Chop Wood, Carry Water

Often when someone is struggling spiritually, a “need to get back to basics” will be cited as the solution.  I have searched high and low, mostly low, and have been unable to find the source of the direction to get away from basics in the first place, because if I could find the author I would administer a thorough pummeling. Here is a thought, if getting back to basics is such a good idea, than never getting away from them in the first place is even better! In truth, what happens to all students in pursuit of raised consciousness is the perceived (incorrectly) necessity of always seeking new information and paths to enlightenment, the search becoming the object, the destination of acquiring a consistent means of growth lost in the heat of the chase. “If it works, don’t fix it” should be our mantra regarding spiritual growth. Living on the Spiritual Basis, we have come to rely on a power greater than ourselves for guidance and inspiration, for intuitive thoughts.

*Intuitive: adj

1.  known directly and instinctively, without being discovered or consciously perceived 
2.  knowing things instinctively 

Intuitive thought is God thinking. Living on the new basis, the basis of trusting and relying upon God we trust infinite God rather than our finite selves, yet we have all occasionally strayed when a seemingly “new and improved” path or teaching grabbed our attention, just as a new toy grabs the attention of a child. I am going to let you in on a secret, all paths lead to the same destination, our job to identify the one that works for us and stick to it; for once we have settled on a method that sings to us, we have arrived. Spiritual growth requires effort, a lot of “chopping wood and carrying water” as we trudge the road of happy destiny. Whether an ax or penknife, bucket or teacup is employed, the work must be done if we are to know freedom. So pick a path or teacher and stick with it, and if it is time to change you will know in your heart, the thought coming intuitively, our job to stop looking for shortcuts and do the work at hand.

 Zen, The Secret, Sober Living By The Sea, Road Less Traveled, NOTW, ODAAT, metaphysics, Power of Intention, ACIM,

Law Of Substitution And Mental Worms

How do we manifest clarity in our thinking when clearly we have no control over the thoughts that float up into our consciousness? Vigilance. There is no practical way of shutting down the flow of our thoughts, so the course of action is to immediately recognize the negative and supplant it with the positive. Consider: If we decide not to think about elephants, we are in fact thinking about elephants, the subconscious then proceeds to remind us of elephants at every turn. The subconscious mind processes "think" (the action) and "elephant" (the subject) as the desired demonstration. Doubt this? Consider the last time a song or annoying jingle stuck in your mind. Try as we might every attempt to “not think about it" fails, it finally fading away when we become interested in something else, our attention diverted, the Law of Substitution in action.

Now consider prayer. One of the eternal questions is why some prayers are seemingly ignored, yet we are promised that if “we knock, it will be answered, ask and we shall receive.” Now we have the key. Thought being causative (remember the jingle) if we pray but continue to place our interest, focus, on our lack, pain, discord, illness, the jingle etc is it any surprise that that which we place our focus on manifests? When we pray with joy, keeping our focus, our interest on the positive, we reap the positive. Simply put, any prayer that begins “I need” only reinforces the sense of need, not the hoped for solution. This lesson manifests when we begin  “to think from the end”, to imagine what we will feel like when the prayer is answered and hold to that feeling. When negativity tries to worm its way back in, and it will, reinvigorate the positive feeling, expunging the negative immediately with the positive mental equivalent, like replacing that annoying jingle by substituting a tune you love, not fighting the negative, but replacing it with the positive demonstration you desire.


 Zen, The Secret, Third Way, Road Less Traveled, NOTW, Emmet Fox, metaphysics, Law Of Attraction, 

The Secret And Mental Equivalence

Emmet Fox coined the term Mental Equivalence, explaining the practical application of the Law of Substitution. Simply, we must take responsibility for the thoughts we dwell upon, understanding that whatever we entertain in our minds eye will be out pictured in our lives. This teaching is the core of one of the latest popular rendering of this truth: The Secret. We place the order for what appears in our lives by our habitual thinking. When we focus on lack, failure, unhappiness and ill health, we attract them to us just as surely as a moth is drawn to flame, affirming the truth of the Law of Attraction. Does this mean we should simply adopt a Polly Anna attitude and just ignore conditions, essentially fiddling while Rome burns, affirming this and that, wistfully hoping for the best? Of course not. The Mental Equivalent involves focusing on what we desire in life, over writing the negative and destructive thoughts that lurk to hold us back, not ignoring conditions but operating at increased levels of consciousness. Living on the Spiritual Basis, we practice the Presence of God in all our activities, training ourselves to see His presence in everything and everyone, rejecting the negative, for we now hold the ultimate truth of existence in our heart: We are eternal beings, the conditions and challenges we face today merely opportunities to demonstrate His omnipotence.

Through prayer and meditation, we have embraced a new basis of living, the basis of trusting and relying on God. In so doing our vision clears, our consciousness raised so we meet the inevitable challenges of living and life with a sense of serenity that only comes from having turned our will and lives over to the care of a Power Greater than Ourselves.  Focusing on and attracting what we desire in our lives by substituting negative thoughts and thinking with positive God centric focus and action, the secret realized.

Zen, Road Less Traveled, NOTW, Law Of Attraction, Golden Key, Baba Ram Dass, Alanon, ACIM, 

Our Timeless Journey And Hot Dogs

Living on the Spiritual Basis our prayers take on a new flavor. Though all prayers are heard, we have come to know they are answered in the manner in which they are asked, putting faith in action. Trusting and relying on God, we expect to receive, for that is the promise, keeping in the forefront of our minds that “faith without works is dead.” If hungry, locking ones self in a closet and praying for a hotdog would be foolish, yet is that not exactly what many do in other areas of life? So we pray, but take whatever material steps indicated for the difficulty at hand as well, and if we are unsure on what steps to take, we ask God and they will become evident.

The problem that plagues many, if not all, is the concept of time. We have a time line in our minds eye for things to be done that is of no interest or concern to God. A Spiritual adviser years ago said to me “If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans.” God provides exactly what is required at exactly the moment required, our difficulty arising because we have outlined a hoped for outcome and time frame (giving God a helping hand since we know how busy He is) and when our expectations are not met, we subject ourselves to needless emotional wear and tear. Hindsight being 20/20 we look back and see where God did for us what we could never have done for ourselves. Had we received what we thought we needed at the time we would have missed something wonderful, a valuable lesson that moved the story of our soul along its ever-upward timeless journey.

The Secret, Wayne Dyer, Zen, Road Less Traveled, Power of Intention, NOTW, Golden Key, A Course in Miracles, 

The Most Important Gambit

We must be clear on what we worship, for everyone worships something. Many tragically worship at the secular alters of money, power, property, prestige, fame, the list endless. Victory over the issues of life comes not from worship of temporary, passing things but from living the examined life, coming to worship that which transcends the secular, that which is the true basis of all creation. By relying on a power greater than ourselves, the true source, our difficulties, problems and cares melt away. By really putting our trust in Him instead of outer conditions, the following equation becomes operative: our level of serenity rises in direct proportion to the expectation that God will provide. The opposite is true as well: the level of our serenity lowers in direct proportion to the expectation that secular living will provide. “God is everything, or else He is nothing. What was our choice to be?” Choose wisely in worship, for unlike man “God is bigger than any problem.”

ACIM, Alanon, Bible, Buddha, Golden Key, Law Of Attraction, Zen, The Secret, 

Easy Does It, A History

Today Easy Does It, along with One Day at a Time, First Things First, Live and Let Live and Think, Think, Think adorns the walls of AA meeting rooms and clubs around the globe. Few realize however, these concepts entered AA’s collective consciousness courtesy of Emmet Fox. The early members of what would become Alcoholics Anonymous residing in New York attended Dr. Fox’s gatherings on Wednesday evenings. Emmet Fox held his Wednesday meetings and Saturday services in the largest enclosed public venues available in 1930’s New York, the ballroom of the Waldorf Astoria, Steinway Hall even Madison Square Garden as attendance grew. This continued up to the start of World War II when large gatherings were suspended out of security concerns. The early AA members* who did not live in New York studied Dr Fox’s teaching through his two best sellers The Sermon on the Mount and Power Through Constructive Thinking (both still in print) and Sparks of Truth (out of print) a collection of teachings originally published as a series of 10 cent pamphlets in the 1930‘s. It is in these pamphlets that the mottoes later adopted by AA are found. Additionally in early pamphlets published by the first recognized AA group, King’s School in Akron, Sermon on the Mount is suggested reading.

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

Our True Destiny

Living on the Spiritual Basis, we have turned our will and life over to the care of God. The basis of trusting and relying upon a power greater than ourselves for direction and a sense of purpose was our choice. We made it when we faced up to the truth of being: That any life run on self will can hardly be a success. Plagued by unremitting waves of fear and an inability to live with any lasting sense of peace we sought a better way. We now know that fear wears a hundred masks, is insidious and was a corrosive thread that weaved itself through every aspect of our being and try as we might we were powerless to eradicate it. The final crushing blow coming when we became convinced that self-knowledge availed us nothing, in fact, self-knowledge only intensified the discomfort, bringing home a sense of powerlessness that was nearly overwhelming.

From this seeming low point, we made a decision that opened the doors to a new way of living, to true freedom. Today we have come to rely on our connection to the miraculous for by our demonstrations in faith we came to believe. What used to be the hunch or occasional inspiration has now become a working part of the mind. Able to now meet calamity with serenity, we have come to know peace, our needs met for that is the promise of the new basis of living. We place the welfare of others ahead of our own, this contrary action the touch stone to true freedom of spirit. By relying on God to be the final authority in our lives, we have glimpsed our destiny, and that destiny is to be happy, joyous and free.


ACIM, al-anon, Bible, Emmet Fox, Law Of Attraction, NOTW, ODAAT, Zen, The Secret, 

Our Foundation

Everyone’s life is built on a foundation; many however will never take the time to inspect their foundation to see what it is really made of or even the ground on which it is built until it is too late. Living on the Spiritual Basis our work begins with inspecting our foundation, for without a strong foundation well placed no structure, however finely constructed otherwise, will stand against the inevitable storms to come.

Speaking in high terms and glowing assumptions is easy when the sun rides high, the river low and the breeze gentle. Why do hard things like building on high rock, which requires commitment and forethought, when there are easy things like building on loose soil close to water. But as the inevitable storm clouds of living gather, the rushing waters of fear rising and the winds of perceived loss and resentment begin to whip it becomes clear that a spiritual foundation built on sweet sounding rhetoric and little real action is unsound. As the storm intensifies and the structure begins to fail, the foundation crumbling in the ever-growing maelstrom, what do we do? We either seek solid spiritual high ground and shelter from the storm or we are swept away.

Had we first built on solid spiritual ground a great deal of suffering could have been avoided. When was the last time you inspected your spiritual foundation for materials and location? If work and relocation is required, it is much easier to accomplish on calm days than stormy so set to work while the sun shines so when the next storm comes, for there is always another, you will not only be prepared but you well be able to provide shelter to those who desperately need it.


Zen, Road Less Traveled, ODAAT, NOTW, metaphysics, Law Of Attraction, Emmet Fox, Alanon, ACIM, 

Feng Shui Pocket Fisherman

Are you willing to go to any lengths for success spiritually? No reservations, no caveats only complete readiness to do everything required? Consider:

We are bombarded daily with claims of promised success in all manner of things, from the newest, latest, greatest exercise gadget, supplement/pill or diet to an author promising their new book/CD/seminar will solve all your problems, pay off all your bills, possibly even make you a millionaire with little or no money down. Considering how many of these diets, exercise gadgets, supplement/pill and life fixing authors we have witnessed in our lifetime it is a wonder that anyone is overweight or out of shape, bald, erectile challenged, bathroom challenged, don’t own a foreclosed home for pennies, are not an e-bay/green millionaire, solved their addiction problems effortlessly and straightened out their troublesome teenagers by simply ordering a book/CD or attending a seminar.

Admit it, you have seen these ads and wistfully thought how nice it would be to have six pack abs for only 20 minutes a day 3 times a week or lose 20 pounds while eating everything you love. Who wouldn’t? You know it is not that simple though, so you resist calling the 1-800 number with your credit card handy in the next 10 minutes so you could receive, at no extra charge, the combination pocket fisherman survival radio microwave oven Feng Shui guide, just add shipping and handling of course, with your miracle cure.

At some point in our lives the old saw “if it sounds too good to be true, it is” overrides wistful thinking. The price tag for buying one of those “to good to be true” items usually is no more than the loss of a few bucks and something for the garage sale pile. Spiritually however the price is infinitely higher. No book, institution, movement, 12-step program, individual, religion or organization can raise our consciousness one jot or tittle if we are unwilling to take the necessary action. Reading about diets and exercise will not result in the loss of a single pound or the addition of an ounce of muscle. Spiritually a head full of knowledge means little; can actually be deadly if we are convinced self-knowledge is the answer, failing to put what we have learned into action.

The key is to identify those who have what you want spiritually, demonstrating it daily by the way they live and comport themselves, living in the light, happy, joyous and free for there is no substitute for demonstrated success. However, keep in the forefront of your mind this unassailable truth: you cannot build your spiritual house on another’s foundation, so keep an open mind, remaining willing to go to any lengths, any extreme for your spiritual awakening, standing ever vigilant over the issues of your heart for “Faith without works is dead.” See you at the next garage sale.


Zen, reaping and sowing, Golden Key, God,

Whats In Your Mixing Bowl?

We always demonstrate our spiritual understanding. Our actions, the manner in which we live and treat our fellows demonstrates our spiritual understanding. What we truly believe always manifests in our lives, how could it not? Consider cake making: whatever is put in the mixing bowl will be in the final product. A baker would never put something inedible or spoiled into the mix and then not expect it to be in the finished cake, yet many do exactly that with their lives. Living on the secular basis, at a base level of spiritual consciousness, many speak in spiritual terms, but their actions betray their true beliefs, particularly in times of trouble. This produces a spiritual dissonance that results in inner turmoil, confusion, fear based living and decisions. An unwholesome mix indeed.

Living on the Spiritual Basis, at raised levels of consciousness, we ask in prayer and meditation for direction and guidance, trusting in infinite God rather than our finite selves to restore and maintain our peace of mind. The result of this mix being serenity, peace of heart and spiritual understanding in living demonstrated, resulting in a most pleasing cake indeed.


ACIM, addiction alcoholics anonymous Emmet Fox, Alanon, Baba Ram Dass, Zen, The Secret, Road Less Traveled, NOTW, Power of Intention, 

What Lengths Are You Willing To Go?

Living on the Spiritual Basis, the basis of trusting and relying upon God, it would be foolish not to think of what the full impact of this ultimately means in our lives. As our consciousness rises, it becomes clear that many of the scariest aspects of God are human constructs designed to control and manipulate. Though usually based in some scripture or spiritual teaching they require some rather interesting interpretations while ignoring or even attacking anyone or anything that does not comport with this closed view. Living at levels of raised awareness we do not argue with or contradict those who hold on to a punishing, rigid concept of God. Today we are peaceful warriors letting our lives carry the message, fearlessly testifying to the truth, when asked.  

I believe, and believe this holds true for all, that God is “Our Father” and wants all His children to be Happy, Joyous and Free, as any loving parent would. That we are forgiven as soon as we ask as long as we walk the way we talk (much easier said than done). No sin so grievous that it places us beyond redemption, as long as we mean business, God will restore us to sanity, a demonstration of true grace (to be clear: grace does not necessarily erase the earthly consequences of our actions, it does however provide us with the strength and courage to face them). The realm of Heaven being roomy, all-inclusive, never exclusive or forbidding, is open to all who earnestly seek, regardless of present conditions or circumstances. All that is required is an open heart, an open mind and the willingness to go to any lengths for a spiritual awakening.


Zen, Wayne Dyer, The Secret, Serenity, Road Less Traveled, Power of Intention, NOTW, Golden Key, 

The Golden Rule And Children Of Eternity

  “Treating all in the same manner we wish to be treated in.” If, for any reason, we can justify treating anyone in a manner we would find objectionable if that same treatment were visited upon us, we are wrong and have placed ourselves in conflict with the Spiritual Basis of Living. Period, 100% of the time.

Living on the Spiritual Basis our consciousness has risen. Today we look upon all as children of the Creator, possessing the spark of the divine, equal in his love and sight. So what separates us in demonstration is this: The Golden Rule, that we all reap as we sow so when we are denigrating or objectifying anyone for any reason the reward is clear, the consequences spiritually assured. Living at levels of raised consciousness we recognize this so we salute the divine in all with prayer, recognizing that pain is the only instrument sharp enough to cut away the excess of self. To be clear: on the surface, many appear to skirt this truth, living seemingly at odds with Divine truth and prospering. Death is the great equalizer, no one immune. At the moment of translation whom would you rather be, the individual who caused suffering and pain for pleasure and/or profit or the person who stood firm in faith and lived by the Golden Rule? Consider the words of Victor Frankl "We have come to know man as he really is. After all, man is that being who invented the gas chambers of Auschwitz; however, he is also that being who entered those gas chambers upright, with the Lord's Prayer or the Shema Yisrael on his lips."

The Golden Rule entreats us to demonstrate the same love, tolerance, kindness and patience we wish to know to all, regardless of circumstance, for we are all truly children of eternity.

ACIM, Alanon, Bible, Emmet Fox, Zen, The Secret, 

Embers In Consciousness

Living at raised levels of consciousness our harshest critic is always ourselves. As our awareness rises, we naturally hold ourselves to higher and higher levels of conduct, not only in demonstration but also in the very thoughts that surface in our mind! No one who steps, by choice, on the path of Living on the Spiritual Basis has control over the thoughts that float up into their awareness. No one. What we do have is a tool kit, a spiritual tool kit, so that when negative or destructive thoughts materialize in our minds eye we address them in the light of raised consciousness.

The mistake routinely made is one of comparison. Somehow, the thought is born that we should be further along the path, that these thoughts are in someway an indication of lack of progress on our part. Nonsense. A cloudy day is just a cloudy day unless we decide the clouds are an indicator of impending doom. 

A thought only has power if we choose to empower it. 

Self-condemnation empowers the negative, invites into our consciousness needless suffering and restricts, stifles growth. Do not let impatience drive you to despair, to needless wear and tear in your psyche. Life isn’t a race. When a “curious” thought surfaces do not waste time trying to figure out where it came from or why it appeared, for to do so opens the door to morbid reflection, which should be avoided like the plague. Upon becoming aware of the discordant thought, gently give it over to God in directed prayer. Later in meditation, if it resurfaces, remember the cloudy day and ask God if there is anything additional He would have you see. Do not go to any lengths whatsoever to document or remember these random thoughts. Most of them will just come and go with little notice if we are diligent in applying spiritual principles as soon as they surface.

Remember the lesson of the campfire ember: when a burning ember from the fire lands on our shirtsleeve if we brush it off immediately no harm will be done. If however we stop to contemplate on it the shirt will have a hole in it and a welt on our arm to mark it. The only embers we remember, the ones that caused damage, are the ones we “thought” about. With God’s help brush off those curious embers reflexively; remembering the sun is always shining behind the clouds.


 Zen, Wayne Dyer, The Secret, Source, ACIM, Alanon, Bible, Emmet Fox, 

A Thrilling Experiment

Ready to step out in faith, to take some concrete action? For the next 24 hours, act as if you really do believe in God. Relax, your belief is not in question, this is an exercise in raising our awareness, our consciousness. Begin by demonstrating patience, tolerance, kindness and love towards all, especially marking those who are impatient, intolerant, unkind and unloving; piece of cake right.

Now for something a little harder, watching our words. Speak only in accordance with your belief in God. No negativity, gossip, sarcasm or cute cutting little remarks (regardless of how funny or clever they may be) when asked a question, whether it be from a loved one, friend, child, employer/employee or stranger frame the answer as if God was speaking through you. No pressure.

Finally, and the most difficult aspect, as if it wasn’t hard enough already, is to guard your thoughts. Stay ever vigilant of your thinking, measure each thought against the absolute truth of living life in His presence, at higher levels of consciousness. Pretty simple huh. Easy? Probably the hardest thing you have ever attempted, but the rewards are immense.

No one will not do this perfectly, far from it actually, but that does not mean we should attempt this with anything less than full commitment for half measures avail us nothing. It is easy to see why the experiment is only for 24 hours.

Finally, if you can, carry a small note pad and write down your thoughts through out the day but don’t get caught doing it or tell anyone what you’re about. If there is a chance someone will see you writing, then don’t. As you move through your life, from time to time, revisit your notes and note how you have changed and grown. Guard this experiment as if it was your most valuable asset, for in the end it will pay dividends that will last a lifetime, for once our consciousness is raised, we are changed forever.

Zen, The Secret, Road Less Traveled, Love, Peace, Zen,  Wayne Dyer, ACIM, Alanon, NOTW, Karma., 

Praying Scientifically

Praying on or “treating” a problem or difficulty is simple, but not easy. First, get quiet, do not try to control your thoughts, anyone who says they control the random thoughts that float up into our consciousness is selling a book or seminar. We do not control thoughts, what we do control is our response/action when a thought surfaces in our consciousness.

We do this by turning our attention to God, contemplating on what we know about His Love, His Guidance, and our connection to Him as Father to child. Do not under any pretext think about the issue you are treating, praying about at this time.

Next, read a short passage from any spiritual tome that appeals to you and then take a few moments in contemplative meditation to consider what was just read. The purpose of this is to center our thoughts in God, to place our attention there, to raise our consciousness.

Now take two or three cleansing breaths, breathing in deeply through the nose, exhaling through the mouth. Then claim quietly that which you need or the situation/condition requiring healing. Of paramount importance is to always ask in the affirmative. If we ask thusly: “I need” money, health, peace, serenity etc what we will demonstrate is more need. We will be affirming need, not abundance. If money or resources are lacking ask that your life be a demonstration of abundance. If it is employment, ask to be of service to God and your fellows, for the perfect position for your unique set of abilities. Health, in general, ask to demonstrate a healed and vital radiance, for a specific ill or condition ask for a healing, visualizing the body free of the condition. If the demonstration is to assist another, frame your words carefully so that only positive and affirming actions are employed. Remember, words have power.

As you are making your demonstration see it from the end, as an accomplished fact and thank God for accomplishing it.  Under no condition discuss the treatment with anyone; it is between God and you alone. When you find yourself drifting back into thinking about the difficulty, and we all do, stop as soon as you become aware and give it back to God with thanks, for prayers of thanksgiving are the most powerful of all.

The Adversary's Thousand Faces

No one but you and God truly know what is in your heart, nor can we ever truly know what is in the heart of another, for only God has that ability. We come to know the issues of someone’s heart by their actions, demonstrations, not their words. One of the most misunderstood teachings in the Christ message is on judgment. It is not that we are to avoid being judgmental, for that is impossible. In fact, we are instructed to employ righteous judgment, to judge based on action, not on words. However, we cannot judge rightly if our own house is not in order.

To put our house in order we take an honest, fearless and thorough inventory of our life. We identify the things that have been blocking us from fully accepting God’s love and guidance. Once we have done this we find they are all fear based in one manner or another, for the adversary, fear, has a thousand faces. We risk our serenity when we pass judgment on someone else while our actions may be just as bad or even worse. We clean up our actions, our side of the street first, sharpening our vision, and then we can speak to our brothers’ difficulties, if asked. Seeing the pitfalls and roadblocks in someone’s path is none of our business unless we are asked, for Living on the Spiritual Basis requires we never answer the unasked question. We practice patience and prayer, standing ready to go to any lengths to be of service when called, remembering that although we have great power in changing ourselves, by our reliance on God in all things, we have little power in changing others since their desire, just as ours, must come from within.


Zen, Wayne Dyer, The Secret, Road Less Traveled, Power of Intention, Golden Key, Emmet Fox, ACIM, 

God Is Calling

Emmet Fox wrote, “Your real problem-the only problem you have-is to find your true calling in life. Everything else will fall into place. You will be happy; and upon happiness, health will follow. You will have all the supply that you require to meet your needs, and this means that you will have perfect freedom; for poverty and freedom cannot go together.”

Your heart’s desire has called to you. The still quiet voice, God’s voice, in you has whispered it to you. The thing you may have never said aloud for fear of ridicule. The thing the fear-based voice says: you are too old, you will never make a living doing it, what would your friends and family think, what about my responsibilities, and a thousand other “reasons” to stay locked into the role you have decided society would have you play, not God. The first step to freedom begins here. You must answer this question: Do you believe God wants you to be happy, joyous and free? If you hold this as true, then what power on earth could possibly stand in the way?  

“Remember that this call is the call of God, and when God calls you to His Service, He pays all the expenses in whatever kind of coin. …Whatever you may require to answer that call, God will provide. Money, opportunity, introductions, knowledge, training, freedom, leisure, strength, and courage-all will He furnish, if you be about His business and not your own.
       
Your Heart’s desire is the Voice of God, and that Voice must be obeyed sooner or later.” 

AA, ACIM, A Course in Miracles, Zen, Wayne Dyer, The Secret, Road Less Traveled, sacred cow, Power of Intention, metaphysics, 

Your Music

   “Do not die with your music in you.” That feeling of dissatisfaction, the sense of something missing in life is God quietly but insistently attempting to get our attention. Your Heart’s Desire will never cease trying to assert it’s self into the forefront of your consciousness. We will never be truly happy or fulfilled until we listen.  Remember our true state of being:

We are not human beings in search of the miraculous, a spiritual awakening; we are spiritual beings experiencing the human condition.

There is a reason for each of us being here, now. Our Heart’s Desire, God's desire for us, is that reason.


Zen, Wayne Dyer, metaphysics, Emmet Fox, Bible, Baba Ram Dass, ACIM, A Course in Miracles, 

Ultimate Truth

"When you change the way you look at things the things you look at change."

When we first embark on the path of Spiritual Living we are greeted with this truth:

If you knew who walked beside you, on this path you have chosen, you would never be afraid again.

Then as our awareness and understanding grows over time through application and demonstration of spiritual principles this transforms to:

When you know who walks beside you, on this path you have chosen, your fears fall from you.

Finally as we take our place as Children of the Light, understanding our true place, that we are spiritual beings experiencing the human condition, eternal, not limited humans seeking enlightenment, the ultimate truth resonates:

I now know who walks beside me on my chosen path and I fear no longer.




enlightenment, Zen, Wayne Dyer, The Secret, Road Less Traveled, ACIM, Baba Ram Dass, Bible, metaphysician, Power of Intention,

Growing Up On The Happy Road To Siberia

Grow up! Whenever someone does or says something juvenile there is invariably an “adult” nearby to suggest this course of action. We have all probably been on either side of the “grow up” admonition at one time or another in our lives, but juvenile behavior is one thing, what about our spiritual maturity? Many who would be offended if it were suggested they were any thing less than a model of modern maturity in truth have static spirituality. Having struck upon a “sensible” structured slate of activity and repetitive prayer at proscribed times they are “comfortable” and self-assured in their path, their sacred cows well cared for. GROW UP! Our spiritual lives, and there really is no other, demands constant fresh input to be vital, complacency and staidness clear demonstrations of spiritual immaturity. GROW UP! We keep our conscious contact with the Divine fresh and growing on a daily basis by keeping an open mind and heart, ready to act and serve in whatever manner God would have us. Ready to go to any lengths, any extreme for our spiritual awakening, constantly moving forward, sometimes quickly sometimes slowly but always growing, never content to draw a line in the sand, plant our flag and say "no further." One of the hallmarks of spiritual maturity is willingness. Years ago when I was balking at taking some indicated action, my spiritual guide described his level of willingness: “If God wants me to go shovel shit in Siberia I’m willing, the only question I have is do I need to bring my own shovel.” Willingness is the key, how willing are you? See you along the road of happy destiny, perhaps happily strolling to Siberia, with or without a shovel.

A Course in Miracles, ACIM, Bible, Emmet Fox, Jesus Christ, metaphysics, ODAAT, Zen, Wayne Dyer,    

Law Of Attraction, Karma And The Adversary

Karma: n  

1.  Eastern religion, Eastern philosophy: the Hindu and Buddhist philosophy according to which the quality of people’s current and future lives is determined by their behavior in this and in previous lives 
2.  Atmosphere radiated by a place, situation, person, or object (informal) 
3.  Destiny or fate in general

The term karma became part of the general lexicon in the west during the 60’s. It is certainly more “modern” to say karma rather than “reap what you sow” yet it means exactly the same thing, the concept of karma actually predating Christianity by over a thousand years. This concept is a cosmic law, is never broken and there is no appeal. Think law of gravity, same rules of appeal apply. The mistake most often made when thinking on karma is that it is a form of punishment. Unlike gravity, our actions determine our karma, reaping what we have sown.

The good news is that karma, or if you prefer The Law of Attraction, works both ways. To borrow from Wayne Dyer: When we change the way we look at things, the things we look at change. To be clear: everyone faces trouble or difficulty in the course of their lives they did nothing to attract, but these occasions are rare, if we are rigorously honest with ourselves it is clear that by the choices and decisions we made, particularly before embracing the Spiritual way of living, we placed ourselves in a position to be harmed.

We are blessed with free will, the ability to choose the path we walk, the choices we make determining the crop we reap. So we avoid  the deliberate manufacture of misery and suffering, Living on the Spiritual Basis we walk the road less traveled, trusting and relying on a power greater than ourselves to keep the adversary, fear, in its proper place for If you knew, who walked beside you on this path you have chosen, you would never be afraid again. 

ACIM, Alanon, Baba Ram Dass, Bible, Zen, The Secret, A Course in Miracles, 

Time's Inevitable Reckoning

Nothing says inevitable reckoning like birthdays. As children we eagerly looked forward to them with nearly as much anticipation as Christmas. Then imperceptibly one day we cross an invisible line and begin to view the upcoming date of our birth with something less than glee.This change in perception probably began when that first “friend” jokingly said, “hey, you’re getting old.” Sets in for real when we realize our music tastes no longer encompass any new artists, something we vowed as teenagers would never happen. Your 20-year class reunion notice arrives and the thought crosses your mind, “where has the time gone?” catching yourself looking in the mirror with a critical eye, wondering how you will measure up against your classmates and if that gym membership is still active.

The march of time does not take breaks and only moves in one direction for us, seemingly picking up steam the further down the path we travel. So what is one to do? Live in the day, for the only time we have in truth is this moment. The only time we can be present for life is in this moment, the only time we can be present for God is right now. Do not allow yourself to project into the future or dwell on the past, for they lead us inexorably into morbid reflection, regardless of original intent. Make plans and set goals of course, but we do not hang our happiness or peace of mind on whether or not our script is followed, we stand ready to change direction immediately if and when it is indicated.

Live One Day At A Time, staying in the here and now and the tomorrows will take care of themselves. We must be about God’s business, trusting and relying on Divine Love and Guidance, for only in so doing is true peace, growth and serenity realized.

ACIM, Alanon, Bible, Wayne Dyer, The Secret, Source, Road Less Traveled, Power of Intention, NOTW, ODAAT, Emmet Fox, 

So, why is reincarnation necessary?

Know anyone so set in their ways dynamite couldn’t move them off a position or opinion, whether it is a sports team, political party or issue? Most people by the time they have reached their 40’s have pretty much sorted out what they do or do not believe, are set in their ways, their mind effectively closed to differing opinions or points of view, any new growth effectively choked off by the weight of a “settled” mind, their character fixed, ignorance embraced.

IGNORANCE: n

1.  lack of knowledge or education
2.  unawareness of something, often of something important

Some where in the sands of time the term ignorance transformed from a simply descriptive word to a pejorative, to be ignorant simply means we are unaware or lack knowledge.

Our spiritual schooling involves the development of every aspect of character, for who can truly say they understand another until they have walked a mile in their shoes?

The lessons we need to learn to become spiritually complete are legion. Consider: To become a good leader first the lessons of humility and to resist the siren song of corruption absolute power sings is necessary. To live alone and be at peace and to live amongst many and learn to view all as equals, children of a loving God, regardless of how they may offend. To live childless and as a parent, to learn these things and so many others, and to do it from both the male and female perspective is a task far beyond the capacity of any single lifetime clearly, so our long spiritual schooling is not constrained by our limited understanding of time or the finality of flesh. Our Father is eternal and so are His children.

So our job now is not to concern ourselves with past lessons or those yet to come, but to reside in the moment, for though He was there in the past and promises to be there in the future, He resides in today, with us, His children. By keeping our eyes on Him who has all knowledge and power, ignorance melts away and our growth in spiritual understanding blossoms.

 #settled science, Zen, settled science, The Secret, Source, sacred cows, NOTW, morbid reflection, ACIM, Alanon,

Reincarnation Or One And Done?

Reincarnation, this topic can be a room clearer and one I have spent a great many hours wrestling. For many years I struggled in contemplation with the “inviolate” concept held by some religions of "once and done." My struggles centered on our eternal consciousness versus the finite nature of flesh. Why would our Heavenly Father, who exists beyond the constraints of time, space and flesh, limit his children in this way? And if we are indeed children of the Most High, doesn't like beget like? How can we possibly learn all the lessons of living in a mere 70, 80 or 90 years? In the Old Testament life spans of hundreds of years are noted, but that was some time ago and even if we did live hundreds of years there are many lessons requiring a fresh clean perspective.

Consider: How can one person, even if diligent from day one, learn the lessons of having lived a lifetime as a king and a beggar, of the courageous and the coward, to live as a criminal and a righteous man in the same life, and what of the reverse? Live a life devoted to self-indulgence and hedonism and one of asceticism and denial? To know the joy, and heartbreak of children and a life lived chaste? Handicapped from birth or born healthy, to learn all this and so much more, additionally from the perspectives of male and female, in one lifetime? Any man who says he understands childbirth is a fool and any woman who stands in judgment of the bond between warriors is unwise. Today I know from bitter experience that until I walk a mile in someone’s shoes, I truly cannot know their lessons and to think otherwise is rank hubris. Eternity is a long time, what sense would it make to limit our schooling to a single life since we are children of the Infinite, of “Our Father, who art in Heaven….”

 ACIM, Alanon, Bible, Emmet Fox, metaphysics, Zen, 

The Big Bang, George Carlin And Goesintas

Cosmologically the “Big Bang” is the generally accepted starting point of the universe. The theory holds that at one time everything that exists, all 125 billion galaxies, all 70 sextillion stars (that’s a 7 followed by 22 zeros or nearly 18 times the number of grains of sand on Earth) was locked in an infinitesimally small point, a singularity. Then, and no one really knows why though there are a lot of theories, the point began expanding very rapidly and some 13.7 billion years later, give or take a millennium or two, here we are. The numbers and vastness of the universe is clearly beyond my ability, or any other mere mortals, to comprehend.

Then there is the whole dark matter/energy curiosity. It seems that only a little less than 5% of the universe exists in the visible spectrum, over 95% of everything is invisible to us, comprised of roughly 25% dark matter and 70% dark energy, depending on who is doing the goesintas (you know, 2 goes into 4 twice). OK, take a breath. Kinda gets the head spinning doesn’t it. The good news is we do not have to have it all together to figure (as if we could) it all out in order to have a relationship with a Power Greater Than Ourselves.

 To paraphrase the great metaphysician George Carlin: People talk about getting their shit together. Because as soon as they get their shit together, they will be ready. Ready for what? If they got their shit together, what would they do with it? Most people have a lot of shit, so it would be far too heavy to carry around, so they would have to find a place keep their shit. I guess they could put their shit in storage. But how will anybody know they got their shit together if it is in storage? Kinda defeats the whole purpose of getting ones shit together doesn’t it? You gotta show your shit off or what’s the point? You could get a really big truck to haul your shit around with you I suppose, but that’s a lot of shit to find parking for. And what about the trouble makers? All those who haven’t been able to get their shit together will get shity when they see you and your shit together. Then there are those assholes who try to give you shit. It is their shit, but they try to pawn it off on you. Look, I know my shit, so don’t give me any shit. My shit is over here; your shit is over there. Don’t try to mix the shit just because you can’t get your shit together.

Fortunately, with all due respect to Mr. Carlin, it is not required for us to have all the answers or our "shit" together to have a relationship with the miraculous. We can start at as simple a level as we need, it can be as simple as: there is a God and I am not it. So we keep an open mind and from this mustard seed's worth of faith a powerful spiritual experience can, and will grow. No shit.

 ,ACIM, Alanon, Zen, The Secret, Sober Living By The Sea, Road Less Traveled, metaphysics,

A Wonderful Enfoldment

Death awaits all men but waits on no man. Everything, from may flies to the stars die. Death is the change that brings renewal. Sadness at the passing of a loved one is natural; they have left our sight and are absent from our lives. Difficulty arises though if we refuse to let go of the departed, to allow them to rest in peace. When we build shrines and visit them regularly, whether they are of stone or in our heart, we open ourselves to morbid reflection. Consider the pyramids. The Pharaohs spent most of their time and energy focused on death and their “final” resting place.  Millions of man hours spent erecting, countless lives lost, treasuries emptied and for what? None of them succeeded as inviolate temples to the afterlife, what could the ancients have accomplished had they channeled that energy and resources into the living?

There is no death in the sense of personal finality, for death is just an altering of consciousness, a change in condition. Living on the Spiritual Basis, in conscious contact with a Power Greater Than Ourselves, death is part of the wonderful enfoldment of divine love that marks our spiritual progression. How could it be anything else?

We do not seek death, for it will come in due course, but we no longer fear it either. We release those who have left the mortal coil with love, sad because they have temporarily left our sight, but excited for their translation into the miraculous. This flesh is a temporary conveyance, never conceived or designed to last for eternity. Our consciousness, the I AM that makes each of us unique in all existence is eternal, untouched by time, space or physical concerns, has always been and will always be.

We carry the departed, our loved ones, in our heart, since no other structure can truly hold them. When they drift up into the forefront of our thinking, as they are wont to do from time to time, we smile and say a silent blessing, sending love, and then get on with the business of living, for the dead will take care of themselves.

 Zen, Wayne Dyer, The Secret, Sober Living By The Sea, Road Less Traveled, NOTW, metaphysics, 

Hypocrisy And Forrest Gump

“Handsome is as handsome does.” Sounds a bit Forrest Gump-ish but it fit’s the bill. Many wish to enjoy a certain reputation they know in their heart they don’t deserve. The ill-tempered person may indeed wish to be loved and favored but their very actions make it impossible. How often have we heard a friend or acquaintance (or even ourselves) attempt to sell the idea that even though someone is acting or has acted badly they really meant well, are basically nice people, having a heart of gold. Nonsense: Handsome is as handsome does. Living on the Spiritual Basis our serenity is measured by our actions. We must walk the way we talk or risk suffering mightily at the hands of hypocrisy. We can wish to be spiritual, we can wish for peace, we can wish to be happy, joyous and free but unless our actions match up with our wishes, we will never demonstrate our hearts desire.

  #Bible, #Emmet Fox, #NOTW, #The Secret, #Wayne Dyer, #Zen, Alanon, Power of Intention,

12 Steps To Cake Making

Students who find the path of Living on the Spiritual Basis through the 12 step process have an advantage, the advantage of clear cut simple directions. The directions found in the “Big Book”, Alcoholics Anonymous, are straight forward and concise. Even so I have had students relate all kinds of curious interpretations of the process they heard someone (often an old-timer) relate in an AA meeting. The problem is that many, instead of actually reading and studying the path, chose to base their understanding on people and gatherings rather than on their own work and effort. Faith without works is dead. I understand, why do hard things like studying the path and really working towards enlightenment, when there are easy things like going to meetings and sober activities, relying on others “easier softer way” interpretations as gospel. Eventually spirituality by osmosis (lots of activity, little real work) wears thin and they are faced with a crisis they can no longer evade or postpone, that no amount of “sharing” or talking about will help; they begin to think God has abandoned them. They truly believe they have been “working” toward a raised consciousness, but this perception is based on wishful thinking. In truth they have been doing some of the work, but not all, like trying to make a cake but leaving out an important ingredient, then blaming the recipe when the cake is inedible.

The good news is we can change our point of view and start reaping the benefits immediately. Kinda like going on a diet and losing five pounds just by deciding to go on the diet, pretty cool. The 12 step process isn't about not drinking or using drugs, it is about learning to live on a new basis, the Spiritual Basis. Alcohol (and drugs) is but a symptom, the bottle (syringe, pipe, pill bottle, etc) only a symbol. For those who do not sufferer from addiction, substitute life and living for symptom and fear for the symbol and if you have the willingness, this path of enlightenment will provide answers to all of life's problems, but a price has to be paid, that price is the surrendering of self. Cheers.

 Zen, Wayne Dyer, The Secret, Sober Living By The Sea, Power of Intention,

Deadly Comparisons

Many modern offices are comprised of large rooms divided into cubicles employing partition walls. Typically these walls of partition are head high and unlike permanent walls are easily moved. When we are frightened and feeling lost it is if a wall of impenetrable stone has risen between us and God. In truth the “wall” is nothing more than the flimsiest of partitions constructed of fear and false belief. It appears solid and robust at first blush, but just as the partition walls found in an office, with the right tools and a little effort is easily removed. The tools: Prayer and meditation. The effort: Being of service to others.

Prayer is pretty straight forward; meditation however seems shrouded in mystery and skewed expectation. If you aren’t meditating regularly, start. Keep it simple, begin by finding someplace where you can be undisturbed for fifteen minutes, if your living situation makes this difficult, take a walk. Yes, you can meditate while walking. Whether sitting (no need to fold yourself into a pretzel unless your into that sort of thing) or walking, be comfortable. Sit in a comfortable position or walk at a pace that does not affect your breathing. Now, think about nothing but spiritual principles and truth, as you understand them at this point in your development, or if you prefer read a paragraph or two from a spiritual book or teaching and then contemplate on it. When your mind wanders, and it will, gently bring it back to the task at hand. Do not under any pretext speak to yourself negatively or condescendingly. Meditate daily, No excuses. If you are persistent, soon meditation will become such an integral part of living that when you find yourself caught in a situation where meditation is not practical (happens occasionally) you will miss it. Congratulations, you are now officially a meditator and yes, it really is that simple. There are many forms and styles of meditation, do not at this point go out and buy books on meditation or search the internet. Keep it simple, when it is time to investigate other forms, you will know. Most importantly do not concern yourself with becoming “better” at meditation, just do it.

Service work can take any number of forms. It can be as simple as dropping a coin in the random parking meter about to expire (I know, in some places this is illegal but a little civil disobedience is good for the soul) or even just picking up a piece of trash off the street or sidewalk and disposing of it, to volunteering time and resources. The key here is just as with meditation is consistency. A kindly act once in awhile won’t fit the bill.

You may have sensed a theme here. To remove the illusionary partition wall that fear and false belief raises between us and serenity, we stop thinking about the trouble and think about God and spirituality instead, backing it up with unselfish, constructive action. Do not allow yourself to fall into the trap of thinking you need to do any of this perfectly or that anyone does, the deadly trap of comparing our insides to others outsides. 

 

AA, ACIM, Alanon, Bible, Einstein, NOTW, Power of Intention, Zen,  

I Don't Know

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 again 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 seemingly unheard or worse 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 limited sight, remaining unfathomable, at this time. Why does one child miraculously recover from a serious illness and another succumb? Or someone who worked hard all their lives, played by all of society’s rules only to find all they worked for gone through no fault of their own. I don’t know. Perhaps when this flesh fails and we are launched into eternity the answers will become known.

In Faith and Truth, God only brings good, He does not, cannot bring suffering or strife for God and Good are synonymous. 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 a little more. 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. Since flesh is ephemeral, perhaps that is the answer after all.


 ACIM, Zen, Wayne Dyer, The Secret, Road Less Traveled, a new pair of glasses,

Miracles And A Flat Earth

MIRACLE n. 1. An act or event that seems to transcend or contradict all known natural or scientific laws and is usually thought to be supernatural in origin. 2. Any wonderful or amazing thing, fact, or event; a wonder.

God does not break cosmic law. The laws of retribution, of unintended consequence, of reaping and sowing, of attraction, of intention, of gravity, and like begets like are never broken or contradicted. Our limited (human) ability to comprehend may leave us with the impression that miracles seemingly break these laws, but this is false. What happens is that by raising ones consciousness into His presence a higher law is tapped, transcending the lower. In the secular sense think of it as appealing a judgment from a lower court to a higher, if a judgment is reversed, the reversal is based on some missed, overlooked or ignored precedent, not a rewriting of the code (at least that is how it is supposed to work).  Secular appeals progress through the system, ultimately arriving at the court of final appeal, the Supreme Court. Supreme Court decisions, since it is populated with humans who can be and often are contradictory in their actions and thinking, can be arbitrary in interpreting secular law, God is not. Cosmic law is applied equally, for God does not, cannot play favorites, His Love abundant and equally weighed to all His children.

Not all that long ago the accepted orthodoxy was that the earth was flat and the center of the universe and anyone who disagreed branded a heretic, suffering greatly for voicing a dissenting view. Yet regardless of how many times the accepted orthodoxy has been shown in error, every age continues to believe they have the answers, the laws of the universe understood, humankind's hubris on display. Years from now our future selves will look back on this time in much the same way we look back on those "scientific laws" that held the earth was flat or man would never fly or stand on the moon, with the same incredulity.

Without miracles, our appeal to higher law, how could there be faith? The performing of miracles demonstrates a level of our Fathers love and law, that here to fore had not been known or can be scientifically quantified with our limited human mind. Miracles can, have and do happen, a higher law beyond our limited understanding accessed, the supernatural transcending the natural. No? How’s that whole flat earth thing working out?




 ACIM, Alanon, Baba Ram Dass, Emmet Fox, metaphysics, ODAAT, Sober Living By The Sea

Letter Or Spirit, One Kills, One Gives Life

Head to heart, from letter to spirit. The journey from one to the other is the longest 18 inches in the world. When we began questioning life’s orthodoxy; as we all do too some degree usually beginning in our teens or early twenties, we could never dream where the thread would lead. As we age, and hopefully grow a little wiser, the fire to question unfortunately dims for many. I suppose that is not all bad, it would be hard to imagine a world full of middle aged teenagers where the trains ran on time. Unfortunately advancing age often brings complacency, rolling over us silently like a late night fog and we slowly become disimpassioned  in our thinking and lives; the fire all but extinguished. Having become invested in the status quo, it becomes easier to go along than to address hard questions.

How do you live today? By letter or spirit?

The secular world operates on the letter. The spirit begs: Is it “correct or right” to refuse help to someone because they don’t have or fill out the right forms, though otherwise meeting all qualifications or specifications? To “control” the amount of food grown in order to maintain pricing structures while one child starves? To maintain the myth of water shortages on a planet covered in water, simply because we choose not to spend the money to remove the salt, as our brothers and sisters die of thirst? The letter answers all these questions with rationale, while the spirit weeps.

Who has also made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for letter kills, but the spirit gives life (2 Corinthians 3:6)



Zen, Wayne Dyer, The Secret, Sober Living By The Sea, Road Less Traveled, ACIM, Emmet Fox

Killing Buddha And Embracing Dragons

On ancient maps when cartographers would reach the end of what was known they would often write “There Be Dragons” to denote the unknown existing beyond the edges of the known, fear inculcated as fact. Being a metaphysician, I find that margin note quite appropriate when embarking on any attempt to teach spiritual truth and principles. With thousands of different Christian Churches, Islam with over a billion followers and radical disagreement among its adherents to the interpretation of the prophet’s words, Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism and God only knows how many other religions big and small believing in all manner of things, many of whom claiming they are the only, one true path or church, the appearance of dragons on this subject is guaranteed.  

So, in order to continue, I need to fly my flag: I am a First Century or red letter Christian if you prefer. In many bibles the words attributed to Jesus are in red, so my faith begins with those words, everything else filtered through them. I do not believe there is a need for anyone to “interpret” the Christ teaching for us since we are asked by the Great Carpenter to read with inner light, the spark of the Divine that is within all, regardless of our station in life or current circumstances. Of course we should stay open to all teachers; the mistake is when we make them “sacred cows”, placed on a metaphysical pedestal, beyond question or error. As the Buddha teaches: “Embrace nothing: If you meet the Buddha, kill the Buddha. If you meet your father, kill your father. Only live your life as it is, Not bound to anything.”

To be clear: we will have many teachers in the course of our existence. We learn from them, but remembering in God’s eyes all are equal, student and teacher, and when we are called on to teach, and we will be, we rejoice. All that is required to become enlightened is an open mind and heart, coupled with a willingness to serve a greater destiny than our limited (secular) imaginations can conceive. So, listen to opposing viewpoints and engage in constructive dialogue where appropriate (be very wary of dragons here and never argue with a closed mind, leave them gently with a silent prayer, for this is how we kill the Buddha) and filter everything through Spiritual Truth, as you understand it. If you’re not quite sure what your spiritual truth is, I’m sure there is a book around here somewhere with some red words in it, as fine a place to start as can be found. Checking my six for dragons.


ACIM, Alanon, Sober Living By The Sea, Zen, The Secret, Road Less Traveled, Power of Intention

Gremlins

We all know someone, might even be someone we see in the mirror daily, who has a shelf full of self help/spiritual books. Now, they probably have all been read, once, after which they took their place of pride in the collection. Being a spiritual guru, enlightened being, Zen master, world class pistol shot and just a peach of a guy, I will now impart to you one of the great grand secrets of the universe. Gremlins. Pick up any one of the books that touched you in the past, open it at random and start reading. Read a page or two. Go ahead, I’ll wait………………Pretty amazing huh. How could you have missed that the first time? Yup, gremlins. When we are not looking they move the words around to reflect our ever increasing level of spiritual understanding. The lesson is simple, stop looking for answers, you already have them. Study what you already know, what has touched you for it touched you for a reason. Study that which has sung to you in the past and you will be amazed that no matter how many times you have read it, those darn gremlins have got in there and with your expanded insight deeper meaning has surfaced. This isn’t to say that nothing new can come along, but first we set our foundation deep by focusing on basic truths, revisiting the roots of our belief regularly, observing how the gremlins have brought new luster to that which we thought we knew and understood. Aren’t secrets cool. Gremlins, who knew?

Are you nuts! There’s no frakking bridge!

We are constantly treating everything in our lives with the thoughts we entertain, if we believe we are defeated, we are. We are asking for failure if we believe in failure, we are treating for MORE failure, even though while praying, haltingly, for success! How can that be? no one wants to fail, but if we pray and then spend the rest of the day entertaining negative fearful thoughts, we are in fact treating for more failure. “As a man thinks.” What we dwell on, spend our time reflecting on, we manifest in our lives, Period. We will never manifest peace, prosperity, health and happiness in our lives if we continue to focus on strife, lack, sickness and sadness. All prayers are heard, but if we ask not really believing, for any reason, our prayer will be answered in the manner asked; our lack of faith rewarded. When we feel even the slightest twinge of doubt, we must stop and treat the doubt with prayer before praying further! We do not allow ourselves the illusion that by pretending it is not there deals with it. So we pray with all our heart and expect to receive, but we don’t limit God by outlining in our mind how we think our prayers should be answered. When outlining we stifle God’s will, we are so fixed looking in one direction we overlook anything that does not  fit our imagined solution. So trust God’s unlimited vision and refuse to be limited by outlining.

The movie Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade provides a nice visualization of this teaching: Indie is on the brink of finding the Holy Grail. He has surmounted monumental difficulties to reach the point where he finds himself looking across a chasm that appears impossible to cross. He reaches into his pocket and retrieves his father's note book, looking for inspiration he opens the book to the page were "Step out in faith"  is written. Closing his eyes, with fear and trepidation, he steps out into space and discovers the bridge had always been there, it was just invisible from his perspective. Faith is like that. Trust in God and refuse to entertain the inner voice screaming: Are you nuts! There’s no frakking bridge!

ILL Health Personified

Emotion is your friend. Get overly emotional about everything. Be outraged not only at perceived slights directed at you but at everyone else, even strangers.

Drink lots of caffeine and energy drinks. So what if it makes it hard to sleep. Sleep and rest are overrated anyway. Besides you’ll get plenty of sleep when dead.

Eat anything that is quick and easy. Food is food and time is precious. What is more important, eating or working, texting, blogging, chatting, reality TV, online poker, partying etc? The body may be a temple, but it is your temple so decorate it anyway you want.

Vitamins are expensive, and some say they really don’t work anyway, so they are a waste of money.

Stay busy. Even when “relaxing” do something constructive. God forbid you take any down time.

Avoid prayer and meditation, religiously.

Never walk if you can ride.

You will always have time to exercise later, when you have more time.

When you do get sick, make sure you research the condition at length. Speak of your malady with everyone (make sure you rehearse your speech, don’t want to leave anything out) and listen intently when they in turn share their experiences, especially the negative ones to see how they may apply to you.

Never follow a Doctor’s advice completely, it’s your body and who knows better what’s good for it than you.

And never, ever, turn to God in anything.

Living In Stagnation

Watch for trends and as soon as a new one starts, jump on board. It doesn’t matter whether or not the trend appeals to you, just that you follow it as soon as possible, since you must be on the cutting edge. Be the first to read the latest self help book and waste no time in telling everyone how life changing it is, of course always with an ear to the ground for the next book. Be sure to belittle and condescending to those who don’t share your beliefs, even if you aren’t sure what those beliefs are this week, since you know in your heart of hearts  they really are against you and will pull you down if given the chance.  Become the master of the backhanded compliment, point out the faults of absent “friends” or anyone perceived as successful since your wit demands to be shared and appreciated and you are providing a valuable service. Always have the answer, never mind those pesky details or facts. And above all crow endlessly on your ability to always get the best price. Let your pride shine brightly when recounting how you always get the best deal, how you are a master of the cheap. Keep up appearances regardless the cost, stand proudly on your dignity because clearly you are the master of your life, having all the answers, no spiritual assistance needed or required.

Guaranteed Failure

Cultivate sanctimony. Pride yourself on being the perpetual devil’s advocate; always pointing out why something will never work, reveling in the potential pitfalls. Be sure to inject yourself into every conversation whether invited or not because you are providing an invaluable service. Develop your genius for predicting the worst at every turn. Have no positive focus in life. Spend as much time as you can gossiping whether in person or on line and blog and text endlessly about meaningless things, never missing an opportunity to point out the negative. Watch reality TV religiously and become emotionally involved. Trust in blind luck, your every failure or others success affirming your belief that life really is a crap shoot, and you are just unlucky. Avoid service work, volunteering for anything is for suckers and by all means never pray or step out in faith, trusting in God, seeking His help and guidance.

Reincarnation?

What man can truly know the wonder of childbirth? What woman the bond of brothers forged in battle or the lessons from being a despotic and noble leader in the same life? The lessons of the world traveler or someone who happily spends their life within walking distance of their birthplace, of being born into affluence, opportunity and entitlement or poverty and perceived limitation in a single life? Of a loving family and the orphan, the lessons learned from a life of excess and hedonism and one of selfless service, living as an ascetic? Of unshakeable faith and abject atheism? Who could possibly learn these lessons and so many more in a mere 70-80 years? And are not all these lessons and more required in our wonderful spiritual growth? God is not limited by flesh or time and are we not children of the most high? Does the flesh, which is by design ephemeral, define us or does our eternal Divine self hood?

How To Be Unhappy

Reflect morbidly. Worry about everything. Tell yourself that time is running out and you aren’t getting any younger. Reflect on all those times you zigged when you should have zagged. Visualize all the people who have ever mistreated you and relive the experience. Worry about your health. Go on-line and search medical databases to diagnose  any ache or pain you have and what it might be a symptom of. Money. Have some? Will it be enough, will it last, what if some crook in a suit finds a way to steal it? Don’t have much? How will you get more? What if you don’t? Whatever your financial condition, dwell on all the possible negative outcomes. In short, think about yourself, relentlessly. Do not let any thoughts of God or good dissuade you from your mission and you are sure to be successful at being unhappy. 

Kill That Cow!

In the 1970’s I was a member of the Futurist Society. Futurists predict the future based on what is deemed the best verifiable evidence logically extrapolated. I accepted their pronouncements at face value, since they had studied and researched the issues (I believed) at depth. I looked forward to each issue of their magazine for one particular writer's articles which were always well written and interesting. The new issue arrived and I attempted to read some of the other articles first, a small stab at delayed gratification, but soon turned to my favorite author and with a smile began reading. When finished, I felt a bit unsettled. I couldn’t put my finger on it but it troubled me. So after about a week I went to the library to do some research. Firing up the microfiche (remember microfiche and cabinets filled with microfilm) I located the statistics I was looking for and identified the problem. The author had reversed the statistics that supported his position! I felt relieved and a little proud. I reasoned that some underling had provided the statistics to the author incorrectly and a correction would be forth coming. However the next issue arrived and nothing was mentioned. I surmised that by the time he became aware it was too late for this issue but would certainly be in the next. Well he did address it in the next issue. The response was one of the most over the top, vitriolic pieces of junk I, to this day, have ever read. Not only did he defend his position and facts, anyone who disagreed with him was an idiot! I was left stunned and breathless. I rechecked the facts to see if I misread them. Nope. The sacred cow of blind trust died that day.

Sacred cows are everywhere. Many are inherited, some quietly strolled in and we have not bothered to do the work to turn them out, usually because if we do we are afraid of what we will find when they are gone, since sacred cows are notoriously poor house keepers. We must not be afraid to ask questions and seek the truth, since: the truth will set you free. Trust, but verify.

I didn’t renew my membership in the Futurists Society. Looking back, one of their predictions for 2000 (then 25+ years in the future) was, that if we didn’t act immediately, the world was about to be plunged into a new ice age,  beyond any doubt, no further discussion required, settled science. All the top climatologists said so.

God Doesn't Take Plastic

God doesn’t break cosmic law, to do so would establish favoritism, a pecking order. No one stands above another before God, all are loved equally, even though it may not appear so at times. Most however go through life by self propulsion until some hardship befalls. Then, being nominal believers they turn to prayer in desperation and fear, seeking immediate relief. God will always help so never hesitate to pray, for such is the nature of grace, but if we are loved by God, a love greater than a parent has for their child, why does God seemingly not answer instantaneously in the manner outlined in the prayer?

God never says “no”, but He never will or even can answer prayers that give prosperity to one if it brings poverty to another, peace to one by causing turmoil to another. To do so breaks cosmic law, and since He is the author of the law, He never breaks it. All prayers are answered in the positive, but because we have certain expectations, based in self (fear), we are unable to see God’s hand at work. To be clear: All prayers are answered in the positive, God is always present, the question is are we and have we been present for Him?

God is never unfair. If we have been busy living life secularly, following our will and desires, believing in God but doing little to demonstrate that belief, is it really any surprise that our selfish and self-centered prayer seemingly falls on deaf ears? Once again, reaping and sowing in action. No real crop (practicing prayer, meditation and selfless service) was ever planted and now winter (trouble) has arrived and the cupboard is bear. The Universe isn’t a fast food restaurant, where if you have a credit card you can get your food on the promise of future payment, God doesn’t take plastic. The promise of prayer and good works tomorrow is meaningless towards our demonstration today. Faith without works is dead. Start today to plant the crop you wish to harvest, to stock your cupboard for the inevitable winter days that come for all. Remember, we cannot live off of yesterdays work, what our cupboard is truly stocked with is the truth of our relationship with and to God, that by doing HIS work well TODAY, all our future needs will be met.

So, just for today Practice the Presence of God in every area of life. Salute the spark of the Divine in all you meet. Forgive. Spend a few minutes this day in prayer and meditation. Carry the Good News on your face so that any who hunger can be filled. By planting and nurturing this crop, we will never truly hunger, our cupboard always full, our good works the demonstration of the Power within and our prayers in turn will have wings.

A Few Sure Things

To recognize failure intelligently is the first step toward building success.
We all fail, often. So the question is do we profit from the experience or reflect morbidly on it?

Recognize success with thanksgiving, and build more success with gratitude.
Giving thanks for success while asking the same for all guarantees further success.

We can have anything in life we really want, as long as we are prepared to take the responsibilities that go with our desires.
Why do so many fail to demonstrate? God knows if we are prepared, ready, for He will never bring anything into our life that will overwhelm or ultimately harm us. Because of this Law Of Being any prayer that would ultimately cause the issuer or anyone else harm always remains fallow.

God is ready the moment we are.
We ready ourselves through consistent scientific prayer and meditation. Who would try to run a marathon without training or fly a plane with no instruction, yet spiritually many, if not most expect God to deliver just because they asked, kinda like asking to win a marathon while promising to train afterwards. To be clear: God can and does work miracles without prerequisite, such is the nature of Grace, but our responsibility having become aware is to Practice the Presence of God through prayer and meditation, consistently training ourselves to be of service to God and our fellows.

God always knows the answer.
God is either everything, all knowledge and power or else He is nothing. There is no middle ground.

The biggest fool of all is the man who bothers about outer things and neglects his own consciousness. If you have no time for prayer and meditation, you will have lots of time for sickness and trouble.
Toward the end of the movie Tombstone, Doc Holliday is receiving last rites from a Catholic priest as Wyatt Earp walks in. Doc comments to Wyatt “I was just investigating the mysteries of the Church of Rome. It appears my hypocrisies know no bounds.” Hypocrisy had little to do with it. We all choose the course of our lives, many putting off to tomorrow their “investigation.”  For Doc Holliday (at least in the movie), better late than never but since most cannot rely on cards and a quick gun hand for their source and security (ultimately failing Doc in the end as well), we choose the sure bet today, to Practice the Presence of God daily through prayer, selfless service and meditation.

Day 7 Of The 7 Day Mental Diet

Congratulations. You made it. Today continue employing that smile and take a few minutes in quiet contemplation to review what you learned/discovered about yourself the last few days. Moving forward anytime you feel a little spiritual boot camp is in order, revisit this simple plan and gently, always gently, reapply its principles. Now you can share your 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.  

“Speak to Him, thou, for He hears, and Spirit with Spirit can meet--

Closer is He than breathing, and nearer than hands and feet.” Tennyson

Day 6 Of The 7 Day Diet

Hang in there, only 1 more day to go. Then again, you may be experiencing such profound changes in your outlook you may desire more. Today’s teaching is on love and its power, its ability to change us at our core and the unique availability of love. Love is always available, if we are willing to take action. Faith without works is dead and just as with faith, love requires action. We must build up “by faithful daily exercise the true Love Consciousness.” This is a key ingredient in our 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 through the nose. With eyes closed, consider what patience, tolerance, kindliness and love mean to you. Your mind will begin to visualize, do not fight it or try to control it. 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.

Day 5 Of The 7 Day Diet

…God is love; and he that dwells in love dwells in God, and God in him (1 John 4:16). Day 5: 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. 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. Oh, and you are keeping this to yourself for the next couple of days, right?

Day 4 Of The 7 Day Mental Diet

Consider: You are sitting by a camp fire when a red hot cinder flies up and lands on your sleeve. If you brush the cinder off at once, without a moments delay to consider it, no harm is done. However, if you allow it to rest for even a few heartbeats, under any pretense, the mischief is done, and it will be a troublesome task to repair the sleeve. So it is with negative thought.

Simply stated we have no control over the thoughts that surface in our consciousness or are foisted on us by others but we do choose how we will address those thoughts. Living on the Spiritual Basis the path is clear: When we turn immediately to a Power Greater Than Ourselves in prayer as soon as we become aware of the negative, regardless of its source, we remain unharmed, our spiritual sleeves hole free. Additionally we do not try to discern or understand why a particular thought crossed our mind, avoiding the trap of morbid reflection; we simply take the necessary action to address it. In time, this will become second nature.

By this point in the diet you are probably experiencing some difficulties, it may feel like everything is seemingly going sideways, you have more trouble now, more spiritual discontent 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 until you are done with the diet. Onwards through the fog.

Day 3 Of The 7 Day Mental Diet

Having fun yet? The diet may be simple, but it certainly is not easy. Continue being vigilant, watching for morbid reflection, those negative or destructive thoughts and judgements that seem to be always lurking. When you find your thoughts drifting in this manner immediately supplant the negative and destructive thoughts with positive. As you are beginning to discover, this is a strenuous effort and few would be able to do this for much more than seven days so take heart, the dividends you will receive are worth the effort. Keep in focus the reason for this diet: to be aware of our thinking in a new light and to learn to plant positive, constructive, optimistic and kind thoughts in the garden of our consciousness; watered with the love and guidance of  the Creative Power of the Universe. Shhhh…remember don’t tell anyone you are on a diet. Follow this advice as well if you are considering starting a weight loss plan, an exercise program or quitting smoking and your odds of success will increase exponentially.

Day 2 of the 7 Day 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, remember to 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 effecting 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 effected 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 effects.

A Seven Day Diet For The New Year

Most diets focus merely on the waistline, yet how many of us have lost weight only to put it back on?  The seven day mental diet addresses the excess baggage and destructive thoughts we lug around between our ears that are at the heart of all failure and perceived lack in our lives. In the garden of our thoughts we must learn to carefully chose the crops (thoughts) we plant and nurture in our consciousness. One of the fundamental truths of being is the thoughts we entertain will outsource in our lives. Consider: What are you reading? Watching on television? What topics do you consistently chat with friends and family about? What thoughts do you dwell on in private? These thoughts comprise the garden of our lives, the "food of thought" we partake of daily. Remember this fundamental truth: thought is causative and once our mental diet is in order, everything else in our lives will fall into place.

Day One: Be aware of the thoughts you entertain and the “food” you feed your mind. Be conscious in the moment. Observe the types and frequency of the random thoughts that float up into your consciousness. Observe passively and do not judge or try to discern the origin of a particular thought at this time for this leads to reflecting morbidly which in turn leads to failure. Keep notes if it helps, no extra points for spelling or correct punctuation. DO NOT tell anyone that you are on this or any other diet for that matter, to do so all but guarantees failure. If the idea of doing this makes you cringe, then don’t. You are not ready. Just file it away and when ready, this wonderful tool of freedom will be available.