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 The Treasure Trove Within [6:53m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

A wildly misleading trend causing undue stress needs to be stopped. There are countless gurus standing up and telling us to “be like me, do as I say,” as they are “successful, have all the answers,” and so on. The truth is, that what may work for me, may not work for you. We’re not the same people. If everyone was like Dr. Phil, Anthony Robbins, or Oprah, then doing exactly what they say and modeling your way of being in the world after them would make sense. But even those three people are so different, who do you listen to?  (more…)

Security is basically a mental construct; in reality there’s no such thing.  The real world is filled with brain embolisms, cancer, drunk drivers, people changing their minds or lying, etc.  We invented the concept of “security” in our brains, which creates an alternate environment to reality because reality scares us.  tough s___ really, cuz we’re stuck with it. :->  We can take precautions to mitigate bodily harm (don’t walk across freeways) but after that,

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The Spiral: our most ancient and perfect symbol/model of Life itself.  The simplest and most profound within One structure - One form.  Progress/progression is marked by Include and Transcend the area preceding.   When we extrapolate, the Spiral also offers what is not Natural to Life: doubling back, second-guessing, tangents. 

When we can live an Integral Life: following this model of Life/Reality itself, we Include and Transcend as we Progress.  We don’t divert from the Path to go backward, stop moving, or go off on tangents.  We don’t create a digital construct of 0s and 1s where we separate ourselves from Nature (thus each other.)  We relax

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 Walking in Someone Else's Shoes [7:07m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Most of us have been taught that in order to have compassion for someone, or understand their actions, we need to walk a mile in their shoes.  Then we’d understand why they do what they do or say what they say.  Actually, that’s not altogether true. 

We go into situations with our own beliefs, values, and perspectives, whether those situations are ours or someone else’s.  Stepping into their situation (walking in their shoes) with our own beliefs, values, and perspectives, is in no way having the same experience as they would have.  We’re not only fooling ourselves, but probably going down the wrong road as well.  (more…)

 

 Standard Podcast [7:27m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Action Steps for Success
There are steps you can take right now, that will help you achieve success with less stress and more joy.  They don’t require any expense, and they’re within your grasp.  These four communication shifts have turned faltering companies into wildly successful ones.  Applying Conscious Communication shifts the entire culture of an organization, and brings it into the 21st Century.

1.  Start with what if questions, not decrees.
As a leader of any kind, regardless of your intentions, there will be a natural sense of resistance to virtually anything you have to say.  That’s just the way it is.  Most people are completely unaware of how much unconscious “power struggle” they’re involved in.  It’s probably leftovers from a parent/child dynamic that comes up when they feel they have less power.  Decrees feel like being told to “take out the trash,” or “clean your room.”

On the other hand, when people are asked questions that create the image of your desired outcome in their minds, they start seeing where you want to go.  (more…)

 

 Conscious Communication and You [10:08m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

One Root - a Million Dandelions
Conscious Communication has covered areas from the philosophical to nuts and bolts communication practices.  We’ve highlighted inroads to personal development and more effective management and leadership.  Why?  All of these areas rely on communication.  Whatever we do to improve our communication improves virtually every other area of our lives.  The more consciousness and awareness we bring to our communication, the more conscious and aware we become as people.  Again, you may ask why.  Why is this desirable?

Virtually every mistake we make in our lives and businesses can be traced back to a lack or lapse of this awareness.  On the other side, we can give credit for virtually every success (more…)

 

 What's Stopping You [8:36m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

The Self-Limiting Story
Many of my previous chronicles have addressed “liberation,” or a sense of freedom as a desired outcome.  “Freedom is good, lack of freedom is bad” seems to be a pretty obvious axiom.  At the very least, having more options is a better position to be in.

Yet something inside us holds back.  (more…)

“The Way does not require cultivation - just don’t pollute it.  What is pollution? A fluctuating mind, fabricating artificialities and contrivances.  If you want to realize the Way directly, all you need is your natural Mind.  This is the mind without artificiality, without subjective judgments, without grasping or rejection.”  - abridged from Chan Master Mazu, 12th Century.

When you remember that what you are searching for is that (who) is conducting the search, you can stop and discover what is already present; connection to Source/Being and the Real Version of what you were chasing.  For example, if I chase (more…)

 

 Subtext: Friend or Foe? [8:19m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

The Space Between
Implicit Confusion / Explicit Clarification explored the pitfalls of not fully and clearly expressing something; leaving nothing to interpret.  We looked at this from the speaker’s perspective, in terms of being explicit and not implying what needs to be stated clearly.  Implications are fraught with interpretation, and interpretation is fraught with our own worldviews and baggage. 

Looking at this issue from the perspective of the listener we may have far more power to keep the communication on track.  (more…)

 

 Implicit Confusion - Explicit Clarity [8:13m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Three Strikes and You’re Out (revisited)

Just as a quick reminder, the “Three Strikes of Communication” are Assumptions, Projections, and Avoidance.  These are the most fundamental ways we take our communication off track, and stopping them is the most foolproof way to improve your communication and your relationships.  For the most part, these Three Strikes show up as a function of the listener.  It’s the listener who makes the assumption that they understand something, that they’ve experienced what the speaker is expressing, and that there is no need to check in for clarification.  Digging a little deeper, we need to look at both the listener’s and the speaker’s contributions.  This is where implicit vs. explicit communication comes into play.

Let’s start by being really clear about our meanings here.  (more…)