Seasons of the Soul

Dark, Dawn, and Faith

I’m a night person—so I often miss the early mornings, but at 6:00 AM I had to drive my daughter and her husband to the airport. It was dark and crisp as we left for the airport, and as I drove I noted that there was a definitive feeling of newness about the day. After dropping them off, I turned homeward, and the dark began to lighten. The sunrise was spectacular from the east and there was a feeling of a fresh start. As I drove, appreciating the beautiful coloration in the sky, I was reminded of a saying by Tagore that “Faith is the bird who sings in the dark, knowing the dawn will come.”

This is the message in winter, and the new dawn of each morning. The promise is there for us—everything is waiting in potential, and it’s up to us to seize the opportunities, to make something beautiful of each precious gift this life provides. The bird sings in the dark. It does not wait for the light—it welcomes it in song. There is no doubt or inhibition in the bird. It does what it was created to do.

How sweet the sound of our harmonious endeavors and efforts to bring out the best of ourselves without fear or hesitation. How pleasing that must be to our Creator.

There are so many metaphors we are shown in symbolism related to what life is and what opportunities are, yet we often ignore them or think them quaint sayings from the past, rather than taking them to heart and acting on what they point us toward now.

On this day, in this moment, I find my voice and greet the day without hesitation—this glorious gift of creation!
From Seasons of the Soul 2005

Proverb

How beautiful it is to do nothing,

and then to rest afterwards.

       

                Spanish Proverb

Consciously Becoming Conscious of Being Conscious

Recently, I have heard the same statement about why we are here from two different sources. It got my attention and I determined it was important to explore and share.  We are spirits coming into a material experience to become consciously conscious of being conscious.

We act upon life and life experiences affect us. We can go through the process on automatic pilot, reacting to events and perceived hurts and joys, or we can become an observer observing ourselves. And when we  go beyond observing ourselves, observe ourselves FROM a place of consciousness, and reacting IN that state of consciousness,  we are unified. We have come to a fullness of the inner and outer selves, reflecting the same light and truth rather than being a “house divided,” driven by emotions or desires.

The seemingly separate parts no longer need feel separate. It is at home within the cradle of consciousness—at one with Itself. From this space of emptiness or fullness, depending on how we want to describe it, nothing is lacking. We have and are everything we need. There is no longer a necessity to protect our individualized view or to be better/worse than anyone else because we see ourselves as extensions of the same consciousness that flows through all life.

When we flow within that field, we attract situations that affirm unity—no matter what they look like on the surface. When we are out of that state, which we might even call a state of Grace, we are at odds with whatever comes our way.

Duality breeds suffering, and all spiritual texts are given to help us unravel the mystery by giving us clues as to the purpose of the journey. This is a journey without distance because it is an inside job. However, we may have to go through a lifetime of experience before we recognize the gifts given along the way to bring us closer to consciously being conscious.

Being consciously conscious doesn’t mean that life events stop happening—it means that we are not BOUND by them. Bondage comes through attachment—and once we realize that everything we experience is purposeful in the sense of furthering our soul growth, we can let go of expectations and anger, and self-righteousness or hurt. We are no longer tethered by limiting or inflated thinking—we flow into the unified field and are conscious of being conscious. The trick to this is recognizing that we are indeed spiritual beings having a material physical experience.

When we recognize the eternal nature of spirit, we are no longer afraid of an ending, because there is none. We flow within the river of Consciousness, realizing it is from where we came and to which we return—not by death alone, but by intention.

When we consciously choose to tune in, we are Home. It is not a physical location—not a distant exotic place—it is within our Being and requires the marriage of  head and heart in ultimate union.
As each one of us becomes consciously conscious of being conscious, the world takes on a different appearance. We indeed become co-creators in this adventure called life, and we can in deed all create a garden of splendor—a Heaven on Earth. It’s all a matter of choice and remembrance.

We will have times when we are truth, be it ever so fleeting. And then we will forget and fall away. But Home is everywhere present. It is just a heartbeat in distance—waiting on welcome to pull us to itself/ourselves once again.

In this New Year—let’s do those things that help us achieve conscious awareness. Let’s take the steps needed to move towards wholeness and holiness. Just imagine what a blessing we can be!KJ

From Seasons of the Soul 2005

A story from Help Others.org

If you are tired of bad news and shallow values, take a look at this wonderful website. Here's one of the recent posts.

From Help Others.org: The Biggest, Bestest Present Ever! -- A Kindness Story

There is an elderly man who lives up the street from us.  He has no one to shovel his driveway.  He is a bit of a miser so most people aren't so inclined to help.  One day, I don't know who did it, but someone used the sticky snow on his driveway to make a whole bunch of snowmen on his lawn facing his front window.  They were all smiling and waving and his driveway got cleared in the making of them.

As my son and I were walking by, I could hear him grumbling under his breath.  "What's the problem?" I asked him.  He complained that someone had trespassed on his lawn and made a bunch of snowmen.  My son, not knowing what trespass meant, assumed this was a good thing.  He said "Wow, sir, that's the biggest bestest present I've ever seen!!"   Innocently, he then turned to me asked, "Could we have someone "trespass" on our lawn too?"

I couldn't help but smile, and neither could the old man.  The next day there was a Christmas card from him outside our front door, along with a plush snowman for my son.

One act of kindness can change a lifetime of miserlyness and if I ever find out who made the snowmen on his lawn, I will be sure to send them something in return.  They gave my son, myself and our neighbor "the biggest, bestest present ever!"

Riches of the Heart

In the heart of winter we celebrate a day that focuses on the principle of love, and even though as a culture we have forged it into another marketing opportunity, its message  goes beyond the Hallmark moment. We have a hard time in the United States looking at the deeper aspects of love, and tend to relegate it to a romantic notion. However, there is much more to be discovered within ourselves individually and as a society related to the capacity for loving.

Mother Theresa once stated that the United States is the wealthiest nation on earth materially, but bankrupt in love. We may look at one another and wonder what she means. Yet, for those who have traveled to third world countries and been with the poorest of the poor, there is understanding. They have little in the way of material goods. But they have very big hearts.

Recently a friend mentioned that her nephew had just returned from serving in the armed forces in Iraq for over 9 months. When asked what impressed him most, he stated that there were many more positive things going on than what we see on the news. However, he said that one thing struck him more than anything else. He’d been in many  homes of Iraq citizens, and stated that the people are very poor, sometimes with almost no food to eat. However, he could not get over their generosity of spirit and the way they extended themselves not only to one another, but to those considered strangers who entered their dwelling. He said he could never again look at material things the way he had previously, and that he realized the only thing of value was the love we hold for one another.

We read about  alienated people and neighbors not even knowing neighbors, and we wonder why our society seems so shallow.  This season, let’s take the opportunity to remember what really matters and extend ourselves, not in material gifts, but to one another from the heart—in love.
From Seasons of the Soul 2004 

Magnificent Obsession

by Stanley Peele

A week ago, Robert Seymour wrote an excellent article in this column. He wrote of being in the mall and, on an impulse, putting $20 into a kettle for the Salvation Army. This prompted him to ponder on this question: "Why do we give money to charities?

He pointed out that many times our motives are not pure. Indeed! For instance, if we give money to a charity, and later the charity comes out with a bulletin, do we not look in it to see if our gift has been noted? We seek recognition for our gift. Charities know this, and give more recognition to those that give larger sums of money.

We give money to charities in order to "look good" -- and to assuage our feeling of guilt for having more money than others. We also give money away for "political" reasons. By that I mean we expect something in return that will benefit us.

Here is a sentence that has been often repeated in religious books: "Be kind to your neighbor, for she may be the one who gives you your last glass of water."

This sounds spiritual, doesn't it? Yet it is more like a contract. You are being kind in the hopes that it will benefit you. Like an insurance policy.

On the other hand, there are people who live their lives on a high spiritual plane; who are truly generous in their hearts. - They give money to others with no expectation of any benefit to themselves. Many of these people give their money anonymously. They "Do not let their left hand know what their right hand is doing."

Many years ago there was a movie called "Magnificent Obsession." It was about a man who discovered what he believed was a key to happiness and success. It was this: "If you give money to people without letting them know who gave it, God will reward you ten-fold. Good fortune and fame will come to you." This concept became his religion.

It may have been an obsession, but it was not magnificent. It fails the test of true spirituality. For he gave money in expectation of a reward.

This is written in the Bible: "It is more blessed to give than to receive." This means that we will be blessed if we give. It also suggests the ultimate reason we give to others; which is this:

We give to others because that is who we are. There is a spark within each of us that wants to help others. When we see a mother sacrificing her needs in order to take care of her children, we see the real spirit of giving. And we see it in a thousand other ways.

Many people are too poor to give money to charities. In fact, some of them have to rely on gifts from others in order to survive. Yet there is a way they can give to others. And it is one that will last for a lifetime.

It is the gift of forgiveness. It does not cost a penny. Yet it is a rich gift indeed! When you stay angry at a person, your anger attaches you to that person as if you were bound by chains.

*

John had a lifetime feud with his brother and would not speak to him. John developed cancer. After a few months of treatments, he was told that he did not have long to live. This caused him to want to reconcile with his brother. He went to his Rabbi and told him what he wanted.

"Go tell this to your brother," said the Rabbi.

"No!" replied John, "My brother will spit on me!"

"So?" responded the Rabbi, "What is a little spit between brothers?"

John went to his brother, apologized to him for all he had done, and forgave his brother. The two men hugged. At that very moment, John began to feel better. And, in time, the cancer left him. When we do not forgive others, the anger becomes a part of us and it can sap our energy. In the past, John had held on to his anger, and this may have caused him to be ill.

Forgiveness cleanses us of the endless dark thoughts we have when hold on to anger.

If you go to a person with the intention of forgiving him, and he refuses to talk with you, or heaps abuse upon you, do not let that deter you. Do not argue with him. Do not judge him as a bad person because of his choice. Do not take offense. Rather than this, wait til you calm down. Then go to a quiet place with no one around. Speaking aloud, talk to him - as though he were present. Apologize for doing anything that hurt him and forgive him for what he did. Tell him you are sorry, that you care about him and thank him for the lessons he has taught you. Let your forgiveness be absolute, and bid goodbye to your anger.

Choose love rather than hate, peace rather than anger. It is a magnificent gift. Then you will be free!

Paul Potts - One Chance CD

You may already have seen this amazing video of Paul Potts, who won the British Talent Contest. It is quite a story, and I just received his new album, Paul Potts, One Chance, as a Christmas gift. It is wonderful, and I recommend it to anyone who loves this kind of voice. It is such a pleasure to see someone who has lead an anonymous life become their full potential. Please watch and enjoy, and if you google his name, there are more videos to watch in addition to this one that show his rise to fame.

Phone Salesman Amazes Crowd - Paul Potts - Video

Barbara Marx Hubbard Video clip

This short video makes an important statement that challenges us to consider how we are living our lives. After you watch it, go to the website address at the end to see what might be possible!

http://hk.youtube.com/watch?v=RuuesBhOR9g&feature=related

Food for Thought

One day in retrospect the years of struggle will strike you as the most beautiful.
~Sigmund Freud

I find that it is not the circumstances in which we are placed, but the spirit in which we face them, that constitutes our comfort.
~ Elizabeth T. King

True religion is the life we lead, not the creed we profess.
~Louis Nizer

When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.
~ Helen Keller

Why We Age

The other day I had an insight about the purpose for old age. It goes hand in hand with the idea of being conscious, and has to do with our need to detach from the material level of life.
We all come in to this earth experience as little ones—wide eyed and open to all possibilities. We’re in a body and it’s an exhilarating experience! As we grow, we become attached to these personas that we have taken on. We are either pleased with the way we look and feel, or not, and we dedicate time and effort to make the most of  what we perceive to be our potential. We are in the thick of life, participating and building ourselves in the material world.

Yet, if we are spirit having a physical experience, we are truly of another realm. Earth is like boarding school, and we’ve come here to spend our prescribed  number of years before graduating and going “Home.”

If the entire duration of our earthly experience was in the developing and growing stage, we might be bound by the endless prospect of glamour, achievement, family, and all the other things that we find alluring during the spring and summer years of life.
It is often only by being forced to detach from  things of youth that we begin to slowly turn toward another level of life that we may not have spent time with. It’s the inner life. It’s the apprehension of ourselves, not just for ourselves, but in relation to the larger context. What are we doing to make a difference?

As we gradually get older, we embody the vantage point of age. What was so important at 20 or 30 becomes less so at 40 and 50. The petty things we may have attached ourselves to take on different coloration as we grow into a larger context of who we really are.

We age because we need to. As the leaves have to be separated from the tree so that it can once again go into dormancy, we need this time to prepare for our next adventure. Out of the ashes of youth comes the distillation of a lifetime.

And if we are indeed spirits having a physical experience, it is essential that we detach from that experience at some point. When we no longer find ourselves  enmeshed in the pulls of life, we are able to leave life. Old age is the senior year in school that hones us and prepares us for the return journey to our ancient and eternal destination– back to the unified force field of Spirit—to Unity—to the undifferentiated.

Life is perfect in the way it moves us from beginning to middle to end. Without old age, we would miss the resolution phase of living. This is where the grapes of experience can distill into a very fine wine.kj
From Seasons of the Soul 2004