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]

Your Life is Like a River

This week's dialogue is born out of a quote in my mediation lesson for April 17, in the book "365 Science of Mind - A year of daily Wisdom from Ernest Holmes" it reads:

" If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, 'Be thou removed, and be cast into the sea': it shall be done." - Matthew 21:21.

It's about intention! It's about the power of our words. Each word we whisper, speak, shout, or say silently to ourselves is a declaration of our intention for what we say to be so. Ernest Holmes' lesson went on to say:

Our activity of though is actually a Divine compulsion of the One Mind in us seeking an ever-increasing achievement and expression through us. The forms and outlets for this self-conscious process of though, which appear as a unique creation of life in man, may manifest in many ways.

We each interpret and use the urge for greater expression. For some, the fulfillment of this inner drive may be found in a new home, increased business activity, or better health, as well as in a desire for greater spiritual awareness.

All of these desires are urges of the indwelling Intelligence and we either can combat the urges we feel or we can give then expression. The choice is ours to make. But we cannot stand still. We have to continue to express this action of Life within us because creativity is our Divine Essence.

Our lives and experiences may well be likened to a river. If we stand on the bank of a river and watch it flow by, we become aware that the river never changes but that its content is always new. By analogy, we might say the purposeful dynamic quality of life within us never changes, but the content of our experience of living never remains the same.

So ponder this:

As you meditate today - in your minds eye stand on the bank of the river of your life. See that river flowing before you and notice the content. Don't judge what you see - just notice. Know that whatever is there - is the manifestation of your words. It was born out of an urge, an idea - it was your intention for it to be there. Now, if you no longer desire for "it" to be there - bless it and allow it to flow on by. Allow it to be washed down stream.

Now notice your reflection. Bless the being that is you. Take a breath and notice "what's new". What beautiful new thing has come down stream to enrich your life? Allow yourself to see all that good that surrounds you. This is also the manifestation of your words. Relish in the idea that through the power of your words, you can cast the mountain into the sea. Now "Go" do what you've been called to do. "Give" graciously to those that you have been called to support and "Get" the love and the gifts that are Divinely yours.

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

Manifesting a Life That Works Means Embracing and Evoking Change

From Rev. Jack

Since 2009 is all about Embracing Change, I am committed to evoking positive change in each aspect of my life.

I’m committed to doing only those things that bring me joy and to keep my attention on my intention. It is my intention to teach people how to have a life that works. My vision is to preach, teach and write.

It is my intention to preach the laws of thought; the concept that we all live in a Spiritual Universe that God is in, through, around and for us! I’m committed to writing about how our “values” guide us, shape us and are life right now is the perfect manifestation of our values.

I know and accept that if I am to live a life that works and if I am to keep my “attention on my Intention”. I also know and accept that there are “to-dos” that must be fulfilled. If I do the work, things will move along and I will experience the joy in each and everything I manifest – my life will work!

Rev. Andriette Earl (Heart and Soul Center of Light) teaches us that each morning when we awake we should choose to see the new day as a “clean canvas”. We can create this new day in any way we want to experience it. She suggests that we are to imagine that we’re painting it the way that we want it to be, regardless of the impressions (sketches – pencil marks – imprints – paint strokes) left from the day before. If we don’t like how it looks, paint over it. What an amazing metaphor for Embracing Change.

So I ask you – “What needs to change in your life today? Is there a relationship that you need to see differently?” If yes, how would you have it? How would you depict that relationship on a clean canvas? Visualize how you would want it to be; reflecting on how you will “feel” when the new image does indeed manifest in your life. Now claim it! Let your mantra be: “My life with ____________ works!”

Each and every moment today, when you sense, feel, experience that the relationship with this other person is changing, or demonstrating to you that the relationship is moving toward your vision, say “thank you”. If you don’t experience such a shift - claim it anyway. Then check in with your inner self to make sure that you are “mirroring” how you want to experience this relationship. Choose peace. Choose calm. Choose to see the other person as whole and complete and be patient. Let Spirit intercede and then listen. Listen for Spirit to guide you as to which of your “values” need to be adjusted so that you can have a life that works and that this relationship will indeed be healed. Have a wonderful day!

I’ve been reading (using) a daily journal called “Spirit is Calling” by Edward Viljoen – better said; I began the year using it.

Today, ensconced in the surroundings of being back in the comfort of my den, I reached for it once more.As I opened to read the lesson of the day, I noticed that I had last opened the book on April 7th. I paused and asked myself – “What happened on April 8th? Why did I stop?”

The answer: It was on April 8th that I decided it was time for me to return to my house – to my home. In February of 2008, I needed to step away from the home that I thought was to be “our” home. Grieving twelve years of lost expectations had taken its toll and I needed to step away. Now, that I had decided it was time for me to make the house “my home”, I still had fears. I feared the walls would still seep with memories of “us”.

Regardless of my fears, I took the risk. When I opened the door, what I found was shocking. Warped hardwood floors, dirty walls, and backyard that had been ignored for 14 months. Needless to say, not one old memory remained. I could not recognize this house, as anything I would have once called my home. In truth, this disaster was actually a blessing.

I found myself surrounded by friends that jumped in and within 90-days transformed what looked like an abandon rental, into a house that I’m willing to proclaim as “my” home. So today I am so very grateful that the universe sent me the right people, at the right time, to walk with me through this transition.

Thank you Jeff, Deb, Eric and Matthew, the tiling, cutting, drilling, lifting, touting, hanging and moving were effortless because of your willing to help out. And a very special thank you to Diane, who sanded, buffed and painted each and every inch of wall, ceiling, and cabinetry.

I have often said that when the challenge seems too much – just move one rock. 90 days ago, I didn’t know where to begin – but they did. They taught me that it didn’t matter which rock was moved first, just start shoveling and don’t look back.

It’s good to be home.

Surround Yourself with Powerful Woman

A seminar I attended aimed to encourage executive management to recruit and retain women in a typically male-dominated auto-manufacturing environment. I was already on board for that cause, but as a human resources executive, attendance was mandatory. Perhaps, I looked bored. Maybe the facilitator thought I looked “safe.” But suddenly I was singled out.

She asked: “Who is the most successful woman you know?” and, “who is the most powerful?” The facilitator mistook my delay in responding as an indication I couldn’t name one powerful woman in my life. “Mr. Elliott, can’t you name one woman that you’d consider to be powerful?”

“Oh yes — I can name a dozen.”

She thought I was being sarcastic, but I could easily name 12 powerful women in my life. Most of the other men in the seminar mentioned their wives or a great teacher. But at the end of the day, could only come up with only two or three names.

I left the seminar in a reflective mood. Proud that in my life I’m surrounded by women who are newspaper editors, elected officials, business owners, spiritual leaders, teachers, nonprofit leaders, corporate executives, and home technicians that are all powerful women.

As I drove away, I reflected on the last question of the day: “What aspect of their power influences you or touches you the most?” For me the answer was easy: “Laughter.” All these women love life and love to laugh.

A few years ago, I was visiting two of my friends in their home in Las Vegas. I was in another room, but from the adjoining room, I could hear Vera’s laughter. It was spontaneous, unedited and full of joy. For the first time in my life, I knew what joy sounded like. I could write volumes on this woman’s powerful journey, but for now I’ll say that when I hear her laughter, I know that all is right with the world.

If I have a day when I’m feeling particularly blue, all I need do is conjure up the sound of Vera’s laughter in my mind. I’m immediately healed. Now that’s power.So if you want to be successful, surround yourself with powerful women — women who can laugh.

• Thinking Out Loud runs occasionally in Our Town. To reach Jack, write him at jackrelliott@yahoo.com or call 209 830-7724.

Do You Know Your Neighbors?

Recently I have been exploring cyber-social networking. One week after joining Facebook, I had nearly 100 friends in my network. I was connected to whom I wanted to be connected; then I heard from the sibling of elementary school chum.

Siblings of school chums? Why? Do I need to know that Dane Starbuck, the younger brother of my best friend in high school, is attending his son’s soccer game in Carmel Indiana. Even so, curiosity had me “Googling” Dane just to see if I could find out something about his brother Steve. What came up in my search were two books Dane had written about my hometown of Winchester Indiana.

One, a biography about Pierre Goodrich a former Governor of Indiana. The other book was a novel “To Love an African Violet”. Then next thing I knew, I was ordering the book on Amazon.com. It arrived last Wednesday.

Thursday morning I was numb from all the news of Sandra Cantu. I just couldn’t take anymore news. As a diversion, I decided to read Dane’s book hoping that it would take my mind off my sadness. About 100 pages in Dane describe an event in the one of his characters life that came directly from my childhood.

“I was comforted by familiar sounds of the trains rumbling through our backyard…but there was another sound, a more distant one that was even more comforting. Each day at 7:00 a.m., 3:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m., I would stop whatever I was doing, as if a Muslim obeying the daily ritual of prayers, to listen to the whistle blows at the Local Glass Works – everything in the town revolved around those shift changes.”

That passage took me back to a time when I was Sandra’s age. A childhood filled with good memories and comforting sounds. I knew when that whistle blew; I would either have 8 hours of no supervision, or I had exactly ten minutes to beat my parents home. My parents worked at the glass factory and while they worked – I played. I was out and about all over town riding my bike, studying at the library and hanging out with friends, it was a time and a place when it was safe for me to be on my own. When I read that passage – grief swelled and tears rolled down my face.

I believe that there are no accidents. I needed to read that passage at that moment. I’m thankful that “technology” led me to Dane. In order to grieve, I had to go home. However, I’m sorry that in a world of social networking – where everybody knows every aspect of one another’s life, it’s somehow unsafe for a child to play alone. As a community we must change this. And we must do it to honor Sandra’s legacy.

First published in the Tracy Press on April 15, 2009