THE LINK OF LOVE

There is another link as well, in many cases seemingly stronger than love, and that is resentment. When we think on those we love the sense is one of peace, calmness, brings a smile to the face. Conversely when thinking on resentment the blood pressure rises, the jaw tightens, the thoughts taking on a decidedly darker tone. To be free of resentment requires work on our part. Nothing will retard, even stop spiritual progress more than resentment. It is deadly. The person who passionately retells the story of a wrong, either real or imagined, has built a virtually impenetrable barrier to growth. Who’s story is sadder, the man imprisoned for crimes committed or the jailer who chooses to return to prison of their own free will? Spiritually the answer is clear. To be truly free, we must embrace radical forgiveness. Many confuse forgiveness with having to like the object of the resentment. Fortunately it is not required, not a bad thing, just not required. We do have to “love” them in the sense that we loose them from our heart (where all resentment resides) and give them “root and branch” over to God’s care. We do this by saying a definite and specific prayer giving over the resentment and all attached to it to God. Do this once and only once. When the resentment pops up again in the consciousness, and it most surely will, thank God for knowing Him better (many times as necessary) and under no circumstance retell the “story” ever again, even if prodded by another who may have shared in the resentment. Additionally do not volunteer any action or direction another should take unless asked specifically what you are doing. Never answer the unasked question. Never engage or participate in negative conversations for this invites trouble and opens the door for negativity and resentment to slither back into our consciousness. When negative thinking surfaces turn to God in silent prayer. Everyone is subject to negative thinking, where the thought came from of little importance, our action of paramount importance. When we live in this manner we break the links of resentment and negativity, strengthening the links of love, love being the most powerful tool in our spiritual tool chest. Initially this will feel cumbersome and a lot of work. In time however it will become second nature, the level of our serenity will increase dramatically, negative thinking still present but now we have a way out of trouble that works, and besides what could be more important? Improving our relationship with the Source or continuing to fan the embers of past transgressions? Amazing how many, once exposed to the truth, choose the fan.

LIFE AFTER DEATH

Here’s a daunting task, tackling eternity, reincarnation etc in four to five hundred words. Let me know how I do. Atheists: nothing. Fade to black, roll credits. Easy. Everybody else: oh boy. Having worked with many approaching the transition, typically most folks have given it a little thought, but usually have kept the subject at arms length for obvious reasons. Remind you of anyone? A wise man said many centuries ago that the first true step in enlightenment is when we embrace our own mortality. Ready? I am going to borrow from Wayne Dyer here because he said it as clear as any has. Where were you before you were conceived? One moment there was no you, and the next there was. In that single cell, the fertilized egg, everything about you was there. Your eye color, the shape of your fingernails, hair color, whether or not you will keep it, final height, sex, your blueprint of freckles, everything that makes the physical you. All in a point of protoplasm so small as to be invisible to the naked eye. Pretty amazing. Then it began to grow and nine months (give or take) later you made your appearance on the world stage. Fast forward 70, 80, 90 years and we arrive at another seminal moment in life, when the flesh fails. Where’d you go? To paraphrase Wayne: Before you were born you were nowhere. You are born, and now you are now here. You die and you are nowhere again. Same word, just a little different spacing: no where to now here to no where again. You see, we have always been here, part of, connected to the Source, the flesh a tool, a conveyance for our eternal consciousness. We didn’t arrive from anywhere and we don’t go anywhere. Head spinning? Sorry. At some point that bit of protoplasm became aware, that timing unimportant for this discussion thankfully, the point of awareness leaving a little easier to discern. Living on the Spiritual Basis we spend our lives applying spiritual truth and understanding to everything in our lives to the best of our awareness at the time since our awakening is an ongoing process. In so doing the answers to the eternal questions come to all if diligent. So don’t concern yourself with what is on the other side of the line for it will come soon enough. Death waits for all men but waits on no man. Keep your eyes and thoughts on today’s demonstrations and the morrow will take care of it’s self. In living this way we will approach the transition in peace, embracing the change, bidding farewell to the limitations of flesh, going nowhere, being here now, just in a different and altered consciousness. Heaven and Hell? Not going there, wouldn’t be prudent. Shalom Alechem.

THROUGH DEATH TO LIFE

Death, now here is a topic guaranteed to let the air out of a room, a polite conversation killer. Yet we all have/will deal with it. First the death of those around us and finally, and I think you would agree the most important, our own. Get a chill down your spine? Want to quit reading huh? I understand, but try to stick around if you can. It is curious how differently cultures mark/celebrate a passing. Western culture typically tries to make the event a clean straightforward affair handled almost exclusively by professionals. Family and friends provided with a regimented schedule, body pick up, prep for interment, “viewing” or pay your respects time, religious/remembrance service and ultimately the final destination for the “remains.” Juxtaposition this with Tibet where the family and friends personally take care of the loved one, celebrating the life and transition in spirit of the departed. The body is then given over to monks who chop up the remains, feeding them to vultures, returning the departed to the sky. Kinda takes recycling that final step. Might be a little too green even for Al Gore. Death is inevitable. What happens to our physical remains after we have translated from this mortal coil matters little. What matters is everything that takes place right up to the moment we somersault into eternity. You are eternal. The spark of the divine, the connection to all that is, your consciousness, your soul has always existed. It was never born and will never die. It has always been and will always be. We are not human beings in search of the miraculous, we are spiritual beings experiencing the human condition, this flesh a conveyance. So mourn the passing of those you cared for, for they have passed from our sight for a time and we miss them, but celebrate their transition as well for it comes for all and is as natural as the rising/receding tide. Still not quite sold on the vulture thing though.

PEACE, THE MIRACLE WORKER

Reborn. An overused term to be sure, but the only one that accurately states the truth of Living on the Spiritual Basis. Before stepping in earnest on the path we lived of the world, relying on secular thought and solutions. Day by day, step by step as we develop spiritually the old “man” dies and the new emerges. As with all births it is messy and there is some pain and discomfort along the way, quickly forgotten as the fresh new face greets the light of our consciousness. For those of us blessed with children (occasionally hard to remember the blessing when they are teenagers) there is probably no more peaceful moment in our lives as when we first held that newborn in our hands. This same peace is visited upon us as our awareness and conscious contact with the source builds and grows, as we move from of this world to in this world, becoming a light of awareness and serenity. Is there any greater miracle?

STEP BY STEP

Anything that requires assembly comes with instructions. I purchased a teapot recently and inside were instructions. Now the instruction sheet for that Christmas morning bicycle was considerably longer, and I still maintain wrong, both the bike and teapot instruction sheets had numbered steps. The teapot two, the bicycle four hundred and fifty seven, in Latin. Spiritually there are steps as well. With the exception of some notable examples from history, we progress step by step, levels of awareness progressing as we demonstrate through service and Living on the Spiritual Basis, experience building upon experience. Habits of thinking and living do not change by simply assenting to them as needing to be changed, it requires action and perseverance on our part. To quote Wayne Dyer: “Habit is habit, and not to be flung out the window by any man, but coaxed downstairs a step at a time.” Probably those suffering from addiction are the most obvious example of this. Many who initially get sober, seemingly having cast the “habit” out the window, then relapse and are baffled as to why. They became alcoholics and addicts a step at a time. Any individual who drinks a quart of scotch, takes 20 or more oxycontin daily or shoots up $200 worth of heroin a day didn’t start out that way. Their addiction built up step by step. Let’s look at a different way. Most of my peers, including me, are a little rounder than they would like. The weight didn’t appear over night. I didn’t go to bed with a twenty year olds twenty eight inch waist and wake up with a fifty something’s thirty six. Yet when it comes to losing weight, typically if it can’t be dropped in a week or two we lose interest. Why do hard things like sticking to a diet (staying sober) when there are easy things like cheeseburgers (drinking/getting loaded). Our spiritual development is a mental diet, requiring vigilance, and though eating healthy is important, is of infinitely more consequence than waist size. Years of fuzzy thinking, false belief and fear driven action do not disappear in a twinkling, the process, once begun in earnest, continues for a lifetime, step by step, one day at a time.

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.

EVER-PRESENT HELP

The longest eighteen inches in the world is from the head to the heart. Intellect to faith. Talking about faith, about God, is easy. Standing in faith when every fiber of the carnal mind screams in opposition, isn’t. The back of every American dollar bill states “In God We Trust” but how few truly do. Building things has been a spiritual teaching device used for thousands of years. The Great Rabbi, being a carpenter, uses it to great effect. In Matthew he teaches that those who demonstrate faith by action build their spiritual house/consciousness “upon a rock” which will withstand the inevitable floods (trouble and difficulties of all stripes) while those who only pay lip service to Living on the Spiritual Basis build their “house” on sand “and great was the fall of it (Matthew 7:27)” It is easy to be spiritual, loving, gracious, etc when life is going well. You can build a structure on any ground as long as the sun is shining and the wind is nothing more than a breeze, but to do so in the belief that conditions will never change is a fools errand, yet many do this very thing spiritually and then are devastated when the rains come and the winds blow and their structure collapses. They typically compound the error by then blaming God for the storm. We chose the materials our house will be constructed of, the construction practices employed, how well we adhere to the blueprints, for it matters little the quality of the materials if they poorly installed, the blueprint ignored. The Good News is the greatest builder of all will step in at any point and He will set the project (our consciousness) right if we will only place our trust in His guidance, love and direction. By this simple reliance on a power greater than ourselves our structure is solid, well built, able to withstand any coming storm.

MENTAL ASSENT

As a man thinketh. What and how we think out pictures in our lives. To think that we can entertain certain thoughts; ones we wouldn’t say aloud, and not have them influence us is not only foolish but spiritually deadly. What we think on becomes part of the mix. Thoughts of vengeance, assenting to anyone’s suffering, reveling in schadenfreude all mark us. To be clear: This is not about casting a value judgment on criminal, destructive or harmful actions or behavior, only that we can not fool ourselves about the effect these thoughts carry with them. What we think on becomes part of the mix. Whatever ingredient we place in the mixing bowl will be in the finished cake. The lesson is to be aware of what we are thinking and saying, what we invite into our consciousness. No one does this perfectly, the key to freedom is awareness, so Living on the Spiritual Basis we cannot fool ourselves about the cost these thoughts carry with them and to never compare our insides to others outsides. Those who appear to get away with negative thinking and actions don’t. The mills of the God’s grind slowly but ever so fine. We all reap as we sow. To be free, we can no longer keep score for the world.

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.

USE THAT BROOM!

People who have cast their lot to Living on the Spiritual basis by virtue of the 12 step program of action have a leg up on those not afflicted. Now don’t misunderstand and run out and buy a bottle of Jack and a case of Bud as a shortcut to spiritual awakening. The leg up is the lack of options or to paraphrase the “Big Book”: their only choices being death, insanity or jail if they don’t embrace the path. To be clear, the 12 step way of life works for all, but unlike regular folks the addict/alcoholic has only dark limited options if they fail to change. One of the fundamentals of the 12 step process is the personal house cleaning (of the things blocking us from a relationship with a power greater than ourselves) in the 4th step and the daily maintenance of keeping our side of the street clean found in the 10th and 11th steps. The book Alcoholics Anonymous was the first tome to not only spell out unambiguously the critical necessity of this initial and continual cleaning but how to do it with clear directions. “It works, it really does. Try it”(A.A. manuscript pg. 40). By substituting “life” for alcohol when studying the steps the process then becomes applicable to all. The beauty of the 12 step process is the directions are straightforward and have a long proven record of success. But as with all paths to enlightenment, a price has to be paid and that price is the surrendering of self, which the house cleaning is an integral part, for without that broom little of any lasting effect can be accomplished.

USE WHAT YOU HAVE

How do we progress spiritually? Is it by studying every new book or teacher that comes along? Willingly casting aside yesterdays book or teacher in hope that the new information or teacher is better? 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 of their field of study advances. Think about mathematics: every great mathematical 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, 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 attend the finest schools of art, rub elbows with accomplished artists, walk the finest galleries of 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 has little power to change. As we practice what we know spiritually daily (the amount matters little) our heart and mind become 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. Who is the artist? The individual who knows all about art, a head full of knowledge, who has never brushed a stroke or the individual who perhaps has had no real formal training but draws, paints and creates daily? Our lives are the canvas, a room full art supplies of little value unless used to create, so apply what you have learned and God will guide your hand, the picture emerging miraculous. Oh, and art is messy, so don’t worry about the paint under your finger nails, on the floor or your clothes, the Great Artist understands and it puts a smile on his face.

CASH THAT BILL!

Ever find a fiver or ten spot, maybe a twenty in a pocket of a pair of pants or jacket you haven’t worn in a while? Always puts a smile on your face doesn’t it. Ever consider ignoring it or even decide it really has no value? Of course not, that would be foolish. Yet so many do exactly that with the found riches of faith. Students, and not only new ones, of the path will be going along swimmingly for a time and then inexplicably take the reins of their lives back and then wonder why they are struggling. Having begun to Live on the Spiritual Basis and reap the riches of this new life for reasons yet obscure (probably fear) they resort to old ways of thinking and solutions, seemingly forgotten the pain that brought them to the path in the first place, the new solutions of value now valueless. Our path here is clear. When we become aware of old ways of thinking and actions creeping back in, stop immediately and spend that spiritual cash in our pocket on prayer, meditation and service. Oh, and the best part of this found cash is that there is always more, since God is the source, by placing our whole hearted attention on our relationship with Him, our pockets are always full.

CAN HAPPINESS BE FOUND?

First, what makes you happy? We have all felt happiness in our lives, meeting him/her, wedding day, divorce day, birth of a child, landing “the” job, graduating, watching a child graduate, doing something nice for somebody and not getting caught, etc. The key here is that just as fresh bread is only fresh for a short time, these feelings of happiness pass. What would provide long term, permanent happiness? Wealth? Good health? Satisfying career? Begs some consideration, yes. Money is good, having had money and been broke, having money is better. But happiness? Some of the most miserable, unhappy people we have known had plenty of money, so money by itself isn’t the answer. Perfect health is great, but does little to instill happiness if our loved ones are struggling and we are powerless to help or they refuse help. Careers are important, can be fulfilling but as a vehicle for happiness they are a poor source. If we make our happiness contingent on outside things and people we will never be truly happy, happiness as fleeting as fresh bread. In truth, happiness can only be found within. Experience demonstrates those who have a deep and abiding belief in a power greater than themselves, God, have true happiness at their core. Trouble still comes for them as it does for all, but they have the ability to meet calamity with serenity for they have a conscious contact with the Source, and through prayer and meditation meet all of life’s downs and ups with faith, for only by faith in demonstration do we receive the divine guidance and strength that provides lasting inner peace and happiness.

SPONSORSHIP

Sponsor: n
spon·sor [spónssər]
(plural spon·sors)
1. somebody responsible for another: somebody who undertakes responsibility for another, especially during a period of education, apprenticeship, or probation

The early members of Alcoholics Anonymous typically found the group by introduction from someone who had put themselves forward as willing to take responsibility for their welfare. Ebby (Bill Wilson’s “sponsor”) was taken under the wing of Rowland H. and Cebra G., they becoming his sponsor when he appeared before Cebra G’s father who was the judge charged with determining whether or not Ebby should be committed for alcoholic insanity. Rowland and Cebra sponsored Ebby in the cause of sobriety employing the tenants of Moral Rearmament (Oxford group), presenting Ebby with first century Christian principles as a way to stay sober. This was the message that Ebby then brought to Bill at his kitchen table a few months later. Many if not most of the early sponsors were not alcoholics themselves. From the first page of the early pamphlet A MANUAL for ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS published by the King School Group (1st AA group): “To the Sponsor: If you have never before brought anyone into A.A. the booklet attempts to tell you what your duties are by your ‘Baby,’ how you should conduct yourself while visiting patients, and other odd bits of information, some of which may be new to you.”
Sponsorship has always been an integral part of the A.A. way of life. Today sponsors are typically members who have worked the steps and have been invested in the process long enough to help those asking for their help over the inevitable rough spots in sobriety and their experience strength and hope as it relates to recovery from the disease of addiction.
The early members accepted sponsorship as a given. Because of this when the book Alcoholics Anonymous was penned, much to their later chagrin, the concept was not specifically touched on in the text (pages 1-164) of the “Big Book”. To their credit the decision was made not to rewrite the text to reflect this, instead relying on members accounts, both in the stories section of the book as well as one on one to make the point. Anyone who questions the concept of sponsorship need only take a few minutes and read the members accounts and any doubt as to the necessity of sponsorship for successful long term recovery will be dispelled.

THAT ILLOGICAL FELLOW

No one lives life perfectly. No one is at peace or serene persistently. No one is energized and at their best every minute. Just as the tides rise and fall so does our energy levels, our peace and serenity. We find trouble when we compare our insides with others outsides. All of the people you think are so much more, or doing better than you, have their moments, in private, just like everyone else. When the Pope stubs his toe it hurts. Granted he probably doesn’t utter the same expletive I do (and if he did it would be in Latin and everything sounds better in Latin) when it happens, but then again, the point being that everyone stubs their toe, having nothing to do with spiritual condition. Now if I blame someone else for putting or moving the table there or start in on the unfairness of the universe for bringing this calamity or better yet think that for some reason I deserved to stub my toe and the pain is the universes way of reminding me of my place, it then becomes a spiritual matter. When we are constantly looking for tea leaves to read, we will always find them and amazingly the news is routinely bad. The forecast dark with more dark and a chance of scattered crappiness later in the week. Usually a cloudy day is just a cloudy day, nothing more. The only lesson to be learned from stubbing ones toe (or any of the other trivialities that cross our path daily) is to watch where we are going, the universe is not out to get us. To be believe otherwise would be illogical in the light of what we now know from Living on the Spiritual Basis.

illogical [i lójjik’l]: adj

1. not following the rules of logic, or not following logically from a previous premise, statement, or action.

Everybody spends time in the barrel. The Pope, the Dalai Lama, everybody. Living on the Spiritual Basis we, along with the Pope and Dalai Lama, have a logical basis for living. The basis of trusting and relying on a power greater than ourselves. Stubbed toes and cloudy days notwithstanding. If we are constantly taking our temperature we are surely to find a fever, and in so doing we are demonstrating lack of faith. Living on the Spiritual Basis we have a logical path of direction to follow, keeping our eye on the ball, God, and doing the work He would have us do, we then meet calamity with serenity, with an occasional expletive, for God knows stubbed toes hurt.

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.

YOU CAN’T, BUT GOD CAN

What more do we need to know? Not convinced? OK. Everything is comprised of energy. Not just energized, but comprised of. 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 1918 Max Planck received the Nobel Prize for physics. In his acceptance speech he 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 two decades science has observed, what Quantum Physics postulated, to be true. The importance of this so profound we have built the largest machine ever outside of Geneva, the 17 mile long Large Hadron Collider (LHC) to explore what Max Planck knew over ninety years ago! Living on the Spiritual Basis things like the LHC or the continuing discoveries on the macro side of everything with tools like the Hubble telescope are interesting but have no weight to sway our belief, for we have found the great reality deep within. In the moments of fear and doubt that come for all, we quietly turn to the Source for our salvation and answers, tapping into the power that exists all around us, within and without, to do what it knows is necessary to bring us to freedom. Living on the Spiritual Basis we apply Infinite Power to our difficulties, guarantying freedom and success.

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.

ONLY YOUR OWN THOUGHTS

We have no control over the thoughts that float up into our consciousness. What we do have control of, and must exercise, is what we do when we become aware of the thought. No one knows what triggers the seemingly random thoughts that float into our consciousness, 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 taken when a discordant or negative thought surfaces. Dr. Fox uses the analogy of an ember from a campfire. If 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 and have a painful welt on our arm to mark the decision. We must stay vigilant for those “burning ember” thoughts. As soon as we become aware of one, we turn immediately to God and ask Him to direct our thinking. The wording of the prayer is of course optional, but the timing isn’t. So many make the mistake of trying to figure out why the thought crossed their mind. Not only failing to brush it off with Divine help but nurturing and feeding it fuel by continuing to try to figure it out, as if knowing why will do anything to remove the discomfort and pain their ruminations are causing. Why is the booby prize.

boo·by prize : n
(plural boo·by priz·es)
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 there watching the fire wondering why it started or would you act to put it out, before any serious damage was done? Yet we do this very thing in the only dwelling that really matters, our consciousness, when we entertain these destructive thoughts as our serenity and peace of mind burn in the fires of morbid reflection. Stay vigilant and let God be your fireman.

SEEKING AND FINDING

Reaping and sowing. What you seek you will find, what you plant and nurture will grow. Seems like a simple enough lesson, yet many ignore it. Parents who never had time for their kids while they were growing up, busy doing this and that, justifying it to themselves at the time with things like “I’m doing it for them” or “I’ll make up for it later” or “they would rather be with their friends anyway” and now being grown they never come around or call and the parents are surprised and hurt. Then there is 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 husband who spends all his 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. So what are you planting, seeking by your actions? Do your actions mirror your words? Are you trying to impress others, 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? Do you employ the concept of “guilty with an explanation” regularly? Are you surrounded by people who are quick to cosign whatever your selling, avoiding those who may ask uncomfortable questions or point out obvious truths? Living on the Spiritual Basis we now know that the unexamined life leads to futility and frustration. If you have placed your feet on the path, and many who are reading this have, be gentle with those around you who are still locked in the bondage of self. Never answer the unasked question but do share from the heart your struggles and the actions you have taken to progress. To quote 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.”

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.

YOUR DAILY VISIT WITH GOD OR SPIRITUALITY BY OSMOSIS

Students who find the path of Living on the Spiritual Basis through the 12 step process have an advantage, the advantage of clear cut directions. The directions found in the “Big Book”, Alcoholics Anonymous, are straight forward and concise. Even so I have had students relate all kinds of curious interpretations of the process laid out in the Big Book, based on what they heard someone say in an AA meeting. So, instead of actually reading and studying the book, they choose to base their recovery on people and meetings rather than on their own work and efforts. I understand, why do hard things; like studying the book and really working the steps, when there are easy things like going to meetings and sober activities, relying on others interpretations as gospel. Eventually spirituality by osmosis (lots of activity, little real work) wears thin and they find themselves faced with a crises they can no longer evade or postpone, that no amount of “sharing” in meetings will help; they wonder why God has abandoned them. They truly believe they have been “working” the steps, because their perception is based on what other osmosis alky’s share about, not the path laid out in the Big Book. In truth they have been working some of the steps, but not all. Kinda like making a cake and leaving a few ingredients out, then blaming the recipe because it is inedible. There may and usually are other areas, but the daily visit with God in prayer and meditation is typically their most glaring omission. Four times, pages 83, 87, 134 & 164 we are directed to morning meditation, yet it never ceases to amaze me when this is pointed out how few realize it. On pg 83 we are directed to begin each day by “asking in morning meditation that our Creator show us the way of patience, tolerance, kindliness and love”. Additionally we are directed to use the prayer “Thy will be done” when (when, not if) we become angry, frustrated or even excited. This is a wonderful barometer for how we are doing spiritually. If you can’t remember the last time you said this prayer, you may want to take a few minutes in quiet contemplation and study the 10th and 11th steps again. Just a suggestion. Nothing is more important than the time we spend in prayer and meditation. Nothing. No excuses. The good news is you can begin now and start reaping the benefits immediately. Kinda like going on a diet and losing five pounds just by deciding to do the work. Pretty cool. Oh, and you non-alky’s who stuck around, the Steps aren’t about not drinking, they are about Living on the Spiritual Basis, and if you have the willingness, they will solve your life problems too. Cheers.

THE MIDDLE WALL OF PARTITION

Most modern offices are comprised of large rooms divided into cubicles of various sizes using partition walls. Typically these walls of partition are head high and unlike permanent walls are easily moved. When we are frightened and feeling lost it is if a wall of impenetrable stone has risen between us and God. In truth the “wall” is nothing more than the flimsiest of partitions constructed of fear and false belief. It appears solid and robust at first blush, but just as the partition walls found in the office, with the right tools and a little effort it is easily removed. The tools? Prayer and meditation. The effort? Being of service to others. Prayer is pretty straight forward, though a thousand books could be written and only the surface scratched, meditation however seems shrouded in mystery and false expectation. If you aren’t meditating regularly, start. Keep it simple, begin by finding someplace where you can be undisturbed for fifteen minutes, if your living situation makes this difficult, take a walk. Yes, you can meditate while walking. Whether sitting (no need to fold yourself into a pretzel unless your into that sort of thing) or walking, be comfortable. Sit in a comfortable position or walk at a pace that does not effect your breathing. Now, think about nothing but God. Go over in your minds eye everything you know about God, gently, or if you prefer read a paragraph or two from a spiritual book or teaching and contemplate on it for your period of meditation. When your mind wanders, and it will, gently bring it back to the task at hand. Do not under any pretext speak to yourself negatively or condescendingly. Meditate daily. No excuses. The first purpose of meditation is to stop thinking about the problem and to think about God instead. If you are persistent, soon meditation will become such an integral part of living that when you find yourself caught in a situation where meditation is not practical (happens occasionally) you will miss it. Congratulations, you are now officially a meditator and yes, it really is that simple. There are many forms and styles of meditation, do not at this point go out and buy books on meditation or search the web. Keep it simple for a time, when it is time to investigate other forms, you will know and never forget, don’t concern yourself with becoming better at meditation, just do it.

Service work can take any number of forms. It can be as simple as dropping a coin in the random parking meter about to expire (I know, in some places this is illegal but a little civil disobedience is good for the soul) or even just picking up a piece of trash off the street or sidewalk and disposing of it to volunteering time and resources. The key here is just as with meditation is consistency. A kindly act once in awhile won’t fit the bill. You may have sensed a theme here. To remove the illusionary partition wall that fear and false belief raises between us and God, stop thinking about the trouble and think about God and spirituality instead, backing it up with unselfish, constructive action. Do not allow yourself to fall into the trap of thinking you need to do any of this perfectly or that anyone does. Avoid comparing your insides to others outsides.

THE FOURTH MAN

The fourth man in spiritual studies has its origin the Old Testament, the book of Daniel. Three men who refused to worship the golden image erected by King Nebuchadnezzar were sentenced to die in a fiery furnace. This furnace so hot, the guards died in the process of casting the men in. As the King watched, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego (aren’t bible names cool) were joined in the furnace by a fourth. Soon the three emerged, unharmed, delivered because they had refused to sacrifice their belief, holding fast to God, the fourth presence in the furnace.

We all face trials and difficulties in our lives, our “fiery furnace”. Hold fast to God and the fourth man, the presence that is always there, will stand with you, keeping you unharmed, regardless of how intense the fire may seem to be.

ROUGH ROAD

Perception. 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 less importance than our action. In the midst of it any spiritual activity feels clumsy and uncomfortable in application. 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 we come across a bad patch of road, one of the signs invariably directs us to “slow down”. We are never directed to speed up or drive harder. So don’t struggle or try to fight your way through it. Surrender. Relax. For this too shall pass. Now don’t stop praying, but keep it simple. Sometimes simply “God is with me” is the extent of our prayers, even if said with little conviction. What matters is the willingness to continue praying and showing up for commitments even though we don’t really want to. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other, don’t talk about it incessantly, but don’t not talk about it either. In time, just as with stretches of bad road, it will pass, the road smooths, our speed picks back up and the ride stabilizes.

HOW MUCH FAITH IS NECESSARY?

The Christ teaching suggests that a “mustard seeds” worth of faith is sufficient to begin demonstrating. Jesus picked the mustard seed for this analogy not only because of its tiny size, but how the wild mustard plant grows. Anyone who has seen wild mustard has witnessed not only an incredibly resilient plant but a plant that can crack boulders that are impediments to its growth, nothing stands in its way once established. Provided with sufficient water and light nothing will stem its growth. So it is with us as well. If you are thinking about faith you have enough faith to demonstrate. Never concern yourself with any supposed “lack” of faith. Pray to the best of your ability today, that is all that is required to progress. All prayer has power. In the grip of trouble the only prayer we may be able to utter is “God help me” and is sufficient. Recite it over and over if necessary until a sense of calmness returns, your consciousness raised, and then you can take whatever measures are appropriate, in light of your situation, with God’s guidance and love. If you are considering faith, you have the mustard seed in your hand, from which a powerful and vibrant relationship with the only true source will grow, all that is required is tending with prayer, meditation and service.

NOW IS YOUR TIME

“Live, one day at a time.” This simple saying popularized by Alcoholics Anonymous has become part of the daily consciousness, but what does it really mean? Living on the Spiritual Basis the meaning is simple and profound: The only time we can be present for God, the only time we can stand in the presence of God, the only time God can be present in our lives is in the present moment. So be present for God, for God is always present for us. Yesterday a memory, tomorrow a promise, today, this moment the only reality. Living on this basis, the Spiritual Basis, all the presents God has for us appear in our lives.

AUTHENTIC SPIRITUALITY

“Demonstrate or starve.” Each of us know our level of willingness to travel the road of happy destiny. To progress, to grow in consciousness we must do the work, no one can do it for us. Memorizing and reciting spiritual sayings, affirmations and prayers is a valuable tool, but to progress we must go much further, build our spiritual tool chest. To have a lively faith we must remain open minded and willing to explore new spiritual experiences in life, in the light of prayer and meditation, then demonstrating our faith, spirituality, by our actions. By growing and walking the way we talk we demonstrate, when relying solely on repetition with little feeling we slowly starve spiritually. Many years ago I asked God to remove from me any notion that there is any part of my life or thinking that is hidden from Him. Of course nothing is, but I needed to say it out loud, for me, so that any lingering thoughts that anything about me existed outside His sight would be smashed. Live in the light, for in truth the only darkness that exists is the shadow 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, this simple reliance on God will take us to better things, forgiven as soon as we ask, the course of action clear.

ONE ALLEGIANCE

To quote Dr. Fox: “Man is essentially spiritual, the image and likeness of God, and therefore he is made for the spiritual basis, and he cannot really succeed on any other.” Living on the Spiritual Basis requires focus and commitment. Half hearted demonstrations lead to living as if: we want to enjoy the reputation of someone who embraces spiritual principles without reservation, but know in our heart; the secret place of our consciousness, that we have one foot in the secular, one in the spiritual and as we have learned, the two minded man is unstable in all his ways. Speak to Him in prayer who has all knowledge and power and unburden yourself of the last vestiges of fear that are holding you back from complete allegiance to Living on the Spiritual Basis.

THE SINGLE EYE

Do you pray for yourself? If not you should. Some who live on the spiritual basis have adopted the unfortunate belief that we should never pray for ourselves, the only exception being if it will help others. The basis for this sentiment is well intentioned but false. Every conversation with God is a prayer and Living on the Spiritual Basis we do not filter our conversations with God for God already knows the issues of our heart, the conversation/prayer demonstrates our willingness to be taken to better things, a higher consciousness. When our eye is single we understand that what we give our attention to is what manifests in our lives, our perceptions changed, our consciousness raised. So don’t hesitate to speak to God on any subject, for in so doing your attention is focused; your eye single, on the only thing that truly matters, our relationship with “Our Father”.

YOUR HEART FOLLOWS YOUR TREASURE

Head versus heart. Having an understanding of spiritual principles is important, a head full of spiritual knowledge if you will. The curious thing about spiritual knowledge is so many believe it is all they need, demonstration secondary. Having a head full of medical knowledge doesn’t make someone a doctor. To truly become a doctor you must get that head full of knowledge and then under careful supervision put that knowledge into action, turning it into experience, moving it from the theoretical to the real, from head to heart. This holds true in every area of life, but no area is more important than our spiritual life, since everything in life finds its germination in God, whether we think so or not, yet so many fail to walk the way they talk. In pursuit of material and secular success individuals will go too tremendous lengths; often ignoring the spiritual imperative, their treasure being material possessions and accolades; their actions demonstrate their hearts desire. A head full of spiritual knowledge without the corresponding demonstration amounts to a half measure and spiritually half measures avail us nothing. What treasure are you following with your heart?

A TIME TO FAST

When I’m asked how I’m doing I typically respond: “ It’s another beautiful day in paradise.” Why? First, most really don’t want to know in any detail and this lets them off the hook. Admit it, there have been times when you have used “How are you doing?“ as a greeting and the person proceeded to tell you, in detail, how they were doing, your internal voice screaming “I was only saying hello!” as you put on a generic smile looking for a way to extricate yourself from the hole you stepped in. Don’t misunderstand me. Just because you essentially said a passing “hello” doesn’t mean you are prepared to hear a dissertation on the state of someone’s life. The social misstep is on their part. They recognize you are basically just saying hello but seize the opportunity as a chance to vent/rant, leaving you in an uncomfortable position.

Secondly, when talking about the difficulties and challenges in life there needs to be a very good reason for it, 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. The concept that “talking” about something troubling you will make you 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 rant. We have all ranted 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 broke and a crumpled twenty turns up in the pocket of the pants worn last week, it fades as soon as we shift from the gratitude of finding the twenty to “it’s only a twenty” thinking (nothing really changed, no real solution to being broke). Often I have had a student say they felt better after “getting something off their chest”. I always ask Why? Unless a definite course of action to address the problem or situation was entered into (i.e. prayer 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 fast spiritually, abstaining from negative thinking and talk, from feeding the kitty of self-pity and self-centeredness, instead turning our thoughts and heart to the Power Greater Than Ourselves that has all knowledge and power, we save ourselves from needless mental and spiritual wear and tear. So, how are you doing? It really is another beautiful day in paradise.

A SIMPLIFIED LIFE

The spiritual vs. the secular life. Secular: success is measured by possessions, popularity, good looks, living the “good” life. Spiritual: success is measured by the peace, poise and serenity demonstrated when difficulties arrive, a state achieved by understanding the true nature of living, realizing that appearances are illusionary. Health: secular it is about looking and feeling good at any price, taking and doing whatever to achieve this. Spiritual health is not about the body. Awake to the truth that this flesh is merely a vehicle, a conveyance for a time. This does not mean that we misuse it or ignore its care, but we are clear that we are not our body since all flesh fails, that we truly are a spark of the divine, eternal, existing before this flesh was conceived and existing beyond its return to the dust and ash from which it came. Secular: the opinions of others have power and color our choices and decisions. Spiritually: when we are right with God, all other relationships can and will fall into place.

As we transition from living on the secular basis to Living on the Spiritual Basis our whole attitude about life and living changes. “That feeling of uselessness and self-pity will disappear. We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows” (A.A. pg 84). “ What used to be the hunch or the occasional inspiration becomes a working part of the mind” (A.A. pg 87). Spiritual or secular. Peace or tumult. When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change(Power of Intention). Living on the Spiritual Basis we are no longer of this world, but we are in it; life simplified for: “we have ceased fighting anything or anyone” (A.A. pg 84).“We had a new Employer. Being all powerful, He provided what we needed, if we kept close to Him and performed His work well” (A.A. pg 63).

FROM WITHIN OUT

“He wants to enjoy a certain reputation, but knows in his heart he doesn’t deserve it” (A.A. pg 73) Con artists portray themselves in whatever manner necessary in order to achieve their goal: relieving the mark of their money. Whether it be appearing down and out or worth millions, a good ole boy or foreign dignitary, sinner or saint, whatever it takes to get over. The con artist however doesn’t deceive themselves. 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. They recite set prayers, often thinking about something else while saying them, attending religious or spiritually based services or functions regularly, something that needs or should be done for appearance points, with the same inner involvement as picking up or dropping off the laundry. Then trouble comes. It may be economic, family or health in nature. Being nominal students of the path, they feel abandoned by God. But 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 they believed a believer should, living under the false belief that by acting correctly they were doing the work. They are like the man who stashed away seed but never planted a crop. Faith without works is dead. And work without faith is just work. We all reap as we sow. How well is your garden doing? Pray with a feather, gently, but be present in prayer. Consider the words, remember this is your time with God. When in a religious or spiritual setting stay in the moment. Speak to God in your consciousness, the “Secret” place of your heart, ask what He would have you see or learn on this occasion, remembering that often it is not about us, but how we can be of service. If we are daydreaming or thinking of other things we may miss a wonderful opportunity to help others. You “…cannot transmit something you haven’t got.” (A.A. pg 164) So quietly tend your garden, be present for God in the moment, for it is only in the moment that we can be present for God.

HOW DO YOU FEEL?

“The most important decision you will ever make is whether you live in a friendly or hostile universe” Einstein. “Driven by a hundred forms of fear, self-delusion, self-seeking, and self-pity, we step on the toes of our fellows and they retaliate” (A.A. pg 62)
Think of a flowchart. At the top is a box connected to a descending cascade of boxes. The flowchart of feelings has two boxes at the top. Fear and love. All other feelings flow from these. In answering Einstein’s question you decide which box holds sway in your life. A hostile universe is dominated by fear and we react accordingly. The same is true of a friendly universe where love dominates. In a hostile universe we are always at odds with the world about us. Spending our time and attention watching our back, doing onto others before than can do it to us, believing that if we don’t do it, it won’t get done or done right, trusting in nothing but our finite selves. The nightly news affirming our belief in man’s inhumanity, that if there is a God he is a pitiless task master, treating us in much the same way a cruel child with a magnifying glass treats an ant pile. This existence chaotic, baffling and painful, the moments of peace and joy only there to exacerbate the pain. Conversely in a friendly universe the problems and difficulties that come into our lives are opportunities to demonstrate God’s omnipotence and love. Nothing can truly touch us but the hand of God, all pain and suffering signposts, touchstones of spiritual growth, where we decide what path to follow. In a friendly universe we know we are not this body, we are spiritual entities experiencing the human condition, not human beings in search of spirituality, for everything is spiritual, all connected. In a friendly universe, Living on the Spiritual Basis places us in the position to: “ …to comprehend the word serenity and we will know peace.” “Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change. Fear of people and economic insecurity will leave us. We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us. We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves” (A.A. pg 83,84). Friendly or hostile? The choice is yours, and if you find yourself in a hostile universe, you can leave at anytime, for in a friendly universe "the Realm of the Spirit is broad, roomy, all inclusive; never exclusive or forbidding to those who earnestly seek. It is open, we believe to all...(A.A. pg 46).

YOUR GREAT OPPORTUNITY

There are many laws. Man’s laws fill untold volumes and are constantly being amended, added to, ignored and broken. What of God’s “laws”? The Law of Retribution, the Law of Unintended Consequence, Reaping and Sowing and others? What sets these laws apart from man’s laws is that they are totally impersonal in application, think the law of gravity. Rich or poor, famous or infamous, it makes no difference, if you fall off a roof, a ladder, a bridge or cliff you will fall until something breaks your fall (and probably part or all of you). Every single time. Hitler or Mother Teresa. No appeal suspends these laws. The Law of Opportunity is one of these laws. We are all faced with problems and difficulties. No one immune. Financial challenges are the same for all, the positioning of a decimal point the only difference. Children act out whether born with a plastic or silver spoon in their mouth. Living on the Spiritual Basis we understand this life is but a moment in eternity, being eternal we existed before this flesh was conceived, existing beyond its return to the dust and ashes from whence it came. Our job, our only real job in this life is to learn, so when a difficulty surfaces we choose the course to take. Living on the Spiritual Basis, in touch with source, God, we greet these occasions with prayer and meditation; knowing there is something to be learned, will improve and ultimately strengthen our connection with God and our fellows. That by demonstrating over the problem by reliance on the source, we teach others, by our actions the truth of spiritual living. Theory is fine in the classroom, but demonstration is the measure, the attraction. So greet these opportunities spiritually, apply what you know of the path to the best of your ability for more will be revealed, keep your gaze focused on the source and you will triumph. “We are sure God wants us to be happy, joyous and free. We cannot subscribe to the belief that this life is a vale of tears, though it once was just that for many of us. But it is clear that we made our own misery. God didn’t do it. Avoid then, the deliberate manufacture of misery, but if trouble comes, cheerfully capitalize it as an opportunity to demonstrate His omnipotence” (A.A. pg 133).

LET GOD MAKE YOU WORTHY

How do we become “worthy”? Better yet, what does being worthy mean? Worthy of what? Let’s begin at a simpler level. Do you believe in God? If you answered yes, continue, no then keep moving, nothing to be seen here. Einstein said “The most important decision you will ever make is whether you live in a friendly or hostile universe.” If you believe that you live in a hostile universe, then no matter what you do you are screwed in the end, so he who dies with the most toys wins, go get all you can from everyone you can, Katie, bar the door. To be a little less flippant we all have known or do know people who believe in the score keeper God, that we are full of sin and all we can do is the best we can, knowing that when the flesh fails we are in for it because we will never be truly worthy. Forgive the language but the saying lacks something without it: “Life is just one big shit sandwich, one after another, believing in God just means you get fries with it” pretty much sums up the point of view. If you would like to explore a different way, stick around, otherwise go have a sandwich.

When Jesus delivered the Christ message he summed up our relationship with God when he said “Our Father.” Whether you believe in the Christ divinity or not; to live in a friendly universe this is some of the criterion: we are all connected, all equal in His eyes regardless of circumstance or station. That “the realm of Heaven is roomy, all inclusive, never exclusive or forbidding, it is open to all who earnestly seek.” None of us are without sin. We have all been there, done that. The difference today is that by embracing life on the Spiritual Basis we now know, 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. Forgiveness is meaningless if it is only sought as a temporary means to avoid trouble. If we had to wait to be “pure” to become worthy none of us would make the cut. To be clear: you are worthy right here right now, all that is required is your whole hearted (thine eye is single) commitment to seek a relationship with Him who has all power and knowledge. How is this done? Prayer and meditation with an open mind and willingness to learn. When approached this way the path of your enlightenment will naturally unfold before you, but you have to do the work. It’s you and God in a row boat and God don’t row. Oh, and he will bring the sandwiches.

GET SOME DEMONSTRATIONS

Intellectual discussions of spirituality can be interesting but have no value without demonstration. Consider: you have decided to become a snow skier. You read books and magazines on skiing, attend lectures and seminars, learn about snow and meteorology, purchase the latest skiing attire and have custom skis made. Are you a skier? To the casual observer you seem to meet the criterion: you “know” all about skiing and have all the latest and best gear. Except you have never actually skied. A seasoned skier would not be fooled for a moment. They would listen to you and know shortly that your “knowledge” is all theoretical, none of it based on actual experience. And besides, you forget to cut the price tag off your parka. Being a lodge or bench skier has it’s advantages: you never get hurt (as long as you don’t insult an actual skier), stay warm and dry with minimal wear and tear on your gear and wardrobe. The only problem being the point of skiing is to ski, to experience all those wonderful things you read and heard about.

Now most folks who decide to ski, do. Spiritually however many choose to remain in the lodge, convinced that self knowledge is sufficient, taking the slopes unnecessary. Both cases of bench warmers demonstrate the same truths: Self knowledge avails us nothing that faith without works is dead and they wish to enjoy a certain reputation they know in their heart they don‘t deserve. Knowledge has little or no value until it is put into action/demonstration, when we lack the faith to put what we “know” to work we live in fear of our lack of faith in demonstration. For faith to be vital we must leave the lodge and hit the slopes, and just like the beginning skier, regardless of how much we “know” we are going fall, make mistakes. But the well schooled beginner who remains teachable will profit and learn quicker from their miscues than those who live solely by hit or miss, avoiding the soul searing pain of making the same mistakes over and over. So step out in faith and demonstrate over the challenges and difficulties of life by a simple reliance on a Power Greater Than Yourself, employing prayer and meditation to solve all your problems. Oh, and never ski on old wax.

MASTER, NOT SLAVE

Some years ago I became very ill. When my physician was finally consulted I was at deaths door, but curiously still functioning. The onset had been so gradual that my body and life had adapted to it. My life had shrunken to the point of work and commitments, nothing else. By Fridays I was so tired I would come home and only move for necessities, resting and marshaling energy for the coming week. Looking back as my health returned it amazed me how I had allowed my circumstances to become so altered, how I had just accepted my circumstances, rationalized them, without a fight, all because it happened gradually, under the radar of my daily consciousness.

During the course of our lives our circumstances, living conditions, go through many alterations. Careers and children the leading causes early, aging and possibly becoming care givers more so later. Although we never fully understand going in how becoming parents or relocating/changing careers will impact us or just how many times I will have to use the can in the middle of the night, growing older and these other things, typically, come with some foreshadowing, approaching head on, unlike what transpired when I became so very ill, which crept up silently like a snake. Spiritually the same thing can happen in our lives. When faced with a definite problem or difficulty we react and take some form of action, preferably spiritual, but even running around shouting the sky is falling is action, demonstration, albeit a poor one. Then there are the snakes. When we first begin walking the path, Living on the Spiritual Basis, we are aware of everything around us. The scales have been removed from our eyes, we are seeing life and our existence through a new pair of glasses, illumination all about us. Snakes do not like illumination for their activities. Having had our first taste of freedom from the bondage of self we naturally believe that our days of slavery are behind us, never to return. If only it were that simple. The price of spiritual freedom is unrelenting vigilance. Unfortunately many become complacent, in time becoming moribund and rigid in their thinking, no longer open to the fresh winds that constantly flow from the source. Though once dynamic, free and open they have now unconsciously constructed walls built out of the brick of righteousness set in the mortar of pride, living in their shadows, making themselves slaves to self once again though mouthing spiritual sayings and platitudes that have lost any real significance in their lives. Stay vigilant in prayer and meditation, turn to Him who has all knowledge and power, remain open minded, willing to learn and you need never be in bondage again.

GOD IS NOT BECOMING

God is not becoming, we are. The question of our essential nature has been discussed and debated for thousands of years. Having chosen to Live on the Spiritual Basis, we retire from the debating society. When we are born into this flesh we are tabula rasa, a clean slate. We begin life demanding the world address our needs, voicing our displeasure with conditions in no uncertain terms, refusing all attempts to quiet us until we get what we want. It is a good thing babies are cute and loved unconditionally or there would be far fewer people. As we become aware we begin to make informed decisions rather than just reacting to a need. Will I eat the peas or toss them? The door is open so I think I will take a stroll and the ultimate indication of having crossed the line: when we discover the power of No. No to peas, No to baths, No to naps, No No No. This is the first momentous milestone in our becoming, our awakening. We typically don’t remember the moment we discovered No, but parents do. We march inexorably forward from this point, growing, becoming the person we are today. God is not becoming. God is, always has been, always will be, eternal, the same today as yesterday and tomorrow. He is infinite perfection, all knowledge, power and unbounded love. God does not grow towards us, our heart and consciousness grows towards Him, becoming more like Our Father by the decisions and actions we take, this existence, a moment in parentheses. ETERNITY(birth-life-death)ETERNITY. We become in the parentheses, it is our only true duty.

COTTON CANDY SOBRIETY

Who doesn’t like cotton candy? It is one of those foods(?) typically eaten at fairs, amusement parks, ball games etc. so it’s a treat, part of the fun. It starts out as a weightless ball bigger than your head and unlike some candies there is no attempt to dress it up as anything other than what it is, pure spun sugar. It looks substantial on the stick but as soon as we rip off a piece and pop it in our mouth it melts to almost nothing, just air flavored with sugar and food coloring with no illusions to being anything other than fun food. Soon the reasons why we vowed never to buy it again come flooding back, especially if you are responsible for the clean up of the 8 and under crowd. We will be lured by it again in the future, blotting out the previous experiences until too late. Such is cotton candy. No one in their right mind would consider making a meal of cotton candy. The cotton candy we eat makes no illusions to or represents itself as anything other than what it is, spiritual cotton candy however is often presented as something substantive and can be deadly. You have heard the vacuous platitudes, the nonsensical clichés often spouted with an air of knowing. In recovery meetings they cover the gambit from: let us love you until you can love yourself, the newcomer is the most important person in the room, this is a we program, there is no wrong way to work the steps, God can be anything you want it to be: a doorknob, a tree, a chair, the group-anything at all. Spiritual cotton candy comes in a variety of colors, but it’s all still just sugar air. No harm is meant by those vending this candy, in fact if you ask them (and I have) they believe they are being helpful, of service. Probably the most misunderstood sign on the wall next to Easy Does It or One Day At A Time is Think, Think, Think. Think it through. A we program? No one can decide for you if you are willing to turn your will and life over to the care of God. We don’t write your 4TH step. We don’t pay your bills, raise your kids. We are directed to meditate every morning, how many of the “we” people show up for coffee? Think it through. Newcomer most important person in the room? To who? God? One day you are important and then cross an invisible line and aren’t? Nonsense. All are equal in His eyes. Think it through. The comment on love belongs on a Hallmark card, Living on the Spiritual Basis we know that the only love that will set us free is the love of and by God. Think it through. No wrong way to do the work? Then why do folks “resign and resume”? Think it through. God can be “anything”? As a wise man said “when God can be anything; then God is nothing. Not convinced? Repeat after me out loud: I,(your name here) turn my will and my life over to the care and direction of: (pick your favorite: chair, doorknob, tree, ocean, whatever). Think it through. Spiritual cotton candy. Looks good, sounds good, feels good but in the end is just sugar air.

HE USED TO DEMONSTRATE

Resting on our laurels. We have all done it, perhaps you are doing it now. Whenever I have, I find in time they dry out, becoming stiff with sharp points, poking me in the… encouraging action. Living on the Spiritual Basis provides unlimited horizons for growth and expansion of our consciousness, but we have to do the work. Think of it this way: We float 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 the source improving as we progress. This, however requires conscious and consistent effort on out part. No one spends all of their time in the river. We all climb out from time to time and rest on soft laurel leaves by the bank. The problems begin if we attempt to set up camp. We lose sight of the truth that our destiny rests on our willingness to continue moving forward in our spiritual demonstration. So, when the leaves begin to stiffen, demonstrate renewed willingness, get back in the river, for something wonderful lies just beyond the next bend.

WALKING THE WAY WE TALK (Our daily application of steps 10 & 11)

It has been said the “two minded man is unstable in all his ways.” When we first embark on the path this is readily obvious. In trying to live we may have been gracious, helpful, kind even giving if we thought there was something in it for us. Once we got what we needed or it became clear we weren’t going to get what we needed we could and did turn on a dime becoming angry, petulant even downright abusive; usually to those who cared about us most. Our motives clearly were wrong, our actions based in selfish and self centered pursuits. When existing seemingly only in the secular world there are dozens if not hundreds of excuses and rationalizations that can be dredged up to justify this type of behavior. Living on the Spiritual Basis we now know that the supposed separation between the secular and the spiritual is nonexistent, everything connected. We cannot treat some people with dignity, respect while looking down our nose at others. Show patience, tolerance, kindness and love towards some but not all. He wants to enjoy a certain reputation, but knows in his heart he doesn’t deserve it (AA pg.73). Our happiness, peace of mind, our serenity is contingent on our actions. Heart versus head. Action versus intention. “We cannot think our way into right living, we must live our way into right thinking.” Common sense would thus become uncommon sense (AA pg.13). Simple but not easy; a price had to be paid. It meant destruction of self-centeredness. I must turn in all things to the Father of Light who presides over us all (AA pg.14). Right thinking is not about thought control, far from it. Trying to control ones thoughts is akin to herding cats, never gonna happen. Right thinking is our action/demonstration when one of those harmful or destructive impulses/thoughts crosses our mind. Today having a kit of spiritual tools we act and react differently. Be ever vigilant for contradictions in action, be a man or woman who walks the way they talk, for in the final analysis this is the measure by which we judge ourselves.

UNLOAD THAT CAMEL

I don’t remember how old I was or when this simile first stuck in my consciousness but I do remember thinking that it meant rich people were screwed. It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God (Mark 10:25). Well, I have yet to see a camel small enough or a needle big enough for this to happen, so I guess if you are rich, it sucks to be you. Yeah, didn’t make much sense to me either. Let’s look a little deeper. Context being everything; cities at the time of this saying were surrounded by high thick walls with large gates to facilitate traffic in and out of the city. At night the large gates would be closed and small gates opened. These gates were known as the needle’s eye. So had this been translated correctly it would have read: It is easier for a camel to go through the needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. Camels could be brought through the needle’s eye, but it required unloading them first. This is the crux of the teaching. Camels don’t care what they are carrying, rocks or gold, makes no difference, only that it eventually comes off. We on the other hand hold onto baggage that needs to be left by the side of the road. Whether we are rich in physical possessions or not we own all sorts of things that are impediments to entering the kingdom of God. Selfishness, hubris, condemnation, bigotry (overt and subtle), self centeredness, fear in a hundred guises are all examples of “possessions” that keep us bound in the bondage of self. Living on the Spiritual Basis we have become willing and ready to be free of this bondage and are doing the work daily to remain “poor in spirit.” Poor in spirit does not mean poor spirited, but that we have unburdened ourselves of our baggage by a simple reliance on “Our Father”, turning in all things to Him who has all knowledge and power. So if you are trudging the road of happy destiny weighed down by your possessions, cast off your pack and leave it by the side of the road and join us, become truly poor in spirit, cart wheeling through the needle’s eye, somersaulting into the kingdom of God.

LET DOWN YOUR BUCKET

Closer is he than breathing; nearer than hands and feet.-Tennyson. And that is most near indeed. Dr Fox in this analogy refers to the fresh water that flows miles from shore; beyond sight of land, from the Amazon into the Pacific. Those sailing through it unaware they are surrounded by potable water. We are always in contact with the source. Why? Because we are of the source. We are not human beings in search of a spiritual connection, we are spiritual beings experiencing the human condition. Consider: every river and stream that eventually empties into the ocean is connected from its origin to the deepest depths by an unbroken string of molecules. The numbers are staggering but all the same as each is connected to the next the chain remains intact. The next time you find yourself looking at a small stream high in the mountains take a moment and consider the waters journey. If not diverted along the way for other purposes (and even then all water returns to the source eventually) it will travel hundreds, thousands of miles perhaps one day even taking it’s place at the bottom of Challenger Deep only to rise up again to the surface, evaporate, returning to the clouds to fall as snow once again on another mountain waiting for the spring thaw, the journey renewed. The water bottle you last drank from, did you stop to consider that the molecules of water in that bottle are billions of years old? Having traveled untold miles over the millennia to arrive for you. Additionally have you considered that every molecule of water that passes through you has made the same journey countless times from the earliest dinosaurs to today? Brings a whole new slant to recycling doesn’t it. The point being that we are surrounded by wonders, the amazing complexity and interconnectedness of life in even the simplest things, if we will only take the time to consider. So when reaching out for source, for God remember: Closer is he than breathing; nearer than hands and feet. Let down your bucket and drink deeply, for that is most near indeed.

AN ADVANCED CLASS

Ever hear someone say they were “getting back to fundamentals”? In sports or cooking this may be applicable but spiritually this is nonsense. You are either on the path or not. Additionally, to believe that since ones been on the path for a time that conditions or requirements for continued spiritual growth change leads inexorably to spiritual pride, a sense of entitlement and destructive righteousness in demonstration, guaranteeing suffering for anyone who falls into this trap. In God’s eyes all are equal, regardless of their earthly crimes or demonstrations. God does not play favorites or met out punishment. The demonstration is ours. We reap as we sow. The man or woman who chooses to live a life bereft of spiritual principles is loved by God in equal measure as those who have dedicated their lives to the path. The difference is the individuals connection to the source, not the sources connection to the individual. The person who has embraced Living on the Spiritual Basis has done the footwork, put the time in “working out”, exercising their spiritual muscles so when (not if) trouble or a difficulty arises they are prepared. There are no atheists in a foxhole. When faced with death , theirs or a loved ones, or any of the life changing moments that are part of living those who have eschewed the path are faced with the question they can no longer evade: God is either everything or else He is nothing. When an individual reaches this turning point they will either start up the mountain of enlightenment or bury their head in the sand (drugs, alcohol, blame, etc) trying to blot out the truth. We become mountain climbers as soon as we place our feet on the mountain, this doesn’t mean we are experienced or prepared to attempt greater heights. It requires time and consistent dedication to become an experienced mountain climber and just as in mountain climbing, spiritually if you get away from fundamentals, thinking you are beyond them, great is the fall.

This existence is a moment in parentheses. ETERNITY(birth-life-death)ETERNITY. Having embraced Living on the Spiritual Basis we know the truth: we are not this body, the eye blink of time spent in this flesh placed in its proper perspective. The only advanced class is our willingness to share, to teach the fundamentals we practice daily with those starting up the mountain in earnest.

INCONSISTENCIES MADE CLEAR

Years ago I came across a Far Side cartoon that depicted a group of anthropologists that find a single bone who then proceed to construct the most outrageous looking creature extrapolated from that single bone. We attempt to do the same thing with our lives. We get glimpses of the future as we grow spiritually and the natural inclination is to build on them, creating an image of our lives as we progress. This is like the nightly weatherperson on the local news forecasting what the weather will be like a month, a year, five years from now. Unless they limit their prognostication to that of George Carlin’s hippy dippy weatherman: today it will begin dark, followed by light then turning dark again, their chances of being accurate are about zero. In time as our consciousness grows and expands so will our perspective. That which seemed disconnected, prayers seemingly unanswered will take on a new clarity that only 20/20 spiritual hindsight can provide. Avoid the traps then of projecting into the future or morbid reflection on the past. Make plans but do so in a spiritual light, the light of God‘s guidance. Be a man or woman who lives one day at a time and all will become clear eventually, if we are about God’s business and not our own.

PRAYER DOES CHANGE THINGS

For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he (Proverbs 23:7). Prayer either does or doesn’t change things. No middle ground. Prayer is either 100% effectual or it is a waste of time, a delusional jest of the greatest magnitude. Having lived on the Spiritual Basis for a time we have seen the power of prayer in our and others lives. So the question isn’t whether or not prayer works/changes things but why it seems inconsistent, why some prayers are answered and others seemingly not. All prayers are answered and unlike the cliché: sometimes the answer is no, all prayers are answered in the affirmative. God will never give us something that will harm us, but He will provide what we need. When we are new to the path our prayers are often a form of outlining, requesting some action we would like God to take on our part, thinking we know what’s best. Having turned our will and our lives over to the care of God it is clear why prayers of this type do not return the expected results. But God does answer these prayers in the affirmative, providing what we need though we cannot see it with our limited vision. Additionally there are the halfhearted prayers. Prayers said from the conscious mind, not the heart. When we pray with the thought in the back of our minds that we don’t deserve it or God is too busy to be bothered with us than we will receive in exactly the manner we ask. Keep in the forefront of your consciousness that God wants us, all of us, to be happy, joyous and free. Pray from the heart, expecting to receive and life will change in incredible and marvelous ways.

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.

THE TRIUMPH OF LOVE

As we live and learn, practicing our new way of life; Living on the Spiritual Basis, not only our perspective but our actions begin to change naturally. We begin to act from love, from God. Less and less do we see the world only through the prism of the carnal, secular mind. Having been given a new pair of glasses we have begun to experience life connected to the source instead of at odds with it. The poets, musicians, writers and philosophers have commented, sung, written and spoke of and about the love we feel for another, a child, lost, found, even for inanimate objects or animals, seemingly forever. But what of Gods love? Songs and words are fine, perhaps moving to the point of raising ones consciousness, but the true demonstration is in the application of His love by our action. As our consciousness grows and expands the truth of the power of love becomes more apparent. Love is God, God is love. Love is always the answer. Through the process of Living on the Spiritual Basis we have begun to have a conscious contact with God. When faced with any difficulty, problem or trouble the realization of God’s love and Divine presence will not only solve or correct the situation but remove it. Clearly this new way of living develops over time, so if you are new to the path do not be discouraged if your first thought is not always about God. When you become aware that you haven’t yet turned to God in a particular instance, just do so as soon as the awareness surfaces, and under no circumstance allow your internal dialogue to turn negative. This is not a race. You are already in eternity and negative thoughts about your progress are always counter productive.