OUR LONG SCHOOLING

We all know people who are set in their ways. You couldn’t move them with dynamite off a position or opinion long held. In politics they are known as broken glass republicans or democrats. They would crawl through broken glass to vote for their candidate. In sports they are “die hard” fans, think Cubs or Indians. Long held, settled beliefs about anything that have become sacred cows are all impediments to spiritual growth. Do not misunderstand, being a fan or having political beliefs or strongly held opinions is only trouble when we close our minds to any new information that may give us pause to reconsider a point of view. The current global warming discussion comes to mind. Keep an open mind, stay curious and slay your sacred cows. If you cannot argue the other persons point of view intelligently and dispassionately, then you have work to do, and if you can only argue your position passionately, damn those pesky facts, the only person who suffers here, is you. School, life, is always in session. Are you in class or out behind the bleachers smoking cigarettes?

INEVITABLE RECKONING

Nothing says inevitable reckoning like birthdays. As children birthdays were looked forward too with nearly as much anticipation as Christmas. Inextricably we cross an invisible line and much like the credit card bills Christmas represents for some, we begin to dread the upcoming date of our birth. I think it begins when that first “friend” says, “hey, you’re getting old.” Sets in for real when you start listening to music five years old or more, unable to get into the new stuff no matter how hard you try. The cop in the cruiser next to you at the light looks 18 years old. You get your first double digit reunion notice and think “where has the time gone?” catching yourself looking in the mirror with a critical eye, wondering how you will measure up against your classmates and if that gym membership is still active. The march of time does not take breaks and only moves in one direction, seemingly picking up steam the further down the path it gets. Then you look at one of your kids and they have a couple of gray hairs, their kids in high school. Reading glasses no longer an option, vanity be damned, a necessity. The box office attendant gives you the senior discount without asking and you are torn. It is nice getting a couple of bucks off but it still kinda pisses you off. So what is one to do? Live in the day. The only time we have is this moment. The only time we can be present is in the present moment, the only time we can be present for those about us is right now, the only time we can be present for God is in the present moment. Do not allow yourself to project into the future or dwell on the past. Live one day at a time and the tomorrows will take care of themselves if we are about God’s business, trusting and relying on Divine Love and Guidance. Oh, and then there is that day when your AARP card arrives. Me, I have changed my birthday to Feb.29 that way I only have to deal with it every four years and I am a teenager again. When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change. I think I will go punch that attendant though, because now they will have to try me as a minor.

REINCARNATION

Now here is a topic with “jump the shark” written all over it. For many years I struggled with the concept of once around the block and done. How could we possibly learn all the lessons required to be fully realized spiritually in a mere 70, 80 or 90 years? In the Old Testament, life spans of hundreds of years are noted, but that was some time ago and even if we did live hundreds of years there are many lessons requiring a fresh perspective. How can one person, even if diligent from day one, learn the lessons having lived as a king and a beggar, of the courageous and the coward? How can one person be a criminal and a righteous man in the same life? Live a life devoid of sin and live in sin? To know the joy, and heartbreak of children and a life lived chaste? To learn all this and so much more, from both perspectives, male and female, in one lifetime? Any man who says he understands giving birth is a fool and any woman who stands in judgment of the bond between warriors is unwise. Eternity is a long time, really. What sense would it make to limit our schooling to a single life since we are children of the Creator: “Our Father, who art in Heaven…”as the Great Rabbi taught.

We are all born into different circumstances. The child born in the slums of Calcutta will never know the life or have the opportunities as the child born to working class parents in America. When you begin extrapolating all the possible permutations of just the circumstances of birth, location, adoption, single parent, resources etc it quickly becomes apparent that one lifetime could not possibly encompass every lesson.

ALL GOD’S UNIVERSE

Cosmologically the “Big Bang” is the accepted starting point for our universe. The theory holds that at one time everything that exists today, all 125 billion galaxies, all 70 sextillion stars (that’s a 7 followed by 22 zeros or nearly 18 times the number of grains of sand on every beach on this planet) was locked in an infinitesimally small point called a singularity. Then, and no one knows why, the point began expanding very rapidly and some 13.7 billion years later, here we are. Simple huh. Gotta love the Science Channel. The numbers and vastness of the universe is clearly beyond my ability, or any other mere mortals ability, to truly comprehend. On the micro side science has discovered that at the smallest level of existence, that which comprises all we can see and touch, the particles behave in an intelligent manner. Oh, and did you know that in the last ten years science has determined that all those stars and galaxies, everything in the visible universe makes up less than 5% of the mass of the universe? That over 95% of the mass is invisible, comprised of roughly 25% dark matter and 70% dark energy? How cool is that. Ok, take a breath. Kinda gets the head spinning doesn’t it. The good news is we don’t have to figure (as if we could) it all out to have a relationship with, a conscious contact with a Power Greater Than Ourselves, God.

Perhaps the great metaphysician George Carlin said it best. To paraphrase: People talk about getting their shit together. As soon as they get their shit together they will be ready. Ready for what? If they got their shit together what would they do with it? Most people have a lot of shit, so it would be too heavy to carry around, so they would have to find a place keep their shit. I guess you could put the shit in storage. But how will anybody know you got your shit together if it is in storage? Kinda defeats the whole purpose of getting ones shit together doesn’t it? You gotta show your shit off or what’s the point? You could get a really big truck to haul your shit around with you, but that’s a lot of shit to find parking for. And what about the trouble makers? All those who haven’t been able to get their shit together will get shity when they see you with your shit together. Then there are those assholes who try to give you shit. It is their shit, but they try to pawn it off on you. Look, I know my shit, so don’t give me any shit. My shit is over here, your shit is over there. Don’t try to mix the shit just because you can’t get your shit together, shithead.

It is not required to have all the answers to have a relationship with the miraculous. Start at as simple a level as you need to begin. It can be as simple as: there is a God and I’m not it. Keep an open mind and from this mustard seed of faith a powerful spiritual experience can and will grow. No shit.

THERE IS NO DEATH

Death awaits all men but waits on no man. Everything, from the may fly to stars die. Death is the change that brings renewal. To be sad at the passing of a loved one or friend is natural; they have left our sight and are missed. Sadder still are those who refuse to let go of the departed, to allow them to rest in peace. Near my home is a large cemetery. A few years ago, the operators of the cemetery had to sue to stop families from erecting makeshift shrines on the graves of loved ones. The time, effort and expense expended on those shrines substantial, and pointless. No? Consider the occupants of the pyramids. There is no death in the sense of finality, for death is just an altering of consciousness, a change in condition. Living on the Spiritual Basis, in conscious contact with a Power greater than ourselves, death is part of the wonderful enfoldment of divine love that marks our spiritual progression. How could it be anything else? We do not seek death, for it will come in due course, nor do we fear it, so release those who have gone before with love, sad because they have temporarily left our sight, but excited for their translation into the miraculous. This flesh is a temporary conveyance, never conceived or designed to last for eternity. Our consciousness, the I AM that makes each of us unique in all existence is eternal, untouched by time, space or physical concerns, has always been and will always be. Carry the departed in your heart, since no other structure can truly hold them. When they drift up into the conscious mind, as they are wont to do from time to time, smile and say a silent blessing, sending love, and then get on with the business of living, for the dead will take care of themselves.

The number of skeptics is swelling everywhere.

WSJ.com - Opinion: The Climate Change Climate Change

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124597505076157449...

I don't know if global warming is real or not, but I do know an open mind is a terrible thing to waste.

THE WORLD IS A SCHOOL

We all know the man or woman who makes the same mistakes repeatedly. Perhaps you have seen them in the mirror. The alcoholic, who forever is swearing they will do better, yet is all lit up again. The smoker, who has talked about quitting for years, yet continues to smoke. The friend or loved one in an abusive relationship, but cannot leave it. Perhaps your own child who, even though they know the consequences, cannot seem to get their homework turned in on time. We have opportunities to learn daily, some days the lessons coming fast and furious. It is a curious thing that once we start showing up on time tardiness as an issue disappears. Fill the gas tank when the gauge dips below a quarter tank and never run out of gas again. When you start that last roll of toilet paper, make a note to go to the store and avoid that rather awkward moment, especially if you do not live alone. Spiritually, read that book on the table next to the bed or sitting in that stack of books “you are going to get around to.” Living on the Spiritual Basis meditation is not suggested, but required if we are to progress in any real way. If you are not meditating daily, why not? What could possibly be more important than spending a few minutes with God? The Source, that Power Greater than Ourselves, God is always quietly urging us to learn, to grow, to progress along the path enlightenment. The lessons we learn spiritually stay with us, once learned becoming part of us, part of the fabric of the whole cloth of our true self, eternal. So learn what is in front you today, let tomorrow take care of its self, spend a few minutes with that spiritual book by the bedside.

COMMUNICATION WITH THE “DEAD”

Psychics and mediums have been around forever, from the Oracle at Delphi to John Edwards. Houdini, Penn Gillette, Randy and others have made careers exposing them. Can Char or John Edwards really talk to the “other” side? Beats me. There is another form of communication with the dead however that many engage in daily, that is deadly spiritually, morbid reflection. If that segue gave you whiplash, I apologize. Living on the Spiritual Basis, we have learned to stay in the moment. Morbid reflection insidiously pulls us into the past, to rehash, even relive, those times when we were at our worst, when our lives were at their seemingly lowest ebb. It is like having a cut on the arm, then when it scabs over scratching at it until it bleeds anew. In this way, we keep the wound “fresh and alive” indefinitely, pointing it out, recounting what happened at every possible occasion, doing it with emotion. Living on the Spiritual Basis we do not hide from the past or deny it, we have learned to keep the past in its proper perspective through the application of spiritual principles, to use it as a tool to help those new to the path, turning a seeming negative into a positive. We can recount even the worst moments from our past, without fear of drifting into morbid reflection, if it will help the new man or woman gain a foothold in the new way of life, for we are living on a different basis, the basis of trusting and relying on God.

SELF-DESTRUCTION

SELF-DESTRUCTION


All destruction is caused by self, by the choices in action we take, whether it is a nation or individual. We are bombarded with a never ending barrage of bad news. Pick up any newspaper, listen to any news channel and the hammers of negativity begin doing their work on our psyche. Living on the Spiritual Basis is a choice, it is the road less traveled. Having chosen to apply spiritual truth to every area of life, it is curious and somewhat disconcerting how easy it is fall back on old thinking to solve problems and address issues in the same tired manner and repeatedly failed ways on the world stage. History is an invaluable tool that few truly employ. There is nothing in today’s headlines that has not happened before, many times. Nothing. Living on the Spiritual Basis we trust infinite God rather than our finite self. God is either everything or else He is nothing. We rely on prayer, meditation and service to grow spiritually, for in truth there is no other growth; in order to meet calamity with serenity, to solve all of life’s problems, yet somehow on the macro scale of human affairs this becomes secondary, if at all. “IN GOD WE TRUST” or do we?

“The world is not going to the dogs. The human race is not doomed. Civilization is not going to crash. The captain is on the bridge. Humanity is going through a difficult time, but humanity has gone through difficulties many times before in its long history, and has always come through, strengthened and purified.
Do not worry yourself about the universe collapsing. It is not going to collapse, and anyway that question is none of your business. The captain is on the bridge. If the survival of humanity depended upon you or me, it would be a poor lookout for the Great Enterprise, would it not?
The captain is on the bridge. God is still in business. All that you have to do is to realize the Presence of God where trouble seems to be, to do your nearest duty to the very best of your ability; and to keep an even mind until the storm is over.”

When Emmet Fox wrote this in the 1930’s the depression was in full swing, prohibition the law of the land, the heart of America gripped by a “black blizzard” of dust that displaced millions as political storm clouds were gathering in Europe as Hitler rose to power. Economic hardship, war on drugs, global warming, Iran, Iraq, North Korea. Sound familiar? Nothing changes if nothing changes.

THE LINK OF LOVE

There is another link as well, in many cases seemingly stronger than love, and that is resentment. When we think on those we love the sense is one of peace, calmness, brings a smile to the face. Conversely when thinking on resentment the blood pressure rises, the jaw tightens, the thoughts taking on a decidedly darker tone. To be free of resentment requires work on our part. Nothing will retard, even stop spiritual progress more than resentment. It is deadly. The person who passionately retells the story of a wrong, either real or imagined, has built a virtually impenetrable barrier to growth. Who’s story is sadder, the man imprisoned for crimes committed or the jailer who chooses to return to prison of their own free will? Spiritually the answer is clear. To be truly free, we must embrace radical forgiveness. Many confuse forgiveness with having to like the object of the resentment. Fortunately it is not required, not a bad thing, just not required. We do have to “love” them in the sense that we loose them from our heart (where all resentment resides) and give them “root and branch” over to God’s care. We do this by saying a definite and specific prayer giving over the resentment and all attached to it to God. Do this once and only once. When the resentment pops up again in the consciousness, and it most surely will, thank God for knowing Him better (many times as necessary) and under no circumstance retell the “story” ever again, even if prodded by another who may have shared in the resentment. Additionally do not volunteer any action or direction another should take unless asked specifically what you are doing. Never answer the unasked question. Never engage or participate in negative conversations for this invites trouble and opens the door for negativity and resentment to slither back into our consciousness. When negative thinking surfaces turn to God in silent prayer. Everyone is subject to negative thinking, where the thought came from of little importance, our action of paramount importance. When we live in this manner we break the links of resentment and negativity, strengthening the links of love, love being the most powerful tool in our spiritual tool chest. Initially this will feel cumbersome and a lot of work. In time however it will become second nature, the level of our serenity will increase dramatically, negative thinking still present but now we have a way out of trouble that works, and besides what could be more important? Improving our relationship with the Source or continuing to fan the embers of past transgressions? Amazing how many, once exposed to the truth, choose the fan.

LIFE AFTER DEATH

Here’s a daunting task, tackling eternity, reincarnation etc in four to five hundred words. Let me know how I do. Atheists: nothing. Fade to black, roll credits. Easy. Everybody else: oh boy. Having worked with many approaching the transition, typically most folks have given it a little thought, but usually have kept the subject at arms length for obvious reasons. Remind you of anyone? A wise man said many centuries ago that the first true step in enlightenment is when we embrace our own mortality. Ready? I am going to borrow from Wayne Dyer here because he said it as clear as any has. Where were you before you were conceived? One moment there was no you, and the next there was. In that single cell, the fertilized egg, everything about you was there. Your eye color, the shape of your fingernails, hair color, whether or not you will keep it, final height, sex, your blueprint of freckles, everything that makes the physical you. All in a point of protoplasm so small as to be invisible to the naked eye. Pretty amazing. Then it began to grow and nine months (give or take) later you made your appearance on the world stage. Fast forward 70, 80, 90 years and we arrive at another seminal moment in life, when the flesh fails. Where’d you go? To paraphrase Wayne: Before you were born you were nowhere. You are born, and now you are now here. You die and you are nowhere again. Same word, just a little different spacing: no where to now here to no where again. You see, we have always been here, part of, connected to the Source, the flesh a tool, a conveyance for our eternal consciousness. We didn’t arrive from anywhere and we don’t go anywhere. Head spinning? Sorry. At some point that bit of protoplasm became aware, that timing unimportant for this discussion thankfully, the point of awareness leaving a little easier to discern. Living on the Spiritual Basis we spend our lives applying spiritual truth and understanding to everything in our lives to the best of our awareness at the time since our awakening is an ongoing process. In so doing the answers to the eternal questions come to all if diligent. So don’t concern yourself with what is on the other side of the line for it will come soon enough. Death waits for all men but waits on no man. Keep your eyes and thoughts on today’s demonstrations and the morrow will take care of it’s self. In living this way we will approach the transition in peace, embracing the change, bidding farewell to the limitations of flesh, going nowhere, being here now, just in a different and altered consciousness. Heaven and Hell? Not going there, wouldn’t be prudent. Shalom Alechem.

THROUGH DEATH TO LIFE

Death, now here is a topic guaranteed to let the air out of a room, a polite conversation killer. Yet we all have/will deal with it. First the death of those around us and finally, and I think you would agree the most important, our own. Get a chill down your spine? Want to quit reading huh? I understand, but try to stick around if you can. It is curious how differently cultures mark/celebrate a passing. Western culture typically tries to make the event a clean straightforward affair handled almost exclusively by professionals. Family and friends provided with a regimented schedule, body pick up, prep for interment, “viewing” or pay your respects time, religious/remembrance service and ultimately the final destination for the “remains.” Juxtaposition this with Tibet where the family and friends personally take care of the loved one, celebrating the life and transition in spirit of the departed. The body is then given over to monks who chop up the remains, feeding them to vultures, returning the departed to the sky. Kinda takes recycling that final step. Might be a little too green even for Al Gore. Death is inevitable. What happens to our physical remains after we have translated from this mortal coil matters little. What matters is everything that takes place right up to the moment we somersault into eternity. You are eternal. The spark of the divine, the connection to all that is, your consciousness, your soul has always existed. It was never born and will never die. It has always been and will always be. We are not human beings in search of the miraculous, we are spiritual beings experiencing the human condition, this flesh a conveyance. So mourn the passing of those you cared for, for they have passed from our sight for a time and we miss them, but celebrate their transition as well for it comes for all and is as natural as the rising/receding tide. Still not quite sold on the vulture thing though.

PEACE, THE MIRACLE WORKER

Reborn. An overused term to be sure, but the only one that accurately states the truth of Living on the Spiritual Basis. Before stepping in earnest on the path we lived of the world, relying on secular thought and solutions. Day by day, step by step as we develop spiritually the old “man” dies and the new emerges. As with all births it is messy and there is some pain and discomfort along the way, quickly forgotten as the fresh new face greets the light of our consciousness. For those of us blessed with children (occasionally hard to remember the blessing when they are teenagers) there is probably no more peaceful moment in our lives as when we first held that newborn in our hands. This same peace is visited upon us as our awareness and conscious contact with the source builds and grows, as we move from of this world to in this world, becoming a light of awareness and serenity. Is there any greater miracle?

STEP BY STEP

Anything that requires assembly comes with instructions. I purchased a teapot recently and inside were instructions. Now the instruction sheet for that Christmas morning bicycle was considerably longer, and I still maintain wrong, both the bike and teapot instruction sheets had numbered steps. The teapot two, the bicycle four hundred and fifty seven, in Latin. Spiritually there are steps as well. With the exception of some notable examples from history, we progress step by step, levels of awareness progressing as we demonstrate through service and Living on the Spiritual Basis, experience building upon experience. Habits of thinking and living do not change by simply assenting to them as needing to be changed, it requires action and perseverance on our part. To quote Wayne Dyer: “Habit is habit, and not to be flung out the window by any man, but coaxed downstairs a step at a time.” Probably those suffering from addiction are the most obvious example of this. Many who initially get sober, seemingly having cast the “habit” out the window, then relapse and are baffled as to why. They became alcoholics and addicts a step at a time. Any individual who drinks a quart of scotch, takes 20 or more oxycontin daily or shoots up $200 worth of heroin a day didn’t start out that way. Their addiction built up step by step. Let’s look at a different way. Most of my peers, including me, are a little rounder than they would like. The weight didn’t appear over night. I didn’t go to bed with a twenty year olds twenty eight inch waist and wake up with a fifty something’s thirty six. Yet when it comes to losing weight, typically if it can’t be dropped in a week or two we lose interest. Why do hard things like sticking to a diet (staying sober) when there are easy things like cheeseburgers (drinking/getting loaded). Our spiritual development is a mental diet, requiring vigilance, and though eating healthy is important, is of infinitely more consequence than waist size. Years of fuzzy thinking, false belief and fear driven action do not disappear in a twinkling, the process, once begun in earnest, continues for a lifetime, step by step, one day at a time.

RAISE THE SHADES

Ever board an airliner on a cloudy day? On the ground it is dark, possibly dank, shadow enveloping everything. Then the plane lifts off the runway and climbs through the clouds, for a time visibility zero, then suddenly the craft bursts through the clouds into bright sunshine. In truth the light was always there, only obscured by a temporary condition. When trouble comes into our lives it attempts to lower the shades on our consciousness and a false belief of permanence will attempt to establish itself. Behind the drawn shades the sun still shines, so we throw open the blinds and let the light fill our consciousness, banishing the false belief. If a cloud happens by to obscure the light for a time, there is no concern, for demonstration has taught us the light is always there, the cloud a temporary condition.

EVER-PRESENT HELP

The longest eighteen inches in the world is from the head to the heart. Intellect to faith. Talking about faith, about God, is easy. Standing in faith when every fiber of the carnal mind screams in opposition, isn’t. The back of every American dollar bill states “In God We Trust” but how few truly do. Building things has been a spiritual teaching device used for thousands of years. The Great Rabbi, being a carpenter, uses it to great effect. In Matthew he teaches that those who demonstrate faith by action build their spiritual house/consciousness “upon a rock” which will withstand the inevitable floods (trouble and difficulties of all stripes) while those who only pay lip service to Living on the Spiritual Basis build their “house” on sand “and great was the fall of it (Matthew 7:27)” It is easy to be spiritual, loving, gracious, etc when life is going well. You can build a structure on any ground as long as the sun is shining and the wind is nothing more than a breeze, but to do so in the belief that conditions will never change is a fools errand, yet many do this very thing spiritually and then are devastated when the rains come and the winds blow and their structure collapses. They typically compound the error by then blaming God for the storm. We chose the materials our house will be constructed of, the construction practices employed, how well we adhere to the blueprints, for it matters little the quality of the materials if they poorly installed, the blueprint ignored. The Good News is the greatest builder of all will step in at any point and He will set the project (our consciousness) right if we will only place our trust in His guidance, love and direction. By this simple reliance on a power greater than ourselves our structure is solid, well built, able to withstand any coming storm.

MENTAL ASSENT

As a man thinketh. What and how we think out pictures in our lives. To think that we can entertain certain thoughts; ones we wouldn’t say aloud, and not have them influence us is not only foolish but spiritually deadly. What we think on becomes part of the mix. Thoughts of vengeance, assenting to anyone’s suffering, reveling in schadenfreude all mark us. To be clear: This is not about casting a value judgment on criminal, destructive or harmful actions or behavior, only that we can not fool ourselves about the effect these thoughts carry with them. What we think on becomes part of the mix. Whatever ingredient we place in the mixing bowl will be in the finished cake. The lesson is to be aware of what we are thinking and saying, what we invite into our consciousness. No one does this perfectly, the key to freedom is awareness, so Living on the Spiritual Basis we cannot fool ourselves about the cost these thoughts carry with them and to never compare our insides to others outsides. Those who appear to get away with negative thinking and actions don’t. The mills of the God’s grind slowly but ever so fine. We all reap as we sow. To be free, we can no longer keep score for the world.

COMMON-SENSE VOCABULARY

Words have meaning. Sounds like a “duh” kinda thing to say but bear with me. Often when chatting with a student or in casual conversation with a friend or acquaintance a statement is tossed out that, though at first blush seems harmless, could be challenged. Word of caution here: pick your spots. Most conversations won’t stand up to close examination and if we start picking apart everything, soon it won’t be a problem because we will only be talking to ourselves, which could be a problem. There are times however when jumping the shark is required, typically when speaking about God. Typical comments are usually something like: “God is loving but uses pain to teach us” or “God isn’t interested in the small things in life” or “All prayers are answered, just sometimes the answer is no.” In order: God does not use or even authorize pain and suffering. Pain and suffering comes from either an action we have taken or we have been caught up in someone else’s drama, remember everything is connected. As we now understand “we reap as we sow.” Physical ailments and such are part of the wheel, this flesh in its current configuration wears out is a variety of ways, the soul eternal. The rain falls on the just and the unjust equally, remember natural law. Of course he is interested in the small things for He is “closer that hands and feet” and that is most close indeed. All prayers are answered in the affirmative. Period. The problem is in what we pray for given our limited spiritual vision and understanding. God will provide what we need, but never anything that will harm us. If your child asked for food would you give them a stone? A deadly snake for a toy? Poison instead of water? Is not the true relationship between man and God summed up in the first two words of the Lord’s Prayer: “Our Father”? We consider what issues from our lips, do we really believe it or is it just something that sounds pleasant and perhaps is meant to be reassuring, just not thought through. When others speak exercise patience, tolerance, kindness and love before “correcting” or attempting to “explain” a spiritual concept they may be ill informed on. Most often these will be opportunities for us to exercise patience, tolerance and restraint of tongue, then to pray for them later when alone. Occasionally we will be called on to stand up and address a comment straight on, if that be the case always say a silent prayer before engaging tongue to be shown by divine wisdom what to say and how to say it, opening ourselves to be a channel of the truth, delivered with a feather, not a cudgel.

USE THAT BROOM!

People who have cast their lot to Living on the Spiritual basis by virtue of the 12 step program of action have a leg up on those not afflicted. Now don’t misunderstand and run out and buy a bottle of Jack and a case of Bud as a shortcut to spiritual awakening. The leg up is the lack of options or to paraphrase the “Big Book”: their only choices being death, insanity or jail if they don’t embrace the path. To be clear, the 12 step way of life works for all, but unlike regular folks the addict/alcoholic has only dark limited options if they fail to change. One of the fundamentals of the 12 step process is the personal house cleaning (of the things blocking us from a relationship with a power greater than ourselves) in the 4th step and the daily maintenance of keeping our side of the street clean found in the 10th and 11th steps. The book Alcoholics Anonymous was the first tome to not only spell out unambiguously the critical necessity of this initial and continual cleaning but how to do it with clear directions. “It works, it really does. Try it”(A.A. manuscript pg. 40). By substituting “life” for alcohol when studying the steps the process then becomes applicable to all. The beauty of the 12 step process is the directions are straightforward and have a long proven record of success. But as with all paths to enlightenment, a price has to be paid and that price is the surrendering of self, which the house cleaning is an integral part, for without that broom little of any lasting effect can be accomplished.

USE WHAT YOU HAVE

How do we progress spiritually? Is it by studying every new book or teacher that comes along? Willingly casting aside yesterdays book or teacher in hope that the new information or teacher is better? Perhaps never even taking the time to see if a particular teaching works because of jumping from one to another, and there is always another. The student of mathematics progresses logically forward, as do students of all secular studies. They learn the basics, building upon this foundation as their understanding of their field of study advances. Think about mathematics: every great mathematical theorem, every breakthrough from Pythagoras to Newton to Einstein to Hawking began with understanding 2+2. They all began with the basics, thoroughly understood and employed, to inspired new demonstrations. The study of metaphysics requires not only the logical progression of thought as mathematics but the artists way as well. We can attend the finest schools of art, rub elbows with accomplished artists, walk the finest galleries of art, and though we may have a wonderful appreciation and even love of art, we will never be an artist until we place pencil to paper, brush to canvas. Our peace of mind, serenity, develops as we practice, demonstrate, what we have learned about spiritual principles, in our lives, daily. Knowledge is fine, but without demonstration has little power to change. As we practice what we know spiritually daily (the amount matters little) our heart and mind become more attuned with the spiritual basis, through this demonstration we grow in understanding by action, and there is no other way to truly learn how to Live on the Spiritual Basis. Who is the artist? The individual who knows all about art, a head full of knowledge, who has never brushed a stroke or the individual who perhaps has had no real formal training but draws, paints and creates daily? Our lives are the canvas, a room full art supplies of little value unless used to create, so apply what you have learned and God will guide your hand, the picture emerging miraculous. Oh, and art is messy, so don’t worry about the paint under your finger nails, on the floor or your clothes, the Great Artist understands and it puts a smile on his face.

CASH THAT BILL!

Ever find a fiver or ten spot, maybe a twenty in a pocket of a pair of pants or jacket you haven’t worn in a while? Always puts a smile on your face doesn’t it. Ever consider ignoring it or even decide it really has no value? Of course not, that would be foolish. Yet so many do exactly that with the found riches of faith. Students, and not only new ones, of the path will be going along swimmingly for a time and then inexplicably take the reins of their lives back and then wonder why they are struggling. Having begun to Live on the Spiritual Basis and reap the riches of this new life for reasons yet obscure (probably fear) they resort to old ways of thinking and solutions, seemingly forgotten the pain that brought them to the path in the first place, the new solutions of value now valueless. Our path here is clear. When we become aware of old ways of thinking and actions creeping back in, stop immediately and spend that spiritual cash in our pocket on prayer, meditation and service. Oh, and the best part of this found cash is that there is always more, since God is the source, by placing our whole hearted attention on our relationship with Him, our pockets are always full.

CAN HAPPINESS BE FOUND?

First, what makes you happy? We have all felt happiness in our lives, meeting him/her, wedding day, divorce day, birth of a child, landing “the” job, graduating, watching a child graduate, doing something nice for somebody and not getting caught, etc. The key here is that just as fresh bread is only fresh for a short time, these feelings of happiness pass. What would provide long term, permanent happiness? Wealth? Good health? Satisfying career? Begs some consideration, yes. Money is good, having had money and been broke, having money is better. But happiness? Some of the most miserable, unhappy people we have known had plenty of money, so money by itself isn’t the answer. Perfect health is great, but does little to instill happiness if our loved ones are struggling and we are powerless to help or they refuse help. Careers are important, can be fulfilling but as a vehicle for happiness they are a poor source. If we make our happiness contingent on outside things and people we will never be truly happy, happiness as fleeting as fresh bread. In truth, happiness can only be found within. Experience demonstrates those who have a deep and abiding belief in a power greater than themselves, God, have true happiness at their core. Trouble still comes for them as it does for all, but they have the ability to meet calamity with serenity for they have a conscious contact with the Source, and through prayer and meditation meet all of life’s downs and ups with faith, for only by faith in demonstration do we receive the divine guidance and strength that provides lasting inner peace and happiness.

SPONSORSHIP

Sponsor: n
spon·sor [spónssər]
(plural spon·sors)
1. somebody responsible for another: somebody who undertakes responsibility for another, especially during a period of education, apprenticeship, or probation

The early members of Alcoholics Anonymous typically found the group by introduction from someone who had put themselves forward as willing to take responsibility for their welfare. Ebby (Bill Wilson’s “sponsor”) was taken under the wing of Rowland H. and Cebra G., they becoming his sponsor when he appeared before Cebra G’s father who was the judge charged with determining whether or not Ebby should be committed for alcoholic insanity. Rowland and Cebra sponsored Ebby in the cause of sobriety employing the tenants of Moral Rearmament (Oxford group), presenting Ebby with first century Christian principles as a way to stay sober. This was the message that Ebby then brought to Bill at his kitchen table a few months later. Many if not most of the early sponsors were not alcoholics themselves. From the first page of the early pamphlet A MANUAL for ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS published by the King School Group (1st AA group): “To the Sponsor: If you have never before brought anyone into A.A. the booklet attempts to tell you what your duties are by your ‘Baby,’ how you should conduct yourself while visiting patients, and other odd bits of information, some of which may be new to you.”
Sponsorship has always been an integral part of the A.A. way of life. Today sponsors are typically members who have worked the steps and have been invested in the process long enough to help those asking for their help over the inevitable rough spots in sobriety and their experience strength and hope as it relates to recovery from the disease of addiction.
The early members accepted sponsorship as a given. Because of this when the book Alcoholics Anonymous was penned, much to their later chagrin, the concept was not specifically touched on in the text (pages 1-164) of the “Big Book”. To their credit the decision was made not to rewrite the text to reflect this, instead relying on members accounts, both in the stories section of the book as well as one on one to make the point. Anyone who questions the concept of sponsorship need only take a few minutes and read the members accounts and any doubt as to the necessity of sponsorship for successful long term recovery will be dispelled.

THAT ILLOGICAL FELLOW

No one lives life perfectly. No one is at peace or serene persistently. No one is energized and at their best every minute. Just as the tides rise and fall so does our energy levels, our peace and serenity. We find trouble when we compare our insides with others outsides. All of the people you think are so much more, or doing better than you, have their moments, in private, just like everyone else. When the Pope stubs his toe it hurts. Granted he probably doesn’t utter the same expletive I do (and if he did it would be in Latin and everything sounds better in Latin) when it happens, but then again, the point being that everyone stubs their toe, having nothing to do with spiritual condition. Now if I blame someone else for putting or moving the table there or start in on the unfairness of the universe for bringing this calamity or better yet think that for some reason I deserved to stub my toe and the pain is the universes way of reminding me of my place, it then becomes a spiritual matter. When we are constantly looking for tea leaves to read, we will always find them and amazingly the news is routinely bad. The forecast dark with more dark and a chance of scattered crappiness later in the week. Usually a cloudy day is just a cloudy day, nothing more. The only lesson to be learned from stubbing ones toe (or any of the other trivialities that cross our path daily) is to watch where we are going, the universe is not out to get us. To be believe otherwise would be illogical in the light of what we now know from Living on the Spiritual Basis.

illogical [i lójjik’l]: adj

1. not following the rules of logic, or not following logically from a previous premise, statement, or action.

Everybody spends time in the barrel. The Pope, the Dalai Lama, everybody. Living on the Spiritual Basis we, along with the Pope and Dalai Lama, have a logical basis for living. The basis of trusting and relying on a power greater than ourselves. Stubbed toes and cloudy days notwithstanding. If we are constantly taking our temperature we are surely to find a fever, and in so doing we are demonstrating lack of faith. Living on the Spiritual Basis we have a logical path of direction to follow, keeping our eye on the ball, God, and doing the work He would have us do, we then meet calamity with serenity, with an occasional expletive, for God knows stubbed toes hurt.

TIDAL WATER HEALS

Without renewing energy stagnation results and there is probably no better demonstration of this than tidal pools. Here the demonstration is clear, the renewing energy of the waves keeps the pool fresh and supplied. If we consider our consciousness as a tidal pool, than our renewing waves are comprised of our willingness; an open mind, to turn to Source in all things. Trusting in God to wash over us in forgiveness, love and guidance, carrying away negative and fearful thoughts. Just as the oceans level rises and falls, leaving the pool seemingly without supply for a time, so does our awareness. A closed mind is like the pool of water blocked off the renewing energy of the sea. In time the water turns brackish and unhealthy, its energy and life draining away. Eventually if nothing fresh flows in it will evaporate, leaving only dust. In those times when fear tries to convince us that this time the waves of renewal will not return; closing our mind to truth, faith reminds us that the tide always rises and the waves always return. Stay willing and open minded, learn and listen and the renewing energy of Divine Intelligence will keep you fresh and alive, ready to demonstrate the power of God in every area of life.

YOU CAN’T, BUT GOD CAN

What more do we need to know? Not convinced? OK. Everything is comprised of energy. Not just energized, but comprised of. The chair you are sitting on. The monitor you are looking at or the paper you are reading this on. The air you are breathing, you. Everything. In 1918 Max Planck received the Nobel Prize for physics. In his acceptance speech he said in part: All matter originates and exists only by virtue of a force which brings the particle of an atom to vibration and holds this most minute solar system of the atom together. We must assume behind this force the existence of a conscious and intelligent mind. This mind is the matrix of all matter. In the last two decades science has observed, what Quantum Physics postulated, to be true. The importance of this so profound we have built the largest machine ever outside of Geneva, the 17 mile long Large Hadron Collider (LHC) to explore what Max Planck knew over ninety years ago! Living on the Spiritual Basis things like the LHC or the continuing discoveries on the macro side of everything with tools like the Hubble telescope are interesting but have no weight to sway our belief, for we have found the great reality deep within. In the moments of fear and doubt that come for all, we quietly turn to the Source for our salvation and answers, tapping into the power that exists all around us, within and without, to do what it knows is necessary to bring us to freedom. Living on the Spiritual Basis we apply Infinite Power to our difficulties, guarantying freedom and success.

GREAT IS DIANA

Bible names are cool. The “Diana” lesson is found in Acts 19, some of the names are Tyrannus, Timotheus, Erastus, Demetrius, Gaius and Aristarchus. “Hi, my name is Gaius and I will be your server tonight.” “Mom, the plumber Erastus is here!” “Hall of Fame linebacker Tyrannus Jones…” “Dr. Demetrius will see you now.” “Senator Aristarchus of the great state of California.” Alright I’ll stop. I still think they are cool. My wife would only allow me to pick our daughters middle name: Anastasia, not very fair. Ok, now I’ll stop. The silversmith Demetrius made his living off silver shrines to the goddess Diana. Paul had brought the Christ message to town which many embraced, turning away from the Goddess Diana. Demetrius knew his livelihood was at stake for without Diana worship he was out of business, so he and his fellow craftsmen began shouting “Great is Diana” in an attempt to stem the tide embracing the new path, not out of any real belief other than the belief their pocketbooks would suffer. Today we shout Great is Diana in our own way when we speak of spiritual matters but fail to employ spiritual remedies or trust in God to solve our problems. The silversmiths didn’t trust Diana to deliver them, so they took matters into their own hands, for their own selfish ends. God is either everything or else He is nothing, what is your choice? The path Paul helped bring to the world has been providing answers to billions for two thousand years, yes I know not always as the carpenter intended, while if you ask someone about Diana they will probably comment on the late princess of Wales, a beautiful woman, but no goddess. Trusting in God is simple but not easy. We are bombarded by handwringers and fear spreaders at every turn, the one thing they all share is they live on the secular basis, not the spiritual. The promise of Living on the Spiritual Basis is by trusting and relying on the true source, God, all questions of living will be answered and we will be provided with what we need to grow and prosper, so be about God’s business and all other affairs will fall into place in due course. “ Top NASCAR driver Timotheus Erastus Martin wins Daytona!” Sorry.

ONLY YOUR OWN THOUGHTS

We have no control over the thoughts that float up into our consciousness. What we do have control of, and must exercise, is what we do when we become aware of the thought. No one knows what triggers the seemingly random thoughts that float into our consciousness, perhaps it is a smell, a taste, a song on the radio, a blue Volkswagen driving by, no one really knows and most importantly it matters little. What matters is the action taken when a discordant or negative thought surfaces. Dr. Fox uses the analogy of an ember from a campfire. If we are sitting by a campfire and a burning ember floats up and lands on our sleeve, if we brush it off immediately no real harm is done. However if we wait a moment to contemplate it, the shirt is ruined and have a painful welt on our arm to mark the decision. We must stay vigilant for those “burning ember” thoughts. As soon as we become aware of one, we turn immediately to God and ask Him to direct our thinking. The wording of the prayer is of course optional, but the timing isn’t. So many make the mistake of trying to figure out why the thought crossed their mind. Not only failing to brush it off with Divine help but nurturing and feeding it fuel by continuing to try to figure it out, as if knowing why will do anything to remove the discomfort and pain their ruminations are causing. Why is the booby prize.

boo·by prize : n
(plural boo·by priz·es)
loser’s prize: a prize given as a joke to the person or team coming last in a competition

If a small fire started in your home would you stand there watching the fire wondering why it started or would you act to put it out, before any serious damage was done? Yet we do this very thing in the only dwelling that really matters, our consciousness, when we entertain these destructive thoughts as our serenity and peace of mind burn in the fires of morbid reflection. Stay vigilant and let God be your fireman.

SEEKING AND FINDING

Reaping and sowing. What you seek you will find, what you plant and nurture will grow. Seems like a simple enough lesson, yet many ignore it. Parents who never had time for their kids while they were growing up, busy doing this and that, justifying it to themselves at the time with things like “I’m doing it for them” or “I’ll make up for it later” or “they would rather be with their friends anyway” and now being grown they never come around or call and the parents are surprised and hurt. Then there is the parent who orchestrates every aspect of their child’s life with little or no regard for the child’s preferences shocked when the child rebels at the first opportunity. The husband who spends all his time away from the family incredulous when served divorce papers. The philandering spouse angered when they discover their partner is carrying on in the same manner. So what are you planting, seeking by your actions? Do your actions mirror your words? Are you trying to impress others, believing that if they think you are okay, you are? Do you spend a lot of time “selling” your side of the story, leaving out any facts that may paint you in a bad light? Do you employ the concept of “guilty with an explanation” regularly? Are you surrounded by people who are quick to cosign whatever your selling, avoiding those who may ask uncomfortable questions or point out obvious truths? Living on the Spiritual Basis we now know that the unexamined life leads to futility and frustration. If you have placed your feet on the path, and many who are reading this have, be gentle with those around you who are still locked in the bondage of self. Never answer the unasked question but do share from the heart your struggles and the actions you have taken to progress. To quote Wayne Dyer: (my thoughts added) “Never underestimate your ability to change yourself (through the application of spiritual principles) and never overestimate your ability to change others.”

WHAT IS YOUR ACT?

“Handsome is as handsome does.” Sounds a bit Forrest Gump-ish but fits the bill. Many wish to enjoy a certain reputation they know in their heart they don’t deserve. The ill-tempered person may indeed want to be loved and favored but their very actions make it impossible. How often have you heard someone attempt to sell the idea that even though someone is acting or has acted badly they really mean well, are basically nice people, having a heart of gold. Nonsense. Loving people are loving towards all, the mistake here is that many believe they have to like everyone as well, which isn‘t required. Respectful people are respectable towards all, liking or agreeing with them irrelevant. Living on the Spiritual Basis our serenity is measured by our actions. We must walk the way we talk or risk suffering mightily at the hands of hypocrisy. We can wish to be spiritual, we can wish for peace, we can wish to be happy, joyous and free but unless our actions match up with our wishes, we will never demonstrate.

YOUR DAILY VISIT WITH GOD OR SPIRITUALITY BY OSMOSIS

Students who find the path of Living on the Spiritual Basis through the 12 step process have an advantage, the advantage of clear cut directions. The directions found in the “Big Book”, Alcoholics Anonymous, are straight forward and concise. Even so I have had students relate all kinds of curious interpretations of the process laid out in the Big Book, based on what they heard someone say in an AA meeting. So, instead of actually reading and studying the book, they choose to base their recovery on people and meetings rather than on their own work and efforts. I understand, why do hard things; like studying the book and really working the steps, when there are easy things like going to meetings and sober activities, relying on others interpretations as gospel. Eventually spirituality by osmosis (lots of activity, little real work) wears thin and they find themselves faced with a crises they can no longer evade or postpone, that no amount of “sharing” in meetings will help; they wonder why God has abandoned them. They truly believe they have been “working” the steps, because their perception is based on what other osmosis alky’s share about, not the path laid out in the Big Book. In truth they have been working some of the steps, but not all. Kinda like making a cake and leaving a few ingredients out, then blaming the recipe because it is inedible. There may and usually are other areas, but the daily visit with God in prayer and meditation is typically their most glaring omission. Four times, pages 83, 87, 134 & 164 we are directed to morning meditation, yet it never ceases to amaze me when this is pointed out how few realize it. On pg 83 we are directed to begin each day by “asking in morning meditation that our Creator show us the way of patience, tolerance, kindliness and love”. Additionally we are directed to use the prayer “Thy will be done” when (when, not if) we become angry, frustrated or even excited. This is a wonderful barometer for how we are doing spiritually. If you can’t remember the last time you said this prayer, you may want to take a few minutes in quiet contemplation and study the 10th and 11th steps again. Just a suggestion. Nothing is more important than the time we spend in prayer and meditation. Nothing. No excuses. The good news is you can begin now and start reaping the benefits immediately. Kinda like going on a diet and losing five pounds just by deciding to do the work. Pretty cool. Oh, and you non-alky’s who stuck around, the Steps aren’t about not drinking, they are about Living on the Spiritual Basis, and if you have the willingness, they will solve your life problems too. Cheers.

THE MIDDLE WALL OF PARTITION

Most modern offices are comprised of large rooms divided into cubicles of various sizes using partition walls. Typically these walls of partition are head high and unlike permanent walls are easily moved. When we are frightened and feeling lost it is if a wall of impenetrable stone has risen between us and God. In truth the “wall” is nothing more than the flimsiest of partitions constructed of fear and false belief. It appears solid and robust at first blush, but just as the partition walls found in the office, with the right tools and a little effort it is easily removed. The tools? Prayer and meditation. The effort? Being of service to others. Prayer is pretty straight forward, though a thousand books could be written and only the surface scratched, meditation however seems shrouded in mystery and false expectation. If you aren’t meditating regularly, start. Keep it simple, begin by finding someplace where you can be undisturbed for fifteen minutes, if your living situation makes this difficult, take a walk. Yes, you can meditate while walking. Whether sitting (no need to fold yourself into a pretzel unless your into that sort of thing) or walking, be comfortable. Sit in a comfortable position or walk at a pace that does not effect your breathing. Now, think about nothing but God. Go over in your minds eye everything you know about God, gently, or if you prefer read a paragraph or two from a spiritual book or teaching and contemplate on it for your period of meditation. When your mind wanders, and it will, gently bring it back to the task at hand. Do not under any pretext speak to yourself negatively or condescendingly. Meditate daily. No excuses. The first purpose of meditation is to stop thinking about the problem and to think about God instead. If you are persistent, soon meditation will become such an integral part of living that when you find yourself caught in a situation where meditation is not practical (happens occasionally) you will miss it. Congratulations, you are now officially a meditator and yes, it really is that simple. There are many forms and styles of meditation, do not at this point go out and buy books on meditation or search the web. Keep it simple for a time, when it is time to investigate other forms, you will know and never forget, don’t concern yourself with becoming better at meditation, just do it.

Service work can take any number of forms. It can be as simple as dropping a coin in the random parking meter about to expire (I know, in some places this is illegal but a little civil disobedience is good for the soul) or even just picking up a piece of trash off the street or sidewalk and disposing of it to volunteering time and resources. The key here is just as with meditation is consistency. A kindly act once in awhile won’t fit the bill. You may have sensed a theme here. To remove the illusionary partition wall that fear and false belief raises between us and God, stop thinking about the trouble and think about God and spirituality instead, backing it up with unselfish, constructive action. Do not allow yourself to fall into the trap of thinking you need to do any of this perfectly or that anyone does. Avoid comparing your insides to others outsides.