วันจันทร์ที่ 23 ธันวาคม พ.ศ. 2556

Book Review of "A Question of Faith: A Simple Question Toward Ultimate" by Tor Constantino


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A Question of Faith: A Simple Question toward Ultimate Truth [Paperback]

by Tor Constantino

160 pages, $9.97

ISBN-13: 978-1452825625

Nonfiction

Review by Steven King, MBA, MEd

The anticipation of taking a standardized test typically fills most people with a certain level of dread. If one is seeking attendance at a particular school, or if he needs a certification to enhance his career, the preparation for and taking the test itself, causes quite a bit of nervous anxiety. However, once you have lived your life, the career you chose and the certifications you held probably mean very little in the big scheme of things.

What if something as important as the choice of your religious faith came down to answering a simple question? For instance, you find yourself taking a standardized test and run across the following question:

Q: Which of the major world religions listed below is the best for someone to believe?

A. Buddhism
B. Christianity
C. Hinduism
D. Islam
E. Judaism
F. Sikhism

How would you answer the question and, more importantly, is there a correct answer using the same logic employed in taking a standardized test?

Tor Constantino demonstrates in his A Question of Faith: A Simple Question Toward Ultimate Truth that the answer to both questions is a resounding: yes!

Each of the six religions posed in the question above are evaluated using the following grid:

BackgroundBeliefs in BriefBottom-line belief

At the end of each section, Constantino offers supplemental reading material for those who venture to his website and download the free articles.

After reading the book, I was quite satisfied that Constantino had done his homework and provided sufficient, unbiased information about each religion. In the end of the book, he does show which religion, in his estimation, provides the correct answer to the question posed. Perhaps more importantly, he explains why he feels it does. Those seeking religious answers will not be misguided by the thoughtfulness that accompanies this work. Having this type of resource is sure to help seekers find a balance in their quest for religious truth.

Answering this question might be the most important test you ever undertake. Remember the words of Sherlock Holmes, "How often have I said to you that when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be truth?" Quite possibly, Mr. Holmes would have done very well on many different standardized tests...but how would he have fared on the one that matters most: a question of faith?




วันจันทร์ที่ 9 ธันวาคม พ.ศ. 2556

What Is Intuition?


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Intuition is defined as: the ability to understand something without conscious reasoning; a thing that one knows from instinctive feeling rather than conscious reasoning.

Intuition is often confused with some similar concepts:

1. Intuition is often mistakenly called instinct. Instinct refers to an inborn behavior as opposed to a learned behavior. Instincts are biologically-based, with the intention of promoting survival long enough to reproduce.

All animals are driven by instinct and we have instincts too - fear of heights, the fight or flight response, etc. These are not intuition.

When you're in a dangerous situation, yes, instinct will kick in; if you're in a non-threatening situation and you feel uneasy, it's probably your intuition!

2. Intuition, or a gut feeling is a strong physiological response to information that has come into our consciousness in ways outside the physical senses - it's called a gut feeling because it's often felt in the stomach or in the heart area. It can be anxiety or nausea, or a good feeling of lightness... (or other feelings) depending on the information received.

3. Inspiration is the "process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something", usually referring to something creative. Some have called it a higher form of intuition. Intuition is a sense about something; inspiration is complete with images and even instructions.

4. Insight refers to looking within for answers. This, too, relies on the nonphysical senses and thinking in a more nonlinear, less constrained way. Intuition and insight are closely intertwined; both arise from our ability to perceive the energetic quality of things, people, thoughts, etc.

Reasoning And Logic

As a culture, we've been taught to rely on reasoning and logic. And so, when we get hunches and gut feelings, we often dismiss them. Intuition often comes in the form of weird cryptic messages in dreams or physical sensations that have nothing to do with what the senses perceive. But this non-logical way of thinking is just as valid!

We have all picked up on the vibe from certain people or places. There is a part of us, separate from our logical thinking, that picks up on the energy around us. We've all had moments when conscious reasoning said GO yet we have a strong feeling to STAY - or the reverse.

Have you noticed that when you take action on the inner voice, it often ends up being a really good idea?

Rationalization

You know that it's easy to rationalize and talk yourself into or out of something. This is often based on logic and often constrained by self-imposed limitations. Say you have a goal in mind, but because you lack the skills and resources to achieve it, you rationalize letting the goal go - "it wasn't meant to be".

BUT... if you were to listen to your intuition, you might realize that you actually feel really good when you think about your goal!

If you allow yourself to think in terms of possibility (you can acquire the skills/resources) instead of present reality (you don't have the skills/resources) then your decision to go for it will be easier.

Reason And Intuition

We need both reason and intuition to make the best decisions. Otherwise, why is our brain set up the way it is? Neuroscientists estimate that only 20% of the brain is devoted to logical, conscious thought. That means that 80% is dedicated to non-conscious thought. If you allow intuition, you'll use your whole brain for decision making, integrating the linear, logical way of thinking with the random, nonlinear way of thinking

Learn to listen to your body for clues if you're just getting used to listening to intuition. Ultimately, if a decision feels good and happy, it's right. If you feel tension, anxiety, etc., re-think your decision.

You can do this before you make a big decision, for example whether to leave a job. You hate the job. It wears you down and you'd rather do something you're good at and love... but it's a decent paycheck and the economy is terrible.

Now what?

Tough choice...

So engage your imagination. Pretend you've made the choice to leave, and monitor your physical and emotional reaction. Then, pretend you've chosen to stay in the job. Again monitor your physical and emotional reaction. There will be a remarkable difference.

You can apply this technique anytime you're faced with a difficult decision. Weigh the facts, and then listen to your intuitive guidance without judgment or ridicule. Sometimes, intuition and logic come to the same conclusion. Sometimes, they differ.

For best results (which you may not perceive at the moment), DO WHAT FEELS RIGHT.

We have this amazing ability to talk ourselves into doing what is not aligned with our soul's desires. When we listen to the inner voice, we end up following a much easier, happier path than if we relied on logic alone.

Julie Lewin is a world renowned authentic Medical Intuitive and Meditation Teacher and has created a unique healing system by using creative and spontaneous visualization. As well as teaching meditations, she also teaches how to live your authentic purpose, and how to live a profound life on her website - http://www.spirituallysensitivesouls.com/. To find out more about her medical intuitive work go to http://www.julielewin.com/.