“…So we fix our eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is Eternal.” These words ring Universally true for me and were echoed in President Obama’s opening remarks at Newtown, Connecticut, December 16.
Here we are, celebrating a Season of Light that covers many traditions, and the darkness came…and how do we explain it. Humanly, we scrape and scratch to make sense of that which is insensible and incomprehensible…maybe as a mental antidote to the intolerable emotional and physical pain we feel. And yet, if you and I stay in the mental atmosphere of searching for answers, we are self-condemned to pain and struggle. Salvation comes by degrees, when we feel the grief, sadness, despair and still retain a conscious connection with that aspect of our nature which remains intact…call it Spirit, God, Infinite Intelligence, Buddha Nature, Emmanuel, Brahma or Allah. The thirst to feel a measure of solace through the presence of Divine Love is our soul seeking an outlet for the inner spiritual resources which exist and which can see us through during “the best of times and the worst of times.”
Our lives are experienced simultaneously in the realms of mind, body and spirit. We are truly so much more than our physical forms. Yes, we have thoughts, feelings and experiences and yes, we also are not our thoughts, feeling, bodies or experiences. Our true nature is Pure Spirit and it is by turning to the indwelling Spirit and allowing this ‘spiritual uprising’ to penetrate and permeate our awareness, that we receive growing glimmers of solace, comfort and peace. It is through our intangible sense of the Infinite working through our finite lives that a greater purpose, meaning and vision moves and inspires us to being better and doing good, so that those who died live on through us.
We must continue to be beacons of light for those in our human midst who suffer, so that the light is passed on throughout Eternity…person, by person, by person. This truly occurs, since somewhere beyond what physical eyes see is a coherent connecting pattern which proves our Universal Oneness. That which is timeless, spaceless, birthless and deathless is Divine and it lives on through everyone. Our task is to be better at being brave and courageously committed to embodying the triumph of light over darkness, and the victory of spirit over matter. This is the Christ Consciousness which is truly born in new splendor and glory this Christmas by means of you, by means of me…for the benefit and blessing of all humanity.
AWARENESS CONTEMPLATION:Upon waking, as well as during the course of the day, take several moments to withdraw your attention, as well as yourself physically, from worldly ‘doing’ and enter a state of ‘being.’ Take a few deep, relaxing breaths and silently repeat, “God Is, I Am.” Silently affirm God Is on your inhalation and I Am when you exhale. No need to force, if this isn’t comfortable, allow your own pattern of breath and mantra repetition to reveal its own unified rhythm. Stay with this, and when aware your attention wavers, gently come back to your repetition. What you are doing is acknowledging that you are consciously and directly in charge of where your awareness goes and you choose to use it to deepen your sense of identification with your Divine nature. Repeat on a daily basis and throughout the day, when feeling caught up in those worldly ways…Stop, look and listen in the silence to your Self-induced soul remembrance that God Is, I Am.
AFFIRMATIVE PRAYER:I scan the actions and events of the world and know it is my personal call to prayer. I declare with loving conviction that there is One Life, that Life is God, that Life is Perfect, Whole and Complete…regardless of appearances…and that Life is my life now and always. I draw upon my inner spiritual resources of clarity, wisdom, harmony and faith, in order that my thoughts, feelings and actions are projected from this awareness of a power beyond, that is truly within myself and all. This Power represents Infinite Good and through me goes forth to do good in the ways of creating greater ‘peace on earth, good will for all.’ And, this is my positive prayer for peace today, tomorrow and always. I give thanks that this is the way it really is and so I let it be.
* REMINDER: To explore more ideas on this topic, as they personally relate to your life, e-mail me at: revsue@verizon.net.
Abundant and loving blessings during this and all seasons!
Dr. Sue