In each body resides a self, but the self is many; as each of our emotions is a unique self. The selves control us, like guards keeping us imprisoned. The prison doesn't allow us the freedom to experience the now as it is. As we identify with the selves, we only experience the now as our selves. Escaping the prison is awakening to the realization our selves are an illusion.   With many selves controlling us, it's overwhelmingly difficult to escape their clutches. Escaping is possible, when all our selves are integrated as one self. This is the purpose of meditation.   “Muddy water, let stand, becomes clear.” -- Lao Tzu Meditation calms the selves. Once calmed, the selves become one. The self no longer guards us. It is our child. Lovingly, we can then put the self to sleep. Then we can awaken.   Awakened, what we are is beyond our self. We are the soul. The soul's singular emotion is love. We love the self and every thing beyond the self, for all are expressions of the one soul....

With eyes open, our mind shows us the infinite manifestations of reality. With eyes closed, we see one thing: nothing, the true nature of reality....

When the wealthiest and most powerful man in the world, Alexander the Great, asked Diogenes of Sinope what he can do for him, Diogenes replied: "move at least a little out of the sun". The greatest gift is to get out from the shadow of the self and connect with the source of all things....

Those who know the soul is eternal experience a peaceful death; for when the self and its home (the body) are no longer, they will be one with the Everything. Yet, at their passing, their loved ones will grieve and mourn. Newborns cry as they transition from one with the Everything into finite beings. Yet, those welcoming newborns rejoice. Those peacefully departing and those entering the material world know the joy and peace of oneness with the Everything. Those stressed by the dualities in their daily lives are often oblivious of the oneness before and after the material world. They grieve when others leave or rejoice when others arrive in their world because misery loves company....

When good times lead to worse times and bad times lead to better times, that's called "regression to the mean". When good times lead to better times and bad times lead to worse times, that's called "momentum". Survival depends on identifying these countervailing forces....