A few years ago the journalist and author John Horgan wrote an article about his personal exploration of Buddhism, and the unfavorable view of Buddhist practice and philosophy that he had “regretfully” arrived at. Mr. Horgan, who as a writer specializes in covering the world of science, is also well-versed on the subject of spiritual enlightenment, having written an excellent book on what cutting-edge science has to say about the quest for transcendental experiences. Having read a couple of his books, and having a high opinion of him as both a writer and a person, when I recently chanced upon his article on Buddhism I was naturally keen to learn what opinion he had formed.

Even though I don’t actually wear the label “Buddhist”, my thinking and spiritual practice has a great deal in common with certain Buddhist schools of thought. And I’ve always had the highest regard for dedicated Buddhist practitioners. So I felt a little disappointed and defensive when I read some of Mr. Horgan’s critical thoughts. It’s not that his thoughts, per se, took me by surprise. Some of his pet peeves against Buddhism are actually pretty classic criticisms. Criticisms that chauvinistic and racist Western opponents of Eastern religions first began to voice way back in the late 19th century.

"The cosmos is a vast living body, of which we are still parts. The sun is a great heart whose tremors run through our smallest veins. The moon is a great nerve center from which we quiver forever. Who knows the power that Saturn has over us, or Venus? But it is a vital power, rippling exquisitely through us all the time."
- D.H. Lawrence

"Astrology is a fact, in most instances. But astrological aspects are but signs, symbols. No influence is of greater value or of greater help than the will of an individual ... Do not attempt to be guided by, but use the astrological influences as the means to meet or to overcome the faults and failures, or to minimize the faults and to magnify the virtues in self."
- Edgar Cayce

But, more often we give our future self a problem instead of a gift. We spend more money then we have, we don’t clean up our mess, we cover up problems, we don’t take good care of ourselves, we don’t learn new skills to keep up, we don’t read the instructions on something we are putting together, we don’t listen when someone is telling us something.

On that day, we pause from our regular activities and menial concerns, transcend our egos, and join hands in a chain of fraternity and joy that is meant to bring us back to our origin as one unique and connected family: humanity.

Here is a script for a guided visualisation to help someone become a happier person. I have used many hypnosis, NLP, and meditation techniques for an extra powerful effect. Simply find a partner and get yourselves into a comfortable place where you won’t be disturbed for 20 minutes or so. Get them either seated or lead down, whichever they prefer, and make sure they don’t have their legs crossed as this can cause some discomfort later.

You need to read this in a slow and calm so that the suggestions are better absorbed by the subconscious mind. It is also a good idea to read them with some involvement – passion and feelings. This will greatly help your partners experience.

The waitress was either busy, or ignoring us. Either way my dad wanted more coffee and someone else at the table needed mustard. After a decent interval of waiting, I got up and got both the coffee and the mustard myself.

"Astrology is a fact, in most instances. But astrological aspects are but signs, symbols. No influence is of greater value or of greater help than the will of an individual ... Do not attempt to be guided by, but use the astrological influences as the means to meet or to overcome the faults and failures, or to minimize the faults and to magnify the virtues in self."
- Edgar Cayce

"Astrology is a fact, in most instances. But astrological aspects are but signs, symbols. No influence is of greater value or of greater help than the will of an individual ... Do not attempt to be guided by, but use the astrological influences as the means to meet or to overcome the faults and failures, or to minimize the faults and to magnify the virtues in self."
- Edgar Cayce

The fire was doing something we had never seen before. It would quiet down so that all that we saw were very hot logs, and then a spurt or whiff of fire would rise and immediately blink out, as the entire roof of the stove would suddenly be alive with flame. Within moments it would quiet down and repeat the process, but never the same way twice.