Not Judging

Today, I was acutely aware that there are several practices that I commonly encounter in this culture that really bother me, like gossiping, competing, comparing or lying for personal gain.  These are commonly found within capitalism, and I must confess that I have done all of them, but no longer do.  As far as I can tell, they do not fit within love, integrity or a spiritual life.  I also find it difficult to judge others for doing these things, since they are part of me also, but I can choose not to.

Walking With God

I walk with that force that I call God all day, every day, meaning I conduct my activities according to the guidance I receive from inspiration and intuition.  That is most obvious when working with clients, but also includes mundane activities like buying kitchen appliances or getting car work done.  In each case, conducting my life this way involves setting my self-centered, fear based ego aside and listening intensely for guidance.  The process is quite different from the linear, cause and effect, self-willed method I used to use.  The most obvious difference is that it is always other or service directed.  My assumption is that in the process I will get my needs met.

The Impact Of Love

The most important event of the day was a meeting of the men’s group this evening.  I both lead and participate in the group.  The group of up to ten of us, all in the recovery process, is focused on the spiritual and emotional growth of each member, within an atmosphere of love.  I consider it to be quite an honor to be part of the group and keep the group on course.  I find it energizing to watch and be a part of the impact of love and support on each of the members.

Love, Faith & Hope

The topic that has kept coming up recently is the power of our own stories or belief systems to hold us back from potential growth or changes in perspective.  In my case, I have had to overcome notions of self-deprecation and then anger in order to move forward.  They were beliefs about who I was, based on childhood experiences.  My current struggle is to be free to become much more than I ever thought possible.  My tendency is to hold myself back.  In each case, I have used an atmosphere of love, faith and hope in order to move forward, which is what I am using now.

Simple & Loving

The theme for today seems to be that doing the “right” thing in life, the action which is loving and will increase the integrity of the universe, is really very simple.  Doing the right thing is a matter of setting the fearful ego aside, listening and then taking action accordingly.  It is clear that the fearful, defensive and hurt ego, complicates things, making it difficult to listen.  The answers are there.

Perspective

Maria and I went to a spot near Sunset Crater that overlooks the Painted Desert this afternoon, peaceful, solid and very enduring.  This morning we attended a Friends meeting, also having the feelings of being peaceful, solid and very enduring.  Both contrast markedly with the disturbed feelings I spoke of yesterday and put those feelings in perspective for me.  The fact is that humanity is learning and growing and, like a young growing puppy, humanity will do some harmful things.  The universe was telling me that everything is and will be just fine, regardless of the choices humans make or the outcomes that follow.  As Ehrmann said “whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.”

Our Path

I was talking about my concerns today, which alleviates the situation some, however I cannot shake being disturbed about the direction much of humanity is going.  There are many ways in which we are harming each other or the earth, usually with some sort of short term gain in mind, without regard to long-term consequences.  As I mentioned today, the harmful actions are taken, while each of us also realize the “right” path, the loving and respectful action that will increase the integrity of the universe.  There are certainly pockets of people being careful to take the loving and respectful path and I will continue doing everything I can.