Total Thoughts (January 25, 2009) - Practicing Moderation

Practicing Moderation
How Motives Affect our Actions

• Trying to figure out another's motive is fruitless - we should just practice acting the way we should be acting
• When we focus on our own motives rather than another's, negative thoughts are reduced - with less negative thoughts we have more peace of mind
  
• We should be conscious of every choice we make, even if the choice seems small - every thought and every action has an lasting affect
• Appreciating the importance of our choices allows us to make better choices
  
• Reflecting on what our motives are is important - only with such reflection will we realize the source of our actions
• Moderation is only practiced with a weakness - we should moderate harmful thoughts and actions to overcome weakness for the long term 
• A spiritual foundation is stronger than a foundation based on principles - the spiritual person acknowledges a Higher Power which a principle person tends not to
• Desire, actions and thoughts are only different in expression (i.e. causal, subtle and gross) - each generates each other (i.e. hrdaya granthi or the knots of the heart)

Foundation for our upcoming discussion:  The Role of Alcohol in our Culture and Is the Motive More Important than the Means

Please note that we will not meet on Sunday February 15th as this is the Family Day Weekend.

See you all on Sunday.

'Sufism means that God makes you die to yourself and makes you live in Him.' --- Qushayri

Inspire-Love-Peace