4 Stages of Spiritual Growth - Where Are You?

In our Science of Mind class, "The Essential Ernest Holmes" this past week, I couldn't stop thinking, "Oh! That would be an amazing blog post!"

I should just say, that until one sits her booty down in a SOM class, she will never grasp how profoundly transformational these classes are.  When all I can jot down 15 things from ONE class that would make an amazing blog post to teach others, I simply then want to say, "Just come to class already!"

But, sticking to my commitment in teaching what I learn, I'm writing yet another golden nugget from what I have recently learned.

That is, the "4 Stages of Spiritual Growth," and being one who likes to "know where I am," I like knowing what "level" I'm on! (Nope, still haven't let go of that yet).

1.  Everything Happens to Us - We believe that life happens to us.  It falls down around us and we think, "How did this happen?"  Our car dies after years of mechanical neglect and we cry out, "How could you do die on me today!"

We literally blame outside factors for our mishaps, heartaches, mistakes, etc.

2.  Our Good Happens Through Us - Here, we understand that WE create our realities and circumstances.  We understand that there is a Law and we learn how to use the law.  We have proven the law works and manifest things into our lives.  We become great manifesters.

3.  Our Good Happens As Us - Things lose their importance.  We no longer care about the material world and we awaken to the magnificence of the spiritual presence that we are.  We no longer judge and recognize that challenges are a call to prayer.

4.  Our Good Happens By Us -  This is a level that most humans will never achieve, and those who do rarely stay here permanently.  Jesus Christ would be the closest example our world would know as one who achieved this level of being.

So, I will say, if you find yourself at level #1, I ask that you be open to joining us at class.  Learn how to choose to no longer be a victim of life, and up-level to #2 where you manifest everything you want!

This year of classes have been profound for me.  Every week I see my life changing.  This teaching works. It changes lives. It spreads peace in the world.  It's a movement and one that I am proud to be part of.

How the Boston Bombings Helped Me Understand God

We are one with all.  Allow me to shine my light into the darkness.

I am a student in Dr. Heather's "The Essential Ernest" class, which takes a deep dive into the principles of Science of Mind.

In the two years I have been in classes, I can honestly say, that I have experienced a very natural understanding and implementation of the principles in my life.

I have come to understand that everything that happens in the world is absolutely perfect.  The only challenge I have had in this principle is when an act of hatred maims and kills innocent people.  How could they have created that in their lives?

These questions have come up in previous classes, yet I have not completely understood or embodied the answers that have been given...

...until last night.

I wrote Dr. Heather's statement down exactly as she spoke it because it hit me so profoundly that I cried...

"We can use what is going on in the world as a treatment (prayer) request from the Universe as something that needs spiritual work."

She went on to explain that when these horrific experiences occur, "we pray (and affirm) for a world that is so aware of it's oneness that we create a peaceful, loving world that doesn't practice violence on itself."

PROFOUND!

Here's my take on why...

God cannot work through minds that are riddled in fear, anger, resentment, etc.  It cannot create peace through a mind that doesn't know peace.

God can only work through those who know and embody love, peace, joy, abundance...all the qualities that IT is. 

When something tragic occurs in our world, those of us who know that Reality is the Truth of God, we are equipped to recognize that the tragedy is NOT the Truth of God, and pray to affirm the Truth, which is peace, harmony and collaboration.

That perceived reality (the tragedy itself) was created out of fear, anger and resentment...NONE of those are God qualities, therefore, those who know and embody the qualities CAN create a different reality.

We do that by affirmatively praying and giving thanks for a world that works for everyone.  A world that is full of peace, joy, love, etc.

So, in class last night, I fully got that the Boston bombing was a message from God, to me (and everyone else who knows the Truth of God), to pray.

The Universe needs our help to heal our emotions, our cities, our country, and our world. We've been called into service by a tragedy.  Allow us to give of ourselves and be a channel of this great Divine Intelligence and let's pray.

Balance: Moving From Overwhelmed to Empowered

Balance: Moving From Overwhelmed to Empowered

This month’s theme at the Center is Balance. I’m looking forward to hear what insights Dr. Heather has to share on the topic.

I have to confess, that the word itself conjures feelings of inadequacy in me. I know it shouldn’t. In fact, its intent is just the opposite. But the fact is that I have chased the idea of balance for years, and it has proved even more elusive than finding an extra hour to squeeze in a pedicure. I suppose those feelings come with the territory. After all, as the busy mother of three active children, there isn’t a lot of time left over at the end of the day for introspection. It is easy to let myself become overwhelmed by the activities and demands of the life that I have chosen, but the thing is, when I do pause to stop and think about it, I come face-to-face with the fact that I am at choice. I also realize that there is nothing inadequate about me.

I chose to stay with my three wonderful children. I wouldn’t change that for anything. It has been the greatest experience of my life. It means fewer vacations and older cars, but it also means never having to miss a swim meet, water polo game or school function.  

I also chose to volunteer for numerous organizations, but they all have meaning for me and my family. It is a matter of setting priorities. Most of the activities I participate in directly benefit one or more of my children. This has become my litmus test:  when given the opportunity to help, I ask myself how my involvement will benefit my family. If I don’t see the benefit, I let the opportunity pass, knowing that there is someone better suited for it.  

Perhaps one of the best tools in my quest for balance is talking with other mothers. As we share our stories, I am reminded that each of us is a work in progress. One of the best places to share those stories is at the Center’s monthly Parent Forum. Facilitated by Rev Pattie Mercado, the Parent Forum meets from 11:30-1pm on the first Thursday of each month.  Not only do the monthly topics generate insightful discussions, but there is something very empowering about knowing there are others who have made similar choices, who grapple with similar issues, and who I can clearly see are excellent parents. I am reminded that I am a really good parent, too.

The Space Between

In the song, "The space between," by the Dave Matthews Band are the following lyrics:

The Space Between
What's wrong and right
Is where you'll find me hiding, waiting for you.

source: http://www.lyricsondemand.com/d/davematthewsbandlyrics/thespacebetweenlyrics.html

Interesting concept, there is a space that isn't right or wrong?  Is there such a place or "space"?  In science we're taught about experimental results compared to being in a vacuum.  The vacuum is where the conditions are perfect.  We also use the phrase, "All things being equal".  There is said to be a Zen proverb regarding music stating, "It's the silence between the notes that makes the music".

All these concepts come to that one thought of void, a space that is the "No-thing-ness", to quote Reverend Michael Bernard Beckwith.

The 13th century, Persian poet, Sufi mystic, Rumi, whose words transcend time, wrote:

Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing
and rightdoing there is a field.
I’ll meet you there.

In the Dave Matthews band version, there is a tone of wrongness and rightness, however, in Rumi's poem its equality.

This field, this silence, this space, this vacuum, this No-thing-ness is the I AM presence, the Oneness, the embodiment of Allness. 

Today, when encountering others, look for that space between, step into that awareness of what it feels like to not have to be right or wrong.