“Do not be afraid and anxious, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”
~ Luke 12:32 ~

“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore, get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.”
~ Proverbs 4:7~

Spiritual surrendering is when I release and I let go, letting the Source of all life do Its perfect work. It is a demonstration of faith. A popular gospel song suggests that once you have done all you can do, then it’s time to just “stand.” It’s another way of saying: “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word, I hope,” as found in Psalm 130:5 (ESV) of the Holy Bible. I like to remind myself that the Lord of my soul is the Unfailing Law of Love, that always responds by corresponding with the energy frequency that I emit through my intentions, beliefs, and actions.

When there is a misunderstanding or a false belief regarding humanity’s relationship with The Over-Soul governing the universe, called God; there is often an underlying fear that the All-Powerful-One punishes and rewards us according to our behavior. When misunderstood, phrases like, “Let Go and let God;” and, “It is God’s will,” may further solidify false beliefs and validate the ego’s belief that it is an isolated being that must beg for God’s favor.

Gaining spiritual awareness takes time and consistent practice. It requires regular departure from the busy-ness of the day and taking an inward journey, becoming acquainted with the all-encompassing Presence in whom we live, move, and have our being. Immediately or eventually, the veil of illusion that seems to separate the physical realm from the spiritual realm is lifted. The concept of Oneness begins to dawn on the human mind. Soon the idea of God is expanded. It is so much greater than was previously imagined.

When an individual begins to let go of its lesser viewpoint of self with all its limitations and begins to embody a greater viewpoint of the Self that indwells all; it has been described as being born again. In the new awareness, there it the unwavering faith and confidence that with God, the great I AM, all things are possible.

In ever-increasing enlightenment, one begins to trust the outcomes of the specific good desired, refraining from outlining when, where, and how the good will come about. This cultivated consciousness simply knows “what;” while the indwelling Self knows “how.” The Buddha taught that attachment is the root of all suffering, and that non-attachment can help alleviate suffering and increase peace of mind.

In verse 50:16 of the Quran, it reads, “. . . . . and We know whatever thoughts his inner self develops, and We are closer to him than (his) jugular vein”. Jesus called this Presence, Father (First Cause), and announced “The Father and I Are One.”

The timeless nature of God, this One who always hears and always answers is always at the point of our own vision and acceptance. It is the manifestation we seek that reveals Love, Harmony, Beauty, Wisdom, Peace, Abundance, Joy, and all the good we can imagine. This Eternal and Self-Existent Cause of all life is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

IT IS what IT IS, forevermore.

This Weeks Affirmation

“God sees through my eyes, hears through my ears, touches through my hands, and speaks through my voice. I am one with God.”

https://bmindful.com/affirmations/oneness#google_vignette

(Revisited)

What I notice is, anytime I am inattentive, it’s like sleepwalking. My body shows up in the present moment, but not my mind.  In this absent-minded state of consciousness, I may be influenced by opinions and ever-changing facts. In such moments I am highly susceptible to mistaking the false for the real. At such times, my vision for the future is often cloaked in “wishing” and “hoping,” rather than conviction and faith.

Ernest Holmes imparts his wisdom, saying “Let us in the stillness of our own soul go back to that ineffable Presence which is Peace and proclaim It even in the midst of confusion, that Peace which is the Power at the heart of God.”   

Following Holmes’ teachings, I know that spiritual discernment is key in the development of my evolving consciousness.  I anchor my go-to affirmations and prayers in the universal principles of Oneness, Love, and Peace, to name a few.  These eternal verities are my measurements of Reality, the Truth that is the same today, yesterday, and forever. From this perspective, the balancing act of being in this world but not of it is harmonized and my assessment of spiritual supremacy operating in human affairs inspires me to know that all is well. 

The wonderful thing about The Truth is, it is never threatened, nor does it depend on what I believe. Instead, it is, in fact, my perceptions and my beliefs that are the cause of my suffering or my unwavering assurance.  The good news is, at any time I may change my thinking and change my life.

I consider the words of The Apostle Paul: “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me.”

~ ~ ~ ~

Now, what I notice is, anytime I am awake, alert, aware, and involved in the present moment, whether it is walking, talking, eating, or washing my hands, I find I am filled with great clarity. This intentional focus causes the energy of insight and right judgement to rise up within me. In this state of consciousness, I am a clear, conscious, conduit, through which Divine Wisdom and Intelligence flow unobstructed, guiding all my decisions into right action. 

I affirm the inevitable presence and power of the One Spirit, God, now and in the future.

I like living on the affirmative side of life, and at the same time I am careful not to put my head in the sand about the apparent conditions that I face daily.   For example, as our nation experiences the labor pains of giving birth to its next expression of “the land of the free and the home of the brave,” I offer my cultivated consciousness as a midwife for the expected blessing.

In my awakened state of consciousness, I realize the evolution of Life is forever stretching into the eternal; therefore, I capture the present moment and participate fully.   I listen for the Indwelling Presence to reveal to me that which is mine to do.

This Weeks Affirmation

I am fully present in every moment, as God magnifies all that I am.
By Robbin G. Ruffner, RScP Emeritus

“In Him we live and move and exist.”
~ Acts 17:28 (NIV) ~

“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”
~ John 15:7 (NIV) ~

“I fast from fear and feast upon faith.”
~Ernest Holmes, 365 Science of Mind (p.296.3) ~

It has been said that spiritual things must be spiritually discerned. The above verses from sacred scripture and the writings of Ernest Holmes are good examples of what this means.

First of all, let’s consider that the “Him” in the first verse is not referencing an anthropomorphic being; i.e., a deity that is humanlike. But rather, it is referencing a Presence that permeates eternity. It is like referring to the air we breathe, saying “she” was foggy today. Interpreters of the high mysticism of the spiritual realm, in whom we live, move, and have our being, used many metaphors to provide a context to describe the Love-Intelligence that transcends words and concepts.

If one took the words from the Bible literally, the second quote would suggest that it is possible to remove ourselves from The Presence and from Its Divine Mind. This couldn’t be further from the Truth. Actually, when understood from a spiritual perspective, it describes the inseparable unity that exists between The Presence of God, and humanity.

In fact, it speaks about the benefits that one receives whose consciousness (or conscious awareness of Truth) remains awake and aware of its Source in all things. The Presence is First Cause. The Presence is that great and grand Creative Energy Field that makes all things out of Itself. The Presence is Divine Mind whose intelligence yields words of Peace, Harmony, Love, Wisdom, Joy, Beauty, and Abundance.

Each one of us is an individualization of this One Cosmic Whole. While we can never be separated from It any more than we can be separated from the air we breathe, we may fall asleep (metaphorically speaking) from time to time, causing a false belief of separation, and turning to secondary causes to fulfill our dreams. The promise is, when you remain in a consciousness of unity, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. The power of God is our birthright.

~ ~ ~ ~

The origin of all experiences begins with a word; e.g., an idea, a belief. Scripture tells us, “In the beginning was the word and the word was with God (the principle of good), and the word was God. When we remain in this consciousness by abstaining (fasting) from limited thoughts, and partaking liberally (feasting) with ideas of Peace and Harmony, they inevitably bring Joy to our lives.

The Science of Mind is a philosophy, a faith, and a way of life that deals with the practical application of these universal truths that mystics of all time have known. The whole premise is based on cliches’ like, “Learn how to think. . . learn how to live.” Or, “Change your thinking . . . change your life.” These mental practices have a tendency to align us with The Divine Mind in whom we live, move, and have our being.

Meditation, Life Visioning, Affirmative Prayer, Journaling, Inspirational Reading are some ways we remain anchored in God Consciousness, becoming a beneficial presence of Love, Light, Wisdom, and Peace on earth.

This Weeks Affirmation

“My mind is one with God-Mind, in which everything is possible.”

www.unity.org/article/monthly-affirmations-unity

(Revisited)
During this moment in time when the collective consciousness of humanity is pulled between concepts of right and wrong; good and bad; them and us, and various pairs of opposites; I realize I am not an isolated being. I, too, am part of it all. I, too, contribute to the human consensus.

I begin to question if what I am thinking, saying and doing are in alignment with what I say I value. After all, Ancient Wisdom teaches, “Where your treasure is, there is also your heart.” ¹

I notice that I have strong opinions, thoughts, and emotions. I am aware that these passions are the driving forces in the invisible realm that create my world of effects. I challenge myself to be “for something and against nothing.”²

I begin to reflect on what it is that I truly treasure; i.e., what are my true values?

For sure I value practical spirituality. It is my principal treasure, inasmuch as it is all-encompassing when it comes to living life fully. The keyword is “practical.” For example, practical spirituality shows up as health, wealth, and love. They are by-products, or the out-picturing of the Wholeness and Perfection of The Eternal One.

In order to experience this natural goodness, I realize that I must provide an opening/or willingness through which the nature of God may express through me and as me.

So, I ask myself:

• Do my eating and exercise habits; my TV and social media choices; the books I read and the company I keep reflect my idea of health for the body and the mind?
  
• Do I invest in what I desire to see increase? Do I spend my energy, talents, and skills in life-giving projects?  Do I circulate the good that is mine so others may prosper in their worthwhile endeavors? Do I demonstrate my idea of wealth?
  
• Do I embrace my concept of love by practicing The Golden Rule ³ at every turn, without exception and without the temptation to give as good as I get?

In other words, are my actions congruent with my ideas about the Wholeness and Perfection of the Divine?

My conclusion is: I must be the change I desire to see in the world and then notice the following results:

1. It stops me from judging others;
   
2. It replaces complaining about others with reflection on self;
   
3. It stirs me into taking action within the only thing in the world over which I have any control: myself. ⁴

Mahatma Gandhi, a mystic of the 20^th century said: “We but mirror the world. All the tendencies present in the outer world are to be found in the world of our body. If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change. As a man changes his own nature, so does the attitude of the world change towards him. This is the divine mystery supreme. A wonderful thing it is and the source of our happiness. We need not wait to see what others do.”

The decision to change is indeed a defining moment.

This Weeks Affirmation

I draw upon my Source within and know I am a pure vessel for Wholeness and Perfection to flow through me into my experience.

by Angela “Chris” Beam

“Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus…”
~The Apostle Paul (5 AD – 67), Philippians 2:5-11 ~

~ ~ ~ ~ 

“There is one mind common to all individual men. Every man is an inlet to the same and to all of the same. He that is once admitted to the right of reason is made a freeman of the whole estate. What Plato has thought, he may think; what a saint has felt, he may feel; what at any time has befallen any man, he can understand. Who hath access to this universal mind is a party to all that is or can be done, for this is the only and sovereign agent.”
~  Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 – 1882), Self Reliance ~ 

~ ~ ~ ~ 

“When the intellect is no longer contradicted by our emotional reactions, by unconscious doubts and fears, the word of our mouth will immediately bear fruit.”
~Ernest Holmes (1887 – 1960), 365 Science of Mind p. 268.2

~ ~ ~ ~

 Ernest Holmes, a 20^th century philosopher of metaphysics, announced, “thoughts are things.”  Of course, he was speaking of the interchangeable relationship between the mental and the physical realms. 

Deep thinkers of all time have discovered the same principle operating in the universe and have taught it in the context best understood by their followers. Therefore, with our eyes wide open, we may see this one fundamental principle is the common thread that unites the worlds of spirituality, philosophy, and science alike. They all point to the One Mind, as the One Source, in whom we live, move, and have our being/existence. 

The implication of the power of the mind is far-reaching. It implies that Mind, being Pure Intelligence, is the origin of all things, without exception. This One Source is absolute in its nature, and having no opposites, it is complete and indestructible. 

Through the practice of meditation, when the individual becomes quiet, stilling the mind of its incessant chatter; the essence of this energetic field of infinite possibilities surfaces and is realized as love, peace, harmony, wisdom, beauty, joy, prosperity, and all that brings satisfaction in an ever-changing world.  These qualities of the Divine, being absolute in their nature, are the inherent presence infused in all things. 

Since there is no contradiction to the Absolute Intelligence that permeates eternity, It is God, the Living Spirit Almighty. It is known in all and as all, as there is nothing else to know. It is Omniscience. The enlightened one, when aligned with this Reality, sees “beauty even when it’s not pretty.” In so doing, the joy of living is revealed and once more perfect health, loving relationships, financial sufficiency, fulfilling creative expression, and whatsoever the heart desires is restored. 

You and I are today’s teachers of the reality of Absolute Intelligence every time we demonstrate the universal law of unity that brings about peace on earth and good will towards all people. It’s within every one of us.

This Weeks Affirmation

“I give thanks that I am one with infinite loving intelligence, the ever-renewing, the ever-unfolding expression of infinite life, health, and love.”

https://www.centerforspiritualawakening.org/csa-thought-for-the-day/deep-dive-into-dynamic-affirmations