We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
These words are familiar to us, yet do we recognize all of what they are saying?
The freedom that the drafters of the Declaration of Independence were declaring and claiming for this country had already been given; already were the inalienable rights of everyone created in the image and likeness of God.
It is vital to recognize that our right to be free, unlimited, under no bonds, or binds, or restraints, nor limitations was not something that was created when men put pen to that document but arose in our Being when we were created in the image and likeness of God. We are first and foremost spiritual beings, with the birthright of freedom.
And while freedom is inalienable from our true self, it is often separate from our awareness, apart from our experience, lost upon the false self that is caged by self deception.
As we celebrate freedom which came from the Declaration of Independence in 1776, consider how this historical event is an insightful metaphor for our own internal pursuit of liberty.
Just as the men and women of those original 13 colonies sought to establish self-determination, is it not equally essential to our spiritual awakening that we dissolve the tie with any other external power that has held sway over our lives?
Like the King of England, our ego mind often reigns supreme over our thoughts and affairs and we have suffered the tyranny of a long train of (its) abuses and usurpations. We have placed the crown upon our senses that they might have the last word on reality. In return, we have been given a meager appraisal of life's possibilities. We are taxed without representation by levies of fear and doubt. Yet the truth is that we have assented to these oppressive practices, even while railing against them.
These truths are self-evident when we come to know our true spiritual nature. Created in God's image and likeness, we have always had the inalienable right to self-determination. Our free will empowers us to cast the deciding vote on every issue. We enjoy the liberty to find peace and enjoy a land of plenty upon the very ground of our being. Yes, we can live in freedom. No revolution is necessary. We have had it all the time. Each of us is free to dethrone false authority, declare dominion over our lives and reclaim rights guaranteed by Heaven's authority.
Let us remember the Declaration of Independence, not only as a reminder of the freedom that came to a nation, but the inalienable freedom that is Divinely gifted and inseparable from us. We can make this declaration of freedom each moment to remind ourselves of our right to choose to live in liberation or bondage.
This Sunday we conclude our Ways and Means of Spiritual Mastery series of lessons, with the focus on freedom, with a lesson entitled, Breaking the Ties That Bind Us. We will look at all the ways that we give up our freedom, such as fear and anxiety over the past, the future, and delusion of self in the present moment. Jesus said the Truth will set us free. If we are willing to declare independence from the mind that binds and blinds, we will see the greater truth beyond the limitations that our physical eyes show us. We will be able to lift up our eyes to the inner gaze of Spirit.
About Me
- Rev. Larry Schellink
- Unity Center of Davis is an inclusive spiritual community that honors the many paths to God and helps people of all faiths apply positive spiritual principles in their daily lives.
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Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Embracing Human Love
"When you come to know yourself, then you will become known, and you will realize that it is you who are the children of the living Father."
-Gospel of Thomas
Most of us came to know ourselves early on through the way we were seen and treated by our parents. What they saw in us became what we saw in ourselves. How they responded to us shaped our self esteem. Like it or not this way to self discovery and self image is the way it is for us humans. It seems tragically flawed from the start. Or is it?
On the surface, it seems blatantly unfair that an innocent child is subject to the vagaries of his parent's dysfunctions and imbued with a sense of self reflecting their deficient self images. I have my sad stories of growing my self image, and you have yours. We are a huge majority I suspect. I once saw a cartoon, depicting a large conference room with hundreds of chairs, and only two people seated in the room. The banner over the stage read, "Society of Children of Functional Parents."
There being so many of us in this quandary of rectifying our self image as adults, I believe there is an enlightened perspective within this apparent stigma. Unless you believe that the human race must evolve to the point where parents are perfect psychological specimens before there is hope for happy children, read on.
You may suspect that there is a spiritual twist about to happen here. You would be right. For those of us who believe in a higher power, and affirm that the universe (God) is constantly conspiring for our greater good, we look to see the light within the blight. We don't believe in mistakes, no matter how unjust life appears. We believe that every situation in life can lead us to grow spiritually.
As many of us have entered the adult life aching to know who we are, grasping at idols to fill voids in our self image, we usually looked for love in all the wrong places. In desperation, and at wits end to reclaim our souls, some of us have been driven to our knees. When the pain of seeking in the world got too great, we reversed the direction of our search and turned within. We were graced with a realization that before we were a glint in our father's eye we were a spark of the Divine.
When it comes to knowing ourselves there is only one source, one parent that knows us as we truly are. Only this parent can show us our essential nature, love us unconditionally, and lead us unerringly into self awareness, and that is God, our true source. Before Mom and Dad you were created in the image and likeness of Love itself. That Loving parent is constantly reflecting its love back to us and recreating us in its image. This is the fully functional parent-child relationship that we all yearn for, and can all have at last.
I've not been a perfect father to our two boys. I've done some good, and I've made mistakes. I've been there for them, and I've been absent at times. I strive to improve but I will always fall short, which paradoxically I pray will lead them to the Father which art within them.
As Denese told you last week, I spent a week building a backyard deck for Denese's mom, in Vancouver, WA. It was an act of love. It was hard work, and I came up against my limitations, body and mind. I struggled figuring it out in my head and through my hands. Most of the time, my back and wrists ached. I hit myself with the hammer a few times, and beat myself up mentally for mistakes. The end result is not perfect, and the process was flawed. But when I finished last Tuesday I was sure of two things. I did my best, and Denese's Mom felt loved by my effort.
That's how love works at the human level. Whether it's parenting or any of our human relationships, we will make mistakes, the results will be less than perfect, but if we remember to check the level of our hearts and do our best to love each other, we will feel pretty good at the end of the day.
-Gospel of Thomas
Most of us came to know ourselves early on through the way we were seen and treated by our parents. What they saw in us became what we saw in ourselves. How they responded to us shaped our self esteem. Like it or not this way to self discovery and self image is the way it is for us humans. It seems tragically flawed from the start. Or is it?
On the surface, it seems blatantly unfair that an innocent child is subject to the vagaries of his parent's dysfunctions and imbued with a sense of self reflecting their deficient self images. I have my sad stories of growing my self image, and you have yours. We are a huge majority I suspect. I once saw a cartoon, depicting a large conference room with hundreds of chairs, and only two people seated in the room. The banner over the stage read, "Society of Children of Functional Parents."
There being so many of us in this quandary of rectifying our self image as adults, I believe there is an enlightened perspective within this apparent stigma. Unless you believe that the human race must evolve to the point where parents are perfect psychological specimens before there is hope for happy children, read on.
You may suspect that there is a spiritual twist about to happen here. You would be right. For those of us who believe in a higher power, and affirm that the universe (God) is constantly conspiring for our greater good, we look to see the light within the blight. We don't believe in mistakes, no matter how unjust life appears. We believe that every situation in life can lead us to grow spiritually.
As many of us have entered the adult life aching to know who we are, grasping at idols to fill voids in our self image, we usually looked for love in all the wrong places. In desperation, and at wits end to reclaim our souls, some of us have been driven to our knees. When the pain of seeking in the world got too great, we reversed the direction of our search and turned within. We were graced with a realization that before we were a glint in our father's eye we were a spark of the Divine.
When it comes to knowing ourselves there is only one source, one parent that knows us as we truly are. Only this parent can show us our essential nature, love us unconditionally, and lead us unerringly into self awareness, and that is God, our true source. Before Mom and Dad you were created in the image and likeness of Love itself. That Loving parent is constantly reflecting its love back to us and recreating us in its image. This is the fully functional parent-child relationship that we all yearn for, and can all have at last.
I've not been a perfect father to our two boys. I've done some good, and I've made mistakes. I've been there for them, and I've been absent at times. I strive to improve but I will always fall short, which paradoxically I pray will lead them to the Father which art within them.
As Denese told you last week, I spent a week building a backyard deck for Denese's mom, in Vancouver, WA. It was an act of love. It was hard work, and I came up against my limitations, body and mind. I struggled figuring it out in my head and through my hands. Most of the time, my back and wrists ached. I hit myself with the hammer a few times, and beat myself up mentally for mistakes. The end result is not perfect, and the process was flawed. But when I finished last Tuesday I was sure of two things. I did my best, and Denese's Mom felt loved by my effort.
That's how love works at the human level. Whether it's parenting or any of our human relationships, we will make mistakes, the results will be less than perfect, but if we remember to check the level of our hearts and do our best to love each other, we will feel pretty good at the end of the day.
Be YOU, Be Here, Be Now
"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived." - Henry David Thoreau
Being ourselves as fully as possible, honoring our embodiment, and bringing our attention to this present moment are the keys to truly being alive and fulfilled in this lifetime.
As I write, Larry is in Vancouver, Washington building a new deck for my beloved 78-year-old mother. Larry has wanted to get back into woodworking and building with his hands. So when mom spoke to me about wanting a deck in her back yard, and knowing Larry was yearning for hands on creative self expression, it seemed a perfect match. From our brief conversations, they are having a fabulous time building, creating, and connecting together. What I know right now, is Larry is fully alive and in the moment, not thinking of anything else (measure twice, cut once, right?)
As for me, I have our kayak loaded on the car, our dog prances about, ready to run through the forest, as we prepare to drive up to Tahoe and immerse ourselves in the beauty of the high sierras tomorrow. That is, if this article gets written.
This Sunday we explore the theme of "Be You, Be Here, Be Now". Wanting to practice the theme of the Sunday message before it is delivered; I need to practice being fully myself. That means I need to get very quiet, and like Thoreau what works for me is walking the forest, resting in nature, and listening to the Great Spirit within.
It is a time in which all of us are called to experience our true selves; to leave the false self behind, and become reacquainted with our essential self. Remember what Oscar Wilder said, "Be yourself, everyone else is taken!"
It is part of our mission at Unity Center of Davis that we embrace our humanity, and at the same time, express our divinity. This is authentic spirituality--the ability to experience and express in both worlds. The authentic self is our essential self. This is our real identity, the under-the-surface, straight-to-the-core identity. This is the identity beyond the body that knows itself as spirit. This is the you and I that truly knows how to live and love.
Then there is the masked self, the one who shows up uninvited and disconnected from all life, not knowing where to go or how to respond. She's the one that when you leave the meeting or party everyone (including you) and says, "Who was that person?"
Sunday, we will explore these ideas in greater depth: How can we live more deliberately? What is authentic spirituality? How do we express authentically? How can we be more ourselves? What is our assignment here on earth?
As I return from the forest, I know I'll have a fresh sense of self to share a genuine message on authentic spirituality. We'll look at ways of becoming reacquainted with the YOU that truly knows how to live and love.
Being ourselves as fully as possible, honoring our embodiment, and bringing our attention to this present moment are the keys to truly being alive and fulfilled in this lifetime.
As I write, Larry is in Vancouver, Washington building a new deck for my beloved 78-year-old mother. Larry has wanted to get back into woodworking and building with his hands. So when mom spoke to me about wanting a deck in her back yard, and knowing Larry was yearning for hands on creative self expression, it seemed a perfect match. From our brief conversations, they are having a fabulous time building, creating, and connecting together. What I know right now, is Larry is fully alive and in the moment, not thinking of anything else (measure twice, cut once, right?)
As for me, I have our kayak loaded on the car, our dog prances about, ready to run through the forest, as we prepare to drive up to Tahoe and immerse ourselves in the beauty of the high sierras tomorrow. That is, if this article gets written.
This Sunday we explore the theme of "Be You, Be Here, Be Now". Wanting to practice the theme of the Sunday message before it is delivered; I need to practice being fully myself. That means I need to get very quiet, and like Thoreau what works for me is walking the forest, resting in nature, and listening to the Great Spirit within.
It is a time in which all of us are called to experience our true selves; to leave the false self behind, and become reacquainted with our essential self. Remember what Oscar Wilder said, "Be yourself, everyone else is taken!"
It is part of our mission at Unity Center of Davis that we embrace our humanity, and at the same time, express our divinity. This is authentic spirituality--the ability to experience and express in both worlds. The authentic self is our essential self. This is our real identity, the under-the-surface, straight-to-the-core identity. This is the identity beyond the body that knows itself as spirit. This is the you and I that truly knows how to live and love.
Then there is the masked self, the one who shows up uninvited and disconnected from all life, not knowing where to go or how to respond. She's the one that when you leave the meeting or party everyone (including you) and says, "Who was that person?"
Sunday, we will explore these ideas in greater depth: How can we live more deliberately? What is authentic spirituality? How do we express authentically? How can we be more ourselves? What is our assignment here on earth?
As I return from the forest, I know I'll have a fresh sense of self to share a genuine message on authentic spirituality. We'll look at ways of becoming reacquainted with the YOU that truly knows how to live and love.
And All Shall Be Well
"...All shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well" - St. Julian of Norwich
Every Sunday we conclude our service with a collective prayer which ends with the words, "all is well."
How is it that we can justify such an over arching statement of well being as a community affirmation? Are we ignorant, or in strict denial, of the human suffering in our midst?
Neither is true. We are not immune from the travails of the human life. Among us are many who have suffered loss, small and great. Some have lost small fortunes, others face life-threatening illness, and some of us grieve the death of loved ones.
How then, given our losses, can we express such a collective appraisal of well being? The answer is not in the circumstances of our lives, but in the context in which they arise.
We believe in a greater reality beyond form that holds us in its loving embrace. Beyond appearances of limitation and loss, we seek to know the infinite presence of Spirit within us and around us that remains undisturbed, and imperturbable through it all.
Rather than denying reality we are determined to see reality as it truly is-determined to awaken to God's irrefutable presence in the midst of our challenges rather than waiting for heaven in an afterlife. We do this with feet planted solidly on the ground of the present moment, standing shoulder to shoulder with fellow human beings, joined by our human vulnerability and spiritual strength. In this collective posture, we muster the resolve to look courageously into the face of our human dramas and affirm together:
The light of God surrounds us
The love of God enfolds us
The power of God protects us
And the presence of God watches over us
Wherever we are, God is
And all is well
Every Sunday we conclude our service with a collective prayer which ends with the words, "all is well."
How is it that we can justify such an over arching statement of well being as a community affirmation? Are we ignorant, or in strict denial, of the human suffering in our midst?
Neither is true. We are not immune from the travails of the human life. Among us are many who have suffered loss, small and great. Some have lost small fortunes, others face life-threatening illness, and some of us grieve the death of loved ones.
How then, given our losses, can we express such a collective appraisal of well being? The answer is not in the circumstances of our lives, but in the context in which they arise.
We believe in a greater reality beyond form that holds us in its loving embrace. Beyond appearances of limitation and loss, we seek to know the infinite presence of Spirit within us and around us that remains undisturbed, and imperturbable through it all.
Rather than denying reality we are determined to see reality as it truly is-determined to awaken to God's irrefutable presence in the midst of our challenges rather than waiting for heaven in an afterlife. We do this with feet planted solidly on the ground of the present moment, standing shoulder to shoulder with fellow human beings, joined by our human vulnerability and spiritual strength. In this collective posture, we muster the resolve to look courageously into the face of our human dramas and affirm together:
The light of God surrounds us
The love of God enfolds us
The power of God protects us
And the presence of God watches over us
Wherever we are, God is
And all is well
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Making Peace Your One Goal
There is a way of living in the world that is not here, although it seems to be. You do not change appearance, though you smile more frequently. Your forehead is serene; your eyes are quiet. - A Course in Miracles, WB 155
One of the most profound and elusive insights of spiritual mastery is that there is no time or place better than here and now. This is a tough pill to swallow because our object-oriented nature compels us to look out in space, and forward in time, to a place and time superior to life in this moment. We come by this honestly. The whole goal-setting approach encourages us to specify the circumstances and date certain to ensure we get what we want when we want. Our seeking in the world is always about when and then. Right now I bet you and I could easily call forth a wish list of things we wish were different; situations that appear to be barriers to our happiness. So let's get clear on how we navigate the human and spiritual journey; that allows us to work in the world and yet not be imprisoned by its ways and means of offering fulfillment.
There's nothing evil or sinful about wanting life changes or going after worthy goals. Clearly, in this world of form, there are certain conditions that support our needs and comforts better than others do. When we pursue those changes, it is only important that we realize the limitations to what they can give us. If I seek after a newer car, or more spacious house, or finer garments, I will experience greater ease and comfort and adornment on the plane of the purely physical. Nothing wrong with that as long as I understand what they cannot give me as well as what they can.
None of those externals can give me an abiding sense of peace, or love or joy, though I am frequently seduced to believe otherwise. These qualities arise out of my essence so when I equate peace, or any spiritual quality, with outer conditions I ensure that will seek but not find. When our goal is for peace of mind, or lasting joy, or abiding love, we must abandon the ways of the world lest we be frustrated by such a futile approach.
Spiritual mastery also teaches that it is just as frustrating and fruitless to seek after these spiritual qualities directly as if they were precious pearls hidden in the depth of our being. Once more, the spiritual way parts company with the world's way as non-doing trumps striving, and non-attachment trumps desire, and non-resistance trumps the good fight.
When we realize that effort and striving only build a case against the omnipresence of good and resistance only strengthens our lonely egoic self, we can embrace an attitude of letting go and letting God. The way to peace begins with allowing (internally) whatever form this moment takes, to be as it is. To internally align with the "isness" of life in this moment, releases us from the suffering of resisting life on its presenting terms.
I invite you to look at those situations in your life that seem to be limiting you right now with a fresh perspective. What if instead of being blocks to your good they are actually concealed portals into your deeper essence, your unconditioned nature? What if you made peace your one goal in this situation? See what happens when you let go of the resistance, stop fighting the form, align yourself with it, and say to yourself, "This is as it is." You may still take action in the outer, but internally you let go, and "be with it" without resistance. See if you do not notice a significant cathartic release of your stuck feeling and a return to greater peace.
One of the most profound and elusive insights of spiritual mastery is that there is no time or place better than here and now. This is a tough pill to swallow because our object-oriented nature compels us to look out in space, and forward in time, to a place and time superior to life in this moment. We come by this honestly. The whole goal-setting approach encourages us to specify the circumstances and date certain to ensure we get what we want when we want. Our seeking in the world is always about when and then. Right now I bet you and I could easily call forth a wish list of things we wish were different; situations that appear to be barriers to our happiness. So let's get clear on how we navigate the human and spiritual journey; that allows us to work in the world and yet not be imprisoned by its ways and means of offering fulfillment.
There's nothing evil or sinful about wanting life changes or going after worthy goals. Clearly, in this world of form, there are certain conditions that support our needs and comforts better than others do. When we pursue those changes, it is only important that we realize the limitations to what they can give us. If I seek after a newer car, or more spacious house, or finer garments, I will experience greater ease and comfort and adornment on the plane of the purely physical. Nothing wrong with that as long as I understand what they cannot give me as well as what they can.
None of those externals can give me an abiding sense of peace, or love or joy, though I am frequently seduced to believe otherwise. These qualities arise out of my essence so when I equate peace, or any spiritual quality, with outer conditions I ensure that will seek but not find. When our goal is for peace of mind, or lasting joy, or abiding love, we must abandon the ways of the world lest we be frustrated by such a futile approach.
Spiritual mastery also teaches that it is just as frustrating and fruitless to seek after these spiritual qualities directly as if they were precious pearls hidden in the depth of our being. Once more, the spiritual way parts company with the world's way as non-doing trumps striving, and non-attachment trumps desire, and non-resistance trumps the good fight.
When we realize that effort and striving only build a case against the omnipresence of good and resistance only strengthens our lonely egoic self, we can embrace an attitude of letting go and letting God. The way to peace begins with allowing (internally) whatever form this moment takes, to be as it is. To internally align with the "isness" of life in this moment, releases us from the suffering of resisting life on its presenting terms.
I invite you to look at those situations in your life that seem to be limiting you right now with a fresh perspective. What if instead of being blocks to your good they are actually concealed portals into your deeper essence, your unconditioned nature? What if you made peace your one goal in this situation? See what happens when you let go of the resistance, stop fighting the form, align yourself with it, and say to yourself, "This is as it is." You may still take action in the outer, but internally you let go, and "be with it" without resistance. See if you do not notice a significant cathartic release of your stuck feeling and a return to greater peace.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Bringing Darkness to the Light
A couple weeks ago, I shared with our congregation my recent inner struggle with the "blahs". In fact, it was the day before the sharing that I experienced a breakthrough from several days of moderate despair. I mentioned being stymied in not being able to identify the source of those feelings; just an abiding sense of gloom, with no palpable thread of causation.
Much of the feedback I received about that Sunday talk centered on the significance of the honest candor in which I shared my struggle. Many of you apparently are not accustomed to hearing about the human struggle from spiritual leaders. These struggles are legion, and the dearth of disclosures does not represent their scarce occurrence as much as it testifies to our reluctance to be forthcoming. In this article, I hope to offer some light on this topic that is too often avoided in positive spiritual discussion circles.
It happens, as the expression goes, to the best of us. Despite our spiritual foundation, our commitment to spiritual practice, self-awareness, familiarity with the terrain of our personal mind field, we can be tripped up, and fall from a state grace, joy, or peace. When this happens, our response can make all the difference in the world as to how we climb back to our natural God given state of joy and peace.
For many of us, our first response to such negative emotions is denial and/or guilt. Usually carried by the thought, I am spiritual; I can't be, or I shouldn't be feeling sad or depressed! That's simply not true. We all have egos; we are in this world to work out our feelings of separation from God. Whatever feelings arise, they are feedback to what we believe is true in any given moment. For that reason, we must acknowledge them. To deny or repress those feelings would ensure that we remain in darkness, painfully ignorant of what is going on in us. Until we can recognize that these feelings exist in us, we can't begin the spiritual correction process. Of course, our egos would deny these feelings or blame them on the world or other people. However when we deny or project, we ensure that the problem remains beyond our reach, and therefore unsolvable.
It is the good news-bad news of authentic spiritual understanding. On the surface, we confront what appears as the bad news; that the problem lies within us. The good news of course is that we have control over our inner experience, and that means there is a way out of our suffering. By admitting, I am feeling sad, I firmly establish this situation as my experience, with nobody or nothing to blame. When I take responsibility for my experience, I have correctly located the problem, where I can deal with it and find my way out.
So how do we get free when we're mired in
negative emotions? The answer is a reversal of the problem. A Course In Miracles says, "A sense of separation from God is the only lack you really need to correct." My ego does not want to hear this but it just happens to be the truth: My sadness (fear, anger, etc) is a result of a decision that I made. That decision was to see another person or myself or a situation without love. Some form of judgment on my part is blocking my heart and preventing God's love from flowing through me. This is spiritual angina, and it hurts like hell. My only way out is to see through God's eyes, which removes the scales of my faulty perception, and brings darkness into the light of truth. If we are willing to listen to Spirit's voice, we will be shown the truth in any situation, and be blessed by the reversal that turns our darkness into light.
Here is the systematic process offered by ACIM:
I must have decided wrongly, because I am not at peace.
I made the decision myself, but I can also decide otherwise.
I want to decide otherwise, because I want to be at peace.
I do not feel guilty, because the Holy Spirit will undo all the
consequences of my wrong decision if I will let Him.
I choose to let Him, by allowing Him to decide for God for me.
Much of the feedback I received about that Sunday talk centered on the significance of the honest candor in which I shared my struggle. Many of you apparently are not accustomed to hearing about the human struggle from spiritual leaders. These struggles are legion, and the dearth of disclosures does not represent their scarce occurrence as much as it testifies to our reluctance to be forthcoming. In this article, I hope to offer some light on this topic that is too often avoided in positive spiritual discussion circles.
It happens, as the expression goes, to the best of us. Despite our spiritual foundation, our commitment to spiritual practice, self-awareness, familiarity with the terrain of our personal mind field, we can be tripped up, and fall from a state grace, joy, or peace. When this happens, our response can make all the difference in the world as to how we climb back to our natural God given state of joy and peace.
For many of us, our first response to such negative emotions is denial and/or guilt. Usually carried by the thought, I am spiritual; I can't be, or I shouldn't be feeling sad or depressed! That's simply not true. We all have egos; we are in this world to work out our feelings of separation from God. Whatever feelings arise, they are feedback to what we believe is true in any given moment. For that reason, we must acknowledge them. To deny or repress those feelings would ensure that we remain in darkness, painfully ignorant of what is going on in us. Until we can recognize that these feelings exist in us, we can't begin the spiritual correction process. Of course, our egos would deny these feelings or blame them on the world or other people. However when we deny or project, we ensure that the problem remains beyond our reach, and therefore unsolvable.
It is the good news-bad news of authentic spiritual understanding. On the surface, we confront what appears as the bad news; that the problem lies within us. The good news of course is that we have control over our inner experience, and that means there is a way out of our suffering. By admitting, I am feeling sad, I firmly establish this situation as my experience, with nobody or nothing to blame. When I take responsibility for my experience, I have correctly located the problem, where I can deal with it and find my way out.
So how do we get free when we're mired in
negative emotions? The answer is a reversal of the problem. A Course In Miracles says, "A sense of separation from God is the only lack you really need to correct." My ego does not want to hear this but it just happens to be the truth: My sadness (fear, anger, etc) is a result of a decision that I made. That decision was to see another person or myself or a situation without love. Some form of judgment on my part is blocking my heart and preventing God's love from flowing through me. This is spiritual angina, and it hurts like hell. My only way out is to see through God's eyes, which removes the scales of my faulty perception, and brings darkness into the light of truth. If we are willing to listen to Spirit's voice, we will be shown the truth in any situation, and be blessed by the reversal that turns our darkness into light.
Here is the systematic process offered by ACIM:
I must have decided wrongly, because I am not at peace.
I made the decision myself, but I can also decide otherwise.
I want to decide otherwise, because I want to be at peace.
I do not feel guilty, because the Holy Spirit will undo all the
consequences of my wrong decision if I will let Him.
I choose to let Him, by allowing Him to decide for God for me.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
A Love Only A Mother Could Love
“Your task is not to seek for love but merely to seek and find all of the barriers within yourself that you have built against it. “
These words come from A Course in Miracles, a spiritual philosophy that has been called a modern day translation of the teachings of Jesus. The very origin of ACIM grew out of a conflicted relationship between two colleagues at Columbia University, and their willingness to find a better way to work together. Their expressed agreement to find that better way was the apparent catalyst for the transmission (through inner dictation) of the three volumes of A Course in Miracles.
The main theme of ACIM is a radical forgiveness message. From the Course perspective, forgiveness is offered not because one is being good and charitable but because what we perceive in others, which lead to our judgments and resentments, is simply not true. Within us are two voices, the voice of the ego (our false self, which believes it is separate from God and others) and the voice of the Holy Spirit (our true self based upon our eternal connection with God who created us in its likeness). When we listen to the ego's voice, we will see our brother and ourselves through the lens of separation. Such perception attributes fault and guilt, and justifies blaming, attacking, and all judgments. This faulty perception is what Jesus referred to as the "log in our eye" that blinds us to seeing our brother as he truly is. If we choose, (and willingness is the key to forgiveness) we can ask for and hear the voice of Truth. Attuned to this voice and its holy perception we are shown our brother as God sees him; one who has simply forgotten who he truly is. In his dream of separation, oblivious to love's presence, his behavior is actually a call for love. This perception permits us to see him as guiltless and innocent, and we forgive by looking past his errors. At the same time, we are forgiving ourselves, looking past our distorted self-concepts to the Self That God created us to be.
Jesus demonstrated this kind of "seeing" masterfully. It was his Christ vision that could look upon those who betrayed and destroyed his body; and extend his forgiveness by looking past their errors and beholding their essential innocence. Because he did not see them as victimizers, neither could he be a victim.
When we accept responsibility for our reactions to the slings and arrows of life, we are no longer victims. Ultimately, forgiveness can bring us peace of mind, happiness, a quiet mind, a certainty of purpose, and a sense of worth and beauty. All of heaven is behind us in that quest. It is not withheld from us. It may come at a desperate time when we ache from the inner conflict of resentment, and are finally willing to seek a better way. This tiny willingness is all that Spirit needs to help us find a way to forgive.
This is such a high teaching and we tend to think a love so pure is only possible through an enlightened master such as Jesus or a Mother Theresa or a Dali Lama, but many of us have known such love from our own mothers. Of course, my mother was not perfect; she had her human flaws and hang-ups like the rest of humanity. The perfect love that indwelled her, sometimes expressed imperfectly. Yet, I witnessed on many occasions a depth of unconditional love so pure and unflinching that left me knowing with certainty that nothing could block her love for me. While disapproving of my behavior, she nonetheless was able to look past my mistakes, and see the innocence and perfection of my being. This is divine love, expressed perfectly through a human being. It’s a model for love and forgiveness. And it’s not just reserved for Moms, though they are our greatest teachers of this potential in all of us. Thanks Mom. I miss your presence, yet your lesson on love is very much alive in me this day.
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