The selective nature of our perception

Subject: The selective nature of our perception...(how our thoughts determine our reality)

To: Tuesday

Our way of thinking and seeing (our outlook) are formed by our conditioning.Often we only see what we want to see and disregard the rest,or project the contents of our mind onto the world.

Thus it is said that when a pickpocket meets a saint, all he sees is his pockets.


Here are some examples of the selective nature of human perception, and how the meaning wch we attribute/give to the neutral energy input that impinges upon our senses can be so different.

These simple stories contain the insights of the world's greatest sages . Through them you can learn to change the way your mind operates,free yourself from unhappiness, and gain the joy and fulfillment that is your true birthright.
By changing our internal state/attitude we change our external reality.
By changing our thoughts we change not only the outside world ,but also ourselves!That is, our thoughts effect changes in our body.
We cannot carpet the earth but by putting slippers on our feet ,the earth beneath our feet becomes carpeted.Similarly, he who sees through the eyes of love acquires the vision to see the Beloved everywhere he looks.
Thus by changing ourselves(our attitude and outlook)we transform the world of our experience.
We may travel the world in search of beauty ,but until we find it within ourselves we will see it not.Becuz beauty and value--you see--are in the eye and mind of the beholder!
Heaven is not a place to get to ,as much as a way of seeing the place you're in.

"Discovery consists not in seeing new landscapes but in having new eyes."--Proust

"It's not the mountain that we conquor but ourselves."--Sir Edward Hilary

We have the power to choose our emotional state and inner experience. It need not be determined by external circumstances and the actions of others.We cannot attain inner peace and fulfillment by trying to change the world outside.
It is our attitude (not more money) wch will determine the quality of our life!
Therefor if you seek happiness change your attitude and do something for others.

People become trapped in the chambers of their own minds.

"I will permit no man to reduce my soul to hatred."
Bokker T. Washington

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What we see depends mainly on what we look for.
- John Lubbock


A hunter goes out to the marsh with his labrador retreiver ,sets up his blind,and waits.Along comes a duck.He shoots it and sends his dog after the bird. . The dog walks across the water and comes back with the bird.The hunter is amazed. He can't believe what he's seen.His dog has never demonstrated this remarkable ability before.So he tries it again to make sure he's not dreaming. ....Again the dog walks over the water and brings back the bird. . So the hunter gets very excited and looks around to share this with someone.He walks over to another hunter behind his own "blind",and proposes to show off his dog's ability. . So a duck flies by,he shoots it and he sends his dog to get it.The man's "best friend" doesn't disappoint:He runs across the water and brings back the bird. .. The first hunter looks to the second with pride overflowing his heart. .. The second hunter's only response is: "Your dog can't swim!"

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Seeing things as being "half full" or "half empty"


One day a father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the

country with the firm purpose of showing his son how poor people live. They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family. On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, "How was the trip?" "It was great, Dad."

"Did you see how poor people live?" the father asked. "Oh yeah," said the son.

"So, tell me, what did you learn from the trip?" asked the father.

The son answered: "I saw that we have one dog and they had four. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek

that has no end. We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the e stars at night. Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon. We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight. We have servants who serve us, but they serve others.

We buy our food, but they grow theirs. We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them." The boy's father was speechless.

Then his son added, "Thanks, Dad, for showing me how poor we are."

Isn't perspective a wonderful thing? Makes you wonder what would happen if we all gave thanks for everything we have, instead of worrying about what we don't have.

Appreciate every single thing you have, especially your friends! Please pass this page on to friends and acquaintances to help them refresh their perspective and appreciation. Life is too short and friends are too few.





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Wherever our treasure is, there also is our heart!





There was once a rich king in India. He was famous for not being attached to his possessions and for being a deeply spiritual person, something very unusual in his days for a person in his position. A sadhu was curious about this and set to find out the king's secret. He was allowed an audience with the king and asked him: "What is the secret that allows you to cultivate spiritual life while at the same time not being dazzled by the jewels and luxuries that surround you?"

The king answered:" I'll reveal it to you if you tour my palace to comprehend the magnitude of my riches and treasures. However you must carry a lit candle in your hand. If the candle goes out I'll have you beheaded."

After the tour of the palace and treasuries the king asked the sadhu: "What do you think of my riches?"

The man answered: "I didn't see anything, I was busy watching the candle, all the time worrying it would go out."

Then the king said: "That is my secret. I'm so preoccupied
with the internal flame, the riches outside do not interest me."




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What we see is determined by what is important to us



A native American and his friend were in downtown New York City,walking near Times Square in Manhattan. It was during the noon lunch hour and the streets were filled with people. Cars were honking their horns, taxicabs were squealing around corners,sirens were wailing,and the sounds of the city were almost deafening.

Suddenly the Native American said, "I hear a cricket."

His friend said, "What? You must be crazy. You

couldn't possibly hear a cricket in all of this noise!" >

"No, I'm sure of it," the Native American said, "I

heard a cricket."

"That's crazy," said the friend.

The Native American listened carefully for a moment, and

then walked across the street to a big cement planter where

some shrubs were growing. He looked into the bushes, beneath

the branches, and sure enough, he located a small cricket.

His friend was utterly amazed.

"That's incredible," said his friend. "You must have

super-human ears!"

"No," said the Native American. "My ears are no

different from yours. It all depends on what you're listening

for."

"But that can't be!" said the friend. "I could never

hear a cricket in this noise."

"Yes, it's true," came the reply. "It depends on what is

really important to you. Here, let me show you." He reached into his pocket, pulled out a few coins, and discreetly dropped them on the sidewalk. And then, with

the noise of the crowded street still blaring in

their ears, they noticed every head within twenty feet turn and

look to see if the money that tinkled on the pavement was

theirs.



"See what I mean?" asked the Native American. "It

all depends on what's important to you."




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Cherokee Wisdom... Two Wolves




One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a
battle that goes on inside people. He said, "My son,
the battle is between two 'wolves' inside us all.

One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret,
greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment
inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority and ego.

The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope,
serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence,
empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."

The grandson thought about it for a minute
and then asked his grandfather,
"Which wolf wins?"

The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."


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Subject: Having Lunch with God




A little boy wanted to meet God.

He knew it was a long trip to where God
lived, so he packed his suitcase with a bag of potato
chips and a six-pack of root beer
and started his journey.

When he had gone about three blocks,
he met an old woman. She was sitting in
the park, just staring at some pigeons.

The boy sat down next to her and opened his suitcase.
He was about to take a drink from
his root beer when he noticed that the old lady
looked hungry, so he offered her some chips.

She gratefully accepted it and smiled at him

Her smile was so pretty that the
boy wanted to see it again, so he
offered her a root beer. Again,
she smiled at him. The boy was
delighted! They sat there all afternoon eating
and smiling, but they never said a word.

As twilight approached, the boy realized
how tired he was and he got up
to leave; but before he had gone
more than a few steps, he turned
around, ran back to the old woman, and gave
her a hug. She gave him her biggest smile ever.

When the boy opened the door to his
own house a short time later, his
mother was surprised by the look
of joy on his face. She asked him,
"What did you do today that made you so
happy?" He replied, "I had lunch
with God." But before his mother could
respond, he added, "You know what?
She's got the most beautiful
smile I've ever seen!"


Meanwhile, the old woman, also radiant
with joy, returned to her home.
Her son was stunned by the look
of peace on her face and he asked,
"Mother, what did you do today
that made you so happy?" She replied,
"I ate potato chips in the park with God."
However, before her son responded,
she added, "You know, he's much
younger than I expected."



Have lunch with God.......bring chips.


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The most precious thing we have is our attention!
What are you giving your attention to?

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Miracles happen everyday.
Change  your perception and you shall see them all around you . 

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Happiness depends more on the inward disposition of the mind rather than upon outward circumstance.

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  "Everything you have in life can be taken from you except one thing, your freedom to choose how you will respond to the situation. This is what determines the quality of the life we've lived. Not whether we've been rich or poor, famous or unknown, healthy or suffering. What determines our quality of life is how we relate to these realities..."  --Viktor Frankl,