(Part 1)
Is the mind tamed or untamed? That is the question.
When we look carefully, we are offered some valuable guidance in the first chapter of Genesis, verse 28 (I am quoting from Lamsa's translation of the Bible from the Aramaic of the Peshitta). This is a commonly quoted passage. Having said that, many people have a difficult time being able to complete the guidance offered...the last two words in the section I will quote are really important! We read, "And God blessed them, and God said to them, be fruitful, and multiple, and fill the earth, and [?] it." Without peeking, what goes in the [brackets]? We have heard the fruitful part and we have heard the multiple and fill the earth part (they don't need a lot of explaining), but what about the last part?
The word which goes in the [brackets] is SUBDUE. "...and fill the earth, and subdue it." What does this mean? Subdue means to overcome, tame, or tone down. To tame what? The "it" in this quote is referring to the earth, to this material world. The world we live in is a world in which duality exists. I will offer a suggestion. I think the writer of this scripture is referring to overcoming or taming the duality of this material world.
Overcoming or taming the dualities of life begins in the mind. The nature of the mind in many people is reactive and racing. Our mind goes and goes and goes all day long, often times jumping from one topic or thought to another. Sometimes we get on a train of thought and all of the sudden, we think, "How did I get here?" on this unrelated topic.
It is a wonderful gift to come to the realization that we can slow down the mind. Being able to slow down the racing, reactive mind 'at will', is one of the components of Self Mastery. You are in charge of your mind. Your mind is not in charge of you! Admittedly, to tame the mind takes some practice. When the Psalmist said, "Be still and know that I am God", he was not talking about being still - as in standing still or not moving. He was referring to "stilling" the mind. It is very difficult to hear (perceive) Spirit, and receive spiritual guidance when the mind is always on the move.
I will continue this message on how to slow down (or tame) the mind next week.
In Love and In Light...Michael
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Sunday, January 17, 2010
The Divine Manifesting Through Men, Women and Children in Times of Crisis
By now, I am sure that you have read the articles and seen the footage of the devastation of the 7.0 magnitude earthquake in and around Haiti. I was just speechless when I read that the aftershocks are ranging from 4.5 - 5.9 magnitude.
All the words I could possibly say, would only pale in comparison to the real needs of the men, women and children in this area of our world. With this in mind, I will keep this message short...
Life is all about perspective. How we see (and what we see) is a result of our individual 'mental maps'. We observe events in our life every day. All of these events are what they are. We give everything meaning. It is our individual perspective of what is, which causes us to draw our own conclusions and opinions.
I would like to share with you, my perspective of what I see in the times of a natural disaster. In times of natural disaster, I observe the highest and best - I will call these divine attributes - in humanity, rise to the surface. I observe and can feel the outflowing of love and compassion for our fellow human beings in need. I observe the divine, working through the hands, feet, thoughts, words and resources of men, women and children from around the world, focused in our consciousness, towards those in need.
If you have not already done so (and even if you have), I invite you now...in this very moment...to close your eyes for a couple minutes and go within. Quite your mind and connect to the Divine through your intention.
I invite you to pray for the following (and anything else you care to add):
* For the comfortable and safe transition for those who have died,
* For the comfort and guidance to those parents who have lost a child(ren),
* For the comfort and guidance to those dear children who have lost a parent,
* For the comfort and guidance to those who have lost a relative or friend,
* For the strength and courage for all the people who are aiding those in need.
May our heart felt prayers and resources reach all of our spiritual brothers and sisters in need!
Blessings to you All!
Michael
All the words I could possibly say, would only pale in comparison to the real needs of the men, women and children in this area of our world. With this in mind, I will keep this message short...
Life is all about perspective. How we see (and what we see) is a result of our individual 'mental maps'. We observe events in our life every day. All of these events are what they are. We give everything meaning. It is our individual perspective of what is, which causes us to draw our own conclusions and opinions.
I would like to share with you, my perspective of what I see in the times of a natural disaster. In times of natural disaster, I observe the highest and best - I will call these divine attributes - in humanity, rise to the surface. I observe and can feel the outflowing of love and compassion for our fellow human beings in need. I observe the divine, working through the hands, feet, thoughts, words and resources of men, women and children from around the world, focused in our consciousness, towards those in need.
If you have not already done so (and even if you have), I invite you now...in this very moment...to close your eyes for a couple minutes and go within. Quite your mind and connect to the Divine through your intention.
I invite you to pray for the following (and anything else you care to add):
* For the comfortable and safe transition for those who have died,
* For the comfort and guidance to those parents who have lost a child(ren),
* For the comfort and guidance to those dear children who have lost a parent,
* For the comfort and guidance to those who have lost a relative or friend,
* For the strength and courage for all the people who are aiding those in need.
May our heart felt prayers and resources reach all of our spiritual brothers and sisters in need!
Blessings to you All!
Michael
Friday, January 8, 2010
The Priceless Question
We are asking ourselves questions constantly...countless times each day. Often times, these self-imposed questions are asked so fast and happen in the background (unconsciously)that we don't hear them. What we are often hear and are aware of, is the answer. To get an answer, we had to ask ourselves a question.
Self-imposed questions can be very powerful. However, the answers we receive are directly related to the quality of the questions we ask ourselves. The secret, comes in being self-aware enough to be the conscious asker of the questions verses allowing the mind to run unchecked.
For so many people, the mind is untamed. The nature of their mind is racing, anxious, reactive. We live in a loud and busy world. From the time we wake up, to the time we lay our heads down on the pillow to go to sleep, the mind is going, going, going. The objective is to slow down the mind. In slowing down the racing, anxious and reactive nature of the mind, we allow ourselves the time and the freedom to choose our thoughts...not just react to them.
One of the best ways to slow down the mind (that I am aware of) is through the art and science of Meditation. I encourage you, if you are not already doing so, to give yourself the gift of meditation for 20-30 minutes each day. This small gift of time in mediation can make a world of difference in all of the other minutes in your day!
Back to the self-imposed questions. The quality of the questions we ask ourselves, are directly related to the quality of the answers we will receive. For example, we often ask ourselves 'unanswerable' questions. These questions often begin with the word 'Why'. 'Why' is a certain thing happening in my life. Our questions, if not stated in a way which seeks to find a solution or an answer, can lead us down a path that I call 'mental gymnastics'.
If the 'Why' questions are not getting you what you need to move forward, try a different word. Try questions that start with 'How' or 'What'. These types of questions give the mind direction. They help to provide the mind with focus. Try it and you will see for yourself.
We are all spiritual beings having a human experience. There is a spark of divinity housed within the soul. Knowing this, think of the power in these self-imposed questions and ask yourself, how can these questions influence you today!
The Priceless Question
"How will the Divine, Manifest through my life today?
(more specifically)
"How will the Divine, Manifest through my words today?
"How will the Divine, Manifest through my actions today?
May the Divine shine brightly in and through your life today!
In Love and In Light...Michael
Self-imposed questions can be very powerful. However, the answers we receive are directly related to the quality of the questions we ask ourselves. The secret, comes in being self-aware enough to be the conscious asker of the questions verses allowing the mind to run unchecked.
For so many people, the mind is untamed. The nature of their mind is racing, anxious, reactive. We live in a loud and busy world. From the time we wake up, to the time we lay our heads down on the pillow to go to sleep, the mind is going, going, going. The objective is to slow down the mind. In slowing down the racing, anxious and reactive nature of the mind, we allow ourselves the time and the freedom to choose our thoughts...not just react to them.
One of the best ways to slow down the mind (that I am aware of) is through the art and science of Meditation. I encourage you, if you are not already doing so, to give yourself the gift of meditation for 20-30 minutes each day. This small gift of time in mediation can make a world of difference in all of the other minutes in your day!
Back to the self-imposed questions. The quality of the questions we ask ourselves, are directly related to the quality of the answers we will receive. For example, we often ask ourselves 'unanswerable' questions. These questions often begin with the word 'Why'. 'Why' is a certain thing happening in my life. Our questions, if not stated in a way which seeks to find a solution or an answer, can lead us down a path that I call 'mental gymnastics'.
If the 'Why' questions are not getting you what you need to move forward, try a different word. Try questions that start with 'How' or 'What'. These types of questions give the mind direction. They help to provide the mind with focus. Try it and you will see for yourself.
We are all spiritual beings having a human experience. There is a spark of divinity housed within the soul. Knowing this, think of the power in these self-imposed questions and ask yourself, how can these questions influence you today!
The Priceless Question
"How will the Divine, Manifest through my life today?
(more specifically)
"How will the Divine, Manifest through my words today?
"How will the Divine, Manifest through my actions today?
May the Divine shine brightly in and through your life today!
In Love and In Light...Michael
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)