prophet) and brought her to him at night, and so the Prophet awoke the next morning a new bridegroom. Then he said: “Whoever has something, let him bring it.” (In another version, he said “Whoever has an excess of provisions, let him bring it.”) Anas continues: “And so the leather eating mats were spread out and one man would bring dried milk, another dates and another clarified butter and so they made Hais (hais is a mixture of the above three things). The people then ate of this hais and drank from pools of rainwater which were nearby, and that was the wedding feast of the Prophet.” [Bukhāri, Muslim and others].”

No extensive planning, no frills, no fuss. For after all:

“The marriage, which produces the most blessings, is that which involves least burden.” (Tirmidhi)”

Let the rich man spend according to his means, and the man whose resources are restricted, let him spend according to what Allāh has given him. Allāh puts no burden on any person beyond what He has given him” [Al-Ṭalāq 65:7].