WELCOME 7

In the past few weeks we have done a lot of stretching. We have deliberately and consciously worked on going beyond our current belief systems. These have not been simply intellectual exercises, we have literally changed the vibrational level we are operating on.

Now one of the things that happens here is that we find ourselves in a uncomfortable and perhaps even terrifying space. The solid ground we stood on a short time ago from our old belief systems is no longer there, and like a rock climber, without even knowing it, we are desperately reaching out for the next hand hold.

And so we begin to ask all of these questions: “What about this; what about that; what do we do if this happens; what do we do if that happens; how can you explain this, and on and on. This is my intellect, the attempt of my limited ego consciousness to get back in control. MY personality self does not like me being “in my knowing;” it would much rather have me be in my understanding, to be in control, to have the ability to predict what is coming next.

So here, at least in part, is our challenge— to go beyond our need to prove or understand and to be in your knowing, beyond feelings, beyond words.

On a very practical level, this means that we focus on ourselves and what we need to do or how we can become more loving, more caring, more compassionate. Prayerfully exploring how we can use the creative energy of the divine that flows through us to be able to transform this world of ours. To be able to go beyond our seemingly normal dualistic and separate mindset to a stance that embraces the truth of Oneness.

When caught up in the mind’s incessant chsatter, story-telling,  and need to control and understand, when you realize you are in that quagmire, stop for a moment; Breathe. Rely on that marvelous prayer from Emilie Cady—“God, I do not know the answer; You do. Show me.” This is not giving our power away, it is an affirmation of our own inner wisdom—that “wee small voice within,” “Be still and know..”

Be aware, life is not asking questions such as “What about this or that,” but directing me to create the space and the strength to do I need to do—“How do I raise my vibration around this; how do I open my heart. Although most of us are not called to be a Gandhi or Mother Theresa, we are, each one of us, called to create from our heart’s love rather than from fear. 

If we feel the need to protest, write letters, carry signs, donate to causes we believe in, by all means do it, but do it with love not hatred, resentment or fear.

Years ago, I became aware that whenever I am angry or outraged, if I look deep enough, I will find that something/someone I care about deeply is being threatened. So I begin to choose to focus on that which I love, and make that my direction and the source of my energy.

It was Gandhi’s love for his people and the ideal of freedom, not hatred of the British, that allowed for this transformation to take place.

Many of us find ourselves in political turmoil that is polarizing this nation even more than it was. We can stay in outrage or self-righteousness and continually experience ourselves as victim or controller, OR we can find ways of being that unique expression of the Divine—for me, at least in part, being part of this class is an aspect of my service.

Acceptance, love, surrender, are not wimpy—they are not expressions of passivity or victimhood. Just ask yourself this question—

“Do you believe in the transformational power of love?” 

One aspect many of us have experienced is the HO’OPONOPONO. If you are not familiar with that you might  want to Google it.

There is an expression I recalled for many years ago, and although the language is dualistic in form (God up there and me down here) I think you can get the message: “We need to pray as if everything depended on God, and work as if everything depended upon us.

It is a paradoxical place. On some level of our being there is nothing that needs to be done. If all is love and there is nothing else what is there to do? Then again, we are also material beings in a wounded world that seems to be intent on destroying itself. 

Because we are uniques expressions of the divine—each of us has a unique way of contributing to the solution.  Part of our spiritual journey is discovering those unique ways that we can serve. 

I know it is hard to believe, but we have actually moved from page 41 to 42.