(Revisited)

“Begin With The End In Mind” 
~ Stephen R. Covey ~ 

“And I’ll always dream the impossible dream Yes, and I’ll reach the unreachable star.”
~ Mitch Leigh / Joe Darion ~ 

“I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” 
~ Mark 9:24 ~

The Science of Mind teaches “there is no process of healing, but there is a process in healing.” This idea is far-reaching inasmuch as it suggests a manner in which to reconcile the human and the divine; two aspects of our one nature. On the one hand, there is nothing to heal; our spiritual nature within us is already whole, complete, and perfect. It is the image and likeness of our highest idea of God. On the other hand, in order for this awareness to be realized, revealed, and activated in a practical way, there is a process in reasoning that takes place until the Truth dawns upon us. In that moment we are healed; i.e., the Spirit, Mind, and Body are in complete alignment.  In this state of consciousness, all things are possible.

Our faith leads us to the path; our doubt clouds the vision.

We’ve been told to walk in the direction of our dreams. Otherwise, we are subject to self-sabotage. Yet, in spite of this sage advice, sincere truth-seekers continue to report how they have inadvertently missed the mark of their desired good.

An example of this dilemma is like setting your car’s GPS for your final destination, only to ignore Siri’s directions.  As a result, you may find yourself running into roadblocks that cause unnecessary delays and missed appointments. 

This same thing sometimes happens regarding prayer. Even though we pray, affirming the destiny we envision for our lives, we are sometimes so accustomed to certain methods to get us to our goal, that we began to doubt the divine guidance received through intuition. Soon, we are right where we began, stuck in a mindset that lends toward temporary solutions, not lasting ones. Lasting ones are the embodied values that become the means to the ends we seek.  

~ ~ ~ ~

Mahatma Gandhi, a 20th-century mystic 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 toward 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.”

Walking in the direction of your dreams is practicing your innermost values in thought, word, and deed. In other words, it is letting values such as peace, love, wisdom, harmony, and joy be the means that deliver you to your desired ends.

Walking in the direction of your dreams is trusting and surrendering into the uncharted territory of a New Year that is filled with the promise of Light.

This Weeks Affirmation

“I hold my desired end for good in mind and trust the process to make it so.”

~ Angela “Chris” Beam ~

“. . . but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God.”
~ The Holy Bible ~ 

“I proceed on my way as one who knows that God goes with me into an eternal day of infinite privilege.” 
~ Ernest Holmes~ 

While The Wisdom of the Ages never changes, a more comprehensive way of communicating these Eternal Verities keeps evolving. What is known as The New Thought Movement is an avenue through which one may view The Changeless Truth in a more expansive and relatable way. It gives new perspectives to the life principles, while the principles themselves, remain the same today, yesterday, and forever.  All this allows one to examine more closely one’s thoughts, words, and actions, determining if they are congruent with one’s vision. 

Too often we argue over semantics in a sincere effort to communicate the essence of our being. 

Therefore, it is essential that we do not discard the old way we have known; but rather, peel back the layers of idioms, metaphors, and vernacular, and discover the element of Truth, or First Cause, trying to break through. 

In other words, do not throw out the proverbial baby with the bath water. Instead, simply refresh and renew the water, leaving the precious baby of eternal truth, intact. In so doing, we begin to see the beauty in the rituals, songs, and the teachings we continue to encounter during our journey of awakening. The religious and/or ceremonial practices serve as a doorway to the infinite, a point of insight that reveals the greater possibilities stretched before us.   

Traditionally, and symbolically through familiar rituals, we enter into a new year, anticipating the seasons of our lives.  Let this be a time of mindful reflection, which has nothing to do with being somber.  After all, there is much that occurred in the past twelve months that is worthy of celebration as well those things we mourn, for auld lang syne. Surely, when we become aware of our emotional responses to the events of yesterday, we become empowered by these lessons and experiences. In this awakened state, we are now poised to make wise choices that further support us in attaining the fulfillment we seek. 

Remember, there is an unfailing principle operating through everything, all the time, taking directions from our feelings, thoughts, and actions. When, through prayer and meditation, we are deeply anchored in the awareness of this divine and unlimited potential in whom we live, move, and have our being; there is a blessed assurance that all things are possible; and we dare to dream what had formerly seemed an impossible dream. We then move forward with confidence, as we declare our high resolve about the coming days.

How good it is to know that “Principle is not bound by precedent.” Happy New Year!

This Week’s Affirmation

“I move forward and embrace the evolution of my thoughts as I celebrate the infinite possibilities of tomorrow.“

~ Keith Childers ~

“The word Unity, we might explain here, signifies the union of parts, a result of many drawn together into one perfect harmonious whole.”
~ The Science of Mind, Ernest Holmes ~ 

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
~ Margaret Mead ~   

“Kwanzaa, Freedom, Justice and Peace: Principles and Practices for A New World.”
~ Dr. Maulana Karenga ~

The Ten Commandments of Moses, The Beatitudes of Jesus, The Four Noble Truths of Buddhism are all examples of how a Principle-driven life has been offered those seeking liberation from the challenges they faced.  While each leader dealt with the fundamental principle of unity that undergirds all of humanity, their unique approach appealed to the people, culture, and circumstances of their time.

These leaders somehow knew that once their people began to follow a practice of unity amongst themselves, soon, like The Hundredth Monkey concept of Ken Keyes, and the Peace Begins with Me concept of Jill Jackson, humanity would become a world that works for everyone.   

This evolution in consciousness and action is an ongoing process. There continue to be leaders of every culture who share life-enhancing principles with their communities, thus supporting them through the challenges of life. The principles offered are more than self-help advice. Principles (or Truth) are universal in nature. They are not respecters of person but rather respond to all alike who take the time to understand and practice them. That being said, principles may be applied to any person, place, or thing and yield the result for which they are directed. 

~ ~ ~ ~

Although Kwanzaa was born in the midst of the Black Freedom Movement of the 1960s, and inspired by the traditions and the cultural roots of Africans worldwide; “its framework and focus are based on seven principles and practices as they relate to (current) issues of life, work, and struggle.” 

The principles are Unity, Self-Determination, Collective Work and Responsibility, Cooperative Economics, Purpose, Creativity, and Faith. While this information feeds my intellect, just like Christmas, Hanukkah, and other religious or cultural traditions may; it is not until the true meaning is activated within me. The ritual without an inner meaning is like faith without works. I must return to the practice over and over again until it is not only a felt experience, it actually becomes a tangible reality that all may bear witness to.  

Starting today, December 26, 2023, and each day, through January 1, 2024, my endeavor is to creatively apply the principles offered. I invite you to join me. I like to first center myself with what I presently believe about the principle for the day, and then remain open and receptive to greater insight and revelation. For example:

Unity: I know and affirm there is only One Life, God. That life is mine, and is the life of everyone, without exception; Self-Determination: I know and affirm the Great I that I AM, is infused with the creative power of God; Collective Work and Responsibility: I know and affirm the creative exchange of ideas, talents and gifts supports everyone; Cooperative Economics: I know and affirm there is unlimited supply right now; enough to spare and to share; Purpose: I know and affirm that I am divinely guided to do what is mine to do; Creativity: I know and affirm that I express my inner feelings of love, peace, joy, beauty, wisdom, harmony and order in everything I think, say,  and do; and,  Faith: I know and affirm the Presence of God in me and as me, is the power through which all things are possible.

Together, through a unified consciousness, great things happen. There’s great power in the awareness of Oneness.

Happy Kwanzaa!

This Week’s Affirmation

“I continue to daily practice the life-enhancing principles of my unified consciousness.”

~ Mary Jane LaBonte, RScP ~

“Perfect God, Perfect Man, Perfect Being.”
~ Ernest Holmes ~

For some, Christmas is a religious holiday that honors the birth of Jesus, proclaiming him as the only begotten son of God, whose destiny is savior of the world. For others, Christmas is a spiritual revelation, transcending religiosity, proclaiming that humanity is begotten of the only God, and whose destiny is to rise above the tribulations of the world.  Some describe Jesus as the great example; i.e., the Wayshower, one who demonstrated the universal principle of unlimited possibilities.  It is no wonder that concepts such as these, which bring hope and joy to the world, are reason enough for celebration. 

Mystics, throughout all time, have recognized their inherent divinity, calling it by different names according to the particular culture they embrace. However, the name, or nature being described is actually the image and likeness of God, the Real Self, residing at the center of every living being. When one awakens to the Indwelling Presence that is always present; she, like Jesus, begins to give birth to these divine qualities, making a difference in the world, playing her/his particular role in the evolution of humanity. 

The season of Christmas, with all of its images and stories of the imminent change that takes place on the planet when the Christ Consciousness is birthed into the human experience, is reason enough for celebration. 

~ ~ ~ ~

From the above perspective, each one of us, right here, right now in this moment is fully imbued with The Christ, or Atman, or The Holy One, or Our Father, etc. However, the journey of Self-Realization is filled with seeming contradictions and paradoxes when our gaze is downward and while we are judging by the appearances of the world. At such times, our true nature of Love, Peace, Harmony, Abundance, Beauty, Joy, and Wisdom may seem out of reach. That is why “spiritual practices” are essential in our daily lives so that we may stay awake, aware, and deliberate in our actions. 

Daily meditation keeps us anchored and poised in the possibility of peace on earth and goodwill towards all people. Through this process, we soon abandon all sense of separation and spontaneously unify with all beings through our common nature.   Soon, the Living Spirit within recognizes the Living Spirit in everyone you encounter. It is in the silence of meditation, when all is calm, that the Bright Light of Truth is seen.

~ ~ ~ ~

It is from this pinnacle in consciousness that we exchange our gifts of the Spirit with one another, thus becoming a beneficial presence in the world. It is from this place of high-mindedness that we respond to the still small voice that causes us to expand into our greater-yet-to-be. It is from this place of child-like expectancy that we look forward to the fulfillment of our heart’s desires. In other words, “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:27)  

Yes, there is reason enough for celebration. Happy Holidays!

This Week’s Affirmation

“Today I celebrate the season of Peace on Earth and consciously practice Goodwill toward mankind.”

~ Judy Hilley ~

REVISITED POST

“Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.”
~ Isaiah 42:9 ~ (KJV)

 “Behold, I am making all things new.” ~ Revelations 21:5 ~ (ESV)

The mystical teachings of the Holy Bible, as well as all sacred texts of the world, are sometimes obscure simply because of the unfamiliar language in which they are written. Of course, there have always been a precious few, the mystics of the time, who gleaned the deeper and esoteric meaning found in the various scriptures. 

The Metaphysical Movement of New Thought presents ancient wisdom in a language that may be understood by anyone who is a sincere seeker of Truth. One of the most liberating revelations, taught in the Science of Mind is, “Principle is not bound by precedent.” 

Principles are invisible laws of nature that cannot be broken. Their indestructible nature assures reliability, dependability, and permanence. While this is the core of all sciences, when it comes to The Life Principle undergirding our very existence, it is the blessed assurance that, with God, all things are possible. The Life Principle is one of forgiveness, inasmuch as, once understood and applied, the mistakes of yesterday no longer have an independent power to punish or to repeat themselves. 

With an understanding that there is a power for good in the universe and we can use it, superstition of all kinds is no longer an excuse for limitation. False notions return to the native nothingness from which they came. The native-nothingness is the field of pure potentiality that has no opinions, but rather conforms to the beliefs that the thinker thinks.

The moment you and I catch the idea that we are truly spiritual beings right here and right now, fully imbued with the creative nature of God, we may speak a word of Truth and it becomes the reality of our lives immediately. Careful here. Our creative nature is not making something happen by our word, but rather, it is unleashing that which is already happening. The word we speak is an affirmation of our divine life right now and ignites the Principle of Truth. 

In the self-same moment that we know the Truth, the former things (errors: mis-steps, mistakes, ignorance) fall away, for there is no longer a belief that sustains them. They are nothing. The picture of our lives begins to change.

The story of the prodigal son is a perfect example of the Law in action. It tells of the instantaneous response received by the one who aligns herself with the Peace, Love, Harmony, Wisdom, Joy, Abundance, and Wholeness that is our true birthright. The shadows of lack, limitation, fear, disease, poverty, bigotry, and various kinds of mental prisons, melt under this Light of Grace.

None of this implies that, as enlightened beings, we no longer experience problems that must be worked out, any more than one proficient in the knowledge of mathematics will never miscalculate. However, it does imply that, just as the mathematician applies his Principle of Numbers to his challenge, we apply the Principle of Spiritual Truth to ours.

This Weeks Affirmation

“I turn with authority to my own mind and declare that all of God is with me and all of God is for me.”

 ~ Rev. Dr. Michael Beckwith, 40 Day Mind Fast Soul Feast  ~