Meditation

I am a regular attendee at Friend’s (Quaker) meetings since they practice no dogma or formal ceremony. They are a group of people who gather together in order that they, like me, may experience being in the "Light" of God or love through meditative silence and a few simple words. The experience is much stronger in a group setting and is summarized nicely by the words of Dillard; "I cannot cause light; the most I can do is try to put myself in the path of its beam. It is possible, in deep space, to sail on solar wind. Light, be it particle or wave, has force: you rig a giant sail and go. The secret of seeing is to sail on solar wind. Hone and spread your spirit till you yourself are a sail, whetted, translucent, broadside to the merest puff."

Finding Peace

It’s about 1:00 A.M. and here I sit in the silence feeling love, peace and well being. Earlier today I was in my car at a stoplight and the green arrow came on for the left turn of the car to my left. The car waited a second or two too long for the car behind so that car honked - no love, peace and well being there. This evening I was reading in the paper about the plans of the republicans to dismantle Obama’s A.C.A., then about some of Europe’s negative responses to refugees - no love, peace and well being there either. I do everything I can to bring about peace in this world but I also value and keep returning to the peace I find in the silence. "If you believe the noises of the world rather than the silences of your soul, you will be lost." (Walsch)

Being of Service 2

Yesterday I spoke of the experience of truly being of service to someone else with no self-serving thoughts, actions or involvement. I am reminded of another comment by Walsch when he wrote "Once you’ve had such a magnificent experience, it can be very difficult to go back to "real life" in a way that blends well with what other people are calling "reality". That is because your reality has shifted. It has become something else. It has expanded, grown. And it cannot be shrunk again. It’s like trying to get the genie back in the bottle. It can’t be done." The experience does really change my view of reality in a way that does not return.

Being of Service

In my working with a new person today I got in what I call the "zone", a place of power and love where true connection and transformation happen. It has been several months since I experienced the feeling of being in the zone with that intensity. The experience was exhilarating and exhausting. I can’t say that I know exactly how that happens but what I do is to place my own thoughts, plans and biases in the background so I can truly listen and then ask the Universe/God for support and guidance to be of maximum service. It is important that my focus on the other person be complete.

Listening

I begin working as a mentor with a new person tomorrow, a sacred responsibility and one that requires that I listen and follow guidance. The biggest challenge for me is to keep my own thoughts, plans and biases in the background so I can truly listen and guide them on their path - not mine. I need to remember what Walsch says, that "Know that you are your own highest authority. Whether you read the Talmud or the Bible, the Bhagavad Gita or the Qur’an, the Pali Canon or the Book of Mormon, or any holy text, do not place your source of authority outside of you. But, rather, go within to see if the truth you’ve found is in harmony with the truth you find in your heart. If it is, do not say to others "this book is true." Say, 'this book is true for me.'"

Beginning

It’s the new year and I have a strong sense that it is time to "begin" - the problem is that I do not know what to begin yet. I suspect that "way will be shown". I continue to establish myself in the spiritual community here and I will keep up the progress. We have been moving into our "new" house, a process that will continue. I have also been refinishing pieces of furniture. All-in-all it is time to continue, do everything in a sacred/respectful/honoring manner and be patient.

Working With Others

I have had the honor of working with many people of all ages and backgrounds over the years. I always keep in mind that the objective of my working with them is their growth and development not my own. My objective is to serve their needs, an idea expressed nicely by Walsch when he commented that "A true Master is not the one with the most students, but the one who creates the most Masters. A true leader is not the one with the most followers, but the one who creates the most leaders. A true king is not the one with the most subjects, but the one who leads the most to royalty. A true teacher is not the one with the most knowledge, but the one who causes the most others to have knowledge." The other idea I keep in mind is that "a master craftsman leaves no trace", meaning if they do well and think I had nothing to do with it, I have done my job well.

Difficulties

During the past twenty-eight year of my disability I have encountered and overcome many difficulties and when in the midst of those problems I certainly did not recognize them as gifts or see any benefits. At this point I can see that because of those difficulties I am much further along in my spiritual journey. I am reminded of the comment by Walsch, that "each circumstance is a gift, and in each experience is hidden a treasure." 　For example, I found many years ago that I could use deep meditation to overcome the chronic pain and some of the spasticity of my disability so I do. I now use the same meditation for many things.

Discernment

I have moved from Arizona to Maryland and I am poised to be of service to the people in this area. As far as I can tell, what seems right is to settle in to this house and establish myself in this area while also being a quiet but positive presence of love, connection and forgiveness. That’s enough for right now. In the words of De Mello "God weaves perfect designs with the threads of our lives," he said. "Even with our sins. We can’t see this because we’re looking at the reverse side of the tapestry." Using prayer, meditation and contemplation I can discern what is right for me today.

Holistic Healing

Today I exercised, grocery shopped for the week, sanded a developing bread board, cleaned toilets, did a load of laundry and assisted with dinner. I felt tremendous gratitude throughout remembering that in 1988 I was in much worse shape and could not have done any of those things. I had just been diagnosed with a chronic, progressive neurological disorder and told I would never improve, but continue to worsen. I owe my partial recovery to holistic healing and unconditional love. In the words of St. Faustina "Neither graces, nor revelations, nor raptures, nor gifts granted to a soul make it perfect, but rather the intimate union of the soul with God [love]."