Good surrounds us. However, from time to time, we take our focus off of good and see evil or the dark side of humanity. That is human.
Sometimes, we either consciously or sub-consciously choose to dwell there - stewing in a concoction misery. If we choose to dwell there, within a short period of time, all that we will see, smell, hear, and feel will be misery. We will be certain, (affirmed by our experience) that there is nothing but misery in the world. This would be an error.
When you find yourself immersed in misery remember this keystone principle “If you want to change your life – change your mind.” Choose to see the good. In fact, surrender to the Presence of Good.
When you surrender to the Presence of Good, you will invite in all the good that surrounds you and you will come to understand that this good had never left you. It was there all along, you merely choose not to see it, experience it or know it.
Let this be your affirmation today:
“If there is anything in me that denies the Power of Good within me, I loose it and let it go. I surrender to and fully accept the Presence of Good.”
Don’t believe me – go test it for yourself and let me know how your day turns out!
Showing posts with label prayer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label prayer. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Enlightenment Surrounds You - Just Go!
Greetings Everyone! This week's lesson comes from the Teaching of Buddha as scribed by Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai.
"Indeed, those who seek for Enlightenment must think of their minds as castles and decorate them. They must open wide the gates of their minds for Buddha (my word: Spirit) and respectfully and humbly invite Him to enter the inmost chamber, there to offer Him the fragrant incense of Faith and the flowers of gratitude and gladness."
Each day, as I prepare to meditate, I ask Spirit to guide me to the book, author, page, affirmation or even prayer, that is to serve as my inspiration for meditation that day. After I've read - what I've been called to read, I light the candle on my "prayer wheel" . The prayer wheel is a small silver dish with a niche for a small votive candle in it's center. Surrounding the candle are the words that I begin my meditation with.
"The Light of God surrounds you. The Love of God enfolds you. The Presence of God watches over you. The Power of God protects you. Wherever you are, God is. Wherever you are, God is. Wherever you are, God is. "
After saying these words aloud, I fall silent and focus on the flickering flame. I allow thoughts of the words on my prayer wheel to clear my mind of the normal "chatter". And then I ask Spirit to show me what it is that I'm to learn from earlier lesson. (The reading I was guided to read.)
Then I listen.
I listen to my breath. As I inhale I say to myself "Wisdom in". As I exhale I say "Excess out". Soon I will have stopped talking and I will start to hear "me speak to me." Spirit using my own voice to speak to me - Enlightening me.
So today, I invite you to try it. I invite you to meditate, pray, treat, get centered and allow yourself to be Enlightened. I will share with you a small reading. Once you've read it - be silent and ask yourself - "What is Spirit guiding me to learn from this lesson?" Enlightenment is all around you. Go get it! Give it away to others and Get use to surrounding yourself with gladness. Here's the story:
"Once there was a boy named Sudhana who also wished for Enlightenment and earnestly sought the way. From a fisherman he learned the lore of the sea. From a doctor he learned compassion toward sick people in their suffering. From a wealthy man he learned that saving pennies was the secret of his fortune and thought how necessary it was to conserve every trifling gained on the path to Enlightenment.
From a meditating monk he learned that the pure and peaceful mind had a miraculous power to purify and tranquilize other minds. Once he met a woman of exceptional personality and was impressed by her benevolent spirit, and from her he learned a lesson that charity was the fruit of wisdom. Once he met an aged wanderer who told him that to reach a certain place he had to scale a mountain of swords and pass through a valley of fire. Thus Sudhana learned from his experiences that there was true teaching to be gained from everything he saw or heard.
He learned patience from a poor, crippled woman; he learned a lesson of simple happiness from watching children playing in the street; and from some gentle and humble people, who never thought of wanting anything that anybody else wanted, he learned the secret of living at peace with all the world.
He learned a lesson of harmony from watching the blending of the elements of incense, and a lesson thanksgiving from the arrangement of flowers. One day, passing through a forest, he took a rest under a noble tree and noticed a tiny seedling growing near by out of a fallen and decaying tree and it taught him a lesson of the uncertainty of life.
Sunlight by day and the twinkling stars by night constantly refreshed his spirit. Thus Sudhana profited by the experiences of his long journey.
Indeed, those who seek for Enlightenment must think of their minds as castles and decorate them, They must open wide the gates for their minds for Buddha (my words: Spirit) and respectfully and humbly invite Him to enter the inmost chamber, there to offer Him the fragrant incense of Faith and the flowers of gratitude and gladness."
[The Teaching of Buddha; Kyokai; "The Way of Practical Attainment - Lesson #9; pages 318-322]
"Indeed, those who seek for Enlightenment must think of their minds as castles and decorate them. They must open wide the gates of their minds for Buddha (my word: Spirit) and respectfully and humbly invite Him to enter the inmost chamber, there to offer Him the fragrant incense of Faith and the flowers of gratitude and gladness."
Each day, as I prepare to meditate, I ask Spirit to guide me to the book, author, page, affirmation or even prayer, that is to serve as my inspiration for meditation that day. After I've read - what I've been called to read, I light the candle on my "prayer wheel" . The prayer wheel is a small silver dish with a niche for a small votive candle in it's center. Surrounding the candle are the words that I begin my meditation with.
"The Light of God surrounds you. The Love of God enfolds you. The Presence of God watches over you. The Power of God protects you. Wherever you are, God is. Wherever you are, God is. Wherever you are, God is. "
After saying these words aloud, I fall silent and focus on the flickering flame. I allow thoughts of the words on my prayer wheel to clear my mind of the normal "chatter". And then I ask Spirit to show me what it is that I'm to learn from earlier lesson. (The reading I was guided to read.)
Then I listen.
I listen to my breath. As I inhale I say to myself "Wisdom in". As I exhale I say "Excess out". Soon I will have stopped talking and I will start to hear "me speak to me." Spirit using my own voice to speak to me - Enlightening me.
So today, I invite you to try it. I invite you to meditate, pray, treat, get centered and allow yourself to be Enlightened. I will share with you a small reading. Once you've read it - be silent and ask yourself - "What is Spirit guiding me to learn from this lesson?" Enlightenment is all around you. Go get it! Give it away to others and Get use to surrounding yourself with gladness. Here's the story:
"Once there was a boy named Sudhana who also wished for Enlightenment and earnestly sought the way. From a fisherman he learned the lore of the sea. From a doctor he learned compassion toward sick people in their suffering. From a wealthy man he learned that saving pennies was the secret of his fortune and thought how necessary it was to conserve every trifling gained on the path to Enlightenment.
From a meditating monk he learned that the pure and peaceful mind had a miraculous power to purify and tranquilize other minds. Once he met a woman of exceptional personality and was impressed by her benevolent spirit, and from her he learned a lesson that charity was the fruit of wisdom. Once he met an aged wanderer who told him that to reach a certain place he had to scale a mountain of swords and pass through a valley of fire. Thus Sudhana learned from his experiences that there was true teaching to be gained from everything he saw or heard.
He learned patience from a poor, crippled woman; he learned a lesson of simple happiness from watching children playing in the street; and from some gentle and humble people, who never thought of wanting anything that anybody else wanted, he learned the secret of living at peace with all the world.
He learned a lesson of harmony from watching the blending of the elements of incense, and a lesson thanksgiving from the arrangement of flowers. One day, passing through a forest, he took a rest under a noble tree and noticed a tiny seedling growing near by out of a fallen and decaying tree and it taught him a lesson of the uncertainty of life.
Sunlight by day and the twinkling stars by night constantly refreshed his spirit. Thus Sudhana profited by the experiences of his long journey.
Indeed, those who seek for Enlightenment must think of their minds as castles and decorate them, They must open wide the gates for their minds for Buddha (my words: Spirit) and respectfully and humbly invite Him to enter the inmost chamber, there to offer Him the fragrant incense of Faith and the flowers of gratitude and gladness."
[The Teaching of Buddha; Kyokai; "The Way of Practical Attainment - Lesson #9; pages 318-322]
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Holiday Greetings!
Wow what a year!
This year I was lead to teach, preach and write about Embracing Change. Now as 2009 comes to a close, I'm reminded of what a wise mentor once told me: "Teach what you need to learn and you will be assured to grow." He was right.
Little did I know at the the beginning of the year, that so much would change in my life. However, I want you to to know that even with all the changes, what I value most still remains at year's end - loving friends and the experience of joy each and every day of my life. so as this holiday unfolds, I will you all health and happiness and I give thanks that you were all a part of my journey.
Please join me in affirming Peace and Prosperity throughout the world. Love and Friends - Rev. Jack
This year I was lead to teach, preach and write about Embracing Change. Now as 2009 comes to a close, I'm reminded of what a wise mentor once told me: "Teach what you need to learn and you will be assured to grow." He was right.
Little did I know at the the beginning of the year, that so much would change in my life. However, I want you to to know that even with all the changes, what I value most still remains at year's end - loving friends and the experience of joy each and every day of my life. so as this holiday unfolds, I will you all health and happiness and I give thanks that you were all a part of my journey.
Please join me in affirming Peace and Prosperity throughout the world. Love and Friends - Rev. Jack
Monday, May 12, 2008
Thoughts to Ponder...How to think is to learn how to live.
Have you ever stopped to ponder - just what is prayer?
The Science of Mind teaches us that " A prayer is a movement (flowing) of thought, within the mind of the one praying, along a definite line of meditation; that is for a specific purpose." - SOM p28
Therefore man's thought, falling into - flowing through - his subjective mind, merges with the Universal Mind and becomes the law of his life, through the one great law of all life. How to think is to learn how to live.
Each individual maintains his identity in Law, through his personal use of it. And each is drawing from Life what he thinks into it! SOM p29/30
Therefore, when you pray today - keep your attention on your intention! Pray for a specific "Devine" outcome. Then give your undivided attention to recognizing the answer to your prayer. Claim it as already being so and be greatful for the Life you thought up! - Rev. Jack
The Science of Mind teaches us that " A prayer is a movement (flowing) of thought, within the mind of the one praying, along a definite line of meditation; that is for a specific purpose." - SOM p28
Therefore man's thought, falling into - flowing through - his subjective mind, merges with the Universal Mind and becomes the law of his life, through the one great law of all life. How to think is to learn how to live.
Each individual maintains his identity in Law, through his personal use of it. And each is drawing from Life what he thinks into it! SOM p29/30
Therefore, when you pray today - keep your attention on your intention! Pray for a specific "Devine" outcome. Then give your undivided attention to recognizing the answer to your prayer. Claim it as already being so and be greatful for the Life you thought up! - Rev. Jack
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