Q: Dear Todd, what do you do with memories, good and bad? TODD ANSWERS: When we are fully present, with no mental distractions, life becomes peaceful and blissful. Sometimes something in the present moment will remind me of either painful or enjoyable, and I try to just witness it and honor it, make a mental note of what I'm carrying with me and what triggers it, and then I just…
Q: Dear Todd, I don't know how it is possible to not judge something as "negative" when I have found a wish in my heart and then things happen that seem to be the opposite to what my heart sees. TODD ANSWERS: I know exactly what you mean but it really is true that nothing is positive or negative. They really are two sides of the same coin. There is…
Q: So does that mean, even though they (the suffering?) exist in the mind, we have a choice in that moment how we let these moments affect us? TODD ANSWERS: We definitely do have a choice, but there may also be unhealed trauma as well. For many, our trauma may be the cause of our awakening out of suffering. For others, awakening may be the cause for our trauma to…
Q: Dear Todd, I feel extremely unsettled when I sense that I am being deliberately excluded. How do I find the source of why this unsettles me so much? TODD ANSWERS: The source is not in the situation but in the mind. It is caused solely by mental activity. Like an improv troupe, our mind throws out a suggestion and then we create a whole show around it. Instead of…
Q: Dear Todd, why does our mind want to harm our mental peace? TODD ANSWERS: I think we're just not designed for modern life away from nature, and so our protective brains have gone into overdrive. But, what makes humans unique is our neuroplasticity and adaptability, so we can unlearn this deeply ingrained subtle state of constant stress and alertness that no longer serves us. Path to Peace with Todd…
Q: Dear Todd, could you please give me guidance right now? I just got scammed and lost my hard-earned money when planning my family trip. I've been maintaining a high frequency the past few days but my fury doesn't seem to be contained to the point where I dreamed of finding the suspects and harming them and cursing them in all universes and existence. I know Karma will deal with…
Q: Dear Todd, my narcissistic mother only preyed on me during my most vulnerable times. I'm beyond disappointed, and there's a lot of anger in my heart when I think of her. How can I heal? TODD ANSWERS: This is a very tough experience to go through. It is not fair that the person who should be our greatest source of love and support should act in this way. Children…
Q: Dear Todd, I am mentally ill, widowed, and my toddler died too. So, I raised four other kids alone. I have been in a hospital once for depression after hurricanes Irma and Maria hit the island, just three years ago. With an empty nest, retirement, and a p/t job in a garden center I stay busy. But, coming back to the USA and our old town is so painful.…
Q: Dear Todd, my problem is that I become depressed when reading the news and seeing angry, bigoted, homophobic, leaders who spew hatred. I can look at individuals as loving souls, however, if they follow certain political beliefs, I find it very difficult. And there are people who are simply cruel selfish beings. Can you speak to this in more detail and how to live in peace with such hatred…
Q: Dear Todd, most people don't like me, no matter how friendly & kind I am to them. Some people don't like me in the 1st instance without even knowing me. Others pretend to like me. At work today I was told by one of my colleagues I'm making them look bad just because I was getting on with my work. They all keep staring at me when I notice…
“I thought my biggest fear was growing old and dying in prison. In truth, my biggest fear was growing old and not knowing myself.”
- Rick Smith, Albama inmate
Path to Peace - A newsletter not just for your mental health but also for your spiritual health.
