Category Archives: Metaphysics

“But I Want It…”

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How many times have you heard a child, whether yours or someone else’s, say that? And more importantly, how many times have you declared it? Silently or aloud, we all want things, we really want things, we desperately want things. And that’s ok!

The question is, what motivates this? Common motivations include the following, and feel free to add your own:

* It’s practical.

* It makes sense.

* It’s inexpensive, cheap, or a bargain.

* It will make me money.

* It brings security.

* It solves a problem.

* It will make me feel better.

* I’m expected to have it.

* It will distract me; it’s an escape from something else.

* It fills an emotional need.

* It’s something I need to survive–or I think it is…

I could go on, but I think you get the idea. Most of the time, our motivations are based on false premises. That is, we expect things and circumstances, to change our things and circumstances!

This cannot work. The only True motivation is the God-Presence within each of us.

I cannot and will not tell you that God doesn’t want you to have money. Because I don’t believe that. However, I’ll encourage you, as I remind myself, to look within for fulfillment first. Don’t expect money or anything else, to fill your needs.

It may be a tool. Maybe that pony, lover, financial windfall, and even that cheesecake you want really is a means and a part of fulfilling your true desire. And if it is, you will receive it. When the time is right, remember this is God’s time, not yours, when you’re really ready for it, it will show up in your life.

However, if you really don’t need that, putting all your hope and desire into it, will not serve. It limits the good you can receive, because you want “this and only this,” instead of, “This or something better.” Or better still, “Nevertheless, Thy will be done.”

I always stress that Metaphysics is more than the law of attraction. And so it is! 🙂 But they do cross paths, and this is one of those crossings. What you focus on, you can have. But what are you focusing on? Really, in the depths of your mind, what is motivating the things you’re asking for?

Look again at the list of motivations above. Each one of them comes from lack. “I don’t have this. But if I did, I would also have ___ (fill in the blank).”

The law of attraction says that like attracts like. So, if you’re motivated by lack, guess what you’ll get back. More lack.

Is that what you want? Really? I doubt it.

This is why Spiritual Science teaches meditation. It’s not because a certain way of meditating will bring you the perfect life with no negative trends at all. It’s because by meditating in the way or ways that work best for you, you make a connection with the God-Presence within you.

Did you get that? I didn’t say you make a connection with your church, minister, support group, spirit guide, or that thing you want. Because meta-physics goes beyond the physical dimension of life. I said God-Presence! Go right to the Source. Skip all the middle management–angels, saints, other gods and goddesses, spirit guides. It’s not that they don’t have a place. But you want your desires to be for the highest good, right? So, ask the Source within you what that is.

Let Source motivate you. In this way, you make sure not only your desires themselves, but your motivations for them, are in sync with the wonderful, great, flowing Divine plan for your existence here and now.

Thou Shalt Make Big Talk!

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I respect the Ten Commandments and do my best to follow those, and the one Jesus said was most important: Love thy neighbor as thyself!

Do I love myself? I sure haven’t at times! But I call forth more and more love for myself now. This means my “neighbors,” all of them, receive more love, and this is good.

Something also needs to be said, and maybe there should be another Commandment for this? About speech itself.

Something like, “Thou shalt not make small talk!”

Yes, that’s right. Small talk. You know, hi, how are you when we don’t mean it, blathering on about the weather–unless we’re thankful for it of course, and above all, complaining about ourselves, other people, circumstances–ours or theirs, and stuff we have absolutely no control over!

Oh, and don’t forget judging–this is good and this is bad, and that’s the way it is! Oh, really? As Byron Katie says, “Is that true? Do you absolutely know that that’s true?”

Small talk is so pervasive in Western society, and particularly American society, that–and this is the harm–we do it without thinking! It’s like–no, it’s not “like,” it is!–we can’t stand to share companionable silence with anyone, or by ourselves!

So, we engage in all this prattle. Valuable words put to negative use. And we get caught up in the complaining merry-go-round, the wheel of gossip, the web of lack and limitation. Whether we started it, or “just” commiserate, we add negativity to this “small talk” just by being there and not offering something better.

Because that’s what it is: Small talk! We’re only talking about small things, things that are egotistical, dramatic or traumatic, transient, negative, less than good, or things we wish were different. And by focusing so much on them, we lower our vibration on all levels.

Haven’t you ever felt drained after talking to someone? Raise your hand because I know you have! Yeah, me, too.

Ok. Now take that feeling, and multiply it. Imagine it going out from you, to everyone you think about, everyone you love, everyone you know, and everyone you’ve ever met, or will ever meet.

That’s what vibration does. It reaches far beyond where we’re immediately located physically, and far beyond ourselves and present company.

Small talk is draining–mentally, emotionally, psychically, subconsciously, and yes, spiritually.

But me telling you not to do it, is also adding negativity! And I do practice what I preach!

So, what can you do? You can add positive energy wherever you are. This doesn’t mean you have to be all chipper and sunny when you just don’t feel like it. It does mean you look for something good to think about, focus on, and if you must speak, to talk about that good thing.

If something negative needs to be addressed, ask for guidance. The God-Presence within you will speak through you if you get out of the way. It will guide you, giving you the words to use, the right time and place, and helping everyone respond constructively.

It’s also important to learn to enjoy, and be enriched by quiet time. Try sitting with a friend, and being quiet. If you have to, tell your friend ahead of time that you want to try this. It will probably be uncomfortable at first. But as your awareness shifts to the great space within you, you’ll be grateful you’re not clogging it up with “small talk.”

And may the blessing be: Thou shalt make big talk!

In the Meantime – Song

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It’s amazing how we write some things, and years later they’re still just as relevant, if not more so. This song is one of those things. Written in 2003, it was requested a lot when I did concerts and other performances. I wanted to share it here for its truth, simplicity, and fun music.

In the Meantime – Lyrics

Instrument: 76-key Casio keyboard (unknown model)

Note: Refrain lyrics are at the end.

1. When something happens that’s bad,
People get angry and sad.
They stay in denial, and cry for a while,
But life goes on in the meantime!
Refrain:

2. When someone’s sad and depressed,
He feels very distressed.
He gets in a mess, and can’t think or rest,
But life goes on in the meantime!
Refrain:

(B)
So live each moment
As if it were your last!
And don’t get wrapped up
In living in the past!
Don’t say, “If only…”
As days quickly pass,
‘Cause life goes on in the meantime!
Refrain:

3. When folks have too much to do,
They think they cannot get through.
They feel a great strain; they sit and complain,
But life goes on in the meantime!
Refrain:

Repeat (B).

In the meantime…

Refrain:

Life goes on in the meantime!

Refrain:
And in the meantime the world keeps turning;
In the meantime the sun keeps burning.
In the meantime the world keeps turning around!
Yes, life goes on in the meantime!

Halloween Prayer

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for All Hallows’ Evening

Our Father which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.*
May all that is in your kingdom
In Heav’n be on Earth the same.

No matter how deep the darkness,
The glimmer of Light won’t fail.
Whatever our many trials,
We see you beyond the veil.

The mind is a maze of mirrors
Reflecting what we hold back.
May you be the Truth to guide us
And lead us upon your path.

And time is a grand illusion
We let ourselves make believe.
But may we know all is flowing
As life, death and birth complete.

For you are the Light in darkness.
You are the Peace in storm.
You are the breath inspiring
Creation to be reborn.

Our Father which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
May all that is in your kingdom
In Heav’n be on Earth the same.
So mote it be!

* Matthew 6:9, King James Version (KJV)

To those who find this offensive, I’m sorry you feel that way. I stand by the Truth that God is, and is within, everything, and this prayer was written from that knowing.

Be the Pumpkin, A Personal Story

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I remember, sometimes people called me Pumpkin when I was little. Little and cute, it seemed to me, because no one does that now. But what I remember most is being a pumpkin, actually being one for a few moments one year at Halloween.

Mom made the costumes for all of us. I was probably in first or second grade, and I don’t remember if all my older brothers and sisters were also pumpkins, or just some of them. I do know there were at least four of us who dressed up that year. And so there we were, in our homemade costumes, winning a prize at some school dance or another for the older kids. The whole family could go, so I got another chance to wear the costume, after trick-or-treating and the school Halloween parade. “Third time’s the charm,” as they say.

But it took a long time to get to that point. First, Mom had to make the costumes. To this day, over 20 years later, I wonder what possessed her to make them all! But we were to be pumpkins, and hers were the hands that made it so.

Mom always was crafty. Yeah, take that any way you like, because she was and is. She could do anything with some felt, a big ole’ trash bag, and a sewing machine. Oh, and the tape. Don’t forget the double-sided tape! Because that, my friends, was important.

So, the costume. What was it like? Well, if memory serves, I had a green stem with green leaves on top of my red hair. Sounds more like a Christmas tree, but it worked. That was all felt. And it was glued together, so it pretty much formed a hat.

Then, there was the trash bag. With holes for arms and legs, it went on like a jumper. But being plastic, we didn’t want it to rip. So it took some doing and at least one other person to get me into the bag.

I don’t know if the bag was already orange, or if painting was another of Mom’s talents put to use that year. But I know the result was me, with the pumpkin head and orange body. And I was big, let me tell you. Big and round. That impressed me so much, how such a skinny kid could be made so pumpkin-like by filling the bag up with, paper, was it? I sort of recall making a rustling sound as I walked, so I guess it was.

And the tape? Well, that kept the pumpkin-bag shoulders on my shoulders. It stuck to my shirt or dress or whatever I wore under the costume. Like I said, the tape was really important. And I felt important carrying a roll of tape around. That was the coolest thing!

Now would probably be a good time to explain why this pumpkin thing meant so much to me. Halloween, if not before that, has been my favorite holiday ever since. And it wasn’t just because of the candy. It’s the pumpkins! I love pumpkins! It goes back to “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!” Thanks to Charles Schultz for this enduring character. So I was honored to dress as my favorite Fall fixture.

I didn’t care who liked it, though clearly, people did. I didn’t care who noticed. I didn’t care who helped me into the costume. I just had fun being who and what I was. And every year at Halloween I vow I’ll be a pumpkin. But I’ve never pulled it off again. Although I admit, I came pretty close the year I was pregnant!

Now I realize I don’t have to be little and cute, or big and round for that matter. I just have to have fun being who and what I am. Not just at Halloween, but all year long.

The Sound of Creation

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God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
–Genesis 1:3 (World English Bible, WEB)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
–John 1:1 (WEB)

Maybe it was spoken.
Maybe it was sung.
Sound began the process,
The Sound of God the One.

God made all creation
First there came the Light
From the Sound it echoed
And made the darkness bright.

God said, let’s make humans,
Put them on the Earth,
In a Word He gave us
Our Spirit, Life and birth.

That’s why we love music,
Sung and spoken Word.
Heart and soul, it moves us,
The voice of God is heard.

10 Ways to Turn Mistakes into Blessings

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Mistakes are wrong, failures, sins, error, useless… Right? Not if we do even one of these 10 things, and this is not a complete list! Do just one of these today, and turn what you thought was a mistake into a blessing.

1. Learn from it. What did it teach you?

2. Use it to connect with someone else. “I’ve been there too,” and compassionately lead them onward and upward.

3. See it as a step. Where are you off to next?

4. Find the gift. What do you realize you have now, that you didn’t see before?

5. Expand your awareness. Narrow-mindedness creates judgements, of both ourselves and other people. How can you be more aware from now on?

6. See the good. Even in the midst of that mistake, there was something good. What was it?

7. Allow more. Consciously or subconsciously, we let mistakes into our lives, along with the belief that they are mistakes. What will you allow today? Something better?

8. Make a pact. Often, mistakes come from the need to fix things, or reach outside ourselves for what we need. Connect with the God-Presence within you, and ask it, “What do I need?”

9. Keep your own council. I’ve written on this before. Let that God-Presence, the part of you that already, always knows what you need, answer the question for itself. It will be the right answer, better than anything you could come up with on your own.

10. Let it go! A good way to make more mistakes is to harp on those we’ve already made! So let them go, give them to the God-within. The pain, sting of failure, embarrassment and loss will stop controlling your outlook. In turn you’ll be able to see and know, that the Universe intends good for you.

Mistakes are only one way we can find our good! They are not the only way, and they are not always negative to a fault. Turn one around for yourself today, and create a blessing!

Bless’d be!

Sheep – Spiritual Poem

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The world sees sheep
As conformists
Flocks of dependents
Stupid, ignorant, unable to think for themselves.

Sheep need permission to breathe
Guidance every step of the way
Shelter from the world
Ingrained fear, “Don’t do that, or else…”

Sheep are followers
Of everyone else
And this is bad.

You don’t want to be a sheep!

The Spirit sees sheep
As unique
Flocks of a web, One Spirit
Intelligent, creative, making Right Thought reality.

Sheep have permission to breathe abundantly
True guidance lighting their path
Shelter from what would drag them down
Choice, “Do that if you will, and pay the consequences.”

Sheep are followers
Of a larger, brighter, knowing shepherd
And this is beautiful.

Do you want to be a sheep?

Play Without Learning, Live Without Trying

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In our fast-paced, fast food, quick fix society, we want things handed to us, all done, already complete, no assembly required. And some people mistakenly believe law of attraction and metaphysics promote just that. Sorry, but this is simply not true.

Starting in the 1800’s if not earlier, people wanted to experience the beauty and fun of playing music, but didn’t want to put in the time, concentration, learning and effort required to truly make music their own. The markets responded by offering player pianos. TO this day player pianos are still available, and electronic keyboards offer song banks and visual systems, touch here and learn this song in 7 easy steps!

I don’t believe this is a real, expansive way to learn anything. In fact I would call it cheating, but you didn’t ask me that, did you?

So what does this have to do with metaphysics, or spirituality in general? A lot, actually. Some so-called teachers are promoting law of attraction, New Thought, and versions of metaphysics like this. The Universe is your catalog. Ask! And whatever you ask for is given. Visualize it long enough, and you’ll get what you want. Live as if you already have what you say you want, and you’ll get it.

The confusion comes because, though these premises contain truth, they are not the whole Truth. And though a player piano or electronic keyboard can reproduce songs, that’s all it can do. It does not think, learn, feel, or experience anything. Therefore, it does not grow, change, or evolve.

The purpose of life, is evolution, change, transformation. And for this purpose to be fulfilled, we must be nurtured, watered if you will, fed, supported, so that we can grow. Which is the purpose of life!

Do you see what I’m getting at here? We can hear something and call it music, because it sounds nice and we like it. But does that mean we understand how music works? Does that mean we feel and appreciate it? Does that mean we’ve learned anything from it? If we are not better in some way, after listening to or playing music, it hasn’t fulfilled its purpose–to grow, expand and change.

If we take the so-called Secret, law of attraction, or anything in New Thought, spirituality, or any religion, but are not expanded by it, then life’s purpose is not served. Why is this? Because we’re only looking at the surface. We’re looking at a physical thing, be it someone’s book or listening to a “good song,” and believing that will give us the quick fix we want.

Nope, sorry. There are no quick fixes. Music, dare I say it, takes work. Now, that work does not have to be drudgery, but it is a process. I’ve taken some very intense music courses, and I didn’t always breeze through them. They stretched me, asked me to shift my awareness to deeper, more subtle things.

And get this: Because I persisted I’ve been rewarded. I’m not the same person I was before these courses. You play me a piece of music, and I can tell you at least some of its notes and chords. I can to some extent, sing and/or play it back. And most of all, I appreciate the feeling, the spirit that created the music. I am transformed.

This expanding-process is not always fun. But, if we keep in mind the reason we’re here, to transform our souls, to reconnect with the Divine Spirit within us and to express more of that in our world, we can always come through the rough patches. And we are better for it!

The same goes for studies of any philosophy. Law of attraction works. It does not work, “If you follow these simple steps.” It does not work, “If you think you already have what you want.” No. It works, if and only if, you create for yourself a spiritual foundation and expand from there.

So again, the parallel between music and spirituality. You can learn music because someone wants you to. You can do it because you want to. But you will only grow, musically and otherwise, if you have a deeper connection to the music within you, its spirit, its purpose–yes, its life.

When we learn or do something only for results, it is less than. But when we learn to expand ourselves and our Divine connection, it is true learning that will last, and expand, our lifetime.

Expand your physical experiences. Seek out intellectual opportunities. Learn new things. And be sure that as you do, they offer some soul transformation at their core. Because the soul is here to evolve. The mind and body are just its tools.

We must expand on all levels, not just one or two. And we must, with Divine guidance, go through the growth process, even if it’s hard, painful, frustrating and at times, appears to fail.

We are here to experience life. And life is transformation.

May it be so for you, for me and for all those souls open to life itself!

And so it is!

An Eye for an Eye: And then What?

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Recently someone asked me for a metaphysical take on “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth,” and whether “we” (metaphysicians) believe in the death penalty. Here is the passage where Jesus teaches on this, and one, perhaps surprising, metaphysical interpretation.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you, don’t resist him who is evil; but whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also. If anyone sues you to take away your coat, let him have your cloak also. Whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and don’t turn away him who desires to borrow from you.
–Matthew 5:38-42 World English Bible (WEB)

First, we need to understand where this law originated. It goes back to Exodus 21:24, which in WEB reads, “eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.”

Basically, laws in the time of Moses established a framework to keep society in order and prevent chaos and anarchy. People could not be counted on to do the right thing, so fear/consequence-based laws were instated. Under these laws, if you put someone’s eye out, yours would be put out in return. Whatever you did, particularly evil things, would be done to you, too.

This is also referenced in Leviticus 24:20 and Deuteronomy 19:21. This was the “thou shalt not” phase of the law, which Jesus did not come to destroy (Matthew 5:17-18, but to provide spiritual conduct as a foundation. Before Christ, people thought observing the letter of the law by performing the “right” rituals, while still harboring negativity in mind and heart, was sufficient. Jesus taught otherwise.

In this section of The Sermon on the Mount, Jesus refers to the old law, and gives a spiritual expansion of its letter, or literal interpretation. So, since the time of Christ, taking “an eye for an eye,” subjecting offenders to the self-same action they committed, is not following the law. In reality, this is repaying evil consciousness (wrong thinking) with evil consciousness. And even in secular society, we know two wrongs don’t make a right.

We’re encouraged, no, strongly advised, not to resist evil.

39 But I tell you, don’t resist him who is evil; but whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also.

However, and this is a big one, this does not mean we have to be doormats and let evil doers (negative people) walk all over us, and accept their conduct toward us! It does mean that we must see through their actions to the truth of their, and our being.

When the “cheek of evil” is turned to you, turn the “cheek of truth” back to it.

“I behold the Christ in you,” is what can make metaphysics hard to live. It’s because in order to be truly spiritual, we can’t just appear to forgive people. We have to really, truly let things go, and not just cover them up or suppress them! Who wants to do that?

No one, that’s who! At least, no one in a vengeful state of mind can do that. That is why we recognize the Christ idea within us. Because only by letting that idea take over our wayward, fight or flight personal mind, can we rise above anyone’s treatment of us. And rise we must, because if we don’t, we can’t have the abundant life Christ promises us.

So, which do you want? To be right, or to be happy?

The references to giving up your cloak, going the extra mile, etc. are the Oriental way of driving a point home. The teaching is the same: Do not resist evil, but return it with good.

And you thought metaphysics was all hearts and flowers! It could be, but we have to get rid of the weeds so strongly planted in the deepest levels of our minds first. That is not work for the faint at heart.

The question put to me was whether we believe in the death penalty. Again, we see another way in which metaphysics demands individual responsibility. Jesus did not teach, and we don’t teach, that the death penalty itself is either right or wrong. What we teach, is that if you continue on the road of lower, victim, vengeful consciousness, yes, you will experience death. That is, the death of the soul, when you could have had abundant life, had you chosen the narrow way of Higher Mind Awareness.

If you want someone put to death, what will that get you? We know that whatever we wish for someone, we will get back. Perhaps not in the same literal way, but energetically, karmically, it will come back to us. If you want death, go for it! Plenty of people do. However, if you want something better, that which is truly your divine right, reach for that instead.

Death may seem easier. whether To kill our souls by following the ego’s path, or to want someone physically killed for something they’ve done. But will it truly serve in the long run? Will it evolve you to a higher place?

All we are responsible for, is our own individual consciousness. The good news is that when we connect daily with the God-Presence within us, the ego eventually catches on and starts to learn from that God-Presence. It is then that we notice progress, deep within our minds as well as in our outer lives.

Deep within each of us, there is a part of us that knows. It knows what is right, what is true, and what serves God’s purpose. And it is why we pray, sincerely and not just saying so, “Thy will be done.”

And so it is!