Are you getting the cosmic joke yet? That life is more like a comedy and is really quite funny. Nothing lasts for very long and everything is temporary. What is up one day is down the next. What is all the rage today will be sold in the garage sale of tomorrow.
The supermodel that graces the front pages of Vanity Fair will eventually get hungry and begin eating again. After that she will get a face lift to try and recapture her beauty and then we will see her on a rerun of "where are they now".
Nothing is really all that serious when you understand the truth about existence. Some people spend their whole life scraping and clawing their way to the top of the heap, and then they die. This is the joke that the ego plays upon itself over and over never seeming to get it.
When you know the truth you can settle in and just enjoy each moment for whatever it brings. Life is not a competition but simply a walk in the garden of earth to taste of its fruit and experience the variety of experiences that are here.
This is the ride of your life and there is so much to experience. Take time to laugh and have some fun along the way. Happy people make the planet more enjoyable and peaceful too!
Now that you get the cosmic joke, share a smile with somebody. . :> )
In joy,
James
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Monday, August 10, 2009
Peace On Earth?
At the end of almost every Unity service the song, "Let There be Peace on Earth" is sung. Some people see it as a nice idea but unrealistic in practice. Others have tried to make it happen but gave up after much work and a lot of futile effort. A few active folks are still out there talking about peace, peace peace but are only seeing disharmony and a lack of peace in the world. The second part of the song says, "Let it begin with me" and that is the real answer. Peace in the world has to start within me. If I am not a peace filled person then whatever I do comes from a non-peaceful place.
So my first job is to make peace with myself and all I am or think that I am. Peace is a resonance that already exists as a calm spot in the center of our being. Peace is not really created as much as it is allowed. If I am continually arguing with people about becoming peaceful than I am not really at peace. For instance, I know people who are anti-war and have chosen to be that way pretty much for the right reasons. They can give you all the statistics about why there should not be war in the world and would be right. I also believe it would be great if we as a society could move beyond having to war and fight in the world. But, trying to combat war does not help the world very much and can actually polarize people.
Once you say I am against something there will be someone who will stand up and say that they are for it. In that moment you have just created an opponent and you may have opened the door for someone who was not very vocal to become an activist against your desire for a peaceful. world!
You might say, "well then what is the use in standing against anything" and I would say, "don't be against anything, be for something"! Maybe, there is another way to approach the peace process that can really make a difference and reduce the need for war in the world. Peace is a result of being at peace with yourself, your family, your neighbor, your community and so on. We must first embrace the unhealed parts of ourselves that are unacknowledged and hidden from our awareness. The unhealed parts of me can become a projection onto those outside of me and make them our enemies. They become the scapegoat for our lack of inner harmony and wholeness that is being suppressed. I invite you to become an inner activist who watches your thoughts like a hawk so that you are not taken over by mental warring and strife.
This is how peace on earth begins with me, and you!
So my first job is to make peace with myself and all I am or think that I am. Peace is a resonance that already exists as a calm spot in the center of our being. Peace is not really created as much as it is allowed. If I am continually arguing with people about becoming peaceful than I am not really at peace. For instance, I know people who are anti-war and have chosen to be that way pretty much for the right reasons. They can give you all the statistics about why there should not be war in the world and would be right. I also believe it would be great if we as a society could move beyond having to war and fight in the world. But, trying to combat war does not help the world very much and can actually polarize people.
Once you say I am against something there will be someone who will stand up and say that they are for it. In that moment you have just created an opponent and you may have opened the door for someone who was not very vocal to become an activist against your desire for a peaceful. world!
You might say, "well then what is the use in standing against anything" and I would say, "don't be against anything, be for something"! Maybe, there is another way to approach the peace process that can really make a difference and reduce the need for war in the world. Peace is a result of being at peace with yourself, your family, your neighbor, your community and so on. We must first embrace the unhealed parts of ourselves that are unacknowledged and hidden from our awareness. The unhealed parts of me can become a projection onto those outside of me and make them our enemies. They become the scapegoat for our lack of inner harmony and wholeness that is being suppressed. I invite you to become an inner activist who watches your thoughts like a hawk so that you are not taken over by mental warring and strife.
This is how peace on earth begins with me, and you!
Peace,
James
Monday, August 3, 2009
The All Good!
It has always been interesting to me to see how different people define what has been commonly referred to as God. The word God comes from the root word good which I believe is the true nature of this Divine Presence. By looking at the world we see that positive growth and expansion is the order of the natural world. The world appears to have a positive bent to it and life is ever evolving in so many ways. I understand where some people might have difficulty believing that there is an ultimate good because of the suffering or abuse that took place in their lives. They might view the world through the lens of suspicion or fearfulness which to them would make the world feel unsafe and a bit scary at times.
Now, if you take a couple deep breaths and relax your mind and body you may notice that there is a calm spot in the midst of you. If you let go of all thought for just a brief moment you will find there is something other than the thinking mind inside you. It is the essence of your being and it is the sense of aliveness itself. You are alive and you exist. (If you are reading this you can't deny that)
Whatever you think you are, you exist right here and right now. There are many activities that we can involve ourselves with while we are in existence.
Would you say breathing is a positive thing? Do you enjoy eating? Do you laugh at funny jokes? Do you like it when people around you are friendly to you? Have you ever watched a sunrise or sunset and been awe inspired? What am I getting at? All these things are positive and reveal a kind of goodness that expresses itself in the human being as an ability to choose a positive experience. Most people would rather experience pleasure over pain, obviously. In fact we go to great lengths to run from pain and avoid discomfort. Unless you have sadistic tendencies (which are not natural) you are most likely an individual that enjoys a life of goodness, good things and good people! Do you really prefer to have negative experiences, hurtful things and negative people around you?
I believe we can literally create our own hell or our own heaven right now, here on earth by what we choose to think, experience, feel and believe. I have also come to the conclusion that there is a positive and loving intelligence that is at the base of all life. This energy is not a gray haired man in the sky somewhere with a long white beard that looks like Charlton Heston, but is an all encompassing spiritual presence that expresses through all living things as existence itself.
I like to refer to this force as the All Good! In fact I look for it in everyone and in everything, everywhere I go. I constantly see glimpses of it in smiling babies, friendly people and quacking ducks that live in our lake. It is what shines through the sunlight during the day and is the very air I breathe. It is the the sweet juice in watermelon and oranges. It is the very ground we walk upon each day that supports us and holds us up. It is also the gravity that keeps me from flying off the planet.
The All Good is with you and me right now. Take a breath and discover it for yourself as the silent witness to all of life. Don't take my word for it. Experience it for yourself.
Why not?
You may say, "James what about evil and negativity that go on in the world, should we deny it?" No, but we should understand that what we define as negative is not the whole picture but only a piece or a part of life. Life is positive even though it contains what we define as negative elements in it. For instance, if you decide you want to bake a cake then you will need some sweet substances and some bitter substances. When you mix them all together you will have good tasting cake if you do it right. Without the bitter elements it would not be cake. All ingredients are needed in order to have a cake that is worth eating. In my reality cake is a good thing (when eaten in moderation)!
Life overall is positive when we understand the mechanics of it. By learning the proper mix of all the ingredients I believe we can have a good life that is worth living. It is the proper blending and processing of our experiences that can give us great wisdom and understanding. This is what creates a more exciting and fulfilling experience of life. The All Good is the spirit of life that keeps your heart pumping and the body activated. It is the Divine Mind that takes care of the big things, like making sure the Universe functions properly. It also feeds the birds and waters the plants according to its own plan which is working really well and keeps everything in balance! You and I have access to this greater intelligence through our desires, prayers and how we choose to perceive it. We are all generously given the gift of life to learn, grow and to fully experience it all. Even the so called negative parts have a purpose when seen from the All Good perspective...
Now, if you take a couple deep breaths and relax your mind and body you may notice that there is a calm spot in the midst of you. If you let go of all thought for just a brief moment you will find there is something other than the thinking mind inside you. It is the essence of your being and it is the sense of aliveness itself. You are alive and you exist. (If you are reading this you can't deny that)
Whatever you think you are, you exist right here and right now. There are many activities that we can involve ourselves with while we are in existence.
Would you say breathing is a positive thing? Do you enjoy eating? Do you laugh at funny jokes? Do you like it when people around you are friendly to you? Have you ever watched a sunrise or sunset and been awe inspired? What am I getting at? All these things are positive and reveal a kind of goodness that expresses itself in the human being as an ability to choose a positive experience. Most people would rather experience pleasure over pain, obviously. In fact we go to great lengths to run from pain and avoid discomfort. Unless you have sadistic tendencies (which are not natural) you are most likely an individual that enjoys a life of goodness, good things and good people! Do you really prefer to have negative experiences, hurtful things and negative people around you?
I believe we can literally create our own hell or our own heaven right now, here on earth by what we choose to think, experience, feel and believe. I have also come to the conclusion that there is a positive and loving intelligence that is at the base of all life. This energy is not a gray haired man in the sky somewhere with a long white beard that looks like Charlton Heston, but is an all encompassing spiritual presence that expresses through all living things as existence itself.
I like to refer to this force as the All Good! In fact I look for it in everyone and in everything, everywhere I go. I constantly see glimpses of it in smiling babies, friendly people and quacking ducks that live in our lake. It is what shines through the sunlight during the day and is the very air I breathe. It is the the sweet juice in watermelon and oranges. It is the very ground we walk upon each day that supports us and holds us up. It is also the gravity that keeps me from flying off the planet.
The All Good is with you and me right now. Take a breath and discover it for yourself as the silent witness to all of life. Don't take my word for it. Experience it for yourself.
Why not?
You may say, "James what about evil and negativity that go on in the world, should we deny it?" No, but we should understand that what we define as negative is not the whole picture but only a piece or a part of life. Life is positive even though it contains what we define as negative elements in it. For instance, if you decide you want to bake a cake then you will need some sweet substances and some bitter substances. When you mix them all together you will have good tasting cake if you do it right. Without the bitter elements it would not be cake. All ingredients are needed in order to have a cake that is worth eating. In my reality cake is a good thing (when eaten in moderation)!
Life overall is positive when we understand the mechanics of it. By learning the proper mix of all the ingredients I believe we can have a good life that is worth living. It is the proper blending and processing of our experiences that can give us great wisdom and understanding. This is what creates a more exciting and fulfilling experience of life. The All Good is the spirit of life that keeps your heart pumping and the body activated. It is the Divine Mind that takes care of the big things, like making sure the Universe functions properly. It also feeds the birds and waters the plants according to its own plan which is working really well and keeps everything in balance! You and I have access to this greater intelligence through our desires, prayers and how we choose to perceive it. We are all generously given the gift of life to learn, grow and to fully experience it all. Even the so called negative parts have a purpose when seen from the All Good perspective...
Enjoy your slice...
JamesSunday, July 26, 2009
Welcome!
Hello everyone and welcome to my blog. I am happy to be able to share some of my thoughts with you through this medium. There is never enough time on a Sunday morning to talk about everything I would like to discuss so blogging is another way to share some more inspiration, opinions, and some information that you may enjoy.
Our spiritual community is a great place to find a loving environment to connect with like minded people who want a deeper, open minded and more relevant discussion about the spiritual life. I feel we are living at a time where lots of people have tried just about everything to find happiness and meaning in their lives. Because of this many folks are now ready for something that really works and is truly transformative.
The Unity teachings though simple, have the capacity to do just that. Unity is based on universal principles that are positive, practical and challenge us to discover our true nature. Because we start from the goodness of God and the good that already exists in people we make a quantam leap away from the guilt and shame that are espoused by some belief systems.
At the same time we respect the beliefs that others have while refusing to argue over our differences. I have learned to just let people be unless they are ready to look within and consider something more. If they don't ask with an open heart then trying to persuade them of your truth is unproductive. I would much rather spend my time focusing on the people who have that inner desire for Divine awareness and really want to grow.
2 great qualities that are are necessary are curiousity and humility. We must be curious enough to ask the questions and then have the humility to look at a variety of possible solutions and even then to simply be okay with not knowing. True knowledge comes to people who don't already have it figured out in their heads. If your head is already full of ideas it will be harder to catch the spirit of truth.
Jesus said, "when the spirit of truth comes it will guide you into all truth." Truth is a spiritual energy that is awakened within you when you are ready for it. You might ask, "how will I know when this happens?" When you are curious enough and quiet enough to go beyond your own mental preconceptions then you can finally hear the inner voice of spirit speaking up inside you.
You become familiar with it over time and sometimes through a little trial and error. Once you catch it then the true nature of reality begins to unfold and you have a front row seat. That is when you are truly enrolled in spiritual awakening 101 class. Everything in your life becomes a spiritual lesson and a pointer to the truth. In fact, God is suddenly everywhere and everything contains meaning. This leads to an ever evolving inner navigating system that seems to know exactly what you need when you need it.
As you learn to trust your inner guidance system then it gets really interesting.
Your picture of life becomes more holistic and more expanded and you now know and realize that there are NO accidents and you cannot miss what you really need to experience. It just shows up as "what is" and urges you to get the message that it holds for you!
More later...
James
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