The Universe is Calling

Eric Butterworth writes:"The call of the universe is like the pull of the sun on the sunflower, which causes the blossoms to open up and face the sun continuously as it crosses the sky. It is the pull of life upward and outward on all growing things. It is the healing activity in which life is always biased on the side of health. 'Many are called, but few are chosen,' said Jesus (Matt.22:14) This is not stating discrimination. It is the universe calling, and it is a continuum, innate in all persons. It is the call to come up higher, to take charge of your life, to release your imprisoned splendor. The universe is calling, but sadly, few persons respond with a commitment to make progressive changes in their lives."

This Sunday, we will begin a new theme, The Universe is Calling, based on the book by the same name. The quote above was taken from the Prologue.

Northern Lights

I am fond of Eric Butterworth's writing. I always find wisdom in it.

I love to be reminded that life is for us and its nature is love. Isn't it great to think about the "imprisoned splendor" within us? If that splendor is Truth, Beauty, Grace, and Love, then what or who imprisons that splendor? 

It cannot be anything exterior to ourselves. Then it must be something within ourselves. My best guess is that it is belief and likely the beliefs that we are not conscious that we have. The greatest lie of all is that we are not enough. So many of us have believed that lie for far too long. Not only are we enough, but we are brilliant beyond measure.

That reminds me the Marianne Williamson's famous quote: "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” 

Maybe we could challenge ourselves to look for the good within us. Perhaps, instead of avoiding mirrors, we could pause at every mirror, look deep into our eyes and say, "I love you. I really love you."

What would our world be like? I believe self love is one of the ways we can listen to the call from the universe.

Working With Love

In her book, A Return to Love, Marianne Williamson writes:

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we're liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

This is a very famous quote and one from which we can learn a great deal.

This week we will be discussing returning to love at work. 

Marianne's main point is that when you do what you love, not because of a paycheck, but simply because you love what you do, you will be compensated. She also explains why it is so important for us to let our real values and beliefs shine through our actions.

So are you authentic at work? Are you doing what you love to do? If you don't love what you do, why are you doing it? 

If the answer is I need the money, this is an answer that is spiritually keeping you in lack.

Do what you love and the money will follow. Williamson says that for her it took two years giving lectures about these principles before she was paid anything. Why did she keep doing it? She did it because she was using the same principles in her life to bring her peace in all things.

It is why the practitioners and ministers in this and other New Thought Centers do what we do. We do it because practicing these principles has changed our lives. I know it has changed mine.

Do you want to shine at what you do? Then do it with love and you certainly will. Joseph Campbell, encouraged us  to "follow our bliss." Below you will see Jason Silva's shots of awe on this idea.

Your Heroic Story

What is the story of your life? Is it one that you would want your great-grandchildren to remember? Have you been living your life fully? 

Sometimes I have good ideas and I procrastinate before I put them into action. I get busy and find so many other things to do instead of beginning a new project. I tell myself I am not ready, but if not now, when? 

Julia Cameron in The Artist's Way says that procrastination is simply fear disguised.

If this is so, what could I be afraid of? What am I afraid of? Could I be afraid of feeling great? Of looking good? Of loving myself?  Could I be afraid that I won't keep going and that I will quit or be not very good at it (whatever the thing I am thinking about starting is.)

Perhaps I am afraid of my own magnificence, the heroine within. 
. 
Marianne Williamson's quote comes to mind:

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” ― Marianne Williamson, A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of "A Course in Miracles"

What insight this quote has for us! Being liberated from our own fear, allows us to step forth as the heros and heroines that we really are! Some of us have been taught that we should be polite, not hog the spotlight, not to talk to loudly or stand out from the crowd. Yet if we really knew who we were, we would be happy to let our unique light shine.

Jason Silva, a modern-day mystic, discusses the Hero's Journey in his Shots of Awe:

Seeing the Light in Others

"People are like stained glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within."  ~ Elizabeth Kubler-Ross

I agree with Dr. Kubler-Ross's statement in part. The truth is the light within us is always there; sometimes we forget that it is there. I just returned from our annual Lake Arrowhead retreat and am filled with awareness, not only of my own light, but also the light that resides in everyone else. I enjoyed the workshops done by Rev. Mike McMorrow from the Granada Hills Center for Spiritual Living. Rev. Mike had recently read Brenee Brown's work, which is all about vulnerability and authenticity. It was great to see him practice these principles and in his own words not become a "girlie man." It is great to be living in a both-and world rather than an either-or one. In a both-and world men and women can be powerful and tender, vulnerable and strong, resilient and pliable all at the same time. It was easy to see Rev. Mike's light; he let it shine. Doing do, he set the consciousness for the rest of the retreat.

During the weekend, each pastor was scheduled to give a brief welcome, teach a lesson and facilitate a class. Dr. Moira, who is in charge of the program, introduced us both Friday night and Saturday morning, in such a way as to bring out our real selves -- not a rehearsed, ego-driven self. This gave room to let the real light emerge.

My class was scheduled right after lunch on Sunday. We had been in meetings nonstop since Friday night. Sunday was a glorious sunny, summery day in Lake Arrowhead. I had prepared a workshop on Affirmative Prayer and was ready for whomever showed up. Honestly, I had doubts about having much attendance but had made enough copies of my worksheets for everyone who had registered. Much to my surprise, the room was filled. The workshop was great. Later a woman from Redondo Beach told me that I shouldn't have been surprised that people chose to come to my workshop; she said I was a legend and people wanted to hear me speak! Wow! A legend!

I have been teaching something since I was a kid. i love it and it tends to be easy for me. Often it is harder for us to see our own light than it is for us to see someone else's. Some people have a tendency to take their own skills for granted.

During the retreat, i noticed times of their great vulnerability and authenticity in most people! I also saw people playing small, even ones with a great big light!

Marianne Williamson reminded us of that tendency in A Return to Love:

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” ~ Marianne Williamson, A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of "A Course in Miracles"

If you are one of those people, now is the time to break the habit. Practice giving thanks for the good that is already yours, the skills you have and the talents with which you have been gifted.

Let your inner light shine so that the world can see your true beauty.

Let Your Light Shine!

Have you ever been afraid of your greatness? Of taking the next great step in your career, your creative expression, in love, or the place in your life where your heart is yearning to express? I have. I often marvel at the courage of myself and others when I really do get out of my own way and let my light shine. Let the Holy Spirit shine through me.  For years I had the quote below on my refrigerator so that everyday I would be reminded that maybe my fear wasn't of failure, but of success. I love the idea that I was born to make manifest the glory of God that is within me. To me this means that I glorify God by letting my light shine - by being Me! And, so does everyone else. 

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure

It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous,

talented and fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be?

You are a child of God.

Your playing small doesn't serve the world.

There is nothing enlightened about shrinking

so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.

We were born to make manifest

the glory of God that is within us.

It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone.

And as we let our own light shine,

we unconsciously give other people

permission to do the same.

As we are liberated from our own fear

               our presence automatically liberates others.

-Marianne Williamson as quoted by Nelson Mandela in his 1994 Inaugural Speech)

When you let your light shine, you change the world. You make it a better place for yourself and everyone else. So go ahead, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!

Our Deepest Fear

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

----from A Return to Love, by Marianne Williamson.