Living In Spirit: September 2017

Saturday, September 30, 2017

Surrender And Win Part 2

So to win, we must alter our focus and begin to focus on the only thing that can truly change the world for the better, us. We accomplish this through consistent prayer and meditation, we don’t struggle, we pray "with a feather" approaching meditation with joy and excitement. If we find this a problem, we pray on it! A good beginning meditation is contemplating patience, tolerance, kindliness and love in our life and towards all we touch. If you are concerned about praying in the right way ask to be shown, in prayer, how to pray correctly and always Keep It Simple. Read something spiritual that sings to you everyday for a few minutes, for this raises our consciousness. Practice truth in living as you understand it in all your activities, remembering to be as gentle with yourself as you are with a newborn, for just as the newborn grows and changes physically daily we are growing and changing spiritually. By following this simple plan we surrender the secular life and gain eternity, not a bad win.

#The Secret, #Wayne Dyer, #Serenity, Enlightenment, #Zen, #Emmet Fox, #How To Be Happy, #Golden Key, Beachside, #Chopra, #Jesus, #Einstein, #AA, Miracles in Recovery

Friday, September 29, 2017

Surrender And Win Part 1

Generals draw up battle plans, their theory on how the battle should be fought and ultimately won. Politicians have theories on everything, often with little or no actual experience to inform their opinion. Economists are quick to theorize, usually poorly. Meteorologists and climatologists put forth theories daily, calling them forecasts, and we have all experienced their accuracy. Although we don’t usually think of it in this way, we all have theories about all sorts of things. When we chat about the reasons why something happened, or didn’t, what we think is going to happen or some action to take, we are floating theories. Theories based on experience typically have value, while theories based on no more than wishful thinking are hot air until implemented, the consequences realized, truth demonstrated. Truth is never subjective and often stark in its reality. If the local weather prognosticators get it wrong, the truth is typically no more painful than a ruined picnic or toting around an umbrella on a sunny day. Battle plans which go badly can result not only in death but in reshaping the map. Economists theories should be placed in the newspaper next to horoscopes, unfortunately decisions affecting everyone are based on their theories, were if a horoscope is wrong it won’t possibly put thousands of people out of work or raise taxes. Politicians and the price of demonstration for their theories? Examples can be found daily on the front page of any paper or leading the nightly news.

So perhaps, just perhaps we should look at things in a different light. Consider: Wars, slavery, economic inequality, one religion attacking another, bigotry, etc have been with us throughout our history, only the intensity modulating. The truth is we as a people keep making the same mistakes, based in flawed theories and thinking, one generation to the next with the same inevitable results. So clearly "secular" theories of living are at best problematic, even foolhardy in light of the results. So to truly change will require surrendering the old theories and embrace a new basis of living. How? Stay tuned.

#The Secret, #Wayne Dyer, #Serenity, Enlightenment, #Zen, #Emmet Fox, #How To Be Happy, #Golden Key, #Beachside, #Chopra, #Jesus, #Einstein, #AA, Miracles In Recovery

Thursday, September 28, 2017

Set Aside or Lay Aside Prayer

Consider this passage from the Sermon on the Mount “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). We all have known or know people who are “poor spirited” and blessed usually isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. In fact, when really considering this passage for the first time it is difficult not to think of those times when we have felt poor spirited; somewhat perplexing to the notion that if this is “blessed”, is it such a good thing? The “poor in spirit” The Carpenter refers too has nothing to do with being poor spirited. Being poor in spirit means we have let go of our preconceptions and self will.

There is a prayer that has become known as the set-aside or lay-aside prayer that speaks to this state of consciousness. There are a number of variations, this is one of the simplest forms: Dear God, please help me to set aside everything I think I know about you and this world, so I may have an open mind and a new experience. Please help me to see your Truth, Amen. Surrendering to win, setting aside our preconceived ideas and sacred cows. If we can achieve this raised state of consciousness, remaining open minded and willing to learn, to change and honestly address our defects as well as our assets of character in their proper light, we would truly be “poor in spirit” and the kingdom of heaven ours.

#The Secret, #Wayne Dyer, #Serenity, Enlightenment, #Zen, #Emmet Fox, #How To Be Happy, #Golden Key, #Beachside, #Chopra, #Jesus, #Einstein, #AA, Miracles In Recovery

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

Does God Keep A Tally Sheet?

God doesn’t keep the tally sheet of our lives, We do. Everything we have ever done or said is written on our heart, in our hand. Our lives though are an open book to Him who has all knowledge and power; fortunately He loves us unconditionally and if we are earnest, our transgressions are forgiven as soon as we ask. Now if we could only forgive ourselves so readily think how much wear and tear on our heart we could avoid. So when struggling for any reason, let go and let God for He knows what AILs you, and He is Available, Intelligent and Loving.

#The Secret, #Wayne Dyer, #Serenity, Enlightenment, #Zen, #Emmet Fox, #How To Be Happy, #Golden Key, Beachside, #Chopra, #Jesus, #Einstein, #AA, Miracles In Recovery

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

Good For What A.I.L.s You

The path of enlightenment asks us “to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God’ with the proviso “as we understand Him.” This phrase is pivotal to the process, so the student must not take the easy way out. I have heard individuals refer to “God” as they understand Him as all manner of nonsensical things or objects; trees, doorknobs, etc. To wit:

Nonsense: n. 1. That which is without good sense; meaningless or ridiculous language. 2. Things of no importance.

To believe that “God” can be anything relegates god to being nothing in reality. “God is either everything or else He is nothing.” What is our choice to be? If you are struggling with the concept of a Power greater than yourself, you can start at a simple level. To truly set ones feet on the path to living on the Spiritual Basis God must be at least this: Available, Intelligent and Loving and nothing less. Available: to live on the Spiritual Basis requires daily visits with God in prayer and meditation. How is this possible if He is far away, distant or unavailable in any way? Intelligent: The Creator, the Architect of all that is, pretty much the epitome of intelligence. Loving: Here I would ask you to set aside any belief you may have of a vengeful Old Testament score keeper God. One of the keys to living on the Spiritual Basis is the truth that “the realm of Heaven is roomy, all inclusive. Never exclusive or forbidding to those who earnestly seek.” That God is never the author of trouble or sickness in our lives, His love boundless and unencumbered by human limitation.

Available, Intelligent and Loving, good for what AILs us.

#The Secret, #Wayne Dyer, #Serenity, Enlightenment, #Zen, #Emmet Fox, #How To Be Happy, #Golden Key, Beachside, #Chopra, #Jesus, #Einstein, #AA, Miracles In Recovery

Monday, September 25, 2017

Resigning From The Debate Team

God is not just truthful or brings truth but is Absolute Truth incarnate. Once we begin living on the Spiritual Basis, God moves from the relative to the Absolute, He is either everything or else He is nothing, there is no middle ground. All those dinner table and coffee shop debates, though well intended, usually, lose all significance for now we know, we are either all in or all out. Having made the decision to turn our will and lives over to the care and direction of God, fear is supplanted by trust and faith. In the light of Absolute Truth we pause when doubtful “…and ask for the right thought or action. We constantly remind ourselves we are no longer running the show, humbly saying to ourselves many times each day Thy will be done.” To know the truth about any condition heals it for: “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free” (John 8:32).

#The Secret, #Wayne Dyer, #Serenity, Enlightenment, #Zen, #Emmet Fox, #How To Be Happy, #Golden Key, Beachside, #Chopra, #Jesus, #Einstein, #AA, Miracles In Recovery

Sunday, September 24, 2017

God And Spooky Science

Over the last few decades science has made amazing strides and discoveries in the field of Quantum and Particle Physics. We have learned that the most minuscule aspects of matter, the component parts of the atom, seemingly move with intelligence, reacting to the observer, even able to exist in two places at once! Einstein went as far as to refer to this area of physics as "spooky." Every star, every grain of sand on this planet and every other, simply everything is composed of these "spooky" particles. The chair you are sitting in, the medium you are reading this on, You, everything. Inside each of us are untold trillions upon trillions of these particles, all going about their business without consulting their host, us, at all.

So, if everything is composed of this intelligent matter, remember science tells us so, is this matrix of all creation the mind of God? Gives one pause to wonder, does it not? It has been said that He is closer than hands and feet, that we should look within, not without for our spiritual connection. Looks like "they" had it right all along. Spooky. Gotta love science.

#The Secret, #Wayne Dyer, #Serenity, Enlightenment, #Zen, #Emmet Fox, #How To Be Happy, #Golden Key, Beachside, #Chopra, #Jesus, #Einstein, #AA, Miracles In Recovery

Saturday, September 23, 2017

Living In Love Or F.E.A.R.

When we express love we express our true essence. Think of how you feel when you demonstrate love or when love is demonstrated to you. In those moments we are in communion with our true essential nature, in conscious contact for…God is love; and he that dwells in love dwells in God, and God in him (1 John 4:16). A bedrock truth of living is that a sufficient expression of love will erase any problem or difficulty. “Where there is fear there cannot be love. The best way to rid ones self of fear is to manifest divine Love” for “Divine love never fails…” For in truth, are not all of our problems fear based? Are we not driven by the fear that we will either not receive something we think we need or lose something we have? And isn’t worry just an out-picturing of fear?

The Great Carpenter taught that we cannot serve two masters, so where we place our focus, regardless and sometimes in spite of current circumstances, is the key. Are we focusing on the fear (the world) or on the spiritual (God)? “To realize God as Love is the remedy for fear.” Though cute acronyms typically make my teeth itch, this one has some value: FEAR-False Evidence Appearing Real. God is either everything or else He is nothing, no middle ground, the thoughts we entertain habitually will be expressed in our lives and the choice is always ours. What will we choose to express today, fear or faith? Remember “Where there is fear there cannot be love” that “There is no condition that enough Love will not heal.” By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one to another (John 13:35).

#The Secret, #Wayne Dyer, #Serenity, Enlightenment, #Zen, #Emmet Fox, #How To Be Happy, #Golden Key, #Pope Francis, #Chopra, #Jesus, #Einstein, #AA, McRaven,

Friday, September 22, 2017

Electric Apple Pie, Probably Alamode Part 2

So to continue with our pie analogy, our Indwelling Presence is not a “portion” of God, but God himself and proof of our true divine self hood. Consider an electric circuit. The electricity (God) is present throughout the circuit (us) though invisible. We only “see” the action of the electricity when we flip the switch and the bulb (our Divine Mind) illuminates.

Our physical life is like our apple pie from yesterday, probably alamode; each day a little more gone until only the tin remains to be recycled, no deposit required. Our true self, that which exists beyond the physical, our soul, the I AM is never diminished, never proportioned always whole and eternal. For: We are not human beings in search of the miraculous, a spiritual awakening, we are spiritual beings experiencing the human condition, one day at a time. God, like the electric current, flows through us, always there, just waiting for us to flip the switch and embrace enlightenment. Oh, and I bet you will never look at a piece of apple pie, probably alamode, the same way ever again.

#The Secret, #Wayne Dyer, #Serenity, Enlightenment, #Zen, #Emmet Fox, #How To Be Happy, #Golden Key, #Pope Francis, #Chopra, #Jesus, #Einstein, #AA, McRaven, Miracles In Recovery

Thursday, September 21, 2017

Electric Apple Pie, Probably Alamode Part 1

Consider the apple pie. When you remove a piece, the whole is diminished by the size of the slice you have decided to enjoy, possibly alamode. The original apple pie and the slice are composed of exactly the same ingredients, in the same proportions, only the size different, the slice merely a smaller representation of the whole. Soon others become aware of your pie experiment and the “whole” pie that began our lesson is now only represented by a crumb filled pie tin; the original portioned to the many, probably alamode.

When considering God many think of Him in this way because it is logical. Believing that God is so large He can break off pieces of Himself without concern of ever becoming an empty tin. If this were true however regardless of how small the piece removed, the whole, like our apple pie, is still diminished. But, in truth, God is never diminished, cannot by His nature be diminished. He is as complete and whole today as a year, a thousand, ten thousand years ago. So we are not merely connected to God but we are of God, complete and whole in every way.

#The Secret, #Wayne Dyer, #Serenity, Enlightenment, #Zen, #Emmet Fox, #How To Be Happy, #Golden Key, #Pope Francis, #Chopra, #Jesus, #Einstein, #AA, McRaven, Miracles In Recovery

Wednesday, September 20, 2017

"I AM" Enjoying The Ride

Herbert Spencer stated that substance is “that which is not subject to discord or decay." Spirit is substance, Spirit cannot die and was never born, and we are Spirit. Consider Buddhism, it teaches that what we see is illusion, impermanent, that Everything is Zen. When I first heard this years ago I had the mental picture of a young Kwai Chang Caine of Kung Fu fame listening to his Master, a puzzled look on his face, not understanding. Unlike TV's Caine we don't have the luxury of jump cutting to where all is revealed. Years and a lot of living were required before I found the Spiritual Basis for Living which has provided the answers for today I have A New Pair of Glasses to view life with. I know in my heart of hearts that I AM Spirit, as are you, as are all, all eternal, that only the distorted vision resulting from my human limitations driving my fears and perceived difficulties. That I AM, we are, here to learn as long as this flesh lasts and when it ultimately fails, to take the lessons learned to the next destination wherever that may be, always moving forward in love and light. So struggle is pointless, everything really is Zen (God) and since no one gets out alive, we might as well enjoy the ride.

#The Secret, #Wayne Dyer, #Serenity, Enlightenment, #Zen, #Emmet Fox, #How To Be Happy, #Golden Key, #Pope Francis, #Chopra, #Jesus, #Einstein, #AA, McRaven,

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Controlling Our Thinking? Easy?

Trying to control our thoughts is akin to herding cats, not possible and only enjoyable to those watching. What is attendant upon us is how we respond when negative or discordant thoughts enter our awareness, for they will. So when we find ourselves drifting into negative or spiritually destructive thinking, for this happens to everyone, we immediately turn to God and shine the truth of our divine heritage and His love upon them, thus placing them in the correct light. Remember, our actions and words are the true indicator of the thinking we habitually entertain.

But take heart, we cannot demonstrate beyond where we are. A first year medical student would never be asked to perform heart surgery or the private to lead the army into battle. So always be gentle with yourself and place your reliance on God, turning to Him in scientific prayer for inspiration and guidance in all things. The only requirements for continued growth are to remain willing, honest with yourself and open-minded to new winds of thinking while engaging in consistent unselfish, constructive action. See, easy. OK, maybe not but the rewards far outweigh the effort.

#The Secret, #Wayne Dyer, #Serenity, Enlightenment, #Zen, #Emmet Fox, #How To Be Happy, #Golden Key, #Pope Francis, #Chopra, #Jesus, #Einstein, #AA, McRaven,

Monday, September 18, 2017

Now What?

If you have stepped out in faith and made an inventory of your principles and beliefs, what should you do with it? It is highly recommended you share it with someone you trust but will be unaffected by its content. When you do this, your life will change in ways unimaginable for you will have digested some large chunks of truth about yourself from which you will grow in new and wonderful ways, your feet truly planted on the path of raised consciousness.

If however you are reticent about sharing this with anyone find a quiet place where you know you will be undisturbed. Take a few cleansing breaths and then look at it from a different perspective. Look at it from the perspective of if a friend or loved one came to you and shared this information with you. How would you react? What advice, if any, would you give them? Would it change your opinion of them? A wise man stated many centuries ago "The unexamined life is not worth living" and by embarking on this life changing endeavor we truly begin to live in Spirit.

#The Secret, #Wayne Dyer, #Serenity, Enlightenment, #Zen, #Emmet Fox, #How To Be Happy, #Golden Key, #Pope Francis, #Chopra, #Jesus, #Einstein, #AA, McRaven,

Sunday, September 17, 2017

What's in your inventory?

Everyone lives by a set of principles, few however take the time to consider what these principles entail, yet we demonstrate what we believe everyday by our actions. If you were to inventory your principles, what would be on the list? Do you spend time rehashing past events? Retelling stories of missed opportunities, lost love or perceived injustice? Are you quick to correct those you deem to be in “error”, holding strong opinions on issues, ready to engage in verbal combat at the drop of an allusion, yet never bothering to read or reflect on opposing views? Are you a master at backhanded compliments and clever asides and putdowns?

Other than you, unless of course you choose to, no one will see the inventory so be honest. Some of the principles outlined above include: contempt prior to investigation, morbid reflection, negative judgment, closed mindedness, grandiosity and emotional overcompensation. Of course the list can be added to, but I think you get the picture. Conversely when Living on the Spiritual Basis we find in our inventory: patience, tolerance, kindness, love, serenity, benefit of the doubt, open-mindedness, ready acceptance and living in the here and now among other positive attributes. There is probably no more important step we can take to be free of the fear driven life, so what's in your inventory?

#The Secret, #Wayne Dyer, #Serenity, Enlightenment, #Zen, #Emmet Fox, #How To Be Happy, #Golden Key, #Pope Francis, #Chopra, #Jesus, #Einstein, #AA, McRaven, Miracles In Recovery

Saturday, September 16, 2017

It works, it really does. Try it.

Study and research are well in their own time and place, but no amount of either will get us out of a concrete difficulty. Nothing but practical work in our own consciousness will do that. The mistake many people make, when things go wrong, is to skim through book after book, without taking any real action or worse running it by anyone who will listen looking for a sympathetic ear to commiserate with and even if provided with solid spiritual advice and direction, failing to take any real action, demonstrating intention versus action.

"Faith without works is dead". Fervent belief is fine as far as it goes, but nothing happens until action is engaged in. Until we demonstrate a consistent course of action nothing of consequence transpires in our consciousness to bring us to the desired safe harbor of peace of mind and serenity we so desperately desire.

Practical work in our own consciousness requires dedication and consistent effort, for “Scientific prayer is the Golden Key to harmony and happiness.” Scientific Prayer is when faced with a difficulty of any kind, we affirm everything we know to be true about God in prayer and under no circumstance pray about the problem or difficulty! Instead turning in prayer to focus our whole consciousness on God and our relationship with Him. God being omnipotent already knows everything about our life, our problems, desires, hopes and fears and exactly what is needed. Our job is to get out of the way and trust in Him who has all knowledge and power, to stop focusing on the negative (the difficulty) and place our focus singularly on God (the solution). “Simple, but not easy.”

“It works, it really does. Try it.”

#The Secret, #Wayne Dyer, #Serenity, Enlightenment, #Zen, #Emmet Fox, #How To Be Happy, #Golden Key, #Pope Francis, #Chopra, #Jesus, #Einstein, #AA, McRaven, Miracles In Recovery

Friday, September 15, 2017

Long Way Round

It is suggested that we “think from the end” when confronted with life’s challenges. Having embarked on the path of Living on the Spiritual Basis, we now know that at the “end” the solution for every difficulty or problem is God. We can turn to God at any point along the way, but the sooner the better. Think of it this way; wherever we travel there is the shortest, most direct route; any other path is taking the long way round. Sometimes when traveling the long way round is preferable, better scenery, more interesting sights, friends along the way, etc. When suffering however this is never the case yet it is exactly what most people do! They dawdle along rehashing and retelling their story of woe to anyone who will listen, engaging in angry recrimination and /or self pity while wallowing in morbid reflection. Only when we place our feet squarely on the path, raising our consciousness through prayer and meditation, resisting the temptation to outline the solution, seeking only the knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out do we triumph. God can and will solve all our problems and difficulties, if we will rely upon Him, so when troubled we take the road less traveled and turn to God immediately in prayer and meditation, avoiding the “the long way round” of resentment, suffering, blame and morbid reflection. And always remember, if we find ourselves on the wrong road, the off-ramp is just a prayer away.

#The Secret, #Wayne Dyer, #Serenity, Enlightenment, #Zen, #Emmet Fox, #How To Be Happy, #Golden Key, #Pope Francis, #Chopra, #Jesus, #Einstein, #AA, Miracles In Recovery

Thursday, September 14, 2017

What Is In Your Cup?

When trouble or difficulty arrives the way out is to immediately turn to God in prayer. Praying for wisdom, guidance and strength to address the problem and most importantly pray for any other individuals involved, regardless of how they may have or are attempting to harm. By living in this way we raise our consciousness, building a bull work of peace and serenity, remaining free and unharmed in spirit. We never, under any pretense ask God to do harm or cause ill to befall anyone, for if we do we invite negativity into our consciousness and needlessly subject ourselves to suffering. Seek always the higher ground of raised consciousness, for each reaps as they sow and if we sow seeds of hate, anger, resentment and contempt we should not then be surprised when our harvest is comprised of these crops. It is the unwise man indeed who pours a cup of poison, drinks from it and then expects those he hates to suffer.

#The Secret, #Wayne Dyer, #Serenity, Enlightenment, #Zen, #Emmet Fox, #How To Be Happy, #Golden Key, #Pope Francis, #Chopra, #Jesus, #Einstein, #AA, Miracles In Recovery

Wednesday, September 13, 2017

32 Years Ago Today

Forgive me, but today's post is of a personal nature. 32 years ago today my life changed in a most dramatic way. Though at the time I didn't see it, but such is usually the way of such things. I was living of the world but not really in it, existing in a haze of self imposed intoxication, focused only in self, shut off, by choice, from all that truly mattered, all that was of real value, oblivious to the truth.

I was a young man, intelligent to the point of narcissism, sure of myself as only the clueless and spiritually immature can be. I found myself at a point of crisis, self imposed but a crisis none the less. Bereft of answers or direction I reached out in a way that was contrary to all I thought I believed and two men that I had never met before arrived at my home, bringing the good news I so desperately needed but didn't really want. Though quite hesitant, I did not want to continue the way I was traveling so I followed suggestions, did things like make coffee, give rides to people I had just met to gatherings of other like minded individuals and did I say follow suggestions?

As my intoxicant befogged mind began to clear I saw, for the first time, that all the trials and tribulations in my life had one common denominator, a central point of chaos and disharmony, that point was me and my thinking. I had been living on the basis of self will and my life reflected it. So it was suggested I find a new basis, a spiritual basis for living that would solve all my problems.

So I embarked on the most wonderful journey of all, that of self discovery. There have been many wrong turns and mistakes along the way, but oh what a ride, every day a holiday and every meal a banquet, if I am right sized and committed. Those "suggestions" given me by those who knew all those years ago still working, a plan for living that really works.

And to all those who have walked with me on this road of happy destiny, whether it was for only a little while or from the very start, thank you. I carry you all in my heart, my thoughts and am grateful to you for having been a part of my journey. So, onwards through the fog, a day at a time, hand in hand with Him who has all knowledge and power, no longer of the world but in it with my head in the clouds and my feet firmly planted on the ground for that is where life happens. Oh, and I still follow those "suggestions".

See ya around the coffee pot.

Tuesday, September 12, 2017

Rehearsing, Rehashing And Outlining

Difficult problems seem to have a life of their own. We have taken the indicated action (both spiritual and secular) to address the issue, seemingly putting it to rest but it then sneaks back into our consciousness, darkly clouding our thoughts. Typically these thoughts creep in silently, hidden behind a mask. One of the most insidious ways this happens is through outlining. Outlining starts out innocently enough, just weighing the pros and cons, talking it out etc but in short order we begin outlining how a situation or trouble should work out, in essence telling the universe how to solve our problems, on our terms of course.

This type of thinking builds up expectations and feeds resentment for the level of our serenity is directly proportional to our expectations. Living on the Spiritual Basis our expectations and resentments are placed in God’s hands and on His shoulders, so when we find ourselves outlining we stop as soon as we become aware and thank God for knowing Him better. To quiet the mind we repeat some simple set prayers like “Be still and know that I am God”, “There is no power greater than God” or simply “God is with me.” When I ran the world I outlined constantly, for it needed my help. Living on the new basis, I leave the running of the world, and my life, in His hands for He does a much better job of it than I ever did, for today I have ceased fighting everyone and everything and know in my heart of hearts that “God is with me.”

#The Secret, #Wayne Dyer, #Serenity, Enlightenment, #Zen, #Emmet Fox, #How To Be Happy, #Golden Key, #Pope Francis, #Chopra, #Jesus, #Einstein, #AA, Miracles In Recovery

Monday, September 11, 2017

Discordant Thinking

Has someone said to you or perhaps you have suggested to someone else to “don’t think like that?” It is one of those silly things we say to one another without really having thought it through. Like “a watched pot never boils”, yes it does, every single time and without the origin understood for context it is just nonsense. When it comes to thinking, as soon as we are told not to think about something the first thing we do is think about it. No? OK, don’t think about oranges.... How did you do? We are powerless over the thoughts that float through our minds eye; however we choose the action to take upon becoming aware of these thoughts. Oranges and teakettles are not much of a problem, but there exists in all of us a voice of discord and negativity embedded in the subconscious that consistently looks for a reason to be upset or outraged. The origin of the voice is secondary, the action we choose to take paramount when it chimes in. Having embarked on Living on the Spiritual Basis the desired action is to turn from the lower to the higher by way of prayer and meditation.

Now when a negative thought is persistent, it also helps to engage in some distracting activity such as a phone call to a friend inquiring about them (do not speak of the negative thought), an engrossing book, exercise, etc. If possible find a way to be of service. Nothing relieves us of the bondage of self, and all negative thinking binds us in self, as being of service to others. The key is to substitute positive thinking and action for negative thoughts. Simple but not easy, but with practice, just like when we learned to ride a bike, if we are diligent and consistent, in time this will become second nature.

#The Secret, #Wayne Dyer, #Serenity, Enlightenment, #Zen, #Emmet Fox, #How To Be Happy, #Golden Key, #Pope Francis, #Chopra, #Jesus, #Einstein, #AA, Miracles In Recovery

Discordant Thinking

Sunday, September 10, 2017

What Does Our Face Say?

Though many remain in denial of this truth, there are rules, or laws if you prefer, that govern our thinking, applying equally to everyone at all times, one of them is the Law Of Subconscious Activity. It is impersonal, always in force and cannot be appealed. Being impersonal this law is true for both good and bad ideas, when employed negatively, brings sickness, trouble, and failure; but when employed positively, brings healing, freedom, and success. We give the orders-the subconscious mind does the work.

We cannot, do not control the thoughts that enter our consciousness. We do control what path to follow when we become aware. When a negative or fearful thought floats up from our subconscious how we respond to it determines our future. So we train ourselves when confronted by these discordant thoughts to turn immediately to thoughts of God: His Love, His Power and His Guidance. In so doing the Law of Subconscious Activity works for us, not against.

Practical demonstrations always carry more weight than mere words. So begin by observing the faces of the people in your life. What do you see in the countenance of those who engage in gossip, hurtful or negative words and action? Compare them with those who are consistently kind, supportive and positive. The truth of this lesson will be as plain as the look on their face.

#The Secret, #Wayne Dyer, #Serenity, Enlightenment, #Zen, #Emmet Fox, #How To Be Happy, #Golden Key, Miracles In Recovery, #Chopra, #Jesus, #Einstein, #AA, McRaven

Saturday, September 9, 2017

Camels, Tents And The Law Of Thought

What we think upon grows. The thoughts we dwell on will be out pictured in our lives. Period. When we dwell on lack, perceived injustice (real and imagined), resentment or any of the other hundred forms of fear clamoring for our attention, they attach to our consciousness as surely as a barnacle to a pier piling. Though no one would say they wish to suffer, to believe we can think one way and then receive the opposite is the root of the trouble.

It would be a poor law indeed if it did not work in the reverse as well. When we dwell on the positive, on the Presence of God, on the truth of our relationship with the Divine, that all fear and negativity is false, God the giver of every good gift, then these aspects will be out pictured in our lives.

Remember the lesson of the camels nose and the tent? Camels will not back up so if a camel gets its head under a tent flap they are coming all the way in. However if their nose is smacked as soon as it appears they will withdraw, and no one wants a camel in their tent, they are bad mannered and rather smelly.

Our troubles are just like the camels nose. As soon as we become aware of trouble or difficulty we smack it on the nose with prayer and meditation and its ability to drive us to despair, fear and morbid reflection will be short circuited. What we think upon grows. What will you think upon today? Beware camels.

#The Secret, #Wayne Dyer, #Serenity, Enlightenment, #Zen, #Emmet Fox, #How To Be Happy, #Golden Key, #Pope Francis, #Chopra, #Jesus, #Einstein, #AA, McRaven

Friday, September 8, 2017

The Wonderful Enfoldment

Death awaits all men but waits on no man. Everything, from the mayfly to the stars themselves pass away, but Death is the change that brings renewal. Sadness at the passing of a loved one is natural; they have left our sight and are absent from our lives. Difficulty arises though if we refuse to let go of the departed, to allow them to rest in peace. When we build shrines and visit them regularly, whether they are of stone or in our heart, we open ourselves to morbid reflection. Consider the pyramids. The Pharaohs spent most of their time and energy focused on death and their “final” resting place. Millions of man hours spent building, countless lives lost, treasuries emptied and for what? None of them succeeded as inviolate temples to the afterlife, what could the ancients have accomplished had they channeled that energy and resources into the living?

There is no death in the sense of personal 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 fear it. We release those who have gone before with love, sad because they have temporarily left our sight, but excited for their translation into the miraculous for we now know that this flesh is but 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. So we carry the departed in our heart, since no other structure can truly hold them. When they drift up into the forefront of our thinking, as they are wont to do from time to time, we 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 Secret, #Wayne Dyer, #Serenity, Enlightenment, #Zen, #Emmet Fox, #How To Be Happy, #Golden Key, #Pope Francis, #Chopra, #Jesus, #Einstein, #AA, McRaven

Thursday, September 7, 2017

Overcast Days

Ever start a trip by plane on a cloudy day? On the ground it is dark, perhaps even dank, deep shadows lurking at every turn. Sitting in our seat we feel and hear the engines spool up, power vibrating through the plane. Then the brakes are released and we are pushed back in our seat, the plane lifts off the runway and climbs steeply through the clouds, for a time visibility is reduced to zero, then suddenly the craft bursts through the cloud layer into bright sunshine, the truth now evident, the light was always there, it simply obscured by temporary conditions.

When trouble comes into our lives the adversary, fear, works to cloud our consciousness, to instill in us a false belief that temporary conditions are permanent. Living on the Spiritual Basis we rise above the shadows by raising our consciousness through prayer and meditation, banishing false belief by demonstrating faith. Everyone occasionally has clouds obscure the light for a time, but Living on the Spiritual Basis there is no concern, for demonstration has taught us the light is always there, clouds a temporary condition and by staying the course we will break through the clouds of fear and burst into the light of peace and freedom, the truth revealed, that a cloudy day, is just a cloudy day.

#The Secret, #Wayne Dyer, #Serenity, Enlightenment, #Zen, #Emmet Fox, #How To Be Happy, #Golden Key, #Pope Francis, #Chopra, #Jesus, #Einstein, #AA, McRaven

Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Abiding In God

Today the definition of abide is to tolerate, to put up with something. 150 years ago it meant to dwell, to live or reside in a place (Encarta). Living on the Spiritual Basis is a conscious decision. We choose to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God, not in the Polly Anna sense but in a dynamic sense. We choose to live our lives, with all our defects of character and shortcomings, as demonstrations of His love, guidance and power. Knowing we will make mistakes but stepping out in faith regardless; forgiven as soon as we ask, the transgression forgotten if we are sincere in our desire to grow. Therefore, to abide in God is to live through and of Him, trembling and fearful though we may be, one day at a time.

#The Secret, #Wayne Dyer, #Serenity, Enlightenment, #Zen, #Emmet Fox, #How To Be Happy, #Golden Key, #Pope Francis, #Chopra, #Jesus, #Einstein, #AA, McRaven

Tuesday, September 5, 2017

The Daily Barrage And Finding Peace

We live with a continuous barrage of information wrapped in fear. Fear this candidate or that, fear the end of the world in all manner of ways from plagues, climate, meteors even volcanoes. Even losing ones hair or developing a few well earned lines on the face should be feared. The list is legion. Read any newspaper, website, watch any news channel and the hammers of negativity begin doing their work on the psyche. Living on the Spiritual Basis is a choice, it is the road less traveled. History is an invaluable tool that few truly employ. There is nothing in today’s headlines that has not happened before, nothing.To wit:

   “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 Great Depression was in full swing, alcohol prohibition the law of the land, the heart of America was gripped in a “black blizzard” of dust that bankrupted thousands and displaced millions, the storm clouds of war gathering in Europe as Hitler rose to power. Economic hardship, unemployment, war on drugs, immigration, global warming, Iran, Iraq, North Korea. Sound familiar? Politicians and leaders have been applying the same answers and solutions to mankind’s struggles for thousands of years, with the same predictable results. Nothing changes if nothing changes, but when we change the way we look at things, the things we look at change. Living on the Spiritual Basis we trust infinite God rather than our finite self or the world for salvation, for if we are ever to truly walk a different path as a people, the change must begin within each of us so our mantra should become Let there be peace, and let it begin with me.

#The Secret, #Wayne Dyer, #Serenity, Enlightenment, #Zen, #Emmet Fox, #How To Be Happy, #Golden Key, #Pope Francis, #Chopra, #Jesus, #Einstein, #AA, McRaven

Monday, September 4, 2017

Radical Forgiveness A Day At A Time

Radical Forgiveness requires we avoid participating in negative conversations on any topic, for this invites trouble and opens the door for negativity and resentment to slither into our consciousness. This does not mean we shy away from difficult conversations when necessary, but walking the spiritual path we find those times actually are very rare, unlike when we lived on the secular basis when it seemed we were more or less always at odds with something (thoughts) or someone (personalities). So the key today is to view everything and everyone through the lens of spiritual light, as we understand it today for we are growing in spirit, to the best of our ability and remember, no one does this perfectly, we are not saints.

When negative thinking surfaces turn to God in silent prayer, where the thought came from of little importance, our reaction to it of paramount importance. When we live in this manner we break the links of resentment and negativity while strengthening the links of love, love being the most powerful tool in our spiritual tool chest. Initially this will feel cumbersome, even odd but in time it will become second nature, the level of our serenity increasing dramatically and though negative thinking will raise its head from time to time as it does with everyone, we now have a way out of trouble that works, as long as we remain diligent and employ the indicated spiritual action.

#The Secret, #Wayne Dyer, #Serenity, Enlightenment, #Zen, #Emmet Fox, #How To Be Happy, #Golden Key, #Pope Francis, #Chopra, #Jesus, #Einstein, #AA, McRaven

Sunday, September 3, 2017

Radical Forgiveness

There are many things that link us, one to another, the two most powerful being love and resentment, one we embrace, the other we must be free of. When we think on those we love we feel peace, calmness, brings a smile to our face. Conversely when thinking on resentment the blood pressure rises, the jaw tightens, our thoughts taking on a decidedly darker tone. To be free of resentment requires work, for nothing will retard, even stop spiritual progress more than resentment and it is deadly.

To be free of resentment 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 free them from our heart, where all resentment truly resides, and give them over “root and branch” 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. We do this once and only once. If we repeat the action, we short circuit the process so when the resentment pops up again in our consciousness, and it most surely will, thank God for knowing Him better. We may have to repeat this action and affirmation many times, but it is worth the effort to be free. Avoid retelling the “story” of the resentment to others until you are sure it no longer has any power in your life and then only as a demonstration of a successful application of the process. Additionally do not volunteer any action or direction another should take in regard to a resentment unless asked specifically what you have done, for when we answer unasked questions we run the risk of creating a resentment.

#The Secret, #Wayne Dyer, #Serenity, Enlightenment, #Zen, #Emmet Fox, #How To Be Happy, #Golden Key, #Pope Francis, #Chopra, #Jesus, #Einstein, #AA, McRaven

Saturday, September 2, 2017

Eternal Tides

Death, a topic routinely avoided yet we all have/will deal with it. First the death of those we have come to know and often love and finally, and I think you would agree the most important, at least to us, our own. It is curious how differently cultures mark/celebrate a passing. Westerners typically make the event a clean straightforward affair handled almost exclusively by professionals, family and friends provided with a regimented schedule of events leading to a final “farewell” usually all taking place in a week's time. Other cultures leave the departed in their beds for a year or longer, the family handling everything, finally throwing a huge party where the departed are honored, cremating the remains at its conclusion, again all handled by loved ones.

Regardless of ritual or rites, death is inevitable. What happens to our physical remains after we have translated from the mortal coil matters little. What matters is everything that takes place right up to the moment we somersault into eternity, for in truth: We are eternal. The spark of the divine, the connection to all that is, our consciousness, our 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 mere conveyance. So we mourn the passing of those we 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 and necessary as the gentle cycle of the tides.

#The Secret, #Wayne Dyer, #Serenity, Enlightenment, #Zen, #Emmet Fox, #How To Be Happy, #Golden Key, #Pope Francis, #Chopra, #Jesus, #Einstein, #AA, McRaven

Friday, September 1, 2017

In But Not Of, Reborn

Reborn is a term that accurately states the truth of Living on the Spiritual Basis. Day by day, step by step as we develop spiritually the old “man” dies and the new emerges. In childbirth there is pain and discomfort during the act but is quickly forgotten since there is probably no more peaceful, joyful, powerful moment in our lives than when we first beheld our newborn child. This same peace is visited upon us as our awareness and conscious contact with Source builds and grows, as we move from being of the world to being in the world, moving from the finite to the infinite, becoming a light of awareness and serenity, a beacon of hope. And unlike that moment of arrival of our child, this peace and serenity can be ours daily, if we but remain teachable, willing to grow and change regardless of circumstance. Is there any greater miracle?

#The Secret, #Wayne Dyer, #Serenity, Enlightenment, #Zen, #Emmet Fox, #How To Be Happy, #Golden Key, #Pope Francis, #Chopra, #Jesus, #Einstein, #AA, McRaven

When we know, who walks beside us, on this path we have chosen, our fears fall from us.

Saturday, September 30, 2017

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