The Great Spark

When considering our relationship with God, one of the simplest and best-known metaphors defining this relationship is man is the spark of a great fire. If you touch a piece of kindling to a roaring blaze, it sparks to life. This spark has the same composition of the original blaze and can be used to start a new fire when sufficient fuel is present. Unlike the blaze though, a spark is easily extinguished if mishandled and will in fact soon burn out if new fuel is not added.

Living on the Spiritual Basis provides our kindling, daily prayer, meditation and service the fuel that sustains our fire. The good news is that if we have failed for any reason to keep our spiritual fire lit, the Great Fire, being eternal, inextinguishable, is always available to relight our fire. The only requirement is we must provide the kindling.© Vincent Jones Living In Spirit

AA, ACIM, Baba Ram Dass, Buddha, Emmet Fox, Golden Key, How To Be Happy, Heart's Desire, Language Of The Heart, Law Of Attraction, The Secret, Zen, Wayne Dyer,

I Have A Right To Be Angry!

Justified anger and righteous indignation are spiritual poison. When we are angry, outraged, indignant, upset or offended, who pays the price? We do. Sure, we may vent at the source of our displeasure, but our face becomes red, our heart beats faster, our blood pressure rises, our serenity is lost, our peace of mind replaced with turmoil. Even if we get the chance to give them “a piece of our mind” what was actually accomplished? Then there are those occasions when the object of our ire is beyond our reach, speeding away down the road, on the other side of the TV screen or radio speaker or try as we might we just cannot get through the maze of voice mailboxes to get to a real person and ranting e-mails are wholly unsatisfying. There are few laws that are truly immutable, here is one: we reap as we sow.

Immutable: adj

Unchanging or unchangeable: not changing or not able to be changed (Encarta)

We cannot get angry enough to instill peace, in ourselves or anyone else. No one has ever been moved for long in a positive way when anger is the sole motivation. No world leader or politician has ever changed their mind because we yelled at the TV.

Does this mean we should go through life with a Mona Lisa type smile cemented on our face, never taking a stand or pointing out mistakes, having no opinion on anything, floating along on some form of spiritual (or actual) Valium? Of course not, Living on the Spiritual Basis is not about disconnecting from life, floating above it all, but connecting in new and profound ways, for we are living on a new basis, the basis of trusting and relying on God.

There will always be something or someone to be upset at or offended by, but our peace, our serenity must never be the victim. When we allow the world to get the better of us, we suffer the pain we are attempting to inflict on others. We drink the poison of resentment and discontent, we become upset and irritable, we close ourselves off from the sunlight of the spirit and not only do we suffer, but those closest to us do as well. The next time the thought “I have a right to be angry” crosses your mind ask yourself: Who gave you this right? Bottoms up. © Vincent Jones

 AA, ACIM, Alanon, Baba Ram Dass, Golden Key, Heart's Desire, Language Of The Heart, Law Of Attraction, NOTW, Power of Intention, Road Less Traveled, The Secret, Wayne Dyer, Zen, How To Be Happy

Peace of Spirit

“Many of us crucify ourselves between two thieves - regret for the past and fear of the future” Fulton Oursler. When in the grip of fear, it convinces us a ravenous beast is waiting around the next corner to attack and rend us asunder, our peace of spirit sacrificed. So we tremble and attempt to hide, all the while depression slowly squeezes the life out of us, freezing us in inaction. Fear is a liar, but it is an implacable foe, an adversary beyond our ability to defeat alone. The adversary never sleeps, is always vigilant, waiting personified; cunning, baffling and powerful and though we may rally and occasionally win a battle, the outcome of the war is never in doubt when we rely solely upon our limited resources when battling fear.

Regret opens the door to morbid reflection. When we reflect morbidly lament and depression become our traveling companions, forgiveness in grace replaced with self-centered fear driven negative introspection. The adversary never sees the future brightly with hope, but always dark and hopeless, stealing the moments of peace and serenity that are ours by birthright. 

Living on the Spiritual Basis we rely on the Creative Life Force at the heart of everything for our strength. In so doing we face fear with faith, which enables us to meet seeming calamity with serenity, in action, in purpose, grace realized, the thieves barred entry into our consciousness and we are free, our natural peace of spirit realized.  

Zen, Wayne Dyer, The Secret, ODAAT, Law Of Attraction, Language Of The Heart, Golden Key, Alanon, How To Be Happy

God Is The Architect

The natural tidal flows of our spiritual unfolding can be disconcerting if we allow it. Typically it happens when our life is going well, we feel connected, in Source, not a cloud on the horizon and then seemingly out of nowhere a sense of being disconnected, out of sorts, edgy, stuck, clouds of discontent seemingly obscuring our vision. Consider: Most buildings rest on a concrete foundation. It would be a foolish builder indeed who attempts to build on wet cement. They wait for the concrete to “cure”, to become strong enough to support the construction to come. Just as a builder cannot begin construction on the next floor until the underlying construction is sufficiently sound, the same holds for our spiritual growth. Our consciousness is a mufti-story construct and just as in the modern skyscraper, it is built one floor at a time. If we succumb to the adversary fear and morbid reflection becomes dominate the underpinnings of our new and expanding consciousness will be weakened before they have had sufficient time to “cure”, to be fully digested and integrated. The result could lead to a complete collapse of our peace and serenity, a crisis of faith realized. Remember this truth, often a cloudy day is just a cloudy day, but the sun is always shining behind the clouds.

The construction of our spiritual awakening is a never-ending process, a structure of infinite wonder. In those inevitable times of seeming no growth, perceived lack of progress or discontent, take heart. Stay consistent in action and soon the current level of work will become fixed, the lessons learned in truth, written on our hearts, ready to be built on anew. Be consistent in that which has brought you to this point but do not rush for rushing spiritually leads only to setbacks at best and collapse at worst.Work steadily and consistently, work hard but do not make hard work of it, allow the process to happen naturally and never forget the chief architect and building inspector are one in the same.


 Zen, The Secret, Road Less Traveled, NOTW, Law Of Attraction, Language Of The Heart, Golden Key, Emmet Fox, Baba Ram Dass, ACIM, Wayne Dyer,

Peace, Poise And Serenity Personified

There is probably no greater hindrance to continued spiritual growth and experience than the fear of exposure. Having been consistent and faithful in your spiritual work and demonstration, having confronted that which was blocking you off from the Sunlight of the Spirit; you have stood up and owned your shortcomings and defects of character, asking God to remove them. Having apologized to those harmed and, with God’s help, steadfastly begun to amend your behavior you are growing in understanding and usefulness. Prayer and meditation coupled with ongoing personal daily inventory have placed you in the unique position of carrying the Good News to those who suffer and seek. Service work has become a way of life; you have reaped the promise of a conscious contact with the miraculous. Friends, family even casual acquaintances have begun to see the change in you, the light shining around you. Then a remarkable thing happens, when asked about the new way of living you retreat into self. Instead of shouting the good news, you act like the embarrassed child looking down at their shuffling feet mumbling quietly “It’s nothing.”
    
Having persevered with the soul searing process of uncovering and then addressing the causes and conditions that blocked you from a personal relationship with Source, having arrived at the final step, you balk. Fear has seeped in and it becomes seemingly “easier” to backtrack, to dissemble, to rehash or even redo work already completed than to stand in the light, exposed. Why? Because  when you raise your head above the crowd, you make yourself a target for others. Take heart, every pilgrim of the path has experienced this.  Fear is an implacable foe, it never rests and is always seeking avenues to attack and control us. Break through this final barrier and stand as a child of God, unafraid of the inevitable slings and arrows cast your way. When struck, and you will be, thank God for knowing Him better and pray for those casting the aspersions “for they know not what they do.” In this way, you break free of the final fetters of the adversary fear and place yourself finally and completely in God’s hands, ready to serve in any manner He would have you, Peace, poise and Serenity personified.

 ACIM, Alanon, Baba Ram Dass, Bible, Buddha, Christ, Emmet Fox, Golden Key, Heart's Desire, Language Of The Heart, Law Of Attraction, Road Less Traveled, The Secret, Wayne Dyer, Zen,

Salvation Today

Words have a way of morphing over time. Some words once in common usage have seemingly disappeared or their meaning/application has changed. Salvation is one of these words. Few, save those in the soul saving business today use it. Many people if asked only relate to it in regards to those kettles manned by that army in the curious uniforms outside malls and stores at Christmas.To Wit:

Salvation : n
1.  act of saving from harm: the saving of somebody or something from harm, destruction, difficulty, or failure 
 2.  means of saving somebody or something: somebody or something that protects or delivers somebody or something else from harm, destruction, difficulty, or failure
3.  Christianity: deliverance from sin through Jesus Christ: in the Christian religion, deliverance from sin or the consequences of sin through Jesus Christ’s death on the cross
  4.  Christian Science philosophy of life: in the Christian Science religion, belief in the supremacy of life, truth, and love, and in their destruction of such illusions as sin, illness, and death (Encarta)

Who hasn’t tried to employ the first definition with our children and those we love or the second with even strangers or new acquaintances by simply providing a phone number of a good mechanic or tax preparer or even dropping a quarter in a parking meter about to expire (I know, it is illegal, but I think it puts a smile on an angels face every time we do). Every time you saved a lizard from the cat or stopped and waited for a mother duck and her brood to cross the road you engaged in an act of salvation. See, demonstrating salvation is not that hard. Sounds a lot more impressive when you can announce to the world you provided an act of salvation versus you let some baby ducks and their mom pass. On a more serious note when we embark on the new basis of living, the Spiritual Basis, salvation in demonstration becomes the norm, the very fabric of our existence.

But what of definitions three and four? These are issues left for you and your consciousness, your relationship with God. What is required of those Living on the Spiritual Basis is to remain open minded, even when we do not completely agree with a particular approach to a relationship with God, there is still much for us to learn. At the very least, take the time to place yourself in the others shoes and, whether you agree with them or not, look through their eyes, for never lose sight of the ultimate truth that they are children of the Most High just as you are. “Be quick to see were religious people are right. Make use of what they offer.”

In truth, we have committed many acts of salvation in the course of our lives. And many have been extended to us by others. Regardless of the term we use to describe these acts, they are demonstrations of our higher self, clear indications that we are in fact connected, one to another, in Spirit and love. Rejoice!

Zen, Wayne Dyer, The Secret, Spiritual Living, Road Less Traveled, Power of Intention, NOTW, Law Of Attraction, Language Of The Heart, Golden Key, ACIM, 

Effective Change

Left to our own devices, changing our nature or perhaps more accurately growing beyond it, is problematic. Consider the smoker/addict who decides to quit, yet keeps a pack of cigarettes/drugs handy just in case the craving becomes too great or the alcoholic who swears off but continues to frequent their favorite watering hole because that is where their “friends” are. Now I am sure someone has quit smoking, drugs or drinking in this manner, but it is clear that this path is fraught with impediments to success and more smoking, drug abuse and drinking is usually the outcome. Why do something hard like riding out cravings when relief is a match, drink, pill, line, toke, fix, etc away, and bars are pretty dreary places sober, especially when all your “friends” are having a “good” time.

This type of thinking, though most egregious in the alcoholic/addict, touches virtually everyone. Consider the diets, the exercise pledges or any vow made that was quickly sabotaged by a "deserved" treat, feeling "tired" or overwhelmed or just being uncomfortable with the "desired" new path. Just like addict/alcoholic, we meant it when we vowed to change, but quickly drifted back into the familiar, comfortable well trod modes of thinking and living.

No person or circumstance can force anyone to permanently change from without. The desire to change must come from within, and it must be desired with fervor. We hold the key to freedom, yet so many desire change, yet sabotage themselves almost before they begin guaranteeing failure. Simple but not easy, a price must be paid, and that price is the surrendering of self. We must be willing to go to any lengths to embrace the new way of living if we truly wish to change, to grow our spirituality, our consciousness raised. Living on the Spiritual Basis, practicing a new set of values and principles we will be set free, free of the bondage of self, free of destructive thinking and actions; our essential nature changed, our consciousness raised, altered, in truth, for all eternity.


 Zen, Wayne Dyer, The Secret, Road Less Traveled, metaphysics, Law Of Attraction, Language Of The Heart, Holy Grail, Heart's Desire, Golden Key, ACIM,

"Dead from the neck up!"

I can see Archie Bunker in my minds eye as he points at “meathead” with his thumb saying :dead from the neck up! Vintage TV aside, if you are not a student of history, become one. There truly is nothing new under the sun when it comes to human interaction. Read headlines from 70 years ago and if it was not for some archaic words and the names of the players, they are virtually indistinguishable from today’s. Peel back another 100 years and you will find the same. Articles and editorials on health care, immigration, taxes, war, political infighting, politicians attacking one another, protests in the streets, ads for all kinds “miracle” cures, medicines, and diets etc. We are destined to repeat the past when we fail to recognize it. Nothing changes if nothing changes. When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.

We all know or have met people with closed minds, essentially sleepwalking through life (we typically find them at family gatherings). They have little or no interest in any new information or considering a differing point of view. They are “set” in their ways, curiosity long dead. Living on the Spiritual Basis requires us to be open-minded, to be open to fresh winds of thought, considering all points of view dispassionately, curious to learn and grow, regardless of our chronological age or circumstances. To be clear: Living in the Light does not mean these fresh winds necessarily blow away our beliefs or change our opinions, though they may, it is a demonstration of open-mindedness, compassion for those we may disagree with, for they, like us, are children of the Most High. One of the measures of an individuals spiritual condition is how they treat their fellows, but of these how we treat those we find disagreeable is paramount.

Do not allow yourself to “fall asleep at the switch” mentally. Keep your consciousness switched on by praying and meditating daily to be shown God’s will and how you may be of service to your fellows. Keep your faith lively, your connection to the divine open, for by doing so we grow and gently prod those slumbering around us. Whether they choose to rouse themselves is their demonstration, ours is to serve as a consistent example of Living in the Light, regardless of any and all criticism.

 Wayne Dyer, Zen, The Secret, Source, Road Less Traveled, NOTW, ODAAT, Language Of The Heart, Law Of Attraction, Heart's Desire, ACIM,

Abiding In God

Today the definition of abide is to tolerate, to put up with something or someone. 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 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.

Zen, The Secret, Road Less Traveled, NOTW, metaphysics, Law Of Attraction, Language Of The Heart, Golden Key, Emmet Fox, ACIM, 

Heaven On Earth

Babel: n

1.  confused noise: especially the noise of loud unintelligible voices all talking at once 
2.  noisy place: a scene or place of noisy confusion (Encarta)

There are a few stories from the Old Testament that pretty much everyone has some knowledge of, Noah and the flood, Sodom and Gomorrah, Cain and Abel, Moses and the Ten Commandments and the Tower of Babel. Considering the tower, what would the world look like if we all spoke the same language, had complete access to unfiltered information? Everyone on the “same” page, nothing lost in translation, language barriers unknown, what a different world it would be, the good and bad of it making for an interesting thought experiment.

The Good News is we do have access today to a common language and Living on the Spiritual Basis is the root, for when we practice the Presence of God in all our activities, the heart speaks, and when the heart speaks, hearts listen. Regardless of the language employed for secular communication, the Language of the Heart is universal. Be the words in Russian, French, Chinese or Urdu, if we begin each day asking in morning meditation to be shown the way of patience, tolerance, kindliness and love we speak as one. If we are asking throughout our day to be shown how we may be of service to God and our fellows, we speak with one voice. When we consistently place the welfare of others ahead of our own, we demonstrate the universal language of Divine Love. What would the world look like if everyone spoke this language, the language of the Heart? Heaven.

Zen, Wayne Dyer, The Secret, Power of Intention, metaphysics, Law Of Attraction,