East West Wisdoms

So many paths to unfolding!

Jacqui — Sun, 19 May 2013 12:07:10 +0000

My understanding around the teaching that there is ‘no one right way’ and that there are numerous paths to awakening, continues to unfold. A week ago, I was deeply moved by the devotional singing and devotional attitudes and mudras of the thousands of people paying their respects to the divinity and guru perceived at the [...]

From time to time, it is useful to see the beautiful in the unbeautiful…(said Buddha)

Jacqui — Sat, 11 May 2013 12:54:45 +0000

We were all set for our first train journey in India, from Delhi to Amritsar, loaded up with rucksacks and filled with anticipation, when we were hijacked near the entrance to our platform. A man we thought was a ticket inspector insisted we needed a boarding pass to accompany the e-tickets we showed him. He [...]

Dance of purification and one-ness

Jacqui — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 08:11:28 +0000

The wonderful, playful, purifying, connecting festival of Songkran has just run its course in Thailand. For three days, between April 13 and 15, the whole nation – and its visitors – perform a ritual dance of purification and connection as they welcome in the new year. In the words of my reporting daughter, rapturously [...]

Awakening from my long sleep!

Jacqui — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 07:42:07 +0000

Some of you may have noticed that this site has been dormant for a long time. I have been ‘away’ on other business and asleep to East West Wisdoms until this morning. Today, a joyous, wisdom-bearing sprite awoke me with her words and pictures. Some might call this sprite my youngest daughter; some a passionate [...]

Narcissism as defence or delusion?

Jacqui — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 06:23:11 +0000

We all have elements of narcissism – otherwise known as self-centred preoccupation and blindness to others – but is this a necessary defence against the hazards of life or is it the prime delusion that causes our suffering? In Western psychotherapy these days the common emphasis is on strengthening self esteem and the evaluating ego. [...]

The greatest gift you can give is your interest!

Jacqui — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 08:17:16 +0000

We all know that Christmas is a time for giving and receiving but, unfortunately, for some this expectation is a burden or a prompt to contemplate the absence of loved ones and the sort of friends you feel drawn to exchange gifts with. Like many of you, I have friends who find Christmas a particularly [...]

Confessions of an ex-Catholic Spiritual Seeker

Jacqui — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 05:14:59 +0000

It never ceases to amaze me how we live our lives shrouded by several layers of veils! We think we know the assumptions that are guiding our actions but, so often, we don’t. The veils shield them from our view. And then, one day, a wise being gently prods one of these veils, saying something [...]

Opening the heart to flood victims

Jacqui — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 02:45:29 +0000

I am writing to you from Queensland where 70% of the State is severely effected by our recent torrential rains and overflowing rivers and dams. While many thousands of people throughout much of Queensland and northern New South Wales have had to abandon their houses and businesses to the flood waters, I feel so fortunate [...]

Thoughts from Nepal

Jacqui — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 06:14:16 +0000

Just back from Kathmandu and the mountains of Nepal. Soaking up another culture and navigating a drastically different environment is the best mind-opener I know! Sure, one’s first reactions to the unfamiliar may be peppered with criticism but the wonder of a whole new battery of sensory input – smells, sounds, tastes, sights and ideas – [...]

It’s all about perception!

Jacqui — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 05:42:35 +0000

There are days when it all changes. Suddenly a new view is born! So there I was, basking in the sun and lazily contemplating a bird in the tree a little way from me. As I was enjoying its song and antics as it searched for food, I suddenly realised that the bird’s perception of [...]