Living Free of Fear and Anger in 2021

As 2020 comes to an end; a most curious year indeed, I find, like many, reflecting has captured my attention. For me not so much the last year, but life in general. When I was born there was but a single satellite in the night sky, the moon. Much has changed since then, some good, some not so much. I have witnessed the best we can be, one to another, as well as the depths of selfishness; the eyes of the individual in both cases having looked back at me from my mirror at times in my life. I have lived a life amazing, taken the road less traveled and learned much, often the hard way. Regrets? Of course, but what piece, what lesson, could I leave out or change and still be me? My scars, seen and unseen, are well won and all mine. A roadmap of a life lived, lessons learned and owned, of costs accrued paid for in spiritual coin.

Odds are there are more days behind me than ahead, and if this year finds me somersaulting into eternity, I will do so giggling, for I have lived. I have created from the heart, I have sung and danced with voices eternal, introduced to them through the most unlovely of avenues, addiction, meeting them on this lifelong path of freedom from this most terrible adversary. I am a Man today, and all that represents. I have seen the depths of human despair and heights of liberation, often sitting side by side. I have laughed and cried from the heart with many, almost always alone. And I have loved, and I guess I do have a single regret, that I would have been more open to those who have loved me along the way. Such is life.

Do not die with your music still in you, be of service and live-in purpose, smile in the face of fear for fear is a bluffer and a liar. And here come the “ands”. And laugh. The adversary hates laughter, and aren’t you really the funniest person you know? And don’t wait, if you owe an amends, make it. If you haven’t told someone you care about how you feel, do it. And embrace those who walk with you, honor you in truth and Spirit and release those who don’t, with love. And free yourself from anger, there is no such thing as a justified resentment, they are all poison. I have heard it said that anger is one of the dubious luxuries of normal men, well who the hell is “normal” anyway, everyone is a bit twisted in their own way, some just more pretzelly than others (that mirror comes to mind again).

Through the crucible of introspection and Love I have learned to be true to my heart, to follow the still, but ever insistent, quiet voice that is God, and though often trembling continue to step out in faith a day at a time until my inevitable somersault into the heart of all that is and ever has been, sticking the landing in the next chapter. Oh, and go hiking, really, you will thank me later. Blessings to you and yours in 2021.

 © Vincent Lee Jones Living In Spirit All Rights Reserved 

 

The Good Natured Gossip

The price of continuing spiritual freedom is vigilance. Drifting into negative thinking and speech, typically happening without any conscious thought or plan on our part, is easy. The “good” natured gossip session with a friend or joining in (or worse, instigating) a huddle complaining about a disagreeable co-worker or boss, taking sides in any romantic or marital dispute or simply speaking about someone for any reason where we would be embarrassed if we discovered them standing behind us, show that we have strayed. If we are saying anything about anyone that we would be unwilling to say to them in person, we place ourselves at risk. Gossiping and tale telling rarely (if ever) embodies patience, tolerance, kindliness or love and those are some of the watchwords Living on the Spiritual Basis embodies. As far as taking sides in romantic squabbles, we have all probably done this only to become the enemy upon their reconciliation, so we have learned to be supportive but avoid engaging in character assassination, no matter how seemingly egregious someones  behavior appears to be. One of the great truths in life is there is always two sides to every story and they often only have a passing resemblance to one another.

So restraint of pen and tongue is not only a secular truth but a spiritual axiom as well. 

Golden Key, Golden Rule, A Course in Miracles, AA, Alanon, Zen, Wayne Dyer, The Secret, Road Less Traveled, Law Of Attraction,

Heavenly Butterfly

Everything is connected. Every word, every action, every thought. Nothing happens without consequence, both positive and negative, without touching everything and everyone else. Consider the still pond. Toss a pebble into the center and concentric rings from the disturbance begin emanating on the surface towards the sides of the pool. Observe carefully and you will see the rings rebound back from the shore at oblique angles, eventually touching even the seemingly hidden nooks and crannies of the pond. This is the observable part of the reaction, what of that which happens beyond our sight? As our pebble falls through the water on its journey to the bottom of the pond it continues to send out waves, though invisible to the eye, touching every part of the pond and every creature that calls the pond home.

The effect of our pebble reverberating in the pond is akin to our thoughts, words and actions effect on our selves and the world about us. What we are reverberates throughout the world, mostly unseen or consciously noticed, but the effect is there nonetheless. The analogy of “a butterfly flaps its wings in Africa and a drought happens in China” has been used by climatologists to suggest that the smallest actions can influence major change is illustrative.

Never doubt your importance or connection with the Divine. We are all children of the Most High. Regard yourself accordingly, asserting your true place in thought and deed as demonstrations of God’s love and guidance and in so doing, all Heaven rejoices.

Golden Key, Zen, Wayne Dyer, The Secret, Road Less Traveled, Proverbs, metaphysics, Law Of Attraction, Alanon, A Course in Miracles, 

Promises For All

Living on the Spiritual Basis promises much: “We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness. We will not regret the past or wish to shut the door on it. We will comprehend the word serenity and we will know peace…That feeling of uselessness and self-pity will disappear…Self-seeking will slip away. Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change. Fear of people and of economic insecurity will leave us. We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us…When we look back, we realize that the things which came to us when we put ourselves in God’s hands were better than anything we could have planned…As we felt new power flow in, as we enjoyed peace of mind, as we discovered we could face life successfully, as we became conscious of His Presence, we began to lose our fear of today, tomorrow or the hereafter. We were reborn.”
      
          “Are these extravagant promises? We think not…They will always materialize if we work for them” (Alcoholics Anonymous).

 If this and more is promised to those suffering from addiction, could you expect anything less in your life? Place your will and life into His hands and this and so much more is yours, for it is the promise and God keeps all His promises.

 ACIM, A Course in Miracles, Alanon, Baba Ram Dass, Buddha, Emmet Fox, NOTW, The Secret, Zen, Wayne Dyer, Golden Key,

Our Timeless Journey And Hot Dogs

Living on the Spiritual Basis our prayers take on a new flavor. Though all prayers are heard, we have come to know they are answered in the manner in which they are asked, putting faith in action. Trusting and relying on God, we expect to receive, for that is the promise, keeping in the forefront of our minds that “faith without works is dead.” If hungry, locking ones self in a closet and praying for a hotdog would be foolish, yet is that not exactly what many do in other areas of life? So we pray, but take whatever material steps indicated for the difficulty at hand as well, and if we are unsure on what steps to take, we ask God and they will become evident.

The problem that plagues many, if not all, is the concept of time. We have a time line in our minds eye for things to be done that is of no interest or concern to God. A Spiritual adviser years ago said to me “If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans.” God provides exactly what is required at exactly the moment required, our difficulty arising because we have outlined a hoped for outcome and time frame (giving God a helping hand since we know how busy He is) and when our expectations are not met, we subject ourselves to needless emotional wear and tear. Hindsight being 20/20 we look back and see where God did for us what we could never have done for ourselves. Had we received what we thought we needed at the time we would have missed something wonderful, a valuable lesson that moved the story of our soul along its ever-upward timeless journey.

The Secret, Wayne Dyer, Zen, Road Less Traveled, Power of Intention, NOTW, Golden Key, A Course in Miracles, 

God Is Calling

Emmet Fox wrote, “Your real problem-the only problem you have-is to find your true calling in life. Everything else will fall into place. You will be happy; and upon happiness, health will follow. You will have all the supply that you require to meet your needs, and this means that you will have perfect freedom; for poverty and freedom cannot go together.”

Your heart’s desire has called to you. The still quiet voice, God’s voice, in you has whispered it to you. The thing you may have never said aloud for fear of ridicule. The thing the fear-based voice says: you are too old, you will never make a living doing it, what would your friends and family think, what about my responsibilities, and a thousand other “reasons” to stay locked into the role you have decided society would have you play, not God. The first step to freedom begins here. You must answer this question: Do you believe God wants you to be happy, joyous and free? If you hold this as true, then what power on earth could possibly stand in the way?  

“Remember that this call is the call of God, and when God calls you to His Service, He pays all the expenses in whatever kind of coin. …Whatever you may require to answer that call, God will provide. Money, opportunity, introductions, knowledge, training, freedom, leisure, strength, and courage-all will He furnish, if you be about His business and not your own.
       
Your Heart’s desire is the Voice of God, and that Voice must be obeyed sooner or later.” 

AA, ACIM, A Course in Miracles, Zen, Wayne Dyer, The Secret, Road Less Traveled, sacred cow, Power of Intention, metaphysics, 

Your Music

   “Do not die with your music in you.” That feeling of dissatisfaction, the sense of something missing in life is God quietly but insistently attempting to get our attention. Your Heart’s Desire will never cease trying to assert it’s self into the forefront of your consciousness. We will never be truly happy or fulfilled until we listen.  Remember our true state of being:

We are not human beings in search of the miraculous, a spiritual awakening; we are spiritual beings experiencing the human condition.

There is a reason for each of us being here, now. Our Heart’s Desire, God's desire for us, is that reason.


Zen, Wayne Dyer, metaphysics, Emmet Fox, Bible, Baba Ram Dass, ACIM, A Course in Miracles, 

Growing Up On The Happy Road To Siberia

Grow up! Whenever someone does or says something juvenile there is invariably an “adult” nearby to suggest this course of action. We have all probably been on either side of the “grow up” admonition at one time or another in our lives, but juvenile behavior is one thing, what about our spiritual maturity? Many who would be offended if it were suggested they were any thing less than a model of modern maturity in truth have static spirituality. Having struck upon a “sensible” structured slate of activity and repetitive prayer at proscribed times they are “comfortable” and self-assured in their path, their sacred cows well cared for. GROW UP! Our spiritual lives, and there really is no other, demands constant fresh input to be vital, complacency and staidness clear demonstrations of spiritual immaturity. GROW UP! We keep our conscious contact with the Divine fresh and growing on a daily basis by keeping an open mind and heart, ready to act and serve in whatever manner God would have us. Ready to go to any lengths, any extreme for our spiritual awakening, constantly moving forward, sometimes quickly sometimes slowly but always growing, never content to draw a line in the sand, plant our flag and say "no further." One of the hallmarks of spiritual maturity is willingness. Years ago when I was balking at taking some indicated action, my spiritual guide described his level of willingness: “If God wants me to go shovel shit in Siberia I’m willing, the only question I have is do I need to bring my own shovel.” Willingness is the key, how willing are you? See you along the road of happy destiny, perhaps happily strolling to Siberia, with or without a shovel.

A Course in Miracles, ACIM, Bible, Emmet Fox, Jesus Christ, metaphysics, ODAAT, Zen, Wayne Dyer,    

Law Of Attraction, Karma And The Adversary

Karma: n  

1.  Eastern religion, Eastern philosophy: the Hindu and Buddhist philosophy according to which the quality of people’s current and future lives is determined by their behavior in this and in previous lives 
2.  Atmosphere radiated by a place, situation, person, or object (informal) 
3.  Destiny or fate in general

The term karma became part of the general lexicon in the west during the 60’s. It is certainly more “modern” to say karma rather than “reap what you sow” yet it means exactly the same thing, the concept of karma actually predating Christianity by over a thousand years. This concept is a cosmic law, is never broken and there is no appeal. Think law of gravity, same rules of appeal apply. The mistake most often made when thinking on karma is that it is a form of punishment. Unlike gravity, our actions determine our karma, reaping what we have sown.

The good news is that karma, or if you prefer The Law of Attraction, works both ways. To borrow from Wayne Dyer: When we change the way we look at things, the things we look at change. To be clear: everyone faces trouble or difficulty in the course of their lives they did nothing to attract, but these occasions are rare, if we are rigorously honest with ourselves it is clear that by the choices and decisions we made, particularly before embracing the Spiritual way of living, we placed ourselves in a position to be harmed.

We are blessed with free will, the ability to choose the path we walk, the choices we make determining the crop we reap. So we avoid  the deliberate manufacture of misery and suffering, Living on the Spiritual Basis we walk the road less traveled, trusting and relying on a power greater than ourselves to keep the adversary, fear, in its proper place for If you knew, who walked beside you on this path you have chosen, you would never be afraid again. 

ACIM, Alanon, Baba Ram Dass, Bible, Zen, The Secret, A Course in Miracles, 

The Principles We Live By

Everyone lives by a set of principles, few however take the time to consider the principles they live by, 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 your time rehashing past events? Telling the same stories of hurt, missed opportunities, lost love and perceived injustice? Are you quick to correct anyone in earshot if they happen to be in “error”? Do you hold strong opinions on issues, ready to engage in verbal combat at the drop of an allusion, yet never bother to read or reflect on opposing views? Do you criticize and/or critique everyone and everything that crosses your path?

No one but you will see your inventory, so be honest. Some of the principles outlined above include but are certainly not limited to: contempt prior to investigation, morbid reflection, biased judgment, closed mindedness, grandiosity and emotional overcompensation. Of course the list can be added to, but I think you get the picture. Conversely Living on the Spiritual Basis suggests these living principles: patience, tolerance, kindness, love, serenity, benefit of the doubt, open-mindedness, ready acceptance and living in the here and now among others.

It is not a matter of controlling ones thoughts, for trying to control our thoughts is like herding cats, not possible and only enjoyable for those watching. What we are charged with is how we respond when a negative or discordant thought or action enters our awareness. When we find ourselves practicing negative or destructive principles we immediately turn to God and shine the truth of our divine heritage and His love upon them, thus placing them in their correct light. Remember, our actions and words are always an indicator of our thoughts.

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 requirement for continued growth is to stay willing and open-minded.

Demetrius And Diana

The silversmith Demetrius made his living off making shrines to the goddess Diana. When the apostle Paul brought the Christ message to his town many began turning away from worshiping the goddess. Demetrius and his fellow businessmen found their livelihood at stake, for without Diana worship they were 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. They took this action not out of any real spiritual belief, but belief in their pocketbooks, motivated by fear, not faith.

Trusting in God is simple but not easy. We are consistently bombarded by hand-wringers and fear spreaders at every turn, the one thing they all share is the secular basis of living, not the spiritual. The silversmiths didn’t really trust Diana to deliver them, if they did they would have quietly prayed to her and trusted, so they they had to take matters into their own hands, trusting secular action over faith based demonstration. 

The promise of Living on the Spiritual Basis is by trusting and relying on the one true source, God, all questions of living will be answered and we will be provided with everything we need to grow and prosper. God is either everything or else He is nothing, what is our choice to be?  So to be truly free, we must be about God’s business, demonstrating the infinite over the finite and resist the fear based urge to shout our version of "Great is Diana."

"The Nature Of Matter"

Everything is comprised of energy. Not just energized, but comprised of it. 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 1944 Nobel Prize winner Max Planck in a speech titled "The Nature Of Matter" 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 three decades science has observed what Max Planck postulated years ago to be true. The importance of this so profound the largest machine ever constructed by man lies underground outside of Geneva, the 17 mile long Large Hadron Collider (LHC) to investigate these particles.

Living on the Spiritual Basis, the intelligence that exists through out creation is accepted and understood by faith. Tools like the LHC for exploring the micro or the Hubble telescope the macro, perhaps will help those who doubt the existence of a Power Greater Than Themselves to have a bit more of an open mind, but that is left to them. Having found the great reality deep within, Living on the Spiritual Basis the truth in living has become operative through demonstration. In the moments of fear and doubt that come for all, we have learned to quietly turn to the Source for our salvation and answers, tapping into the power that exists all around us, within and without. Living on the Spiritual Basis we have learned through experience to apply Infinite Power, the mind that is the matrix of all matter, in our lives, guarantying freedom and success from and over all difficulties.  

Burning Embers And Booby Prizes

Some destructive thoughts attack us head on, the deadliest however are the thoughts that creep in, with no apparent foreshadowing. We never know what triggers these seemingly random negative thoughts, 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 we take when we become aware of discordant or negative thinking, morbid reflection ascendant. Consider the analogy of the campfire: 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, a welt on our arm to mark the decision. The metaphysical lesson is simple, we must stay ever vigilant for those “burning ember” thoughts and as soon as becoming aware, we turn immediately to God and ask Him to direct our thinking. The wording of our prayer is of course optional, but the timing isn’t. So many make the mistake of trying to figure out why the thought surfaced, not only failing to brush off “the ember” with Divine help, but nurturing and feeding it fuel by continuing to try to understand why it surfaced, as if knowing why will do anything to remove the discomfort and pain their ruminations are causing. Why is the booby prize. Why only prolongs the pain, intensifies it, while prayer addresses it, relieves and removes it.

boo·by prize : n  
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 by, watching the fire wondering why it started or would you act to put it out? Yet we do this very thing in the only dwelling that really matters, our consciousness, when we entertain these destructive thoughts, our serenity and peace of mind burning in the fire of morbid reflection. So we must stay ever vigilant, and at the first sign of an ember, we enlist God to be our fireman.

Changes

What we seek we find, what we plant and nurture will grow. Seems like a simple enough lesson, yet many ignore it. Parents, whose only focus is working, “providing”, are surprised when they find they really don’t know their children at all, or conversely 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 spouse who spends all their 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. The alcoholic or addict who is going to straighten out, eventually.

So what are you planting, seeking by your actions? Do your actions mirror your words? Are you trying to impress others, perhaps 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? Have you ever employed the concept of “guilty with an explanation?” Are you surrounded by people who are quick to co-sign whatever you’re selling, while avoiding those who may ask uncomfortable questions or point out obvious truths? Living on the Spiritual Basis we have learned that the unexamined life leads only to futility and frustration.

Having placed our feet on the path we are gentle with those around us who are still locked in the bondage of self. We never answer the unasked question but do share from the heart our struggles and the actions we have taken to progress, regardless of personal consequences. In truth those about us will be far more impressed by a quiet demonstration of spiritual principles through our actions than by anything we will say. To borrow from 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.” To fundamentally change the desire must come from within, and no matter how badly we may desire to help those around us, ultimately we are responsible for the crops planted, their tending and the harvest reaped.

Growing Consciousness

       To progress, to grow in consciousness we must do the work, for no one can do another’s spiritual lifting. Memorizing and reciting spiritual sayings, affirmations and prayers is a valuable tool, but to progress we must go much further. To have a lively faith we must remain open minded and willing to explore new spiritual experiences, in the light of prayer and meditation, and then demonstrate faith through our actions.

     Self-centered fear is a thief, lurking in the shadows, cunning and patient, waiting for the moment to strike, stealing peace of mind and serenity leaving anxiety and depression in its wake. So we ask God to remove from us the notion that any part of our lives or thinking, any shadows, is hidden from Him. Of course nothing is, but we need to say it in prayer, affirming it in meditation, so any lingering thoughts that anything exists outside His sight will be smashed.

       We live in the light, for in truth the only darkness that exists are the shadows we cast when attempting to live on anything other than the Spiritual Basis. Living on the Spiritual Basis everything is illuminated, so when we err, for we all do, this simple reliance on God will take us to better things, forgiven as soon as we ask, our course of action clear, unmistakable. 

Another Beautiful Day In Paradise

      Typically when I’m asked how I’m doing I respond: “It’s another beautiful day in paradise.” Why? First, most really don’t want to know in any detail, since essentially all they are doing is saying hello and this lets them off the hook. Admit it, there have been times when you have asked “How are you doing?” as a greeting and the person proceeded, in detail, to tell you exactly how they are doing, all the while your internal voice was screaming “I was only saying hello!” 

       Secondly, and most importantly, when talking about the difficulties and challenges in life there needs to be a very good reason for the conversation, otherwise we may place ourselves in danger of stoking the fires of resentment, opening the doors of condemnation, looking for others to co-sign whatever were peddling, trying to feel better at the expense of others, ultimately reveling in morbid reflection. The concept that “talking” about something troubling us will make us feel better is only a half truth. It only has lasting value if the purpose of the conversation is to explore solutions, not to merely vent. We have all vented at times in our lives, what happened? In the moments following the rant we did feel better, but just like the temporary relief felt when short on cash and a forgotten twenty is found in the pocket of the pants worn last week, it fades as soon as we shift from the gratitude of finding the cash  to “it’s only a twenty” thinking. Often I have had a student say they felt better after “getting something off their chest” but unless a definite course of action to address the problem or situation is entered into (i.e. prayer, meditation and service), all that was really accomplished was “letting off a little steam” which is fine in the short run but does nothing to address the continuing source of the heat.

        When we abstain from negative thinking and talk, from feeding the inner beast of self-pity and self-centered fear, instead turning our thoughts and heart to a Power Greater Than Ourselves that has all knowledge and power, the only real barrier to morbid reflection, we save ourselves from needless mental and spiritual wear and tear. So, how are you doing? It really is another beautiful day in paradise.

Conning Ourselves Spiritually

“He wants to enjoy a certain reputation, but knows in his heart he doesn’t deserve it” Con artists portray themselves in whatever manner necessary in order to achieve their goal: relieving the mark of their money. Whether it requires appearing down and out or worth millions, a good ole boy or foreign dignitary, sinner or saint, whatever it takes to get over on the unsuspecting victim. The con artist however doesn’t deceive themselves as to who they really are. As soon as the con is done, win or lose, they move on, shedding the portrayal like a pair of dirty socks.

    Spiritually, many con themselves unknowingly. They approach their spiritual lives in much the same manner as the myriad of secular duties they face daily. Then trouble comes; it may be economic, family or health in nature. Being nominal students of the path, they feel abandoned, let down by God for just as the con artist they had only worn the clothes of a believer, saying the right words at the correct time, doing and acting as a believer should, living under the false belief that by merely acting correctly they were doing the work. They are like the man who stashed away the seed for a great harvest but never planted the crop.

    Faith without works is dead, and work without faith is just work. We all reap as we sow and in the garden of our spiritual lives, for in truth there is no other, our crop must be planted with care and interest, watered with love and service, the weeds of discontent and fear removed as soon as we become aware of them. So, we pray with a feather, gently, considering our words, remember this is our time with God. When in a religious or spiritual setting we stay in the moment, leaving the world and its clamoring for our attention at the door, speaking to God in our consciousness, the “Secret” place of our heart, asking what He would have us see or learn on this occasion, remembering that often it is not about us, but how we can be of service, and if we are daydreaming or thinking of other things we may miss a wonderful opportunity.

     You “…cannot transmit something you haven’t got.”  So we quietly tend our garden in earnest, reaping peace and true purpose, being present for God in the moment, for it is only in this moment that we can be present for God, our lives, in truth, a series of moments strung together in faith.   

God Doesn't Row

    Einstein remarked, “The most important decision you will ever make is whether you live in a friendly or hostile universe.” Spiritually, if we live in a hostile universe, then no matter what we do, there really isn‘t any hope for us. The hostile universe is dominated by a “score keeper” God, holding that we are full of sin, so all we can do is the best we can, knowing that when this flesh fails the piper will be paid. Forgive the language but this lacks something without it: “Life is just one big shit sandwich, believing in God just means you get fries with it” pretty much sums up the hostile universe point of view.

     But what of the friendly universe? When the Carpenter delivered the Sermon On The Mount, he summed up our relationship with God simply with the words “Our Father.”  The friendly universe then builds on a basic criterion: we are all connected, equal in His eyes regardless of circumstance or station, “the realm of Heaven roomy, all inclusive, never exclusive or forbidding; open to all who earnestly seek.”

     We have all been touched by sin, however in the friendly universe we Live on the Spiritual Basis, knowing in our heart of hearts, that we are forgiven as soon as we ask. The key being that we truly wish to change and grow spiritually, so past transgressions no longer bedevil us or are repeated. Forgiveness is meaningless however if it is only sought as a means to avoid trouble. For forgiveness to be operative we must desire to change with all our heart, finally realizing that though willing, the flesh is weak, we must have help and that help comes from “Our Father.”

    Now, if we had to wait to be “pure” to become worthy of God’s love none of us would make the cut. To be clear: we are worthy right here right now; all that is required is a wholehearted commitment to seek a relationship with God. How is this done? Through prayer, service and meditation coupled with willingness and an open mind. When approached this way the path of our enlightenment naturally unfolds before us, but we must continue in the work. Visualize it this way: It is you and God in a rowboat and God doesn't row. His hand is on the tiller and we row with our back to the direction traveled, our eyes fixed on Him, lest we become fearful and try to steer the boat by pulling a little harder on one oar or the other, resisting God’s guidance. If we ultimately lose faith and grab the tiller He will not fight us, but He will not row. Lacking our demonstration, our rowing, our little boat is left to the mercy of contrary currents and swirling eddies of self-centered fear, ultimately directionless even though our hand is on the tiller. The good news is as soon as we retake our seat and pick up the oars, He will resume the tiller and though we may be fearful and trembling, we grow by once again demonstrating trust in the infinite, rather than our finite selves. Oh, and He brings much better sandwiches.

Resting By The River

        Resting on our laurels. We have all done it; perhaps you are doing it now. Whenever I have, I find the leaves quickly dry out, becoming stiff with sharp points, poking me in the…encouraging action. Living on the Spiritual Basis provides unlimited horizons for growth and the expansion of our consciousness, but we have to take the action. Think of it this way: We are floating in a slow moving river, the river of consciousness. Many live their lives simply floating along, seemingly at the mercy of the current, only treading water when seeming calamity looms ahead. When we make a decision to live on a different basis, the basis of trusting and relying upon God we begin treading water in earnest, moving against the current of fear, selfish and self centered pursuits, toward increased awareness and purpose, our consciousness, our relationship/connection with source improving as we progress. This however requires conscious and consistent effort on our part. No one spends all of their time in the river. We all climb out from time to time, resting on the soft laurel leaves by the bank. The problems begin if we attempt to set up camp, losing sight of the truth that our growth rests on our willingness to continue moving forward in our spiritual demonstration. So, when the leaves begin to stiffen take note and get back in the river, for something wonderful lies just beyond the next bend, upriver.

Boss Universal

     Some time ago I viewed a Far Side cartoon depicting a group of archeologists examining a single fossilized bone. By the last panel, they had extrapolated the most outrageous, impossible looking creature from this single bit of evidence. We routinely do the same thing with our future. When we lack spiritual awareness, we “view” the future with a limited perspective, routinely incorporating the negative, the fear basis of living dominate. 

    Without spiritual vision our future lays out as dark, with intermittent pain and suffering, our most potent adversary fear boss universal. When we choose to live on the new basis, the Spiritual Basis, our consciousness grows and our perspective expands, our truth of being becomes clear. A future disconnected from peace and serenity, of prayers seemingly unanswered, fear dominate, will take on a new clarity that only spiritual sight can provide.

    Living on the new basis we learn, with practice, to avoid the trap of projecting negatively into the future, so does this mean we should never look to the future or make plans? Of course not, Living on the Spiritual Basis we make plans but do so in spiritual light, the light of God‘s guidance, for we have turned our will and lives over to His care. We plan but live one day at a time, rejecting the insistent onslaught of our greatest adversary fear. By living on this basis, the Spiritual Basis, all becomes clear in good time, for God and good are synonymous