The Lure of the Physical

Don’t mistake the reflection of the moon for the moon.

The lure of the physical or “Don’t mistake the reflection of the moon for the moon.” I didn’t make that up … it’s something I saw on Facebook. It resonated with my reading of The Edinburgh Lectures on Mental Science that I am studying for my Thomas Troward class at the Center for Spiritual Living.

“If we realize that all visible things must have their origin in spirit, then the whole creation around us is the standing evidence that the starting point of all things is in the thought-images or ideas, for no other action than the formation of such images can be conceived of spirit prior to its manifestation in matter.” ~Thomas Troward

When we look to conditions we are looking at the reflection and not the moon.

Your Connection with the Divine
A friend of mine recently experienced the loss of two close friends. He was in a lot of pain and sorrow. He described his spiritual practice as having the effect of “feeling like knots were being untied within him,” pointing to his abdomen.

I couldn’t help but think of the Khalil Gibran quote from “On Pain”

“Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding.” ~ Khalil Gibran

We all have pain. We all have our stories. But the underlying theme is disconnection. Pain is the feeling of disconnection no matter what the story or the pain.

When we are all knotted up letting go of those knots can feel painful. Like releasing a muscle that has been clenched for far too long. We can’t feel connected when we are all tied up in knots.

Knots keep us separated and in pain. They impede the flow of life from coursing through our bodies and our lives. Pain teaches us where we are knotted up and where we need to release and open up to let the light in.

Recognizing the Infinite Oneness
We talk a lot about Oneness. “We’re all one” and all that stuff.

But talking about Oneness and really experiencing the mystical experience of Oneness are very different on the scale of true recognition.

On Sunday, Dr. David Ault shared his life changing experience of Oneness when he experienced the pain and suffering of the children in Cambodia. It was not out of pity but out of an overwhelming realization of his Oneness with them which precipitated his breakthrough moment and ultimately changed the course of his life.

His wailing in the pontoon boat was that moment when he experienced the Oneness which exists between every living creature on this planet.

My aha as of late and as a result of reading Thomas Troward is that this Oneness isn’t created in that mystical moment but is always existing and just waiting for our recognition of it.

“... you’ll come to realize the Divine is already there and always has been. Your greater good has just been waiting for the space and acknowledgement to come forth into your life.” ~Joyous Living Journal

It’s already there. It’s there right now!

Isn’t that exciting!

You Have Options With Dr. David Ault

Dr. David Ault

This Sunday the amazing Rev. Dr. David Ault will be speaking at our Center on the topic "You Have Options." I am very excited about it. He is a powerful speaker and a loving presence. When times are tough it is good to remember who you are and that you always have options. Choose to attend this Sunday. You will be glad you did.

I have been a fan of David's for a long time, maybe thirty years. Before David was called to pulpit ministry, he was a sought-after singer. The lyrics of his songs had a way of melting hearts, opening minds and bringing hope. I first heard David when he was a member of the group Alliance, who toured with Louise Hay while she was doing her healing work with AIDS victims. In those days, a diagnosis of HIV positive was a death sentence. There was a great deal of fear and hopelessness not only in the afflicted communities but in our culture in general. I remember having a long conversation with our school nurse when I was working in a high school. Her vision for the future was dire ... the human race was going to extinguish itself through hormones and unprotected sex.Thank goodness that is not the case.

Louise Hay and Alliance brought hope to those men and women who were dying alone, shunned by their family and friends.The musicians were pioneers in visionary music; music that opened our hearts and gave us hope; music that reminded us that we are more than our problems, our bodies, our broken hearts, that we are infinite, beautiful spiritual beings.

Alliance's signature song was Jai Joseph's "I Love Myself the Way I Am." Their harmonies were exquisite and lyrics were words of truth that resonated with our souls.

I love myself the way I am, 
there’s nothing I need to change 
I’ll always be the perfect me 
there’s nothing to rearrange 
I’m beautiful and capable 
of being the best me I can 
And I love myself just the way I am

 These timeless lyrics were some of the first visionary, metaphysical lyrics, sung in many New Thought centers around the world. Now thanks to songwriters like Karen Drucker, Daniel Nahmod, Rickie Byars Beckwith, Allendale and a host of others we have many profoundly meaningful songs to take us deeper into the mystery and majesty that we are. One of my favorites was recorded by David Ault in 2005, entitled "I'm Here To Remind You." It is a moving, powerful heartfelt song. I am attaching the video . Take a little time to view it. You will be happy you did. After all, my job is to remind you of your magnificence!