“I am a finger pointing to the moon. Don’t look at me; look at the moon.”
~ The Buddha ~

“The map is not the territory” 
~ Alfred Korzybski ~

“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
~ John 8:32 ~

Ordinary language often falls short when trying to express in words a spiritual experience. Therefore, metaphors, symbols, idioms, and word pictures are some of the ways feelings of a transcendent event are evoked.  When considering such accounts, various interpretations or translations are added to the mix according to one’s own culture. Soon the original meaning becomes obscure and mysterious.

However, the one who is willing to take the time to exercise “lowly listening,” or, hearing with one’s heart, will soon tap into the one infinite mind, and like a great contagion, will “catch” an understanding of the Truth being imparted.

There exists a consensus among scholars that the language of Jesus and his disciples was Aramaic. The prayer that Jesus taught his students, known as The Lord’s Prayer, has been translated into many languages since spoken in his native tongue. However, it has never lost its effectiveness to heal. 

The Spiritual Principle of Prayer, when applied for a specific end, unifies with the Creative Power of God through which all things are possible. Interpreting the principle of spiritual realization, by using one’s own words, affirms one’s understanding and provides a beautiful space for Holy Communion. For example, I tell myself what the principle means to me:  

OUR FATHER:
I know there is One Universal Presence that is The First Cause of absolutely everything that is. “Our Father” is a perfect metaphor to describe the Creator of all.

WHICH ART IN HEAVEN:
This Presence lives in the highest realms of my consciousness. The kingdom of heaven is within me.

HALLOWED BE THY NAME:
The nature of this One, being Pure Perfection, is sacred and highly revered.

THY KINGDOM COME; THY WILL BE DONE IN EARTH, AS IT IS IN HEAVEN:
The realization of this Presence causes It to manifest as my environment. The appearance of my desired good is always in direct proportion to the mental equivalent held in the highest realms of my very own consciousness. 

GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD:
This Presence provides that which sustains all the inhabitants of the earth according to one’s individual acceptance. 

AND FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES, AS WE FORGIVE THEM THAT TRESPASS AGAINST US:
The Presence of Unconditional Love, circulating as grace, moves in me and as me. I am “for something” and “against nothing.”

AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION, BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL: 
The Presence guides us into paths of right action, letting error thoughts and beliefs dissolve into nothingness. 

FOR THINE IS THE KINGDOM, THE POWER, AND THE GLORY: 
I recognize that the Good I see; the Force that brings it about; and the inevitable Praise and Thanksgiving that is stirred up, is the activity of The One Presence indwelling all.

FOR EVER AND EVER. AMEN:
I let all this be so, and so it is!

The next step is to apply The Principle of Prayer to the specific good being sought. Otherwise, faith without action is meaningless. I invite you to think on these things.

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This Weeks Affirmation

“With every step forward, I am faith-filled and faithful.”

~ unity.org ~