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Workshop Announcements Join us to learn how to say "Yes" to life, by tapping into the wisdom and intelligence of your body, heart, and soul. Embodied Wisdom: Utilize the intelligence of your body to change the way you think and feel Seishindo Personal Growth Workshop with Charlie Badenhop and Dorothy Pietracatella Washington, DC, April 15-17, 2005 Embodied Intelligence: The Role Your Body Plays in Learning, Relationships, and Creativity Seishindo Coaching Workshop with Charlie Badenhop Calgary, Canada, April 22, 2005 Self Hypnosis for Self Renewal and Healing with Charlie Badenhop and Dorothy Pietracatella New York City, April 30 - May 1, 2005

1. A Story

When it is all said and done, do you feel like you stay on an even keel emotionally most of the time? Here is a story about how easy it is to lose one's emotional balance.

Recently, I was coming home from an evening business meeting in Tokyo. I walked a block, and like all good citizens do in Japan, when I got to the corner and the light was red, I stopped and waited for it to turn green before crossing.

Just as the traffic signal turns amber, to warn drivers to slow down and stop, a motorcycle and its rider slowly grind to a halt. The guy has on a backpack, there is a huge bundle tied to the back seat of the bike, and he has other stuff hanging from the bike handles. He looks like a homeless person who still has enough money to own a bike.

With the bike stops the man uses his feet to balance himself, just as riders always do. The only thing different in this case, is that the man and his bike are leaning quite heavily to the left, as if he has no sense of straight up and down, and can't feel the pull of gravity.
He wobbles once... he wobbles twice... and then swoosh... .
The man, his motorcycle, and all of the stuff he is carrying with him, slide down to the ground.

My first thought is "Wow, this guy must really be drunk, I better get him off his bike and make sure he can't drive for a while." As I weigh all the variables that might be involved, I notice that everyone else is simply crossing the street as if nothing has happened.

As the guy struggles to get back up, the light turns green and now cars start to whiz by, and I get worried that he will get hit. So as fools often do, I rush in where wise men fear to tread.

I say hello in a loud voice to let him know I am nearby. As he turns to look, I reach out and take the handlebars and right the bike, and walk it over to the side of the road. As I had hoped, he follows along after me, dragging his belongings.

I put the kickstand of the bike down, and the guy starts apologizing profusely, while also thanking me and pointing out how clumsy and foolish he is in general. This act of contrition is a lovely art form in Japanese culture. And I must admit, for the average Westerner, it takes quite a good deal of trial and error practice to reproduce.

I smile at the guy, and playfully ask him if he has had a tough night, and a bit too much to drink.
"No, no, nothing at all to drink." he says. "My girlfriend just broke up with me, and I am broken hearted. We divided everything up as equally as we could. I kept the bike and all the rest of what I am carrying. She kept her belongings and the sidecar for the bike, which she always rode around in with me. I guess it's going to take a while to get used to no longer needing to balance her weight."
I nod my head and smile, to signify that I understand what he is talking about, and indeed, what he says, somehow really touches me.
We look at each other for a moment or two with a sense of brotherhood, and then his face suddenly livens up and he says, "Now that I think about it, maybe I'm the lucky one. I can still get around, but she's left sitting all alone by the side of the road!"

* This story has been adapted from a story told to me by a cute little Belgian girl.

2. Commentary

Homeostasis
The dictionary states that "homeostasis" is a condition of equilibrium. When a system is in equilibrium it is balanced and stable. The stability of the system results from the equalization of opposing forces.

As human beings we have an emotional system, a physical system, an intellectual system, and a spiritual system all working together (hopefully!) at the same time.

Homeostasis comes about when the dynamic range that a person's multiple systems operate in, create a harmonious balance, and flow together at their optimum. Take in enough food to fuel the system, but not enough food to overburden the system or give yourself a negative emotional image. Take in enough oxygen to fuel your creativity and all of your physical activities, but not enough to hyperventilate. Depend on a friend or loved one to support you, but not to the point that you lose your own sense of balance, and self. Life is a balancing act, and as long as we are alive, the need to maintain, lose, and once again regain our balance, goes on constantly. We don't so much maintain our balance as a constant. Much more so we need to lose and regain our balance over and over again.

The recent tsunami has given me the much needed opportunity to rethink my own personal sense of equilibrium and self sufficiency. More and more I think that most of us as human beings, need to have a stronger sense of the interdependency of all of life. For me I realize that outside of my work, I give almost all my attention to protecting MY life, and the lives of those I am closely related to, while giving little thought or emotion to helping others. A large part of this I see as simply a manifestation of the fear that I still carry with me. The internal dialogue that has me thinking, "Will I have enough?" "Will I be truly successful?" "When will the next mini-tragedy in my life occur?" These are the thoughts and feelings I have carried with me from early childhood. These are the thoughts and feelings, that when allowed to run free, can leave me feeling disconnected and unsafe in the world.

For me, more and more, the true hope that all of mankind has to survive and thrive, depends on the grassroots connections we make with each other, and our desire to be of service to others. We need to think and feel beyond "my" happiness and well being, to "our" happiness and well being. The "haves" need to give a good deal more to the "have nots."

The recent tsunami has helped me to understand that thinking mostly in terms of "I" is simply not enough. I am realizing more and more that we are all in this life together, and the more we can all realize our co-dependency, and be of service to each other, the better off we all will be.

The polar ice caps are melting, the "el nino" effect is ever more prevalent, the earth's climactic conditions appear to be ever more unstable, various species are becoming extinct, and millions and millions of people are dying each year from diseases and malnutrition. And still... I must admit that mostly I find myself mainly consumed with keeping my own life running smoothly, as if myself and my family really lived in this world all alone. How about you? Do you tend to be somewhat the same in this regard?

I believe that we all have a very important set of tasks in front of us now. That the current conditions in the world make it ever more clear that we need to find intelligent ways to help and support our planet and our many brothers and sisters throughout the world. I don't think we can depend on our governments or our corporations to do this for us. I think that we need to do it together, working in small groups and large groups, giving some of our time, our expertise, and our financial resources. Like a marriage that seems to be hanging in the balance, we need to give our loving attention to this very important relationship known as "my life." We all need each other, if any one of us is to truly thrive. While staying relaxed, upbeat, and hopeful, let's at the same time stay awake and realize that we have an unprecedented opportunity to improve the quality of life on the planet. Working together, we can all definitely create homeostasis... and prosperity.

* * *
I would like to take a moment here to thank the many volunteers throughout the world who are devoting their time and energy to helping save and restore the lives of millions of people throughout Southeast Asia. You are performing an important service for all of mankind.

3. Practice

Today's Practice helps you to shift your perception of "self" and "other", and thus your sense of being in the world. It is enjoyable, easy to do, and winds up being very informative. Use the link below and explore the way you think and feel about yourself and your relationships:
"Who am I? Who are You?"

4. Links

Ruby Holladay - Astrology
Today I would like to introduce you to a high quality astrologer. I have known Ruby for several years now, and I contact her regularly. I find her insight to be impeccable, and her advice speaks directly to specific issues that are or will be impacting your life. Ruby is down to earth, low key, and wise. Give yourself or someone you love, a wonderful gift. Contact Ruby for a reading. I am certain that you will be more than satisfied.

Contact Ruby at Ruby@seishindo.org

5. Suggested Music

"Within the Light" Mike Rowland
In the past, I definitely have not been drawn to "New Age" music, but Mike Rowland and others have changed my opinion in this regard. Rowland is a gifted pianist and composer. This CD is wonderful for meditation, drifting off to sleep, or getting into a free flowing state in general. I often use this CD during sessions, and I love to have it on when I am working at my computer or reading.

6. Our subscribers' section

The Seishindo Team heartily thanks Martin and Wendy who sent us their kind words and recommendations.

Charlie,
Reading and taking in your weekly words, thoughts, meditations and wisdom is a gift I thank you for. ... I write this to share some poetry I have written at your invitation to share. I hope you enjoy it.
With Blessings,
Martin Yale Schneider

Click on this link to read Martin's wonderful poems.

Hi,
I read your wonderful onine newsletter because of the deep inspirational value of the articles and your suggested reading, to further my own inner growth, and to benifit others around me. I also subscribe to the weekly newsletter from another deeply meaningful spiritual source, and the latest one from these was so complimentary to your article, 'God is talking, are you listening?' It was Guy Finley's article called 'Learn this law and Leave Complainers Behind You.'
I find both your articles and his weekly life lessons wonderful.
Thank you for my newsletters,
Wendy Henry

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