What is the Spritiual Path but the Life You Live?

I think those who seem to have an urge to live a spiritual life find that before they were "enlightened" they washed dishes, drove to meetings or appointments, petted a dog, hug another human, laughed, cried and in general did a whole range of activities complete with responses and feelings. After "enlightenment", guess what? Those things still happened.

If there was any difference it was in how they dealt with and reacted to the fact that these were happening. Hugging someone for example had more meaning, depth, and love than before. You can become more of an observer of what you are living than to be forever caught up in identifying yourself as that which you are experiencing. It is a difficult phenomenon to explain but once you get a glimpse of it, you don't have to have an explanation - you know what I am talking about.

I dip in and out of being identified with my woes and remember that I am more than all my joys or sorrows. I know that in the long run I am just a spiritual being having a human experience.

I am the Divine living in, as, and through this thing I call "me". When I can remember that, it helps to make my path smoother when there are bumps in the road and it makes me full of gratitude for all there is.

The Dance of Love

Please dance with me I heard her say
He took her hand and they danced away
But she went to and went fro
And how they could dance I do not know

She tried and cried and he did too
Dancing that dance the best that they could
Her breath was shallow and her body worn
His stamina was waning and his locks were shorn

Practically beaten yet still carrying the flag
The two of them kept dancing a sad little rag
The heaven were saddened and rain began to fall
This soon could be the end of the “Two-lovers’ ball”

The song is still playing for the dance to go forth
But they hear music from the South and the North
Which way will it go? Will the dance be over soon?
Or will the music keep them dancing to a different tune?

God only knows how the heart beats and goes
While stumbling feet try to keep off the toes
Where will it go this heart-driven quest?
However it goes Love will somehow know best

Brenda Osgood Andradzki Elliott
March 17, 2009

Russian Nesting Dolls and that which we call God

If you have ever seen or owned the nesting dolls then you know that there is one large one and nestled inside of that is another and then another and then another, etc.

What if God was the furthermost "doll" and inside of God was all there is? But this is a difficult analogy because our minds then would see God sitting somewhere with everything inside and God would have an "outside" surrounding "Him/Her/It". And if there is nothing outside of God and that God is present everywhere (and nowhere too I might add) then that image would be incorrect.

But for the sake of trying to get one's arms around something that will take him/her to the real thing, then we may proceed.

Now, would the nesting dolls (that is all of creation) inside of the God doll be what they appear to be (that is, separate and different from God) or would they be made of the same substance?

And if your mind can stand it contemplate this possibility. There is only separation within our story, within out little self that has been created by us, the who and what we think we are. Contemplate who and what it is that contemplates and who and what notices variations. Drop the story. What’s left?

EVERY THOUGHT, WORD, AND DEED IS PRAYER

Sometimes I have fussed at myself for not "praying" and yet part of me felt that it wasn't necessary to assume a prayer posture of some sort or become very still, use rosary beads, say written prayers, make up some prayers, or any other such thing in order to be praying. I guess deep down I have always known that prayer was much more than that.

IF every thought, word, and deed IS prayer how would that not perhaps make people more conscious of what they are thinking, saying, or doing? Maybe this would have a huge impact upon a person's life. It is making one in mine.

Prayer isn't necessarily a petition, an expression of thanksgiving, a time of confession, or a time to pay respects or homage to Buddha, Allah, God, Great Spirit, etc. because all your thoughts, words and deeds are all prayer no matter how your mind sees it, no matter what your beliefs are, how you do anything or why you do it.

Again, IF every thought, word, and deed is prayer, then you might want to examine what you are thinking, what you are saying, and what you are doing. Do your thoughts, words, and deeds reflect what you really want them to?

Reflect! Reflect is an interesting word. It can mean likeness, mirror image, signal, request, and even manifestation. So are your words, thoughts, and deeds sending out signals, requests, likeness, or manifestations of what you truly want?

If prayer is all of this then what are you asking of God/Universe/Great Spirit/or whatever you call God?

Your thoughts, words, and deeds are like the rudder of a ship that directs your journey. If you care where the rudder is taking you, remember that you are setting the course. Take the helm and "Infinite, Divine Power" will do the rest.

THE DAWN'S EARLY LIGHT

We have all heard the expression, "It dawned on me..." Dawn is the time of day where gradually the dark turns into light. We all are on a spiritual journey. Some people are just more aware of that than others and are with awareness they are actively taking steps towards the Light.

In the early dawn's light we are beginning to see outlines and shapes of things yet to be revealed. The heart quickens and more life begins to stir within and the excitement mounts. We anticipate the coming of light when we can see more clearly. What might have been frightening in the dark before the dawn is shown to be what it is. Rather than that snake we thought we saw on the driveway, we now see it was a tree branch. I had that experience about a month ago followed by a good laugh the next morning.

In the dark, many things may seem to be ugly, unacceptable, or wrong and we want to get out our flashlight and reveal just what needs to be changed, fixed, or done away with in the world, in others, and sometimes even ourselves. A flashlight is light shed by our selves, our wounded egos, and is artificial. It never reveals things as they really are. But the Light that is within us waiting to be recognized and nurtured reveals things as they truly are.

So put the flashlight away and open up to the Light within. Allow the Universal Creative Energy some call God to bring the dawn to you. It's the only way. The other ways through human effort with wounded ego or idea of self and the world is like a photograph. A photograph is only an image and while gives a likeness of what is real it is not the real thing. It falls short of revealing the true nature of the person or object.

While waiting for the dawn's light, focus upon what a glorious world it will be when you can see what was hidden from you in the dark.

Oh, say can you see?

YOU ARE A MASTERPIECE

Michelangelo's David started out as a block of stone until he saw David inside that block and began to free him. Chipping away he removed all that was not David ever keeping his attention and vision upon the David within the stone. The end result was a masterpiece that has left many in awe for centuries.

Within us is a masterpiece of perfection. If we accept our mission, our soul’s purpose, we will begin to allow the chipping away at the stuff that hides that masterpiece. The stuff that no longer serves us or others; the stuff that we have taken on since our entry into human form into the society in which we live; and the stuff that keeps us from loving and being loved are just pieces of the stone that hides our natural, beautiful, magnificent Selves.

Sometimes the process of chipping away unwanted and unneeded stone is painful but it is worth it in order to obtain the joy, peace, and love that is just a surrender away. It is our choice.

Within every one of us abides the Perfect One. Until you know that, really know that, you can hold the vision of that possibility for yourself and for others. Eventually this will become your reality.

When we surrender to Divine Love, we fulfill our soul/sole purpose in being here. We then become the masterpiece we always were.

NOT MISSING A BEAT

I am still pondering and being amazed at the way that I am grieving this time. My life seems to be going on filled with love and a zest for life.

This is so contrary to how things normally go for us humans when we lose someone we love. I keep asking, "How can this be?" What comes back is many different possibilities or combinations thereof.

How can I explain the love I carry around inside of me that keeps me from hitting the ground?

It seems I haven't missed a beat and I keep dancing to my life's tune. Perhaps it is because I dance to a different tune and my music comes from the Source of all. It is not of my doing. I have only to hear the music and abandon myself to the dance.

Dance with me.