Everything in our lives we have had a hand in creating.
What we think, feel and believe deep inside becomes real in
the physical world.

Take for example the war in Iraq.

Cases of kidnapping and car bombings have skyrocketed in
recent months. Despite the best efforts of our armed forces
and the appointment of Iraq's Interim Government, the
situation on the ground is rife with violence and terrorism.

Rightly or wrongly, the justification for war was based on
two things. First of all that Saddam was stockpiling
weapons of mass destruction that posed a threat to our
security, and second, that the former Iraqi regime had links
with al-Qaida.

Last week, the commission investigating the reasons behind
the attacks of September 11 dismissed the idea that Saddam
Hussein was involved. President Bush quickly countered that
there have indeed been "contacts between Saddam Hussein and
al-Qaida."

With the US election looming, no doubt these arguments will
continue.

Whether or not you believe the case for war in Iraq was
justified, there is something much more profound going on
that hasn't really been talked about.

The attacks of September 11 brutally reminded us of the
threat posed by terrorists. Of course a certain level of
fear is useful in the fight against terrorism.

On the other hand, our *fear* had a large part to play in
*creating* a situation of terrorism, where before it may not
have existed.

It was our fear that led us to into war in Iraq.

That fear helped to create the situation of terrorism we see
on the ground today in Iraq.

Whatever we think, feel and believe is true inside, we
manifest in our concrete, external reality. Exactly the
same principle is true on a personal, as well as a cultural
level.

If we are afraid of something or if deep down we believe we
are not really good enough; if we secretly believe we're not
capable or deserving of our heart's desire, our feelings and
beliefs will make manifest that reality.

Stop for a moment now and consider your life.

Realize that you have had a hand in creating everything in
your life. Your work situation, your relationships, your
financial situation – good or bad – your life is a
manifestation of your inner reality.

When we realize how deeply this principle drives everything
in our lives, it can feel like a bitter pill to swallow.
But swallow it we must if we're going to change our personal
lives and our world for the better.

Once we do that, we begin to see the tremendous gift we have
been given. If our inner reality shapes our lives, our
lives are *not* out of our control. We can change our lives
for the better simply by changing the state of our hearts
and minds.

"If we don't like what's happening to us in the world, all
we have to do is change our consciousness-and the world out
there changes for us."

-- Lester Levinson "Keys to the ultimate freedom."

The first step to doing that is greater self-awareness.

About the Author

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FR.EE "DAILY MEDITATIONS" MINI-COURSE. Peace of mind is
never far away with these wonderful meditation exercises.
Simple and easy to follow. Just sit back, relax and enjoy
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http://www.4mindfulnessmeditation.com

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