METAPHYSICAL TRUTH

            What you think upon grows. All thoughts dwelled upon will be out pictured in our lives. Period. When we dwell on lack, perceived injustice (real and imagined), resentment or any of the other hundred forms of fear clamoring for our attention, it attaches them to our consciousness as surely as a barnacle to a pier piling. Though no one would say they wish to suffer, to believe we can think one way and then receive the opposite is the root of the trouble.

        It would be a poor law indeed if it did not work in the reverse as well. When we dwell on the positive, on the Presence of God, on the truth of our relationship with the Divine, that all fear and negativity are false, God the giver of every good gift, will then be out pictured in our lives.

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

EXCLUSIVE OR INCLUSIVE?

“Every thought is made up of two factors, knowledge and feeling.” What do you believe? We all believe in all sorts of things. Ford is better than Chevy, Yankees are better than the Red Sox; my grandkids are cuter than yours are all examples of thoughts/opinions based heavily in feeling rather than knowledge, except the one about my grandkids of course. The shortest distance between two points is a straight line, Hawaii is an island, two plus two equals four are all examples of knowledge with little feeling/passion attached. Heated discussions have and will take place concerning the former, yet possibly never concerning the latter.

What do you believe and why do you believe it? Few take the time to truly get to the roots of the things they believe, especially when there is a great deal of feeling attached to them. In many areas of life this carries minimal consequence, but spiritually it is deadly. When belief in God is based mostly in the mind, intellectual belief, with little passion or heart, life’s difficulties approached clinically, when they fail to demonstrate spiritually it is because of the vagaries of living, never because of a lack of any real faith. Conversely if their belief is based almost exclusively in feeling; especially when holding that they are right and everyone else is wrong, they blindly follow anyone who has a little charisma who parrots their feelings of exclusivity, often with tragic results.

Clearly without passion nothing happens. Living on the Spiritual Basis is a passionate way of life, tempered with truth. Not someone else’s truth but our truth arrived at by scientific prayer and meditation. Read with your eyes but study with your heart. Listen with your ears but hear with the Divine Presence within. Do not mortgage your future on any one teacher or interpretation. Jesus taught that we are all connected to the Father, not requiring any intermediaries to establish this bond since it is ours by right of birth, a teaching that turned the world on its head, and forgotten by many religions. Read spiritual books and study teachers that strike a cord in you, but keep your own counsel in the “secret” place in your heart. When questions arise seek out those who have touched you and consider their words in meditation and if you find their counsel just, incorporate it in your life. The right answers will come if our own house is in order, which requires us to remain willing and open to all spiritual experience, “for the realm of Heaven is roomy, all inclusive, never exclusive or forbidding.”

THE KEY OF FREEDOM

The true key to individual freedom is forgiveness. The reason for this is simple: “You do this, not for the other person’s sake, but for your own sake.” Can you think of a single spiritual teacher that has not made this point? Without forgiveness no real spiritual progress can ever be made. When we fail to embrace forgiveness we lock ourselves into a circular route that inevitably leads back to the same difficulties clothed in different garb, again and again. Applying the same solutions, we reap the same results, and then thinking we have mastered the lesson move on, only to be confronted again in short order by the same difficulties in a fresh set of clothes. Living on the Spiritual Basis requires forgiving not only in word and in our actions, but in our heart.

By recognizing our part and then becoming willing to amend our behavior, apologizing to those requiring apology (all require prayer but not all require an apology) we set our feet squarely on the path. The problem is that some people and incidents continue to crop up in our consciousness even though they have been treated with prayer. The problem arises because we hold onto a kernel of seemingly justified anger that blocks us effectively as a dam blocks a river from experiencing peace. When we hold onto an old hurt, justifying our action for any reason, we stand outside the sunlight of the Presence of God, placing ourselves in the shadow of resentment and fear. By embracing justified anger our thinking becomes stale, stagnant and unhealthy, by throwing open our heart to forgiveness we are rejuvenated. The course here is clear; when these items appear in our consciousness immediately treat them again with prayer and ask to be shown if there is anything we can do to be of service to those just prayed for. By becoming willing to be of service to those who harmed us sets us free. To be very clear, by demonstrating your willingness you are set free, God will never place you in a position to be harmed if you are about His business, so even if we have been hurt terribly, today nothing is more important than our freedom, freedom from them and the power they still exert in our lives. By taking the contrary action to what the World and our carnal mind would have us do, we raise our consciousness and stand in the sunlight of the Spirit, clean, rejuvenated and free, the law of forgiveness manifest.

NAKED VIOLIN

“Life is like playing a violin concerto naked, and learning to play as you go along.” A while back I attended a “concert” by second graders, fully clothed. They were less than perfect in their performance but performed exactly as second graders should. Had they been High School students their instructor’s competence would have been questioned and rightfully so. We would never expect a group of seven year olds to perform at the level of students more than twice their age. The point being we always demonstrate where we are. Spiritually where are you? What principles do you practice, since whether you are aware of them or not, we all practice principles. Having placed our feet on the path, choosing to Live on the Spiritual Basis, we embarked on the examined life. We choose whether to turn to God or revel in morbid reflection when (not if) negative or fearful thoughts come into our consciousness, the notes from our violin sweet, clothed in serenity when we Practice the Presence of God in all our affairs, rejecting the negative.

THE SUBCONSCIOUS MIND

Though many remain in denial of this truth, there are rules, or laws if you prefer, that govern our thinking, applying equally to everyone at all times. They are impersonal, always in force and cannot be appealed. Being impersonal “This law is true for both good and bad ideas. This law, when used negatively, brings sickness, trouble, and failure; and when used positively, brings healing, freedom, and success. We give the orders-the subconscious does the work.”

We cannot, do not control the thoughts that enter our consciousness. We do control what path to follow when we become aware of a thought. When a negative or fearful thought floats up from our subconscious how we respond to it determines our future. We train ourselves when confronted by these discordant thoughts to turn immediately to thoughts of God, His Love, His Power and His Guidance. In so doing the Law of Subconscious Activity works for us, not against.

Practical demonstrations always carry more weight than mere words. Begin by observing the faces of the people in your life. What do you see in the countenance of those who engage in gossip, hurtful or negative words and action? Compare them with those who are consistently kind, supportive and positive. The truth of this lesson will be as plain as the look on your face.

SURRENDER

“We have ceased fighting everything and everyone, we have to”, for unlike physical exercise, where the longer and more intense the workout the better shape we attain, the converse is true mentally. The reason for this is that God does the work, not our mental “muscles.” No amount of will power has ever added a single ounce of spiritual weight to anyone. We don’t “work” on our problems or difficulties since we have turned our will and our lives completely over to the care of God. Having chosen to live on the Spiritual Basis we know today that God is the doer. Not us. Pray when prayer is indicated. Meditate regularly. Turn to Him who has all knowledge and power when filled with fear and doubt and trust Him. Since in truth “all mental working should be relaxed, gentle, and unhurried for effort defeats itself.”

ORANGES

Has someone said to you or have you ever said “don’t think like that?” Not possible is it. It is one of those silly things that we say to one another without thinking it through. Like “a watched pot never boils.” Yes it does, every single time. I understand how the saying originated, but without the origin understood for context it is just nonsense. As soon as we are told not to think about something the first thing we do is think about it. No? OK, don’t think about oranges. How did you do? We are powerless over the thoughts that float through our minds unbidden; however we choose the action to take upon becoming aware of these thoughts. Oranges are not much of a problem, but there exists in all of us a voice of discord and negativity that is embedded in the subconscious. The origin of the voice is secondary, the action we choose to take paramount. Having embarked on living on the Spiritual Basis our path is clear for we have ceased fighting everything and everyone. We gently but firmly turn from the negative to the positive, God. If the thoughts are persistent, we engage in some activity that will distract us, a phone call to a friend inquiring about them (do not speak of the negative thoughts), an engrossing book or activity. If possible find someone to help. Nothing relieves us of the bondage of self, and all negative thinking binds us in self, as intensive work with others. The key is to substitute positive thinking and action for the negative thoughts. Simple but not easy. When we begin this way of living it will feel clunky and somewhat uncomfortable, but just like learning to ride a bike, as long as we are diligent and consistent, in time it will become second nature.

OUTLINING TRAP

Difficult problems seem to have a life of their own. Hard as we try, we treat them spiritually and the next thing we know they are back in the forefront of our consciousness, dominating our thoughts. Typically the thoughts creep in silently and we don’t become aware of them until they have gained purchase in our consciousness, then we have to go through the spiritual exercises again to gain relief. One of the most insidious ways this happens is through outlining. The world teaches that we should think things through, weigh pros and cons, talk it out, but just as “the grouch and the brainstorm are the dubious luxury of normal men” so is outlining. We start out innocently enough but in short order we begin outlining how a situation or trouble should work out, in essence telling the universe how to solve our problems, on our terms of course. It doesn’t work, does it. It builds up our expectations and as a wise man said “the level of my serenity is directly proportional to my expectations.” Living on the Spiritual Basis our expectations are placed in God’s hands and on His shoulders, so when we find ourselves outlining we stop as soon as we become aware and thank God for knowing Him better. To quiet the mind we repeat some simple set prayers like “Be still and know that I am God”, “There is no power greater than God” or simply “God is with me.” When I ran the world I outlined constantly, for it needed my help. Living on the new basis, I leave the running of the world, and my life, in God’s hands for He does a much better job of it than I ever did, for today I know in my heart of hearts that “God is with me.”

DIFFICULT SITUATIONS

When trouble or difficulty arrives at your door step, immediately turn to God in prayer. Pray for the knowledge, guidance and strength to address it and most importantly pray for any other individuals involved, regardless of how they may have or are attempting to harm us. In so doing we raise our consciousness and build a bull work of peace and serenity remaining free and unharmed. Never, under any pretense ask God to do harm or cause ill to befall anyone, for if we do we drag our consciousness down and needlessly subject ourselves to suffering. Seek always the higher ground of raised consciousness, for each reaps as they sow, if we sow seeds of hate, anger, resentment and contempt, do not then be surprised when the meal is served from the harvested crop you planted.

THINK ABOUT GOD

Wayne Dyer suggests that we “think from the end” when confronted with life’s challenges. Having embarked on the path of Living on the Spiritual Basis, we now know that at the “end” the solution for every difficulty or problem is God. We can turn to God at any point along the way, but the sooner the better. Think of it this way; wherever you travel there is the shortest, most direct route; any other path is taking the long way round. Sometimes when traveling the long way round is preferable, better scenery, more interesting sights, friends along the way, etc. When we are suffering however, this is never the case, yet it is exactly what most people do! Spiritually the long way round should be avoided like the plague, yet most dawdle along rehashing their story with anyone who will listen, engaging in angry recrimination while wallowing in morbid reflection. Only when we place our feet squarely on the path, raising our consciousness above the trouble by turning in prayer, resisting the temptation to outline for God the solution, seeking only the knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out do we triumph. God can and will solve all our problems and difficulties, if we will rely upon Him. Therefore, when troubled, take the road less traveled, thinking of God immediately, avoiding the “the long way round” of resentment, suffering, blame and morbid reflection.

A PRACTICAL DEMONSTRATION

“Study and research are well in their own time and place, but no amount of either will get you out of a concrete difficulty. Nothing but practical work in your own consciousness will do that.” (This next part is paramount since we probably are all guilty.) “The mistake made by many people, when things go wrong, is to skim through book after book, without getting anywhere” (Intention versus action).

Faith without works is dead. Fervent belief is fine as far as it goes, but nothing happens until action is engaged in. Until we demonstrate a consistent course of action nothing of consequence transpires in our consciousness to bring us to the desired safe harbor. We paddle in one direction for a time, then something catches our attention and we set off in another. Is it any wonder then that we never reach safety? Look to your book shelf, how many books are on it that when first read seemed to have the “answer”, yet there they sit, gathering dust. To be fair, they probably are fine works written by wonderful teachers, yet for one reason or another they did not carry the weight to elicit continual study and implementation.

Practical work in our own consciousness requires dedication and consistent effort. “Scientific prayer is the Golden Key to harmony and happiness.” What is scientific prayer? When faced with a difficulty of any kind, turn in prayer affirming everything you know to be true about God. Under no circumstance pray about the problem or difficulty! Instead we turn, in prayer, to focus our whole consciousness on God and our relationship with Him, for God is omnipotent, He already knows everything about your life, your problems, desires, hopes and fears and exactly what is needed. Our job is to get out of the way and trust in Him who has all knowledge and power, to stop focusing on the negative (the difficulty) and place our focus singularly on God (the solution). “Simple, but not easy.”

“It works, it really does. Try it.”

PRACTICING PRINCIPLES

Living on the Spiritual Basis we are directed to “practice these principles in all our affairs.” Few however take the time to consider the principles that they practice in their lives, yet we demonstrate what we believe everyday by our actions. If you were to inventory your principles, what would be on the list? Do you spend your time rehashing past events? Telling the same stories of hurt, missed opportunities, lost love and perceived injustice? Are you quick to correct anyone in earshot if they happen to be in “error” as you see it? Do you hold strong opinions on issues, ready to engage in verbal combat at the drop of an allusion, yet never bother to read or reflect on opposing views? Do you criticize and/or critique everyone and everything that crosses your path?

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

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

We cannot learn or demonstrate beyond where we are. A first year medical student would never be asked to perform heart surgery or the private to lead the army into battle. Always be gentle with yourself and place your reliance on God, turning to Him for inspiration and guidance in all things, the only requirement for continued growth is to stay willing and open-minded.

THE RIDE

Herbert Spencer said that substance is “that which is not subject to discord or decay”, that Spirit is substance, that Spirit cannot die and was never born, and that we are Spirit. Consider Buddhism, it teaches that what we see is illusion, impermanent, that Everything is Zen. If you have ever read or heard that, it probably didn’t really register as anything particularly useful. When I first heard it years ago I had the mental picture of a young Quy Chang Cain listening to his Master, that puzzled look on his face not understanding. Never have quite figured out why David Carradine was hired to play a part Chinese character when Bruce Lee was available, but I guess some mysteries are better left unsolved. Unlike Cain however I didn’t have the luxury of jump cutting to the present where all was revealed. Years and a lot of living (i.e. pain) were required before I found the Spiritual Basis for Living which provided the answers. To borrow from Chuck Chamberlain, now I have A New Pair of Glasses to view life with. Today, I know in my heart of hearts that I AM Spirit, eternal and that only the distorted vision resulting from my human limitations causes my fears and difficulties. That I AM here to learn as long as this flesh lasts and when it eventually fails, to take the lessons learned to the next destination wherever that may be, always moving forward in love and light. So struggle is pointless, everything really is Zen (God) and since no one gets out alive, we might as well enjoy the ride.

SILENCE

Many hold to the concept of God being individualized in each of us but without diminishing the whole. This is understandable, but wrong. Consider an apple pie. When you remove a piece, the whole is diminished by the size of the slice you have decided to enjoy, possibly alamode. The original apple pie and the slice are composed of exactly the same ingredients, in the same proportion, only the size different, the slice merely a smaller representation of the original. Soon others become aware of your pie experiment and the “whole” pie that began our lesson is now only represented by a crumb filled pie tin; the original portioned to the many, probably alamode.

When considering God many think of Him in this way because it is logical. Believing that God is so large He can break off pieces of Himself with out concern of ever becoming an empty tin. If this were true however regardless of how small the piece removed, the whole, like our apple pie, is still diminished. But, in truth, God is never diminished, cannot by His nature be diminished. He is as complete and whole today as a year, a thousand, ten thousand or a million years ago. So, if we are not only connected to God but His spark resides within each of us, what is God’s nature?

God is like silence. Cut silence in half and you have more silence. Cut it again, more silence. No matter how many times you try to portion it you only have more, the whole never diminished or changed. The Indwelling Presence is not a “portion” of God, but God himself and proof of our true divine selfhood. Consider an electric circuit. The electricity (God) is present through out the circuit (us) but we only “see” it when we flip the switch and the bulb (our Divine Mind) illuminates.

The life we live is like our pie; each day a little more gone until only the tin remains, no deposit required. Our true self, our soul, is like silence, never diminished, never proportioned always whole and eternal. We are not human beings in search of the miraculous, a spiritual awakening, we are spiritual beings experiencing the human condition. God, like electricity flows through us, always there, the bill always paid in full, just waiting for us to flip the switch and embrace enlightenment.

GOD IS INTELLIGENCE

Over the last 20 to 30 years science has made amazing strides and discoveries in Quantum Physics. We have learned that the most minuscule aspects of matter that we have observed, the component parts of the atom, move with intelligence, reacting to the observer, seemingly existing in two places at once. These particles comprise everything. Every star to every grain of sand on this planet and every other. The chair you are sitting in and the medium you are reading this on. You. Inside each of us are many trillions of these particles, all going about their business without consulting us at all. Ever consider the magnitude of a single trillion? If you couldn’t leave your house for 1 million seconds you would be stuck for about 11 and ½ days. A long time, but with a stocked fridge, cable and delivery take out doable. How about a billion seconds? Thirty one years six months and a few days. Some murders don’t get sentences that long. How about a trillion? Thirty one thousand seven hundred and ten years, give or take a couple. 31,710 years worth of seconds, considerably longer than modern man has existed.

So, everything is composed of intelligent matter, science tells us so. Is this matrix of all creation the mind of God? Gives one pause to wonder, does it not? We have been told that He is closer than hands and feet, that we should look within, not without for our spiritual connection. Looks like just maybe they had it right all along.

GOD’S LOVE

A main aspect of God is Love, not loving or bringing love but Love itself. When we express love we express our true essence, God. Think of how you feel when you express love or when love is expressed to you. In those moments we are in communion with God, in conscious contact. …God is love; and he that dwells in love dwells in God, and God in him (1 John 4:16). A bedrock truth of living is a sufficient expression of love will erase any problem or difficulty. “Where there is fear there cannot be love. The best way to rid yourself of fear is to realize divine Love” for “Divine love never fails…” Are not all of our problems fears based? Are we not driven by the fear that we will either not receive something we think we need or lose something we have? Isn’t worry just a five letter word for fear? If sick, will I recover, and if healthy, what if I get sick. If working, what if I lose my job, if looking for work, what if I cannot find any. If financially sound, what if my money is lost through no fault of my own and if lost, how will I ever get it back. You get the point. The Great Carpenter taught that we cannot serve two masters, so where we place our focus, regardless and sometimes in spite of current circumstances, is the key. Are we focusing on the fear (the world) or on the spiritual (God)? “To realize God as Love is the remedy for fear.” Though word plays typically make my teeth itch, this one has some value: FEAR-False Evidence Appearing Real. God is either everything or else He is nothing. No middle ground. The thoughts we entertain habitually will be expressed in our lives. The choice is ours. What will we express, fear or faith. Remember “Where there is fear there cannot be love.” That “There is no condition that enough Love will not heal.” By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one to another (John 13:35).

SPIRITUAL TRUTH

God is not just truthful or brings truth but is Absolute Truth itself. Once we begin living on the Spiritual Basis, God translates from the relative to the Absolute. He is either everything or else He is nothing, there remains no middle ground. The coffee shop chats and debates engaged in before opening our heart to Him who has all knowledge and power lose all significance. Having made the decision to turn our will and lives over to the care and direction of God, fear is supplanted by trust and faith. In the light of Absolute Truth we pause when doubtful “…and ask for the right thought or action. We constantly remind ourselves we are no longer running the show, humbly saying to ourselves many times each day Thy will be done.” To know the truth about any condition heals it, “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free” (John 8:32).

GOD EXPRESSES LIFE

“God is not just living, nor does God give life, but God is Life.” In his 1918 acceptance speech for the Nobel prize in physics Max Planck 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.” As we know today because of Quantum Physics, what Max Planck could only assume, we know to be true. That at the most minute level of existence the particles that comprise everything, animate and inanimate, demonstrate intelligence. So, by extension it is clear now that something is going on throughout all of existence. Is this the mind of God? Beats me, but it does give one pause to wonder.

On a more practical level, just as day follows night; “The body always expresses the thought; the thought of Life heals and inspires, whereas thoughts of fear and death contract and destroy.” Although everything is comprised of the same matrix, we alone choose where our consciousness will lie. Do I focus on love and service or fear? God or human limitation? Although comprised of the same matrix, the chair I am sitting in or the cat sleeping in the next room won’t be faced with that choice. Why? For unlike the chair or the cat we are literally the children of God, unique in all creation, our only real purpose to practice the Presence of God. Though comprised of the same matrix neither the cat or chair are concerned with the outside world. The chair has no consciousness, even though comprised of conscious energy, and the cat, though conscious expresses only what it is, a cat. Nothing happening at work or on the nightly news has ever kept a cat from getting a good nights sleep. Our task is too learn from the cat and express our true nature; Children of God practicing His presence in every aspect of our lives.

OUR PERCEPTIONS OF GOD

“Have you ever asked yourself the question: What is God like? We are told to pray by turning away from the problem and thinking about God; but how are we to think about God? What is His nature? What is His character? Where is He? Can we really contact Him, and if so, how?” Next time you are in church, take a moment and stand in the back so you can see all the heads of those in attendance. A lot gray and bald will greet your gaze. It makes sense, since when we were young we were indestructible and seemingly immortal. We knew in our heart that it wasn’t so, but we had time and would deal with that stuff later, much later. Regular church services are typically populated with the “it’s now later” crowd. Having possibly buried a parent or parents, a friend has passed of “natural” causes versus the unnatural ones of youth or doctors have become an unwelcome regular reality in their lives, they have started asking the questions and seeking the answers they put off for “later”, for later has arrived.

PERSIST

Never rest in your wholehearted commitment to live on the Spiritual Basis. Pray from the heart, expecting to receive. Stand fast in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds since with God all things are possible, nothing impossible. Miracles can and do happen, our prayers touching the indwelling power moving God Himself to act. Persist in the truth that we are all children of God, loved unconditionally, forgiven as soon as we ask. Know that we live in Grace, undeserved; but such is the depth and breadth of God’s Love. Persist in demonstrating His Love and Light, though trembling, in every area of life, for today we trust in God. When we make mistakes hold to the truth of His guidance and unwavering Love to set right any wrong and take us to better things, if our focus is singular. Trust I say in the indwelling power, the Lord and be free.

WANT RESULTS? PRAY

“There is only one way to make spiritual progress…prayer.” So the question is not what to do but how to do it. “If your intuitive nature is well developed, you will seldom need to use formal statements at all. This is excellent-for who will trouble to climb a ladder when he is strong enough to leap over the wall?” Living on the Spiritual Basis a constant conscious contact with God is the goal. However, few of us always feel the connection. This connection typically dims when we don’t see the camel’s nose (fear) slip under the tent flap (our consciousness) until it is too late. Since a camel has no reverse, once its head is in, it is coming in all the way. When staring the camel in the eye, relying on well used structured prayers are a life saver. The Lord’s Prayer, the powerful “Be still and know that I am God”, the Serenity prayer quickly come to mind. The one thing I would suggest, that always works, is keep it simple. God already knows what is in our heart and exactly what we need before we need it, so simple heart filled prayers have great power. “He constantly uses the old affirmations (prayers), but he stuffs them with fresh feeling every time.” Remember, God is always present for it is His nature. When we lose sight of Him it is because we closed our eyes, prayer restores our sight.

GYM THINK

The start of every year brings an influx of people into gyms. They have resolved to lose weight and get into shape, some for the first time; many repeat offenders. The desire is genuine, seeing themselves this coming summer strutting in their new bathing suit looking buff. What happens? After a few weeks (sometimes a very few) “stuff” begins to happen. Work ramps up. The kids start or resume an extra curricular activity that involves travel time and scheduling. The spouse is less than supportive in their activities or altered eating habits and the “discussions” about it are becoming at best tedious and at worst downright acrimonious. I’m sure you can add to the list. So with no real thought we give ourselves license to miss a session or two. The idea of everyone else eating pizza while we try to choke down one more Lean Cuisine becomes intolerable. Remember when you said, out loud, they tasted good? Soon the only remnants of the gym are the clothes in the back of the closet and that automatic deduction from the checking account every month, the buff strut a forgotten memory.

No matter how much time I spend working out, time and gravity assures that there are some areas that have reached the “no matter what you do it sags” stage. And when did the fact that I have to pee a little more frequently become the subject of a never ending barrage of TV commercials questioning the quality of my life? Let alone the ads for the couples sitting in those bathtubs OUTSIDE! dealing with the tragedy of one of those saggy bits I spoke of earlier. Remember: If this product does what it was designed to do for more than four hours, call your doctor. Our in my case an undertaker.

Because modes of thinking are contagious we allow the same things to happen in our spiritual life. We read a book or hear a speaker which energizes us and we vow to follow a new path. What happens? Gym Think. After a time the old manner, habits, of living reassert themselves and we drift back to where we started. Then a new book or teacher catches our attention and the cycle begins again. Break the cycle and BEGIN TODAY. The day will come for all, when this physical shell will fail, regardless of how many hours we spend working out and/or eating right. Remember Jim Fixx? But our essential nature, call it soul, cosmic conscious, feldercarb or whatever term appeals to you, is eternal. The work we do today stays with us forever. Decide today to place your feet on the path and let no later vicissitude shake your resolve. When Gym Think creeps in reject it by turning to God for strength and guidance. Just for today demonstrate prayer and meditation in your life, as if your life depended on it, for in fact it does. A twenty minute walk and a good multivitamin is OK to.

OUR CONSCIOUS CONTACT

The purpose of the 12 step process of enlightenment is to provide a path for establishing “a conscious contact with God” as a result of following a course of action.
A key aspect of this path is tolerance, for “We believe the realm of Heaven is roomy, all inclusive, never exclusive or forbidding.” Most who walk this path did not come to it out of virtue or a sincere desire to grow and change, but out of pain and suffering. They had reached a jumping off place, no longer willing to go on as they were, they were faced with the proposition of going on to the bitter end, blotting out the pain of existence any way they could or accept an entirely new way of life. Not easy alternatives to face. Ever been to skid row? If not, find a friend or two and go in the late afternoon or early evening. Though by no means all, many of those souls have taken the path of oblivion through drink and drugs. Ever been to an AA meeting? If not, call your area central office, they are in the book, and ask for the location of an open speakers meeting. You probably won’t identify with the speakers, but that is not the point of the trip. Look around the room; these are the same people you saw on skid row. The difference being they choose the road less traveled and have chosen to pursue a conscious contact with God.

The process of living embodied in the 12 steps requires work, commitment and a willingness few but the dying have. Many sadly will stumble, fear winning over faith. Skid row is the destination for a miniscule percentage of those lost to the disease of addiction, but like the tip of the iceberg, it is the part readily visible. Most who suffer do so behind closed doors for in truth “silk sheets or city streets, Park Avenue or park bench, we do not change until we surrender.” Surrender to what? A Power Greater Than Ourselves.

Skid row may be a physical destination in virtually every town or city, but the skid row of the mind can and does exist in even the most opulent locales. Without a conscious contact with God, what is the ultimate purpose of life? He who dies with the most toys still dies. The billionaire and the baker, freshly washed and cleaned, laid out side by side in death are equal in their possessions in the moment. The measure of a life, at the final tally, is not the love received, but that which was given away without strings or expectation. Look to your heart, have you surrendered? Are you willing to go to any lengths for a spiritual awakening? Seek first the Kingdom, and seek it within.

THE NATURE OF GOD

The Lord’s Prayer establishes the essential nature of God, that He is in truth our Father in the deepest, most profound respect. One of the promises realized by Living on the Spiritual Basis is “We will comprehend the word serenity and we will know peace.” True peace of soul brings healing, true place and opens us to understanding and learning utterly beyond what would normally be our present capacity. Even if we are weak, fearful, depressed, or believe these tidings could never come true for us, God will do for us what we cannot do for ourselves. Though trembling, our job is to stay in the action of prayer and meditation and to seek the face of our Father, relying on Him who has all knowledge and power. Simple, but not easy. To know that we are safe and protected, possibly as the very foundation of our world is shaking, is a tall order and is only possible with other worldly help and direction. For in truth, Living on the Spiritual Basis we are no longer of this world, we are in it, to learn and serve.

BROAD SHOULDERS

Having made the decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God; to embrace living on the Spiritual Basis, we now trust A Power Greater than Ourselves for direction and guidance in every area of life. Does this mean when afraid or in doubt we should sit quietly waiting to be moved by the Spirit? Possibly. I would be the last person to counsel against meditation or quiet prayer, however we must balance patience and action for “Faith without works is dead.” Part of the 11th Step in the 12 Step process for living directs: “As we go through the day we pause, when agitated or doubtful, and ask for the right thought or action. We constantly remind ourselves we are no longer running the show, humbly saying to ourselves many times each day ‘Thy will be done.’ We are then in much less danger of excitement, fear, anger, worry, self-pity, or foolish decisions. We become much more efficient. We do not tire so easily, for we are not burning up energy foolishly as we did when we were trying to arrange life to suit ourselves.” So go about your business as usual but with the knowledge that you have tapped an inner resource that will unerringly guide you. Additionally if you cannot remember the last time you said “Thy will be done” you have probably taken the running of your life back into your hands, placing the full weight of living on your shoulders. As wide and strong as our shoulders may be, God’s are infinitely wider and stronger and He wants to carry our burdens. Let Him. “Thy will be done.”

REBORN

The 3rd step in the 12 step path of enlightenment asks us “to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God’ with the proviso “as we understood Him.” This phrase is pivotal to the process, so the student must not take the easy way out. I have heard individuals refer to “God” as they understand Him as a doorknob, a tree, the ocean or some other nonsensical thing or object.

Nonsense: n. 1. That which is without good sense; meaningless or ridiculous language. 2. Things of no importance.

To believe that “God” can be anything relegates god to being nothing. “God is either everything or else He is nothing.” What is our choice to be? If you are struggling with the concept “of a Power greater than ourselves” you can start at a simpler level. To truly set ones feet on the path to living on the Spiritual Basis God must be at least this: Available, Intelligent and Loving and nothing less. Available: to live on the Spiritual Basis requires daily visits with God in prayer and meditation. How is this possible if He is far away, distant? Intelligent: He is the Creator. What more do you need to know? Loving: Here I would ask you to set aside any belief you may have of a vengeful or score keeper God. One of the keys to living on the Spiritual Basis is that “the realm of Heaven is roomy, all inclusive. Never exclusive or forbidding.” That God never brings trouble or sickness to our lives, that He loves us a thousand times more than we love our own children and I love my children a lot. Additionally God doesn’t keep a tally sheet. We do. Everything we have ever done or said is written on our heart and is and always has been an open book to Him who has all knowledge and power; yet because He loves us unconditionally we are forgiven as soon as we ask. If we could only forgive ourselves so readily think how much trouble we could avoid. So, if you are struggling, start at a simpler level and God will heal what AIL’s you.

PLACE YOUR BURDENS ON GOD

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

TAPPING CREATION

The Power within is nothing less than the Power of Creation, God, “The Indwelling Power, the inner Light.” But how to contact that Power? The 12 step process for living not only provides clear-cut directions on how to contact that Power but how to establish and maintain a conscious contact with the “inner Light.” It begins when we can say, “Do I now believe, or am I even willing to believe, that there is a Power greater than myself?” Upon this simple foundation, a wonderful road map for living begins to unfold. On page 45 of Alcoholics Anonymous, we find the following statements: “We had to find a power by which we could live and it had to be a Power greater than ourselves.” “But where and how were we to find this Power?” “Well that’s exactly what this book is about. Its main object is to enable you to find a Power greater than yourself that will solve (all) your problem(s).” To be clear, though there are many ways to achieve enlightenment, this path is well trod, its directions straightforward (simple but not easy) and results readily apparent if we are willing to follow directions. Though this path was first delineated in the book Alcoholics Anonymous, the process will work for anyone, regardless of present circumstances, for “Alcohol is but a symptom of a deeper underlying problem, the bottle but a symbol” for “Lack of power, that was our dilemma” a universal truth.

The First Five Steps and Related Teachings

Songs by VelcroHoudini, Citizen of ACIDplanet.com

Spoken word renditions of the first five steps and related teachings.

TRANSFORMATION

HAPPY NEW YEAR

The final day of the diet. Congratulations. You made it. File this tool away and bring it out anytime you feel a little spiritual boot camp is in order. Now you can share the experience with anyone you believe would profit from it.

The diet has put you in touch with the Primal Power of Being. This power is what changes us. It is the motive force behind everything. It is no less than our connection, at the most basic and profound level, to the creative life force that permeates everything and everyone. That power is God.

YOUR DEDICATION

Day 6 of the diet: Hang in there, only 1 more day to go. Then again, you may be experiencing such profound changes in your outlook that you desire more. Today’s teaching is on love and its power, its ability to change us at the core and the unique availability of love. Love is always available, if we are willing to take action. As we have learned, Faith without works is dead, and just as faith, love requires action. You must build up “by faithful daily exercise the true Love Consciousness.” This is a key ingredient in your daily diet since “Love and tolerance of others is our code.”

The path of enlightenment requires work, effort on our part. We start our day by “asking each morning in meditation that our creator show us the way of patience, tolerance, kindliness and love.” Do you start your day with meditation? No? Why not? Would you try to make a cake without flour? Drive your car missing a tire? Of course not. Meditation is an integral part of living on the Spiritual Basis. If you are not meditating daily, start at a simple level. Find a quiet place where you will be undisturbed for a few minutes. Take 2 or 3 deep breaths slowly exhaling. With eyes closed, consider what patience, tolerance, kindliness and love mean to you. Your mind will begin to visualize images, do not fight them or try to control them. In your minds dialogue stay focused on the task at hand. When your mind wanders gently bring it back. When it wanders again end your session and thank God for knowing Him better. What could be easier? Limit your sessions to 10 to 15 minutes. This is sufficient to start the day and we can all find this amount of time if we are willing. Of course if you have the time and are moved to longer sessions, then do.

THE PATH OF LOVE

Day 5 of the diet: …God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him (1 John 4:16). Today, attempt to greet everyone, and view everything through the prism of love. This begins by greeting all with a smile. You will not do this perfectly, no one but a saint could, the purpose is to be aware of love, experience the truly limitless capacity we have for it, to both give and receive. Observe how those whom you meet respond when you greet them with love and how your thoughts are altered when a situation or a bit of news is viewed through the prism of love. Remember, do not tell anyone you are on a diet. The path of love is the straight gate and the shortest way to the great Goal, to live on the Spiritual Basis one day at a time for eternity.

DEALING WITH THE NEGATIVE

Day 4 of the 7 day mental diet: Consider the analogy: “A man is sitting by an open fire when a red hot cinder flies out and falls on his sleeve. If he blows that cinder off at once, without a moment’s delay to think about it, no harm is done. However, if he allows it to rest for even a single moment, under any pretense, the mischief is done, and it will be a troublesome task to repair that sleeve. So it is with negative thought.” Simply stated we have no control over the thoughts that float through our minds or are given us by others but we choose how to address those thoughts. Living on the Spiritual Basis the path is clear: When we turn immediately to God in prayer as soon as we become aware of the negative thought, regardless of its source, we remain unharmed, our sleeves hole free. We avoid the trap of morbid reflection by trying to figure out or understand why a particular thought crossed our mind; we just take the necessary action to address it. In time, this will become second nature.

By this this point in the diet you are probably experiencing some difficulties, it may seem that everything is seemingly going sideways, you have more trouble now than when you started the diet. Outstanding! You have shaken your world at its bedrock and when the shaking stops, a new and much stronger foundation will be in place. Stay the course and under no circumstance discuss what you are doing with anyone. Onwards through the fog.

WATCH AND WORK

Day 3: Having fun yet? The diet maybe simple, but it certainly is not easy. Continue to be vigilant, watching for morbid reflection, negative or destructive thinking. When you find your thoughts drifting into any of these areas stop immediately and supplant them with a positive thought and action if possible. As you are beginning to discover, this is a strenuous effort and few would be able to do this for more than seven days so take heart. The dividends you will receive are worth the effort. Consider every other diet you have ever been on, how cool would it be to drop that holiday weight in a week? Keep in focus the reason for this diet: to be aware and to learn to plant only positive, constructive, optimistic and kind thoughts in the garden of our thoughts; watered with the love and guidance of God. Shhhh…remember don’t tell anyone you are on a diet. Follow this advice as well if you are considering starting the other kind of diet or exercise program and your odds of success will increase exponentially.

TRAINING YOUR THOUGHTS

Day 2 of Diet: If you are still considering whether to attempt this diet, take a moment in quiet contemplation and ask yourself why? What is there to be afraid of? This contemplation alone is worth the price of admission, but always be gentle with yourself, avoiding morbid reflection at all costs.

If you began the diet yesterday, today choose the subjects you will entertain in your consciousness. Measure the emotional tone, being aware at all times of what you are thinking and how it is affecting you. Now for some good news, no one does this perfectly. When you become aware that your thoughts have wandered, and they will, ask yourself quietly why you drifted into that thought and how it affected you emotionally. Often these will just be random thoughts triggered by a scent, a word or phrase or any of the multitudes of sensory inputs we experience daily, so do not give into paralysis by analysis. Remember, often a cloudy day is just a cloudy day, nothing more. If you find that perhaps there is more to it and you cannot take a moment now, briefly note the thought and when you have the time, reflect on it in gentle contemplation. There is a rule here that must be obeyed. The rule is we are never to struggle or engage in negative appraisal of these random thoughts. We simply observe what floats through our mind as dispassionately as we can; this is not an exercise in judging, only in observing and noting affects.

Bill and Lois' Christmas Message, 1944

TO ALL MEMBERS:

Greetings On Our 10th Christmas 1944

Yes, it's in the air! The spirit of Christmas once more warms this poor
distraught world. Over the whole globe millions are looking forward to that
one day when strife can be forgotten, when it will be remembered that all
human beings, even the least are loved by God, when men will hope for the
coming of the Prince of Peace as they never hoped before.

But there is another world which is not poor. Neither is it distraught. It
is the world of Alcoholics Anonymous, where thousands dwell happily and
secure. Secure because each of us, in his own way, knows a greater power who
is love, who is just, and who can be trusted.

Nor can men and women of AA ever forget that only through suffering did they
find enough humility to enter the portals of that New World.

How privileged we are to understand so well the divine paradox

. that strength rises from weakness,

. that humiliation goes before resurrection;

. that pain is not only the price but the very touchstone of
spiritual rebirth.

Knowing it's full worth and purpose, we can no longer fear adversity, we
have found prosperity where there was poverty, peace and joy have sprung out
of the very midst of chaos.

Great indeed, our blessings!

And so -- Merry Christmas to you all -- from the Trustees, from Bobbie and
from Lois and me.

Bill Wilson

Tip of the hat to AJ.

BLESSING AND CURSING

“Bless a thing and it will bless you. Curse it and it will curse you.” Regardless of circumstances in your life, bless all and remember the reason for the day. If there is anyone or anything in your life that is difficult, stop in this moment and say a blessing. And mean it. By doing this the difficulty will lessen, its power evaporates. You are free. See Christ in all you meet today, saluting the Christ within them and within you. You are free. His birth brings the good tidings, His death and resurrection the promise of life eternal. Rejoice and celebrate Christmas in prayer by having a personal merry Christ Mass. Noel.

VITAL FAITH

Possibly the hardest spiritual direction of all is “to be still.” We have done all the indicated work regarding a difficulty or trouble that has come into our lives. The prayers have been said. Forgiveness asked for and freely given. Meditations on receiving strength and direction accomplished. Now what? “Be still, and know that I am God” and “Wait on the Lord: be of courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait I say, on the Lord.” What an order. As someone new to the path said to me years ago in all seriousness: “I need patience and I need it right now.” As my laughter died down the thought crossed my mind, me too.

THE LOST COROT*

Our consciousness is unsullied at birth; we are pure in spirit, our Divine connection immaculate. As we age and mature, our consciousness becomes layered with false beliefs in limitation, sin, sickness and inharmony, covering our original perfection. Just as the lucky flea market shopper who stumbles across a treasure under layers of paint, we discover the Higher Truth; we peel back the layers, scraping away bit by bit the false paths of fear, limitation, selfishness and unrighteous judgment. Often it feels as if this is a task beyond mortal man, and in fact, it is. Only a power greater than ourselves, God, provides not only the direction and guidance but also the needed strength to accomplish this seemingly impossible task. The good news is we only need to accomplish what can be done in a day. The story is told of the mason working on an intricate tile floor in a cathedral. A visitor marveled at the work that had been done but was overwhelmed by the immensity of the area still left to be tiled. When they asked the mason how he could do it, he replied, “I know about how much I can do in a day, so I mark out that much and don’t concern myself with the rest.” We employ prayer and meditation in the same way, addressing what is before us today, leaving tomorrow to take care of itself. Besides, what else do have to do that is more important?


*Camille Corot (1796-1875) was probably the painter the most copied during the 19th century not only by imitators but also by talented artists..
It is still possible to rediscover lost works by Corot nowadays but most newly discovered works on the market are fakes. In fact, since the death of Alfred Robaut, an artist who produced the catalogue raisonné of Corot's paintings and drawings there have been some 10,000 recorded fakes in the world.

YOUR OWN VALUATION

Living on the Spiritual Basis requires rigorous honesty. Ever tell a “fish” story? You know the voice, the one that adds a few inches to or the number of fish caught. It can kick in when we are talking about anything really, job, investments, kids, grand-kids, accomplishments from our “glory” days, etc. Usually the embellishment is small in nature and if we stretch logic, (kinda like stepping on a fish to make it legal) we can sell it to ourselves but we know in our heart of hearts that we are being a little less than truthful. We couch it in “it is no big deal, everybody does it” so we let it pass. As a wise man once said: “The first liar never stands a chance.” The most troubling part is that it is a truly pointless exercise. Whom am I trying to impress? Someone that popped into my life and will just as quickly leave? God? He knows the truth. Myself? I know the truth as well. On the cosmic scale these are small offenses and forgiven as soon as we ask, but troubling nonetheless. Though not really a big deal in the over all scheme of enlightenment, they still make us cringe when one sneaks out due to inattention. So just for today, be diligent and if one does sneak out stop and clear it up immediately. After having taken this action a few times, our attention sharpens remarkably.

Finally, the main crux of today’s lesson is that we demonstrate what we believe. In truth, I think we all value ourselves as something less than divine, the expression of a loving God, which in truth and fact we are. So, just for today, thank God for knowing Him better and take a few minutes in meditation to focus on your true nature, your real true nature: that you are loved beyond measure, that nothing but the direct action of God can truly touch you and that God brings only good to your life, that you are a divine being, eternal, connected to and an extension of all creation. Amen.

STOP LIMITING GOD

“When you pray you are turning to the power of God and surely you will admit that God is omnipotent, and therefore nothing can be too difficult, or too late, or too soon for Him.” “Infinite Wisdom knows a beautiful and joyous solution to any dilemma. Do not limit the power of God for good in your life.” God is never limited, only OUR perception is limited. God is the true and only source, His abundance greater than all the water in all the oceans. Standing at the shore of spiritual abundance, how big is the vessel you brought to fill with his abundance? A thimble? A cup? A bucket? A tanker truck with an infinite sized tank? The size of our vessel is determined by the limit we choose. Remember, He wants us to partake fully of His abundance since we are His children and in truth His abundance is our abundance; all limitation false, constructed by us out of fear. So discard that thimble today and fire up the tanker truck.

LIFE IS LIKE THAT

Today’s teaching revolves around the 4th step of the 12-step process of spiritual awakening first delineated in the book Alcoholics Anonymous over 70 years ago. The 4th step of the 12-step process concerns the personal inventory. In this step, we get down to the causes and conditions of the things that have been driving us or in today’s recovery medicine vernacular: triggers. “We are driven by a hundred forms of fear…” pg 62 Alcoholics Anonymous. The purpose behind this step is to finally and forever show that behind every circumstance and condition, every hard feeling and resentment are two constants. First that we bear some responsibility in everything that has transpired in our life, when choice was involved, and second that every bad choice or decision was based in some way on fear, the fear that we would either not receive something we believed we deserved or needed or that we would lose something we had. Relationships: I will never find the right one/what if they leave; Money: I will never have enough/what if I lose what I have; Health: I will never feel good/what if I get sick, etc, etc. Once we identify what has been holding us back and apply spiritual principles to those conditions/symptoms we begin to experience true freedom. “…we learn that by beating the symptoms spiritually (not, of course, covering up symptoms, but beating them) the fear or false suggestion that caused the symptom disappears too, and the patient is free.” Simple but not easy. A price has to be paid, and that price is the surrendering of self.

THE DEVIL’S LAST STAND

“It is not when things are going well that we make our progress. It is not even when things are going wrong and yet we feel sure that we can handle them with prayer, that we advance. It is when, smitten by the temptation to discouragement or even despair, we yet stand for what we know is the Truth.” Forgive my language but an expletive is required. A wise man said to me years ago “there will be days when in pain, seemingly at wits end when you are going to look around and say WHAT THE F%&# GOD!” We have been working diligently, doing all that is indicated and yet life has gone sideways. Prayers seem to be falling on deaf ears and meditating has lost its savor. We begin to embrace negative analysis and wallow in morbid reflection. Everything is turning from light to dark. We begin to ask, “What’s the point?” We placed our trust in God and He has seemingly abandoned us at the worst possible moment. These times are always fed by a loss of perspective. We forget that we are eternal, that this is just one day in a very long existence, that we are living in eternity now. Dwelling on the false belief that this time nothing will change, that the dark will only become darker and we are adrift, alone and unloved. Perhaps even so far as to entertain doubts about even the existence of God and all the destructive thinking that this path leads to.

When that moment grips us, we redouble our efforts. How? By the simple recitation of possibly the most powerful prayer in the Bible: Be still and know that I am God. And wait. What an order. The times when the only action is non-action and allowing God to work are the hardest. When we find ourselves in the devil’s last ditch, having a WTFG moment we should rejoice in our good fortune. (It would be less than honest of me to say that I have the “rejoice” part down as of yet.) Today when I feel discouragement and despair creeping into my consciousness I do stop, sometimes quickly sometimes slowly, and repeat the prayer. And wait. Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord. (Psalm 27:14) and Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him (Job 13:15). Simple, but not easy.

LOSING INTEREST IN OUTER THINGS?

Living on the Spiritual Basis our points of reference, the things that used to interest us alters. Typically, this happens with little or no thought on our part. As children, we never sat down one day and decided it was time to stop playing Tonka toys, dolls, army or dress up. The last time we played hide and seek as children just happened. We didn’t plan it or think it through, we just didn’t play again. If we take a moment in contemplation, many things can be found that we just stopped doing, without any thought or consideration on our part. Call it growing up or maturing, the same thing happens spiritually, with an important difference: everyone ages and leaves behind their childhood; spiritual growth requires effort on our part. Once we have chosen to place our feet on the path of enlightenment, consistency in action is necessary. If we are consistent things like gossip, character assassination, selfish and self-centeredness melt away for we are translating from the secular to the spiritual in thought and deed. This has happened without a conscious plan on our part but by demonstrating a higher consciousness by our actions. Just as our interest turned from hide and seek in course so does our interest in the spiritually retarding.

“Until you find your true place in life, however, you will never be really happy, no matter how much money or distinction you may acquire; and until you are happy, you will be neither healthy nor free.”

Our true place, all of ours, is to stand in the light of God’s love, guidance, tolerance and peace. By treating all we meet along the path of our lives in the manner we wish to be treated in, the world changes. When we salute the innate spark of the Divine in all, regardless of how disagreeable we may find them, the world improves. Love cannot grow in hate. Peace cannot be found in a raised hand. Meeting of minds never comes from a bullhorn. Condescension never gives rise to understanding. The path has been clear for two thousand years, has not enough time, enough failed demonstrations of personal and collective selfishness shown the futility of business as usual? Pray for humanity to put aside its toys and childish ways and embrace our true place, as children of peace, kindness and joy united in Spirit, no one beyond the pale, no one left behind.

-AND BELIEVE IT

“Half measures avail us nothing.” Recently the world changed, well recent in a generational sense. It happened over the last 60 years. Once upon a time we taught our children to strive to be the best, to excel, to play hard, keep score and that bumps and scrapes and bruises and winning and losing were all part of growing up and life. When they ran home with a bloody knee or elbow, they received a spray of Bactine, a band-aid, and a pat on the butt and were sent back out to play. If Johnny who lived down the street bloodied their nose, Dad would give them a pep talk and a boxing lesson. If they screwed up at school a swat from “old hickory” or some such named paddle was delivered, picking up trash or some other supposed demeaning task given to punctuate their malfeasance, parents notified only if they were repeat offenders. God was prevalent everywhere, from the pledge of allegiance recited at the start of every school day to singing Christmas carols and making manger scenes in every grade school class room.

Today a bloody knee, elbow, or nose could lead to a trip to the plastic surgeon and an immediate call to an attorney to assign blame and seek compensation for emotional tumult and future therapy needs, fighting requiring a police report. Have you been to a playground lately? No swings, no bars to do “death drops” from, no jungle gyms or teeter-totters, grass and dirt replaced with specially formulated cushioning sand and rubber mats. No one fails in school anymore, it being more important to “try” than succeed. Even scores for sporting contests have been discontinued in some locals because it is more important to participate than to have winners and losers, God forbid. Oops, sorry, using the G word or saying “Merry Christmas” may upset or offend someone so that is frowned on and do not even suggest singing any of the great Christmas songs like Silent Night, too religious dontcha know.

If you agree with way the world is turning in regards to personal responsibility, wrapping children in “cotton” in a attempt to shield them from life’s inevitable ups, downs, bruises, cuts, failures and successes, the removing of God and Spiritual Guidance from being mentioned in any public way, than please, have a wonderful day and stop reading. No Really. Stop.

God is either everything or else He is nothing-period. There is no middle ground. When we believe in nothing then we will believe in anything, all that matters is feelings. Actions have no consequence, so long as I feel good about myself. Living on the Spiritual Basis provides a foundation built on unshakable rock, faith and belief in a Power Greater than Ourselves. Think of God. Review some of the things that you know to be true about Him-His perfect goodness, infinite intelligence, all presence, limitless power, unbound love, and so forth. Claim that God who is all those things, is with you-and believe it. God is either everything or else He is nothing-choose wisely. Oh, and Merry Christmas.

MAKE IT WORK

A few years ago, a show aired chronicling the Dalai Lama. Part of the broadcast consisted of a number of “famous” people relating the effect the Dalai Lama had had on their lives. One interviewee was a well-known hard partying lead singer of a famous rock band. He related how the Dalai Lama had greeted him by name, making him feel truly welcome and though he had only a few minute meet and greet scheduled, the Dalai Lama spent hours chatting with him. Much moved, eyes glistened with tears, he spoke of how life changing the meeting had been, how he had been touched at a deep spiritual level, profoundly altered. His segment ended somewhat curiously with his recounting on how he had been clean and sober for some months at the time of meeting the Dalai Lama, but shortly afterward he was strung out on Heroin again, the look in his eyes now one of bafflement. What happened? “Knowledge that you do not actually use is only intellectual knowledge and is barren, and even fades out in time through lack of use.” For “Faith without works is dead” and “To be vital, faith must be accompanied by self sacrifice and unselfish, constructive action” since “Self knowledge avails us nothing” Alcoholics Anonymous. All the spiritual knowledge in the world is of little use if we fail to demonstrate it in our life. The longest eighteen inches in the world lies between the head and heart. What is in the mind is potential, what we demonstrate is reality. Though this singer had every advantage life can provide, money, fame, connections, even learning at the feet of a world-renowned spiritual teacher, he failed to demonstrate what he craved most, sobriety. “It is far better to have a thimbleful of spiritual knowledge and use it than to have a whole mountain of correct spiritual doctrine most of which you have never made work.” Just for today, practice patience, tolerance, kindness and love to the best of your current ability, for the best sermons are delivered with our hands and feet.

YOU CANNOT HAVE BOTH

You cannot have peace of mind and engage in gossip.

You cannot have tranquility and be harried.

You cannot have love and practice hatred.

You cannot have spiritual growth and believe in any limitation.

You cannot have spiritual abundance and a hoarding mentality.

You cannot have a good reputation and engage in character assassination.

You cannot have joy and harbor resentment.

IS THAT YOUR HAT?

Often well-intentioned folks will admonish knowingly “be careful what you pray for, you may get it.” The comment is generally followed with knowing nods and nervous laughter from those within earshot. Let’s step back and think this through. The first question that must be asked is; what do we believe? If we believe that God would answer any prayer with something harmful, what does that say of God? To believe that God punishes us for any reason when we go to Him in prayer is to reject the true nature of God, all knowing, all-powerful and all loving. As the carpenter taught, you cannot get sweet and bitter water from the same well. Additionally some have stated that all prayers are answered just sometimes the answer is no. This also denies the true nature of God, for God is always in the affirmative, never in the negative.

We have all said prayers that seemingly were not answered. The reason for this is simple: “We often pray for things for which we are not really prepared; but if we pray scientifically this will not matter, since Creative intelligence will send us the thing that we really need” Emmet Fox. So clearly a loving, all powerful, all knowing God provides what we need, the perfect hat, but our outlining of what we perceive we need or what the answer should look like, a different hat, that causes us difficulty. Consider the parable of the lost man: A man is lost in the arctic. He prays to God for rescue. As if on queue, a trapper appears and offers to lead the man out. He replies, “Thanks, but I have prayed and God will rescue me” the trapper, shaking his head continues on his way. Some time passes and a man on a snowmobile arrives and offers the man a ride out. Again he replies “Thanks, but I have prayed and God will rescue me” stunned, he drives away. As night begins to fall a helicopter appears and the pilot calls down over his loudspeaker “A hunter and snowmobile rider reported you were stranded out here” begging the man to get on board, for when night falls he will freeze to death. The man remains steadfast in his belief, the helicopter pilot reluctantly turns his craft and disappears in the distance, his heart sick for he knows the man‘s fate is sealed. The sun sets and in short order the man finds himself standing before God. Incredulous he asks God “Where were you? I prayed and you never came.” God, in a quiet voice with a tear in his eye responded “Of course I came. I sent a trapper, a snowmobile and a helicopter to rescue you.”

Often we already have the right hat (demonstration) in our possession, unable to recognize it for we have outlined a different solution, a hat we are ill-prepared to wear. Perhaps an inventory of hats is in order? Just a suggestion.

PRACTICE MAKES REAL

Consistent effort and practice is required if we wish to demonstrate spiritually. Mere mental assent has little lasting affect unless it is coupled with effort. “Faith without works is dead.” Thinking about exercise or dieting accomplishes little without taking the required action. Change happens when we put into action what we have learned. Are you following a consistent set of spiritual directions that you practice religiously?
The 12-step process for living that was penned in the late 1930’s employs basic spiritual principles, thousands of years old and found in virtually every denomination, laid out in simple straightforward terms. Although the 12 steps have been associated, rightfully so, with recovery from alcoholism, the steps are a blueprint for living that will work in anyone’s life. When reimagined for all, they provide a clear-cut set of directions for establishing and maintaining a conscious contact with God. To what lengths are you willing to go to have a spiritual awakening?


1. Came to believe that we are powerless over life, that life is ultimately unmanageable, that we require help and guidance.

2. Came to believe that reliance on a Power Greater than Ourselves could and would bring sense and peace to our lives.

3. Made the decision to turn our will and our life over to the care of a Power Greater than Ourselves, as you understand it. That power shall be called *God.

4. Made a fearless and searching moral inventory of our life, leaving nothing out.

5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another person who is unaffected by the items in our inventory, the exact nature of our wrongs.

6. Seeing the ultimate futility and spiritually fatal nature of our defects of character, we become ready to have God remove them.

7. Humbly asked God to remove our defects of character, root and branch.

8. From our inventory we make a list of all we have harmed and become willing to make amends to all.

9. We make direct amends to all, except if in making those amends we cause more harm. Consult with a spiritual adviser before making any amends.

10. Take daily inventory of our life, sweeping the path daily of new mistakes.

11. Seek through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, as you understand Him, praying for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.

12. Having had a Spiritual awakening as the result of this course of action, carry this message to all, gently demonstrating the principles we now embrace in every area of our life.

*God as you understand Him. For the steps to work God must meet a simple foundational criterion from which we can build. God must be: Available, Intelligent and Loving. Available: God must be available or what point is there to prayer? Intelligent: The creative force at the heart of everything? How could God be anything but the epitome of intelligence. Loving: If God is unloving, then what is the point to life? To begin you do not have to accept these things at face value, but we must be willing to believe that just maybe they are possible. We became willing to be willing to believe. From this bedrock, a wonderful spiritual experience can begin that will not only transform our lives, but all whose lives we touch. “Let there be Peace, and let it begin with me.” One day at a time. Copyright 2009

THE UNFORGIVABLE SIN

“There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance-that principle is contempt prior to investigation” Herbert Spencer. Once we have decided that we have all the answers when it comes to God and spiritual matters, we close ourselves off from the inspiration of the spirit, embracing the bondage of self. To be clear, no sin is unforgivable in God’s eye. Being close-minded is our unforgivable sin, we close and lock the door, God doesn‘t do it. The door flies back open as soon as we open our mind. Having an open mind does not necessarily lead to agreement or the changing of a point of view or belief, just the willingness to examine honestly. Additionally being close-minded leads to the path of condemnation, which is soul poison. Forming opinions and beliefs using knowledge, experience and accrued wisdom is natural; however, sacred cows can be deadly. Being unmovable on the sports teams we root for, movie types we will or will not see or the decision not try certain types of food may limit our life experiences but in closing our mind to spiritual concepts we run the risk of shutting ourselves off from the sunlight of the Spirit, to slowly wither away mesmerized by the cadence of hoofs, warmed by the fires of resentment and condemnation. “We found that God does not make too hard terms with those who seek Him. To us, the Realm of Spirit is broad, roomy, all-inclusive, never exclusive or forbidding to those who earnestly seek. It is open, we believe, to all men.”