Working Anonymously

We have all had “miracles” happen in our lives. That time we needed money and the phone rang or a letter arrived and source was provided. We were thinking about someone and the phone rang and it was either them or someone who knew of them, bringing unprompted news or we turned a corner and there they were. We find ourselves facing a difficulty and it either fades away or turns into something positive.

Are these occurrences “an answer to a prayer” or simply “coincidence?” It matters little, for Coincidence is just God working anonymously. Perhaps the most difficult part of this is why sometimes it happens and other times not. Those times when the person remained an enigma or that which we deemed needed did not appear, a prayer request seemingly ignored. In looking back on my life, inventorying the past with raised consciousness, many of the things I thought I needed in the moment turned out to be the last thing I needed, had I received them, my spiritual development would have been delayed or even derailed. As our consciousness rises, our spiritual vision corrects and clears, however even with corrected vision, some questions are beyond our sight, remaining unfathomable at this time. Why does one child miraculously recover and another succumb? Or someone who worked hard all their lives, played by all of society’s rules and find all they worked for gone? I don’t know. Questions only addressed when this flesh fails and we are launched into eternity will the answers become known.

In Faith and Truth, God only brings good, He does not, cannot bring suffering or strife.  Today my spiritual vision is longer and clearer than yesterday, if you prayed and meditated today so is yours. We see the world through a new pair of glasses, our understanding broadened, our empathy revealed, the path illuminated. Even so, I still have no good answers in the moment for those experiencing seemingly inexplicable calamity, only a shoulder, a quiet ear and a silent prayer. Perhaps that is the answer after all. 

Our Cup Of Poison

Forgiveness is the key, to everything. Until we understand this, carve it into our heart, no real lasting progress can ever be made. When we think about it logically this makes perfect sense. Have you ever prayed and then wondered why you did not demonstrate? In order to fully demonstrate we must be free of self-condemnation and remorse, forgiving ourselves, which happens only after we have fully forgiven others, ridding ourselves of all resentment and condemnation toward them. Though repeated ad nauseum, this truth cannot be repeated enough: “simple but not easy, a price has to be paid. That price is the surrendering of self.” Search your heart, in the secret place of your consciousness is there any “justified” anger or an old resentment lurking that you feel is warranted for any reason? If so perform an act of forgiveness and mean it. If for any reason we cannot do this, by holding on to old hurts, real and imagined we are essentially raising a cup of poison to our lips, believing that by drinking it we are punishing those we hate/resent. We must put down the cup and forgive today, for our sake.

No Longer My Job

 There is a part of me, and I’m pretty sure you have it too, that keeps score, chiming in with its own sense of justice. When someone does something unthinking or illegal while driving the thought pops up “where is a cop when you need one” or something bad happens to someone we think deserves it and “serves them right” or “they deserved that” crosses our mind. In the same vain occasionally we think we know what’s best and actually wish something bad (serves’em right dontcha know) to befall someone are all examples of self centered thinking, thinking that retards our spiritual growth. It does not matter whether or not the offender rightly deserves to be punished, we can never engage in negative prayer or wishful negative thinking, for to do so invites resentment and morbid reflection to take up residence in our heart.

Every day is a day when we must carry the vision of God’s will into all our activities, thy will, not mine be done.

It would be less than honest of me not to acknowledge that when I have been cut off or watched someone do something stupid behind the wheel only to see flashing lights appear, the voice in my mind (sometimes out loud) chimes in with “ALRIGHT”  and when bad things happen to bad people, my first thought is often not of forgiveness. The wild justice of the carnal mind that the Old Testament addresses is alive and well in most of us, certainly in me. So, just for today I will ask for God’s help to pray rightly, to pray that the person driving selfishly arrives safely as well as all whose path they cross, to leave justice to God and ask to be shown the way of patience, tolerance, kindliness and love, that I stay out of the retribution business, remembering that all are connected in Spirit, that there is a little bit of bad in the best of us and a little bit of good in the worst and it is no longer my job to measure it.

My True Face

One of the keys to freedom in life is when we finally understand that all sin is rooted in selfishness, born of thinking that we can show the world one face while hiding our true feelings and motives. Somehow we convince ourselves that our thoughts are separate from God, that He does not know what we are thinking, that only when I speak or act will He be aware or even pay attention. In light of what we have learned about the Presence of God, this thinking is weak at best and downright delusional at its worst. The natural outcome of this thought process is to shut us off from the sunlight of the spirit as surely as burying our head in the sand cuts us off from sunlight.

I need to get a little personal here, so please forgive me. When this truth hit me, it sent me into a tail spin. All those things that I thought I had so neatly hid from God, in truth had been always open to Him. Fortunately I was saved, though new to the path at the time I had learned enough to know that I would be forgiven as soon as I asked, that the only unforgivable sin is to turn ones back on God and deny Him, and that sin is erased as soon as we turn to Him with an open mind and heart. As the truth and import of this rolled over me I found myself on my knees, asking God to remove from me my illusions that there is anything about me that He does not know or is separate from Him.

This marked the point in my life when “forgive us our trespasses” from the Lord’s Prayer became known to me in my heart. I began to accept His forgiveness in my life that day and the process of understanding how important it is to truly forgive others began and though this happened years ago, its lesson is as fresh today as then. Shalom.

Spiritual Savings and Loan

Lamentably many hold to the false idea that we can save up spiritual good will that can be drawn on later to get through some future difficulty. For the life of me I cannot find a branch of that spiritual bank in my neighborhood. When pressed on who opened this bank and what’s required to open an account, the usual response is “God and prayer.” When it is pointed out that this runs contrary to the Lord’s Prayer, where we pray for our “daily bread”, most freeze up in much the same way my computer does when I click on too many windows. To be clear: Prayer has power, but we negate the power of them when we pray one way but fail to hold in our heart the essence of the prayer. To pray the Lord’s Prayer but believe that somewhere, somehow we can save up for ourselves spiritually to address future problems strips all meaning from the prayer. If we hold to the belief that we have some form of spiritual savings account, then “daily bread” is unnecessary so why ask for it? The Old Testament first taught this truth when God provided manna for those following Moses out of Egypt. Those wandering in the wilderness were told that heaven would provide for their daily needs but on no account were they to save or horde it for what was dynamic today would turn inedible, even poisonous tomorrow. Having been honest, selfless, loving and forthright yesterday means little if today we are dishonest, selfish, hateful or devious. Living on yesterday’s demonstrations; even though they provide valuable experience, leads to futility and failure. Today is the day to demonstrate God’s presence, in so doing we receive Our Daily Bread.

Claiming Our Daily Bread

 “The longest 18 inches lies between our head and our heart.”  So many speak of God and spiritual principles with intellectual assent believing that talking about the Presence of God is akin to practicing it. This is like believing that looking at a meal, discussing it, dissecting it intellectually is the same thing as eating it. Clearly no stomach has ever been filled looking at or talking about food, just as an intellectual understanding of God has never answered a single prayer. “When the heart speaks the heart listens.” No one can eat a meal for us.  No one can practice the Presence of God in our life for us. God is not a concept, an aspect to be discussed politely with little or no feeling or personal commitment. To “Claim our daily bread” God cannot be intellectual, but must become practical.

Daily Bread

When the term “bread” is used in the Bible it represents all that we require to live, not just food. In the Lord’s Prayer we ask God to give us our daily bread. Once we have set our feet on the path of enlightenment, embracing the Spiritual Basis for Living, the source of everything becomes clear. Jobs, family, inheritance, investments and any of a hundred other channels are but ways that God employs to provide our daily “bread.” As we now know, once we begin living on the Spiritual Basis, relying on infinite God rather than our finite self, when one channel dries up another opens, God alone our source, the fountainhead of all our good.

When we place our trust in supply from anything or anyone other than God we are sure to be left wanting. There are many avenues that provide our supply, employers, a business, investments, if times are tough perhaps the government for a time, but all are simply temporary channels. In all our lives these channels alter and change over the course of living, but the headwaters, the true source remains constant. The Great Carpenter taught in the Lord’s Prayer that God would provide our “daily bread”, that our daily bread signifies the realization of the Presence of God-an actual sense that God exists not merely in a nominal way, but as the great reality for God “Our Father” is the only source.  

Sorta, Kinda, Maybe

Our greatest gift, free will, is also mankind’s curse upon its self. Every criminal or evil act, whether committed by an individual or nation, has its root in selfish self centered thinking and fear. By turning our back on God, choosing the finite over the infinite, failing to be about “Our Father’s” business, choosing to ignore the Golden Rule, we open ourselves to all forms of poverty, sickness, sin, trouble, even death on the physical plane. “God is either everything or else He is nothing.” No middle ground, no gradations, no sorta kinda maybes; you are either all in or all out. The choice is ours. Free will. Choose wisely.

Free Will

 “God has a plan for every man, and he has one for you” that plan is your “Heart’s Desire.”  Our only real job, once we understand our Divine heritage, is to identify our Heart’s Desire, placing the full weight of our consciousness to this task. Emmet Fox wrote: “If you only can find out that one thing that God intends you to do, and will do it, you will find that all doors will open to you, and you will be gloriously happy.” What sets man apart from all of the rest of God’s creatures is free will; we choose the path we walk. The Zebra, the Dolphin and the Eagle are born, live and die fully expressing their essential nature, never questioning their purpose or concerned with being anything other than what they are. Only man creates, strives to be more and know more because of our unique relationship to God, since God is in fact “Our Father” in every sense.

Punishing God

Many believe, and some even teach, that God brings sickness, trouble, accidents even death as punishment or to teach a lesson. The Christ teaching exposes the false nature of this belief.  When we name something we define its nature, so what is the nature of God?  The same fountain cannot send forth both sweet and bitter water. Would we not have to be a bit schizophrenic to ask for help, direction, healing and intuitive thinking from a power greater than ourselves that professes love, but could turn on a dime and bring us pain, suffering, even death? Emmet Fox explains "hallowed be thy name" thusly: “The word hallowed has the same root as holy, whole, wholesome, and heal, or healed; so we see that nature of God is complete and perfect-altogether good.”

Does trouble, sickness and suffering exist? Of course. So why does our all loving, all knowing Father allow it? Our gift of free will. Of all known creation we alone have the ability to create, for both good and ill, and all reap the crop they have sown. The innocents who suffer and die by the actions or calculated  inaction of the cruel and evil reap their reward beyond the flesh, just as the persecutors who fail to change. No one dwells in eternity with the ledger of their actions unbalanced, but God does not keep the ledger, we do. Everything we have ever done, said, seen, felt, experienced in any way is written on our eternal heart, in our hand. God does not keep score, we do.

When we hold to the idea that God punishes, for any reason, we build in our consciousness a back door for self centered fear to creep in strangling faith. Pain in living is not optional, neither is the passing of the flesh. Our “soul”, the spark of the Divine within each of us, is eternal, was never born and will never die, has always been and will always be, just as God. The Lord’s Prayer names God as “Our Father” and is not the child always connected to, a product of, the parent? Do not allow the fear and pain of today to convince you that God is punishing you, for nothing could be further from the truth of being.

Heaven On Earth

The concept of Heaven, as the Carpenter taught in the Lord‘s Prayer, manifests as we raise our consciousness through prayer, meditation and selfless service to others, unfolding around us. In truth, all spiritual action is predicated on our relationship with and to God, for God is Perfect Cause and expresses Himself by means of man, for He is the Father, and we are the children, divine by birth.

Before your heart began to beat, where were you? With God. As your heart began to beat, where was God? With you. When your heart ceases to beat, where will you be? With God. The purpose is the journey, the lessons immaculate, our relationship fixed, God the Father, the same yesterday, today and tomorrow, only our perceptions of the relationship altered and by embracing our true nature and heritage the reality of Heaven On Earth becomes manifest.

ULTIMATE CONNECTION

As we embrace the true significance of “Our Father” it will become clear that when we pray, our prayers are never solely for us alone but for all mankind, for everything and everyone is connected. All that we wish to have in our lives we must also desire with all our heart to come to our brothers and sisters in equal measure. To hold anyone in contempt or beyond the pale is too say we know better than God so we must leave retribution and resentment outside the door of our heart and embrace “Our Father” not only for our own sake, but for all humanity for today we know the truth of our true connection with the Miraculous.

Does God Play Favorites?

The Lord’s Prayer begins, “Our Father” not my father or your father, but Our Father. This ground breaking truth ends the false belief, that many still cling to unfortunately, that God plays favorites. No individual, no group, race, class or ethnicity holds a preferred or special place with God. He is the Father of all, regardless of race, creed, location or belief, All loved equally and unconditionally. Period. Imagine for a moment if this monumental truth were universally understood. “What tree is so unwise as too fight among its own branches.” Sectarian violence would end. Wars and disputes over territory nonexistent. All who have would rush to help those who want without any reservations or conditions. The Golden Rule; much talked about, rarely employed, would become the Law, the only Law. Consider for a moment what could be accomplished by humanity if we stopped wasting lives, time and resources on all things contrary to the Golden Rule. The Great Carpenter taught that heaven is not a destination, but that we live in it now. Clearly we have had the key to unleash Heaven in our hands for two thousand years, how much longer will we allow false belief and fear to stay our hand from turning it?

Father, make my life a demonstration of your guidance, show me the way patience, tolerance, kindness and love and provide me with the strength and courage to practice these principles, today, tomorrow and forever in every area of my life. May thy will be done. Amen.

Amended

In 1919 the Constitution of the United States was changed, amended, to make the consumption and possession of alcoholic beverages illegal. Now take a moment and consider that. It is a monumental task to change the Constitution, requiring 2/3 of the Senate and House to pass it and then 3/4 of States have to approve it, in 7 years or less! Then, in 1933 the Constitution was changed again to nullify the previous change and make liquor legal again! As you can well imagine it made for some interesting battles on the editorial pages of newspapers. Imagine if talk radio had existed!

The Lord’s Prayer is the amendment establishing our true relationship with “Our Father.” Many within the religious community seem to have missed the memo, that this teaching supersedes all that came before, the essential nature of our relationship with God explained fully. Emmet Fox adds succinctly: “At a single blow this teaching of Jesus swept away 99 percent of all the old theology, with its avenging God, its chosen and favored individuals, its eternal hell fire, and all the other horrible paraphernalia of man’s diseased and terrified imagination.” The Lord’s Prayer states clearly and forever that God is All-Powerful, All-Present, Eternal, the loving Father of mankind who heals, loves and guides His children. Unlike the Constitution that is subject to the capricious will of man, the old theology has been amended, by God, superseded forever.

Oliver Wendell Holmes

The great jurist stated: “My religion is summed up in the first two words of the Lord’s Prayer, Our Father.” The truth of our relationship with the miraculous is summed up succinctly “Our Father.” Of course there will always be the exceptions but aren’t we truly at our best when our children are involved? The concept of a cruel and despotic ruler of the Heavens imbued with all the evil and capricious tendencies that humans unfortunately have shown when placed in positions of ultimate authority is destroyed finally and forever by this simple and revolutionary truth about our relationship with God, “Our Father." As the Great Carpenter taught: If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? (Matthew 7:11).

So fearlessly ask Him who has all power and knowledge for direction, for intuitive understanding of the seemingly confusing, knowing in our heart of hearts that Our Fathers love is boundless, unencumbered by human limitation, frailty and fear, beyond any humans ability to measure or fully comprehend.

Altered Perceptions

How we perceive the world colors everything we see and believe. Our perceptions are built, layer upon layer by our life experiences and how we interpret those experiences.

Consider:

A homeless person asks for assistance, do you:
1) Act as if they were invisible.
2) Ask them what they need the money for, we will consider it if they can convince us it is for food and not anything we may find objectionable.
3) Simply smile and hand them a few dollars, saying a silent prayer for them since they are a child of God, just as we are.

When I wore a younger mans clothes, not just the homeless, but much of life was invisible to me. Being infallible as only the young can be, why would I consider another’s plight when the universe revolved around me. In time, becoming a husband and parent my vision and perceptions began to change, priorities altered. I could see those struggling, but felt duty bound to lecture and inform these poor unfortunates, because they clearly needed the benefit of my superior world vision. Woe be to me.

“The only instrument sharp enough to cut away the excess of self, is pain.”

The slicing away of self can be a tedious process, but is spiritually invaluable. Through this process today I see more with my heart, knowing that all are children of a loving God, all equal in His eyes, regardless of station, circumstances or shortcomings. Today I know in my heart of hearts that how I treat the least of us will be meted to me in kind, for all reap as they sow and forgiveness the key that unlocks serenity. Today to the above quote I would add “The only instrument sharp enough to cut away the excess of self and alter our perceptions, is pain.”

Metaphysical Truth and Prayer

What you think upon grows. The thoughts we dwell on 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, we attach 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 negatively but expect to receive the opposite is a subtle form of spiritual insanity.

Now, it would be a poor law indeed if it did not work in the reverse. 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.

Prayer is causative, so always pray in the positive. Never begin a prayer with "I need" or "I want" for this only reinforces the perceived lack. Consider: Divine life brings well-being to every part of my body when our health is less than optimal. God is the giver of every good gift, ready to supply my every need when in need of greater prosperity. These examples are borrowed from Emmet Fox, the wording not nearly as important as the set of our heart as we say them, but they have served me well for many years, perhaps you as well.

Remember, be gentle with yourself when in prayer, pray with a feather. In the future when finding yourself starting a prayer with I need or I want, and you will, we all do from time to time when fear is upon us, laugh and thank God that you know Him better. Laughter in the face of fear is music to God's ears and the gentleness with which we treat ourselves in His name a demonstration in true faith.

Seeking In Earnest

“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/facts with little feeling or passion attached. Heated discussions have and will take place concerning the former, yet probably never concerning the latter.

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 your 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, forgotten by many. Read spiritual books and study teachers that strike a cord in you, but keep your own counsel in the “secret” place of 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, remember “the realm of Heaven is roomy, all inclusive, never exclusive or forbidding to those who earnestly seek.”

One Of The Keys Of The Kingdom

The true key of 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. Living on the Spiritual Basis requires forgiving not only in word and in our actions, but in our heart, breaking the cycle, but how?

When we hold onto an old hurt, justifying the feeling for any reason, we chose to stand outside the sunlight of the Spirit, 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 negative thoughts appear in our consciousness we immediately treat them with prayer asking to be shown if there is anything we can do to be of service to the person we are seeking to forgive. By becoming willing to be of service to those who offended sets us free. To be very clear, God will never place us in a position to be harmed if we are about His business, so forgive free of  the fear of being harmed further. 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 fulfilled.

Seven Year Olds and Serenity

Some time ago I attended a “concert” by second graders. 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 need to be 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. So if new to the path of Spiritual Living never fret or attempt to demonstrate beyond your current understanding, for just as second graders grow into High Schoolers, we grow Spiritually as well. Continue on, day by day, practicing the spiritual principles you understand, trusting that your spiritual growth is assured as long as you remain diligent, for in so doing we begin to comprehend serenity and will know peace in purpose.

The Law of Subconscious Activity

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 however. When a negative or fearful thought floats up from our subconscious how we respond to it determines our future. We must train ourselves when confronted with 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 is as plain as the look on your face.

Mental Muscle

“We have ceased fighting everything and everyone, we have to” unlike physical exercise, where working harder typically produces greater results, the converse is true mentally. The reason for this is that God does the work, not our mental “muscle.” No amount of will power has ever added a single ounce of lasting spiritual weight to anyone. We don’t “work” on our problems or difficulties for 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. So we pray when prayer is indicated, meditate regularly and serve where and when possible. We turn to Him who has all knowledge and power when filled with fear and doubt and demonstrate in faith, we relax for “all mental working should be relaxed, gentle, and unhurried for effort defeats itself.”

Outlining

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

Living on the Spiritual Basis our expectations are placed in God’s hands, the burden on His shoulders, so when you find yourself outlining, stop as soon as you become aware and thank God for knowing Him better. Quiet the mind by repeating some simple set prayers: “Be still and know that I am God”, “There is no power greater than God” or simply “God is with me.”

When I ran the world I outlined constantly, for it needed my help. Living on the new basis, I leave the running of the world, and my life, in God’s hands for He does a much better job of it than I ever did, for today I know in my heart of hearts that “God is with me.”

Watched Pots, Oranges and Bike Riding

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 we say to one another without having thought it through. Like “a watched pot never boils”, yes it does, every single time, eventually, and 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 eye; however we choose the action 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 embedded in the subconscious that is constantly looking for a reason to be upset or outraged. The origin of the voice is secondary, the action we choose to take paramount. Having embarked on Living on the Spiritual Basis the action is to turn from the lower to the higher by way of prayer and meditation.

If a negative thought is persistent engage in some distracting activity such as a phone call to a friend inquiring about them (do not speak of the negative thought), an engrossing book, exercise, meeting with like minded people over coffee, etc. If possible find a way to be of service. 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, remember the first few times you rode a bike but as long as we are diligent in time it will become second nature.

Live And Let Live

A centipede was quite happy,
Until a frog in fun
Said, “Pray, which leg comes after which?”
This raised her mind to such a pitch,
She lay distracted in the ditch,
Considering how to run.

    Never argue with anyone about God. Speak quietly about your belief and let it go. No one is ever moved far spiritually by words alone. We convince others when we walk the way we talk and let our actions speak in a way words never can. “There is a place for analysis, but it is apt to be quite fatal in prayer and meditation. Do not dissect the love of God, but feel it. Do not dissect divine intelligence, but realize it. Do not wonder how God can possibly solve this problem, but just watch Him do it in His own way-and He will if you give Him a chance." Emmet Fox. The principle of attraction not promotion is one that we must live by once we have begun to live on the new basis, the Spiritual Basis.

Ladders, Leaping and Camels

“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. Remember the camel's nose? Our connection typically dims when we fail to 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.

So if you find yourself staring a camel in the eye familiar structured prayers are a life saver. Kinda like that old friend who is always there when you need them. The Lord’s Prayer, the powerful “Be still and know that I am God”, the Serenity prayer are some of the old friends that 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. 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 and soon we are leaping again.

Gym Think

The start of every year brings an influx of people to gyms and health clubs. Having resolved to lose weight and get into shape, some for the first time; many repeat offenders, their intention is genuine, but what usually happens? After a few weeks (sometimes a very few) “stuff” begins to interfere. Work ramps up. The kids start or resume an extra curricular activity that involves travel time and scheduling. The spouse who was supportive in the beginning becomes less so, especially if there are any hints dropped about it becoming a family affair. 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 work out clothes piled in the back of the closet and that automatic deduction from the checking account every month.

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 and habits of living reassert themselves and we drift back into old familiar ways of thinking. Then a new book or teacher catches our attention and the cycle begins anew.

There is a fundamental difference however between physical and spiritual exercise. 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. So decide today to place your feet on the path and let no future vicissitude shake your resolve and when Gym Think creeps in, and it happens to everyone, 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 truth it does. Oh, and a twenty minute walk and a good multivitamin can't hurt..

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 possible. 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 but we are in it, to grow and serve our Father and our fellows, one day at a time.

Concerning Fear, a Suggestion

The term “reborn” has been employed poorly if not down right incorrectly so often that its true spiritual meaning has become obscured. Living on the Spiritual Basis we now see that all external happenings are but passing shadows of no permanent importance. We have come to hold in our heart of hearts that to dwell in the Presence of Divine light and knowledge as the only true escape from our “enemies” (negative thinking/morbid reflection) and “foes” (fear and doubt of every stripe). When our consciousness rises to this level, we carry the message of His love and guidance into all our affairs, responding to all seeming trouble with “my heart shall not fear, thy will be done” and we are free, We are reborn in Spirit. With this spiritual key in hand, understanding who our true foes and enemies are, now would be an appropriate time to visit the 27th Psalm, just a suggestion.

The Truth About Fear

 “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” When FDR said this in his first inaugural address America was in the grip of the great depression and great clouds of dust howled over the central plains displacing millions. What FDR knew is that fear is paralyzing. Whether you agree with the political course FDR set this country on is immaterial, the critical point is that as a leader he understood the power of fear. Living on the Spiritual Basis we confront fear where it lives, in our consciousness. Fear brings darkness to our thoughts, an actual feeling of constriction in the chest, as if life is being squeezed from us, the sense of impending doom attempting to overpower. Fear is a liar. To be crystal clear: everyone dies of something; the flesh we inhabit will one day fail. Money comes and money goes. Jobs end and begin. We may fall out of love or someone we love may fall out of love with us. Accidents happen. The choice is ours as to how we handle the inevitable twists and turns of life. Do we cower in fear, paralyzed in inaction or step out in faith, demonstrating reliance on a power greater than ourselves?

Freedom comes when we turn in all things to Him who has all knowledge and power, who brings the light banishing the darkness of fear, providing the keys to the kingdom, replacing the dread surrounding our heart with the surety of salvation, enabling us to meet perceived calamity with poise and serenity, putting the truth to fears lie. How is this accomplished? By choosing consistent prayer, meditation and service work in the face of the stultifying fear. Our greatest gift is free will; out of free will we choose to create. Whether it is a new recipe, scientific theorem, musical composition, play or novel, we make the choice to create, each day we choose which path we walk, darkness or light, bondage in self or salvation. The choice is always ours.

Given, Freely

One of the ways we demonstrate our spiritual fitness is by how much we give, freely, not only in riches but most importantly of ourselves. Consider for a moment the disheveled fellow with the cardboard sign seeking money for “food.” True, he may in fact not use the money for food as we would define it, but does that mean his need is any less real? A dollar, wrapped in silent prayer, saluting the Divine within, provides more relief, opens more pathways of heart, than can be experienced with human eyes.

All reap as they sow; by giving with joy, never out of grudging obligation or with strings attached for that defeats divine purpose; serenity and peace with intention are the harvest. In hard economic times perhaps monetary tithing is not possible, but everyone has something to give. If you have little money, ask in prayer to be shown how to best be of service, tithing the gift of your time and/or expertise to those who need your gift. We are greater and more valuable than our fear driven carnal mind often allows or accepts, remember, you are a child of the Divine, directly connected in truth to Our Father.

So whether our pocket book is thin or not, a genuine smile accompanied by eye contact and a kind word to those suffering, acknowledging them, is a tithe that multiplies itself in ever widening circles, helping to release them, and ourselves, from the bondage of self, a simple confirmation of our relationship with the Miraculous.

We Must Judge

Judging is a concept greatly misunderstood. We not only should judge the behavior of others but Living on the Spiritual Basis makes it a requirement. The difficulty arises when we confuse righteous judgment with condemnation.

When we condemn it places us in a position to be harmed, for we have assumed a morally elevated position, better than, which of course is false. No one is above or below any other in the sight of God. Though our paths may be very different, our challenges and lessons in life diverse, no one is beyond grace or forgiveness in Spirit if they truly mean business and desire change. This does not mean crimes and transgressions are forgotten or ignored, but we must be willing to go to any lengths for salvation, for the ultimate freedom from the bondage of self. So we condemn the act, not the actor.

We all reap as we sow and unfortunately some will never seek enlightenment, choosing fear over freedom. However we are mistaken if we condemn them or wish (or worse desire) harm to anyone. Hate does not cease with hate. Anger is never assuaged with more anger. Condemnation never builds character or leads to freedom.

So judge righteously and the whole world improves, condemn and we all suffer for we are all connected in Spirit, all children of the Divine Presence.

Its Natural

As we progress on the path of awakening, Living on the Spiritual Basis, we become more sensitive to the world and our fellows and as such, the adversary fear and his children depression and morbid reflection, seemingly grow stronger, more insistent. This is natural for many things which escaped our notice before embarking on this path are now noticeable since we are operating at increased levels of awareness. Nothing has really changed however for fear, negative thinking and reflection can only gain purchase if we fail to affirm God’s love and guidance in our life by means of consistent prayer, meditation and service, the very activities that raised our consciousness in the first place! So take heart, though the world and its mostly self-inflicted suffering touches you deeply and profoundly, the surety of your role as an instrument of His will is evident, your awakening manifest.

So we stay the course, asking God what we can do each day for the man or woman who still suffers, remembering always that we are the instrument of His will and like any musical instrument nothing happens until the master begins to play. Strive to be the best instrument possible, though we may be terribly flawed, perhaps wracked with guilt and fear, when we allow ourselves to be placed in His hands the notes are miraculous, moving Heaven itself and we are free.

Fool's Gold and 6 Pack Abs

Rarely does a week pass without some new self help book/seminar that will solve all our problems, the diet to end all diets, miracle food/supplement, piece of revolutionary exercise equipment that will provide the perfect body IN ONLY 20 MINUTES 3 TIMES A WEEK! appears. Admit it; just like me, you have been tempted. But will drinking some berry juice really change my life or a three-day seminar addressing all of life’s questions the answer and who wouldn’t want a flat sexy tummy or buns of steel, IN ONLY 20 MINUTES! Like a wise man once said: if it sounds too good to be true, it is.

Salesmen and marketing executives peddle fool’s gold to separate us from our money, that's their job but unlike banking on that unrealistic shortcut to six-pack abs, Living on the Spiritual Basis provides a pearl beyond price for it is the shortest road to the peace and sense of true freedom each of us crave deep down. “Simple but not easy, a price has to be paid.” That price is the surrender of self and our focus on selfish things. When we shift our focus to the sense of the Presence of God within, where true gold is found, we begin to experience the Truth of Being, finding our true place in the fabric of the miraculous. Perhaps I am too cynical and ultimate awakening or abs of steel are just a credit card and a phone call away, operators are standing by, but as the old prospector remarked to the greenhorn about fool’s gold: “When you think you have found gold you probably have not; but when you do find it, you will know it for certain.”

Leading From The Front

Walking the way we talk. “I would love to listen to your words but your actions speak so loudly I cannot hear you.” The concept of a track record is lost on many folks. The people around us judge us by our actions; our intentions, though perhaps noble, are meaningless if not followed up by the indicated action. How many times did it take for your child to tell you they would clean their room or some other chore beneath their status, which they then immediately blew off, before you wised up to their true intention? Not many I would guess. Often I have had someone come to me for advice, agree that a particular course was the correct action to take and then proceed to launch in exactly the wrong direction. I often wonder why they bother, but hold to the fact that asking means they wish to follow a different path, even though in their heart they have already decided on what they are going to do, the consequences denied or ignored.

When my son was a child I asked him why he agreed to clean up his room, then blow it off, knowing full well that a reckoning would come when he didn’t. The response was “I planned on doing it."When asked when that was exactly a blank look was followed with “I don’t know.” A parents joy comes in knowing that one day our children will be on the other side of that exchange.

It cannot be said enough; if you wish to be respected, be respectful, if you desire love in your life, be loving, honesty comes from being honest and intention has never cleaned a single room. The aspects of living we desire in our lives will only materialize when we demonstrate our intentions in action, begin treating those about us in the manner we wish to be treated in. Nothing real happens until action is taken, for talk is cheap and true leaders lead from the front.

Poking Tigers in the Eye

In the second act of my life I made my living swinging a hammer. The man who sponsored me to become a contractor taught “When the workday is over stop working.” Seemed pretty simple if not downright painfully obvious then. Kinda like never poke a tiger in the eye with your finger. In time, however, I began to understand what he was really talking about. Working in construction there is always some little task that needs doing. I learned, through painful experience, that once I stopped working for the day, having removed my tool belt and bags, not to put them back on. On more than one occasion, unfortunately, I spied a crooked nail, loose board or some other small task that could have easily waited until the next day, choosing to address it before going home. Right after the hammer slipped and smacked me on the shin or I hit the nail and heard the unmistakable sound of water rushing from a pierced pipe or missed the nail on the wall but hit the one on my thumb instead, I would then remember, belatedly, what he had said. But most importantly I became aware that most days long after I had physically left the job site I was still there in my mind, needlessly rehashing the days events or worrying about things that where God’s business, not mine. Emmet Fox refers to this as “taking the train” mentally. Living on the Spiritual Basis leads to effective mental activity and relaxation. As Dr Fox teaches, “don’t take the train mentally-let the engine (God) take it.” So “when the workday is over stop working” oh, and never poke a tiger in the eye with your finger.

A Spiritual Facelift

What we concentrate on manifests in our lives. When we concentrate on fear, loss, anger, resentment, worry, envy or any of the whole host of negative thinking that morbid reflection engenders, our physical appearance alters. Worry lines on the face, bags under the eyes from lack of or restless sleep, twisted visage from a sour stomach, tight jaw from focusing in our minds eye on the seeming unfairness of the world, well you get the picture. When you look in the mirror what do you see? Anything less than the radiance that emanates from a soul at peace demonstrates that we have strayed from the Spiritual Basis.

Take heart, the good news is when we see it in our face or feel it in our heart we have a clear set of directions on what to do next. We gently turn to God in prayer and thank Him for knowing Him better, asking to be shown the way of patience, tolerance, kindliness and love in all areas of life but particularly in the area that is causing us concern. Ask to be shown what action (patience probably the hardest) should be taken and finish with a statement of willingness to be of service in any capacity that He would have you be. Close with “Thy will be done." This is only a suggested path, change or alter the prayer as it best fits you. The key is in the recognition and speed in which we turn to God and choose to trust in infinite wisdom and love instead of our finite selves.

As we embrace this way of living, we become more aware of the pain in the faces of those around us. When we see others in pain, we quietly pray for them as we would for ourselves for in so doing not only are they uplifted; the whole world is uplifted as well. All humankind will be raised to the Heavens if each of us adds our inch.

Stinking Thinking and Camels

If a camel sticks its nose under your tent flap you must strike its nose immediately since a camel has no reverse. If it gets its head in, it is coming in all the way and quite frankly, camels stink. Such is also the case with our consciousness as negative thinking and morbid reflection (stinking thinking if you will) try to wheedle their way in. Though Living on the Spiritual Basis raises our consciousness, we must stay vigilant for that metaphorical camel nose, but no one catches every one. They will sneak in from time to time disguised as something else since morbid reflection and negative thinking wear a variety of masks. What truly matters is what we do when they reveal themselves. So when you discover a camel in your tent consider the following: “When trouble comes, cheerfully capitalize it as an opportunity to demonstrate God’s omnipotence.” We do this by directed prayer and meditation, bathing the trouble in Divine Light and Presence, turning the camel out quickly and peacefully.

Shhhh…Just between you, me and the fence post I still don’t have the cheerfully part down pat yet, but by Living on the Spiritual Basis we do become well practiced in camel eviction procedures.

Gravity and the Law Of Limitation

Most understand secular law, break one and get caught; there is a price to pay. Whether it is traffic, criminal, business, tax etc a secular price will be exacted if we transgress and get “caught.” There is a higher set of laws however were a price is always exacted, they are Cosmic Laws. And unlike man’s laws they are enforced impersonally, rich or poor, personal beliefs, status or skin color of no regard. Additionally unlike secular law they cannot be appealed to or superseded by judicial fiat. Think Law of Gravity. No one in their right mind would step off a high ledge and expect to float to the ground. Yet many do exactly that with the Law of Limitation! And unlike gravity we place it on ourselves! Every time we think “I’m too old/young to…” “I’ll never be any good or successful at…” “I love doing ____ but I could never make a living at it” “What would my friends/spouse/children/family think if I…” “I know God loves me and wants me to prosper, but…” we invoke the Law of Limitation.

The good news is unlike the Law of Gravity, since we invoke the Law of Limitation ourselves; we can repeal it as well. How? By stepping out in faith. Our heart is constantly speaking to us, that still quiet voice the voice of God Himself. Divine Life wants each and every one of us to be Happy, Joyous and Free, so when we resist giving in to self-centered fear by trusting the Miraculous, demonstrating faith, we avoid invoking the Law of Limitation and float to the ground.

Thimble or Tardis?

Living in Southern California one of the joys of life is driving down Pacific Coast Highway. Watching pelicans dive for their dinner, dolphins surfing for pure enjoyment and some pretty spectacular sunsets part of the joy. Often when I look out over the Pacific I am struck by its abundance and diversity, its scale and depth beyond my limited comprehension.

Yet Divine abundance dwarfs all oceans combined in size and scope. The only limits to our inheritance, God’s abundance, are the arbitrary limits we impose out of false belief and fear. We set the limit of our capacity to receive. We choose the size of vessel that holds His abundance in our lives, be it a thimble or Dr. Who's infinitely large Tardis. When we embrace the Spiritual Basis of Living our capacity increases in direct proportion to the trust and reliance we place in God and reject the false belief (fear) the secular world imposes that we live in a finite world of dwindling supply, limited abundance. There is only one source of everything, God, and His promise is that of limitless supply and endless abundance, not only in the Spiritual realm but the physical as well.

Living In The Past

“Live in today, and do not allow yourself to live in the past under any pretense. Living in the past means thinking about the past, rehearsing past events, especially if you do this with feeling…Train yourself to be a man or women who lives one day at a time. You’ll be surprised how rapidly conditions will change for the better when you approach this ideal.” Emmet Fox.

One of the truths of Living on the Spiritual Basis is the only time we can be present for God, the only time we can stand in the presence of God, the only time that we can demonstrate God’s love and guidance in our lives, is in the present moment. We may have a long history of Him demonstrating in our life, but our “forgetter” discounts it. Fear would have us believe that even though God was there in the past He won’t be there tomorrow.

NEVER LOOK BACK. Looking back, reminiscing, generally begins innocently enough but often leads into morbid reflection. Think on how easy it is to dredge up memories of those times when we acted something less than spiritually or when we were hurt in some way. Yet it takes effort to bring to the forefront of memory those times when we acted in Spirit or life went our way. When the Great Carpenter taught, “let the dead bury the dead” he admonished us to leave the past in the past. We are forgiven as soon as we ask, the matter settled, yet so often we drag a past transgression into the present to cast it’s ashes about because even though God has forgiven us, we have not forgiven ourselves. Only by living in today and keeping our eyes fixed on the road ahead, regardless of how frightening it may seem, can we demonstrate God’s love and power in our life, demonstrating the truth of God‘s forgiveness. Refuse then the clarion call of the past where the adversary of a thousand faces, fear, lurks and be free.

What, Me Worry?

Remember Alfred E. Newman of Mad magazine fame? His gap toothed grin gracing every cover with the caption “What, me worry?” Alfred can be oblivious, but what of the dozens of things that tug at us daily? My children are all adults but I still worry about them. When one of the cats strolls outside I worry about them (don’t start, I have I tried to keep them in but they are all strays who adopted us and when they want to go out THEY WANT TO GO OUT). In low moments I worry that somehow I have strayed down the wrong path in my life and won’t find my way back.

Today when worry creeps into my thoughts I turn to God as close to immediately as I can. When the World worries me I remember “The Captain is on the Bridge.” My children, gifts from God, so when I fear for them I ask God to do for them what they cannot do for themselves and to give me the strength to do what He would have me do in their lives, and not meddle. I don’t care what anyone says, letting your children make their own mistakes so they can grow just as we had to requires a lot of prayer. Cats? Well if you have cats you understand and if you are a dog person you aren’t supposed to get it and that’s not a bad thing. It’s not that you care any less for your dog but cats just assume you understand about their divinity. And when I begin to worry I have stumbled and lost my way I remember the truth:

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.
Sometimes there were two sets of footprints, other times there was one only.
This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life, when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints, so I said to the Lord,
“You promised me Lord, that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there has only been one set of footprints in the sand. Why, when I needed you most, have you not been there for me?”
The Lord replied, “The years when you have seen only one set of footprints, my child, is when I carried you.” 

So I guess Alfred had it right all along. Nuff said.

God And Small Things

Sometime ago during a genial conversation on spiritual principles a participant tossed out the comment  “I don’t trouble God with the little things, he’s much too busy.” This was said in all earnestness but little understanding of what Living on the Spiritual Basis entails. There are no “small” things to God. Everything interests God. Everything. Nothing in our lives is beneath His concern or healing. Tennyson wrote, “He is closer than hands and feet, closer than breath” which is most close indeed and Emmet Fox stated “God is always present; always ready to heal, to comfort, to inspire.” No barriers or arbitrary lines in the sand exist dealing with God’s level of involvement or commitment in our life. He is within, right here, right now, seeking expression in every area of our lives, from the maximal to the minimal, big deals and little deals, if we are willing to step out in faith and trust. Arguably the most powerful prayer in the Bible is “Be still, and know that I am God” the knowing within, available 24/7. So we don’t concern ourselves with trying to sort out what is appropriate for God’s attention, instead we place everything in His hands, trusting in the infinite rather than the finite for solution and resolution.

Taking A Trip, Not Taking A Trip

When we travel down the road of indignation, self-righteousness, fear, hateful and/or angry words and thoughts we invariably find ourselves embracing morbid reflection, leaving us holding a cup of spiritual distress for we always reap as we sow. Few situations in life are ever strictly black and white. When we condemn others we attempt, but fail, to overwrite the truth that there is a little bit of good in the worst of us and a little bit of bad in the best, no one is without sin, none of us live life error free. Remember “Living life is like playing a violin solo in public and learning to play the instrument as we go along” naked, so cut them and yourself a little slack.

So when you find yourself in morbid reflection-ville, and we all do from time to time, gently turn around in prayer and head back out of town by recognizing the Presence of God where the disharmony, negativity resides; asking in meditation to be shown the way of patience, tolerance, kindliness and love, saluting the Divine Spark that resides within every one of our Father’s children.

It would be easy to end here, but an additional point needs to be made. We can and in truth must salute the Divine within all, but this does not mean we must continue to associate with or place ourselves in a position to be harmed by someone who wishes us ill. Our heartfelt hope and desire is that all will grow spiritually, embracing the path of peace and comprehending serenity, unfortunately not everyone will and the truth of change and growth is the desire must come from within. So release them with love and remember the old Scottish (James Kelly) proverb: “He that deceives me once; shame fall him; if he deceives me twice, shame fall me.” So trust in God, but cut the cards.

Not My Hat

We have all done it and regretted it afterwards. We are either drawn into or feel the need to volunteer our help or opinion in someone else’s situation. It may be a simple neighbor dispute, child rearing issues, a family squabble, work place issue or the worst possible case, a crisis of romance. What generally happens? The party we were attempting to “help” uses our support to bolster their position, but then they reconcile, and that well intended shoulder comes back to haunt us, our words of  “comfort” often putting us on the outs with both parties!

“Do not wear another man’s hat” was salient advice given early in the last century. Simply, we do not engage in gossip, seemingly well-intended little character assassinations or take sides when family, romance or the heart is involved. When we do we don the “other man’s hat” and pay accordingly. Our course is simple but not easy, in prayer we invoke love for all involved, leaving their judgment to a Power Greater than Ourselves, seeking only to be of service without being negative, being supportive but keeping our opinions close to the vest, between ourselves and God. This will take time and practice to become a working part of the mind but it is the path that provides serenity and will help us to avoid those hard looks and cold shoulders in the break room, over the holiday dinner table or backyard fence.

Recipe For Success

Recipes are typically associated with cooking. However virtually everything in life has a “recipe.” Plastics are very different in their compositions; concrete and mortar have many specific “recipes” for different applications. The paper used in envelopes is a different recipe than printer paper or fine stationary. No cook, builder or manufacturer would leave out an ingredient or add something destructive and expect the final product to embody the qualities or flavor they were striving for, yet is that not exactly what many do spiritually? Remember reaping and sowing?

To restate the classic teaching: If we wish to be loved, first we must demonstrate love. If we desire respect, first we must be respectful. If we wish to be known as honorable, we must treat all with honor, regardless of station or how disagreeable they may be.

Living on the new basis, the Spiritual Basis, love and anger do not mix, sarcasm, mockery and disdain are not found in the same bowl with respect, and honor and gossip are never found together.

So, just for today, bless and say a prayer for that inconsiderate driver crossing your path, return a smile when greeted with a grimace. Refuse to engage in gossip, regardless of how juicy it may be. Give a dollar and a smile to someone needy, without comment, except God bless. In short treat everyone in the same manner you wish to be treated in, saluting the Divine in all, regardless of station, economic status or whether you like or agree with them. Employ this recipe and you cannot fail to succeed spiritually.

Wheel Of Time

A necessary part of true intelligence is the study of history. Studying history enables us to observe today’s events and relate to them in their proper perspective and provides the opportunity to choose a different path. Everything that is happening today has happened before; and will happen again if nothing changes. The wheel of time is constantly turning; good times turn bad, bad times good. Wars start, wars end, trouble comes and trouble goes.

When we view our lives and the world through a spiritual lens our perspective and understanding of truth alters, for now we see that no situation, whether good or ill lasts forever. Living on the Spiritual Basis we now understand that this flesh we travel in is finite, its time on the wheel clearly marked by creation and dissolution, but the spark of the Divine, the "I AM" which is each of us, does not merely travel on the wheel, but is immanent, an actual part of the wheel. When we employ our intelligence to practice the Presence of God in every facet of our lives not only does our life improve but all humanity. The wheel will only follow a different path when we finally and forever truly put into practice the words on the back of every American dollar bill: “In God We Trust” “so let it begin with me.”

An avalanche can begin with the smallest of pebbles; never underestimate your importance to and in  the Universe, for you are a child of the Miraculous, God’s love incarnate.

“There is no try”

Try to lose weight. Try to get in shape. Try to quit smoking. Trying to get organized. Trying to be on time. Trying isn’t it. We have all done it. We look in the mirror and decide that’s it, we are going to make some changes. Things go well for a time, then we begin to backslide. We rationalize it with we are too tired, we had a hard day or it’s Friday and we deserve a break, etc. Kinda like the alcoholic rewarding themselves with a drink because they had been sober for a week or two. That kind of thinking is crazy in light of what happens next for the alcoholic, yet to some lesser degree we have all done it. Most of us have or have had a piece of exercise equipment/workout DVD/book that was "the answer" that is either now gathering dust or has moved on via a garage sale or charitable donation. Yet when a TV ad starts blaring about some new wonder exercise device/DVD/workout regimen promising impossible results from just 20 minutes 3 times a week we perk up.

To be clear: every diet works, working out and exercise will provide positive changes and giving up smoking or addictive drinking are no brainers, so why do we fail? In my youth I was a smoker. I “quit” many times and started back up just as many. Why, because I was trying to quit. It was not until I stopped trying that I finally put them down decades ago. I am not an ex-smoker; I am a smoker who just doesn’t smoke today. The concept of doing anything “for the rest of my life” is daunting, but I can do anything for twenty-four hours and when I rely on Divine Life for direction and strength I cannot fail, but I must ask.

When we try we are working from without to change the within, when we let go and let God the change comes from within. So if you desire to lose weight, get into shape, stop smoking or change any area of your life, stop trying and let go. Just for today, ask in prayer to be shown the right path and to receive the strength and willingness to follow it. You can slack off or smoke tomorrow, but just for today you are going to Let Go And Let God. For in Truth: The only time we can be present for God, the only time He can be present in our lives, is in this moment, our lives a series of moments connected in purpose.

So stay in the moment, keep your head where your hands are, yours eyes on God and you cannot fail, today. 

PLAYING THE VIOLIN, NAKED

“Living life is like playing a violin solo in public and learning to play the instrument as we go along” naked. No rational person believes they could play a musical instrument perfectly the first time they tried. Yet in our spiritual life we often expect perfection and then become disillusioned when our expectations are not met. The level of our serenity is directly proportional to our expectations of perfection. To be clear: We should expect great, marvelous things to arise in our lives when we Live on the Spiritual Basis, but we must also remember that our lives are works in progress. We seek “spiritual progress, not perfection.”

For my Christian friends this may seem inconsistent with the Great Carpenters teaching, but it is not. The perfection He taught on was the perfection of purpose. Being flawed, we abandon ourselves to Him, seeking guidance and strength in every area of life and living. In this we can achieve perfection, but to think that any of us will stand perfect in every thought, word, deed and action is a recipe for irritability, restlessness and deep discontentment. God is perfect, as is our Divine selfhood; but living, being human is a work in progress and to believe we can do this mistake free is a tragic error.

We only see a great artist’s final product, not their preliminary attempts. How many versions of Beethoven’s masterpieces did he discard before the final renditions we know today? How many canvases did Rembrandt paint over? How many failures did Thomas Edison learn from on the way to his great discoveries? The perfection in their lives, and ours, is in being willing, willing to go on in the face of missteps, fear and doubt, trusting the inner voice.

Living on the Spiritual Basis, we trust infinite God rather than our finite selves. We keep our eyes on God and capitalize those seeming missteps in our spiritual evolution as opportunities to demonstrate His omnipotence and when we err, and we all will, thank Him for knowing Him better and then take whatever action is indicated to address the misstep.  If you don’t know what action to take or path to follow, ask in prayer to be shown and the right answer will come. By acting in this way we own the lesson and possible repetition of the misstep is greatly reduced, achieving perfection of purpose in action.

God and Hot Dogs

The secular world clamors with solutions to all our problems and concerns. Call this number and all your financial difficulties will vanish, take this pill, not the other one, and your problem is solved, there is even a pill to cut down on bathroom trips and it seems that all middle aged men need to take a little something in order to be intimate, if the number and frequency of ads is any indication. Do not misunderstand, all of these things, probably, have their place, it is the order of approach that is at question. When we began living on the Spiritual Basis we altered our approach to life. Today when an issue or problem arises instead of tackling it head on, setting to work on it, seeking solutions and answers on our own or conversely running away or burying our head in the sand, we turn to the Miraculous and seek Divine help and direction first.

We accomplish this by stepping out in faith, realizing the Presence of God as our first step, and then whatever action indicated will be taken surrounded by Gods love. To Live on the Spiritual Basis means we have turned our will and our lives over to the care of God, it doesn’t mean that we withdraw from life or eschew the secular, since the Universe provides answers and solutions in all manner of ways ordinary and extra ordinary alike. Remember, the power we have tapped into is not limited by human perspective and fear; it routinely performs the seemingly impossible, even miraculous if, though perhaps trembling, we stand open and willing. To borrow from an old Hebrew National hotdog commercial: today “We answer to a higher authority” and that authority wants all His children to be at peace; happy, joyous and free.