I sometimes think that deep within myself I have a belief that life should be a struggle, that peace, joy, comfort etc are somehow secondary to hard work, toil, and grief.

I think this comes from my father who, although brought up in a loving environment, had to go out to work when he was fifteen years old to support his mother (my grandmother) who had been widowed at a young age.

My father is now retired and is healthy and happy. I never faced any of the struggles that he did when he was young as he and my mother provided very well for me and my brothers and sisters. However, I think his strong work ethic and background instilled this (perhaps limiting) belief within me.

How can I explore this further and perhaps create a new belief in it’s place?

When I reach the state of pure being or gap while meditating – I introduce my intentions there. I try to be detached to my intentions. But sometimes , a related thought with my intentional goal pops up while I am introducing my intention. This related thought is of fear and doubt.

This related thought comes just after I have introduced the intention. It just happens that I have been in the gap, enjoyed the bliss…and when I introduce the intention, thoughts of fear and doubt surround me.
In this scenario I totally get lost. My meditation is not that good and I lose my peace.

I have enjoyed reading your books, and some similar books, and have felt comforted and reassured that if I only used my free will I could do anything. It has also been a burden of cause, when it seemed like it ‘didn’t work’, or maybe I did something ‘wrong’ or maybe I didn’t listen carefully enough. But then…of cause…i stumble across the book I Am That by Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj, and the work of Steven Wolensky, and I find out that there is no free will, or subjective intention. And it also seems quite logical that behind this world, behind this mind of mine, there must be something,…a witness, and who is observing the witness then, and when i get ‘out there’ there can be no I, no construction because then it is consciousness, and therefore an illusion. So the ‘master mind of nothingness’, the -0, is the creator of the illusion that I call me, and my world. ?
So in short, do you believe in the free will?

I had a family member who was and is emotionally violent towards me.
I find it very difficult when things get very heated to NOT be emotionally violent in return.
What is the best way to break this emotional violence cycle?
I am a parent, now. I have worked very diligently in breaking the cycle.
I have never been emotionally violent towards my child. However, I just got off the phone with a customer service representative who I was, possibly, a little emotionally violent (oops!!).
Working at being harmonious, universally.

(From Germany) Your inspiring thoughts are my companions over the last 16 years, thanks a lot!

The last two years I was going on earth wishing to meet a deep, caressing love. No wonder it happened. I meet her. I feel absolutely deep in love.

My question is deeply serious, deeply touched by feelings of responsibility. Before all feelings of fall in love, loving I feel is it allow for me (54 years old) to love a young beautiful woman with a great soul, wonderful lady(36 years old), a doctor like you, who has desire for her first child.
Yes, indeed, I can´t answer it or maybe I won´t? Going the way of love all seems clear, going with thoughts of anxiety I should stop our love at once.

Would be great You give me some questions, some thoughts, some advice on my way.