Driving down the road, I saw a bumper sticker on the car in front of me. It said, simply, "Fear Not." So simple, and yet so incredibly profound. If there was just one message I could take to heart, and then convey to the world, it would be "Fear Not." It's one thing to intellectually understand the message behind this simple phrase, but quite another to live it.
In my previous blog, "The Power of Dis-Creation" I talked about using fear as a tool for growth. "Fear Not" does not mean the absence of fear. What it means is keeping the proper perspective on fear. Be an observer of your experience of fear, rather than being caught up in it. Use it to help keep you on your desired path.
You should not let fear prevent you from doing what is in your heart -- because it is impossible for you to fail. How can I say this when we experience failure every day? If you believe as I do that our separation from each other and from God is just an illusion -- then things are put into perspective. There can be no "bad" experience unless that's what we call it. It matters not which path we take because all paths lead back to God.
We could make what appear to be bad decisions. We could destroy ourselves -- destroy our world in fact, and it would not matter in the long run. Could anything we do possibly diminish the magnificence of God? Of course not.
This is not to say that we should act irresponsibly. In doing so, we deny who we really are -- which is love. We can not grow and evolve and live to our fullest potential when we deny who we are. But living in fear is also a denial of who we are. To live without fear is to always act in a way that is consistent with the highest vision we have for ourselves, regardless of the consequences. If that sounds irresponsible, read it again, carefully.
If we can always live with this perspective, it can be very empowering. Instead of focusing so much on particular outcomes, we focus on who we are and who we choose to become. This is the concept of detachment. As long as we are true to who we are (and help others be true to who they are), it does not really matter what the outcome is. There can be no dissapointment -- there is no failure -- if we are not attached to a particular outcome. And we can rest assured that regardless of what happens, we will always find our way back to God.
I'd like to leave you with this quote:
Our Deepest Fear
by Marianne Williamson from A Return To Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles
“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.”
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Thursday, July 10, 2008
The Power of Dis-Creation
I recently had a conversation with a friend that opened up a whole new way of thinking for me (you know who you are. :-) What I really should say is that it opened up a new way of feeling -- because that's what it's really about. When it comes to matters of the soul, over thinking tends to just get in the way.
Many of us understand that we create our own reality. What might not be so clear is that creation involves not just building up, but also tearing down. You wouldn't try to build a new house on the ruins of an old one. Before you can build a new set of beliefs about yourself and the world, you have to let the old ones go. What stops us is fear.
Fear is actually a blessing. First of all, it prevents you from doing stupid things, like walking out in the middle of the street. This kind of fear isn't really fear at all, but simply a healthy respect for the laws of nature. The kind of fear I'm really talking about is the kind that tries to stop you from doing something you know you really need to do, like give that speech in front of those thousands of people, or quit your old job to start that writing career.
If fear is stopping us from doing what we need to do, how can it be a blessing? It can be, because it is a sign. It is a signal to us that we are holding onto our creations beyond their usefulness. It is an indication that we have an opportunity to grow. These creations may have served us well in the past, but it is now time to move on.
Fear is rooted in belief: "I can't speak in front of all those people, because I believe I'm not good enough. I'm going to make mistakes and look stupid" or "I can't quit that job, because I believe that if I do, I won't be able to support myself or my family. We will no longer be happy and secure."
Fear arises because there is a conflict between what you believe, and your vision of who you are and what you'd like to become. In this case, your vision of yourself might be "I wish to be a successful politician." A requirement for this is that you can stand in front of large audiences and speak. And yet, inside you believe that you cannot do that. Or your vision might be "I wish to be a successful writer" and yet you believe you cannot do that because quitting your job would bring you insecurity. What is the feeling you experience because of this conflict? Fear.
You can not become your vision of yourself until you overcome that fear. How do you overcome the fear? You do it by changing the belief that is in conflict with your vision. This is what self-help guru's try to get you to do. Perhaps sometimes they succeed. Just remember, the source of change never comes from outside you. It can only be found inside. You have that infinite potential of the divine inside of you. Your beliefs are not a part of that pure white light -- they are the filters you have chosen to place in front of it. Before you can put a new belief in place, you need dis-create the old belief so that you can see that infinite potential. Through the strength of God's love present in you, re-create yourself with a new set of beliefs that are consistent with the highest vision of who you wish to be.
My friend compared our journey of growth to climbing a mountain. We can look forward and see some of how far we have yet to go as the mountain path rises up and disappears into the mist. This can seem pretty scary if we dwell on the challenges ahead. If we look back down the mountain, we can see how far we've come, and we can see others on their journey up the mountain. This can also be scary, because we can also see how far it is we could fall. It is best, therefore, to simply focus on the present -- just focus on that next step. And realize that you are never alone on your journey. Just as time passes quickly, and difficult tasks seem easy when we are with good friends, the journey will be effortless when we realize that we are all joined as one in God's creation.
Many of us understand that we create our own reality. What might not be so clear is that creation involves not just building up, but also tearing down. You wouldn't try to build a new house on the ruins of an old one. Before you can build a new set of beliefs about yourself and the world, you have to let the old ones go. What stops us is fear.
Fear is actually a blessing. First of all, it prevents you from doing stupid things, like walking out in the middle of the street. This kind of fear isn't really fear at all, but simply a healthy respect for the laws of nature. The kind of fear I'm really talking about is the kind that tries to stop you from doing something you know you really need to do, like give that speech in front of those thousands of people, or quit your old job to start that writing career.
If fear is stopping us from doing what we need to do, how can it be a blessing? It can be, because it is a sign. It is a signal to us that we are holding onto our creations beyond their usefulness. It is an indication that we have an opportunity to grow. These creations may have served us well in the past, but it is now time to move on.
Fear is rooted in belief: "I can't speak in front of all those people, because I believe I'm not good enough. I'm going to make mistakes and look stupid" or "I can't quit that job, because I believe that if I do, I won't be able to support myself or my family. We will no longer be happy and secure."
Fear arises because there is a conflict between what you believe, and your vision of who you are and what you'd like to become. In this case, your vision of yourself might be "I wish to be a successful politician." A requirement for this is that you can stand in front of large audiences and speak. And yet, inside you believe that you cannot do that. Or your vision might be "I wish to be a successful writer" and yet you believe you cannot do that because quitting your job would bring you insecurity. What is the feeling you experience because of this conflict? Fear.
You can not become your vision of yourself until you overcome that fear. How do you overcome the fear? You do it by changing the belief that is in conflict with your vision. This is what self-help guru's try to get you to do. Perhaps sometimes they succeed. Just remember, the source of change never comes from outside you. It can only be found inside. You have that infinite potential of the divine inside of you. Your beliefs are not a part of that pure white light -- they are the filters you have chosen to place in front of it. Before you can put a new belief in place, you need dis-create the old belief so that you can see that infinite potential. Through the strength of God's love present in you, re-create yourself with a new set of beliefs that are consistent with the highest vision of who you wish to be.
My friend compared our journey of growth to climbing a mountain. We can look forward and see some of how far we have yet to go as the mountain path rises up and disappears into the mist. This can seem pretty scary if we dwell on the challenges ahead. If we look back down the mountain, we can see how far we've come, and we can see others on their journey up the mountain. This can also be scary, because we can also see how far it is we could fall. It is best, therefore, to simply focus on the present -- just focus on that next step. And realize that you are never alone on your journey. Just as time passes quickly, and difficult tasks seem easy when we are with good friends, the journey will be effortless when we realize that we are all joined as one in God's creation.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
The Law of Passion
Walking can be a wonderfully meditative experience, especially when it is done in the midst of natural beauty. In this situation, it's easy to ask questions inwardly about the source of our world, and all the wonder and natural beauty we find in it. I was taking such a walk the other day, looking at the mountains in their majesty, the clear blue wide-open sky, and the trees with their intricate patterns of leaves. It's hard to imagine that all of this came about due purely to accident. It must have a purpose, right?
Thomas Edison is purported to have said "Genius is 1 percent inspiration, and 99 percent perspiration." I loathe to disagree with geniuses, but I don't think he got it quite right. Allow me to explain.
How many of us find ourselves in jobs that seem like drudgery -- that lack meaning? If we didn't have to perform these jobs to survive, or help our family survive, would we still do them? How many of us wish that we were blessed with work that also fulfilled our life's purpose -- that provided our lives with meaning and value? If we had this kind of job, work wouldn't seem like drudgery at all. We would wake up early, hardly being able to wait to take up where we left off the day before. In fact, work would seem a lot more like fun -- full of grace and ease, laughter and wonder.
Edison's quote seems on the surface to make a valid point, but it really misses the point. The part about "inspiration" is downplayed, while the "perspiration" part is given all the focus. It's true -- In order for Edison to create a working light bulb, he spent a great effort trying hundreds of different materials to use as filiments until he finally found the right one. It was a lot of work for him and his assistants. Or was it?
I ask you -- is it hard work for a tree to grow? Or the Earth's seasons to come and go? Of course not! The true wonder of a tree is not in the beauty of it's leaves, or its steadfastness through the seasons of time. It is the idea of a tree, contained in a tiny seed, from which a mighty giant grows. An individual tree will not likely last ten thousand years, but trees have been around for millions of years, because it is the idea of a tree that is persistent.
What would ease our burden here on Earth? If we could lounge around and have all of our needs met, would that make us happy? I doubt for long! What is it then, that so often illudes us -- that has the power to ease our burden and bring happiness to our lives? It's that little seed -- an idea -- a vision so small and simple, and yet so grand. Set a vision for yourself, and for the world. Follow it with passion -- with love and joy. It's the vision that is so often hard to find. But when we do, the rest is effortless!
Science can explain a lot about the world we live in, but it will never be able to explain where inspiration comes from. This is because the wellspring of ideas is a source far greater than what we can measure with instruments. Like a stream flowing from a spring, the source trickles down through all of creation. We have the power to claim that source as our own. One has only to look around at the wonders of human creation to realize this. More importantly, we can see this in the countless acts of selflessness commited each day, without fanfare, and without fame.
But the true wonder is not found in what we see. Look inside to find the source of your inspiration. Find the infinite potential of the limitless canvas of creation. Use it to set a vision. Follow that vision with passion. Use that passion to stimulate your thoughts and actions. Use your thoughts and actions to strip away everything from limitless possibilities that doesn't align with your vision until your grandest ideas about yourself and the world are achieved.
It is the passion that will keep you going. It is the passion that will serve your purpose to grow and evolve -- effortlessly. It is the passion that will allow you to be who you truly are, and which will lead the world to discover what it truly is. Find your passion, and you will find your purpose.
I have no doubt that Edison's work was an act of passion, rooted in the source of love and life for all of creation. His endless days and nights, toiling to find the right materials to bring his ideas to light must have been as effortless as it is for a tree to grow.
As I enjoyed the beauty of nature all around me on my walk, I understood that the universe itself is the outspring of an even grander idea. A vision in the mind of God, a vision which we have inherited, to continue the blessed and effortless work of creation.
Thomas Edison is purported to have said "Genius is 1 percent inspiration, and 99 percent perspiration." I loathe to disagree with geniuses, but I don't think he got it quite right. Allow me to explain.
How many of us find ourselves in jobs that seem like drudgery -- that lack meaning? If we didn't have to perform these jobs to survive, or help our family survive, would we still do them? How many of us wish that we were blessed with work that also fulfilled our life's purpose -- that provided our lives with meaning and value? If we had this kind of job, work wouldn't seem like drudgery at all. We would wake up early, hardly being able to wait to take up where we left off the day before. In fact, work would seem a lot more like fun -- full of grace and ease, laughter and wonder.
Edison's quote seems on the surface to make a valid point, but it really misses the point. The part about "inspiration" is downplayed, while the "perspiration" part is given all the focus. It's true -- In order for Edison to create a working light bulb, he spent a great effort trying hundreds of different materials to use as filiments until he finally found the right one. It was a lot of work for him and his assistants. Or was it?
I ask you -- is it hard work for a tree to grow? Or the Earth's seasons to come and go? Of course not! The true wonder of a tree is not in the beauty of it's leaves, or its steadfastness through the seasons of time. It is the idea of a tree, contained in a tiny seed, from which a mighty giant grows. An individual tree will not likely last ten thousand years, but trees have been around for millions of years, because it is the idea of a tree that is persistent.
What would ease our burden here on Earth? If we could lounge around and have all of our needs met, would that make us happy? I doubt for long! What is it then, that so often illudes us -- that has the power to ease our burden and bring happiness to our lives? It's that little seed -- an idea -- a vision so small and simple, and yet so grand. Set a vision for yourself, and for the world. Follow it with passion -- with love and joy. It's the vision that is so often hard to find. But when we do, the rest is effortless!
Science can explain a lot about the world we live in, but it will never be able to explain where inspiration comes from. This is because the wellspring of ideas is a source far greater than what we can measure with instruments. Like a stream flowing from a spring, the source trickles down through all of creation. We have the power to claim that source as our own. One has only to look around at the wonders of human creation to realize this. More importantly, we can see this in the countless acts of selflessness commited each day, without fanfare, and without fame.
But the true wonder is not found in what we see. Look inside to find the source of your inspiration. Find the infinite potential of the limitless canvas of creation. Use it to set a vision. Follow that vision with passion. Use that passion to stimulate your thoughts and actions. Use your thoughts and actions to strip away everything from limitless possibilities that doesn't align with your vision until your grandest ideas about yourself and the world are achieved.
It is the passion that will keep you going. It is the passion that will serve your purpose to grow and evolve -- effortlessly. It is the passion that will allow you to be who you truly are, and which will lead the world to discover what it truly is. Find your passion, and you will find your purpose.
I have no doubt that Edison's work was an act of passion, rooted in the source of love and life for all of creation. His endless days and nights, toiling to find the right materials to bring his ideas to light must have been as effortless as it is for a tree to grow.
As I enjoyed the beauty of nature all around me on my walk, I understood that the universe itself is the outspring of an even grander idea. A vision in the mind of God, a vision which we have inherited, to continue the blessed and effortless work of creation.
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