God Seed

I have been reading a lot today about what I call the "God seed" in each one of us, a part of each of us that many before me have commented on and, as I say in my book, "it is there no matter how despicable a person is". Religious scholars suggest that its existence is probably what Jesus meant when he commented that the kingdom of God is within us. I have chosen to nurture that seed and let it grow with the miraculous results I mentioned yesterday. The challenge I am faced with today is how to get others to make a similar choice, hopefully without experiencing the hardships I endured.

Possibilities

Today in my recovery meeting I was told by another "old timer" that what I claimed for my life and myself was impossible. I am reminded of several years ago when I meditated to avoid feeling some discomfort during a medical test and the technician exclaimed "you can’t do that! It’s impossible, that’s a reflex". So we did the test again, I allowed it to happen and he was happy. I have a very close connection with what I call God and, as long as I stay humble, asking for support and guidance, "impossible" things are possible. I just need to accept that fact and go about my life as living proof of the fact that what is considered impossible, may not be.

Forgiveness

I went through a lengthy process of forgiveness with my father who had been angry, full of rage and beat me when I was a child. He died several years ago from complications due to his Alzheimer’s. The forgiveness process began with me realizing how angry I was, continued with my figuring out how similar we were and ended with me loving him and realizing that there was nothing to forgive, he was just another human worthy of love and doing his best. The process of forgiveness was extremely important for my development and it was also important for me to reach the "knowing" that within the unconditional love of God, forgiveness was not necessary since there was no offense. Mitchell puts it well "Where there is no offense to begin with, there is nothing to forgive. It is more accurate to say that within the kingdom of God there is only acceptance [love].

My Understanding

In the words of Mark Anthony "My personal experiences as a medium have proved to me that God exists, heaven and the Other Side exist, souls are immortal, we can communicate with souls, and we will be reunited with our love ones on the Other Side. I’ve also come to understand there is no hell, although there are multiple levels on the Other Side and reincarnation." Through my near death experience and daily meditation, I know these things as well. I have also come to understand that it does not matter what if any words a person uses to describe this and that no judgment will come from the Other Side. My understanding changes the way I conduct myself each day.

Jesus

I have been reading The Gospel According to Jesus, by Stephen Mitchell, a beautiful book, scholarly, spiritual and heartfelt. The book is based on what religious scholars believe were the actual words and thoughts of Jesus. The book transcends religious differences for, as the author says, "when words arise from the deepest kind of spiritual experience, from a heart pure of doctrines and beliefs, they transcend religious boundaries and can speak to all people, male and female, bond and free, Greek and Jew." The teachings and words attributed to Jesus are very simple and do just that.

Choices

I can look retrospectively at my life and see clearly that I was provided with numerous opportunities to grow and learn in the direction of love, the approach I now use and suggest in my book (Three Simple Questions: Being In the World But Not Of It). In my case it finally took personal pain and discomfort to make the shift. The discomfort was well worth it but could have been avoided . I often think of Williamson’s comment that "We will be given every opportunity to learn through joy, and when we deny ourselves that, we will learn through pain. But we will learn." I suspect we are at a similar crossroad of choice in regards to our current president. It is wonderful to see the loving, inclusive and compassionate response of the populous so far.

Healing

A very close friend of mine has been practicing self-healing with some success - a wonderful event. I have been practicing self-healing and a holistic approach to my health for years, with good success and enjoyment. I find pleasure and fulfillment in love and light. Conrow Coelho describes it well "I think it might be proposed, in addition, that the plenum has powers and modes of influence within the manifest world, influences that are experienced in subjective ways that are not the subject of science. These various attributes may include what we, subjectively, recognize as numinosity, an alluring quality often experienced as love and powers of healing and centering (through the ordering of the Self/Soul) as well as creativity ---- qualities of experience some religious thinkers have attributed to God."

Being Of Service

I feel and am very aware of the love, light, joy and presence in everything I do and say and my environment in general. It’s a wonderful sense and it’s great to be immersed in that, very fulfilling. At the same time I struggle with what to do with that "knowing". All around me I see some people trying to find meaning in material, meaningless things. Other people are trying to find the sort of spiritual connection I talk about in my book, Three Simple Questions: Being In the World But Not Of It. I try to reach the people but my efforts fall short. I suspect that "way will be shown" - just not yet. Time to meditate.

Spirituality

While attending a workshop on spiritual development this past weekend it became clear to me that there are certain activities that people consider spiritual (meditating, journaling, contemplating, etc.) and certain things they do not (work, household chores, child-care, etc.). The fact is that all activities are spiritual if the intent is there: "A man should receive God in all things and train his mind to keep God ever present in his mind, in his aims and in his love. Note how you regard God: keep the same attitude that you have in church or in your cell, and carry it with you in the crowd and in unrest and inequality.....In your acts you should have an equal mind and equal faith and equal love for your God.....If you were equal-minded in this way, then no man could keep you from having God ever present." (Meister Eckhart). I spent a good part of today sanding a mantle I am refinishing. While sanding I felt grateful, thanked the wood, honored its beauty and imperfections. That was a spiritual approach.

Humanity

I have a very strong connection to that loving force I call God. Jesus did too and a great deal stronger than my connection - but I’m working on it. He was also human as am I, which certainly complicates things. In my case I can sense and am very much aware of when I switch back and forth from the human to the divine parts of self. The divine is like a clear mountain stream, very loving and without ego desires or attachments. My human side is murky and riddled with ego desires and attachments. When acting and being the divine, the human part does not even exist. Acting out of the divine feeds my soul.