Dusting And Serenity

Everyone likes a clean house, but who enjoys doing the cleaning. In the physical realm a little dust on the shelves, a cobweb or two high in a corner or a carpet that could use a visit from the vacuum are one thing, but of much greater importance is our spiritual housekeeping. When we allow negatives to accumulate in our consciousness the consequences are dire. A glass breaks, an egg slips our grasp, the new kitten or puppy has an “accident" are all things we address immediately, in much the same way we get busy spiritually on the big problems of life. But just like the upper shelf that could use a dusting or the baseboard that could stand a little scrubbing, we put off addressing or entirely ignore life's little hurts and small fears and they accumulate in the quiet corners of our consciousness. Left unattended they nibble away at our serenity, our peace of mind slips allowing the adversary, fear, to gain purchase in the forefront of our consciousness, coloring every aspect of our lives.

Spiritually we must keep our house clean for the adversary is relentless. Where a dusty shelf or a floor that could use a good sweeping may be distractions, small resentments and disregarded fears left to fester in our spiritual house have real power. So we address them as soon as they crop up, as we become aware of them, and do not under any circumstance or pretext put off our cleaning. By employing daily prayer, taking responsibility for our actions and admitting when we are wrong, employing daily meditation and selfless service the corners of our consciousness are liberated from the spiritually corrosive effects of the adversary and we remain free, serenity at play, peace of mind immanent.

Outlining

Difficult problems (fear) seem to have a life of their own. Hard as we try, we work through them but the next thing we know they are back in the forefront of our consciousness, dominating our thoughts. One of the most insidious ways this happens is through outlining. The world teaches that we should think things through, weigh pros and cons, talk it out, but just as “the grouch and the brainstorm are the dubious luxury of normal men” so is outlining. It starts out innocently enough 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, assuage our fears, on our terms of course. It doesn’t work, does it. It only succeeds in building up expectations and as a wise man said “the level of our serenity is directly proportional to our expectations of others.”

Living on the Spiritual Basis our expectations are placed in God’s hands, the burden on His shoulders, so when you find yourself outlining, stop as soon as you become aware and thank God for knowing Him better. Quiet the mind by repeating some simple set prayers: “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 God’s hands for He does a much better job of it than I ever did, for today I know in my heart of hearts that “God is with me.”

WHAT'S IN YOUR CUP?

When trouble or difficulty arrives at your door, immediately turn to God in prayer. Pray for the knowledge, 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. In so doing we raise our consciousness, building a bull work of peace and serenity, remaining free and unharmed in spirit. Never, under any pretense ask God to do harm or cause ill to befall anyone, for if we do we drag our consciousness down 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 do not then be surprised when the meal served is comprised of these ingredients. It is the unwise man indeed who pours a cup of poison, drinks from it and then expects those he hates to suffer.

SANDWICHES

    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 don’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.

FULLY REALIZED

            Having placed our feet upon the path, embracing the Spiritual Basis of Living, we know today that God is the only power. Having begun to feel His power flow through us, the true meaning of serenity has begun to take hold in our hearts. Our Great Desire is to bring the Good News to all, so that all may be finally and forever free of the selfish desires that have kept us in bondage, so that all may become fully realized, accepting the gifts that are ours by right of our divine heritage. Today we know the Omnipresence of God is working through us, guiding us without error to the undreamt of tomorrow, the Lord’s Prayer the outline, the road map as we trudge the road of happy destiny. Amen.

FORGIVENESS REALIZED

          So, how do we forgive? Pray, the manner of prayer not nearly as important as its location of origin. Did it come from our intellect primarily, because we see the payoff the Law of Forgiveness provides and wish to reap the benefits or from our heart because we truly desire freedom for ourselves and for the offender?

         Consider carefully, if we hold in our hearts even the slightest doubt that the object of our resentment deserves forgiveness than our demonstration will be stunted. Take heart though since prayer will address this as well. Begin by finding a quiet place where you will not be disturbed, then take a few moments to quiet yourself. One method is to take three or four deep breaths, eyes closed, slowly exhaling each. Then quietly ask God to remove from you any anger that still resides in your heart toward the offender, asking to be shown the way of patience, tolerance, kindliness and love, in your life and the offenders. Now that you have quieted yourself, releasing any lingering anger, read or recite out loud any prayer that has particular significance to you, then quietly say that you now forgive completely (offender/offense name), that you desire every good thing that you desire in life to come too theirs as well, and if there is anything that God would have you do to be of service to (offender/offense name) you are willing. Finish with “May I do God’s will always. Amen.”

      IMPORTANT! Do not under any pretense repeat the treatment. If we do we repudiate the demonstration and short circuit our growth. To be clear, the offender/offense will float into our consciousness in a negative way again. When this happens we immediately say a blessing for the offender and turn our thoughts to God. In time we will need to do this less and less. Do not be afraid to offer yourself to be of service, for God will never place us in a position to be harmed, so if you are called to service something truly remarkable will come of it. By obeying the Law of Forgiveness, not only are we set free, but all whose lives we touch improve as well.

CHAINS STRONGER THAN STEEL

         When we harbor resentment, we slowly die spiritually. Fortunately through forgiveness we are reborn. Nurturing resentment binds us to the object of our ire by a mental chain stronger than steel. Holding on to resentment is like having a cut on your arm that never heals. Every time it begins to heal we scratch at it until it bleeds again, pointing it out to any who will listen, reliving the injury. Living in the injury is slow insidious spiritual suicide; we must turn away from our injury and allow it to heal. How? We decide finally and forever to forgive, with God’s help, the cause of the resentment by naming them and asking God to do for them everything good that we wish to have happen in our life. Visualize them receiving God’s grace, His peace upon them. In time a scar will form but resentments are tenacious and our subconscious mind will whisper that perhaps we should scratch it again, just in case. Do not react negatively when these thoughts surface, but turn in prayer immediately and thank God for knowing Him better, that you and the author of the resentment are free. Do not for a moment rehash the memory of the hurt; focus only on seeing the Presence of God where the hurt was. Having just begun incorporating this new way of thinking into our life, eventually it will become second nature, we do not berate ourselves when we discover we have drifted into morbid reflection examining an old scar, instead we quietly turn to God in prayer. As with all things spiritual (and life as well) condemnation stunts growth, so we are always gentle in prayer, especially with ourselves, praying with a “feather.”

METAPHYSICAL TRUTH

            What you think upon grows. All thoughts dwelled upon 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, it attaches them 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 are false, God the giver of every good gift, will then be out pictured in our lives.

         Remember the lesson of the camels nose? Camels have no reverse. If they get their head under the tent flap, they are coming all the way in. If you smack their nose as soon as you see it they will withdraw. Waiting until you see the full head is to late, their coming in. Our troubles are just like the camels nose. As soon as you become aware of a trouble or difficulty smack it on the nose with prayer and meditation and its ability to drive you to despair and fear will be short circuited. What you think upon grows. What will you think upon today? Beware camels.

PLACE YOUR BURDENS ON GOD

Having chosen the road less traveled, Living on the Spiritual Basis, “…immediately you hand over your self-government, that is, the burden of making a living, or of healing your body, or erasing your mistakes, to the Child (God). He, the Tireless One, the All-Powerful, the All-wise, the All-Resourceful, assumes it with joy; and your difficulties have seen the beginning of the end.” The 12 step process offers a prayer for turning our will and lives over to the care of god, but first a promise: “Established on such a footing we became less and less interested in ourselves, our little plans and designs. More and more we became interested in seeing what we could contribute to life. 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.” If you are ready, the following prayer is suggested; however the wording is secondary to the idea expressed. “God, I offer myself to Thee-to build with me and to do with me as Thou wilt. Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do Thy will. Take away my difficulties, that victory over them may bear witness to those I would help of Thy Power, Thy Love, and Thy Way of life. May I do Thy will always!” Amen.

EASY DOES IT (history)

Today Easy Does It, along with One Day at a Time, First Things First, Live and Let Live and Think, Think, Think adorn the walls of AA meeting rooms and clubs around the globe. Few realize that Alcoholics Anonymous “borrowed” Easy Does It, One Day at a Time and Live and Let Live from Emmet Fox. The early members of what would become Alcoholics Anonymous* who lived in New York attended Fox’s meetings on Wednesday nights. Emmet Fox held his Wednesday meetings and Saturday services in the largest rentable public venues available in New York, the ballroom of the Waldorf Astoria, the Hippodrome, Steinway Hall even Madison Square Garden as attendance grew continuing right up to the beginning of World War II when large gatherings were suspended. Most, if not all early AA members** everywhere knew of Dr Fox’s teaching through his two best sellers The Sermon on the Mount and Power Through Constructive Thinking (both still in print) and Sparks of Truth (out of print) a collection of teachings originally published as a series of 10 cent pamphlets. It is in these pamphlets that the mottoes adopted by AA can be found.

*Though AA dates its birth from 6/10/35 the first AA meeting (the group stated they had no other affiliation and was for those suffering from alcoholism only) did not take place until 5/11/39 in Cleveland Ohio, the secretary Clarence Snyder, a few months after the Big Book (Alcoholics Anonymous) was published. Source: Bill and Lois Wilson‘s personal correspondence in archives.

**Bill Wilson sponsored (helped sober up)Emmet Fox’s secretaries son, Al Steckman. Al would go on to be the first editor of the AA Grapevine and has been credited with coining the phrase “I am responsible” at the first AA convention. Source: Igor Sikorsky Jr. AA’s Godparents 1990

WITH WHAT MEASURE YE METE

“With what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again”(Matthew 7:2). There is nothing new under the sun. The Secret (law of attraction) and The Power of Intention are two of the latest variations on the reaping and sowing truth. The Christ teaching codified the lesson but it was known long before Jesus changed the world. Through out the gospels the point is made a number of times in a variety of styles by the authors. This teaching comprises the whole of the law of being and once we have truly learned it the keys to the kingdom are in our hands.

To be respected, be respectful toward all. Especially those who may not deserve it, for it is our demonstration, our serenity at stake, not the other mans.

To experience God’s love, demonstrate love toward all. Love and like are not the same thing, and though we may strongly disagree with or find another’s actions beyond the pale, we must salute the spirit of the divine within them, for they are a child of God as well and we must stay willing to be of service when asked, like of no importance.

To be abundant, refuse all thoughts and talk of shortage or lack. Living on the Spiritual Basis we now know that words and thoughts are causative. The things we say and ruminate on will find outsourcing in our lives, so we only focus on what we wish to have in our lives, turning from the negative to the positive as soon as we become aware, for thoughts are elusive.

For peace to manifest in your life, you cannot speak or think of conflict. If you plot attacks you will find a reason to launch one. Nations war for many reasons, we cannot countenance conflict in our lives for any, if peace of soul and mind is desired.

Humility comes from being humble, for we are humbled by the realization of God’s grace.

If I treat you in a manner I would find objectionable if the same treatment was meted out to me, for any justification, I am wrong. For With what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

YOUR HEART’S DESIRE

Emmet Fox teaches: “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.”
We all know what our heart’s desire is. The still quiet voice, God’s voice, in you has whispered it to you. That thing that you have never said out loud for fear of ridicule. The thing the fear based voice says: you’re too old, you’ll 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. 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? Only our own fear. Dr. Fox ends this lesson with the following two paragraphs: “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."
Today is July 3rd. Tomorrow is America’s independence day, make today the beginning of yours.

OUR LONG SCHOOLING

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

THERE IS NO DEATH

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

COMMUNICATION WITH THE “DEAD”

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

RAISE THE SHADES

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

COMMON-SENSE VOCABULARY

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

TIDAL WATER HEALS

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

GREAT IS DIANA

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

WHAT IS YOUR ACT?

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