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Wednesday, February 16, 2022

Why Is So Much Out of Whack?

Nona Brooks, in her wonderful little book, "Mysteries," offered this on that subject: 

The Father did not force the prodigal to return, but he loved him all of the time he was away. There is no ruling power that forces us into realization of our heritage. We may wander far and suffer many tribulations before we decide to return to a right attitude—one that will put us in harmony with good. Divine love is always sharing its warmth, glory and beauty. It impels the individual to do better things, but it does not compel us to live to our highest. We are free agents in so far as our power of choice to realize the good that is always ours is concerned. We cannot as individuals by using our personal wills change the truth of what we are in God. Children of God can not change their nature, because it is divine. We can, however, neglect to cooperate with divine activity and thereby retard our own progress.

I think the demise of transformational religions and spiritual practices have left many adrift in the earth experience. The attempt to replace communion with the Divine with all manner of secular things tends to make life shallow and frightening. No worship at the altar of sports or consumerism can give us peace or help us overcome addictions or calm our restless minds. Many seek amiss.

But then, no wonder. Where are the spiritual teachers that teach spiritual practices that lead to awakening us to who we really are and what it is we are doing here?  For that matter, where are those that have communed with the Divine themselves and so can authentically lead us? Far too many are into the letter of the law and not the Spirit of it all. Many just pretend, taking on the hollow role of acting the part.

You can memorize all the rules and holy writings you want, but are you genuinely in tune with The More? Are you a light to those around you, exuding rays of love; are you forgiving, kind and compassionate? You can jump through all of the hoops your group requires, but be no closer to God. 

Without a true spiritual connection, it is my experience that people feel lost, a bit empty and seek in all the wrong places. It's really no wonder. One who Knows is hard to find. Of course, we can read the words of those that Knew. They are strewn across history. We can gather small groups to delve into the writings together. 

We must be proactive, if we really and truly want to know who we are and to connect our lives with the living Presence of the More, of the Divine, of God. "Seek and you will find, knock and the door will open."  

Sunday, February 13, 2022

God's Creation

Yesterday at the meditation workshop, I asked everyone to go outside and find a leaf, a flower, a tree, etc. and spend time just being with it. They then shared insights.

This morning I awoke with a mental picture of a plant, maybe a weed, but with leaves and flower growing up through a tiny crack in the asphalt on a freeway. I thought of the will of life to express, to let.

Then I thought of the power of God's creation and how it is greater than human creation and "wins" at least eventually. Leave a house empty for very long, and insects and animals and weather will start breaking it down. Leave a tiny crack in a road, and soon life will emerge, as if thumbing nature's nose at the mighty road builders.

In this secular world of these times, perhaps it is time to turn from the gods of the secular, which turn out to be temporary, to the Divine, to the Creator, to The More.

Look around and see - and you will see evidence of a Divine Presence. Look deeply into a rose for 10 minutes, and you will know something More. Watch a snail amble across the soil for even 5 minutes, and you will know something More. Sit on the grass and be with a tree for just a few minutes, and you will know something More.

Take the sacred back and let the secular recede.

Tuesday, February 8, 2022

Insights From the More

In teaching Lectio Divina (Divine Reading) at the beginning of my meditation class, I found myself lifted. The idea came to me that in this process, we are mining for spiritual gold. The process is basically this: find a scripture verse that speaks to you, read it slowly, then re-read it emphasizing one word each time, close your eyes, repeat the verse, listen, then journal. Example from Psalm 46:1:

Be still (let go, release) and know that I am God. 

Be still (let go, release) and know that I am God. Be still (let go, release) and know that I am God. Be still (let go, release) and know that I am God. Be still (let go, release) and know that I am God. Be still (let go, release) and know that I am God. Be still (let go, release) and know that I am God. Be still (let go, release) and know that I am God. Be still (let go, release) and know that I am God. Be still (let go, release) and know that I am God. Be still (let go, release) and know that I am God.
Be still (let go, release) and know that I am God. 

I have contemplated this verse many times, each with a variety of insights. Saturday, this is what came to me as I wrote after the above Divine Reading: 

It is in the stillness that I can know God. It is a state of being of pure who-I-amness. I LET go, I can't MAKE it happen. I HAVE to let. I answer - Yes, God. I let You be all and all in me and in all of my life.

Try Divine Reading for yourself. You may be surprised how closely you live your life with The More. Words not from you alone, but word gifts from Something/Someone More, often called God. 

 

 

Friday, February 4, 2022

On the Eve

It's the eve before my meditation workshop's first meeting. The room is set up. The handouts are on the welcome table next to the sign-in, name tags, the extra pens, and some bottles of water.

My mind turns to all the things I've learned and experienced in my years of relationship with meditation. So many moments, so many epiphanies, so many memories. I ask God, How can I communicate what I know and know that I know to those who don't know? The answer came: Lead them to their own experience. Once they know, no one can take that knowing away.

Yes. I will do that. I know how. I've done it before. It's too long that I've been away from the important, essential leading people to know by experiencing. I'm excited.

Thank you for this opportunity. I know You lead me each and every moment, so all is well and will be well.