As an astronaut, I pride myself in having the tools to survive and explore other worlds. Just as you have at times, I found myself a stranger in a strange land...on a strange new world where many people have gone before and in fact...many people were there.
I went to the Disney World.
People running to and fro with kids in tow or in the lead, parents barking orders at children, children barking orders at parents. Money changing hands at a astronomical rate, seeing the margin increased to an unbelievable amount (at our resort in the general store, a six pack of Coors Light was going for...ready?...$31.50!) and everyone, absolutely everyone buying into the glitz and glamor to let fall away the world of bad economies, a war in another country and dead pop stars.
Amidst the chaos that is the world of Disney World, my buddy and I stopped and took a moment to breathe in all of that consumerism and "magic" and energy. Steve and I asked ourselves as we focused on taking it in..."What is this really?"
It was exactly what is is supposed to be. "Colorful Chaos". Chaos is a defining moment.
At 11:15 pm, Wal-Mart was packed like a Christmas Eve sale. The McDonald's was selling from a store that looked like a Disney attraction.
There is an emotional experience that is created by these corporations that creates a heightened state of self-awareness. from this state, we "feel" better (from a full belly, low prices, and laughter/fear/excitement and watching our kids (inner child) needs for the unbelievable made believable met. When that emotion is anchored to a place (Disney, McDonald's, Wal-Mart) then we reward that place with our energy in return ($$$).
Steve and I took time and time again to hold each other accountable for just standing there, breathing in the whole scene and not letting any part of it take us out, or keeping any part of it out of our hearts.
It was an awakening.
We felt mostly the same things emotionally there, stress, disorder, temporary happiness...and physically we both shared with each other the same sensations: tightness in the belly, sore throats, wide eyes, and tired bodies.
But because we took the moment to breathe it and see it for what it really was, it allowed us the same opportunity that traveling to the top of a mountain in Tibet and meditating in a cave for 30 years provides you...
Presence.
The enlightened state is not created by your environment, it is created by your reaction to the environment. What does this mean? Any environment has a potential to create an awakened state.
Don't close down or turn off the TV just yet. Don't avoid the crowds and the Las Vegas style glitz and glamor in exchange for enlightenment.
Practice there too. Both is possible.
Besides, when you are ready for the climb up the mountain in Tibet remember...Disney has a ride for that too.
(On our last night we topped off the entire experience with a field trip to Hooters to watch the UFC championship fight...but I will save that for my next write up: Sex, Violence, and Numbness. Opening in a environment like that reveals a darkness, and a great truth that you MUST experience.)
I will be in LA in September for 3 days speaking at The Big Weekend. Tickets are $99.00. You have to be there. http://Fire.LifeUniversity.com to learn more.
Much Love,
Aaron
I went to the Disney World.
People running to and fro with kids in tow or in the lead, parents barking orders at children, children barking orders at parents. Money changing hands at a astronomical rate, seeing the margin increased to an unbelievable amount (at our resort in the general store, a six pack of Coors Light was going for...ready?...$31.50!) and everyone, absolutely everyone buying into the glitz and glamor to let fall away the world of bad economies, a war in another country and dead pop stars.
Amidst the chaos that is the world of Disney World, my buddy and I stopped and took a moment to breathe in all of that consumerism and "magic" and energy. Steve and I asked ourselves as we focused on taking it in..."What is this really?"
It was exactly what is is supposed to be. "Colorful Chaos". Chaos is a defining moment.
At 11:15 pm, Wal-Mart was packed like a Christmas Eve sale. The McDonald's was selling from a store that looked like a Disney attraction.
There is an emotional experience that is created by these corporations that creates a heightened state of self-awareness. from this state, we "feel" better (from a full belly, low prices, and laughter/fear/excitement and watching our kids (inner child) needs for the unbelievable made believable met. When that emotion is anchored to a place (Disney, McDonald's, Wal-Mart) then we reward that place with our energy in return ($$$).
Steve and I took time and time again to hold each other accountable for just standing there, breathing in the whole scene and not letting any part of it take us out, or keeping any part of it out of our hearts.
It was an awakening.
We felt mostly the same things emotionally there, stress, disorder, temporary happiness...and physically we both shared with each other the same sensations: tightness in the belly, sore throats, wide eyes, and tired bodies.
But because we took the moment to breathe it and see it for what it really was, it allowed us the same opportunity that traveling to the top of a mountain in Tibet and meditating in a cave for 30 years provides you...
Presence.
The enlightened state is not created by your environment, it is created by your reaction to the environment. What does this mean? Any environment has a potential to create an awakened state.
Don't close down or turn off the TV just yet. Don't avoid the crowds and the Las Vegas style glitz and glamor in exchange for enlightenment.
Practice there too. Both is possible.
Besides, when you are ready for the climb up the mountain in Tibet remember...Disney has a ride for that too.
(On our last night we topped off the entire experience with a field trip to Hooters to watch the UFC championship fight...but I will save that for my next write up: Sex, Violence, and Numbness. Opening in a environment like that reveals a darkness, and a great truth that you MUST experience.)
I will be in LA in September for 3 days speaking at The Big Weekend. Tickets are $99.00. You have to be there. http://Fire.LifeUniversity
Much Love,
Aaron
Breathe this.
