Know Yourself! (You Are More Than You Think)

We appear to be four-dimensional beings passing through a three-dimensional experience. One metaphysician has said that the fourth dimension is the first — the first being pure Spirit or absolute intelligence, from which the three-dimensional world proceeds. We are cosmic beings temporarily caught, as it were, in a finite net. Undoubtedly we have come up through endless eons of evolution, through the instinctive intelligence of the animal to the self-consciousness of the human, and are apparently ready to take the next step which is a greater consciousness of the cosmos and of our unity with the whole. 

Know Yourself! You Are More Than You Think

Back of our evolution there appears to be a cosmic impulse compelling progress, pushing us forward. There also appear subjective memories, emotions and cravings, and the world of experience, not all of which are altruistic or salutary, but which pull us forward. We are pushed and pulled at the same time, whether it be within or without drawing us onward. This mind is expanding. We continuously slough off the old ideas and take on new and generally better ones. We have come to the point in our evolution where we are asking ourselves: What am I? Where am I going? What it is all about? There seems to be something in us which demands an answer. … As we make a survey of the enlightened thought of the ages, we come to the conclusion that a cosmic necessity is impelling our progress.

From “Know Yourself! You Are More Than You Think”  - Ernest Holmes (1970 , compiled and edited by Willis Kinnear)

WISDOM FROM THE BEATLES?

The Beatles are unarguably one of the greatest rock bands of all time. Their music has infused the ears and minds of our planet for longer than I have been alive. But, how many times have you really listened to the music and contemplated its spiritual essence?

On Wednesday night, August 14, 2013, at the Center for Spiritual Living Capistrano Valley I, along with fellow musicians Rick Dale and Dave Friedman presented a unique concert at our weekly Wednesday’s Wisdom service entitled, “The Greatest Metaphysical Hits of the Beatles: An Evening of Music and Inspiration.” The hour consisted of several Beatles hits, some very well-known and others somewhat more obscure, including a discussion of the metaphysical meanings behind each song. The enthusiastic audience not only enjoyed reminiscing and singing along with the music; they also were given a new awareness about each piece’s lesson on living a more expansive and satisfying life.

The evening opened with the profound “Blackbird.” Although Paul McCartney wrote this song about the civil rights struggle for African-American freedom after reading about the race riots in the US, we can take this song and apply it to our own lives today. The struggles we experience in life (and we all do) actually teach and strengthen us so we are able to move forward and realize our dreams. The lyrics “take these broken wings and learn to fly…” say that no matter how broken we may believe ourselves to be, we can still learn to fly, and when we fly, we shine light upon that darkness that once held us back; “Blackbird fly, into the light of the dark black night.” The musical journey continued into the evening, travelling the long and winding road through laughter and tears.

The evening concluded with a rousing rendition of “Hey Jude.” Paul McCartney wrote this song as “Hey Jules,” intended to comfort John Lennon’s 5-year-old son Julian as his parents were divorcing. (The change to “Jude” was inspired by the character Judd in the musical Oklahoma.) For us, the meaning at depth is that of the human condition, both at its bleakest and at its most exalted. We indeed can take a sad song, or a sad life, and make it better by calling upon the divine power of love.

And as a very wise man once said, all you need is love.

LIFE: This is what I believe about it. What about you?

One of the beauties of life is diversity.  Each person is an important thread in the tapestry of life and each one has a personal belief system that either works for them or doesn't.  This is what I believe...

I believe that every living being is born a perfect creation of a Universal Energy; some may call it God, Source, Spirit or Unconditional Love. Whatever terminology moves and inspires someone is very personal to each. This Universal Energy has no limits or boundaries in power, presence or scope, and is here to be expressed by means of us, humankind.  We are Its expressions and are inherently imbued with, and part of, this power that embraces all life. I believe that any ideas or actions of fear, hatred, anger or resentment are simply a disconnect from this Source and that the authenticity of every person is that of LOVE.  When we are truly in the awareness of our own magnificence, our own truth, all is indeed well in our world