[The following is a reprint of my blog of January3, 2014.]
Regrets are resistance to what is a fact in our life, maybe to a happening once upon a time. By regretting we are trying to make what happened unhappen. Our regrets, however, breathe life into what was, and it now walks in our head...it now is.
Why is the very futility of that a spur to our ego to try harder? Why not say nay to our ego and go for still more spiritual growth instead?
Eckhart Tolle has written, "Life will give you whatever experience is most helpful for the evolution of your consciousness." If that is true, then what we are regretting was and is necessary to our spiritual evolution.
And here come gratitude, riding in on its big white horse (whose name is "Welcome")! Again and again and yet again...just pray, "Thank you."
Thank you.
Sunday, November 15, 2015
Saturday, November 14, 2015
LAUGHTER=GRATITUDE=LOVE
Nothing is more honorable than a grateful heart. -- Seneca
It has been said that acceptance is the answer to every problem. I can believe that, and I can also believe that gratitude is the path to acceptance.
Gratitude is an easy get when we're not invested in an outcome. The rough road to walk is when we self-determine the only acceptable result to a personal problem, and then pray for that. Acceptance is not even considered so there's nothing to be grateful for to our reasoning mind.
Those of us seeking still more spiritual growth are blessed because, for one thing, we early on learn that prayers are best served that ask for naught...a simple "thank you" is the best prayer. I love the quote of Meister Eckhart, "If the only prayer you ever say is 'Thank You,' that will suffice."
I loved that quote the minute I first read it. I loved it, but it was seriously hard to remember...like when I knew what I needed, and I wasn't getting it. Peace of mind, for instance, when my sister/friend/parent/boss had done me wrong...again.
I can never be grateful enough for stumbling onto that gift of Eckhart's. I made it my spiritual cornerstone...the base I return to every time my ego-victory thoughts get in the way of Me. The hard part in the beginning was simply remembering, and then not beating me up when I didn't remember immediately.
Today, whenever I'm getting all up in my head, especially with a non-personal problem (say, Donald Trump), if I'll just slow down, think my thank you prayer, and remind myself that God loves Donald Trump every bit as much as he loves me, I can at least laugh. And there's my gratitude.
Laughter is gratitude's favorite child.
Thank you.
It has been said that acceptance is the answer to every problem. I can believe that, and I can also believe that gratitude is the path to acceptance.
Gratitude is an easy get when we're not invested in an outcome. The rough road to walk is when we self-determine the only acceptable result to a personal problem, and then pray for that. Acceptance is not even considered so there's nothing to be grateful for to our reasoning mind.
Those of us seeking still more spiritual growth are blessed because, for one thing, we early on learn that prayers are best served that ask for naught...a simple "thank you" is the best prayer. I love the quote of Meister Eckhart, "If the only prayer you ever say is 'Thank You,' that will suffice."
I loved that quote the minute I first read it. I loved it, but it was seriously hard to remember...like when I knew what I needed, and I wasn't getting it. Peace of mind, for instance, when my sister/friend/parent/boss had done me wrong...again.
I can never be grateful enough for stumbling onto that gift of Eckhart's. I made it my spiritual cornerstone...the base I return to every time my ego-victory thoughts get in the way of Me. The hard part in the beginning was simply remembering, and then not beating me up when I didn't remember immediately.
Today, whenever I'm getting all up in my head, especially with a non-personal problem (say, Donald Trump), if I'll just slow down, think my thank you prayer, and remind myself that God loves Donald Trump every bit as much as he loves me, I can at least laugh. And there's my gratitude.
Laughter is gratitude's favorite child.
Thank you.
Friday, November 13, 2015
THE ENEMY...STILL US
Our attack mind is born in resistance. It then balloons into mentally attacking anyone (including our self) who offers an alternative suggestion to our anger, our hurt, our self-centered misery.
That same attack mind cannot be tamed by the reasoning mind, i.e., "knowing better." It is tamed by giving in, giving over...agreeing with our adversary quickly in other words. We don't have to like it for our own, but we do need to understand it as right for our adversary. Our new words to live by: Be the first to give in.
Once again, as always and ever, the answer is acceptance...also known as surrender. Surrender to another person's niggling opinions or to our own obsessions, it makes no never-mind. Surrender is the first step toward peace...giving it and getting it.
Being conquered by our own devil [that means losing to it], we collapse, utterly beaten, and cry because our way is no more, unaware that this is surrender turning the corner toward acceptance. Our attack mind has failed us. Our accepting mind hasn't gifted us with knowing what to do, just what not to do. We cry because we do not yet know that the blessing is in not having a clue what to do about it.
That blessing is the exact moment that God is released from within to lead us to our better place.
Not knowing is the gift, the pearl beyond price. Our reasoning mind is forced to concede, it has met the enemy and it is us (and I still miss Pogo).
Thank you.
That same attack mind cannot be tamed by the reasoning mind, i.e., "knowing better." It is tamed by giving in, giving over...agreeing with our adversary quickly in other words. We don't have to like it for our own, but we do need to understand it as right for our adversary. Our new words to live by: Be the first to give in.
Once again, as always and ever, the answer is acceptance...also known as surrender. Surrender to another person's niggling opinions or to our own obsessions, it makes no never-mind. Surrender is the first step toward peace...giving it and getting it.
Being conquered by our own devil [that means losing to it], we collapse, utterly beaten, and cry because our way is no more, unaware that this is surrender turning the corner toward acceptance. Our attack mind has failed us. Our accepting mind hasn't gifted us with knowing what to do, just what not to do. We cry because we do not yet know that the blessing is in not having a clue what to do about it.
That blessing is the exact moment that God is released from within to lead us to our better place.
Not knowing is the gift, the pearl beyond price. Our reasoning mind is forced to concede, it has met the enemy and it is us (and I still miss Pogo).
Thank you.
Thursday, November 12, 2015
ON REGIFTING TO GOD
To a person engrossed in materiality, enmeshed in and governed by that tyrannical master, the reasoning mind, this way of life would undoubtedly be quickly judged and condemned as totally and impossibly impractical. (Joel Goldsmith, "The Thunder of Silence," at p. 128)
We begin life as one with our singular goal being the attainment of Oneness. That is our journey, our life.
In going out at birth, as we pass through into humanhood, we are gifted with free will, also known as "that tyrannical master, the reasoning mind."
We begin life as one with our singular goal being the attainment of Oneness. That is our journey, our life.
In going out at birth, as we pass through into humanhood, we are gifted with free will, also known as "that tyrannical master, the reasoning mind."
Our entire life's journey is the return trip to our before-conception place, i.e., God consciousness. That journey's primary purpose is to regift our free will to God little by little every step of the way. This journey takes many, many lifetimes...or as many lifetimes as it takes us to get over our own self.
My temptation is to write on and on and on, attempting to prove my point, but the point can only be made by seeing it, not reading about it. Here's a hint...pay attention to Medal of Honor winners. Now there is selfless.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
THE FORMULA FOR A HAPPY LIFE
I often read that we must resist the negative, fight to hold on to the positive. No we don't. If we have to fight, or to live in resistance, to be happy, we're going down that wrong road again.
If we're ever going to really learn to resist not evil, as the Sermon teaches, we must needs let go of the idea of resistance to anything and everything. What could be more negative than evil? Yet, there it is in black and white... or red, depending on your Bible: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil.... (Matthew 5:39)
I have tested that many times. One example is that I know from experience the more I resist chocolate, the more chocolate I sneak into my daily non-diet. So I don't resist chocolate today. I just surrendered to it, as in declared it the winner, and I don't go there today. Chocolate is not everybody's evil...we each know our own. What's more important to know is that the core of each is fear, and that's where the answer is the same for each person for our own evil: Cease fighting, surrender unto acceptance and be freed.
See, if we fight fear, as is so often suggested, we become wary (fearful) of the fear that we fear is coming. I know fear...I call it anxiety, but who's kidding whom? Anxiety is fear in eight-inch heels and a feather boa. All dressed up as something else, it can't get us, or at least nobody will ever guess, we fearfully hope.
It all comes down to acceptance...to pain unto surrender unto acceptance. I'm guessing nobody comes to surrender feeling good about it. The very word is off-putting. Which proves the point...those who fight their pain, holding it off even a tish, are in fact keeping it in place. And it lives to batter us again.
I have not conquered my anxieties, but I no longer fear or dread them...or try to pray them away. I know anxiety will visit me again, I expect no less of it. I know, too, that God is with me, within me, always. I expect no less of God. I live in acceptance of both of those facts, and I know peace.
Resist not...thank God...get grateful. The formula for a mind at peace.
Thank you.
If we're ever going to really learn to resist not evil, as the Sermon teaches, we must needs let go of the idea of resistance to anything and everything. What could be more negative than evil? Yet, there it is in black and white... or red, depending on your Bible: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil.... (Matthew 5:39)
I have tested that many times. One example is that I know from experience the more I resist chocolate, the more chocolate I sneak into my daily non-diet. So I don't resist chocolate today. I just surrendered to it, as in declared it the winner, and I don't go there today. Chocolate is not everybody's evil...we each know our own. What's more important to know is that the core of each is fear, and that's where the answer is the same for each person for our own evil: Cease fighting, surrender unto acceptance and be freed.
See, if we fight fear, as is so often suggested, we become wary (fearful) of the fear that we fear is coming. I know fear...I call it anxiety, but who's kidding whom? Anxiety is fear in eight-inch heels and a feather boa. All dressed up as something else, it can't get us, or at least nobody will ever guess, we fearfully hope.
It all comes down to acceptance...to pain unto surrender unto acceptance. I'm guessing nobody comes to surrender feeling good about it. The very word is off-putting. Which proves the point...those who fight their pain, holding it off even a tish, are in fact keeping it in place. And it lives to batter us again.
I have not conquered my anxieties, but I no longer fear or dread them...or try to pray them away. I know anxiety will visit me again, I expect no less of it. I know, too, that God is with me, within me, always. I expect no less of God. I live in acceptance of both of those facts, and I know peace.
Resist not...thank God...get grateful. The formula for a mind at peace.
Thank you.
Tuesday, November 10, 2015
PONDER THE GOOD, BE DONE WITH THE UGLY
[The following is a reprint of my blog of February 16, 2012.]
I am reminded again, “Even were I never to speak to you, you would be well rewarded for setting apart this time.” (From today's "God Calling")
What a comfort.
Each swift turning, each mantram, each fleeting withdrawal from self, each thank you…all are well rewarded even if, in the moment, unseen by my eyes. It is in looking back at my life, my magical mystery tour, that I can document the rewards, the many rewards of still more spiritual growth.
It is for me to remind myself, as Saint Paul advised, to ponder the good, be done with the ugly…acknowledge the grace of gratitude, and know: I Am, God.
Thank you.
I am reminded again, “Even were I never to speak to you, you would be well rewarded for setting apart this time.” (From today's "God Calling")
What a comfort.
Each swift turning, each mantram, each fleeting withdrawal from self, each thank you…all are well rewarded even if, in the moment, unseen by my eyes. It is in looking back at my life, my magical mystery tour, that I can document the rewards, the many rewards of still more spiritual growth.
It is for me to remind myself, as Saint Paul advised, to ponder the good, be done with the ugly…acknowledge the grace of gratitude, and know: I Am, God.
Thank you.
Sunday, November 8, 2015
SEEK YE FIRST....
The only block there can be in your channel is self. Keep that out, and know that My Spirit is flowing through. -- "God Calling," November 7
I dreamed I stumbled into KingTut's undiscovered tomb. The riches there were staggering...diamonds and emeralds and sapphires and gold everything, everywhere. There were rarities I didn't even recognize. I understood that it had been sitting there for centuries upon centuries... waiting to be discovered.
A silent voice spoke to me in my dream, saying, "This is how it is with the Father's treasure within you. Riches beyond your imagining just waiting to be freed. The only block is you...your constant digging to get to the treasure and calling it a search for God. God is not hidden...it is your refusal to believe that he is free within you now that blinds you. Accept that without a thought for the gifts that will bring and be free."
Our belief that it is ours to find the Father within will ever block us...in the first place, we are relying on our own self, and in the second we're usually going for the treasure, be it only peace of mind.
We go to God for God and that is all.
Thank you.
I dreamed I stumbled into KingTut's undiscovered tomb. The riches there were staggering...diamonds and emeralds and sapphires and gold everything, everywhere. There were rarities I didn't even recognize. I understood that it had been sitting there for centuries upon centuries... waiting to be discovered.
A silent voice spoke to me in my dream, saying, "This is how it is with the Father's treasure within you. Riches beyond your imagining just waiting to be freed. The only block is you...your constant digging to get to the treasure and calling it a search for God. God is not hidden...it is your refusal to believe that he is free within you now that blinds you. Accept that without a thought for the gifts that will bring and be free."
Our belief that it is ours to find the Father within will ever block us...in the first place, we are relying on our own self, and in the second we're usually going for the treasure, be it only peace of mind.
We go to God for God and that is all.
Thank you.
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