"When you are down and out and there is no place else to go" start to give. Give whatever comes to mind - compliments, apples, appreciation, pennies, suggestions, service, cherry pies, paper clips, love, rides, prayers, checks, water, kindness, pets to your pet....just give. Begin to look for things you can give and for places and people you can give to.
Soon you will realize that you have an inexhaustable supply and that the more you give, the more you have to give! Why? Cause you were created out of the very giving nature of life itself; therefore, giving is your nature. It is a part of your DNA. The best part about becoming more and more aware of giving, is that you begin to notice that life is giving more and more back to you - more of what you give away returns to you again and again and again.
So, begin to notice what you are actually giving. Begin to notice if what you are giving is "freely given" - or if it has some hidden purpose or agenda. In other words are you giving to receive? or, are you freely giving. If you are giving to receive something back, that is a transaction or an agreement between you and the receiver, and is not a true "gift".
Especially now, during this "economic downturn", I encourage you to increase your financial giving. Not giving to a charity (although that is good to do) because that is giving with an expectancy that the organization will "do" something specific with your gift and is really a contractual agreement, albeit a silent one.
Begin to give to people or organizations that uplift you or inspire you. Make a weekly game of searching out ones that bring warmth to your heart or who are doing the work in the world that supports greater life, and when you send your check (or check the box on your bank account's bill-paying column), be grateful and then let it go.
Whenever you feel sad, disappointed by life in some way, I encourage you to find someone or someplace and begin to give. You will be amazed at how much better you feel and how quickly smiles return to your face.
Blessed be...
Monday, August 10, 2009
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Is God Good?
It appears that this is an extension of the age-old concept that God is for us and against the "other" guy. This belief is witnessed at football or other sports functions where each team "prays" that God will bless their team with a win! And, of coure, there must be someone who loses.
We also see this belief manifesting in organizations that promote an idealogy in which God supports whatever behavior advances its idealogy - regardless of the consequences. "If God is for us, who can be against us." The difficulty arises in my mind when there are so many varied groups with conflicting idealogies who all believe God is for them and act from that belief. Separation, often unwittingly, promoted causing pain and suffering for so many.
In Science of Mind, we acknowledge that Spirit - or God - is a principle. As a principle, or energy, or intelligence - it has no preferences - period. It simply IS. And, the power that it is flows in and through all (ALL) of its creation. As a result, God is neither good nor bad, right or wrong, etc.
As human beings, we can use this power which flows in and through us to create good - or not; the choice is ours. The more good we choose to create and the more we align with a good that works for everyone - no exceptions - the greater will be our experience of good in our own lives.
Blessed be
We also see this belief manifesting in organizations that promote an idealogy in which God supports whatever behavior advances its idealogy - regardless of the consequences. "If God is for us, who can be against us." The difficulty arises in my mind when there are so many varied groups with conflicting idealogies who all believe God is for them and act from that belief. Separation, often unwittingly, promoted causing pain and suffering for so many.
In Science of Mind, we acknowledge that Spirit - or God - is a principle. As a principle, or energy, or intelligence - it has no preferences - period. It simply IS. And, the power that it is flows in and through all (ALL) of its creation. As a result, God is neither good nor bad, right or wrong, etc.
As human beings, we can use this power which flows in and through us to create good - or not; the choice is ours. The more good we choose to create and the more we align with a good that works for everyone - no exceptions - the greater will be our experience of good in our own lives.
Blessed be
Friday, August 7, 2009
The Right Path
Years ago, I had a delightful conversation with a woman who was convinced that God/Spirit had a definite plan for her life. She was also convinced that this same God continuously presented her with "lessons" to learn as she walked her specific path through life.
Since that time, I have spoken with many who believe this is true for them as well - that there is a specific plan God has in mind for them, even before they are born. Does this idea or belief eradicate any possibility of personal freedom or individual choice? I believe it does.
It seems to me that life is so much bigger than my finite idea of what is "the right path" - as if there is only ONE. In my heart of hearts, I believe we are always on our "right path" since that is the one we are experiencing at the present moment. As life is lived moment by moment, if we are fully engaged - if we are awake, aware and present to the life force pulsing through us right now - we are on our right path cause this is where we are and nothing else exists!
Yes, it does appear as if we grow in consciousness along a specific path. However, I believe that path is of our own choosing. What might bring me joy or allow my heart to open more fully to life, may not be the same for another. What life presents to me and through me allows my own individual awareness to expand or contract as I choose to engage with it or not.
Ultimately, it is I who determines my own "lessons" and it is I who chooses my reaction or response. Consciously or unconsciously, I am always choosing even tho sometimes it appears the path has been chosen by some force outside myself.
What is your personal belief about the purpose of your life journey? Might be fun to explore it a little.
Blessed be
Since that time, I have spoken with many who believe this is true for them as well - that there is a specific plan God has in mind for them, even before they are born. Does this idea or belief eradicate any possibility of personal freedom or individual choice? I believe it does.
It seems to me that life is so much bigger than my finite idea of what is "the right path" - as if there is only ONE. In my heart of hearts, I believe we are always on our "right path" since that is the one we are experiencing at the present moment. As life is lived moment by moment, if we are fully engaged - if we are awake, aware and present to the life force pulsing through us right now - we are on our right path cause this is where we are and nothing else exists!
Yes, it does appear as if we grow in consciousness along a specific path. However, I believe that path is of our own choosing. What might bring me joy or allow my heart to open more fully to life, may not be the same for another. What life presents to me and through me allows my own individual awareness to expand or contract as I choose to engage with it or not.
Ultimately, it is I who determines my own "lessons" and it is I who chooses my reaction or response. Consciously or unconsciously, I am always choosing even tho sometimes it appears the path has been chosen by some force outside myself.
What is your personal belief about the purpose of your life journey? Might be fun to explore it a little.
Blessed be
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Letting Go...
Years ago, when I was first practicing Science of Mind principles, I felt so elated that I finally began to "let go" of my past feelings of powerlessness in my life and shift into more grounded feelings of power and control. At last I was introduced to tools that assisted me in knowing that my thinking - when I aligned it with my greater good - would definitely show up in changed conditions in my life.
What a revelation! And how magnificently my life began to shift. Now, I was in control....or so I thought at the time.
Then, as I grew in consciously aligning myself with Spirit within me, I was introduced to the concept of "letting go" of the control I had just gained! This was so confusing and a little disheartening at the time. My spiritual teachers kept affirming that I would gain greater control over my experience of life once I let go of thinkiing I was controlling any part of it. Doesn't this sound paradoxical?
Well, it is....
There are many examples of paradox involved in spiritual evolution, but this is the one that keeps showing up in my life again and again. Maybe it is because I keep "letting go" and then taking it back!
At the present time, I am practicing again. In January, I applied for a position as pastor for a wonderful spiritual center. Serving in this community would be a phenomenal shared experience of growth and expanding love - both for me and, I believe, for the members of the congregation. My daily prayer is one of complete non-attachment to the outcome; my daily practice is simply trusting that the highest outcome for everyone is what will be revealed. So, I am very much attached to being fully engaged in the process...and yet completely detached from the outcome.
This is a narrow fence to walk, and I find myself letting go again and again and again.
Do any of you experience this in your own lives? If so, I encouirage you to just keep practicing.
Blessed Be...
What a revelation! And how magnificently my life began to shift. Now, I was in control....or so I thought at the time.
Then, as I grew in consciously aligning myself with Spirit within me, I was introduced to the concept of "letting go" of the control I had just gained! This was so confusing and a little disheartening at the time. My spiritual teachers kept affirming that I would gain greater control over my experience of life once I let go of thinkiing I was controlling any part of it. Doesn't this sound paradoxical?
Well, it is....
There are many examples of paradox involved in spiritual evolution, but this is the one that keeps showing up in my life again and again. Maybe it is because I keep "letting go" and then taking it back!
At the present time, I am practicing again. In January, I applied for a position as pastor for a wonderful spiritual center. Serving in this community would be a phenomenal shared experience of growth and expanding love - both for me and, I believe, for the members of the congregation. My daily prayer is one of complete non-attachment to the outcome; my daily practice is simply trusting that the highest outcome for everyone is what will be revealed. So, I am very much attached to being fully engaged in the process...and yet completely detached from the outcome.
This is a narrow fence to walk, and I find myself letting go again and again and again.
Do any of you experience this in your own lives? If so, I encouirage you to just keep practicing.
Blessed Be...
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Break on Through to the Other Side...
Within my memory, the above refrain, "Break on through to the other side" seems to be a line from an old rock song - possibly by The Doors, although I am not 100% certain of this. In any event, it has made itself known to me and I think a very accurate description of what happens when we have personal shifts in our own ideology.
We "break through" our own rigid internal barriers created to support our ego identification with personality (beliefs, opinions, etc) and illumine our own minds with an expanded awareness of a different idea or opinion or Truth of Being held by "the other". This other looks like and sounds like another human being; however, I am convinced that in fact, that being is acting out the spiritual side of our own nature.
As I believe there truly is no separation, then what you think say or do is a reflection, in some way, of me. In literal fact, our dna is almost identical.So, what does this all have to do with now?
I had such a breakthrough yesterday. I have a dear friend who has begun driving much slower. In her mind, she is choosing to be more present in the moment and taking the time to notice things around her. To me, driving so much slower than the speed limit, poses a physical danger to her and to the people driving around her. At lunch, I said something to her about it and suggested that she speed up a little. Well, her response was one of hurt. Oh my....
After we parted, I called to apologize for clearly saying something that triggered an old hurt. We talked for awhile, and I realized that my "idea" of driving slower and its importance to me was not of issue at all. It had to do with inposing my opinion about my friend's behavior on her - which touched a long-held childhood belief that she was "wrong." I was vividly reminded of the Serenity Prayer: "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." The only thing I can change is me - my ideas, beliefs, opinions and behavior!
It also remidned me - in a major way - that I, too, have unhealed hurts. As I soften my heart to myself and learn to accept my "opinion" about myself...as I truly recognize my oneness with every other being on the planet...the armor surrounding my heart can begin to fall away. Only then, will I "break" my resistance and move "on through" as One with The Other.
I am also grateful that forgiveness is a major spiritual component in long-held relationships for my love and caring for my friend (and hers of me) is only solidified each time either of us has a "break through". God is...and all is well.Blessed Be.
We "break through" our own rigid internal barriers created to support our ego identification with personality (beliefs, opinions, etc) and illumine our own minds with an expanded awareness of a different idea or opinion or Truth of Being held by "the other". This other looks like and sounds like another human being; however, I am convinced that in fact, that being is acting out the spiritual side of our own nature.
As I believe there truly is no separation, then what you think say or do is a reflection, in some way, of me. In literal fact, our dna is almost identical.So, what does this all have to do with now?
I had such a breakthrough yesterday. I have a dear friend who has begun driving much slower. In her mind, she is choosing to be more present in the moment and taking the time to notice things around her. To me, driving so much slower than the speed limit, poses a physical danger to her and to the people driving around her. At lunch, I said something to her about it and suggested that she speed up a little. Well, her response was one of hurt. Oh my....
After we parted, I called to apologize for clearly saying something that triggered an old hurt. We talked for awhile, and I realized that my "idea" of driving slower and its importance to me was not of issue at all. It had to do with inposing my opinion about my friend's behavior on her - which touched a long-held childhood belief that she was "wrong." I was vividly reminded of the Serenity Prayer: "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." The only thing I can change is me - my ideas, beliefs, opinions and behavior!
It also remidned me - in a major way - that I, too, have unhealed hurts. As I soften my heart to myself and learn to accept my "opinion" about myself...as I truly recognize my oneness with every other being on the planet...the armor surrounding my heart can begin to fall away. Only then, will I "break" my resistance and move "on through" as One with The Other.
I am also grateful that forgiveness is a major spiritual component in long-held relationships for my love and caring for my friend (and hers of me) is only solidified each time either of us has a "break through". God is...and all is well.Blessed Be.
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