Everyday Wisdom Philosophy School

Short Summary:

Step 1. Self Acceptance
Without self acceptance we cannot heal or grow. Often we may feel that our problem is that other people don’t accept us, until we stop and realize that this simply points to the ways in which we don’t accept ourselves. Every human being has fears and insecurities and gets confused. Every human being has natural wisdom and a deep capacity to love. When we can accept both sides of ourselves , we can then consciously heal our wounded and confused self with our own inner-wisdom . The doorway to our true potential then opens to us. We are then in a better position to accept and work with any challenges that we may face in life.

Step 2. Personal Responsibility
When we combine acceptance with responsibility, self-condemnation is replaced with compassionate caring for our own humanness. Facing our issues is much easier when choosing this approach because personal responsibility simply becomes an opportunity to build a better relationship with ourselves . The result is an increasing inner harmony. Also, unhealthy dependency and conflict is reduced, improving our relationships with those around us.

Step 3. Let Go & Tune In
The key to happiness and empowerment is a harmonious connection to our own self. Getting caught up in judgement and conflict with ourselves and others shatters this connection. As we learn to let go of these negative thought patterns and instead tune into and care for our own needs and feelings, we discover our own power of wisdom and healing. As a result we gain an increasing experience of command over our own lives. As our hearts heal and open, we increasingly attract love and abundance into our lives.

Step 4. Live in the Now
When we get in touch with our needs and feelings, we are increasingly able to achieve the clarity of mind to take wise action on our own behalf. Another benefit of tuning in is that we discover how to learn from the past, set goals and make plans for the future, but live in the now. As a result our life simplifies, and our happiness and vitality increases. Self-empowerment and self-mastery becomes a real experience in our lives.

Step 5. Live the Process
Step 5 is about committing to this new empowered way of approaching life. By working these steps, every problem becomes an opportunity to connect more with ourselves and grow stronger. Our ability to trust and be confident increases. W e attract healthier relationships and we better manage those relationships we have. Every day we continue to evolve into our true potential. Every day we have something to give back to the world, for we increasingly have love to spare.

Long Summary:
Step 1. Total Self-Acceptance
I accept my right to be human.
As human beings we are totally acceptable and worthy - we have always been so and always will be. This is absolute. Our human imperfections do not effect our worth as human beings. Self-judgement, created from old emotional wounds, attacks our worth and is the real reason for our suffering. When we are suffering, our mind is in a state of confusion. Deep down we are crying out for love and healing. We can heal ourselves because we are also Souls of true perfection. Self-acceptance creates within our being a state of unity that prepares the way for healing. Therefore we are imperfect and perfect, and this is perfectly human.

Step 2. Total Personal Responsibility
I am committed to care for myself.
Personal responsibility is the total commitment to care for ourselves in the spirit of total self-acceptance, gentle patience, and unconditional love. There is no judgement. By working this step we realise that our negative thoughts and emotions come from our own confused and wounded mind. As human beings we have the power to stand apart from our wounded mind and hold it in a loving space of compassionate and patient acceptance. Whenever we experience discontent we have another opportunity to care for and heal our painful thoughts and emotions. Our pain is our responsibility. We are not a victim. We can also care for ourselves by reaching out for help. Step 2 reveals to us the vital importance of this absolute commitment to care for ourselves, and how this commitment releases us from unhealthy dependency by aligning our consciousness to our heart and Soul.

Step 3. Let Go & Tune In
I change my world by changing myself.
Letting go reveals how to step out of the ego games of blame, conflict and control, and step into the freedom of personal growth and healing. This step helps us to recognise that there is nothing outside of our self. Our life simplifies dramatically when we accept that all that we experience is our self experiencing the world. To change our life it is our own reactions to the world, and the people in it, that we need to focus on and take total responsibility for. We do this by staying present with our own physical sensations, emotions and thoughts in the spirit of loving compassion for ourselves. By staying in touch with our self in this way our ego also opens to our Soul, giving us the power to heal and the clarity of mind to move into wise action. We gain a great focus of power to change our world by first healing and re-aligning any part of our own mind that is not motivated by unconditional love for our self and all others. Every experience then becomes an opportunity to grow in self-awareness, self-love, and self-empowerment. We can change our world by simply changing our self.

Step 4. Live in the Now
I stay present in the now and find oneness with life.
As a physical being with its ego, we can only act in the now. We have no power over the past or the future other than ensuring that we make the most of today, which points us in the right direction for tomorrow. We can only learn from the past, make plans and set goals for the future, and then trust our Soul to take care of rest. Therefore, regret and worry is a form of victim thinking and is in need of healing. When we forget and slip back into our old ways, we can pick the process up again at any time and learn from our human mistakes. Everyday is a new day. With this realisation our life simplifies even more and we find we have a greater ability to make the most of our opportunities. It does not matter what directions we take. By working the steps and therefore staying connected to the guidance of our own heart, in time we always end up going the right way.

Step 5. Live the Process
I live the process and gain the power to take command of my life one day at a time.
There is no moment in life that does not contain a lesson. Without an effective process for healing, wisdom and self-empowerment we are travelling blind in a world of confusion. Having a solid process to guide us ensures that we grow in awareness of these lessons and learn from them. Being totally committed to such a process means that it becomes our new way of life. As we gain a deeper understanding of this new way of thinking we soon realize that we have the ability to face anything that crosses our path. Every experience in life becomes an opportunity to expand our consciousness and transcend our suffering. We do this by remaining open and tuned into our own being. We then have something to give to others, because we now know how to remain open to receive from the Light of our own Soul, which is directly connected to the source of life itself.
(From "5 Step for Mastering Life")

Questions and answers on the 5 Step Process

1. Law of Harmony
The human mind thrives in an atmosphere of harmony. Harmony is created by individuals accepting each other as they are in their humanness. This attitude of acceptance initiates an intention of goodwill and cooperation towards others. It is having the ability to not be threatened by the difference in others, or by our human frailties, but instead work with and appreciate difference and have compassion for each other's humanness. When a group of individuals interact together with this intention the result is harmony. Individuals who create harmony in the world are able conduct themselves with loving detachment in all situations.

2. Law of Integrity
The human consciousness is able to learn and grow through life's experiences so long as the human mind is being responsibility taken care of - that is; as adult human beings we take full responsibility for everything we do, think, feel and say. Such a commitment to personal responsibility leads to integrity. Someone who has integrity is someone who is honest, dependable and stable in all situations. One who has true integrity uncompromisingly lives by solid universal principles of truth. Integrity is the solid foundation beneath every lasting, thriving and just community.

3. Law of Unconditional Love
By our very nature, as human beings we emerge from our childhood experiences having accumulated much confusion in our minds. This confusion leads to all the conflict and suffering in the world. This confusion is caused by the delicate child's mind evolving in an environment that at times lacks unconditional love. Therefore, only unconditional love has the power to heal the human mind and return it to a state of harmonious balance with the laws of nature. To the degree that human beings are able to embrace their humanness with the unconditional love of their spiritual consciousness, is the degree that they will heal themselves and facilitate healing and balance wherever they go. Unconditional love is also the ultimate healer of our bodies and the world's environment - the body of our planet.

4. Law of Mindfulness
Mindfulness is being able to live and act with an eternal awareness of the true reality of things in any given moment. It is being able to know and feel the difference between the fantasies of one's human mind and what is really occurring. Mindfulness comes from true clarity. Clarity comes from true wisdom. Wisdom comes to one who sincerely practices loving acceptance and compassionate personal responsibility. Mindfulness promotes simplicity and efficiency in all things. All actions carried out through mindfulness are done in accordance to the highest laws of nature and therefore result in the highest good of all.

5. Law of Universal Consciousness
Universal consciousness is the knowing that all things are dependent on all things. Every cause has an inevitable effect that reverberates throughout eternity. If that effect is not in accordance to the laws of harmony and balance, imbalance in nature and the suffering of sentient beings is the result. This effect will keep reverberating until it has been neutralized by a counteracting cause. One who has universal consciousness is aware and mindful of one's impact, whether positive or negative, on the environment and on all other beings in every moment. Every thought, decision and action is made with this knowing. One who has universal consciousness will also inevitably emerge into the knowing of one's essential role in the world and naturally endeavor to live this role to the best of their ability.