“Who can separate his faith from his actions, or his belief from his occupations?
~ Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet ~

“The unexamined life is not worth living.” 
~ Socrates ~

Who am I? What is mine to do? What is my purpose? How do I make a difference in the world?   These are common questions that arise for the spiritually inspired who have taken an assessment of their personal beliefs, values, and worldview.

Based on the premise, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you,” (Matthew 7:7), I imagine Divine Wisdom’s response, saying in effect: ‘You are pure spirit, an individualization of the One Spirit which is the Sole Creator of all life. Everything that you do is the creative nature of the Creator expressing through you, as you.  The purpose-driven life of the one aligned with spiritual principles is a conduit through which Unconditional Love, Peace, Harmony, Wisdom, Wholeness, Abundance, Beauty, and Joy are unleashed, creating a positive force for good in the world.’

~ ~ ~ ~

When one is in alignment with the nature of the One Source, God, there is a natural tendency to ‘give’ to the world. They are service-oriented people, serving humanity with their time, talents, skills, and abilities, regardless of the avenue used, be it academic, corporate, political, or the arts. The choice is always ours, and the ever-present creative energy flows the same through all. What matters is the motive (or driving force) for doing what is being offered.  It is from a consciousness of unity and a sincere intention for the highest good of everyone to be realized, that a world that works for everyone begins to emerge. 

The blind spot for the one who has never questioned their existence and inadvertently seeks to ‘get’ something from the world, may be as simple as the attitudes, beliefs, opinions, and actions, inherited from the error-thought and worldview of the unenlightened.   

Rev. Michael B. Beckwith teaches: “Disagree with any thought-form that says, “My good is coming from someone else. My answer is coming from someone else.” All good comes directly from the Source of all Creation.”  

~ ~ ~ ~

From outer appearances, there may be no evidence based on one’s occupation that distinguishes the enlightened from the unenlightened. As the Zen Proverb teaches: “Before enlightenment; chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment; chop wood, carry water.”However, those who, in the recesses of their being, are awake enough to practice their spiritual identity, their personal mission, and goals, are a beneficial presence in the world. 

These ones, also being aware of their own unenlightened parts, engage in a daily practice of Love, Forgiveness, Peace, and Compassion for all. They are forever growing into their greater-yet-to-be, whose consciousness is making a difference in the world.

This Weeks Affirmation

“I AM a conduit expressing the attributes of the Divine, which I know creates a positive force for Good in our world.”

Mary Jane LaBonte

“We believe that the Universal Spirit, which is God, operates through a Universal Mind, which is the Law of God; and that we are surrounded by this Creative Mind which receives the direct impress of our thought and acts upon it.”
~ Ernest Holmes~

“The world will persist in exhibiting before you what you persist in affirming the world is.”
~ Emma Curtis Hopkins ~

“When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.”
~ I Corinthians 13:11 ~

When I was a child my favorite Bible verse was: “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.” I reasoned if I were honest, and wished no one harm, I would come face to face with the Super Man-Being who resides in the sky and rules the universe. As a result of memorizing the verse, and telling myself what the words mean, it became a spiritual practice. 

In my sweet innocence, I unknowingly began to establish certain beliefs; albeit some true and some false.  However, the universal laws governing the mental realm, just like the universal laws governing the physical realm, do not differentiate between who has activated the Law, but fulfill its own nature by the process of becoming, in the physical world, an exact facsimile of the feelings and beliefs it receives. 

The belief that God is separate from Its creation is the biggest error that humanity makes. It sets up all sorts of ideas of duality; i.e., good and evil; reward and punishment; a blessing and a curse; love and fear; all kinds of cross-currents.    However, when there is a realization that the Highest God and the Innermost God are one, the new paradigm begins to establish new beliefs for the Law of Mind in Action to act upon.  

Having reached a level of spiritual maturity and insight, I have a greater understanding of the words I affirmed as a child.  I now realize that the “pure in heart” is a consciousness for which there are no opposing mixtures of thoughts.  Also, Charles Fillmore tells us that the blessedness of God is the joy that comes to those whose thoughts are stayed on the presence of Good (God).  In this exalted view, God is seen exhibiting Itself before us in the world; not as a physical man, but as a spiritual presence centered in all. 

Saying affirmations is a wonderful spiritual practice, even when the words are spoken by rote.  They are not said to make something happen, but rather for the purpose of coming into a realization of what is already so. Spiritual Practice is always for the purpose of having a revelation of Truth. It is a process where one consciously participates in her own evolution– always moving in higher dimensions of awareness through understanding.  

This Weeks Affirmation

“With purpose and intent, I pour all the Good into this uncreated day!”

Judy Hilley

“We are one. Everything in the universe is within you. Everything that you want, you already are.”
~ Rumi ~ 

“The spirit of God dwells in the inner man with power and might. The outer man reflects this Spirit insofar as the intellect allows it to come forth into expression.”
~ Ernest Holmes ~

“I determine to live the outer life in the inner sanctuary.”
~ Howard Thurman ~ 

“Let the natural creative process flow as you roll up your sleeves and allow your inner genius to show itself.
~ Reverend Scott Awbrey ~

There is a cosmic dance that is always taking place between the human and the divine. These two aspects of one’s life are forever giving and receiving creative energy. Learning the rhythm and trusting the flow of this way of being in the world is most effective when it is an intentional quest.

The human aspect of oneself imagines a myriad of “things” that represent happiness in the physical world. So, it stands to reason “what” we really want is happiness in the form of an object. This way we can see it, hear it, taste it, touch it, and smell it.  The practice and art of visualization causes the thing you desire to become a mold through which the essence of happiness may flow.

The divine aspect of oneself; i.e., the presence of The Indwelling God (our highest idea of good) is really the happiness we are seeking to express.  Is it not the Love, Peace, Harmony, Wisdom, Beauty, Wholeness, and the Joy of God, showing up as the job, car, lover, vacation, home, or whatever, that we envision as ours? Otherwise, the person, place, or thing, without these qualities, is devoid of happiness. Practicing the art of Life Visioning provides an awareness of the essence of God flowing through all.

Once we acknowledge “what” it is we want to experience in the world, Divine Intelligence knows “how” to let it be so. In this state of unity, there is no need to beg, petition, plead, or bargain since we realize that it is our own inherent nature responding to itself; the seeming two are One Energy, dancing between the visible and the invisible. 

The philosophy of The Science of Mind tells us to be specific when praying. It suggests we state exactly what it is that our heart longs for. At the same time, we are cautioned not to outline or say how the blessing is to come about, otherwise we unintentionally place a limitation on that which has infinite possibilities

This whole premise is based on complete faith and trust in our relationship with the One. In other words, when “what” you desire is coupled with an awareness that the good you are seeking is already yours, you then move forward with confidence, affirming the Truth of your Being and letting the creative power of God that knows “how” … to flow in the direction of your dreams. 

And, so it is!

This Weeks Affirmation

“I envision my desires for good, and Spirit brings them forth.”

Angela “Chris” Beam

“For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
~ Matthew 7:2 (NIV) ~ 

There is a universal law of choice that governs the life of the planet and all Its habitants. This law or principle is the creative life force of every individual. It is set in motion by the issues of the heart and mind; i.e., embodied thoughts, beliefs, and feelings.  The inevitable results that follow are evidence of conscious or unconscious choices made within the secret place of one’s very own being. There are no exceptions.

The Science of Mind refers to this universal spiritual law as The Law of Reciprocity. It is also known as karma; cause and effect; action and re-action; or simply, what goes around comes around. From this perspective, we may realize it is our very own “free will” that creates our experiences, both positive and negative.

Spiritual laws do not belong to just one group of people, one religion, one sect, or one culture. These laws, being universal, apply to all. All major religions of the world teach the law of reciprocity in their own unique way. 

The spiritual Law of Reciprocity is simply your beliefs, attitudes, and actions returning to you in the same way they are doled out by you. It is like there is a sign attached to your words that say, “Return to Sender.”  This law teaches us that we can only know for another what we know for ourselves. We are One! 

In our awakened state of unity, let us choose to let go of petty judgments, gossip, and all manner of false beliefs that suggest separation. 

The enlightened one who has evolved from a limited sense of self to an expanded sense of Self practices the principle: 

 “Love your neighbor as you love yourself”
and, in so doing, the Law of Reciprocity loves you back. 

The following quote by Evan Hodkins tells of the benefits of choosing Love, Harmony, Peace, and Joy as a way of life. He says, “The economy of blessing is speckled with boomerangs, sprinkled with collateral benefits, and slathered with mutuality, Blessings are apt to rebound and tend to reverberate down the corridors of time. Blessing is but another word for boundlessness.” 

Let us use our power of the word for blessings! 

This Weeks Affirmation

“I AM always right where I AM.”

Keith Childers

“I have listened to the great Silence; and in the deep places of Life, have stood naked and receptive to Thy songs and they have entered my soul. “
~ Ernest Holmes ~

“…meditation is an emphasis on turning within, touching the depths of your inner self: the point where God is manifesting as you.”
~ Eric Butterworth ~  

I have this notion that meditation is a spontaneous response to an inner knowing that tells us it is time to pause and simply be alone with oneself; just like we know when it is time to drink water, or when it is time to sleep. This practice of being alone with oneself looks different at different times.

As a child, I bore witness to my mother’s way. Now, you must know that my mother never used the word “meditation.” However, as a busy mother of nine, she took a daily break from her chores to strategize and energize before beginning her next project.  Sometimes I tried to get her attention while she sat quietly, softly humming, and with her eyes closed. She would say, “Hush child, can’t you see I’m studying?”  I now know she was engaged in ‘contemplative meditation.’

Years later, I found myself replicating my mother’s behavior. The difference is, it was upon arriving home after working all day. I would kick off my shoes, and sit quietly for a while, with no agenda, as I released all that had transpired during the day and prepared for the fullness of the next moment. My two children knew this was my “quiet time.” Little did I know at the time that I had slipped into what is called ‘the silence.’

I recall times when taking a walk (‘a movement meditation’) helped to stabilize anxiety, stress, and other emotional occurrences. Or, how taking deep breaths served as a ‘centering meditation,’ before speaking or acting. 

There are unlimited forms of meditation, making it a challenge to define it as just one way. For example, early on my spiritual path, I followed the way of ‘guided meditations.’ Later, I encountered a teacher who told his students to let go of all concepts and words and would leave us suspended in The Great Nowhere. I had great resistance when entering this ‘Big Mind meditation.’ However, there soon followed extraordinary clarity regarding what was mine to do. 

Even though there is a natural propensity to meditate, it is nonetheless the trained mind that is most effective. For example, there are techniques that teach how to remain focused. The one who has learned to harness the energy of thought is not distracted by fleeting thoughts and incessant mind chatter. The trained mind distinguishes between hearing and listening.

No matter what the initial purpose, the practice of meditation awakens our awareness of our inherent unity with the Source of All Life and dissolves all illusions of separation.  The calmness, the insight, the healing of mind and body, the renewed energy, the intuitive impulses, the relaxation, and the peace of mind that follows are just some of the by-products of this practice.  

Meditation, whether it takes place in the special space you have reserved, or with a group; is always experienced alone, within the recesses of your very own being.

There have been times when it occurred to me, there are people all over the planet meditating at the same moment I am. In such times, I envision all of humanity as a beacon of light; vibrating, pulsating, and shining together as One. 

This Weeks Affirmation

“Each morning as I enter into the silence of my daily meditation, I know I am one with the One.”

Mary Jane LaBonte