Journeys - A Spiritual Community

Four Spiritual Practices that Reveal Spiritual Guidance

admin — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 21:35:44 +0000

So much of life has to do with identity. Someone said, “no one can rise above their self-concept” and I agree. Most personal growth involves shifts in identity. As we explore life, meaning and purpose – we bump into identity issues all the time. I own a compass (it orients to magnetic north) and when in the mountains, it helps me know which way I’m going. All of us could use a spiritual compass – something that provides direction, guidance and a sense of identity – as we make decisions. When I have clarity with my personal identity, it’s easy to make decisions; I’m thinking that clarity in identity may be the greatest guidance we can receive.

Spiritual direction can come from any area that you are willing to listen to. Sometimes my spiritual guidance flows from common sense, sometimes from my physical body, sometimes from my heart and sometimes from my head. Some nights dreams teach me all night long and other times the skies seem quiet and frozen. I have found guidance seems to flow easier when I engage in spiritual practice. I’ll mention some of the practices that have helped me the most.

First, although I was taught to be a loner, in spiritual practice I choose to travel with company. The great poet Hafiz, living almost a 1000 years ago, shared this wisdom, “a hunting party sometimes has a greater chance of flushing love and God out into the open…than the warrior all alone.” Truth is truth, and this is truth – spiritual community is an essential element for finding clear direction. Discernment can be so slippery – is it real or imagined – we each live with so many blind spots and so much ego. Community helps keep us from exalting ourselves too high or too low. Shamans would tell you that living without community is unthinkable. Do not travel the spiritual path alone. Second, allow the fear to dissolve. I have found that sometimes I cannot solve the fear issue, but on the spiritual path – I have seen it simply dissolve again and again. Let your fear melt and live your life with courage. I’m sure the deepest threat to clear guidance is fear, but awareness of this eliminates it. Third, engage the stillness everyday. Don’t let one day go by without contacting and entering the divine. It is the mist that surrounds you – inside and out. The mist of Spirit and stillness will make your way clear. Fourth, find something you can be absolutely sure of. Certainty is needed and yet, so difficult to find on the wilderness path. Synchronicity – meaningful coincidence can excite and encourage, but sometimes is so hard to read. Shall I tell you where certainty lies? In divine attributes – not drama. In divine qualities – not light shrouded in darkness. If you really want to know what God’s will is for you in this moment – simply pause and listen to life. Your life (the one that is before you in this moment) is your only calling and the calling is clear and carries no doubt. The calling of life comes in only three words: Show Me God. That is the will of Spirit in your life – today, tomorrow and forever: Show Me God. You are on the planet, you have incarnated into this physical plane, you have stepped into this condensed atmosphere to do one thing — EXPRESS. It may not be dramatic, it may not build your showy ego….but this my friend is your reason – it is the reason you have been searching for the entire time. You are here to re-present the divine. You are here to demonstrate God. You are to reveal what God would do, if that sweet, sweet Spirit was here – in the physical world. The truth is – sweet Spirit is here – it arrived with you. The divine has incarnated and it’s name is Bill, Mary, Joe and Joan. It is YOU.

Here’s my thought: enjoy the many, many aspects of guidance and spiritual direction, but major in only one. Major in only one: SHOW SOMEONE GOD TODAY. There you go – that’s your guidance today and I guarantee – it is 100% accurate for you – on this day – and in this moment.

Let me know what you think.

Love to you,
Bill

Four Spiritual Practices that Reveal Spiritual Guidance

Three Steps to Communicate with Spirit

admin — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 21:44:18 +0000

What does intimacy with God feel like? What does continual guidance from Spirit sound like? What does a clear line of communication to the Almighty look like? Even though Divine connection and alignment appear differently for each person, there are certain conditions within your control that make spiritual connection and guidance more accessible to you. When you place yourself in the environment of Spirit, you are able to receive guidance that is constantly being broadcast and communicate with Spirit directly. Today, I’d like to share three steps to open up the lines of communication between you and All-That-Is.

First, you must choose your world. There are contrasting worlds that are available to you in each moment. One domain is ego-based – enlivened by fear – which receives its information through the five-senses. The second domain is Spirit-based – built from trust – which receives its information from a mystical, invisible world of intuition. The ego-world is constrictive, sparse, cold and logical; it includes personality constructs, opinions, perspectives, and unhealed wounds. When we try to change this egoic domain, it fights back and resists creating a universe that is governed by suffering and struggle. The more we project our hell-world onto the world of experience, the more it feeds back on us and continues to deliver that which we fear most. We each have a choice that must be made: ego or Spirit, trust or fear, limitation or possibility. Living in the world of Spirit requires that we operate from the realm of the invisible – a realm where all things are possible and all things work together for our good. This is about waking up – becoming aware in each moment – that there is a choice to be made: choose your world carefully. This is the first qualifier for Spirit-alignment.

Second, you must choose gratitude. There is always something to be grateful for. A few months ago, I heard Dr. Michael Beckwith (I highly recommend his books) say, “We each must SING. Do you know what “SING” stands for? Serving – Infinite – Non-negotiable – Gratitude.” Now that’s a beautiful idea. Sing it in the morning, sing it at noon-time, and sing it as you go to bed. Alignment requires thankfulness. And remember this is non-negotiable – don’t reserve gratitude for just those occasions when everything works out according to your plan. Non-negotiable means being thankful not FOR everything, but IN every experience – find something to “sing” about. When it comes to the good life – gratitude is a requirement.

Third, you must open to change. When you make your world the Spirit domain and live in gratitude – your world will radically change. People are going to treat you like a new person. Life circumstances will begin to bend themselves around your highest desires. Your new frequency will create new experiences. Your speech will be transformed; you will talk about possibility, solutions, and creativity. The passage from the Bible (Ephesians 4:29) will become your new marching order: “speak only what is helpful for building others up and that will benefit those who listen.”

It’s time that you make these choices. However, do remember – you’ve got to keep a check on your mind and emotions. You may choose Spirit-world, but your mind may still try to run off into negativity; your emotions may still try to jump off a cliff into a river of worry and fear. My final advise is simple: put a leash on it! Keep a leash on your mind and emotions – and when they run off into some undesired territory – tug on the leash and bring them back home. Don’t feel bad that they ran off – that’s simply what they do – part of their job description. Make these three choices and keep a leash on anything that drags you away from your home base.

Blessings and Happy Alignment,
Bill

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Three Steps to Communicate with Spirit

Clearing Your Channels for Divine Guidance

admin — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 11:50:17 +0000

It’s been over two years now. The morning both of my parents were taken to the hospital I heard the voice of my mother. She spoke to me at 6 am as I woke to her calm and benevolent voice. It was a loving warning that said “Bill. Bill. Get ready. Something big is about to happen.” I got up and walked through the house, checked on our two girls who were still sleeping soundly. As I lay back down in our North Carolina bed, I wondered what the day would bring. The phone call came three hours later telling me that my parents had been taken to a Kentucky hospital. My mom transitioned from this life a few days later and my dad followed six days after that. It’s strange how things like this can happen. I know I heard from my mother that morning, but cannot explain it rationally. It opens up profound possibilities and causes me to feel immense love.

I think just about everyone wants to have a mystical experience. Most of us long to reach beyond the veil and find wisdom – wisdom that cannot be explained rationally. All of us want to plug into guidance and wisdom from the Divine. We may wonder, “can this really happen in my life?” Sometimes I think that wisdom is happening every day and we simply have learned to ignore it. After talking with hundreds of people, I think more people have experienced guidance than actually believe in it. If it is a choice between experience or belief – I will take experience all day long – won’t you? Here’s what I know: there is a divine source of wisdom and it is available to all people. I’m not concerned about what you call the Wisdom: Source, God, angel, spirit-guide, departed spirits, Higher Self, or the man from Oz. Names cannot describe or contain the Divine.

Here’s the real question – how can we deepen our connection with the Wisdom of All-That-Is? My answer may surprise you – my answer is: Step Into Your Spiritual Imagination. I recommend that we cultivate openness and curiosity with the mystical. Curious alignment takes us beyond fear, aspirations, needs, personalities, stories, baggage, and desires – and delivers us into the lap of the Divine. And I promise – in the arms of Spirit – all the wisdom you seek will be yours. You can find this safe place simply by asking and imagining the unexpected answer. Thomas Merton writes that most people have enough faith to pray, but few have enough faith to listen. My advice would be to suspend disbelief and trustingly wait for the answers. Mostly, I think the secret of finding the guidance is receptivity and attitude. Learn to simply ask, “what’s next?,” “which direction?,” or “what do I do now?.” Quakers used to call this holding the question. We don’t force the process – there is no struggle – just patience and trust. Sometimes you can simply imagine – if you knew the answer, what would it be? Imagine your wisest being appearing to answer your questions – it may be Jesus, Buddha, Gandhi or your great-grandfather. Visit with your most respected wise person, imagine the conversation, and allow the wisdom to flow. Answers may come in words, colors, images, or a word from a stranger. Or, the answer may show up in a taxi, on a bus, or in a dream. The wisdom of life hovers around you; it’s there every day and every night; you are absolutely surrounded by Wisdom. Access it by imagining the answer. You will find that what you imagine was there all the time as something more solid than any reality you have ever known.

One caution I read from Rev. Doug Kraft concerning guidance says we must not mistake our repressed feelings and destructive tendencies for divine guidance. When guidance seems to contradict our values or the principle of love – then we must understand that we have perhaps dipped into unconscious fears and anger. As you sit with your wisdom, you will feel its authenticity by the love it prompts – love for others and love for yourself.

Let me know what guidance you are experiencing in your life.

Blessings,
Bill

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Clearing Your Channels for Divine Guidance

Transformation of Consciousness

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:39:37 +0000

Perspective is a big deal. When we confuse that our perspective is reality we suffer. Consciousness has been defined as the process of sorting information and assigning meaning. It’s been said that we do not see life the way it is, but we see life as we are. Lenses separate us from the world – each of us wear our own worldview glasses that determine what we see around us. Consciousness affects everything we experience. Every decision we make is based upon our perspective and yet most of the time, we are totally unaware of the consciousness from which we operate. Dr. Naomi Remen writes, “a transformation in consciousness effects a kind of double vision in people – they see more than one reality at the same time – which gives a depth to both their experience and to their response to the experience.” When our consciousness is expanded we often consider it one of those pivotal moments in life and, surprisingly it happens much more often that we might think. Sometimes it happens in an instant and sometimes it occurs slowly, whether it’s slow or fast – the changes in our life are profound. Our consciousness determines our life; therefore, let’s choose to raise it to the highest possible level.

Dr. Michael Beckwith has written a wonderful book called LIFE VISIONING in which he offers a template for the evolution of consciousness; he talks about four stages and gives us a great guide into how consciousness works. The first two stages deal with creation – recognition of our present position and then a recognition of our power to create a new life. Stages three and four deal with channeling – which is a recognition of our true identity, as one who can be used by Spirit and in our highest realization, we actually become aware that we are Spirit itself. Life begins with visualization (what we would like our life to become) and visioning (seeking guidance directly from Spirit).

One of the most effective ways to rise in consciousness is through the spiritual technology of inquiry. Your life direction is informed by the questions you ask and consider. Questions will lead you into new transformation. I encourage you to consider the following questions:
1. Do I blame God, others, or outside circumstances for my present life situation?
2. Is my life based on reaction or clear decision-making?
3. Do I feel as if I am just trying to survive?
4. Do I live my life as if I am responsible for my choices?

I encourage you to ask questions often. Journaling is a great way to find the wisdom and guidance that lives within you. As spiritual inquiry leads you to higher stages, you will find your consciousness expanding, your choices multiplying and your possibilities growing beyond your imagination. Let me know what you have found that helps you find greater awareness in your life.

Blessings.

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Transformation of Consciousness

Spiritual Practices Help You Weather the Storm of Life

admin — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 07:59:30 +0000

Work. Keep digging your well.
Don’t think about getting off from work.
Water is there somewhere.

Submit to a daily practice.
Your loyalty to that
is a ring on the door.

Keep knocking, and the joy inside
will eventually open a window
and look out to see who’s there.

Coleman Barks, The Essential Rumi (San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 1997)

All spiritual traditions tell us the truth when they remind us that everything is in a state of change. Sometimes change is welcomed. Sometimes change is feared. Humans have two natural reactions to dramatic change in their lives. First, we panic – withdraw and freeze. We see this when people make decisions based in fear and not wisdom. Second, we ignore – avoid and turn away. We close our eyes to reality and pretend it’s simply not happening. I recommend a third option – spiritual practices. Entering a spiritual practice because we have fallen into a crisis will not give immediate results. Spiritual practice tends to be accumulative – it prepares us for any future. A friend of mine once knocked gently on my head while I was meditating in a chair and when I opened my eyes he asked, “how’s the weather in there?” I didn’t appreciate the surprise knock, but he did remind me of a truth: I always have weather inside my head – sometimes it’s bright and sunny and at other times it’s stormy and cold. Spiritual practice creates a foundation that will help you stand against any storm.

Why do I recommend spiritual practice? Spiritual practice keeps me spiritually awake. It’s so easy to become “human doings” instead of “human beings.” Daily practice empowers us to notice–to notice our surroundings, our purpose, and the wider context of life. Without noticing – we quickly fall asleep. I believe more than anything else, growth and development are about subtraction. True growth is the release of clinging, attaching, and fixations. As we release, we place ourselves in the position of being a candidate for greater depth, wholeness, and enlightenment. Remember it is important not to place the heavy expectation of enlightenment on your daily practice – that’s too much like running a race with your pockets full of rocks. The Apostle Paul encouraged “lay aside anything that weighs you down in your spiritual race” – subtraction. No attachment. Only the practice.

Consistency works for me. I like the daily practice. Spiritual practice cannot be random or occasional. Now I can’t tell you what your practice should be. No one can. The Bible says, “work out your own salvation.” Buddha taught that we to be a light unto ourselves. This is our work. Others can share what has worked well for them, but ultimately we are responsible for our path. This is as it should be. Each of us is an individualized expression of the Divine. I encourage you to develop a daily spiritual practice; a spiritual engagement with what you value most about life. Your greatest joy and fulfillment will come from your mindful engagement with Life.

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Spiritual Practices Help You Weather the Storm of Life

Use Your Creative Power to Get Unstuck and Change Your Life

admin — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 15:44:51 +0000

A number of years ago, Portia Nelson wrote the great poem called Autobiography In Five Chapters. I’m sure you remember it:

Chapter One

I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I fall in.
I am lost …. I am helpless.
It isn’t my fault.
It takes forever to find a way out.

Chapter Two

I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend that I don’t see it.
I fall in again.
I can’t believe I am in this same place.
But, it isn’t my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.

Chapter Three

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it is there.
I still fall in … it’s a habit … but, my eyes are open.
I know where I am.
It is my fault.
I get out immediately.

Chapter Four

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.

Chapter Five

I walk down another street.

Now that is a beautiful description of what our lives often are – stuck – spinning around on the carousel of life. What causes a person to walk down another street and be free? Ideas. Perspective change. A change of belief. Today, I suggest ideas that can help you avoid those streets that have deep holes that lead to nowhere to get unstuck. First, live your life from the platform of love and confidence. I know many have made life decisions based on fear, but all fear leads to holey streets. I confess I love Dr. Dean Ornish. Back in 1993, Dr. Ornish conducted a medical study with 333 patients with clogged arteries and they had dramatic improvement. In most cases, their pain stopped in less than six weeks. I love these stories because the same thing happened to me when I began his program. Conventional wisdom was to motivate patients to change their lives with the fear of death. Fear never creates lasting change. Dr. Ornish motivated with hope – you are going to feel good again, you are going to get your health back – with that inspiration, people changed their habits. What do we learn from this? Hope inspires. Hope changes lives. Inspiration motivates. Build your life on love and confidence.

Second, use your journal to measure your results. I heard someone say “what you measure – matters” and I have found that to be absolutely true. If you want to create positive change in your life – measure it. Track it. Write about your progress. This will increase your power for change.

Third, your imagination will keep you off the habitual carousel. Your creations must be imagined. Before owning a home there is a dream. Before a wonderful relationship there must be a dream. Positive health changes grow from dreams of something better. If you are going to avoid life-repetition – then you must open your imagination to your Spirit given faculty of imagination. Wayne Dyer speaks of living life by “thinking from the end.” Reserve protected time and survey scenarios that appeal to you to such a degree that you feel thankful in the now moment. You may think of a better future, but only in imagination will you gather sufficient power to manifest your dreams. Allow your imagination to flow through the highest aspects of Spirit including creativity, love, beauty and abundance. Allow the attributions of Spirit to operate as your filtering system for thought and emotion. Make intentional imagination part of your daily ritual.

Fourth, I think of the lesson from Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa – you know this lesson if you have children – always have batteries ready. Just about every toy requires batteries. In the same way, life off the carousel requires action. Not just any action, but inspired action. I love positive thinking and contentment, but life also calls for action. William James said, “Small, seldom-seen habits…have the power to lead us to our destiny.” It takes concrete actions to change your life. It takes more than thought, feeling or intentions – there must be action. Character is greater than intellect or intention – character is not about what you think, feel, intend or say. Character is about what you do as you shift from potential energy to kinetic energy. The Bible reminds us that faith without action is dead. The word dead represent those who have fallen into a hole in a sidewalk and are unable to climb out. Life requires faith and action, dreams and activity. It isn’t enough to wish for a new life – your actual behavior must be transformed. William Shakespeare was right when he said, “we must be as good in act, as we have been in thought.” When I shoot my bow without awareness, no target is hit. When I focus at the target without pulling back the bow’s string, no bulls eye is struck. Awareness demands action, and action demands awareness – this is success. Break down your action into segments – one step at a time. And remember that when you stand to take your first step, the universe begins to conspire for you. “When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you achieve it” (Paulo Coelho).

Maslow said, “to be ultimately at peace, a person must keep becoming ALL that he/she can potentially become.” You are here to grow, develop and unfold. There is a powerful light inside you and it is ready to shine. You are a magnificent creator with creative power at this moment. Choose a new street – a new road that has been paved with confidence, wisdom, imagination and inspired action. These are the four elements to change your life. Make it so.

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Use Your Creative Power to Get Unstuck and Change Your Life

Finally Get Off the Carousel in 2012

admin — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 17:30:51 +0000

2012 is a great year. I see it as the year of resolution – it’s the time to dream, create and soar. Resolution is a powerful word – it speaks of the determination to create your desired life – it is the power of making lasting change. I heard a lady once say, “I believe heaven and hell are right here on earth” and I agree that our earth-reality is a unique perception of our individual creation. All of us live on a spectrum from heavenly bliss to hellish suffering. Our heavens and hells are manufactured by our thoughts and beliefs. Your life experience is not caused by what’s happening around you – your life experience is your personal creation and is 100% internal. Simply put, life is an art – your art. Setting a resolution is an intentional event. Setting a resolution is about deliberate change and it requires mastery. At the heart of mastery is clarity. The beginning of 2012 is the ideal time to pull back, reflect and get a panoramic view of your life.

Today I offer five power-thoughts that will lift you into the art of resolution. First, you must begin to imagine. Imagine your new future from your now moment. As a creator it is essential that you imagine, dream and look-forward to your envisioned life. Imagine your horizon. Only imagined wishes come true. I’ve read that when individuals fail to imagine a compelling future, parts of their physical brain begins to atrophy. Bob Dylan was right, “he that is not busy being born, is busy dying.” Just think of your brain as the creation center that must be exercised like any other muscle. Imagination is especially important when your life feels as if it hits a wall – in tough times your response can be resignation, anger or possibility. Imagination lifts you into the possibility zone. Imagination literally affects your body and brain. Imagination is good for you. Your thoughts not only change your life, but they also change your body and mind. Second, stay open to all possibilities. Contracted thinking limits; expansive thinking allows your vision to take in the panoramic view of reality. Your chosen thinking mode determines your vision – so choose the view that empowers you not to miss a thing. Keep your ‘eyes’ open – you never know what the tide might bring in; but, you will miss it if you live with eyes shut. Take charge of your visioning process – guide your attention – choose to see it all – it’s good to create an island of focus. That’s how miracles are created. Third, be authentically yourself. Conformity is the enemy. Steve Jobs summed this up in the following speech:

Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important: have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow – already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.

Often the experts cannot imagine the future that you can see. Remember – you cannot create a miracle until it is yours. You must not live someone else’s dream – you are here to live your own.

Fourth, be willing to change. You know the old saying “keep doing what you are doing and get the same old results.” If you want a new life – you must do something new. I know we get so attached to our old ways that we refuse to step out of our comfort zone – this must end. Your paradise is outside of the old and familiar. Your new life is waiting for you, but you must open the door and step into it. I saw a cartoon of a cowboy riding a dead horse–most people continue to ride the dead horse ignoring the only viable option–to dismount. Dr. Phil asks, “how’s that working for you?” If your answer is “it’s not working very well” – then Change It! If your plan is not working, then get yourself a new one. Stop pushing the reset button. Expand your horizon by choosing new behavior. Unless you consciously intervene and energize your dream, it will be drowned out by all of the little things in your life that scream for attention. You can’t spend your life staring at your navel and expect to create your ideal life. Ask a new question: what could happen in this situation? Since thinking is comprised of asking and answering questions, make a list of questions that act as a catalyst that will turn your resolution into a beautiful reality.

p.s. I highly recommend that you pick up the book Get Out of Your Own Way by Robert K. Cooper. This book which drips with wisdom served as inspiration for this blog entry.

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Finally Get Off the Carousel in 2012

Words: Cast Flowers on the Water

admin — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 20:09:26 +0000

So what’s behind your words? Love? Compassion? Hate? Do you think words matter? You know the old song “sticks and stones…” Well, I think the song was wrong – I believe words can hurt people. I believe words can light a fire in someone’s heart or steal their song forever. Words are powerful. Don Miguel Ruiz suggests that it’s important to be impeccable with your words in his book “The Four Agreements.” Years ago I read a verse in the Bible that said the same thing – Ephesians 4:29, “let no unwholesome talk (talk that doesn’t build others up) come out of your mouth, but only what is helpful for building others up, according to their needs – that is may benefit those who listen.” That’s a beautiful goal. If you begin to practice deliberate-loving speech, your friends may think you’re not feeling well. If you practice speaking ONLY when you have something worthwhile to say, you may find it eliminating 90% of your speech. I like the idea of my speech having a positive affect on others – my children, friends, family and the people I happen to bump into. Your words matter.

Karen Armstrong says in her book “12 Steps to a Compassionate Life” that between 900 and 200 B.C.E. there was a great spiritual revolution that took place in four different regions of the world. A number of religions began during this period of time including Buddhism, Confucianism, Daoism, Jainism and the prophets of Judaism. Armstrong suggests that the major theme of all of these traditions is compassion. All the mystics, saints and great teachers agree. Compassionate speech helps us rise to a higher level of living. Gay Hendricks suggests relationships function within a pyramid of paradigms. The first paradigm is based on survival – this is where we rely on others in order to survive. The second paradigm focuses on fulfillment – this is when most of our energy is concerned with handling issues and solving problems. The third paradigm deals with appreciation – finding the good in the people that surround you. When we operate from the third paradigm our words will be filled with compassion. Compassionate speech will bring amazing beauty into your life. It will transform your relationships and perspectives. Your words are the bricks that construct your life and relationships.

On the spiritual journey it’s important to find a way to celebrate and appreciate those around you. This is the true meaning of love. Buddhist call it metta. Christianity calls it agape. Make no mistake – this love is not an emotion, it is a practice. This love is kind, patient and forgiving. As you fill your heart with agape – you will find your mouth full of words that reflect the love in your heart. You can set the intention this moment to love. It is a choice – a choice of perspective and appreciation. Humans either live on the track of appreciation or the track of entitlement and complaint. The track is your choice. When you choose the art of love and appreciation you will wake to find the entire world has changed and become beautiful.

Words: Cast Flowers on the Water

Damn, the Power of Words! Six Keys for Increasing Your Verbal Creation Skills

admin — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 13:15:59 +0000

Did you ever have to tell your children “use your inside voice when you’re in the house.” Most parents have. You and I as adults still have the choice of inside and outside voices. Outside voices are the words we speak that affect others. Inside voices are those that only we hear – the voices inside our heads – the constant 24 hour chatter machine. Those words are my focus in the blog today – those inside voices have a profound affect on your life, in fact, they may actually play a large part in the very construction of your life. How often do we flatten wonderful experiences with “it was just alright” and intensify emotional experiences with “this is the worse day of my life?” Words have amazing power, especially the ones inside your head and heart. The words we choose to attach to our experience defines that experience in the moment and sometimes for a lifetime. Our perspective often comes down to how we choose to tell “our” story; what words we use; how we label and how we translate the experience. Huxley said, “words form the thread on which we string our experiences.”

What are we to do? As I used to tell my children, “use your words.” We must consciously, with great consideration, select our words based on our purpose. If you want your life to be larger – then it requires an expansion of your languaging. Each word you choose is a note in a beautiful symphony or a creation of noise. Each word you choose is another brush stroke on the painting of your life. Choose words that create your masterpiece. Use your words on purpose.

All the religions agree. The Buddha included “right speech” as one of his eight paths to happiness. The Awakened One said, “you must know your intention before you speak, before you speak you must ask yourself: what am I trying to achieve?” Jesus spoke of each word bringing pain or freedom into the life of the speaker. Hindus speak of the importance of speaking from truth. Don Miguel Ruiz, in his book The Four Agreements, calls the first agreement: Be Impeccable with Your Word. Impeccable means to speak “without sin” – meaning, in your languaging – do no harm. In your words do not stray from the target of love and encouragement. We have forgotten what the poets, shamans, sages, mystics and healers have known for millennia. The grand mystic secret is: words carry energy. A well-spoken word brings healing to the soul and body. A thoughtless word carries a deadly energy that will cut the very skin of your soul like a knife. These words accumulate – they accumulate in the heart. Remember “as a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” Every word carries its own vibratory signature which creates a universal wave and once picked up by the Universal Intelligence field – all of heaven and earth conspires to bring about the words you have initiated. Words never return void. I like Sartre’s statement “words are like loaded pistols.” I would add, “and just as dangerous.” Here’s the bottom line – all of your speech (yes, you read me right), all of your speech is sacred and creative – every word being endowed with creative power. Use them wisely my friend.

In my talk, Damn, the Power of Words! I share six keys for increasing your verbal creation skills found on the Journeys Spiritual YouTube channel or my iTunes’ podcast, Spiritual Journey with Bill. Also, on JOURNEYS (journeywithus) facebook page I included some other helpful information from Dr. Phil. Blessings.

Damn, the Power of Words! Six Keys for Increasing Your Verbal Creation Skills

Bliss – No Matter What

admin — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 00:35:34 +0000

Most people have characteristic ways of responding when life doesn’t work out the way they expect. What’s your way? Does it work? Does it work well?

The songwriter Paul Simon once wrote:

Oh spare your heart
Everything put together
Sooner or later falls apart

It’s true – everything changes. However, there are WAYS. Ways to roll with the punches and fly above the turbulence. There are things you can do when everything falls apart. In the Eastern philosophy, there are whole schools of yoga dedicated to developing what are called siddhis, or powers. These powers are the result of learning how to direct the power of the mind.

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Bliss – No Matter What