Category: Spiritual Writings

“All that is great in life happens; it can’t be done. And all that can be done remains mundane, ordinary, mediocre. ‘Happiness’ and ‘happening’ are derived from the same root, and it is significant. It means that happiness is a happening.

It is not a question of doing it, forcing it, coercing it. It is more a question of becoming available to it, allowing it, being in a let-go. And in the same way love happens. You cannot do love – it happens! And in the same way beauty, in the same way … grace, in the same way … meditation, and in the same way … finally, godliness.

So learn more and more how not to interfere.

The greatest art in life is the art of non-interference. Lao Tzu called it wu wei: action without action, doing something without doing it. And my whole work consists of wu wei.” Osho, The Sacred Yes, Talk #25

“Wu wei is about aligning your actions with nature and the things happening around us. It’s not about giving up on life, being lazy, or waiting for things to go our way. Instead, it’s about developing patience and awareness of the present moment.  The phrase wu wei means that all our actions should flow in harmony with nature and with the things happening around us. Instead of fighting against life events, we should try to flow with them, incorporate them into our lives, and align our actions to meet with them.

HERE ARE A COUPLE OF PRACTICE IDEAS TO GET YOU STARTED WU WEI-ING!

1. Smell the Roses. First, you need to start by completely unplugging. Leave your laptop at home or on your desk, turn your phone off and leave it in a drawer. It’ll still be there when you get back, I promise. Then go for a walk and pay attention to the sights and sounds going on around you. You might have a bunch of thoughts that keep distracting you or pulling at your attention. That is totally normal. Just refocus your attention on the present moment. The more you do this, the easier it will become to have that ‘present moment awareness.’

2. Pay attention to a friend who is talking to you. This is both a practice in patience and mindfulness. Instead of thinking of how to change the subject or respond to their comment, try listening to them completely. See if you can understand and repeat their point back to them completely.

3. Painting, drawing, and coloring are all great ways to practice Wu Wei, especially getting into that natural Flow state where your actions become effortless.”

https://www.mybestself101.org/

“Maharajji said to me ‘Ram Dass, I told you to Love everyone and tell the truth.’

And I looked at those people who I had built up all this righteous indignation and hatred towards, sitting across the courtyard at the temple. And I went over there and I was in this ecstatic state from being with Maharajji and also my ego was in incredible pain, and I took apples and I cut them into little pieces and I know that you can’t feed somebody with anger, or it’s like giving them poison.

And I went up to each person who I had built up resentment to and justifiable, righteous resentment. I mean I am very creative in justifying my reactions, so I had a good reason to be angry with that person. And I stood there, and he didn’t say work it out, which is what we in the West psychologically like to work out our anger so that everyone saves face. He said, ‘Give it up.’ And I looked at the person, and I had to just let it go. And it was so painful!

And when I had let it go and I could look at that person with Love again, I stuck the apple in their mouth. And it took me over an hour and a half to do that for these people. Before I could finally really let go enough to do it.

Because I couldn’t afford it. I couldn’t afford not to forgive. Once you are in the One, nothing builds up so there is no forgiveness. No forgiveness is required, because you don’t forgive a tree and you don’t forgive a river. You know? It’s like lightning strikes your house and you say ‘I forgive you.’ I mean, who are you forgiving?

It’s interesting. You know that story — the Chinese story about the boats and the fog? As the boatman, he hits another boat, and he starts swearing at the other –’You, why didn’t you look where you were going?’

And then the fog lifts for a moment and he sees there is nobody in the other boat. And he feels like a fool.

Well, it’s roughly the same thing. I mean you hold a grudge against your father, as if he’s in there. He isn’t in there. Psychologically you think he is, because you think you are in you, but once you begin to see he’s just a set of phenomena happening. You are busy saying ‘I forgive you. I forgive you.’

To a clock? You know, it’s really nothing different than that. I don’t mean to demean personality. It’s quite interesting. But it is a lawful set of events. ”

– Ram Dass

https://www.ramdass.org

“I was surprised to discover that the image I had of my father did not disappear.  If anything, he became more real, more complete.  I still saw a father who had disappointed and injured me.  But I also saw a man with strength and goodness in him.  My new image, I felt certain, was much closer to reality.

But even though I had worked through my ‘father issues,’ the process still felt incomplete somehow.  The bubble of idealization has burst.  But I didn’t feel settled.  There was one more step needed to complete the process.  I needed to forgive my father.

Forgiveness, I have learned, is the key to resolving the pain of the past and breaking generational patterns.  Without it, nothing is ever laid to rest.  The past still operates in the present.”

“Most adults go through the world looking for the love, validation, and approval they may have never received from their parents.  When the adult doesn’t get what their inner child is looking for, the inner child can take over and the adult can revert to childlike behavior.  This can be anything from temper tantrums (and in an adult, this can be quite scary!) that push the loved one away, to sulking in the corner feeling sorry for themselves, wondering why their loved one has left them again.  It usually turns into a struggle of self-criticism, blame, and anger directed inward.

‘It’s my fault nobody loves me because I’m unloveable.’  If this resonates with you, the first and best thing you can do is to learn how to accept love, validation, and approval from yourself.  This is very difficult and can take a long time with the use of healing exercises (like journaling, visualization, and subconscious release work – Go to abby-wynne.com/healyourinnerwounds).  It will take time to grow into a new way of being.  You will need to be patient with yourself, just like you would be patient with a toddler.

The Abandoned Child, the Caregiver Child, and the Wounded Child are the most common types of inner children that we all carry around with us in some form or other.  As adults, we meet other adults from different families who come with different conditioning, and different patterning.  I believe the main cause of unhappiness within relationships is the friction created between adults who have subconscious conditions for love but do not get those conditions met by their partner.  Bringing those patterns and conditions into the conscious mind can help smooth relationships a lot, but until we realize that people have their limitations and cannot fill us with what it is we really crave, we will always be fighting with each other.”

Emotional intelligence (EI) is a critical skill that helps individuals navigate relationships, manage stress, and lead more balanced lives. Unlike traditional intelligence, EI focuses on understanding and managing emotions — both yours and others. Below, we explore 12 key signs of emotionally intelligent individuals, backed by expert insights.

1. Self Awareness – Emotionally intelligent people have a strong sense of self-awareness.  They recognize their emotions as they arise and understand how these feelings influence their thoughts and actions.  This awareness allows them to acknowledge their strengths and weaknesses without defensiveness. Regular reflection on emotional triggers can help increase your self-awareness.
2. Emotional Self-Control – The ability to manage emotions, especially during stressful situations, is a hallmark of emotional intelligence. People with high EI don’t let frustration or anger cloud their judgment. Instead, they recover quickly from setbacks and stay composed. Emotional self-control fosters trust and stability in both personal and professional relationships.
3. Adaptability – Emotionally intelligent individuals are flexible and open to change. They view challenges as opportunities for growth and can pivot strategies as circumstances evolve. Being adaptable not only means being able to improvise on the current path you’re on, but to be able to acknowledge when the path itself needs to change too.
4. Empathy – Empathy is the ability to connect with others on an emotional level. Those with high EI pay close attention to non-verbal cues and genuinely try to understand others’ perspectives, even if they disagree Empathy builds stronger, more meaningful relationships and enhances teamwork.
5. Positive Outlook – A positive attitude helps emotionally intelligent individuals remain optimistic even in the face of adversity. They focus on solutions rather than problems and inspire those around them. They often frame setbacks as learning experiences, maintaining morale during difficult times. 
6. Balanced Lifestyle – High EI people strive for balance in their lives. They know the importance of self-care and ensure that their physical, emotional, and social needs are met. Incorporate activities like exercise, meditation, and quality time with loved ones to maintain balance.
7. Assertive Communication – Emotionally intelligent individuals communicate assertively without being aggressive. They express their thoughts and feelings openly while respecting others’ boundaries. Assertiveness fosters healthy dialogue, whereas aggression can create conflict and resentment.
8.  Curiosity – A hallmark of emotional intelligence is an insatiable curiosity about the world and people. Emotionally intelligent individuals are eager to learn from others and explore new perspectives. This curiosity keeps them open-minded and adaptable in a rapidly changing world.
9. Conflict Management – Instead of avoiding conflict, emotionally intelligent people address disagreements head-on, aiming for resolutions that benefit all parties. They focus on problem-solving rather than assigning blame. This approach prevents misunderstandings and fosters mutual respect. 
10.  Gratitude – Emotionally intelligent people regularly practice gratitude. They take time to acknowledge the positives in their lives, which keeps them grounded and content. Maintain a gratitude journal to reinforce this habit.
11. Receptiveness to Feedback – People with high EI embrace feedback, viewing it as an opportunity for growth rather than a personal attack. They know how to separate constructive criticism from unhelpful negativity. Seek regular feedback from trusted sources and reflect on it objectively.

12.  Influence – Emotionally intelligent leaders naturally inspire those around them. Their ability to connect, communicate, and guide teams toward common goals sets them apart. Effective leaders harness emotional intelligence to foster collaboration and drive success.

https://theheartysoul.com