Miracles do not have to be rare and unusual things…

An excerpt from Chapter VII – True Appreciation of the Miracle of the Moment – out of my book, A Glimpse of Heaven: The Philosophy of True Health…

“All facets of the Bright School of Thought theory are logically, intrinsically intertwined in a fashion congruent with the traditional concept of ‘pattern literacy’: In these health arts, pattern literacy is a refined means by which to ‘connect-the-dots’ between deep insights into specific frameworks of knowledge – most particularly, healthful, selfless truth. True appreciation of the miracle of the moment has an acutely powerful connection with two other true health theories, e.g., ‘acting without acting’ and ‘playing the part of the perfect witness.’

In realizing meaningful levels of true appreciation, it is an appropriate step to attempt to do the right thing for the right sake, without need for selfish recognition: acting without acting – taking action based on true and healthful reasons, versus false and unhealthful reasoning or instinct. According to this strategy, the only certain means by which to do this is by playing the part of the perfect witness: employing a light meditative demeanor in which one has made a self-disciplined effort to learn to clear the mind of thought, e.g., unblemished witnessing versus heavy internal dialogue – heavy pernicious cyclical thinking which is promoting of unhealthful craving/desire. This is true freedom – the ability to avoid being weighted-down by heavy cyclical or scattered thinking, without opinion, precognition, preprogrammed, or preset patterns of thinking. This practice may allow us the lightness of being in which we can truly appreciate the miracle of the moment, each moment.

In ‘connecting-the-dots’ and fitting all the pieces of this formula together, it is important to realize that, even in times when we are busy taking care of daily responsibilities and it is obviously impractical to be clearing the mind, such times/moments can be significantly complemented by the blossoming effect resulting from the healthful peace of mind which can be realized through consistent application of the meditative practices mentioned herein.

A clear measure of true health is having the internal wherewithal to interact with others in a spirit of dignity, decency, goodness, and grace – and find a way to truly mean it, No Matter What. We will be unable to do so unless we are willing to look deeply within ourselves and work diligently in dealing with our internal difficulties. Our willingness or unwillingness to do so is, once again, a measure of true health: It is reflected in our ability or inability to look within ourselves with less and less fear. We can choose to improve and evolve, or we can choose to ignore our internal difficulties and suffer accordingly. By nurturing, realizing a truly healthful self-image – by displaying true forgiveness towards oneself for historical misdeeds and faulty internal logic – by learning to heal one’s festering emotional sores, this then, in itself, if it is made to happen more and more often in more and more moments, is truly a miracle to be appreciated: It is realization of true health if we enjoy the wherewithal to choose to appreciate, to ‘pay attention’ to, the miracle and blessing of each moment.

William Henry Channing spoke eloquently in his recognition of a sense of genuine appreciation of the miracle of each of life’s moments and how to realize a healthful way-of-life in congruence thereof:

‘To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable; and wealthy, not rich; to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly…to listen to the stars and buds, to babes and sages, with open heart; await occasions, hurry never…this is my symphony.’

Miracles do not have to be rare and unusual things – as is commonly perceived. Miracles are manifest in each moment of our lives, intrinsic to familiar everyday occurrences whose true significance we most often choose to ignore and take for granted. Life itself – in and of itself, is truly a miracle beyond measure. How dare we not make a genuinely sincere effort to recognize and feel a deep abiding appreciation for it. How dare we take it for granted – each or any moment.” — Dr. Glen Hepker (Copyright 2011)

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I don’t like my vegetables. How much trouble am I in?

An excerpt from Chapter VIII – Endeavor to Avoid Preference for the Sake of Preference – from my book, A Glimpse of Heaven: The Philosophy of True Health…

“We all go through life developing preferences, often blindly, without much thought as to whether they are good or bad for us. Such preferences are most often fashioned after the role models which we witness. Commonly, if asked, we have difficulty explaining why we have this preference or that. The statements, “I don’t like vegetables,” and, “I don’t like exercise,” both seem quite self-defeating and onerously unhealthful. Of course, some preferences are healthful: they are often those which are based on conservative principles of culture – developed over time through trial and error and are easier to explain and justify. Notwithstanding, even some of these preferences can be found to be quite faulty and unhealthful – particularly now that modern science has allowed us a plethora of information with regard to health and wellness.

The primary thesis of this theory sets forth the concept that the value of preferences should be gauged by whether or not they are promoting of good health. This may seem like it is quite evident, e.g., common sense. If that is true, then why is this simple logic not more commonly utilized in practical application? Perhaps the answer is potentially, equally evident. We quite commonly prefer to be creatures of habit, set in our ways, in our ‘comfort zones,’ even if it means being ‘lost’ in what are often obsessively addictive and blind unhealthful prejudicial practices; practices which universally make us unhappy, ill, and even kill us. We fear change, fear appearing different, and/or are lacking of self-discipline, self-esteem, and/or the helpful and in many cases necessary role models from which we can gather healthful inspiration and insight. Living healthfully does not have to be viewed as a means by which to deny ourselves the ‘simple pleasures of life.’ In contrast, preferring to live more and more healthfully can be witnessed as embracement of the joy of true health: It is allowing ourselves the genuine pleasure of substantive and tangible true happiness.” — Dr. Glen Hepker (Copyright 2011)

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How much ‘room for improvement’ can we handle?

An excerpt from Chapter VIII – Endeavor to Avoid Preference for the Sake of Preference – from my book, A Glimpse of Heaven: The Philosophy of True Health…

“We often prefer not to make the effort to be objective and insightful, and many do not choose to develop critical thinking skills at all – choosing a lifestyle in which we develop an ‘addiction’ to ‘running away from ourselves’ – running away from looking inward. In practical application, this is like living a lie. Broad manifestation of unhealthful practices is a vicious cycle: We learn from role models, and we model the same for others – to our contemporaries and from one generation to the next. In commenting on someone’s unhealthful behavior, a common response is “‘gotta go sometime.’” It is a sad commentary when contrasting it with the realization of true health which we are capable of.

Living a way-of-life in which unhealthful preferences are seemingly matter-of-fact norms stifles our ability to feel good about ourselves on a truly substantive level. In contrast, learning to gauge our preferences in a fashion which is congruent with objective understanding of what is healthful, versus what is unhealthful, enables us to develop the capacity to appreciate and enjoy higher and higher levels of True Health. This true gauge can be applied to virtually ANY moment, ANY aspect of our lives. When we nurture and ‘fine-tune’ this gauge, this tool, we are treating life as an art.

One of the greatest gifts in life is the same which is manifest in what makes any art an art: No matter how hard we try to do a ‘good job,’ no matter how much effort we make to perfect it, there is always room for improvement – we can always do a ‘better job.’ Life CAN be an art, an art form, if we prefer, if we choose to embrace it as such. In choosing to realize higher and higher levels of true health, we must be willing to exercise significant levels of free will by ‘opening our eyes’ to this art, this beautiful gift of life – thus taking true responsibility for our own health and wellbeing.

Dependence to, and/or infatuation with unhealthful preferences limits our aptitude in realizing (what are coined herein as) spiritual or divine sparks – spiritual insights. In congruence with the traditions of the health arts which I teach and coach, the ability to promote and commonly experience these ‘insights’ is one of the substantive measures of true health and true freedom.” — Dr. Glen Hepker (Copyright 2011)

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Am I hiding below land level?

What is a less and less blemished ‘witness’…is it one who is selfless and is able to alleviate unhealthful desire/craving? What kind of world would it be if more and more of us learn to play the honest part of the unblemished witness, e.g., developing a finely honed skill in witnessing our internal and external environments as such – without the terrible weight of our preset patterns of thinking, expectations, and freedom-depraving craving and desire? What kind of world would it be if this healthful outlook prompted us to genuinely appreciate, feel gratitude for the innumerable resplendent gifts/blessings which are inside of us and all around us, ALL of the time? What if unhealthful craving and desire (AND fear of healthful change) are the most genuine, most TRUE of diseases?

What if – what if – what if?! What if this is true? What if a truly healthful philosophical way of life is the necessary ‘key’ to unlock the door to (practical application of) the deepest, most splendid applications of our scientific knowledge (which, NO LESS in the contemporary sense, we so often ignore).

Putting the notion of ‘true health through true responsibility’ into practical application is obviously a very difficult thing. Albeit, it IS the right thing for the right selfless sake: As we learn to better and better gauge our thoughts and actions through this lens, it cannot help but make our world, THE world a better place. AND making the world a better place can be embrace, loved, and appreciated as a truest of genuine responsibilities.

We all get ‘stuck’ in our faulty thinking – our bad habits. Mistakes are lessons that we need to learn. Albeit, we don’t need to keep learning the same lessons again and again and again forever: getting permanently stuck on stagnant plateaus can be like a purgatory, a living death. If we choose to exercise it, we have the wherewithal to ‘raise ourselves back up to land level.’ We CAN learn to see, to witness things as they REALLY truly are. Through the healthful lens of unblemished (selfless) objective insight we can learn to play the part of the perfect witness, able to look out into AND past our real and imagined horizons…without(!) the pernicious weight of our ‘baggage.’ We can allow ourselves ongoing moment to moment true appreciation – we can allow ourselves the corresponding pleasure of taking true responsibility for our own health and well-being – we can allow ourselves corresponding and ongoing sparkling spine-tingling/shivering glimpses of Heaven.

How light, bright, and healthful do you want your spirit to be? Is it worth the effort? It is, unless one thinks that hiding below land level is somehow attractive (and it gets more and more morbid…stinkier and stinkier and stinkier). — Dr. Glen Hepker

 

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Can our quality of life be gauged by way of our depth of true appreciation and gratitude?

An excerpt from Chapter VIII – Endeavor to Avoid Preference for the Sake of Preference – from my book, A Glimpse of Heaven: The Philosophy of True Health…

“We have all experienced what we coin as ‘sentimental moments’ – those truly loving and warm, ‘spine-tingling,’ ‘spine-shivering’ sparks that move through our bodies. For most, these are likely very special moments, to say the least: They are often the result of some special insight congruent with a feeling of love, benevolence, goodness, and grace – likely all of the above. Albeit, the significant question herein is how often do we enjoy these not-so-little gifts? For many, these feelings come infrequently. What would life look like if we experienced these feelings MANY times each day? What if we could healthfully prefer to learn to purposely feel that light, that good, more and more often – like a finely-honed skill? Those suffering from machismo may say that such a thing is ‘only for the weak.’ In these health arts, it is one aspect of true strength.

Effort toward avoiding preference for the sake of preference and the consequent realization of healthful multiple spiritual insights each day, is promoting of, and is enhanced by an emotional and spiritual (even physical) lightness – a lightness of being. It is a meditative deportment in which we can learn to ‘lighten’ ourselves of thought. When appropriate to the given circumstances of the moment, we witness, versus think about the circumstance which we find ourselves. Such witnessing is clear, unblemished, without opinion, precognition, or preset patterns of thinking. It is without expectations which abbreviate true freedom. Gathering this sense of lightness by avoiding unhealthful preferences enables us to enjoy a true appreciation for the miracle of the moment: An impeccable love.

Familial, friendship, and romantic love are wonderful things. Even so, the sense of true appreciation spoken of herein IS MORE. It is an ‘impeccable love’ – a glimpse of heaven: It is the true living embodiment of healthful dignity, decency, goodness, and grace – thriving and compassionate, spiritual and divine. This is a level of insight, of being, where time seems to stop. It is Acting Without Acting: ‘doing the right thing for the right sake without the need for selfish recognition.’ It is a means of action in which the right way becomes clear. We all have this capacity – to love and be loved in such a significant way: In this and many fashions, we are all here in the same boat. We can do ourselves a ‘world of good’ if we learn to act like it – thereby displaying a healthful preference toward embracing selfless insight and compassion.

If Heaven exists, it is a place, so-to-speak, where there is no time, no space, no distance – nowhere to ‘hide behind.’ Here in this imperfect existence, these spiritual insights are a meaningful ‘glimpse’ of that perfect place. Preferring to develop a way-of-life in which one learns to take absolute responsibility for one’s own health and wellbeing necessitates realization of true effort. Even so, the journey does not have to be frightening. It can be full of blessings too numerous to count – each moment, each spiritual insight building upon the other. This is the learned gift of true health through true responsibility.” — Dr. Glen Hepker (Copyright 2011)

 

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Can I see clearly now…through the lens of true appreciation?

An excerpt from Chapter IX – “True Effort” – from my book, A Glimpse of Heaven: The Philosophy of True Health…

“At its most basic level, the notion of ‘true effort’ supports this important ideal: If one wishes to realize genuine success in striving for an important objective, then this effort necessitates ‘doing it until it works’ – working at it…working at it…working at it…until nothing short of success is enjoyed – ‘never giving up’ – No Matter What. Through his character D. Juan Matus, Carlos Castaneda set forth a similar notion – “Trying is achieving” – or achieving is nothing short of “impeccable” indefeasible effort.

Too often we say we want to do something or accomplish something – until we discover how difficult it is. We realize that the journey toward the goal or objective is not enough fun – is too complicated – too nasty – too trying. We so often refuse to enjoy the miracle of the journey toward the goal – we focus our eye only on the reward – being unwilling to appreciate and objectively witness the ‘big picture.’ We are all capable of looking at this same issue through a more healthful lens: What a wonderful gift we can allow ourselves if we work toward a goal while displaying true appreciation of the miracle of the moment… each moment of the journey. This is impossible all of the time – albeit recognition of the significance of this practice is a key aspect of a true effort which cannot be separated from a healthful means of trying and achieving.

In these contemporary times, we know that at almost any time we wish, it is a simple matter to just ‘be entertained,’ e.g.: television, computers, cell phones, video games…the list goes on…and on. Such activities require little of us – very little or no effort. What a godsend! Or is it? Food is clearly an important form of entertainment – particularly with such a plethora of it for the average person – and most particularly types of food which are so unhealthful – yet SO GOOD to the taste (and…entertaining). Exercise…’oh boy!’ It appears that for a large majority of us, exercise, e.g., moving the body in a fashion congruent with the way it was meant to…is clearly NOT a form of entertainment. For most of us, being healthy is clearly ‘no fun’: Eating healthfully and exercising (or just moving our bodies) requires, at least initially, serious amounts of effort.

In order to explore the multi-layered notion of true effort in a deeper fashion, we must be willing to look at a common trait which we often seem to blindly display when we exert effort in various circumstances: It is our craving for some sort of reward and/or recognition for said effort, and the positive outcomes thereof. The true health outlook herein is that we should move beyond this base desire or need: It sets forth that healthful change is always more deeply rooted and beneficial as we learn to avoid desire for reward and/or recognition for our effort. The more we embrace effort, versus reward and/or recognition for our effort and accomplishments, the ‘sweeter’ and more enlightening the benefit of our effort will be.

We all have the ability to succeed in this or that by way of our own effort – effort made possible by attributes both inherited and learned. We can choose to seek recognition for our learned/developed attributes – our ability to get things done – our self-efficacy: Much of our self-efficacy is due to our effort toward developing resourcefulness. Is it in any way healthful to desire recognition or reward for our resourcefulness, for reaching goals, accomplishing good things? To this issue it is significant that we ask ourselves this: “Why is it so important that we enjoy such recognition, that we take credit as such?” Or, one could say: “What is the ‘big deal’ as to whether or not we do so?” To this point, Albert Einstein said, “One hundred times every day I remind myself that my inner and outer self depend on the labor of others, living and dead, and that I must exert myself in order to give in the same measure as I have received.” It seems clear that he enjoyed a deep abiding respect for the spirit of unselfish right thinking – reflected in a healthful willingness to reject craving of recognition.” — Dr. Glen Hepker (Copyright 2011)

 

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Is relaxation a skill?

An excerpt from Chapter VI – The Theory of Lightness: The Physical Facet – out of my book, A Glimpse of Heaven: The Philosophy of True Health…

Definitive utilization of the notion of ‘true health through true responsibility’ necessitates substantive philosophical insight into the practical application of the physical tenet of the Theory of Lightness. The theory has a distinct association with ‘true relaxation’ – an ardent appreciation and genuine enjoyment of a lightness of being within one’s body, mind, and spirit. Realization of this high level of relaxation is inclusive of a sense of physical lightness, whether one’s body is stationary or moving. It is commonly accepted in contemporary empirical research that various types of stress and anxiety have a dramatic negative effect on our mental and physical health in myriad fashions. In promoting a genuine ‘lightness of being’ based on healthful practical philosophical objective insight, we can learn to control the stressors and/or anxiety which trigger a heavy sense of being weighted-down.

Light movement, or relaxation within movement, is graceful, relaxed, fluid, connected – not unlike a therapeutic formula for treating stress and anxiety. Such movement reflects one’s ability to move as if one’s mind, and each of one’s body parts enjoy a deeply enhanced intrinsic connection, e.g., not moving in heavy, stiff, disjointed, or jerky fashions. The ability or inability to do so is a true gauge of one’s ability to control stress and anxiety. In these traditions, various relevant notions are handed-down:

~ Those who step lightly, move mindfully and fluidly, know lightness of body, mind, and spirit.

~ Relax the stepping foot – step light, soft, not assuming that the floor of the stage of this comedy and drama is true.

~ If the elbows and knees are bent, and the hands, face, shoulders, and feet are relaxed, you are relaxed, and more and more able to curtain unhealthful anxiety-provoking thought.

~ Hurriedness is a frame of mind and an addiction.

~ Flexibility is life, stiffness is death.

~ The practice of refined abdominal breathing has made many a sick person healthy and many a healthy person remain so…once one becomes able to do it naturally, not just intentionally, it is a gift to oneself whose value cannot be measured.

~ Abdominal breathing in proper timing with gross motor movement is promoting of physical and mental dexterity, genuine strength of being, and
extended youthfulness/resiliency.

~ Consumption of food is a basic need, but our desire of food should not consume us and destroy our health.

~ Poor eating habits, lack of mobility, and overt stress and anxiety, impede circulatory quality of blood, lymph, bioelectric energy, and uptake of oxygen in our bodies…the root of a significant majority of maladies. The inherited natural make-up of our bodies may promote a greater propensity toward realizing particular maladies – you this, I that. Albeit, the fashion by which we treat our bodies both agitates our natural make-up and complements it.

~ Lightning bolts do strike, but most of the time, the heavy pernicious health difficulties we experience are by our own doing…nothing is of greater import than taking genuine responsibility for our own health and wellbeing: It is the right thing for the right sake in myriad fashions.

~ Our bodies evolved moving a lot, not sitting a lot.

When our bodies are not exercised or utilized in fashions congruent with the intrinsic needs which prompted it to evolve into (or be created into) its defined physiology, such a lack of exercise or use prompts it to deteriorate, ‘fall apart.’ The human body evolved walking, running, hunting, gathering, fighting, sleeping, among other things. It did not evolve doing a lot of sitting. Symptoms of this deterioration are reflected in various types or combinations of poor health and weakness – inclusive of disease and a lack of appropriate balance, strength, and relaxed deft coordination.

While most of us obviously are not going to be hunting, gathering, and fighting, etc., we do enjoy avenues by which we can move/exercise our bodies in ways which our bodies were intended. Walking, jogging, running, dancing, stretching, are means of this. — Dr. Glen Hepker

 

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Is there hope for us?

I believe a more healthful human consciousness is evolving and it has been predicated for a considerable time now. What are your thoughts on this? (An inquiry from a reader of my blogs and book.)

Response: Humbly and respectfully, I believe it is much about (and becoming more and more so) a deeper and deeper realization of the import of ‘true Health through true responsibility.’ It has a long way to go…but I believe there is a significant budding awareness as such. In the ages-old traditions that I teach, coach, and endeavor to practice, it is said: “The world would be a much different and better place when at least a slight majority are raised-up or raise themselves up to take true responsibility for their own health and well-being. Humankind will not evolve to a higher level….until this occurs.” This is the primary thesis of the ages-old Bright Beautiful School of Thought (as shared in my book).

It is requisite of a truly substantive amount of true honesty and true appreciation…which are promoting of true happiness and true freedom – but most importantly, needing less and less to hide behind: Consistently (and in a deeply-meant healthful spirit of humility, respect, benevolence, and altruism), if there is a ‘key to the universe,’ this is most succinctly a substantive philosophical description. Its central feature is found in the notion of Acting Without Acting, i.e., endeavoring to do the right thing for the right sake…without the need for selfish recognition or hidden agendas. This ‘central feature’ is splendidly complemented by the notion that we are all much more in the same common boat than we often think and act…hence the primary fault of humankind is the notion that you are there and I am here. A path toward greater and greater insight and practical application into this ‘same boat theory’ is found in benevolently and altruistically supporting each other in our healthful goals. Once again, this is true health through true responsibility – it is recognizing what might or should be our most important goal, e.g., to endeavor to make the world a better place…each day, each moment. This quintessential spirit can prompt us to be more and more light and bright sparkling spine-tingling healthful conduits between Heaven and Earth. — Dr. Glen Hepker

 

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How spiritual is it to be TRULY spiritual?

“Glen, how does one go about being a genuinely spiritual person? The concept of spirituality does not always have the same meaning for everyone. What do you believe is honest spirituality for a genuinely spiritual person? I realize that the term ‘spiritual’ is a label, and that it often doesn’t make sense use such labels. Having said that, I am just curious as to your response.” (An inquiry from a reader of my book and blogs.)

Response: Great questions, thanks so much for asking.

I am not in any fashion a believer that one-size-fits-all, albeit, I believe that the following sayings (as set forth in my new book) speak succinctly to your point at hand (associated with the ages-old traditions that I teach, coach, and practice):

If There is a Heaven (as set forth in various places in my book):

“If there is a Heaven, if there is a ‘key to the universe,’ if there is a ‘sixth sense,’ they are rooted in true honesty and true appreciation, promoting of true happiness and true freedom…but most importantly, needing less and less to hide behind.”

The following analogy complements this thesis quite succinctly (and in a deeply loving and altruistic spirit)”:

Lotus Flower Blossoms Analogy (as set forth in Chapter XV of my new book):

“There is a place where, wherever you are there, whatever you are doing…no matter what, in any given moment, there should be nowhere you would rather be. It is where you are right now – and you have the ability to so deeply and artfully appreciate your life and its living…to connect one healthful insight to the next, and make them all one…learning to witness this already-existing truth.

In the wilderness of our existence…a place of budding flowers about, about to unwrap in a showing of perfect appreciation for all to thrive upon, we are the flowers which can blossom again and again in each season of our deeper and deeper insights…all connected…each better and more healthful than before.

It is not unlike Heaven…and it can become Heaven, with enough insight and appreciation. It takes quite a few sparks, glimpses – spine-tingling moments…as a way-of-life which becomes more and more purposeful…more and more without time or space or distance. More and more there is less and less to hide behind.”

“So Glen, how would the behavior of a spiritual person then look like?”

Response: If I understand you properly…it is that of a healthful spirit – loving, selfless, peaceful, centered, dignified…full of goodness, grace, and decency. Albeit, it is devoid, or almost devoid of any level of codependency. It is a mien in which there is a dire recognition that one of the greatest gifts on this earth is that there is always room for improvement…with regard to deep objective insight and connecting-of-the-healthful-dots, i.e. ‘pattern literacy.’ It is consistent with an outlook in which healthful change is benevolently embraced. It is a strong awareness that we are all much more in the same common boat than is most often displayed…and deep realization of the true responsibility of supporting others in their healthful goals. It is the antithesis of the ‘three portents,’ i.e., hate, greed, and ignorance. It is avoiding preferences for the sake of preference. It is a mien of lightness and brightness – in mind, body, and spirit. It is a spirit and insight in which forgiveness for oneself and others is enjoyed…having released such unnecessary/terribly pernicious weight. It is a very deep and abiding awareness and true appreciation of true love…a love inclusive, yet more than just, familial, friendship, and romantic love. So quite importantly, it is a loving appreciation for the notion that one of our greatest of responsibilities is to make the world a better place…maybe even so much so as to be a glimpse of Heaven. — Dr. Glen Hepker

 

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What is important about ‘accumulation of light (AND lightness)?’ Please take a look.

An excerpt from Chapter V (The Theory of Lightness: The Spiritual Facet) of my book – A Glimpse of Heaven: The Philosophy of True Health…
 
“The spiritual facet of The Theory of Lightness is another significant aspect of the notion of true health. According to these traditions, substantive philosophical insight and practical application into and of the spiritual tenet of the Theory of Lightness has a direct relationship to genuine objective clarity, e.g., true meditation. It is an ultimate lightness of being – or more succinctly, the mind, body, and spirit. As with all aspects of the ‘theory of lightness,’ the realization of this high level of objective insight and true relaxation is inclusive of clearing the mind of thought. It is ‘playing the part of the perfect witness.’

During such practice, cyclical or scattered thinking weights us down and promotes anxiety and tension. As addressed in the previous chapter, the clear and unblemished witness may be at liberty to view their internal and external environments in an open and non-judgmental fashion which is consistent with true health: Witnessing is without opinion, precognition, preprogrammed or preset patterns of thinking – also coined as true freedom. This is a state in which one is not bogged down by heavy craving and desire which promote realization of misery and anxiety.

The spiritual facet of the theory of lightness takes these notions a bit further. Therein, a greater and greater appreciation of the miracle and gift of each moment can be realized: A state of lightness, a clear and meditative awareness of witnessing/realizing the true health in and of the traditional notion of no yesterday, no today, no tomorrow. This is in significant contrast with ‘living for the moment’ – it IS living in the moment. It is true appreciation of the miracle of the moment…the miracle of being: At the risk of being redundant, it is unblemished objective insight into one’s internal and external environments. As is commonly said, and additionally congruent with these traditions, ‘nothing is perfect on this Earth’ – if there is a Heaven, then this is a health-promoting unblemished fleeting glimpse of perfection – a glimpse of Heaven.

Comparatively speaking, there is a notion of heaven in Christian teachings which is pertinent to the notions herein. It relates that, if one has a loved one, friend, or acquaintance who dies, the time in which it takes for them to see you again will be (from their perspective) “the blink of an eye” – even if you yourself live (yet) for years or decades. In traditions rooted in the health and wellness arts I teach and coach, there is a similar notion: If there is a Heaven, then it is a place where there is no time, no space, no distance – AND so-to-speak, nothing to hide behind – no room for deceit – no lying to oneself or others. All is known – no yesterday, no today, no tomorrow. Relative to this earthly existence, everything one has done and will ever do – in Heaven (it) is known. In realization of the genuine objective clarity of true meditation, we may catch a glimpse. What could be healthier? What insight could be more substantive to our true health than knowing that there is a place (once again – so-to-speak) where all knowledge and every level of possible awareness will be singularly intrinsic to that nature of being? It is the traditional notion of a Glimpse of Heaven, also known as the Accumulation of Light; Opening the Door; Parting the Veil; Playing the Part of the Perfect Witness; Visual Meditative Demeanor; Bioelectric Sensory Awareness.

Similar to modern empirical theory, the theory of lightness sets forth (from a purely philosophical non-scientific perspective) old notions directly displaying of an unintended association with the “Theory of Light” (hence the Theory of ‘Light-ness’ and the notion of ‘no time, no space, no distance’ – at the speed of light). A state of being in such a status (Heaven) is traditionally believed to be in complete congruence with notions spoke of in earlier chapters, e.g., the Same Boat Theory, Acting Without Acting, and the True Responsibility of Healthful Interaction: In enjoying insight into the notion of true health, it is essential that we realize the importance of displaying ourselves in a fashion consistent with an awareness that we are all in the same boat – that we should truly try to do the right thing for the right sake without the need for selfish recognition – that we should endeavor to treat others with dignity, decency, goodness, and grace – and should genuinely work toward taking true responsibility for our own health and wellbeing. This lightness of being is the opposite of a heaviness of being – being weighted-down by our addiction to unhealthful thinking and/or habits. Our wherewithal to gravitate more toward one end of this spectrum or the other is a true gauge, a reflection of the nature of our emotional/mental, spiritual, and physical health.

In closing, I believe I am aware that discussions of spiritual matters can promote controversy. In taking a ‘glimpse’ at the spiritual facet of this theory, please know that the concepts herein are not meant to compete or conflict with anyone’s personal beliefs. Quite the contrary. The concepts herein are rooted in a traditional and healthful philosophical way-of-life, and are meant in a compassionate and loving fashion of being which is inclusive and congruent with a truly SINCERE sense of dignity, decency, goodness, and grace. Nothing is more important. Not even a glimpse of Heaven.” — Dr. Glen Hepker (Copyright 2011)

 

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