WRAPPING UP
No, this does not involve wrapping presents, getting warm, nor ending the year. The reference is to what happens when we grow spiritually. When we have gone through the process of preparing for and taking a spiritual step, our next job is to adjust to our new spiritual surroundings. This can be a frustrating and energy consuming effort. None of our old references work very well and some do not work at all. We have to listen carefully to the voice of God within us to establish new references which are more appropriate to our current spiritual situation. We learn new ways to do things we already thought we knew how to do. We make new friends and, sometimes, lose some old ones due to our changing perspective on life which has resulted from our changed spiritual perspective. This process is frequently lengthy and we often lose track of the fact that it is what it is, because we are too busy doing it to pay attention. As the old saying goes – we are too busy swatting alligators to remember that we are here to drain the swamp.
Eventually, we settle down and settle in to our new perspective and our new ways of living. We take our well-earned rest, and congratulate ourselves on moving a little closer to God while we thank Him for His invaluable help, love, grace, and mercy – all of which are absolutely essential to our effort. We act as though we have “wrapped it up” and all is well. Well, there is well, and then there is well. Have we accomplished something important – absolutely! Are we done – absolutely not!
It is tempting, however unwise, to think that we have reached a point where we can rest on our spiritual laurels. Now it is time to BE CAREFUL that we do not become complacent. Lao Tsu reminds us: “Therefore, the sage avoids extremes, excesses and complacency” (Chapter 29). Keep a sharp eye open because a door will be opened to begin the next step. The good news is that if we miss it, it will come again. The obvious question is “why would we want to waste time”.
God will bring us closer and closer, as quickly as we can move because He loves each and every one of us. Staying alert to opportunities to move closer to Him through our spiritual housecleaning efforts shows Him the sincerity of our desire to be closer to Him. The rewards are amazing.
THOUGHTS FROM TIL
THE SLAVE
Am I the slave of my mind?
Have I to think all the thoughts it describes?
Have I to allow it, colouring them?
How long they’re permitted to stay?
Has it the right to decree their importance?
A being is living inside me, independent and neutral.
It loves the mind and values it a precious instrument.
The mind is longing for cooperation matter of fact.
It knows, a greater, wider world is waiting them.
Look at the process now –
It’s fearing to become the loser.
And yet . . . there is that “knowing”,
The “knowing, that knows deeper”.
Instrument of unbelievable beauty and strength –
When the moment of insight is there –
Your glory of now will look like a shadow,
Compared with what you’ll experience then!
THOUGHT
Space is stopping around me.
I’m falling over it often.
No horizon to be seen.
Human, you are searching for security.
You – a being without borders!
You think, you could live inside a cage?!
Don’t let your fear deceive you!
A hiding place you’re looking for in vain!
Dare to build on “That what you are”! December 20, 2009
THE AFTERMATH
Once one has “muddled through” (last issue of Sharing) will we ever see “resolution”? The answer is – only if you watch closely. Walking within God’s Will may take a very short or a seemingly long time. That usually depends on our perception – our comfort level in the circumstances. Hanging in there while God works out His plan is what we have to do no matter how frustrated at or tired of the circumstances we become. Spiritual things are frequently very subtle. If we truly walk in God’s Will, we frequently act or speak in ways which are different from the ways we would act or speak if we were acting out of our will. We may say or do something that gets what, to us, seems to be a completely mystifying response. Or we may not act or speak at all and yet the situation resolves itself – sometimes in what seems an anti-climatic way. (We are often too fond of drama). Look closely. It may be the culmination of our having “muddled through”.
As Lao Tsu observes:
In the pursuit of learning, every day something is acquired.
In the pursuit of Tao, every day something is dropped.
Less and less is done
Until non-action is achieved.
When nothing is done, nothing is left undone.
The world is ruled by letting things take their course.
It cannot be ruled by interfering.
Of course, by non-action Lao Tsu is referring to acting through the Will of God rather than our own mortal will. When we act through God’s Will, all things and people in the situation are provided for in a positive way for the best outcome of all concerned. This does NOT mean that everyone concerned is happy! The events in our lives are intended to teach us and bring us closer to God. We sometimes have to learn lessons that we don’t particularly like, as do others. If our circumstances resolve themselves through God’s Will, our job is to learn what was there for us, and allow others to do the same – or not, as they choose. In any event our “muddling” has cooperated with God’s Will rather than bringing the situation to an early and inappropriate (therefore, ineffective) end. All in all, a good place to stand.
THOUGHTS FROM TIL
THIS POT
Little seed, you have to sprout in this pot.
To take roots, and then built stems.
To make leaves and buds and flowers.
And seeds again thereafter.
When the sun is shining, or it is raining -
Whether it is cold, or even may be freezing –
In the space, to you allotted –
You have to give form to Life.
Unique and universal as well.
You’re the main tenant of the pot.
That’s your being unique.
Portraying Life, you’re part of all there is.
THOUGHT
Space is stopping around me.
I’m falling over it often.
No horizon to be seen.
Human, you are searching for security.
You – a being without borders!
You think, you could live inside a cage?!
Don’t let your fear deceive you!
A hiding place you’re looking for in vain!
Dare to build on “That what you are”!
October 25, 2009
MUDDLING THROUGH
It seems as though life has become very intricate and, at times, complex. Every day we do our best to deal (or just cope) with things that come our way. We sometimes long for the “good old days” of ten or twenty years ago when life was more relaxed. Of course, ten or twenty years ago we were wishing for the “good old days” of ten or twenty years before when life was much simpler. Life has a way of turning up the heat slowly so that we don’t notice that eventually we are standing in hot water. The good news is that we are adapting as we go along so that we can, in fact, cope with standing in hot water if that is what is needed.
Our spiritual journey is much the same as our physical in many ways. After all, what happens in the spiritual is manifest in the physical. These days spiritual activity is on the increase. Many things which have been “brewing” for some time are coming to fruition. This gives us more to notice, consider, heed, and implement, spiritually speaking. In turn, this means that more and more we find ourselves in conditions and places which are not fully familiar. We cannot just sit until they become familiar because interacting in the unfamiliar is part of what makes it familiar. Therefore, until the space in which we find ourselves becomes more comfortable, we are stuck with simply doing the best we can. We muddle through in an effort to adjust, adapt, adopt, and be effective.
During these times of “muddling” it helps to remember some basic spiritual rules. First and foremost – God did not bring us this far just to turn His back on us! We can and do turn our back on Him, but He WILL NOT turn His back on us. When we turn back around by virtue of his Grace, He will be there, waiting and reaching out to us. Another important rule is – when in doubt, do nothing. God’s creation is more intricate that we can imagine. Doing nothing is less destructive to the weaving of creation than doing something inappropriate. God will always put it right, but, our inappropriate actions must be dealt with and it all takes time. Remember too, all events in our lives are opportunities to learn and grow closer to God. We may be uncomfortable in our circumstances, but if we look for the opportunity to learn and focus on it, the circumstances will resolve themselves faster and we will have learned a valuable lesson. In the meantime, be glad to be one of God’s children and – muddle on.
THOUGHTS FROM TIL
BLACK
Life, I don’t understand you.
I’m afraid of your blackness.
So much terrible blackness.
You’re storming and raging.
But no one ever saw your appearance.
Your works are observable only.
Every form, that You’re creating,
Is destined to dissolve into the nothing.
What possesses a human to wave his little will?!
Not a millimeter of power gives in!
Refusing to accept the rhythm of the “forms” –
clinging to transient shells –
Is that the source of our fears?!
Will Life reveal Itself when the insight grows:
“It’s Life that’s forming forms”?
FALL
Many gold and yellow colored leaves are fluttering down.
While falling – do they think of former times?
Then – green and tender – unfolding themselves out of the time life-buds?
Now – there’s only waste away.
That this counts for many humans too –
Who is willing freely to give in?
If things are not as wished – yes – then change may come in.
People even pray for it those times.
When they’re lucky life has to be static.
Life Itself just laughs at all this bother.
Is wondering, when will humans understand at last:
That I’m building forms revealing Myself,
but in reality have no beginning, neither end?
August 30, 2009
LIGHT OR DARK?
It’s remarkable how much of our focus is on light or dark. “It’s always darkest before the dawn.” “The light at the end of the tunnel.” (apparently there are no lights in the tunnel!) “White or dark?” (Thanksgiving turkey) We have a “light” or a “heavy” load. We are happy “sunshine” or sad “blue”. (the shade of blue depends on how sad one is) “Light” usually denotes goodness or God. “Dark” usually denotes evil.
We do the same thing regarding the cycles of our life. We think of good times as “sunny” and what we characterize as bad times we think of as “dark” or “rainy”. This is more apparent than real. The reality of our lives is that we progress through a series of experiences each of which gets us closer to God, assuming we accept the information about ourselves contained therein and learn and grow. The “dark” times are really just a matter of perception. They seem dark because circumstances are not as we want them to be. We are not psychologically comfortable so we paint these times as “dark”. When the truth is known, that is, all times are for our benefit no matter how we interpret or “color” them, then, through our acceptance of uncomfortable times, by God’s grace we are better able to weather the storm (dark clouds) and emerge on the other side (in the sunshine) stronger, and, we hope, wiser; and therefore, better able to carry out God’s will for our life. In short, this Truth will set us free – free to enjoy the sunshine, flowers, birds, little furry animals, our life, our path, and, most importantly, become closer to God and serve him better. Yes, there will occasionally be a shadow of a cloud pass across a part of the sky, but in a life filled with God’s blessings, including opportunities to grow closer to Him, what difference does it make?
THOUGHTS FROM TIL
THE OLD STALE WORD
Even our respiration demonstrates the twofold.
Whatever we think of – everything does have another side.
Yet, there’s something on earth, not subdued to what we call duality
The word, by which it’s mentioned is so old and stale.
Daily it gets bruised, damaged, ridiculed and denied.
“Love, Universal Love”.
Love neither asks for good or for bad.
She recognizes the need of others as being Her’s.
To experience Her, even only for some seconds,
Is an incredible event.
Negative and positive have grown into a circle.
“Little I” is gone, it doesn’t exist anymore!
Ah, “IT”, that I can touch you off and on!
That’s enriching my life?
THE PEARL HEN
Mr. Cat and Mrs. Pearl Hen –
Just some unimportants from this earth.
Usually do cats and hens have none whatever interest for each other.
Not so, the two, just mentioned!
Mrs. Pearl Hens’ sisters and their mutual husband, all were devoured by a fox.
Now she often feels so lonely.
God invented something to console her.
When the car comes out of the garage,
The sun makes mirrors of the shiny bumpers.
Up and down walks Mrs. Pearl Hen,
Busily chattering to her “sisters”.
When the people drive away –
The “sisters” run and fly to “heaven”.
Our chicken starts running behind them.
But of course, she always is the loser.
Mr. Cat saw many repetitions of this scene.
When she sadly returns, he meows: “Dear friend, come on!
Surely our lady left some sweeties in the food bowl”.
With a wing Mrs. Hen wipes the tears from her cheeks
And together they go to the kitchen.
Are these “unimportants”, matter of fact, VERY important?
Due to their nature, they’re passing on what love and compassion can give.
June 28, 2009
LITTLE THINGS
There is a lot of advice around about how to deal with “things” both big and small. We are told “don’t sweat the small stuff”, “God is in the details”, “if it won’t matter in a hundred years, it doesn’t matter now”, “take care of the pennies and the dollars will take care of themselves”. In dealing with all this well-intentioned advice, the first question is determining what is big and what is small. It soon becomes clear that, like so many other things in life, “small” and “big” are in the eye of the beholder. What may seem small to one may seem big to another. This matter of perspective is dependent upon the circumstances of the viewer. If you are employed, and have a place to live, $20.00 may not seem big, but, it is a fortune to someone who needs it and doesn’t have it. More importantly, things “big” and “small” in the spiritual realm may not be as they are seen by the viewer. Many times the things we feel led to do as part of God’s will acting in our life may seem small, but are they really? In the case of the spirit, “big” and “small” take on a different character when viewed from the long or short term. Much of our spiritual experience is actually the laying of a foundation for something coming later in our lives. So, is today’s action small because it seems that way to us today or is it big because some other spiritual experience depends upon it?
God pays attention to small things. For instance, the sparrows fall, the mote in our brother’s eye, or faith the size of a mustard seed are among those things which we have heard from childhood. And yet, God operates on a very grand scale – like all of creation. Faith the size of a mustard seed, we are told, can move mountains. Is that faith, then, small or big?
Perhaps the more serviceable perspective of this who matter is to be found in the words of one of the great teachers, Lao Tsu, who advises his readers in Chapter 63 of the Tao Te Ching:
See simplicity in the complicated
Achieve greatness in little things.
In the universe the difficult things are done as if they are easy.
In the universe great acts are made up of small deeds.
The sage does not attempt anything very big,
And thus achieves greatness.
If we leave the realm of the pairs of opposites when dealing with spiritual matters, the “big” and “small” problem no longer exists. All that is left is “do” or “do not”.
THOUGHTS FROM TIL
I AM WHO I AM
I am, who I am.
Thinking, feeling, protesting,
Searching, inquiring, building.
Breaking, renouncing, suffering,
And all what is human.
A mystery, not to be fathomed.
Whole.
And yet. . .
A part of a greater whole.
And again and again parts of a still greater whole.
All, whatever “little me” is doing or leaving to comprehend –
Makes the confusion still worse.
From the point of “I am who I am” –
Life is an action of “letting it happen”.
YOUR HAND
To recognize Your Hand, when there is light – is easy.
But when it’s dark and black everywhere!
An eternal conflict!
As long as we work with human labels –
And refuse to see that You are neither light nor dark –
Our daily food is pain and sorrow.
“IT”, “Oneness”,
In Whom all is compiled –
Core of our being . . .
Unknowable, unreachable for our mind . . .
Help us to recognize Your Hand. August 24, 2008
CHANGE IS A COMPASS
An ancient Chinese proverb says that a man cannot step in the same stream twice. While the banks may still be there, they may have changed as a result of the passing flow of water either taking from or adding to them. More importantly, the stream itself changes from moment to moment as the water flows, not only down the stream bed, but mixing side to side and top to bottom as it flows. Most of nature tells us the same story. People, frogs, trees, rocks, are each similar to their own kind but each is slightly different from others of its own kind. Even twin humans have differences – there always seems to be a stronger, more dominant twin.
Life around us changes from moment to moment with the constant movement of the energy of the universe. Yet, we doggedly set our aim or goal or determine our course of action and rarely bother to look to see if it still fits the situation. No one is more surprised than we when we arrive at the “end” of the process only to discover that we are off target – occasionally, way off target. We become so intent on the process that we lose sight of the purpose. Accomplishing the acts we believe necessary to accomplish the purpose is not the same as accomplishing the purpose. Interesting enough, when we look back over our actions, we can see “clues” showing us that our focus was pointed in the wrong direction to accomplish our purpose in the best and most effective way. But, did we pay attention? Of course not! We were too busy following our own plan to pay attention to God’s will.
We all know that if we spend all of our time with our nose to the grindstone and our shoulder to the wheel, we are not only uncomfortable but we miss the beauty of life around us. So it is with our spiritual path. Yes, our path requires us to work on our spirituality, but BALANCE requires us to look us occasionally and see the beauty of life. If we can relax and see what is going on around us, we can see the changes all around us and move with that flowing stream instead of trying to swim against the current. Some would say it is a sign of pride to think that one is doing God’s will. Is it not more prideful to believe that one’s own will is more appropriate than God’s? In the final analysis, we can only come to believe we are doing God’s will by paying attention to the signs and wonders. The events around us will tell us whether we are on the right path, whether we are on the right path but beginning to stray a bit, or whether we are off the mark. Only by paying attention as we proceed can we see the events around us that help us stay on our spiritual path.
THOUGHTS FROM TIL
UNWRITTEN
Symbol of Yang and Yin,
When I’m looking at you –
I see two identical parts.
They form an absolute circle.
It’s a magic power-field.
Drawing a line around the circle –
The power gets lost.
In that openness – made by the two –
Each of the parts itself, as well as the other –“
Unwritten, they’re writing the mystery of Oneness in polarity.
TO UNDERSTAND
Look at it . . .
Let it happen. . .
It is the notes of melody.
Either in major or minor.
Your body, every cell . . .
The turning round of the world,
That flush in the Universe . . .
Together they’re writing the score.
To understand . . .?
Can a sound explain itself?
To experience being an instrument of the orchestra . .
Then the melody is singing . . .
And you . . .are free! December 23. 2007
BODY AND SOUL
When you stop to think of it, we are strange creatures. We have an eternal soul, but it is living in a temporal body. Immediately, it is clear that we have to straddle a fence in our lives. Our soul has a prime directive to grow closer to God; yet, we live in a body which cannot make the trip. Many people choose to live in the temporal world and, occasionally, visit the spiritual. This is the easier choice because we are constantly bombarded by information gathered by our physical senses relating us to the physical world; however, this approach is fraught with difficulties. This choice inevitably results in an onslaught of experiences intended to re-direct our thinking and our approach to life.
The other choice is to live in the spiritual and visit the physical. This, although the more difficult choice, is by far the wisest and most productive from the standpoint of growing closer to God. This choice, too, has difficulties; however, the stones in the path are smaller and easier to navigate. The lessons along this path are more focused on teaching us, for our own benefit and for the benefit of others, rather than re-directing us. The good news is none of us will be asked to go to the cross. Short of that, anything we are asked to do is not all that hard, although it usually requires a good bit of practice. That’s easy to see when we look around at others who are worse off than we. The more time we spend walking our spiritual path, the less unsettling the lessons become. We develop a faith that will get us through anything, if we just let it. As Jesus said in the Thomas Gospel: “Be a passer-by”. He said it over and over and over. What should we “pass-by”? How about passing-by the idea that we should be in charge, or that our opinions count, or that we know what is best for us or anyone else, or that God is punishing us, or that we can possibly be content if we are not on the path that God has laid out for our lives?
The only purpose of our physical bodies is to house our eternal souls while we are in this world that God created for our schoolroom. It is our souls which we should feed and exercise. It is our souls which we should be teaching and developing. It is our souls that really matter. Whether we prefer the structure of an organized religion, or standing in awe before the intricacies and magnificence of nature, or some combination thereof, our journey to God is personal and individual. There are many ways to come to God and they are all equally valid, but, they all require emphasis on our spiritual path over the physical body.
THOUGHTS FROM TIL
A CURL
Next to suns and stars and planets –
You wrote me.
A human.
One of the millions.
You did not put a dot behind our names.
So, we’re yet a part of You.
You gave a pen to everybody.
In principal we’re able to write – like You!
When children go to school to learn that art –
It’s scratching, spots and tears on the paper.
There I hope although.
Here and there, sometimes a curl or a beautiful line is to be seen.
Humanity – bravely exercise!
A SHORT WAY?
Look at the sky.
Reflect it.
Sun or wind,
Clouds either hail –
Let it happen, without comments.
Accepting what’s coming or leaving –
Is leading straight to the Target.
It sounds so simple.
But the struggle with Ego makes it a hell.
October 28, 2007
COULD OR CAN??
There is an old saying that the road to Hell is paved with good intentions. It isn’t what you intended or what you meant to do that matters. It is what you actually did. It is true, a little forethought and planning are in order. For instance, suppose you want to build something. First you think about the purposes the item is going to fulfill. As an illustration, let’s build a bookcase. Where will you place it? How big is that space? Should it go all the way to the ceiling? Should it be shorter? How wide should it be to avoid conflicting with the space required by other furniture or doors or windows or walk spaces? Does it need center supports for the shelves? What kind of wood should you use? Should it be stained or painted? Should the shelves be adjustable? If the shelves are to be fixed, how high does each need to be? Once these questions are answered, there is a plan, but there is still no bookcase. In order to achieve the dreamed of bookcase, action must be taken. Materials must be acquired. The pieces must be formed and put together properly. True, if the plan exists, the completion of the project goes much more smoothly and much more quickly. However, action is required.
It is the same with everything we consider doing. We can say we will do it; we can make plans to do it; but, if we don’t act, nothing exists. When we decide to do something beneficial to ourselves, we get into much deeper water. Those things which we “ought” to do or “could” do somehow take second or third place to the demands of the world and the demands of others. We must honestly examine the situation to discover whether we are paving the road to our own personal hell. If we put off going to the doctor for that nagging pain, will our health suffer? If we put off our spiritual work, will our spirit stop growing closer to God? Should we delay taking a class or purchasing the materials necessary to teach ourselves because we have allowed someone to hijack our time and/or energy? An argument may be made that ignoring ourselves and the fulfillment of God’s purpose of our lives (as opposed to what others may think) is paving the road to our own personal hell. Another old saying is that the saddest words of tongue or pen are “it might have been”.
Instead of paving the road to our own personal hell with what we could do but take no action, we all can take action and follow the road which God had paved for us to return to Him. Interestingly enough, taking action results in a much easier passage through this world, in addition to accomplishing what God has asked of us.
THOUGHTS FROM TIL
BARS
Furiously we’re pulling the bars of the cage.
The cage in which we imagine to be prisoners.
But iron can’t be bent by hands!
A vague idea of wings is often floating through us.
Wings . . .
Flying . . .
To be there, where borders are unknown . . .
Little human, you’re dreaming of space,
But you’re afraid of the width inside yourself!
To go there without restrictions . . .
THAT is freedom!
It’s that terrible fear that keeps us encaged.
BORDERS
Whenever a border is experiencing itself as a border –
Will is growing to break through.
A view of endless space is dawning!
That’s for the one, who’s standing at the frontierspost.
Having past the customs, the country is so strange, so new!
Not a single trustful thing is left.
Does it require the attitude of pioneers to go that unknown way?
Who is an enemy, who is a friend?
The voice inside, is that the only landmark?
As long as you have fear to loose whatever you possess –
As long as you will hold whatever you have –
You’ll have nothing and you’re losing all!
Awaken in the space without a border!
There is no mine, not yours.
“Being” only exists! August 12, 2007
BLESSINGS
What does it take for us to feel blessed? The answer to that question tells us a lot about where we are in our spiritual balance and journey. Things of this earth are nice to have but are they really blessings? Homeless people, when asked how they are doing, will often reply that they are blessed. They have almost no worldly possessions, yet they feel blessed to be alive, fed, warm, and dry. The latter two items are usually considered icing on the cake. For those who have chronic pain, a day of relative comfort feels like a blessing. A lady was once heard to say that she was so very blessed by being able to help one individual because until he walked in her door, she had been doing paper work and feeling useless.
Alternatively, how many times do we believe that having something or someone will make us happy and make us feel blessed? THIS IS ALWAYS ERROR. Things and other people are not on this earth to make us happy. Being happy is our responsibility. There are always thorns in every bed of roses. Our job is to accept those thorns as part of life and focus our minds on the beauty of the roses. Nature is a great teacher. It teaches us many valuable lessons. There is no such thing as a free lunch. Everything has a price. Are you willing to pay the price to have whatever you are doggedly seeking? If you can focus your mind on the positive, the price will show itself as either too high or acceptable. Being able to go through life in this manner is a wonderful blessing. Being able to live life within the will of God instead of one’s own will, even a small part of the time, is a great blessing. We are in this life to have the experiences we need to learn and grow closer to God. Those experiences, though they may feel like thorns, are blessings. Being able to accept those experiences for what they really are, rather than how they “feel” to us is a blessing.
The greatest blessings are those which we receive as a result of our hard won inner growth. These blessings are not of the physical world, although sometimes these blessings contain “things” which we need to continue our spiritual work. Any time we feel not blessed, depressed, angry, deprived, anxious, etc., we are feeling our spin on what is going on around us. Balance, accept the thorns, and strive for spiritual growth and we can feel the true blessings.
THOUGHTS FROM TIL
Little Fish, Little Fish in the Sea
What I think – I am – I am not.
That bundle of contradictions is just a spinning of my brains.
What an energy it asks!
That chaos is objecting itself some thousands of times.
But it still goes on with arguing non-stop!
Like a radio, that’s bragging loudly, without someone listening.
My body starts to feel worn out by that hubbub!
When you become aware that things are just illusions –
You may solve the problem, just by looking in an opposite direction.
But that chaos stamped very deep grooves!
Ages, ages, ages!
To find a way out . . .?
Is that a job for a Herculean?
Or simply look at another direction?
Or leave it alone?
Or . . .?
The turning point is laying in the sea of possibilities somewhere.
Little fish, little fish in the sea . . .
You’re swimming in the Ocean.
And yet, you are looking for water.
Storm at Sea
Foam is flying in flakes along the beach.
The same from the land
Is running in whirling clouds through the air.
A seagull gets stopped in his flight.
Little human,
As long as you jubilating stand a storm –
It’s you, who is able to quiet the storm in yourself.
June 17, 2007
MANAGED GROWTH
Fear Not!! This is not about the Dow Jones, the Markets, money, assets, property, or any of that worldly stuff. This growth is far more important. This growth is the spiritual growth which we must all do as we walk our path back to God. As we are all unique spiritually, as well as physically and emotionally, our paths cannot be identical nor can the growth we must make. Growth as we experience it in our physical life is a little like Judgment Day. Each individual must go it alone and be responsible for the results. There are, however, similarities, which is why we can help one another by empathy and sharing. That is why it helps immensely to have a “partner” or confidant. .
When an individual is ready to grow, the opportunity will be provided. The only way we can control that is to do our work on a daily basis so that we become ready to grow. Additionally, we must be willing to grow along the path God has given us and in the way that He deems appropriate at the time. Growth itself is an uncomfortable thing. It isn’t that we want to stay where we are, but we are comfortable there and as soon as growth (change) starts we become uncomfortable. Then the task at hand is to become comfortable in our new spiritual skin. One of the stumbling blocks to this is our past. Not our actions or words but our beliefs about ourselves and our relationship with God. These beliefs come from our childhood experiences and training. It is work to examine them and decide for ourselves which ones should have an effect on the future. Having done that, then what does one do with the beliefs which are judged inappropriate to that future? MINIMIZE THEM!! Unfortunately, it is not given to us in our lives to completely get rid of these beliefs. However, we can take their power and put them in a cage so that they can do far less harm.
Once the inappropriate beliefs have been identified, there are many ways to minimize them – affirmations and journaling are probably the most popular. Both are effective, depending on the psyche of the individual. Affirmations require no paper work and can be changed to focus on new areas when the original area of interest is under control. (It is often best to tackle these things in segments.) Journaling gives a three dimensional effect to one’s thoughts and can be retained for future reference, or, if security is an issue, can be destroyed if desired.
As with many spiritual endeavors, the question of implementation, although important, is secondary to DOING IT.
THOUGHTS FROM TIL
Molting Feathers
Molting feathers is not easy.
It makes you feel sick, sad and vulnerable.
Be quiet little bird!
Inside your wings another plumage already grows!
You’ve done this job before.
Take your time and rest.
The sky and the sun are looking forward for you to come again.
Instead Of . . .
A fellow human taught me a lesson so new,
So immensely surprising.
I hardly dare to believe it.
But, innerly recognizing it,
Was so unbelievably strong
I just have to accept it as true.
The words in which it was expressed?
“To surrender to ‘IT’ is not losing the battle
But winning the game.
Instead of fighting, fearing,
There is freedom in cooperation with life.
December 10, 2006
S L O W DOWN
With the arrival of the autumn, we have an opportunity to join the rest of God’s creation and SLOW down. The trees are losing their leaves, the flowers of summer are fading, the days are getting shorter. What is it that causes humans to try to go faster? Is it simply the upcoming Holiday Season? Or is it something else? Might it be that instead of experiencing the cycles of life within our own existence, we try to rush faster so that we can deny the slowing down part of the cycle? Is that parallel to denying the major life cycle, aging and death, by rushing up to the edge of the cliff. That part of our life cycle is there for everyone. Even Jesus died!
In our “modern” world it seems that the faster you go the better – the more important you are – the more critical your position – the more you should be noticed – the more you should be listened to, etc. Lao Tsu advised us to accept being unimportant willingly (Chapter 13). Practitioners of Tai Chi find that the very slowness of the movements encourages mental calmness. This is why is it sometimes referred to as moving meditation. Tai Chi helps focus the mind. Lao Tsu also advises that it is not wise to rush about, that controlling the breath causes strain and if too much energy is used, exhaustion follows. Adding, this is not the way of Tao and whatever is contrary to Tao will not last long. (Chapter 55). Might our not being in tune with nature be at least part of the root cause of many of our “modern” illnesses?
How much of life are we missing by rushing!! Much of what God has put in our lives to teach us and bring us closer to Him is only experienced if we SLOW down. Not only are we missing many of the beauties of nature – remember the Buddhists tell us he who stops and marvels before the beauty of a sunset or majesty of a mountain has participated in divinity - , but also we are drowning out that still, small voice of God within each of us that tells us what we need to know to grow closer to Him and to do what He would have us do with the life He gave us.
Once we have SLOWED down physically, we need to slow down mentally and emotionally. Jesus tells us in the Thomas Gospel to become a passer-by. Get your emotional investment out of the situation. Being emotionally involved keeps one from making wise decisions – usually when they are most needed. Take a step back, SLOW down and LISTEN. Autumn is the perfect time to practice.
THOUGHTS FROM TIL
Autumn and the Chestnut Tree
While it was springtime –
The chestnut tree was covered all over with big white candles.
Springtime went. Summer came, Summer went. Autumn . . .
First he required from you your shining red-brown fruits.
And he started to paint your leaves in yellow.
Also you knew – nothing could be kept –
Unwillingly you let go.
Storms were switching and swinging you roughly.
Not one of your fruits were left after that.
Almost without a sound
The last of your leaves slowly hovered to the ground.
Tears of fog slid down along your stem.
At last – chestnut – not a single branch moved.
Then you knew –
Time for introspection was there.
What a Prospect!
When I dare to surrender to “be happy” –
It is radiating on all sides.
My problem, the concern for them who I love –
Everything is still acute.
But I don’t have to search for a way out.
That miraculous “knowing” – “things are good as they are” –
One might name is absolute Trust.
What a prospect it offers!
October 22, 2006
IN THINE OWN HEART
All the debate and fussing over heaven, where it is, when it is, how it is, what it is called and who gets to go aside, all groups of people professing some spiritual existence, talk about a place beyond where humans currently exist. Even the scientists are coming down that road with the information that energy cannot be destroyed. Humankind has created buildings, great and small, for the purpose of gathering together to learn how to make that journey. Since none of us has been that way before, or at least don’t have any memory of it, who among us is qualified to lay out the map?
Jesus is reported to have said: “But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut the door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.” (Matt. 6:6) Lao Tsu said: “Empty yourself of everything. Let the mind become still.” (Tao Te Ching Ch. 16) Both of these statements were made before Jesus went to the cross. It was when Jesus went to the cross that the temple cloth was split. The cloth had divided the general population from the inner temple – the holy of holies. The artificial division created by the priests was no longer to be allowed. Each human was to come before God in his own way. Jesus is also reported as having said: “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth; I come not to send peace but a sword. For I come to set a man at variance against his father . . . .And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.. . . He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth Him that sent me.” (Matt. 10:34-40) And further: And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32)
So, where do we get this truth, the sword that will set us free? Each of us can find the truth that we need to walk our path Home in our own heart. It is not to be found solely within the words of others, though those words may give us solace. The truth of each individual’s journey is to be found through prayer, together with a willingness to be set free of human notions of how one should behave. Jesus gave up his family life to walk the path that God had laid out for him. He was free of the perceived obligations of the human community and followed, instead, the directions which he received in his frequent “talks” with his Father – our Father. Jesus said we could do whatever he could do and more. Each of us, within our own heart, can receive and follow God’s map leading us back to Him.
THOUGHTS FROM TIL
Grain of Sand
If I could fathom
A little grain of sand in its entirety-
The total universe was like an open book.
For “Energy”, Who shaped the grain –
Is the same as Who created the Universe.
What exists is Energy.
Being humans means to be a lump of that Power.
Our life is a search to understand.
Are we blind to look beyond ourselves?
Have we to direct the seeing inward?
Is simplicity the cause, making it so difficult for us?
Is it possibly as simple as a child,
That calls for mum when it feels hungry?
Land
Land of laughing . . .
Land of crying . . .
Land of bitter . . .
Land of sweet . . .
Land of the one . . .
Land of the other . . .
There’s a passing of borders over and over . . .
Is that causing the pain
by what our days are wearing leaden shoes so often?
Every county has it’s borders.
But what about the water, the clouds?
The wind and the rain?
They’re as free as the birds
When we bridge our borders –
Can we be free like them? August 27, 2006
THE CHALLENGE OF DOING NOTHING
There are more ways to do nothing than one might imagine. Of course, there is the straight-forward doing nothing of just sitting. This is not our subject today. For the philosophical Taoist there is the “doing nothing, teaching no talking” of Chapter Two of the Tao Te Ching. Anyone who has ever delved into that subject and its resultant “living wu wei” knows that it far exceeds the capability of this publication. The doing nothing of interest at the moment is the doing nothing of Chapter Fifteen:
Who can wait quietly while the mud settles?
Who can remain still until the moment of action?
A wise man once said that when faced by a problem, he immediately turned his back on it. Often, said he, when he turned back around, the problem was gone. Notice that he did turn back around. As we move through today’s world, problems of various levels from global to personal and from large to small, surround us and, often times, bark at our heels. In order to maintain one’s balance, both spiritual and emotional, it is helpful to keep our distance from these problems. As Jesus reminded time after time in the Thomas Gospel, “be a passer-by”. Get your emotional investment out of the situation. Our world is far more complex and much smaller than that of Lao Tsu or Jesus yet, this advice remains sound. The Serenity Prayer has it right. Have the courage to fix what we can fix, the acceptance of that which he cannot fix and the wisdom to know the difference.
As persons attempting to live a decent life in a world of chaos, we cannot possibly fix every problem that presents itself. Even problems close to home often times need a good leaving alone. Remember, God gives us opportunities to learn. When we as well-intentioned humans try to “help” someone out of their difficulties, we may be interfering with the very thing that will lead them to higher ground. It is imperative that we be able to tell the difference of when to help and when not to, and then, if we are to help, how far to go. This we can only know by “waiting until the mud settles” and then we can see, reflected in the still water, the situation, as if in a mirror. This gives us the arms-length view which we need to keep our balance and do whatever we do with more wisdom. Of course, when in doubt, the old spiritual rule says, do nothing. Which is why Chapter Fifteen ends with:
Observers of the Tao do not seek fulfillment.
Not seeking fulfillment, they are not swayed by desire for change.
THOUGHTS FROM TIL.
HOW
Humans, facts and events
Are the mean contents of daily life.
They can be touched by hands –
So – they’re absolutely real!
Another view however tells:
“They are not real at all!”
“They are just illusions,
Like a movie, one is looking at!”
“How does one know what’s really real?”
TO LEAVE IT ALONE?
The food, that Life is offering,
Has a bitter taste sometimes.
One doesn’t get a change throwing it into the dustbin.
To leave it alone . . .?!
Just pretending to eat it . . .!?
Life has eyes in front as well in the back!
Having swallowed it at last –
To my surprise discovering:
I needed it to grow!
June 18, 2006
LISTENING
Growing up we all had to learn to listen. We listened to our parents, our grandparents, and our teachers. We were taught that in order to listen, one had to be quiet. When one was quiet, then one had to pay attention to whoever was speaking. This is a skill not everyone mastered. Some people do not listen because they are too busy thinking about either what they are going to say next or about something totally unrelated to the conversation. This is a microcosm of our listening to God.
We all have instincts, intuition, and common sense, the voices of God within us. They are hard-wired into our brains. The brain is the created organ. The mind, however, is an operating system and it is full of bugs! Alan Watts once said that the mind was a wonderful tool, but when you are done with it you should put it away and not leave it lying around on the floor where you can fall over it. An interesting picture, and, he was really onto something. We all have the ability to control our minds. It’s rather like learning to listen properly. If we fail to control our mind and use it as a tool as it was intended, the mind runs amok and gets us into the most dreadful situations. That same mind, being human, is full of biases and prejudices, most of which we try not to exercise. An uncontrolled mind, however, will slip those biases and prejudices into everything we think. Usually, when it is most inappropriate! So, when we are trying to listen to God, unless we control our mind, when we hear our message, part of it is impacted by what is in our puny human mind.
Listening to God is something we can only do well if we practice. We need to look at what we think God has shown us, and looking at the results, see whether or how much it has been impacted by our human attitude. Learning to listen to God requires attention. Look at the many ways God has of speaking to us. Yes, the intuition, instincts, and common sense are paramount, but they are not alone. God also speaks to us through nature, the words of others, the circumstances of our lives, our experiences, through the written word, etc. Everything in our lives has the potential of speaking God’s message. If you are paying attention – truly listening – God’s message will sing to you regardless of which method He uses to speak to you. Truly listen and hear God’s messages all around, or allow your mind to speak to you so loudly with fear, worry, anger, frustration, desire, or other negative emotions, that you cannot hear God, the choice is yours.
THOUGHTS FROM TIL
The Old Tree
Huge old tree . . .
Humans say, you’re standing here for ages already.
The seed, that brought you forth, was directed to your being of now.
To be a tree was your destination.
Tree, with the season, that’s on turn, you decide your actions.
Whether it’s going laboriously either easy –
Out of your perfect being, you are fitting in.
Staying yourself always.
A living tree.
Human,
Look at the tree.
Dare to trust your perfect ground.
Complaints
If you have chosen suffering pain –
This is the way, you’ve to go.
How else would you ever be able,
To reach, what you feel, is your target?
Brains of today cannot understand, we’ve chosen to suffer.
Chosen the hell we are in.
“IT”, how can humans survive, enduring the lessons, You sent along?
It’s told we are looking like You.
Do we prepare all the pain ourselves by ignoring that “knowledge”?
I beseech You to free the ones I love.
It cannot be true they’ve chosen disaster.
And still . . . that “knowing” is so strong!
Do I hear from a distance: “Trust and go on!”?
April 23, 2006
CHASMS
In many ways it seems that the differences between individuals and groups of individuals are growing deeper and more numerous. We all know that everyone is different. People are like snow flakes - we are all different but we are all made out of the same stuff. Being different is necessary as we walk our spiritual path. Plus, we cannot be an example, which is the most profound form of teaching, without being different. It seems, however, that some where along the line the balance has been lost between being different and being confrontational. It seems that humankind purposely searches for differences in order to condemn “the other”.
Of course, the list of differences is most often made up of things of the world. We have financial classes, social classes, racial groups, nationality groups, geographical groups, “oligies” of all sorts, and the list goes on. Several years ago there was a song that talked about the earth and its people being seen from a distance and how all the differences didn’t appear from a distance. From outer space, most of the markings man has made upon the earth are not visible. There are no borders between countries or states, and no fence lines between properties. Yet, we allow these artificial, man-made divisions to color our perspectives with regard to other human beings. Wouldn’t the idea that we are all in this together be a far more positive outlook? In the Tao Te Ching, Lao Tsu wrote:
The Tao of heaven is to take from those who have too much
and give to those who do not have enough.
Man’s way is different.
He takes from those who do not have enough to give to those
who already have too much.
What man has more than enough and gives it to the world?
Only the man of Tao. (Chapter 77 in part)
During our annual holiday season binge is a good time to focus our thoughts not only on those who do not have enough, but on our own striving for more – whether it be financial gain or power. With only a little effort we can let go of mankind’s things and see the beauty of God’s creation. We can take hold of spiritual things and know the peace of God’s love. We can recognize that the chasms which have been created are artificial and join together in peace and harmony as parts of God’s creation.
THOUGHTS FROM TIL
FINDING
You don’t need to shake anymore!
Not to flee!
You can stay where you are!
There is a spot for your feet!
You can speak or be silent!
You can sit either lie!
Your back is straight!
The burden and your shoulders are in balance now!
You can be – who you are!
UNBELIEVABLE
“It”, You created “the Mother”.
And “the Mother” gave birth to the “Forms”.
And the “Forms” transform our sight.
The Being of the “Mother” is love.
Her “Forms” are devouring each other alive.
Still, Love never can die.
Not even in the dirtiest cesspool.
So off and on She shows Herself a moment.
Unbelievably!
She is alive!
“Mother” we are and stay Your children.
“Mother” . . . forgive us.
December 18, 2005
TIMING, TIMING, TIMING
We all know that time is a human idea. Joseph Campbell called it an observation because we see the passage of time in the rising and setting of the sun, moon and stars, as well as, in larger part, in the changing of the seasons. Time is a convenience that allows us to keep appointments with one another and keep track of our birthdays. But in truth, time is not really vital to the living of life in its basic form. The cave person did not wear a wristwatch.
Timing, on the other hand, is extremely important. Timing is our way of measuring the relationship between events in our lives as well as around the world as a whole. Timing shows us the proper order in which things need to happen to achieve a desired result. You cannot boil water unless you have placed it in a container and applied some form of heat. This is a very simply example, but the reasoning holds true throughout our physical, and, more importantly, spiritual lives.
In Chapter 36 of the Tao Te Ching, Lao Tsu observed:
Before receiving
There must be giving. (emphasis added)
This is called perception of the nature of things.
Soft and weak overcome hard and strong.
. . . .
It is clear from this statement of the basics of spirituality that if one wishes to receive from God, there must first be a giving. This comports with the views of Moses Maimonides, the 12th Century Jewish spiritual philosopher who observed that God’s providence can act in a human life only to the extent that man’s intellect is in actual contact with God. God has given us free will and promised not to interfere with our exercise of it. Far and away, the best thing to do with free will is give it back and, with it, give oneself over as a willing tool of God, following, as best one can, the Will of God, as one understands it. With this undertaking, there comes an opening through which God will bless and protect His tool. With continued service God’s tool is also raised up in spirituality with attendant responsibilities and additional blessings.
We must begin the process and then let the timing carry us forward and upward, ever closer to God, ever strengthening our connection with God, and living under His protection and with His blessings. God’s timing is perfect. The process is inevitable if one chooses to participate.
THOUGHTS FROM TIL
THE TOWER WITH A SPIRIAL STAIRCASE
In the tower there is a spiral staircase.
Light is there, but it is dim.
One has to grope for the way.
“To return to the entrance?”
“No!”
There is an urge to go on climbing.
A vague expectation of a view over broad distances without borders.
Now the foot searches for every step that has to be taken.
Slogging away, the body feels like giving up.
How many steps still have to be taken?
The shiny view keeps calling.
Hesitating it grows to a courageous trust forward.
FALL
Many gold and yellow coloured leaves are flittering down.
While falling – do they think of former times?
Then – green and tender - unfolding themselves out the tiny life-buds?
Now there’s only waste away.
That this counts for many humans too –
Who is willing freely to give in?
If things are not at wish – yes – then change may come in.
People even pray for it those times.
When they’re lucky life has to be static.
Life Itself just laughs at all this bother.
Is wondering, when will humans understand at last:
that I’m building forms revealing Myself,
but in reality have no beginning, neither end? August 21, 2005
WHAT’S A CUBIT, LORD?
It has been said that love requires the suspension of logic. It has also been said that the maintenance of a loving relationship requires hard work. Both of these statements are true. The risk involved in loving, the extension of trust, the opening of oneself to emotional and/or physical harm, is illogical when seen from the perspective of the vulnerable human trying to survive. The maintenance of a loving relationship requires thought, patience, consideration, kindness, giving, and forbearance – on the part of both parties. Most humans would consider this hard work. Why do humans take this risk and do this hard work? Obviously, for the rewards.
Our relationship to God is in many ways similar to our loving relationships with humans. We must trust God, and when we trust God we call it Faith. Eventually, when we have trusted God often enough, we “just know” that He will be there helping, guiding, protecting, and loving us. The maintenance of this relationship requires interaction between each individual and God. This means, listening, bearing our lot in life, showing others the consideration and kindness (our blessings) that God shows us, and PATIENCE with ourselves, others and with God. This certainly sounds like hard work. Why do humans work on their relationship with God and do the things He asks be done? Obviously, for the rewards. But, what are those rewards? When we, as children of God, follow the teachings (“love one another as I have loved you”) and do our best, which is all that God asks, to do those things which He sets before us, we multiply our blessings not only at this point in time, but in the future. We are building what Lao Tsu calls primal virtue. In Chapter 10 of the Tao Te Ching, he describes primal virtue as:
Giving birth and nourishing,
Bearing and not possessing,
Working yet not taking credit,
Leading yet not dominating.
In Chapter 59, Lao Tsu reminds us:
If there is a good store of Virtue, then nothing is impossible.
. . .
The Tao of long life and eternal vision.
A meaningful relationship with God is active, with both parties contributing on an on going basis. Hard work with unimaginably great rewards. As a local church signboard recently said: “God is looking for a relationship – not a religion”.
THOUGHTS FROM TIL
STILL MORE
Light and dark are coming and leaving,
following the laws, they are subjected to.
Nature settles their rhythm.
Together they’re building the total natural day.
Still there is more.
Eyes cannot see it.
It’s caressing, it’s soft and it’s warming.
It emanates a dazzling brightness.
It is breathing.
It is alive.
It is the Core of what IS.
With many, many names it’s indicated.
Yet it wants to be discovered.
Every being has to search for himself.
Blessed the road to the door of his heart.
WINDOWS AND THE KEY
Life and Forms . . .
Energy and changing . . .
Sounds, which do not embrace their magnitude.
A facet of them is named human.
Their eyes look outside.
They can look inside as well.
To design the windows and the key is a life-work.
Does that mark them to a mystery?
June 19, 2005
SENSE OF SELF
Who do you think you are? That is a question that we normally hear in a disparaging tone of voice. Disparagement aside, it is a valid question which we need to ask ourselves now and then as we walk our spiritual path.
Originally, our sense of self is dependent on the opinions of others. We rely on our parents and other teachers as a mirror in which we see ourselves reflected. As we progress through our childhood development, we see conflicts in that image, depending upon the individual mirror into which we are looking.
As adolescents, our job becomes one of resolving those conflicts. Parents are not always wild about this process. It is more comfortable for them when we simply accept their idea of who we are or who we should be with as few adjustments as possible. This is where many people become stuck. It is not our earthly parents to whom we should listen. It is our Creator Parent. For those of us who believe that existence begins in the Spirit and manifests in the physical, the physical world’s opinion (or reflection) of who we are is not really very meaningful. It is the person that we were created to be that we seek. Why do we seek something that we cannot see nor hold in our hands? We seek our ideal, or as some would say our Holy Grail, in order to become all that we can be. There are many benefits to becoming that person that we were created to be. With the attendant growth comes the foundation upon which we can build further. Also, the road to true happiness and inner peace opens wider as we become more like the person we were created to be. On the whole, life becomes easier. Yes, there are still rocks on the path, but they are smaller. Even the largest rock will have alternative ways to pass it by. The days of feeling like Sisyphus perpetually pushing a huge boulder up a steep hill can be put behind. Spread before us is a life filled with light, joy, and accomplishment of those things which we believe have been put before us to do.
No progress comes without effort and often requires some change on our part. Our human perspective can become more spiritual and more open to guidance from the Spirit within each of us. The time , effort, determination, devotion, love – they all culminate in our sense of self. Or, we can choose to simply accept the self others impose upon us. As with so many things in life, it’s a choice.
ON THE SOCIAL SCENE
On Saturday, February 12, we began serving lunches at Soup of the Day on Saturdays as well as Wednesdays. As with all things related to Church of Truth of Texarkana, it has begun with smaller attendance than we would have liked. However, with perseverance, it will grow just as other efforts of the Church have.
THOUGHTS FROM TIL
THE LITTLE NOTHING THOUGHT
A grain of sand . . . Space is slopping around me.
A little nothing in the Oceans of life . . . I’m falling over it often.
Yet, it is known. No horizon to be seen.
It is a world in itself.
And it has – just like we – a story of Human, you are searching for security
itself. You – a being without borders!
Of coming and being and leaving. You think you could live inside a cage?!
Is it asleep, while living it’s grain-life?
Is it conscious of itself? Don’t let your fear deceive you!
Little nothing, as small as you are – A hiding place you’re looking for in vain!
You’re the greatest riddle for humanity. Dare to build on “That what you are”!
If we were able to fathom you -
we’d comprehend the universe!
With all our genius –
still your inner being isn’t known yet!
Recognizing “IT” inside you –
might that be the key?
February 27, 2005
Vol. 10 No. 4
LIVING LIFE
God can only be understood intuitively. Words can only pluck the heartstrings to help set up a fortunate vibration to enable intuitive understanding. “God created us in his image” means not our bodies but our hearts and souls. He gave us the capability and He desires that we behave in all situations as He would behave.
As humans we stray from the path of God-like behavior when we begin to make decisions from the perspective of ourselves rather than God. We find it easier to deal with the world when it conforms to our way of thinking. Unfortunately, “easy” is not always the best way. In fact, in the long run, what we believe to be “easy” at the time usually turns out to be the more difficult way. Joseph Campbell once said that when God wants us to have an experience and we are busy with the shoulds and oughts that our family and society try to impose upon us, our experience is painful. On the other hand, when we are sufficiently open to the experience, that very same experience can be blissful. Of course, his reference was to those experiences which are put in our lives to bring us closer to God. To strengthen our connection with God and help us grow spiritually.
Attempting to conform the world around us to ourselves is like shutting a child away in a closet and expecting him to learn. Life experiences will teach us what we need to know to relate better to God but only if we allow ourselves to have those experiences. Like a teen-ager with “growing pains” sometimes these experiences make us feel uncomfortable. When we can accept new and different experiences and attempt to get from them all that is available there, then the experience is far less painful. When our life experience challenges what we want to believe, “the way we’ve always done it”, the way we were taught it is supposed to be, that experience is trying to make us think. Only then, when we allow a challenge to our set patterns of thought and behavior, can we stretch and grow and learn spiritually. As individuals with different talents, gifts, histories, and future paths, we are not intended to have identical beliefs nor deal with our experiences in the same way. By sharing with one another, we increase the chances that each of us will pass through this life maximizing our potential to learn how to be closer to God.
If we can approach the experiences God gives us with the enthusiasm of a child learning about a subject that fascinates him or her, we will do the best job we can of making the most of our God-given experiences, growing closer to God, and walking our paths in peace, contentment and happiness.
THOUGHTS FROM TIL
ONLY THEN
Human, where is your courage!
Human, where is your strength!
Like a twaddling child you’re walking around!
You want to predict what life has to do or to leave?!
Let it happen!
Then you will be free of that strangling fear!
Then life will be streaming again!
Then you’ll be free!
TOLL
Living in that stream of light . . .
To BE that streaming ., . ..
To bodily experience bounds to be a delusion . . .
That all fulfilling power . . .
So unmeasurably radiant and strong . . .
Ego requires a toll,
Fear to loose, what humans call “I”,
destroys the longing for light.
A flash sometimes gives sight to what we really are.
When, when do we dare to live our life from there?!
August 22, 2004
