AN AMAZING 24 HOURS

          Ready to step out in faith, to take some concrete action? For the next 24 hours, you are to act as if you really do believe in God. Relax, your belief is not in question, this is an exercise in raising our awareness, our consciousness. We begin by practicing faith in all our actions. Demonstrate patience, tolerance, kindness and love towards all and this area will be addressed; piece of cake. Now for something a little harder, watching our words. Speak only in accordance with your belief in God. No negativity, gossip, sarcasm or cute cutting little remarks (regardless of how funny or clever they may be) when asked a question, whether it be from a loved one, friend, child, employer/employee or stranger frame the answer as if God was speaking through you. Finally, and the most difficult aspect, as if it wasn’t hard enough already, is to guard our thoughts. Stay ever vigilant of your thinking, measure each thought against the absolute truth of living life in His presence, at higher levels of consciousness. Pretty simple huh. Easy? Probably the hardest thing you have ever attempted, but the rewards are immense. You will not do this perfectly, far from it, but that does not mean you should attempt this with anything less than full commitment for half measures avail us nothing. It is easy to see why the experiment is only for 24 hours. Finally, if you can, keep a small note pad and write down your thoughts through out the day but don’t get caught doing it or tell anyone what you’re about. If there is a chance someone will see you writing, then don’t. Guard this experiment as if it was your most valuable asset, for in the end it will pay dividends that will last a lifetime, for once our consciousness is raised, we are changed forever.  

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 your 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 a spiritual connection. We are spiritual beings experiencing the human condition.  There is a reason for each of us being here, now. Our Heart’s Desire is that reason.

GROW UP!

           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 was suggested they were any thing less than a model of modern maturity 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 religiosity. 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 a shovel.” Willingness is the key, how willing are you? See you along the road of happy destiny, perhaps strolling to Siberia, with or without a shovel.       

MESSY ART

       How do we progress spiritually? Is it by studying every new book or teacher that comes along, casting aside yesterday’s book or teacher in hope that the new information or teacher is superior? Perhaps never even taking the time to see if a particular teaching works because of jumping from one to another, and there is always another. The student of mathematics progresses logically forward, as do students of all secular studies. They learn the basics, building upon this foundation as their understanding advances. In mathematics every new theorem, every breakthrough from Pythagoras to Newton to Einstein to Hawking began with understanding 2+2. They all began with the basics, thoroughly understood and employed, which then lead in time to inspired new demonstrations.

      The study of metaphysics requires not only the logical progression of thought as mathematics but the artists way as well. We can rub elbows with artists, visit the finest galleries, study countless books on art and though we may have a wonderful appreciation and even love of art, we will never be an artist until we place pencil to paper, brush to canvas. Our peace of mind, serenity, develops as we practice, demonstrate, what we have learned about spiritual principles, in our lives, daily. Knowledge is fine, but without demonstration possesses little power to change. As we practice what we know spiritually daily (the amount immaterial, remember 2+2) our heart and mind becomes more attuned with the spiritual basis, through this demonstration we grow in understanding by action, and there is no other way to truly learn how to Live on the Spiritual Basis.

      Our lives are our canvas, the brush willingness, the paint our spiritual understanding, so we apply what we have learned of living spiritually and let God guide our hand. The emerging picture is truly miraculous, but requires a lifetime of diligent effort to complete. Oh, and art is messy, so don’t worry about the paint under your finger nails, on the floor, the walls or your clothes, the Great Artist understands and it puts a smile on His face.

ABILITY TO CHANGE

      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 cosign whatever you’re selling, 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.

ROUGH ROADS

      When we are in “it” our perception of our world becomes skewed, often to the extreme. A wise man said to me long ago “Everyone spends time in the barrel.” The problems start in earnest when we start to believe that the “barrel” or the rough patch we find ourselves in at the moment is permanent. “Seasons of dryness” happen to all, the reason why of little importance, the action we engage in when we become aware paramount. The typical response, and unfortunately direction given by many well intentioned but mistaken advisers, is to “redouble” ones efforts, when the opposite is true. When driving if we come upon a bad patch of road, one of the signs invariably directs us to “slow down.” We are never directed to speed up, drive harder or redouble our driving. The same holds for the spiritual road. We don’t struggle or try to fight our way through, we surrender, relax, for this too shall pass.

      To be clear, action is required, so we pray but keep it simple. In times of trouble simply “God is with me” is a powerful prayer, and is sufficient if it is all we can muster in the moment. What matters is our willingness to continue praying, placing the burden on God’s shoulders, for it is too much for us. By keeping our gaze focused on Him who has all knowledge and power, in time, just as with stretches of bad road the trouble will pass, the road smooths, the ride stabilizes and our gaze shifts from the roadbed back to the unlimited horizons before us.

LACKING FAITH

        You have probably heard the simile of the mustard seed, that all that is required to progress spiritually is a mustard seeds worth of faith. The mustard seed is one of smallest seeds in nature, yet a strong, resilient plant with amazing properties springs forth from this speck of creation. So it is with us as well. By simply considering or thinking on faith, we have enough faith to demonstrate. To concern ourselves with any supposed “lack” of faith is the adversary, self-centered fear, attempting to keep us locked in the bondage of self, so we pray to the best of our ability today, and that is all that is required of us to progress, for all prayer has power. In the grip of trouble the only prayer we may be able to utter is “God help me”, which is a powerful statement in faith, and is sufficient onto its self.

     If you are considering faith, you have the mustard seed in your hand. From this small beginning a powerful and vibrant relationship with the only true source will grow, the garden of our consciousness watered with prayer, tended with meditation and service, to the best of our current ability, for God will never ask more than we can deliver this day.

A.A. FOLKLORE

We just don’t drink, no mater what!
Really. So, how does that jive with powerlessness? If alcoholics could just not drink, why the hell would they need AA or anything else for that matter?

If you don’t go to meetings you will get drunk.
When the book Alcoholics Anonymous was written and published (1939) there were no AA meetings. The first “AA” meeting took place on May 11,1939 in Cleveland. Meetings are where the fellowship is found, sobriety comes by learning to live on the Spiritual Basis through the application of the steps in ones life. Staying sober through “osmosis” in meetings is not just a myth, but deadly.

There is no wrong way to work the Steps.
Really. Then why do folks who have “worked” the steps drink? Having been in the recovery community for over twenty years and worked with over a thousand individuals I have been approached by many for help who drank although they were “working” the program. In 30 seconds, literally, or less by asking a couple of questions it becomes obvious to all that they were not working the steps but only some of the steps. Ever bake a cake? Next time leave out an ingredient or two and see how it turns out. “Rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path.” From my observations strike rarely and write never.

There is no wrong way to work the program.
See above.

Your program is unique to you.
Barbara Streisand. No where in the Big Book are options offered for working the steps. Your relationship with a power greater than yourself is unique to you, but the steps, the process are the same for all. I will never forget the time I heard a “old timer” (20+ years sober) proudly say “If you worked the program the way I work the program you would probably get drunk.” So true, unfortunately in the end it didn’t work for them either.

If you got up before me this morning you are sober longer than I am.
I understand the sentiment, but a horse whipping is too light a punishment for whoever came up with this chestnut, and I mean that with all love and tolerance. Completely discounts experience while trying to make the newcomer feel welcome. Which leads to…

The newcomer is the most important person in the room.
Why? And when does someone cross the line and become unimportant? And in whose eyes? God? I think not. Again I understand the sentiment but this is still more Barbara Streisand.

All of these sayings, and many others, originated from a good place. All of them rooted in someone’s desire to be helpful, but as with so many attempts to be helpful (think government) they are not thought through. Words have power. So remember, if it sounds too good to be true or offers a shortcut to Living on the Spiritual Basis, it probably is and the only shortcut is being consistent, honest, willing and open minded in adherence to the path. Please feel free to send your favorite pieces of folklore for a future article. Oh, and just don’t drink.