(Compiled by Nithya Shanti)
Here is a collection of some of my favourite spiritual definitions and equations. A few of these are inspired by teachers like Byron Katie (BK), Ajahn Brahm (AB), Brian Tracy (BT), Jack Canfield (JC) and the Ancient Greek (G) and Sufi Traditions (S). The rest are either my own or from unknown sources.
Equanimity is “happiness for no reason”.
Mindfulness is “moving at the speed of life”.
Suffering is “arguing with reality”. (BK)
Happiness is “loving what is”. (BK)
Love (Agape) means “to let be”. (G)
Oneness is “dissolving into the flow of life”.
Meditation is “meeting yourself without your stories”.
Love is “meeting the other without stories”.
Enlightenment is “meeting all of life without stories”.
Heaven is “loving where you are”. (AB)
Hell is “judging where you are”. (AB)
Anger is “frustrated expectations”. (AB)
Guilt is “anger turned inwards”. (AB)
Hate is “fermented anger”.
Forgiving means “thank-you for-giving this to me”.
Equations to Remember:
Wholesome = True + Good + Beautiful (G)
Here…
Science = What is True?
Religion = What is Good?
Art = What is Beautiful?
Concern = Attention + Fear
Care = Attention + Love
Event + Response = Outcome (JC)
Job = Hands – (Heart + Head)
Career = (Head + Hands) – Heart
Calling = Heart + Head + Hands
Deep Listening = (Words + Feelings + Intentions + Silence) – Assumptions
Reflective Listening = Pause + Question + Reflect (BT)
Authentic Speech = True + Kind + Necessary (S)
Spirituality = Religion – Fear
Presence = Persona + Essence
Peace = Present – Expectations
Suffering = Feeling + Resistance
Boredom = Now – Wow
Blunder = Belief – Wonder
Actualize = Vocalize + Visualize + Emotionalize + Actionize
Dharma = Discover Who You Really Are + Hone Your Gifts + Share Your Gifts
Drama = Dharma – Humility
Discontentment = Experience – Appreciation
Bondage = Experience + Stickiness
Freedom = Experience – Stickiness
Jealousy = Compliments – Rejoicing
There are many more, but this a good start!