One Spirit, One People

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With the transgression of the Ukraine and its people by Putin, part of my prayer this morning was “God, please, can’t You get us all, including moi, to really ‘get’ that we are all one?!” It’s not my usual form of prayer to beseech the Divine Presence, but my words were born out of heartache and exasperation at seeing the events of the world continuing.

Somehow, I knew one of my readings would relate to this, and my intuition was accurate. To start off with, powerful words I’ve rarely come across, were in “365 Science of Mind: A Year of Daily Wisdom from Ernest Holmes”: “The world needs a new concept of God: a new idea must be born in the minds of people everywhere about the nature of God and their relationship to this Divine Creative Spirit.”

Further on, “…we must sense that the Spirit is at the center of our own lives. We must learn to recognize that It is at the center of all people and working in human affairs. While it is true that the Power of God is always within us, it is not true that we have always realized Its presence.”

There is only one God, one Source. We all originate in Spirit and have Its power to create a life of peace, joy, love, and abundance of all forms. But until each of us understands the nature of God and our relationship to It and one another, until we all ‘get’ that we are one, life on this planet will fall far short of all that is possible when we make use of the Law of Good.

We are one Spirit, one people, unlimited in creating a life beyond our wildest dreams!

quote-the-manifest-universe-is-the-body-of-god-all-people-are-incarnations-of-the-one-spirit-ernest-holmes

Symptoms of a Spiritual Awakening

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12 symptoms of spiritual awakening

I was searching for some images on my computer while working on the final project for my “Spiritual Principles” class, a foundational class in Science of Mind philosophy, when I came across the one above that states the 12 Symptoms of a Spiritual Awakening.

I had no recollection of when I found and saved it, but as I read them, I had to chuckle—they were accurate! Whoever wrote them no doubt had experienced spiritual awakening. I felt connected.

My first and primary spiritual awakening occurred sometime after I walked into the rooms of a 12 Step program for eating disorders many moons ago. As I worked the steps and practiced the principles of the program, my attitude about life and people changed, and hence my actual life did! Coming to believe in a Higher Power spurred me to a spiritual awakening. I am so grateful for that and the resetting of the path of my life.

I’ve had additional spiritual awakenings; they are always a blessing and gift to receive and to recognize.

Here are the 12 Symptoms of a Spiritual Awakening written out:

  1. An increased tendency to let things happen rather than make them happen.
  2. Frequent attacks of smiling.
  3. Feelings of being connected with others and nature.
  4. Frequent overwhelming episodes of appreciation.
  5. A tendency to think and act spontaneously rather than from fears based on past experience.
  6. An unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment.
  7. A loss of ability to worry.
  8. A loss of interest in conflict.
  9. A loss of interest in interpreting the actions of others.
  10. A loss of interest in judging others.
  11. A loss of interest in judging self.
  12. Gaining the ability to love without expecting anything.

Following the Way of Compassion

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“Doing what is right isn’t the problem; it’s knowing what is right.” – Lyndon B. Johnson

“In every situation we can be certain that we are fulfilling God’s will even if our mind is filled with indecision and doubt. How? If our actions encourage compassion and forgiveness, God is guiding us.”

– “In God’s Care*: Daily Meditations on Spirituality in Recovery,” February 26
*As We Understand God

Compassion and heartThe aforementioned solid piece of advice applies equally to others as well as to myself.

This past Wednesday I was behind in completing my assignments for my “Spiritual Principles” class that evening and wanted to get some more done the hour or so before class was to start. However, I was tired after working all day and just didn’t have the enthusiasm. I really wanted to take a quick nap and get refreshed so I could be attentive and fully present when the two-hour-long class started. I vacillated as to how to spend the time between work ending and the class beginning: Should I rest or should I read some more of the text book?

Compassion came through from my heart. Spirit said, “Honey, take care of yourself. Your body is telling you it needs some rest, so honor that. You’ll catch up on the homework another time. It’s more important to grab those few winks of sleep and be present for the class, for your classmates.”

I followed the way of compassion—Spirit— setting my alarm for about 25 minutes, and then went beddy-bye. When I awoke, I felt rejuvenated.

I clearly recognized that this was a lesson for me. I’m grateful I heard the message from Spirit to have compassion for myself. In so doing, it opens my heart to more readily be compassionate with others.

Help from Spirit

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Help from Spirit

– From “Everyday Joy, 365 days of ohmygod life,” by Z Egloff and Melissa Phillippe, February 25 –

It amazes me how I can sometimes forget that Spirit is the ultimate Power and can help with anything. But, I have to ask for that help.

Years ago, I was a very unhappy camper, not enjoying living in Santa Fe, NM. For most of my seven years living there, I wanted to relocate (again) and didn’t have the financial means to do so. When a friend visiting from NYC asked me how I enjoyed living in Santa Fe, as we walked around the lovely plaza downtown, I heard myself complaining yet again about what I disliked about living there. And, I was sooo tired of the complaining.

Shortly thereafter I remembered to ask Spirit for help in relocating. The lightbulb had finally gone off! Duh. I had been trying (or not trying) to do it all by myself. Asking for help from Spirit, I was no longer alone (as if I’d ever really been) and I had the power of God consciously behind me.

Here’s what I told Spirit:

God, I really need Your help to get out of here. I’ll do anything that is required – even get a job! You know that I’ve said I’d never work for someone else again after being in my own business. Yes, I’ll do even that as I sooo want and need to get out of here. But, YOU have to handle the money!”

So I asked for help from Spirit and got into gear, enthusiastic about the adventure and curious to see how it would unfold. I knew I still had a role to play and would need to take action, but it was up to God to handle the how, i.e., the finances.

I had been clear, and I was open and willing. And, I did do everything I could, trusting along the way that God would come through on Its end. God did, and in a way I could never have imagined!

My father, who had recently re-entered my life, decided to give each of the children a portion of their inheritance before he passed on. It was a sum far greater than I would have imagined, coming at the perfect time; and how wonderful that my dad was alive to see what joy his gift brought and know how appreciated it was.

Not only was I able to afford movers to get out of ‘Dodge’ (aka Santa Fe) and move to Phoenix, but I was able to continue my business (not take a job), and had money for a down-payment to purchase a lovely home, as well as a down-payment for a sorely needed new automobile! God came through with shining colors!

When I finally had asked God for help, I received so much, and not just in material terms, but in spiritual growth. It was a wonderful lesson contrasting how my life is when I don’t ask for God’s help and when I do—a lesson I never want to forget.

I strongly suspect I wouldn’t have had to stay in ‘Dodge’ for as long as I did if I’d remembered my Source sooner—I don’t know. But there is no question in my mind that when I was ready to ask for help from Spirit, It was there immediately to listen and assist.

Peace in These Times

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peace-map

When I read the headlines immediately following meditation this morning, I knew today’s topic would be something related to peace. It just had to be.

I don’t usually blog about the international world out there, but Vladimir Putin’s invasion of the Ukraine was a blow to my soul, despite it not being a surprise. How ironic, I suppose, that yesterday’s blog post was about expecting good. Right now, that’s a challenge. The Russian president has taken an action not seen in about 80 years, since the days of Hitler and WWII, and hoped to not be seen again.

I am sending thoughts of love and compassion to the Eastern European region of the world, and envisioning white light surrounding all the people. I am extending those energies out to the far reaches of the entire planet because everyone is impacted.

And, I’m sending light out even to Putin. He is so very lost; he fails to realize that we are truly one. An attack on anyone is an attack on all. I touched upon this just recently: “If we are all part of the great I Am, and we are each doing the best we can, why would any one of us even think of hurting another? It would be the same as harming our own self.”

It seems that any amount of news I read in these times is really too much for my soul. Still, I want to have a clue about what’s going on in the world; since I’m living in a human suit, it does/will impact me in some way, be it finances, supply chain, etc., but freedom most of all.

I am doubling down in these times to being the peace that is needed in this world. Peace is an inside job and what shows up in the external world is a reflection of the inner. I want to be part of the solution, not part of the problem. Hence, the prayer for myself is to be vigilant in being at peace within. That will radiate out towards others and have a ripple effect, just like the actions, feelings, and energies of others.

Peace in these times, and always, must start with me. In that state, I help lay a solid foundation around the world, with peace leading to healing others, especially the distraught, dangerous souls of those who hold power over others’ lives.

Spirit, I remind myself that You are in the midst of this entire world crisis, this entire mess; You are in the midst of everything, large and small, the inner and the outer. May I focus on You and know that the Law of Good and the Law of Love prevail and are always present in Your never-ending Presence.

Expect Good

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Today, and every day, I expect good.
I anticipate meeting new friends.
I joyously anticipate contacting new situations which will increase my livingness.
My life is an adventure.
I know that wonderful things are going to happen to me.
I know that everything I do shall turn into good for myself and others.

– “This Thing Called You,” by Ernest Holmes, page 75

Spirit is the sustaining Principle of my life, the only active Principle, and It is always moving me towards my good. Knowing this, I expect good and look forward to it. In fact, my expectancy speeds the progress. I feel enthusiastic about my life and look forward to seeing how the adventure unfolds.

Thank You, Spirit!

Expect good things

 

 

Your Thoughts Create

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thoughts

The following quote is attributed to Mahatma Gandhi, although others have expressed a very similar idea:

Your beliefs become your thoughts,
Your thoughts become your words,
Your words become your actions,
Your actions become your habits,
Your habits become your values,
Your values become your destiny.

In essence, your thoughts create your life. Imagine all that power you have! This means all aspects of your life are created by your thoughts. Cause produces effect, with Divine Intelligence inspiring and guiding us.

My thoughts about my health, love, finances, etc. put into action what is to follow. To be clear, the outcomes probably won’t happen overnight. It takes time, repetition, and energy behind the thought. It’s not magic, like, “Presto! I have a million dollars.”

Further, there is more back of this. I have to feel worthy to receive and I may have to prepare myself to receive. If I really cannot fathom having million dollars, I’ll probably not obtain it. If I do, I will not have it for long (you hear stories about folks winning the lottery and in a short time, they are financially where they were previously). If $100,000 is more comfortable in my psyche, then that’s the level I should focus on for that time being.

I marvel at younger generations who have been raised knowing these truths and thus able to more readily create a life of their choosing, of joy and freedom. Nevertheless, whatever age we are, wherever we are at, we can effect a change for the better through our thoughts and the universal law of cause and effect operating in our life through Spirit.

thoughts become things

Belonging

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Belonging

“Belonging is a deep spiritual need.”
— “Paths to Recovery: Al-Anon’s Steps, Traditions, and Concepts,” by Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc., page 270

I was reading about participation in groups, specifically as a volunteer giving service in a 12 Step program. It wasn’t until I became a member of a 12 Step group for eating disorders that I felt like I belonged.

Of course, a 12 Step group is focused on spirituality, but I had no clue that a sense of belonging was actually a need, a spiritual need at that! Just like I didn’t know my eating disorder was about me trying to fit a square peg into a round hole, trying to fill a spiritual need (connection to Spirit) with a physical thing (food). I immediately felt at home in 12 Step meetings; I didn’t feel so alone. That was a tremendous milestone for me. But I think belonging goes beyond feeling not alone and may take some time to develop.

Belonging, to me, feels warmer, is a stronger sense of closeness and bonding.

I didn’t experience that sense of belonging in my family of origin, and, in fact, felt fairly isolated since I felt no one understood me nor my eating disorder for that matter. Not did they accept me for who I am.

At work places, I usually didn’t feel like I belonged. Granted, I was not your usual woman, often blazing my own trail, hearing a different drummer. For instance, I was a college-educated young woman, whose one of many jobs at AMTRAK in the late 1970s was operating an electric flat-bed ‘truck’ at NY Pennsylvania Station and loading baggage and mail onto trains. Also, about the same time, I bought my first house as a single woman in my 20s, unheard of in those times, unlike now.

Yes, I’ve had many adventures. Many, alone. And, not feeling like I belonged. It took courage, strength, perseverance, working on myself, and growing closer to Spirit so that I could feel “a part of”, that I have a place.

Here’s Brené Brown’s taking on belonging, from “Braving the Wilderness”:

“True belonging is the spiritual practice of believing in and belonging to yourself so deeply that you can share your most authentic self with the world and find sacredness in both being a part of something and standing alone in the wilderness.”

Constant is Spirit

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always

“Today I directly experience the reality of Spirit, allowing It to renew my mind, guide my decisions, and direct my affairs. I know that in the eternal act of creation, everything passes from the Invisible to the visible to be temporarily experienced.”
— “365 Science of Mind: A Year of Daily Wisdom from Ernest Holmes,” February 20

Each life is temporary, each of us here for a limited amount of time, and then we shed our body and go back to pure Spirit—until the next go around if that is what is necessary for our spiritual evolution.

While I am here in this body, I strive to stay in the present moment and savor it. People will come and go, jobs, possessions, and everything else in this material world. What I have as a constant is Spirit, the Invisible, within me always, wherever my journey takes me. Spirt as Love, Spirit as Wholeness, Spirit as Freedom, and so much more, all of the Invisible.

An Increasingly Beautiful Life

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beautiful life

“The certainty of love and friendship flows into my consciousness, and I feel a deep peace. I give thanks for my increasingly beautiful life.”
— “365 Science of Mind: A Year of Daily Wisdom from Ernest Holmes,” February 19

Right on!

Even before I went out into the world this morning to attend a beautiful celebration of someone’s life, I thought about how my own life is increasingly richer, with this week as an example.

My work was more interesting and I felt like I contributed something meaningful to the organization. The “Spiritual Principles” class I’m participating in not only put me in the energy of like-minded and yummy souls for an evening, but also provided me with greater clarity on one of my goals and how to manifest it. My body has been able to move about in the same way as it had before I strained my back a couple weeks ago. In interacting with my dearest friend, our level of sharing went even deeper and richer. The list goes on—and this was only one week!

I give thanks for all of the above as my life blossoms after being somewhat stagnant especially due to the pandemic. I am feeling more alive and enthusiastic than I have in a while.

This week also brought a new friend into my life, and we have both said how we’ve already learned from one another in this brief time. He is someone with much spiritual knowledge and experience to share, and enjoys teaching and helping others. In so doing, I had a realization that helped me further heal and release a major past relationship. What a precious gift!

Our conversations have also reminded me of earlier times on my conscious spiritual journey and have rekindled my desire to do the kind of spiritual work I had been doing then. How sweet it is for one soul supporting another one making their way back Home.

I am filled with much gratitude for my increasingly beautiful life, and say thank you and Namasté to all who are playing a part in it!