What I find difficult is persistently telling the mind no when it wants to engage in a pattern it has come to define as comfortable, even at the expense of our own health or happiness.
Sometimes all that works is grace from the Gurus and gentle persuasion on our part, while keeping the right environment and company. Unless we are enlightened or saints it is very difficult overcoming the influence of environment. This can be said more so for a Cancer native and with our friend Namaste2all who is a Pisces; we absorb the vibrations of those around us.
I noticed my vibration being in quite a higher disposition and my spiritual life more eventful while in the presence and meditation of spiritually advanced souls. This recognition, while not always noticed in the short term, becomes more noticeable when looking at the general trends of our life in retrospect. Also, on the contrary I have had to recognize that what I thought about some people I knew.... I have had to revise over the years. It is because there is really no medium in our spiritual life. We are either going forward or being pulled downward. Thus it is with our mental health.
I honestly have been influenced the most by you recently when you sent this;
It is a very strong plea and i sincerely hope to have the chance to be in this man’s presence someday if possible. I would look to see his tour information. People like this change your thoughts and attitudes forever just being in their presence. I noticed that last year was just not the same without seeing Amma and being in her presence and grace with her darshan. I pray we are able to be on a spiritual retreat together seeing one such as these. I also miss such pilgrimages with a long time spiritual friend; ‘Namaste2all’; Scott Stephayn .