VISION: A Center For Spiritual Living: Recent Episodes
visioncsl.org
VISION Podcast comes directly from our Sunday talks that are given by Rev. Patti Paris and other guests.
What are easy ways that you can connect with God, Spirit, The Presence ? Listen in as Tracy Smith, RsCp shares practical tips to slow down, and listen. Practice the Presence can also be found on YouTube, and includes slides that accompanied Tracy's talk.
Continuing this month's theme "Practice Makes Imperfect" Rev. Patti deeply explores the saying "Try Try Again."
Visit us some Sunday at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time for the joy of our Sunday Celebration!
This month's theme is "Practice Makes Imperfect." Rev. Patti gives a thought provoking talk "Throw Out Perfection" Listen in, and tell us your thoughts on this month's theme.
What is your next bold move? Maybe there's a voice inside of you telling you that you're too old? Why are you listening to it? Check out this inspiring podcast of ways to "Launch into Life."
Is there something you want to change but it's just not happening? Listen in as Rev Patti talks about why change might not be happening and how to use the Affirmative Prayer Process.
This month's theme is "Holy Boldness" and Marcus Gilliland RScP shares his thoughts about what Spiritual Tools can be used to truly be Unstoppable in creating a bold life.
We are in the month of Holy Boldness. This talk is Wholy, Holy, Whole meaning totally sacredly complete. Listen to this fascinating talk about how God is all there is, meaning God = Energy.
We're in June, and the theme for the month is Holy Boldness. Are you being bold in expressing yourself as the individualized expression of the One? Listen is for Rev. Patti's take on the them in her talk "Bold is Beautiful."
We end this month's theme "From Good to Great to Grand" with Rev. Patti's Birthday - and Billie Francis receiving a round of applause for a duck joke. Listen in...
Are you blocking your flow of Good? Rev. Audra Nicole tells a couple of great stories that are examples of seeing that you're blocking your Good and then opening up to it.
We continue this month's theme "From Good to Great to Grand" and we learn that there's a greater Good in the Universe and we ought to have it!
The month's theme is "From Good to Great to Grand" and Vision also celebrated Cinco de Mayo!
We're finishing up this month's theme "Giant Gentleness" with Rev Patti's talk, "Quiet Power." If we want Spirit to guide us, we must tell our ego to take a back seat. Join us to hear more about how to truly feel your "Quiet Power" and ways to hear it's direction.
Brother Ishmael has devoted his life to the transformation of human consciousness through the principles of nature. He joined us at Vision on 4/21/23 and gave a talk "The Master Artist" which he beautifully aligned with this month's theme of "Giant Gentleness."
This month's theme is "Giant Gentleness." What does it mean to be gently strong? Rev Patti talks about GAP - God's Area of Preparation and how we can grow the "gap" and be able to respond and not react.
This month's theme is "Giant Gentleness." What comes to your mind when you think of that theme? Rev. Patti talks about Teddy Bears, Blue Whales, Elephants and Big Love.
This month's theme is "That's the way we've never done it." And Rev. Patti explores how we might take lessons from Easter and use them in a new way.
How do you start something new that you've never done? Rev Patti gives tips and tricks on getting started and the mind set you may want to try out.
Going green might not mean what you think it is!
There's a popular image in positive psychology. It's a circle and on the left side is the comfort zone and on the right side is the growth zone. The comfort zone is red and the growth zone is green. How do we get out of the comfort zone? We'll need to go through the fear zone and the learning zone first. Listen in to hear what Rev. Patti has to say about it!
This month's theme is "That's how we've never done it." If you look at a new approach, a new idea, a suggest for newness, from a place of curiosity it may just allow us to experience a sense of renewal. Listen in to hear more about Rev Jeanne's wisdom on the topic. Remember you can go to visioncsl.org to find out what's going on at Vision Center for Spiritual Living. Join us!
Rev Diane wraps up this month's theme "Divine Discomfort." Her talk, "So What Now?" explores the next steps that we can make in creating a world that works for everyone. Are you fighting for rights? Or are you standing for rights? It makes a difference! Listen for more!
"We journey home every time that we remember who we are. We journey home every time we stop instead of barreling into reaction." Rev Patti Paris
Listen in as we continue this month's theme "Divine Discomfort" and find ways to journey home to the part of yourself that is whole, perfect and complete.
Rev Patti continues the theme of "Diving Discomfort." Listen in as she shares how we can be a part of transforming our world by practicing peace.
Special Guest Speaker - Mzee Kadumu Moyenda - shares the origins of Black History Month.
The theme for February is "Divine Discomfort." There is an uncomfortable gap between where we are and where we'd like to be. Tune in as Rev. Patti talks about how Spirit as us wants to experience all of life, even this discomfort.
Join us for another great talk by Rev. Patti. Do we treat and move our feet? What is our relationship to action and manifestation?
Renowned music duo Jan Garrett and J.D. Martin share a series of captivating songs intertwined with profound discussions about embracing both light and shadow in our lives. Bringing a combination of music and introspective talk, they explore how these contrasting elements form a significant part of our existence.
Join the very talented Jan Garrett and J.D. Martin in this musical and philosophical journey. They astound listeners with the music they've written and crafted. Their melodious voices inspire us to take a balanced approach to life's highs and lows.
What is the definition of courage and how can you use it in your spiritual awakening? Tune in as Rev. Patti gives a meaningful talk on facing conditions with courage and opening to a greater reality.
The theme for January is "A Grand Rising" and as we adopt a daily practice of Science of Mind Teachings me live in a way that "God as me is love; God as me is abundance; God as me is peace" there is no separation. Tune in to hear Rev. Patty's acronym for FOCUS, it's another great tool to practice practical spirituality!
In her last talk of 2023, Rev. Patti talks about our wholeness and asks whether or not we've been living from it. There's also a fun and powerful exercise that she goes through to set our intentions for the new year. And Rev. Patti reminds us that we can do this any day of the year.
In this special Christmas Eve talk, Rev. Patti speaks about ancient wisdom. In particular how Jesus came to teach us how to run the cosmic engine - Christ consciousness.
We begin this podcast with JohnnieRenee Nelson reading a beautiful poem from her book "Classic Kwanzaa Poems." Next Rev. Diane talks about Mary and Joseph from the Christian Gospels; baking; and generosity and somehow she ties these three disparate topics together!
Jennifer Hough is the President of The Wide Awakening, Author of the new book UNSTUCK and Founder of the Largest Integrative Nutrition Practice in Canada. Tune in to hear more about how many Universes we have in each of our bodies and how to get out of our own way! (Or the Universe's way)
Ram Dass once said, 'We are all just walking each other home.' đ Today, let's contemplate the profound truth behind these words and uncover the essence of what is sacred and what is mundane.
Gratitude is not a time of year, it's a lifestyle. Give a listen and find out some tips on making gratitude a part of your daily life.
This 45 minute meditative service features our 5 step Affirmative Prayer. Vision was inspired to use the Taize style for the service. Taize is a movement started in Taize France. It encourages others to live in the spirit of kindness, simplicity and reconciliation.
Wherever we go, whatever we do, we are never outside of Spirit, whose power and presence is equally present everywhere. In her talk "It's All God" Rev. Patti tells us about teachers like Zarathushtra, born around 200BC, whose teachings emphasized one God and influenced Christianity. Listen in to hear more about the core concepts of Religious Science and the many other teachings that it draws from.
This month's theme is "Mundane Sacred Profane." Reverend Patti Paris gives a powerful talk about "No Sacred Cows" and how our ability to question everything and accept that we are one is important.
"We're here to know the truth. And I love this Carl Sagan. Allegedly. I couldn't cite it for sure, but Carl Sagan said 'If something can be destroyed by the truth, it should be destroyed by the truth.' And this is what we are doing. We are here. To know truth right to earn his homes like. No, no dogma, no duality, no superstition. So we're here to know the truth."
This monthâs theme is Playing with Paradox. we get to look at the paradoxes of the human experience and hold them up to the light of Truth.
Rev. Jeanne Phillips jokes about her favorite paradox "the only constant is change" and explores a Third Way to heal the world.
If it were up to Rev. Patti, this month's theme "Playing with Paradox" would be called "Wrestling with Paradox" because it's not feeling like play. Yet, she's got a great talk about "Paradox of Our Age."
Welcome to October 2023 and it's theme "Playing with Paradox." Examples of paradoxical statements might be - Save money by spending it. If I know one thing, it's that I know nothing. This is the beginning of the end. And there are many more.
"By practicing the principles we move from knowledge, the book learning, into wisdom."
Listen in to hear more of Rev. Patti Paris's wisdom and inspiration about allowing Spirit to flow through us.
"Speak the Truth out loud for others to hear." - Marcus Gilliland. A powerful talk on knowing that the Universe is with you.
What can we do to support our bold dreams? Rev. Patti dives into how affirmative prayer will support you as you make new goals and dream bold dreams.
What is required to hold hands with your destiny? Listen in and find out Rev. Patti's unique take on the phrase "I cheated."
In this talk we're finishing up the theme "My Passion My Purpose." Rev. Patti encourages us to feel our passions, see the outlet before us and make the decision to plug into the energy of Spirit.
Rev. Patti continues with this month's theme Speaking Truth to Circumstance. What is Eternal? God is Eternal! Listen in to find out more and remember the Truth of you.
This month's theme is Speaking Truth to Circumstance. We'll explore being brave, being honest, demonstrating our authenticity even when our knees shake! This week we start with how the conditions around us change but Truth doesn't.
Rev. Dianne talks about the various aspects of play. Which aspect of play allows you to be your true authentic self?
What mask are you wearing? An angel? A devil? An angry person? A hard worker? There are so many masks that we wear. Rev. Patti discusses what Spirit wants of you - to be your authentic self. Let's take the masks off...
When we light a candle, we reveal the Truth of ourselves - that we are whole, perfect and complete. Rev. Patti talks about using our Spiritual Tools to rid ourselves of negative thoughts and patterns that keep us from living our best lives.
Rev. Patti wraps up April's theme "The Power of Vulnerability" she admits that it's uncomfortable...
Rev. Jeanne Phillips assures us that expanding our comfort with vulnerability is a worthy goal. It allows us to lead our authentic lives as our authentic selves.
Special Guest Speaker Peter Bolland talks about the first teachings of Buddha and Jesus and how they are similar and remain relevant to humanity.
In this episode, we delve deep into the power of curiosity and self-awareness through the theme of viewing curiosity as a superpower. We can harness our innate superpowers to shape our own lives. Rev. Patti suggest that we can stimulate our ability to contemplate through questions. Questioning the actions we take, the thoughts we make.
Ernest Holmes, "I give thanks to my inner life for all its marvelous wonders, and for all its wonderful works. I sing and be glad, for I know I am hidden with truth in perfect life."
Dive into the world of limitless possibilities with our empowering talk, Limitless. Here, we explore the extraordinary power of personal strengths as superpowers, identifying a range from active listening to effective communication and robust memory.
Learn to embrace your evolving purpose, your superpowers and your limitless good.
Tune in to this enlightening exploration of how to recommit to our spiritual practices. Rev. Patti discusses ways to find stability and rejuvenation in our spiritual lives through genuine self-care and self-affirming habits.
As the Vision Community - we grow, challenge our boundaries, overcome resistance, and unfurl our authentic selves. We seek not just to serve, but to be of service, to create lasting friendships, and experience unparalleled personal growth.
Let's commit to being the light that we're born to be .
From today's talk: fear is a response to an effect, it is never cause. We have a choice, to succumb to our fear, or to face it, see through it, and allow it to dissolve. When we are grounded in our spiritual nature, there is nothing to fear; financially, politically, or in our health. Spirit is our Source & Supply of all.
From today's talk: thinking "me", not "us" is an immediate path to trouble. The work starts within, as we change our lives, but we must continue, clearing our consciousness so we can be servants of the whole. We are, at our core, a unified energy. When we act from loving kindness, the whole of life is empowered. When we act from fear, or doubt, or lack, we diminish life for ourselves, and others.
From today's talk: it is not enough to claim to know Oneness, we must demonstrate it. Inclusion and justice must be our goal, for all, guided by love. Not everything is for us to do. But what is ours, must be done by us.
Inspiration - Rev. Patti Paris Music - Faith Rivera From this talk: Love points the way, and Law makes it possible. The Law of life is the servant of the power of heart. We are as open to the good of the universe only as much as our consciousness can accept the gift.
May 10, 2020 Inspirational Talk - Rev. Patti Paris Singer: Karen Drucker From today's talk: there is a wisdom within, that knows that It knows. Without fear, without urgency. It rests in the knowledge of Its divine connection. We have the opportunity to heal the false beliefs gifted to us by parents, teachers, and society by acknowledging them and challenging them. They are only thoughts, and thoughts can be changed.
April 19, 2020 Inspirational Talk - Rev. Patti Paris Singer: Eddie Watkins Jr From today's talk: in order to have change, we must embrace change. Which means stepping out of our patterns and habits, and into new behaviors. And we must be gentle with ourselves as we do. We acknowledge past beliefs and actions, not out of shame or anger, but as an observer, witnessing choices.
From today's talk: the substance of the universe is a unified whole, pressed into forms of our understanding and desire. And we are free to choose again. Spirit does not decide the game, we decide. Spirit awaits our choice. There is no separation between the Word, the Power, and the Demonstration. The good we desire, desires us. The love we express is the love we receive. It is the internal work of overcoming fear and duality that is ours alone to do.
From today's talk: we stay open to new ideas, new ways, new opportunities. We do not reject out of hand an idea because it conflicts with our current state of being. We consider, we test, we investigate. And then we decide if it is real, or has value to us. We are made of the substance of the universe, which by its very nature is free and available to express and experience all of life.
From today's talk: we cannot want for ourselves, what we deny others. This is ultimately self-destructive. And the universe cannot sustain it. We must act from our unity, from our Oneness for the betterment of ourselves, all of society, and the world.
From today's talk: we are born unique, never before, never again. Created from the infinite possibilities of the creative universe, with all those qualities It possesses. Nothing in the world can make us less than whole. Yet we find our responses to past events limiting our current expression of life. It is for us to go within and do the healing work.
From today's talk: We have the choice to react, or to respond. We can proceed from inspired connection, or to spin wildly out of control. It is our responsibility to understand our reactions, and trace them back within ourselves to their causes. Only then can we alter our responses, and change them.
From today's talk: there is a wisdom that comes from the heart. A deep knowing, which communicates its understanding through the smallest of voices. It is up to us to make time to tune in, and make that still, small voice, a known factor in our lives. To allow it to guide our steps.
From this talk: Love points the way, and Law makes it possible. The Law of life is the servant of the power of heart. We are as open to the good of the universe only as much as our consciousness can accept the gift.
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From today's talk: there is a wisdom within, that knows that It knows. Without fear, without urgency. It rests in the knowledge of Its divine connection. We have the opportunity to heal the false beliefs gifted to us by parents, teachers, and society by acknowledging them and challenging them. They are only thoughts, and thoughts can be changed.
From today's talk: in order to have change, we must embrace change. Which means stepping out of our patterns and habits, and into new behaviors. And we must be gentle with ourselves as we do. We acknowledge past beliefs and actions, not out of shame or anger, but as an observer, witnessing choices.
Heroes, and SHEroes surround us. The love of the divine leads and moves us in joy. Always be open to the impulse of the call within.
Our thoughts are the seeds of our desires. We must make sure we have cleared the weeds of doubt, lack and fear before we plant. We need the soil of our minds to be deep and receptive. Don't worry about "facts", stay grounded in truth. Be informed, but stay grounded.
Love the all there is. The universe is created in, and of, the energy of love. There is nothing else at work. Once we find that place within ourselves where that is our truth, we will find the peace, joy, power, and harmony we seek in the world.
Our spiritual practice is more than a healing balm for our own souls, it is a call to action in the world. We are called to overcome our fear, and value each other. "other"ing has been woven into our society, and it up to us to confront the difficult conversations, and step into them to create a new world.
We are tasked with knowing what it is we desire, and be clear in that. When the weeds of our old thoughts appear in our garden, we must tenderly remove them. We are free to manifest a life of joy, of health, of success. But we must do the work of removing the self-imposed limitations of thought that are holding that life at bay.
At our core, all things emanate from one source. One creative energy, which is neither consumed nor diminished by the act of creation. We are given dominion over the earth, not control. It is for us to shepherd in balance, all the we see.
We are immersed in a cloud of our own thought. A reflection of our own creation. If we desire a better experience, we must change the thoughts behind that experience. It is not enough to just say we want this or that, we must embody the emotion behind the experience. When we believe it, we will see it.
We are immersed in a unified field of self-aware energy, which knows only of its own expression. We display and manifest as much of that essence as we can conceive of. We fall into old patterns and habits of thought, even if they take us to an uncomfortable place, at least we recognize it. We are called to entertain new thoughts, new possibilities.
The ancients knew, and taught, a Oneness. A unified field of thought. Today, science and philosophy are coming together, expressing belief in a Oneness. We get to question everything: our lives, our beliefs, whatever it takes to uncover the deeper reality in which we live.
We are surrounded by a field of unified energy, that desires only the highest and best, and can only give to us what it can give through us. It is our mould that sets the form of our experience. It is for us to expand our belief and acceptance of what is possible for our lives. And the Universe always says yes!
The time of year when all traditions turn to The Light, and look for its expression to guide and to lead.
Spirit is the same today, yesterday, and forever. There are no "miracles" in the Divine, there is only aligning with the possibility that already exists in the Mind of God. We must acknowledge the difference between "night language", that of poetry and symbolism, and "day language", facts and evidence. We speak both, but we must know what we are using them for or we will get lost in them.
The new generation brings with it new possibilities, and new ways of achieving them. Just as Jesus brought the qualities of caring, healing and compassion to the world. The myth has power when it is going on now. Otherwise, everything about it is sacred, or nothing is. It is the untouchable myth, or "just" a myth.
We reject any superstition or fear that seeks to rob us of our power. Spirit is the only power, and we are one with that. The astrological day, the medium and the cards have no more power than the power we choose to give them. What works for one, may not work for another. We are free to find the unique path of Spirit that is ours to express.
We can undermine ourselves with old thoughts and old patterns, when the past colors the present and diffuses our goals. We must question the doubts within, find out where they came from, and then we can ignore them! Blow right past them towards the future we desire.
We seek true belonging, not just fitting in. We can be vulnerable and uncomfortable, without attacking or being mean, and without sacrificing who we are. We approach the world with a strong back, a soft front, and a wild heart.
Before we are out of bed in the morning, the narrative may already be running. And a simple thought can make us worried, or anxious, or upset, and nothing has even happened. We don't get anything from outside experiences, we bring who we are to them. Our joy, our love, our fear, our sense of lack. And that shows us where out inner work lies.
If we aren't minding our business, who is? Are we afraid to confront the hidden parts of us? If we heal them, will we recognize ourselves? Will we be recognized? We must come to know that we are one with the power of the universe. That those hidden aspects are available to heal, and to stop holding us back from a life of fulfillment.
We identify and sort our world based on differences. But when fear does the sorting, we reduce our circle of availability, and our world gets smaller. We must meet people where they are, and listen, get to know and understand them, and their path. Get past the story, and connect at the heart.
We develop alone lines of decisions. In our youth, these decisions are often made for us. As we expand our understanding of the world, we begin to make choices, for better or worse. When we are committed to the journey of self-actualization, our choices allow us to create our destiny.
Spirit isn't about rules, It is about love. Not what you can quote, but you do. Radical, barrier-shattering love action is what changes the world.
Science is proving the Spiritual truth, that we are One human family, the superficial differences in appearance have no bearing on the truth of our interconnectedness. Love is the great impulsion, Law is the propulsion. We must release any thought of "other", of withholding the blessing foe ourselves, and embrace the good for all. Only then can the power flow freely through our lives.
If you're going through hell, keep going! We cannot emerge transformed if we stay stuck in the middle of the story. We must claim our power, align with spiritual principles, and move forward. We have within us a voice that cheers us on, and a voice that limits us. We can challenge the inner critic, and demand it justify its stance. It will always be based on past fears.
The universe is governed by natural, physical and spiritual laws. We must align with them, in order to function well in life. We can fight the law of gravity, but we'll end up with skinned knees. We can fight the law of mathematics, but we'll end up with bounced checks. The same with spiritual laws: attraction, vibration, oneness. We can use them, even if we don't fully understand them, to propel our lives along a path of our choosing.
The planet is a self-regulating system of integrated life forms. We are One with all that is. To act against any part of the whole, undermines our own position. Spirit only supports that which is in alignment with Itself. We must open to the next phase of development and activity, by listening to the impulse of Spirit, or be left behind.
From One Source, the many arises. Myriad forms of life, color, music, smell, thought and ideas. All originating from the same source, a unified whole, expressing itself. Life is made better by the richness of the creative process. Music, art, literature, food, flowers, birds, fish. Over and over, we see the power and joy of the creative universe around, and within us, seeking expression.
When someone pushes our buttons, we get a chance to ask the healing question. To uncover the underlying false belief behind our reaction. And then we can work from a place of Wholeness, to be authentic in the world. And do our work in integrity. And we will find that those buttons that used to control us and light us up, are no longer connected.
We are unique. In all the universe, past, present and future- there is only one of us. We have within the power and ability to transform our lives, and the world. We must be conscious of our thoughts. We must guard the doorway to our mind against entertaining false or unworthy ideas, many of which aren't ours anyway.
The essence of Oneness is taking care of each other. We celebrate diversity, we don't judge it. The false lines of division created from blind agendas and prejudices of the past can no longer direct the future. It is time to recognize our common humanity.
We must KNOW in mind, before we can demonstrate in the world. Before we go "do", we must be clear about what we want. Listening to the still small voice within gives us insight into our dreams. We must give of ourselves: our time, and attention, our energy, in order to connect with others and make a difference in our lives and theirs.
What makes life worth living? What gives life meaning? When we focus on the outer conditions, we are blown like a leaf on the wind. We must go within, discover, uncover and explore, the truth of our own being, and live from there.
When we don't "get" what we want, we think there is something to "do". Ego wants results. It has an agenda. Faith is the trust that lets us let go of the illusion of control and accept the ambiguity of the moment, knowing Spirit is at work.
Often we react to the effect, rather than respond by altering cause. We act as if this thing we have co-created is somehow greater than we are, that we cannot change it. We must engage in a daily practice of directing our minds, and the law of life, in the direction we would have it go. We are not blown by the winds of chance, we are co-creators of our experience.
The look of Freedom is infinite. One person's freedom is another person's curse: a desk job may mean the freedom of security for one, and tedium to another. We must know who we are, what we want, and be aware if we are making choices based on twenty year old thinking.
How we define our lives, is how we direct our lives. It isn't the definition of terms, but the feeling behind the words that makes a difference. Are we telling empowering, or limiting stories about our future? Are we telling healing stories? Or stories we don't need to give power to?
We collect issues and opinions about ourselves and the world. And these muddy the water of our consciousness until we are clogged with false belief. We are powerful, magnificent beings, capable of changing the world! And the place to start, is right where we are.
We are empowered by gratitude. It focuses us on what we have, not what we perceive as missing. It keeps us in the now, where we have power. Gratitude and fear cannot coexist in the same brain, they are incompatible. Let gratitude tame the fear, process it, and eliminate it.
Connection doesn't always mean communication. Some things are beyond the limiting function of words. There is a part of us that knows we do not create connection, we discover it, we allow it. And we find a source of that connection in our own unique ways.
Our thoughts are the currency of our experiences. So what are we "paying" attention to? Turn away from that we which we do not desire, and focus only on the good we would have. We seek better for ourselves, and by default, we create better for those around us, and those around them. We must not be afraid of speaking our power and our dreams into manifestation.
The Oneness from which all emanates, returns to It. There is only one energy, one activity. If we don't like what is before us, we are free to change our receptivity and create something new. Spirit always has a bigger idea for us. There is always something for us to grow into. It is for us to do the work.
The Oneness seeks to express Itself in uniqueness. There is no 'other', in Spirit. The Divine Intelligence holds nothing back: there is no loss, no lack, no limit to defend against. We meet the other, and they become our friend, then they become "us". Our mind is a point within Universal Mind, and It knows what to do to create heaven on earth.
We know we are One, so what gets in the way? When we fall in to judgement, rather than observation. Our perspective is an outpicturing of our thoughts. When we think love, we get love. When we think hostility, we get hostility. Same world. It is ourselves that create the difference.
The mystical marriage of the masculine and feminine energy is present within all. The feminine recognizes that which must be burned away and released, to make room for the new. When we confront the outdated, the outgrown, the tradition and the status quo, we are fostering the divine feminine within.
We experience "it", we are in relationship with "thou". We seek to understand and define our world, but must not fall into the trap of seeing others as separate from us. We are One. If we are to enlarge this life we are living, we must include everyone else in that desire. We will heal the world by our example, not our explanation.
We are the I AM in all, and the ALL is in every one of us. The act of giving of ourselves, is the action of Life giving through us. We get to heal the places within where to have fallen into false belief. When those buttons get pushed, we are called to do the inner work of taking ourselves home.
We are imbued with the nature of creation Itself. Our soul is an individualized expression of the Universe. We are power. We are peace. We are abundance. As big an idea as we have for our lives, Spirit has a bigger idea, and can grow us into that life.
What we see and think of others is always perception. The ego is looking to keep things going as is. The Soul is open to something new. When we surrender, all the help we ever need is there.
Our lives are expanding, our souls seek experience and expression. Not just what we judge as positive, but all experience. Our best can change from day to day, hour to hour. It doesn`t mean powering through our day. It means being present, learning from our mistakes and failures, and growing from them.
Communication is a mixture of context, background, culture, fears, doubts and a host of unspoken mental attitudes. We take in words, and give them our own meaning. Humans by nature connect the dots, extrapolate from existing information. This can keep up safe, can save us time. But it can keep us small, and prevent us from being present.
Judgement comes from the past, from an experience we are laying over the current situation, coloring it with an expectation or disappointment that already happened. When we do the inner work, we unhook those buttons that get pushed by uninvited advice or rude comments that used to light us up. We decline delivery, and walk away free from the interaction.
Joy is who we are, but we can become distracted by the minutia of our daily lives. We must keep an attitude of amazement and amusement with us everywhere to look, everywhere we love, and everywhere we live. Trusting the joy of the universe will unfold for us.
We all have agreements we make, with friends, family, the world, and with ourselves. We are as good as our word. When we say we are going to do something, we do it. Then others know they can count on us, and we know we can count on us. We must be aware of tossing our words around carelessly. That we speak either a blessing or a curse with each utterance. We must look with the eyes of love, and speak only words of love.
Be great in act, as you have been in thought; Let not the world see fear and sad distrust. Govern the motion of a kingly eye: Be stirring as the time; be fire with fire ~ William Shakespeare
Once you have found what you seek, stop seeking. Sit and be with it. If its love, or work, or Spiritual truth. Once you have that thing you love, you dont have to keep going.
We exist in the body, but we live in imagination. So tell a great story. Drop the past, let go of the narrative, and start living your best year, your best decade ever. Even if nothing has happened. Be with the stillness, and know.
What would love do? It wouldnt worry about money, or winning, or making others pay a price, or about career. Love would uplift others.
It is our job in this life to express a greater love, to uplift others. To reveal the greater truth, regardless of appearances.
We are always Spirit in motion. Always outpicturing based on our emotions and beliefs. We cannot be separate from the Infinite Oneness of creation. It is the truth of us. In the midst of challenges, we must hold fast to the truth, to know, to prove, that conditions change, and we direct that change.
From God all peace flows, and returns. Even the darkest journey can end in peace. There are many defining moments in our lives, but we are free to choose our reaction to them. To use them to create something better.
The female, creative energy is present in all creation myths. We are made in the image and likeness, in the nature, of a creative Universe. We are never separate from that energy of the whole, we are an expression of it. Powerful enough to create lack and worry. But free to change it. So if it`s not working for you, change it.
"In the beginning" never ends. Creation is on-going. A process of becoming. It`s never a one time thing. We are connecting with something bigger than we are, a sense of belonging, of BE-ing. A connection to the infinite potential.
We move back to our natural state when we forgive, when we release the pent up feelings of woundedness, or being wronged, and embrace peace. We cannot go looking for peace outside of ourselves. We cannot expect others to change, to give us our peace. It is always an inside job.
The communal art project known as traditional Christmas has many layers of tradition, it belongs to no one. It is the creation of myth, and artists, and our deep desire to connect. In this dark time of the year, our clarity comes. Our willingness to give away all that we have, so that we can claim the treasure of life for ourselves is made manifest.
We acknowledge the wound, the hurt, the pain. It was real. It happened. But we don`t stay there. We are meant to go through it. That is where the growth and freedom lies. Not in the wallowing, but in the healing. We are able to be gentle with others when we learn to be gentle with ourselves. When we release our condemnation of our own unskilled behaviors, it is easier to allow others to have theirs.
What we are forgiving is always in the past. When we hold onto the past, we are not in our power, not growing. We acknowledge the event, the pain. Then we move on. We live in a reflective universe. We cannot hold another in condemnation without suffering for the thought. Spirit holds nothing against us. It is we who demand satisfaction for the idea of being wronged.
Our fears are meant to be conquered, not collected. Fear keeps us small. We run into our leading edge, and we detour off into coping behaviors that keep us from pushing through. We are here to experience all of life. The only healing of our fears comes from a restoration of our faith. Pray, meditate, take a class, call a Practitioner. Unleash your inner superhero, and conquer what is holding you back.
We need to check in with our heart. Being true to ourselves means being present. We must reach beyond our comfort zone and connect with others. Not in an intrusive, uncomfortable way. But in simple acts of acknowledgement and being present.
Fear is a belief that God is not present, that we are alone, and must defend our lives and our bodies, alone. Fear can be healthy. Fear keeps us from getting hurt. But fears are meant to be overcome, not collected.
Today is all we have. The eternal moment, unfolding forever. Spirit is engendered and embodied in all we see, do and think. Everywhere is holy ground. Every interaction is sacred. We cannot withhold our light, our good, and expect not to suffer for it. The circulation of the love of God is the life blood of the Universe.
We are surrounded by good in the high times, and the challenging times. Life is not a series of hills and valleys. It is railroad tracks, positive and negative. Our focus defines our experience. The stories we tell about our lives are the affirmations of our lives. We become stuck in a narrative of our own creation. And we are at choice, in every moment, to change the course of the story.
We must understand the consciousness of our perspective. Are we looking back, or looking ahead? Rooted in fear, or rooted in faith? Is this a universe of winners and losers? Where God has favorites? We must beware of the idolatry of certainty. To look for enemies, to long for a past that never existed. These are the paths that lead to exclusion and Us vs Them thinking.
We say 'God is good', but often that's conditional; it's good when it's going our way. When things go badly, we get to blame God. We need a higher perspective. That God is the goodness. Not an attribute of personality, but the embodiment of life.
Being mindful is being conscious of the moment. Not lost in the past, or drifting in the future. Both can have positives; lessons learned, intentions and goals. But when we forget to return to the moment, we lose the power. Mindfulness does not involve the ego. Not trying to control, push away or make something linger. It is about being present.
There is nothing outside of us, away from us, separate from us, to "get". We have, and are all that is. It is the degree to which we embody and express life that It shows up for us. Prayer does not change God, prayer changes us. It enlarges our mind, aligns us with our good and propels us forward.
We are expressing the One Life of spirit. We are made in "the image and likeness", the essence of Spirit. All that It is, we are. And it is for us to live the biggest, grandest life we can. We do not "want" or "need" anything, this implies it is separate from us. The Universe is already abundant, we don`t have to make it- we have to align with what already is.
We are individualized, not individuals- as in separate. That is the illusion that clouds our manifestations. To believe that our good, our goal, is somehow apart from us. We must place no thought of limit, or compromise or of delay on the Infinite. Spirit desires good for all.
We are individualized expressions of the One Life. All our uniqueness, that made us stand out, that sometimes we were mocked or ridiculed for, is part of our magnificence. It is when we buy into the opinion of others, when we empower our limitations and fears, that we undermine our own dreams and abilities. We are not meant to blend in- we are meant to stand out!
Thoughts are things. We use right thinking for definite purposes. To do this, we must be aware of, and align with the Law of Mind. We awaken to our spiritual magnificence, and express it in greater, ever expanding ways. Life opens up to us.
Real transformation takes place from the inside out. It is a process, not an event. It isn`t about job, or income, or haircut. It is about releasing the false beliefs and limiting thoughts that hold us back. We may be tempted to run out and try and create change in the outer world, but we know real change starts within.
There is nothing to overcome; only something to align with! We act as if 'someday' we will arrive at Wholeness, that we will "get it". The reality is, we are already IT. The Truth of us is problem free, not problem solve. When we fall into trying to make something happen, we are out of alignment with Spirit.