Foward

Somewhere between real pain and genuine suffering lies a land of make-believe. Our culture calls this hallowed ground “the real world.” This world is girded by the belief that life is hard and the human race is doomed to eke out its days in a burdensome process called living.

For years, I ran Connection, a spiritual center in Memphis, Tennessee. Every Sunday morning, I spoke to a group of seekers who were rebels when it came to almost everything, including their relationships with God. They sought to learn of a love that would deliver them from their past negative theological concepts. They kept me on my toes. Each week I banged out a few words on my computer to serve as a guideline for my Sunday presentation. Late one Saturday I sat down with a blank mind, and put down a few ideas that almost named themselves: “The Connection Vows: Essential Guidelines to Living in Peace, Safety, and Power.”

The ideas were not new. They included forgiveness, setting boundaries, and taking care of the body. The first vow set the tone for the rest: “I will not make life hard. Life can be easier.” The Master said, “My yoke is easy, my burden light.” The spiritual path is not narrow and hard — it is smooth and available to all in an instant. Mastery is gentle. Give up the need to struggle.

Six other vows followed. When I presented the vows on Sunday morning, everyone was excited and wanted a copy. After that, I focused my talks on the ease and non-efforting flow of spirit.

When the vows appeared in the Connection monthly newsletter, I received a call from my friend, the Reverend Thelma J. Hembroff, asking permission to reprint them in her church newsletter. Then Reverend Edwine Gaines called, asking for permission to quote the vows in her newsletter. I was happy to say yes to both. Over the next few weeks, several hundred letters came requesting a copy of the vows.

My excitement grew with each letter. It appeared I had touched the hearts of many spiritual seekers. That’s what most spiritual teachers want: to touch and inspire. I felt blessed to be a part of an unfolding adventure that began late one Saturday evening.

When difficult situations arise in my life, I consult my Higher Power for guidance. One morning, as I did this, I received an immediate insight that not only relieved the conflict, it revealed that no conflict existed. I was astonished at the ease with which the problem dissolved, and thought to myself, “That was easy.” I heard an inner voice reply, “Well, aren’t you my Easy Disciple?”

The words ran deep. “Easy Disciple — I’m an Easy Disciple. Maybe not yet, but I want to be. That's exactly what I’ve been writing about, talking about and learning... Easy Discipleship.”

As months passed, I continued to speak about making life easier. My motto became “Easier and Easier.” The Connection monthly newsletter became a platform for the Easy Disciple Philosophy. Later, at the prompting of Dr. Ayn Maddox, the Easy Disciple ideas were branded as the EZosophy philosophy. EZ is pronounced the same as the word easy.

Phil Laut, my friend and business coach, urged me to use another name. “EZosophy is too difficult to pronounce.” I replied, “If Maxwell Maltz can coin the word “psychocybernetics,” I can coin the word EZosophy.” I’m glad I didn’t waiver. The suffix, osophy, comes from the word Sophia. Sophia is the Goddess of Practical and Spiritual Wisdom. That makes EZosophy the art of easy (or at least easier) living. EZosophy asks not that we take the easy way out of our lives, but rather we take the easy way in. We must examine the ego-driven areas of our lives and become advocates for ease. Full awareness and total participation in life are required of the EZosophist.

We have riots, murders, war and people starve to death. There is real suffering everywhere. Is it okay to have it easy, when people are suffering and dying?

When I was growing up, one critical issue was the lack of food available to the children in Africa. Parents regularly disseminated information about their plight at mealtime. I didn’t know whether the kids were actually starving or if the story was fabricated to force me to eat. Sound familiar?

It took almost thirty years to realize that being a member of the clean plate club was no longer desirable and that my eating habits would in no way affect the amount of food available to African children. I stopped forcing myself to eat everything on my plate, but the guilt of having in a have not world remained. As an EZosophist, I question the value of that kind of guilt. Guilt about famines in Africa or the trials of other disadvantaged populations qualifies as Ego Driven Suffering (EDS). Fortunately, I ended my dilemma by putting smaller portions on my plate. I also brought my excess food home from restaurants. I didn’t do that out of guilt; how much I eat will not affect the people in Africa. I liked not wasting food and saving money.

Today, I know that children, and their parents, are starving to death, not only in Africa, but in many other places as well. Women are beaten, crowded prisons are commonplace, drugs abound on the streets and teachers live on small salaries.

There is instant impetus via TV, newspaper, the Internet, and radio that triggers guilt and upset. Television allows us to be at the crime scene minutes after a shootout; the battlefield coverage turns war into entertainment. Newspapers provide the necessary statistics to support thoughts of lack and make us believe that the economy is going to fall apart tomorrow. People can easily obtain the information to make nuclear bombs in their garages.

Is it possible to have an EZosophist outlook when the planet is operating in a state of emergency? Can urgent times be met without urgent attitudes? Can we develop an easy attitude in uneasy times?
Yes, not only is it possible to have an easy attitude, it is desirable. In times when the outer world changes, the population explodes, and children take arms, it is vital to cultivate an inner environment of ease.

While growing up, we made decisions that subconsciously guided us to our current perceptions. Many of us learned that life is a hard proposition, work is to be dreaded, and taking time off to play demands guilt rather than enjoyment. Everything is serious, including getting up in the morning and exercising.
Given the belief that life is hard, at some point we made a decision — now hidden from our recollection — that life is hard and that suffering is necessary to be human. This is the birth of Hardaholism.

The Hardaholic Mind (HAM) goes on a mission to prove its case. The HAM searches for the evidence that life is hard. The mind overlooks all the evidence that supports joy, aliveness, and ease. No matter that we don’t have to hunt bears and grow our own corn, we have the insufferable task of unloading the dishwasher and taking out the trash. Not to mention having to answer the phone when a solicitor is perched at the end of the line slathering on guilt so we will make a donation to the firefighters. “Can we count on you to….” What difficult situations! An absolute HAM feast.

Our media reports evidence to support the claim that life is hard and hammers at the fact that our resources are dwindling to endangered levels. The HAM loves the news because it stalks poverty, pain, and hopelessness — and finds it. Our media doesn’t seek out the creativity, compassion, wisdom, and power of the people. If it doesn’t bleed, it doesn’t lead.

“There is pain and suffering. People are starving. How do we handle it? We can’t just shut our eyes. We must be informed.” This is the mind trip the ego delivers. “Do not think of ease because there is real suffering on the planet,” the mind drones on.

Is there a solution? What can an EZosophist do to be responsible and yet avoid martyr-like suffering and useless pain?

Of course, there is an answer. The Master Jesus told us of an inner-directed state called the peace that passes understanding. EZosophists rest in the inner state of peace while dealing with the outer commotion.

The EZosophist learns to distinguish between genuine suffering and EDS. Suffering is expected in some circumstances, but when suffering is the result of a life script decision, aliveness diminishes.
EDS fuels our guilt, makes us feel sorry for ourselves without just cause, and allows us to remain powerless, hopeless, and helpless. Awareness of self-manufactured suffering is the first step to choosing out of it. Drop it. EDS is an addiction that robs us of the pleasure and ease of life. We must opt out by lifting our thoughts out of the mental gutter.

Often, when intense feelings are triggered by the plight of starving children, it points to personal feelings of starving for attention, time off, or affection. When we stop projecting our pain onto others and turn attention to ourselves, we can provide the attention and care we need for ourselves. Thus we empower ourselves with the energy needed to help in external crises.

We are innocent. We don’t need to suffer about every little thing. We are privileged people. Becoming underprivileged will not help anyone. One of the best things we can do for those who do suffer and experience genuine pain is to appreciate what we have, count our blessings, and be thankful rather than feeling guilty. The EZosophist is compassionate to those who suffer poverty, pain, and physical peril without taking on their pain.

The answer is easy: identify the EDS; drop it; appreciate what you have; be compassionate toward others’ suffering, but don’t take on their burdens. Do your work, take care of yourself, and you will make life easier. There’s a new mantra. Make it your own: everything can be easy or at least easier. It’s an eight-word miracle that will lighten your perspective.

EZosophy:
The Art of EZ or at LEAST EZier Living

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Contact Information
Anne Sermons Gillis–52 W. Tallowberry Dr.–The Woodlands, TX 77381
Phone Number : 713-922-0242