AHA!

 Since embarking on the path of Living on the Spiritual Basis we have ceased fighting everyone and everything. Because of this the obvious destructive behaviors: addiction, lying, unfaithfulness, dishonesty (cash register variety) fall from us in due course. To be clear: we are not “cured” of these behaviors but we have been given a daily reprieve and if we choose to act out in these areas we now understand that a price in loss of serenity will be extracted. As our path continues to unfold more subtle variations of destructive behavior come into view. The individual who has been in numerous failed relationships finally see that although the names and faces changed they picked essentially the same person again and again and that to be happy, they must change or they may hate their job, leaving one for another only to find the same conditions at the next, finally realizes there is a common denominator in their disharmony, themselves. Additionally they may have a bookshelf full of self help tomes; all of which have been read and embraced at the time, yet they are unable to fully remember the message, finally realizing that nothing is gained by superficial inspection and half hearted action. All of these are “AHA” moments.

Moments like these happen when we are ready, (usually accompanied with a metaphorical slap to the forehead) having first done the necessary metaphysical foot work, for no amount of wishing or affirmations without action can raise someone’s consciousness a single iota. Living with raised consciousness today when we find ourselves in disharmony the path is clear, we stop focusing on the perceived problem or difficulty and give it to God. No Pollyanna here, we speak to God in prayer specifically on the issue at hand and ask to be shown the correct course of action, we thank Him for knowing Him better and refuse to consider the issue again in anything other than spiritual light. When the issue attempts to drag us back into disharmony, i.e. morbid reflection, we stop and turn back to God affirming that it is now in His hands and is no longer our concern. This may be uncomfortable, perhaps even feeling silly and pointless when we first begin employing this new strategy for living, this is natural, trusting and relying upon God takes consistent work and dedication on our part, but to succeed we must persevere. In time this will become second nature, disharmony becoming an occasional visitor, no longer our roommate. AHA.

© Vincent Lee Jones Living In Spirit All Rights Reserved

The Secret, Wayne Dyer, Recovery, Addiction, Zen, Emmet Fox, Opioids, NA, Four Agreements, Chopra, Heroin, Einstein, AA, McRaven, Healing Path

 

Too High A Price

Too High A Price

Remember when we were teenagers and couldn’t wait to enjoy the supposed fruits of adulthood? As a wise man said: youth is wasted on the young. So many truths of youth take on a different patina when viewed with experienced eyes. Who wouldn’t love to have the energy, the recuperative power, the abs and above all the knees of our youth? But at what price?

Looking back at the younger me I was filled with self as only the young can be, I thought I had all the answers and was quick to offer them up, usually unasked. And I was clueless to down right dismissive on spiritual matters. I placed worldly possessions, accomplishments and titles on the pedestal of success, relying on them for personal significance, holding these things as important, paramount, chasing the fleeting chimera of perceived entitlement, believing spiritual living was archaic, pointless in these modern times. So the query is: Would we surrender the work done to Live on the Spiritual Basis, the visible and invisible scars so well earned, forgotten, to recapture youths glow and promise?

I can only answer for me, but no, I wouldn't. The price too high where spiritual pride, self-righteousness, wallowing in hedonism, especially at the expense of others are on the bill. So I guess I'm stuck with these knees, afternoon naps and the memory of a 28 inch waist. It’s not so bad though, although I may have to don reading glasses my vision has never been better, I see with the clarity that comes by trusting and relying upon infinite God, rather than my finite self. I have learned the hard lesson of refraining from answering unasked questions, having learned through bitter experience that as much as I may wish to help, that help is not welcomed if offered uninvited.

So when the day comes, hopefully sometime from now, when I somersault into eternity my life will be measured not by the love I received or even earned, but by the love and the blessings given anonymously without expectation, that will truly mark my life, not the things I owned or the accolades I garnered. I really do miss those knees and that waist though.

© Vincent Lee Jones Living In Spirit All Rights Reserved

The Secret, Wayne Dyer, Recovery, Addiction, Zen, Emmet Fox, Opioids, NA, Four Agreements, Chopra, Heroin, Einstein, AA, McRaven, Healing Path

The Road Back

The Road Back

When we “decide” to dwell in the negative we place ourselves in a position to be harmed. Typically negative thinking begins innocently enough with a news story, a letter, cough, phone call, e-mail or text, some random physical pain or tossed off comment often from a stranger that for no good reason we begin to dwell on. As we roll the thought around in our consciousness, beginning to entertain possible negative outcomes, we surrender ourselves willingly to another trip down morbid reflection lane, volunteering for what inevitably follows. Our internal dialog outlines all the negative, possibly bad/horrible things that can/will happen if our fears are realized. As we continue down the path, spiraling deeper into despair, planting ourselves deep into the fertile ground of depression and self based fear we often find ourselves physically ill. Additionally, remember the old adage: misery loves company? Now we can sink even deeper by eliciting comments and support from those of a like mind, fellow willing travelers who always answer the bell when morbid reflection calls.

Now the path leading away from this thinking is well lit, but requires conscious and consistent effort on our part. When we become mindful that we are drifting into morbid reflection or are already in its embrace, we stop and immediately turn to God in prayer and visualize the Presence of God where the trouble seems to be, affirming God’s love and guidance, rejecting the negative, holding this truth in the forefront of our consciousness: Nothing, no problem or seemingly hopeless condition can come into our lives that God cannot change or remove completely, if we are about His business, not ours. I can’t, he can. So we let Him.

If you are new to Living on the Spiritual Basis this will feel odd and somewhat clumsy when first employed. In time it will become second nature and in truth is the only path away from morbid reflection and back to health, peace of mind and unlimited potential. Remember: progress, not perfection. So when we recognize we are traveling in the wrong direction we alter course back to truth, back to God, away from the adversary fear and limitation based living and thinking.

© Vincent Lee Jones Living In Spirit All Rights Reserved

The Secret, Wayne Dyer, Recovery, Addiction, Zen, Emmet Fox, Opioids, NA, Four Agreements, Chopra, Heroin, Einstein, AA, McRaven, Healing Path