Building Spiritual Muscle / Fortalezca Mente Y Espiritu

Por Sorah Dubitsky y Antonio Almeida

Building Spiritual Muscles is
written in five parts. Part I talks about how my encounters with ordinary
people during my world travels helped put my years of metaphysical
understandings into perspective. Part II is a sketch of my early life where the
seeds of my metaphysical thought processes were sown. Part III offers advice
for developing physical strength and endurance based on my many years of body
building and work as a personal trainer. In part IV, I share insights,
instructions, meditations and exercises that I use for building spiritual
strength. Part V highlights essential metaphysical guidelines that can expand
have expanded my capacity for inner peace no matter what Ive encountered on
lifes journey.

This book is not a traditional
how-to book. I believe that each
individual must find his or her own path to happiness and peace of mind.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> My belief is that sharing my personal
experiences and revelations would motivate others on their journey to peace of
mind. This is a journey of the heart. It begins by being open to others, being
non-judgmental, having compassion and self-love. It takes living and
experiencing to discover your own individual way. The only person who can teach
you about yourself is you; however, every once in a while, people show up in
our lives as guides. Guides help smooth out the path, but its our own personal
experiences that generate wisdom.

• Idioma: Español
• Editorial: AuthorHouse
• Fecha de lanzamiento: 5 abr 2004
• ISBN: 9781418409050

Sorah Dubitsky

Power, conviction, strength, and depth are qualities that Tony radiates.  Within minutes of talking to him, one senses Tony’s passion for empowering others.  He wants people to understand their true nature.  “We are spirits living in a physical experience.” Like many of us, Tony followed the world’s dictates about what would bring happiness: home, family, career, but for years denied an inner voice that cried out to be heard.  Tony turned to spirituality because of pain. “I’ve been at the abyss of loneliness and sadness but those times brought me to a point where I reached out to the infinite.  I felt the world abandoned me.  So I reached out to something else and I began to question the meaning of my existence.”

Vista previa del libro

© 2012 Antonio Almeida. All rights reserved

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 5/4/2012

ISBN: 978-1-4184-0906-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4184-0904-3 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4184-0905-0 (e)

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

This book is printed on acid-free paper.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Dedication

Prologue

Preface

Foreword

Part I

Introduction – All Life is Learning

Part II: My Journey

Fayal

School

Beginning Bodybuilding

Second Near Death Experience

Coming To America

Introduction to Aikido

Marriage

California

Raising My Son Mark

Coming to Miami

Part III: Building Physical Muscles

Exercise

Working Out With Gloria

Why Exercise?

Fitness as a Way of Life

Nutrition

The Physiology of Exercise

The Secret Ingredient

Part IV: Building Spiritual Muscles

Inner Fitness

Real Motivation

What is Chi?

Aikido and Chi

Finding Your Center Aikido Meditation

Power Without Effort

Self- Love

What is Spirituality?

Exercising Intuition

Divine Intelligence

Meditation

Meditations for Building Spiritual Muscles

Summary

Dedication

I want to thank all the people who have come and gone from my life; some of them have been in my life for just a moment. Other people have stayed for a while; others are still here today. I say thank you to all of you because you are my teachers.

I have tlearned that all the people and the situations that have come into my life – even the worst ones – can have a positive benefit. Any situation can be turned into a positive spiritual experience.

To my brother and sisters, I love you and I pray that you can also find the connection to the God mind within, and be joyful, for we are never apart. To my mother and father, I pray that you may lose your fears and are in a state of peace.

To Emilio and Gloria Estefan, I want to thank you for your kindness and generosity in letting me be part of your family and share in your worldwide journeys. The experiences I’ve had have been priceless. I’ve had a chance to meet and get to know so many wonderful people all over the world. I have come to witness, first hand, that all people everywhere are connected. We are all brothers and sisters.

Emilio and Gloria Estefan are truly generous, kind, and loving people. They found a way to have peace in their lives in spite of being in the entertainment business. I have watched Gloria undergo profound spiritual growth since I’ve met her. Her spiritual growth comes through her latest music releases and shows in the way she lives her life. Emilio, whom I admire so much for all his accomplishments, inspires people to reach for the impossible because dreams really do come true.

Gloria and Emilio, I have learned so much just by being in your company. I want to express my immense gratitude for the phenomenal opportunity you have given me of being your bodyguard. This book is dedicated to you.

Prologue

My father, who had been both a hero and a villain to me when I was a young boy, passed away one month after this book was completed. He had been sick for some time, and each day his condition worsened. His doctors finally said that there was nothing more they could do for him and a priest was called to administer the last rites.

I had been in constant touch with my sister, Louise, who had stayed with Dad day and night all the time he was hospitalized. She called me early one morning to tell me that Dad didn’t have much time left. She also told that he was fighting to stay alive even though he had not eaten or drank anything for five days. Louise said that Dad was afraid to die. She added that he had been asking for me. She thought he was waiting to see me.

I was with Gloria in New York to promote her new album. Gloria overheard my conversation with Louise and insisted that I go. She personally called her office and had someone book a seat for me on the next flight to Boston. When I arrived, I rented a car for the hour and a half drive to New Bedford.

I was shocked when I saw my father. I never imagined I would ever see my father look as frail and ghostly as he did. He looked like a cadaver. Tubes ran out of his nose. His eyes were glazed and stared at the ceiling. His lungs had collapsed and he was barely breathing from his stomach. He was a fraction of the proud man I knew.

I approached the bed and spoke in Portuguese, Father, this is your son Antonio. I am here now.

Immediately a grin spread across his hollow face. His glazed eyes searched for me. I don’t know if he could see me or not, but he knew I was there because his hands opened and he weakly reached his arms towards me. I leaned over him and laid my head on his chest to hear his heart beat. He tried to hug me, so I put my arms around him and kissed his face and neck continuously. He moved his arms so that they were around me. I told him that I loved him very much. I said that it was okay now; I was with him and that he could go ahead and rest. I told him that I appreciated that he had given me an opportunity to experience the wonders of life.

My sisters, Louise and Maria, and I stayed with my father all night. We barely closed our eyes. My father would not sleep. He kept staring up at the ceiling, and yet he kept getting weaker. I could see that he was filled with fear. I started telling him, Don’t be afraid. I’m here with you. We will never be apart. Don’t be afraid. Go ahead and rest. Do you see the light? Look for the white light. You can go to it. When you get to it, you will be able to fly. You will know everything. You will no longer suffer. You will know only Love. Let me guide you there. I love you, Dad. It’s okay to go. Don’t be afraid.

The next morning at about 10:00AM, he smiled and then drew his last breath. I closed his eyes and began crying and laughing at the same time. I felt a mixture of sadness and gratitude. I was so grateful to have been with my father at his passing. I felt blessed to have helped him be at peace.

I am grateful that I was able to achieve closure in our relationship. I am grateful that I was able to witness his ascent into the cosmos. My father’s life is proof that anyone can change for the better. He changed from an abusive alcoholic into the most wonderful, childlike personality, who brought a smile to everyone he met. The great kindness that he developed during the second half of his life, made up for all the pain he caused me during my youth. This book is dedicated to his memory:

Dear Dad,

I will only remember the goodness, happiness and love you brought me at the times I needed them the most. I know that you will be my guardian angel and help guide my life the way grandfather has. I know that there is no death and you are continuing your life’s path on the other side. I know that one day, we will be reunited.

Your loving son,

Tony

Preface

Building Spiritual Muscles is written in five parts. Part I talks about how my encounters with ordinary people during my world travels helped put my years of metaphysical understandings into perspective. Part II is a sketch of my early life where the seeds of my metaphysical thought processes were sown. Part III offers advice for developing physical strength and endurance based on my many years of body building and work as a personal trainer. In part IV, I share insights, instructions, meditations and exercises that I use for building spiritual strength. Part V highlights essential metaphysical guidelines that can expand have expanded my capacity for inner peace no matter what I’ve encountered on life’s journey.

This book is not a traditional how-to book. I believe that each individual must find his or her own path to happiness and peace of mind. My belief is that sharing my personal experiences and revelations would motivate others on their journey to peace of mind. This is a journey of the heart. It begins by being open to others, being non-judgmental, having compassion and self-love. It takes living and experiencing to discover your own individual way. The only person who can teach you about yourself is you; however, every once in a while, people show up in our lives as guides. Guides help smooth out the path, but it’s our own personal experiences that generate wisdom.

Foreword

The first time I met Antonio Almeida, he told me he would take a bullet for Gloria Estefan.  At the time, he was her bodyguard, so there was a context to the statement. I still fell off my chair. I don’t care what someone is getting paid, putting one’s life on the line for someone else is way above the call of duty. In Antonio’s case, the statement was spoken with such selfless love and devotion for Gloria, that I knew I was in the presence of a very special human being.  Antonio went on to talk about his metaphysical beliefs. Antonio is absolutely certain that he is a spiritual being having a human experience. As a spiritual being, he has the conviction that there is nothing to fear. This conviction permeates his entire being, so that when one is in Antonio’s presence, one naturally feels safe. Antonio radiates light and love. He is magnetic. People are drawn to him without exactly knowing why. 

I once called Antonio a tender tough guy. His muscular exterior, developed through years of bodybuilding, contains a gentle interior, developed through years of spiritual practice.  His fearlessness is grounded in a lifelong connection to spirit, which is what this book is about.

Antonio is a natural teacher. He uplifts and inspires everyone he meets. During the past three years that I’ve known him, Antonio’s been the quintessential safe haven for me; someone to whom I can go to vent, and who always lovingly reminds me of the truth, whether I want to hear it or not. His purpose in life is to touch people with love. He sees love and beauty everywhere he goes. He has the eyes of a child who is in awe of the world around him.

In some ways, I believe Antonio has achieved mastery. He puts his spiritual purpose above everything else and only wants to serve God in any way God would have him serve.

It’s an honor and a privilege to call Antonio Almeida my friend.

Sorah Dubitsky, Ph.D. 2004

Founder, Miracle Journeys Magazine

Adjunct Professor, Florida International University

Part I

Introduction – All Life is Learning

My life has been about building spiritual muscles. The term spiritual muscles is a metaphor for developing inner strength. I have also been a body builder and fitness trainer for over 30 years. That, coupled with my life-long reliance on spiritual thinking, has given me a disciplined mind and strong body. The well being I derived from physical fitness deepened my spiritual understandings. I experienced a state of transcendence, or enlightenment, because exercise helped me develop gusto for life. This state of joy brought me closer to God.

The discipline I gained through metaphysical studies, Aikido, and bodybuilding enhanced my ability to connect to the life force that sustains the universe. A positive attitude, faith, and metaphysical outlook helped me survive a childhood filled with poverty. I survived a failed marriage and raising a Down Syndrome child. I became a title-winning body builder, then the personal trainer and bodyguard to Gloria Estefan and her family. Working for the Estefan family enabled me to travel all over the world.

Traveling around the world has made me aware that we are all connected to each other on this planet, on this space ship we call home.

When you travel and really look at the amazing world we are in you begin to see and realize that all of our problems exist because we believe that we are all separate, all different. Since the beginning of civilization groups of people have banded together in their quest for survival. This fear-based grouping into different tribes, countries or creeds has created a division, a way of feeling different from each other. Because of this people have missed the great opportunity of touching each other beyond color, race and creed; they have missed the truth of and the feeling of being one. It is clear to me that we could collectively cure cancer, all disease, hunger, and all malice. It is possible to have peace and harmony. I have come to this understanding in my travels by being open to meeting one person at a time, by being interested in each individual as I encounter them. The connections I have made this way have changed my life. I have seen over and over again that we all have one thing in common – the desire to be happy.

I want to pay tribute to all the people I have met and to the continued impact they have on my life and my understanding of it. Each of them has been one of the building blocks of my character and my soul today. Each has made a difference in my life. In my travels to every