by heathervescent
Dan Millman, the author of Way of the Peaceful Warrior, and other books, recently announced an e-version available online, so I decided to check it out. In addition to the text of the novel, there are audio and video clips where Millman gives personal anecdotes. It's as if you're hanging out with him in his backyard having a leisurely conversation.
Check it out for yourself. The first chapter is available for free, so you can give it a test conversation. Just of note, there is a pretty big sell at the end of the audio, but don't let that turn you off - we all have to pay our server bills.
by heathervescent
A while back I came across someone proclaiming to be Jesus Christ. It's not a new proclamation, but for some reason it caught my eye. Although the post was made back in May, I have still been getting comments both proclaiming said Jesus Christo a God and a Monster. The comments are full of juicy bits, so go see for yourself.
And then let's look at proclaimed Jesus Christo's site, where there is a link in the bottom right that takes me to a FAQ to prove whether he may be a false God. However the FAQ page is barely legible due to poor HTML skills. I would at least expect God to know how to code HTML or use a good editing tool.
But apparently all you need to do is buy a billboard and proclaim yourself. Echoes of Angelyne?
by heathervescent
Upset by the current planetary demotion?
One man took matters into his own hands and protested the decision to demote Pluto on Saturday. Read the details (and video included) here.
by heathervescent
Last week the LA Times had an interesting article on celebrity yoga teachers. Comparing them to the diva's they teach, they pondered, "Are they just like their rock-star clientele?"
Although [Shiva] Rea, 39, and other A-list yogis may begin their mornings with ancient Indian meditation and tongue-scraping rituals, their days are frequently filled with more contemporary marketing duties. Such is the odd, new balancing act of today's top yogis, many of whom have been teaching for 20-plus years and are now confronting international fame.
This seems like mostly a case of follow your bliss and the money will come. We're not talking about yoga teachers who have only been on the scene for two years. We're talking about people who have changed their lives with yoga and followed that path. It's perhaps the first crop of American yoga instructors.
Wong, 38, a former street tough who sports a nose ring and gangster tattoos alongside the Buddha eye on his arm, talks with the bravado of a rap star — all in the name of enlightenment. "I'm into name, game, claim and fame," said the Asia-based master of yoga-martial arts fusion. "I'm going for the world, no mistake about that, but not for oneself alone. It's for others. The key is service."
However, how will these yoga gurus handle stardom? Are those who seek the limelight just as enlightened? Or are they concerned with their bank accounts? Only time will tell, as to whether they practice their truth. However, if you're looking for fame and fortune you might want to think twice before knocking on yoga's door.
by WC
Last week, Venus--the planet of love and romance--changed signed, and moved into the passionate Fire sign of Leo, where it will remain until just after Labor Day. This could be a time when everyone's love life might be heating up a bit and maybe even becoming a little more dramatic. Good news for those of you who enjoy a little drama!
When Venus enters a particular sign, it usually tends to make natives of that sign a little more charming and magnetic. So our Leo friends might be even more charismatic than usual right now! The other Fire signs--Aries and Sagittarians--might be noticing their charisma level ramping up a bit at this time too.
So even if you're not a Fire sign, if you're looking to have a good time with someone who's likely to be a real party-starter right now, just find yourself a Fire sign and go out and paint the town red--just be careful where you wake up the next morning!
by Constantine
Ok, ok. I've got a good one for ya'...What do you get when you cross a Buddhist monk with a luxury car?
A lot of people judging you, that's what.
Seems that a monk brought controversy down on his head by accepting a luxury car as a gift for his work as a tour guide.
"I will try my best to promote martial arts to the world in an attempt to boost local tourism. I dream of getting a bigger prize next year," Shi said when he received the car a week ago, according to the Xinhua news agency.Tens of thousands of Internet users reacted variously to this gift and the abbot's remark, with anger and support.
Is this a sign of the times? Buddhism is moving towards materialism and all the corruption that it brings. Or is this a sign that an ancient religion is beginning to move fluidly towards integration with the rest of the modern world?
Ponder that riddle for a while, young grasshopper.
by Constantine
Oregon State Fair has stepped up to the plate this year as a pioneer in the state's eco-conscious movement.
"It's our responsibility to keep The Oregon State Fairgrounds clean as they represent our state," Dave Koellermeier, Oregon State Fair manager said. "That is why we felt it necessary to team up with West Coast Biodiesel Coop and Agri-Plas Inc."
West Coast Biodiesel Coop is providing at least eight pre-agreed locations on the fairgrounds for food concession vendors to dispose of used grease. At each location, signage will be posted that explains The Oregon's State Fair's project and direct the public to the Biodiesel processor demonstration area. The demonstration area will educate the public about the processing of grease into Biodiesel helping The Oregon State Fair keep its ground environment friendly.
Agri-Plas Inc. comes to The Oregon State Fair by helping assist them with the recycling of their plastic waste. Plastic from the food court after cleaned by volunteers from the Master Recyclers, FFA, 4-H and other groups will be placed in super sacks, picked up and recycled. Agri-Plas Inc. will also work at the Agriculture show area to offer material about how the public can recycle their plastic items.
The article also included this tidbit of information, strangely enough: During the 11-day run of the Oregon State Fair, patrons will consume 65,400 hamburgers, or the equivalent of 21,800 pounds of ground beef. Additionally, 27,500 potatoes will be made into 38,250 servings of curly fires and covered by 74,000 ounces of ketchup.
Which means that while Oregonians are progressing towards a greater responsibility to the environment, they will also be simultaneously boosting their ranking as one of the fattest states in the union. Ooooooooh, the irony! Blech...
The full scoop is at Oregon State Fair Gets Environment Friendly
by Constantine
I never thought there would come a day when I would actually be defending Tom Cruise's behavior-- but here it is. In light of the recent decision Paramount made to dump Cruise for his couch jumping antics and controversial religion, I'd have to say that they are being a wee bit unfair.
Sumner Redstone, chairman of Viacom, which owns Paramount, told The Wall Street Journal that the off-screen behaviour of Cruise, who angered many fans with his support of Scientology and criticism of psychiatry, was to blame. “As much as we like him personally, we thought it was wrong to renew his deal,” Mr Redstone explained. “His recent conduct has not been acceptable to Paramount.”
You can read the rest of the article here
What exactly is the problem here? Is it that he practices Scientology? Which is yes, a very strange religion. But aren't all religions just a tad bit strange? Is it that he argues for natural remedies? Albeit not in a politically correct manner, but at least someone is thinking outside the 'pill box'. Is it that Tom makes jokes about eating placentas to freak everyone out and proclaims his love for Katie Holmes by jumping around on the furniture? Sure he's obnoxious and ballsy-- but hasn't he always been like that?
I'll let the readers decide for themselves if Cruise is crazy or not.
by Constantine
Burning question on your mind? Baffled by circumstances? Tossed around like a ship at sea by the waves of fortune? 
Ask the chicken!
Yes, the Fortune Chicken Oracle. Which I'm told, by modern witches, is a more humane (and certainly less messy) method of divination than taking them to the crossroads and killing them. And these were some really hip witches, let me tell you.
Here's the results from my very first inquiry:
My Question: Will I get fired or promoted?
Fortune Chicken: "If someone tells you that you can't be a high flier, don't believe them! Let yourself soar on the winds of possibility."
Wait a minute. Chickens can't even fly. Is that a note of sarcasm I detect?!
So next time you simply have to know, check out the poultry section on Lipstick Mystic. While you're at it, check out the rest of the site too, it's pretty cool.
by Constantine
 According to this source, Kate Moss and Babyshambles singer Pete Doherty were planning a surprise Balinese style wedding last week, until Pete's forced admittance to a drug rehab center.
The supermodel flew her brother Nick and friends to the upmarket resort of Bukit, where she was yesterday due to "marry" her drug addict lover Pete Doherty.
Moss, 32, had planned a Balinese-style ceremony and had told friends that it was to be the intimate "spiritual ceremony" she and the Babyshambles singer had always dreamed of having.
I know this probably isn't what Kate had in mind when she said 'spiritual'. Then again, I'm not so sure she knows what she had in mind when she said 'spiritual' either. Hindu? Catholic? The Church of wasting-your-life-away-with illegal-substances-on-exotic-resort-islands-and-pretending-you're-spiritual?
But here's an idea-- instead of a Balinese ceremony, the supermodel could just join her hubby-to-be in rehab for a One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest-style wedding ceremony instead. Bear with me here...
I'm imaginging nurses as bridesmaids. The bouquets pinned to their dresses will be secured by a single, sterile syringe. Instead of rice, the witnesses can throw methadone pills at them. Pete's drug counselor will preside over the ceremony and bless the couple with wishes for their mutual sobriety, and then after they exchange vows, Kate's daughter will be officially put up for adoption. Because it's clear to me that this couple's definition of 'spirituality' is about as far removed from reality as you could possibly get.
by Constantine
 Looks like K-Fed is turning to alternative methods, such as hypnotherapy, to cure his addiction to nicotine before baby number two arrives. Or is that baby number four? I forget.
Federline says, "To me it's probably the equivalent of being addicted to heroin. I'm going to try hypnotism. Matt Damon did it."
For any of your smokers that want to try this powerful method of breaking the nicotine habit, check this website out for more details here. This site boasts a 66% success rate for hypnotism as a method to recreate yourself as a non-smoker-- which is pretty damn good because a nicotine habit is, as Federline says, comparable to heroin addiction.
But sorry, all that photo makes me want to do is light up out of sheer misery for Brittany's choice in life partners...
by heathervescent
In a new twist to the ongoing JonBenet story. Psychic, Dorothy Allison, drew a sketch (in 1998) of the killer based on her vision. Compare it to the photo of the accused murderer, who has admitted to killing as many as 49 people across the country. Another serial killer admitted to these killings.
''In 30 years, I've never had accurate information from a psychic,'' a veteran law enforcement officer told The Denver Post in 1995. ''But the information by Dorothy Allison was right on the money.''
Read the full story here.
by Constantine
 According to this report, bad boy Robert Downey Junior has traded his infamous wild drug binges for Yoga and early bedtimes.
"I go to the gym and I do some yoga. I just think more than anything it's being efficient and productive instead of obsessing on something counterproductive." Applause for Robert growing up, finally. And a big fat boo for telling the press recently that he's 'struggling to stay faithful to his wife' as they come up on their first wedding anniversary. Obviously, he's better at sobriety than monogamy. And really really bad at tact and privacy.
by heathervescent
Do you remember Robert Pirsig? You know, the author of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance? I remember reading his book when I was in 11th grade. And was met with blank critical stares as I gave the class a lesson in quality. My teacher got it, but my peers did not.
At the age of 77, Pirsig is a white-haired, bandy-legged old coot. Years at sea and on the road have given his face a sun-blasted quality. His voice is strong and clear, but when he takes out a pen and paper to demonstrate a concept, his hands shake.
"As I see these two books," Pirsig says, drawing an oval on a notepad, "there is a Zen circle. You start here with Zen," he says, marking an X, "and then you go here to enlightenment, that's what's called 180 Zen.
"Then you go back to where you started from — that's 360 Zen — and the world is exactly as it was when you left it." Pirsig sits back and lets that sink in, then adds: "Well, I felt that Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance was the journey out, and Lila was this trip back."
This is exactly true. That's why it is so important to maintain a beginner's mind. If we’re evolving, we're constantly returning to the source, the center, the one, the end and yet the beginning in the same.
If you like this kind of stuff, be sure to read the entire article from the Toronto Star. Although inconclusive, it has some interesting tidbits.w
by WC
 Does the full moon create tension in our lives? Does it exert enormous supernatural power over our wills? Does it cause us to do crazy and unexpected things? These are all questions that people often ask. But would it surprise you to know that you can actually use the power of the full moon to enhance your life? Well, you can!
One of the reasons that people often get agitated around the time of the full moon is that they tend to view the full moon as something that happens to them, rather than seeing it as a potent energy source they can harness and use to their advantage.
A full moon actually occurs when the Sun and Moon are in opposite signs, and the best way to approach the full moon is to view it as a time of culmination and completion. You should always try to get things wrapped up, organized and understood before we experience the full moon. If you try to start new ventures during the full moon, you’re likely to face much more stress and anxiety.
You don't have to be an astrologer to look up at the sky every night and watch the size of the Moon growing and diminishing. So the next time you see the moon about to become full, just look at it as an opportunity to finally wrap up some lingering issues in your life!
by heathervescent
This article gives the "secrets" of living up to and beyond 100 years. The key was their own "faith and spiritual care." Read the other factors here.
by heathervescent
According to this article, a woman was fired for her body piercings. She claimed they were part of her religious beliefs as she is a member of the Church of Body Modification.
What will come next? The Church of Slack?
by heathervescent
According to his article, Yoga would be more appealing if it was called, Naps with Girls! Well, almost. It goes on to explain some reason men don't go to yoga and it's primarily cultural.
Some men don't understand physical activity unless it involves trash talking and, ultimately, competition. Because we don't see the point in doing an activity - or even getting off the couch and going outside - if there's nothing to actually be gained.
Then again, the author says women are generally better at it.
Following the lead of gay men, straight men started doing yoga because straight men go wherever large numbers of women go. Men wouldn't go to yoga class if the "I'm gonna pick up chicks at yoga class" thought had never crossed their mind.
Well that must be the case, because at my West Hollywood yoga studio, the class is mixed with both men and women, gay and straight. But he's right, women are generally better than men at yoga. But whether that is because of body physics or practice, who is to say?
by Constantine
 An msnbc article on Natural Beauty Products suggests using wine or sake' in your bath and cosmetics for youthful, glowing skin.
"Cosmetic cocktails like wine and sake are sprouting up in the form of beauty products everywhere. Years ago, a Japanese monk discovered that the elderly workers in a sake brewery had wrinkles on their faces, but noticed that their hands were baby smooth, suggesting that sake's yeast aids in the skin’s natural renewal process."
Fresh came out with a delightful Sake Rice product line, which is available at Sephora or online at their website Fresh.com.
But, if you're daring, (and I think that you are) you'll do what I did, and just use the real thing. Here's my secret recipe: One bottle of Nigori Style sake', which is roughly filtered, giving it a creamy, rice-milk consistancy. And one bottle of Traditional Nama Sake', which is unpasteurized or micro-filtered 'raw' sake'. The rice wine can be purchased in the wine section of your local grocery store or from online at sites like: 00Sake or American brewer, SakeOne.
Put a cup or two of both into a tub of hot water, light some candles or Japanese style incense, pour yourself a generous glass and relax. I don't know if it does anything for your skin, but it certainly improves your disposition.
Cheers!
by heathervescent
 Want your sports and religion served together? Well very soon you've be able to watch your favorite sports stars and get a heaping of religion along with it.
Brent High, who packages faith-based promotions for professional sports franchises, says he is close to closing deals to stage events with teams from the National Football League, the National Basketball Association and the National Hockey League.
My question is, when are they going to start offering pre-game yoga? Read the full story here.
by Constantine
Apparently that nice black man from the Like a Prayer video wasn't available, so Madonna slammed down the phone and said "if you want a job done right, you've gotta' do it yourself!" Then she said 'Gawsh!' just like Napoleon Dynamite! I know because I was remote viewing her as it happened. I swear!
A BBC report chronicles Madonna's recent tour to Rome, including the section of her performance where she is crucified on a glittering disco cross while wearing a crown of thorns. The religiously ambidexterous pop icon claims this section of the performance is an appeal for AIDS charities.
Vatican Cardinal Ersilio Tonino, who spoke with the approval of the Pope, called the concert "a blasphemous challenge to the faith" and a "profanation of the cross". He also called for Madonna, who was raised as a Catholic, to be excommunicated.
First, didn't Madonna switch religions a long time ago? And secondly, who would pass up an opportunity to get ex-communicated from the Catholic religion, by the Pope himself?! That would be something to tell the grandkids. Hell, I'd probably start putting it on my resume and have some T-shirts made up while I was at it.
Madonna hanging on a cross doesn't offend me so much as her outfit does! Pirate sleeves and black stirrup pants? Madge, for the love of God, what were you thinking?
Read the full scoop here
by Constantine
According to this source from India, Coke and Pepsi may have to produce their secret recipes as evidence during an investigation on the levels of insecticide in their beverages. Coke and Pepsi Told to Spill Secrets...
INDIA’S highest court yesterday demanded that Coca-Cola should reveal its secret formula for the first time in 120 years.
The Supreme Court ordered the US soft drinks maker, along with its rival PepsiCo, to supply details of the chemical composition and ingredients of their products after a study released this week claimed that they contained unacceptable levels of insecticides.
Not that insecticide in our beverages is funny, but this part of the article definitely made me laugh:
Coca-Cola’s original recipe, according to company policy, is kept in a bank vault in Atlanta where only two executives — banned from travelling on the same aircraft — know it.
I was pretty sure that the Coca Cola 120 Year Secret Recipe tale, complete with two the executives who know recipe never being able to board the same plane, was an urban legend. And I should know because I read it somewhere on the Internet. You should always believe everything you read on the Internet. Because my mommy told me so.
by Constantine
 Join me! I'm on the hunt for the ultimate meditation incense. My search starts on Sensia.com, a website I found with a lovely collection of incense, candles and fragrances from all four corners of the world.
I sampled 7 different types of incense including Kamala Meditation Incense and two Japanese 'smokeless' varieties that contain Aloeswood, (an ingredient which is known to increase mental focus and aid in meditation practices) Padmini Spiritual Guide Incense, Sri Govinda Incense sticks, Red Crystal Incense sticks, and a French company called Terre d'Oc, that wasn't specifically for meditation, but looked promising.
click to read the rest of the post...
by heathervescent
I snapped this photo with my camera phone. Does your grocery store have a New Age Beverage section?
by heathervescent
A recent study shows that psilocybin aka "Magic Mushrooms" cause users to have a spiritual experience.
Many of the 36 volunteers rated their reaction to a single dose of the drug, called psilocybin, as one of the most meaningful or spiritually significant experiences of their lives. Some compared it to the birth of a child or the death of a parent.
But researcher, Roland Griffiths of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, warns:
But don't try this at home, he warned. "Absolutely don't."
You can read the whole story here. Another take in New Scientist here and Mark Morford remarks on the study here:
Put another way, they are trying, once again, to measure enlightenment. They are attempting to put a frame around consciousness, cosmic awe, God. And of course, they cannot do it. Or rather, they can only go so far before they hit that point where the sidewalk ends and the world spins off its logical axis and the study's participants cannot help but deliver the death blow every scientist dreads to hear: "You cannot possibly understand."
But I'm interested to know what YOU think... have you had spiritual experiences under the influence of a drug?
by heathervescent
Greetings fellow readers. I'm testing out a new feature that allows you to read daily mantra on your mobile phone and I need your help. If you have a web browser enabled mobile phone, hit the URL below and let me know if you can read the posts. I'd also be interested to know if you think you would read Daily Mantra on your phone. If you have any problems or troubles, I want to know too.
Here's the URL: http://winksite.com/dailymantra/dailymantra
Be sure to access it via your phones silly! ;)
by heathervescent
The big news today, is that CNN morning anchor, Daryn Kagan is leaving to start her own news website, that focuses on the positive. Huffington Post does a good job covering the story here. Or go directly to the San Francisco Chronicle to read their take. Once her site goes live - on November 13th, you can find it here.
Rob Brezsny has a word for focusing on positive news - pronoia. Read more positive stories on Rob's site. And if you missed our interview with him, be sure to check it out - along with the review of his book, Pronoia by fellow Daily Mantra author, Constantine.
by Constantine
Ever feel like opening your chakras, but not sure which ones to open and which ones to close?
Ok, so maybe the image of chakras as doors opening and closing is a little too simplistic and I might be the only one wondering this on DailyMantra-- but there must be others out there because I found a cool site called eclectic energy that provides a 59 question Chakra Test that will diagnos which energy centers are active and which ones are overactive or depleted. After the test is completed, they offer advice on opening up the inactive chakras and cooling off the overactive ones.
Do you feel secure? Your root chakra is doing just fine. Do you tend to dominate conversations? You might have an overactive throat chakra.
Give it a try! I double dog dare you! (I'm saving the triple dog dare for something really good, just wait and see. And no, it doesn't involve sticking your tongue to a frozen playground swingset pole, I promise)
by Constantine
 Traditionally, fasting was done before religious ceremonies, to raise your spiritual awareness, cleanse and purify your energy and as a sign of respect for the diety you were wishing to approach. These days when the majority of us in modern society are overnourished instead of undernourished, and very few of us are practicing religious ceremonial purification, fasting can provide a much needed break from the toil of digesting foods often too rich and in excess quantities, in order to heal and renew our bodies.
I've fasted twice a year under the supervision of an Ayurvedic doctor for the last five years, for general detoxification and to 'change the oil in my vehicle', so to speak. Beside the obvious weight loss benefits, fasting clears my mind, brightens my complexion, and allows my body to clean out toxic overload from the accumulated
daily intake.
There are hundreds of different fasting styles to choose from-- some employ additional detoxing such as colonics or laxatives, some require no solid food be taken in, and others allow a small meal during the daytime hours and nothing but liquids throughout the night. The methods also vary in time length and desired effect.
I found a terrific article called Nutritional Program for Fasting, that outlines the do's and don'ts of fasting much better than I can, written by Elson M. Haas M.D. Definitely have a look.
by heathervescent
 Everyone has their favorite yoga postures and then there are the ones we’d prefer not to practice. For me, Crow is one of the latter.
So when my teacher started guiding us to practice it a few days ago, my body went rigid. Before I shut down my internal dialog, my teacher asked one of the more practiced students to demonstrate. She had such grace, power and control as she moved through the posture. She moved into crow, placed her head on the ground and pushed up into a headstand. Before I could take my eyes away, she lowered back down into crow with complete precision. It was awe-some to watch, but I felt my heart drop. I've never been able to successfully get into crow, let alone even attempt to push up into a headstand. My internal dialogue started a long succession of negative reinforcement.
But then I thought, why be limited? Instead of focusing on the first step - lifting my feet off the ground, I focused on pushing up into headstand. I got to work and put my hands on the mat. I envisioned pushing up in to a headstand. I worked my knees onto my elbows and rocked forward. Magically my feet lifted and I balanced my whole weight on my hands for what seemed like an eternity. I felt the flush of success. I was doing crow!
When I started the second time, I thought of merely achieving my previous level. However, my focus was lost; even though I knew I could do it. I couldn’t balance and I was back to second guessing myself. So I started thinking about that handstand again. And know what? I got back into the posture.
Balanced up there on my hands, I realized that when you set your sight on a goal and you can’t seem to reach it, try reaching beyond it – to the next one. And let the momentum of the larger goal, take you to your immediate one.
* photo by Absolut Beauty via Flickr
by heathervescent
 This mugshot has been all over the news the past few days. It's one of those stranger than fiction stories from Malibu. The story includes a drunk driving celebrity in his Malibu community. When the 17 year old Jewish deputy pulled over Gibson, it was for speeding. But that didn't stop Gibson from making now infamous anti-semetic remarks.
"That stuff is booze talking," the deputy said. "There's two things that booze does. It amplifies your basic personality. If you are a laid-back kind of person, just an easygoing kind of person, booze is going to amplify that and you'll be just sitting around going how it's a wonderful day.
"But, if you are a high-strung person, it's going to amplify that, and all the bad things are going to come out." [Source]
And that's just what happened. Mel was drunk and his internal filter was down, so he spoke his thoughts, unfortunately for the whole world to hear. His words have had a monumental impact on his career that no amount of apology can make good again and now, he seeks forgiveness.
I'm not just asking for forgiveness. I would like to take it one step further, and meet with leaders in the Jewish community, with whom I can have a one-on-one discussion to discern the appropriate path for healing. [Source]
Poor intolerant Mel. But it's really no surprise. Gibson's father made controversial remarks about the holocaust a few years ago, to the point of questioning whether it happened at all!!!
"It's all — maybe not all fiction — but most of it is," he said. Then, to illustrate his point that the gas chambers and crematoria at camps like Auschwitz would not have been capable of exterminating so many people, Gibson senior added: "Do you know what it takes to get rid of a dead body? To cremate it?" he said. "It takes a litre of petrol and 20 minutes. Now, six million of them? They (the Germans) did not have the gas to do it. That's why they lost the war." [Source]
Intolerance and ignorance must run in the family. Until now, Mel has been able to keep his under wraps, but no more.
The first step to healing a problem, is to admit you have a problem. Gibson has admitted to his alcoholism, but not yet to his intolerance. He's asked the Jewish community for help; however I think he still believes what he said in his unguarded moment - at least on some level.
Sure we can cut him down for his point of view, which is based on his own narrow education, but this does nothing to help tolerance for anyone. Cutting down the bigot, doesn't heal the bigot. Education is the beginning. And let's remember we all have our own biases.
Do you know your personal biases? Even the most self-aware and successful individuals are biased. We have only our point of view to live from. Not even an enlightened master is free of bias. The master may not act from their bias, but I'd bet my life they still have them. Like Mel, the first step is to realize you have biases, but how?
Here's a handy way to discover them - try one of these tests from Harvard University. Once you know your own biases, you can head over to Tolerance.org to get tips to expand your own tolerance. They are simple and easy and not only help you practice tolerance, but I'd bet you'll have fun doing it.
- Attend services at a variety of churches, synagogues, mosques and temples to learn about different faiths.
- Shop at ethnic grocery stores and specialty markets. Get to know the owners. Ask about their family histories.
- Think about how you appear to others. List personality traits that are compatible with tolerance (e.g., compassion, curiosity, openness). List those that seem incompatible with tolerance (e.g., jealousy, bossiness, perfectionism).
So get out there and get to know yourself - even that darker side - so it doesn't "accidentally" slip out on a drunken tirade in front of the media cameras!
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