Image by Gerd Altmann
We live in a world where our entire lives, almost everywhere, are totally invaded by advertising. It’s not yet in the underground caves explored by speleologists or on the sides of Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa or Mount Everest (but who knows if it will not be there when I attempt to climb Mount Everest for the 37th time?)
I grew up in a world where advertising was quasi inexistent. My first ten years were spent in England just before, during and after the war and I came to my native Switzerland when I was ten. Advertising started timidly appearing in the daily newspapers and later on billboards, and then with the fifties and especially sixties things picked up and it’s now everywhere. My dentist does not yet project ads while I’m in the dental chair, but who knows what will happen during my next visit to him?
When I was in my early twenties I read two books by American writer Vance Packard, which were among the most influential books in my life, The Hidden Persuaders, on the mechanisms of advertising, and The Waste Makers, on our throw away, hyper-consumption societies.
In Geneva, where I live, there are ads running in the buses the whole time and you can’t miss them. So, I often sit right at the front of the bus where there are seats facing away from the ads and, instead of having my eyes glued to the TV spots, I quietly bless the passengers. It sure helps me to stay centered and I’m certain it doesn’t harm them.
How We Think, Ultimately, Depends on Us
There are two statements that run my life (and I will write a later blog just on these). One is: “All things work together for those who love life” and especially: “Bring every single thought captive to the obedience of love.” I have lived with these two statements for years now, and my life is like a river flowing quietly and a deep peace its main undercurrent.
I have chosen not to have TV, so no ads invade the peace of my home. No one steals my attention. I am entirely responsible for my life because I choose to be. You too can make similar choices.
And I don’t need TV, now that we are being bombarded by Christmas ads, to remind me that the most precious presents we can make – at Christmas and the whole year around – are the gifts of our deep compassion, of our authentic caring, unselfed love, our profound listening and so many other qualities that anyone can manifest, however poor or handicapped or sad they may be.
For the Complete Fulfillment of All Beings
A Blessing from: 365 Blessings to Heal Myself and the World
One who has left all judgment behind ends up being just filled with the deepest desire for the total fulfillment of all beings – not only humans, but all the inhabitants of the planet – i.e. all forms of life – from the “queer” creatures that exist at 15,000 feet below sea level to the “worst” gangster or greatest saint. It is just a deep, deep yearning beyond all explanation or justification.
I bless all my fellow beings on this planet in their deepest, most radiant fulfillment, whichever expression it may take for the form of life they manifest.
I bless my fellow humans in their radiant freedom, as they fully enjoy the weightless walking on this planet of one who has let go of all attachments.
I bless them in their unconditional love and forgiveness as they experience the complete serenity of one who accepts all beings just as they are, with no expectations or demands that they be otherwise.
I bless them in the deeply settled contentment and lasting peace of one who has realized that (s)he who has enough is rich – a wealth that no bank crash, social crisis or belief of lack can disturb, because it is rooted in the Kingdom within.
I bless my neighbors – and all humans are my neighbors – in their fundamental equanimity and poise that no outward circumstance or encounter can ruffle or upset. And I bless them also in their luminescent joy that it may illumine all those they encounter.
I bless all my neighbors of the animal and plant kingdoms that the huge challenges the planet is undergoing which often seriously endanger their habitats may not upset their role on this planet.
“May all beings be happy, well, and content.”
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©2022 by Pierre Pradervand. All Rights Reserved.
Reprinted with permission from the author's blog.
Book by this Author
365 Blessings to Heal Myself and the World: Really Living One’s Spirituality in Everyday Life
by Pierre Pradervand.
Can you imagine what it would feel like to never feel any resentment for any wrong done to you, gossip or lie disseminated about you? To respond with full awareness to all situations and people rather than react from your gut? What freedom that would entail! Well, this is just one of the gifts the practice of blessing from the heart, i.e. sending out focused love energy, will do for you. This book, from the bestselling author of The Gentle Art of Blessing, will help you learn to bless all situations and people as you go through the day and add overwhelming joy and presence to your existence.
For more info and/or to order this book, click here. Also available as a Kindle edition.
About The Author
Pierre Pradervand is the author of The Gentle Art of Blessing. He has worked, travelled and lived in over 40 countries on five continents, and has been leading workshops and teaching the art of blessing for many years, with remarkable responses and transformational results.
For over 20 years Pierre has been practising blessing and collecting testimonies of blessing as a tool for healing the heart, mind, body and soul.
Visit his website at https://gentleartofblessing.org
