Category Archives: Spiritual articles

Perceived Limitations

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“Just remember: when you go to court, you are trusting your fate to twelve people that weren’t smart enough to get out of jury duty!”—Anonymous

Believe it or not, I always thought it would be neat to serve on a jury. Before I considered myself an aware person, I wanted to play a part in deciding who was right, and who was wrong. Then, when I became more aware, I wanted to be a vehicle of divine order – manifesting higher purpose in the world. But I never thought about the process of being on a jury, what a juror does, and how they do it.

Recently, the above quote made me think. I read it in a friend’s email signature and remembered my desire to serve on a jury. I wondered why so many people want to get out of jury duty, and then there’s me: I’d love to be called, but never have been. What’s up with that?

I asked someone that question and got hit over the head with that cosmic baseball bat. The response was, “Well, there would be evidence that you’d have to see. And you can’t see.”

My reply was, “Oh really? Uh, I guess that’s true, but I never thought about that.”

I never considered myself limited in that way. And I still don’t! I also no longer want to serve on a jury! But I digress. 🙂

The important thing is, we have a choice. We choose how to perceive others, and more importantly, how we perceive ourselves. We can see lack and limitation. We can see appearances and call them limiting. Or we can have a desire, and see opportunities to fulfill it!

Are you limited by some physical, mental, emotional or other block? Your personal ego and sense of individual identity may shout out a resounding, “Yes!” But as Byron Katie says, “Is that true? Do you absolutely know that it’s true?”

And the answer, the ultimate Truth, is a resounding, “NO!” You are not limited by anything.

We create limitation by our perceptions, our sense of separation from Supreme Intelligence, Spirit, God – that which is All There Is. But ultimately, that separation is an illusion. At any time we can reconnect with the Truth of our being, and manifest, that is, bring into form, the fulfillment of our individual purpose and any desire that is in harmony with that purpose.

Will I serve on a jury? Probably not. But it’s not because I can’t, blind or not! It’s because that desire isn’t in alignment with my purpose. But manifestation of Higher Awareness? That is in accord with my purpose.

So, I’m thankful for this opportunity to become clear about limitation and most of all, about potential, opportunity, and possibility!

POP: Potential, Opportunity, Possibility!

That’s the purpose of true metaphysics, and why each of us are here: to POP in our own way, to manifest God and the universe, in all its versatility.

And so it is!

The Miracle of Life

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It sounds simple, and it is. But because of its simplicity, most of us take the miracle of life for granted.

We are sustained by something, no matter what we choose to call it–God, Spirit, Lifeforce, Energy, Cosmic Consciousness, Universal Life, Chi, Ki, Prana, or any other name. It’s not the name that’s important; it’s the concept and the underlying force. We are sustained; therefore, we have breath. That’s miracle enough! But the true miracle of life and living, is that of ebb and flow.

With every breath we take, life is either ebbing–with the exhale–or flowing–with the inhale.

Each step we take is a rhythmic balancing act. If something in our bodies didn’t work properly, we could not take another step. To keep walking, balance must be maintained, and to start walking from a state of rest, balance must be restored.

We sleep, and we wake. Unfortunately again, we truly underestimate the power of sleeping and waking! We waste our waking hours with thoughts of “What if,” “If only,” “What’s next?” and “Not now.” And we miss the opportunities Life offers us–the chance to release old patterns, beliefs, thoughts and situations, and allow new ones to flow to and through us.

And we all know we don’t use our sleep wisely! We skimp on rest, drink caffeine-laced beverages and energy drinks to stay awake, because we don’t have time to sleep. Time is irrelevant. It, too, ebbs and flows. Some days it seems time is on our side. That’s when we’re in the flow, working with Life and its gifts. Other days we have no idea where time is going and where it’s taking us. That is ebb, and it’s perfectly natural.

What is not natural, is how we respond to ebbing time. Rather than giving thanks that time is shifting in our favor, we lament not having more time. And we know that what we resist, persists. So, learn to live with time’s flow, as well as its ebb, and to be grateful for both.

We are not linear beings. We are cyclical, spiraling, evolving beings. We have Life to thank for that! As we put aside society’s notions of productivity, good work, right and wrong, we realize that the ebb and flow of the universe is mirrored in our own hearts, minds, and bodies.

And that is why we need sleep! Sleep is a time to rest and rejuvenate the mind, as well as the body. It’s a time to assimilate, work out, and release parts of our lives. That is why we dream; it’s a tool to help us work with Universal ebb and flow: Working with it, not against it.

Sleep is also a time to reconnect with that Presence of Life within us. Before falling asleep, we can simply affirm a restful night, dedicating it to God or Spirit. And we can respect ourselves enough to truly rest, without escaping first into books and technologies. Sleep is a blessing, and we can shift and learn to embrace it as one.

We take time to be with other people. But just as important is the time we take for ourselves. This includes hobbies, interests, and creative activities. But more than that, it includes meditation, going within, quieting the personal ego mind, and contemplating and experiencing the Power and Presence of Life.

Next time you breathe–and hopefully you won’t wait long!–let yourself experience the ebb and flow of your breath. Yogis, mystics and meditators speak of this often. But only when we experience it for ourselves, can we truly appreciate the ebb and flow that is the miracle of Life.

Four Steps to “Be Here Now”

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This is the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it. –Psalm 118:24

This day, this moment, is new! We’ve never been here before, and we’ll never be here again! TO make the most of this moment, this day, this week, this year, there are some steps we can take to truly “be here now.”

1. Recognize God’s presence.

You can call it God, Universal Consciousness, Spirit, Shekhina, Allah, Goddess, or anything else you like. But recognize it. Acknowledge it for what it is–Creator, Source, Life. It is what creates all things, what all things are made of, and what makes all things “tick.” Recognize that; know it within yourself, and make it real to you.

2. Declare it within you.

Proclaim and affirm that this Presence of All-There-Is, exists within you. Why wouldn’t it? You just recognized that it is within all things. Yet somehow we’re good at saying, “But not within me…” This is total falsehood and spiritual foolishness! That Presence, that Great Spirit, is as much within you as within anything else. It’s not just for the Chosen Few. It’s for each Chosen One, and that would be you! Affirm that God is within you. Make that declaration, and make it confidently.

3. Identify ultimate reality.

Invoke spiritual reality from within yourself. This means letting go of appearances, outward conditions, and negative thoughts. It means going beyond these things–which is why we call this metaphysics. “Meta” meaning beyond; “physics” meaning physics itself, or physical existence. Guide your own mind beyond appearances, and identify your True Self. In spiritual reality you are whole on all levels of your being. You are love, peace, happiness, abundance; you are all good. Stay with this until it becomes real to you.

4. Accept the healing of your mind.

Now, receive! You’ve asked for something from the Universe. It would be counter-productive and spiritually rude to turn it away! So, consciously accept this oneness and wholeness as your new life. Give thanks that it’s already real in Universal Mind, and that it’s manifesting in your life now.

This process is many things. It is the steps in metaphysical prayer treatment or affirmative prayer. It’s also a way to give up the personal ego. The part of us that fears, doubts, worries, and is generally negative, is sublimated or taken over, by the Higher Mind within us. This is not a painful thing! It’s joyful! But it must be done at least once daily.

Take these simple steps. Meditate and pray with oneness as your goal–at-one-ment with the Mind of God. And they become so integrated that you live in a state of oneness more and more of the time.

Negative trends happen. It’s how we respond to them that’s important. Train your mind to respond with these steps, or whatever resonates with you. The result is that negative trends don’t last as long, and positiveness is your dominant state.

“Now may you be blessed,
May you always feel whole,
Fulfilling the purpose
That’s deep in your Soul.
–And so it is!”
–from “Harp and Drum”

Keeping Your Own Council

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I just read a wonderful post called He Who Goes To A Medium Must Go With A Clean Inner Life! I fully agree with the conclusion stated in the title. If you’re going to visit a medium, psychic, or other healer, reader or even a minister, you must have a clean inner life. Otherwise, any message you receive could be distorted by inner thoughts, beliefs, and subconscious patterns (I call it goo) that haven’t been sublimated.

But what is sublimation, and what does it have to do with keeping your own council? Sublimation means allowing negativity of any kind, on any level of being, to be overcome by the Higher Mind within. It means raising your consciousness above the level where currently, you see a problem. And truly, keeping your own council is the best way to do this.

Are you feeling fearful, inadequate, let down or negative now? If you are, there is good news. These feelings come from the personal ego, and the personal ego is, above all, what must be sublimated by the Spirit within, that is our true nature. And the Spirit within is what you seek when you keep your own council. It is not the ego’s council, which is like asking for someone else’s opinion. It is true knowing, and who wouldn’t want that kind of council?

No medium, psychic, teacher or other guide whom you visit with your outer senses can tell you what is best for your life. They can, however, be tools for the Higher, Universal or God-Mind to speak to you. But only when the personal ego is out of the way, can you truly hear that guidance.

It is not guidance just because it comes from this channel or that spiritualist or the medium you saw on television! It’s guidance when it comes from the Mind of God! This Mind is within you and everyone, always. And the best thing you can do to improve your life on all levels, is to establish and keep contact with that Mind.

This is accomplished through meditation. Not meditation once or twice a week, or when you have nothing better to do. But daily meditation and/or prayer, expressing the desire to live from the Higher Mind that is one with all things, and not from the personal ego. By entering into this type of meditation, you will really experience God-Mind for yourself. You can read about someone else’s meditation experience, but it means nothing to you. Only your own personal contact will show you, beyond thought and experience itself, when you have made contact with Universal Intelligence.

You can respect those who serve as psychics, mediums, teachers, readers, healers and other channels! Above all though, seek first the Higher Mind (or Kingdom of Heaven) at the core of your own mind and being. If after that, guidance comes through a medium, a friend, or even a child, that guidance is real. And the person who serves as messenger has been a tool to bring it to your outer senses.

In every case, the thanks, glory and appreciation go to the God-Mind. So yes, thank the person who has provided service. And go beyond that, thanking the Cosmic Consciousness within you, within that person, and within all things.

Happy In-Dependence

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Today in the United States, most of us are celebrating our independence–from England, from others, from everything we don’t need.

In short, it often seems more like, “Ha ha, I don’t need you, I don’t want you, and there’s nothing you can do for me… Unless of course, I want to exploit you, in which case I’ll be happy to. But remember, I’m independent!”

I’ll say no more on that; I can already feel some cringing going on, and that’s not where I’m going with this.

Independence is something we can all have! But independence from what? A common way to start a Spiritual Mind Treatment (affirmative prayer, or metaphysical treatment) is this: “I recognize that there is but one Life in this universe. That Life is God’s Life, and that Life is my Life now.” Does that sound like self-serving, egotistical independence to you?

No! The independence we seek and truly celebrate, is in-dependence of God. We depend on God, and are independent of the personal ego. In our dependence we open to true freedom, ultimate reality, and the source of all things. When we depend on the ego and celebrate our independence from what we don’t like, we have not evolved at all. We’re still in victim consciousness, like a small child who says, “I don’t need your help! I can do it myself!”

However, when we celebrate our in-dependence with God, we know ultimate Truth:

“Why call ye me good? I of myself do nothing. It is the Father within me that doeth these works” –Christ

In this dependence, we release attachment to our personal, outer identity for something better: The inner knowing, and then the outward manifestation of our at-one-ment with God-Presence.

It starts within us, always. Independence is possible! But independence from what? From all that no longer serves our Highest and Greatest Good, from negativity, from reacting to conditions rather than responding from Love.

We can still celebrate a country’s independence, or personal milestones, and do so gladly! But at the heart of our independence is the recognition that God is our Source and the true doer of all things through us.

May this be a happy In-dependence Day, for each and every precious being God has created in His image!

And as we let it be so, so it is!

What Time is It?

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The following is from Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, King James Version (KJV). For a musical version try this Video–Turn Turn Turn by The Byrds

3 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

“What time is it right now in my life?” I’ve been asking myself this question in prayer and meditation, so I can know and follow divine guidance. This text is comforting to me, and its rhythm and poetry speak to my heart, and keep my mind occupied. 🙂

Taken literally, this text doesn’t make much metaphysical sense. A time to kill? Inevitably we kill things sometime, but is that an image we want to hold for long? Generally, no. SO I take this symbolically. I believe the different stages in this text are all saying the same thing:

There is a time to actively participate in all things, and there is a time to rest and go within. There is a time to create, and a time to release. There’s a time to hold on, and a time to let go.

These times are rarely well-defined. We can’t say, “Ok. In Winter we don’t work at all. We just take it easy and rest by the fire. In Summer we work all day every day, no breaks, do not pass go, do not collect $200, just work work work!” Because then, what do we do in Spring and Fall?

No, these times can be much more subtle. They are above all, inner times, or inner seasons. They can and do overlap, but I feel they are a dominant state. The concept of “time” in this text is a guideline. You probably work in Winter, both on a mental and spiritual level as well as physically. But our dominant state, at least for those of us who live in cold climates, is more rest than outside work.

The author of Ecclesiastes is sharing the Truth that life works best for us when we flow with its seasons. We need to learn how to work with our inner seasons and landscapes, rather than resisting them.

The references to gathering stones, war and peace, etc, are cultural references of the time the text was written, as well as metaphors for the building up and taking down, the letting in and letting go that we experience as the evolution and change that take place in our lives.

Verses 9-15 read:

9 What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?

10 I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.

11 He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

12 I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.

13 And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.

14 I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.

15 That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.

There are beautiful images and great affirmations here! And the question is put bluntly enough: “What’s in it for us?” What’s the point of working or laboring? And what, do tell, is our God-given task?

The affirmation that put the whole thing into perspective for me is:

12 I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.

13 And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.

So, we labor not only to receive God’s gift of joy to us, but also to participate in that gift. We, too, are the gift. We are a gift of and from God our Creator and Father; the same Father who makes everything, including us, beautiful in its time. And that gift is given to us, as merriment and a good life, as well as through us. We can only receive what we allow God to give through us.

But, God has not only made everything beautiful in its time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

What does this mean for us? It means the world is within us! We already have everything we could ever need, imagine or co-create with God. We just do not, because we cannot, see that whole world at once. We cannot, in our own mind, know God’s work from beginning to end, why things happen, or how they will play out. It is not ours to know. In fact, if we knew, our ego would explode–it is not equipped to handle all that! God knows this and keeps silent, rolling out the tapestry of our lives to us just a little at a time. What a blessing!

We need to trust God, because in our limited mental and intellectual understanding, we will never know God’s work from beginning to end. The thought “Give God what is God’s” comes to mind. We need to allow God to take care of us. He will do it anyway–but if we really allow it, we experience much more good, and less struggle.

The text ends with the greatness and eternal nature of God:

14 I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should *fear before him.

15 That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; **and God requireth that which is past.

*this is not dread or ego-centered fear as we know it, but awe and wonder

**God sees the big, eternal picture, and everything in every time, existed for His glory. Everything was required, from the eternal perspective.

I encourage you to read this text or another on seasons that resonates with you. Ask yourself that question: “What time is it right now in my life?” You will receive guidance. And by following it, you will live in the flow of God-Life within and around you.

And as we let it be so, so it is!

Your Holy Grail: What it is and how to Find It

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I’m sure you’re familiar with the concepts of gurus and the Holy Grail. But what do they have in common? And more importantly, do you need either one?

If you’re a writer, you know there are writing gurus out there. I’m not naming any here, because that would not serve. 🙂 You also know there are books that editors, publishers, other writers, teachers, coaches, mentors, and anyone else who feels like weighing in, says you need. But again, do you truly need them?

I understand these concepts. I understand that gurus are “only” people who are great at what they do, and who choose to teach or mentor others. I understand that what is a must-have Holy Grail of you-name-it for someone, might not be that for me.

I read a lot. But books can only get me, or you, so far! Classes are great, but we’re only learning someone else’s material in whatever way they present it. Having a coach is important, but if you ask a coach for guidance, please don’t sell yourself short! Don’t think their opinion is better than yours, because it probably is not. And don’t believe everything you read.

Why? Because true guidance, already customized to your soul’s purpose, is already inside you!

Where? Under all that stuff spinning around in your mind from everyone else’s books, opinions, seminars, classes, coaching and counseling sessions, therapies, modalities, and programs!

There are so-called experts in every profession and every area of study. And usually they’re the ones making money–not you. As you continue reading–for which I thank you!–ask yourself this question:

Who is the only expert I need in my life?

There’s nothing wrong with support from others! In fact, support, rightly given, is one of the most valuable things we can offer anyone. However, look first within! And any outer support or tools you need will be added to you.

I repeat: It’s not the outer tools you need! It’s connecting with your natural, God-given intuition of what is right for you. Then, the perfect tools and people follow naturally and easily.

Put away the books sometimes. Others’ opinions are not Gospel Truth. The only Gospel for you is the one within you. My Gospel is not your Gospel. The very highest and best support anyone can offer is the space, the state of consciousness, the love and confidence required to tell you, “Look within yourself where your Truth already is.”

To find your Truth, let go of the “I need this book, this guru, this one thing, and then I’ll be fine” mentality. Give up the personal ego, which thinks you are never enough as you are. All that you need is already within you! And the more you seek it, the more of it you will receive in your life.

Christ taught meditation, and most other traditions also teach some form of meditation. Christ said, “But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:6 NKJV)

Christ is telling us to go within the room of the mind. He says to shut the door, meaning become quiet, turning away from outer distractions. Then, we ask the Father, who is within us (in the secret place of the subconscious mind). And the Father, who sees everything, rewards us.

It’s that simple, once we’ve gotten the personal ego out of the way. And when we have, we easily, gently, like a waterfall, receive what we need to carry out our unique purpose in this life.

Remember to give thanks for the guidance that is within you, and the strength and confidence to carry it out.

And as we let it be so, so it is!

Recipe for a Good Marriage

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Mr. and Mrs. G. with Rev. Crystal

To Mr. and Mrs. G.
With my heart-felt thanks
For the honor of officiating your wedding
And for helping me heal.

In order to have a good, fulfilling marriage on all levels, it must first be fulfilling on a spiritual level. This is why I answered the call to Metaphysical ministry–to live the example of inner fulfillment, to demonstrate it through a successful life, and to support others as they look within to manifest their own success.

I focus on marriage here, because it’s been on my mind a lot lately. However, these points apply to any intimate relationship. I left my own marriage with a bitter taste. I knew that wouldn’t serve me, or anyone else. And by the Presence and Power of God, I’m moving beyond those issues to the Love I know as Truth.

It’s been my experience that when we truly desire something, the Universe moves all things to provide it! So it was with choosing love over bitterness for me. In ministerial lessons we studied the role of marriage in Metaphysics, and just today, I officiated my first wedding ceremony.

Throughout these things I’ve asked myself, that is my Highest Self, what is a good marriage? Even within individual couples, expectations vary widely. People want emotional support. Some want their partners to read their minds–which rarely works on mental power alone! And everyone has some physical expectation. This is all perfectly natural, but what’s really going on here? With the Truth so hidden by society, it’s a wonder to me that any marriages survive at all!

The question is, as ever: Where does fulfillment, love, or success come from? What creates the relationship, or marriage we want?

If the marriage is to be a true success, the Creator must be God-Mind, Universal Consciousness, the Spirit within each of us, expressing itself through this relationship.

Christ said, “Seek first the kingdom of God,” which we know to be within us already. Because, “All these things will be added to you.” All what things? Mental communication, emotional support, and unconditional love and acceptance–even when we disagree, just to name a few.

I don’t know what your good marriage looks like. I don’t know what the marriage of these newly weds will look like. But I wish each and every one blessings! I do believe there are some clues. If we have these, then we will have a successful marriage.

Attributes and Affirmations for a Good Marriage

* Positive feelings – I affirm you in thought, word and action.

* Understanding – I may not understand your behavior, but I do understand that you are following a divine path that is as valid as my own.

* Deep feelings – The roots of my feelings for you are planted firmly in rich spiritual soil.

Christ told the parable of a man who built his house on the sand, and one who built on a rock. The storm came, the floods raged. And CRASH! The house on the sand fell, providing no shelter from the storm. But the house on the rock withstood the weather, providing shelter, warmth and safety.

The feelings we have for each other must have roots. Where? Not in the physical realm, not mental roots where we think about how much we like this or that about our partners. Not emotional roots where we praise our partners for how they make us feel. But spiritual roots. We must know that between us and within us is the oneness that is nothing less than God-Presence.

* Mental communication – I open my mind to God-Mind, and it expresses through me in our communications together.

When we recognize the spiritual roots of our relationships, then we receive mental communication. It is not by our own power, but by God’s, working through each of us.

* Spiritual communication – The God in me communes with the God in you.

Beyond thought and feeling, is Spirit. It is the core of your being, and the core of your partner’s being. Aware of this, we deepen our connection and strengthen our roots.

* Tenderness – I know the tenderness of God and extend it to you.

I think this one is Self-explanatory. Let your God-Self show you tenderness, and you will know and experience it between you.

* Love – I let the Life of God love through me, and we experience Universal Love together.

Saving the best for last! This is a deep love, more profound than any words or actions can express. This is God-Love, and God itself. Love is the Law’s fulfilling, and the greatest commandment. The good news is, we do not love by ourselves! We let God love through us, and extend that love to our partners.

A good marriage has a foundation of these spiritual attributes. They are not just pie-in-the-sky, nice things to say at a wedding ceremony. They are principles, Truth we can live by, when we let our relationship with God-Within guide our relationships with others.

Namaste, and may we each let it be so!

And so it is!

Poetry is to Prayer As…

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Remember those analogies from school? “Mouth is to teeth as book is to pages.” What is their relationship? A mouth contains teeth and a book contains pages.

Here is mine: “Poetry is to prayer as

song is to meditation.”

What is their relationship? For me, poetry and prayer are the same, and song and meditation are the same.

To anyone who writes or enjoys both poetry and song, chew on this. 🙂 It may not be true for you, but it will make you aware of your own inner truth.

In a poem I ask. It has form, but it’s not total oneness for me. For someone else it probably is! But for me it’s a step below. Poetry is a stepping stone to the experience of oneness.

Poetry is like prayer. If I’m “already there,” knowing my oneness with God-Mind, I don’t need to pray. Similarly, if I already feel oneness, it will come out in a song, and I don’t need a poem at that time.

A poem is a spiritual thing, but more intellectual than a song. I don’t know why I feel this way. Music as you know, is technically based on complex mathematical equations. Don’t ask me about that–I neither know nor care what’s scientifically behind the music I love and love to experience. 🙂 Still, for me, songwriting, playing music, and singing come from a state of oneness that is already established. But a poem is often my mind’s way of tiring itself out, so it can be quiet and let the oneness in.

When I write I feel either of these:

* I’m not experiencing oneness right now, but I know I want to, and I know I can. So I write a poem to get there. The poem gets rid of the subconscious goo, so I can come back to oneness. This is also why I journal.

* I’m experiencing oneness now; therefore, I write a song.

What does this have to do with prayer and meditation? Two things resonated with me in my metaphysical ministry lessons along this line. The first is that prayer is talking; meditation is listening. Poetry is expressing in words, the desire for oneness, the knowing it can be so, and its realization. So is prayer.

Second, meditation is the highest form of prayer. Music has always been important to me as a form of relaxation, expression, a place of comfort, and a way to experience good regardless of what’s happening around me. So, and again I only speak for myself here, music is like meditation.

In meditation I know my at-one-ment. And I know it in music as well.

In prayer I consciously connect with at-one-ment, but I’m not quite there yet. Likewise, in poetry I’m reaching for the at-one-ment I know I can have, but I haven’t realized it (made it my reality) yet.

For more, see Affirmative Prayer Class Week 1. Notice how the benefits of prayer and the benefits of writing poetry are similar.

Also think about this. Do you remember more songs, or poems? My experience has been that many people can sing songs automatically, but few can recite a poem from memory.

Do both poetry and song connect with the primal force of creation? I believe they do. It resonates with me, if, indeed, “the word was made flesh.” If “in the beginning there was the Word,” then was it a word of poetry? Or was it a song? I wonder…

The idea here is: the rhythm, the creative force, the form of poetry and song remind us of our ability to create. We create our reality within our own minds. Everything already exists, but we don’t experience it all at once! What we do experience, is what we’re consciously connected to.

If we want to experience true Universal oneness, how can we do that? Through asking, or praying, or using poetry if that works for us.

And when we experience that oneness “now,” we are in a state of joy, happiness, love, bliss, peace, meditation… Like a favorite melody or lyric, where we are so focused on Being that we know only this moment. We don’t have to ask, attract, focus–we just BE.

The poem is a reaching tool, reaching into Higher Mind. It usually starts with more “me” and less Higher Mind.

Song, for me, is Higher Mind expressing itself. There is much less, if any “me” and lots of Higher Mind.

Poetry is me telling Higher Mind something–funny, it never seems to work as well as I think it should! Because ideally, I’m in a state of song, where I let Higher Mind tell, guide, and flow through me.

The really cool thing is that we can create the poem or song. And at the same time, it has its own existence. It’s a form, an expression, and it’s a support to us. A poem (song, or anything else we resonate with!) can remind us of Truth. And/or it can be created/written from the experience of Truth itself.

Poetry and song, like prayer and meditation, and like every one of us, are fluid. Always evolving, changing, expanding, improving, and expressing. This is Creativity; this is Truth. This is the God-Power within us, flowing through us.

All we do is allow it to flow and express through us, as we are God-Creations, into our individual expressions of divine Creativity–which are God-Creations too! And they go forth and play a part in creating a feeling, striking a chord, or lighting a spark in someone else, who expresses more God-Creativity…

So, while I tend to use poetry to release negativity and/or ask for a blessing, and song to express “oneness now,” I ask to let them fly. I ask to be open to their purposes as well as my own, and not to put them in a locked box where they cannot express fully.

I give thanks for this realization; for the forms and expressions of poetry and song; and for the state of being where being, is all we are.

And as we let it be so, so it is!

Your Father Knows – Metaphysical Song

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As I have for all but 2 times I’ve lead a Sunday service, I shared a new song with Do not Worry: Why and How? I hesitate to say I write these songs, though the ideas, words, music and form come through me. I know it is really God who writes them, and I’m thankful for that!

This song is very special to me. As a child I was intrigued by the New Testament verses about lilies being more glorious than Solomon in all his splendor, and the birds being fed. I imagined it as auto-feed – the birds need food, and they just magically receive it from God? Wow! And the lilies just stand there and grow to be so beautiful!

Now, I’m still intrigued, and I’ve been blessed to experience the peace of that state of oneness. We’re not separate beings that need to feed ourselves and clothe ourselves, because we’re all alone and no one will do it for us. When I thought about this before, the phrase, “God helps those who help themselves” came to mind. So that blows the whole “Your Father takes care of you” thing out of the water, doesn’t it?

Actually, no! “God helps those who help themselves” means God helps those who are one with His Presence. God helps those who help their own state of consciousness. And when we are one in mind with God-Mind, we know that truly, we don’t need help. And we know that no one outside us, will take care of us, no matter what appearances seem to say. Instead, we have a deeper knowing that our Father – the God-Power within each of us – is the Source of all care.

This song is special because it was a tool for me to experience these truths. And the experience of writing it was amazing!

I was camping, spending time in beautiful weather, in an area with lots of birds and trees. I took my ukulele and sat quietly, letting things flow around me and thoughts flow through my mind. Whenever I played a loud chord, the birds stopped singing. When it was quiet, they sang again. And when I played the notes in the song, they kept singing. This was truly a blessing and a gift, and again I feel thankful to the Infinite God-within, that helps us experience such beauty.

So, as you take in this song, take in the birds, their peace, their song and the beauty of how God cares for them. Christ said, “Are you not of more value than they?”

Matthew 6:26,28-29,32-33 NKJV

See passage.

Your Father Knows – Lyrics

Instrument: Lady – tenor Flea ukulele

1. See the birds! They neither sow nor reap.
Yet they’re fed. Are you not loved as these?
For your Father knows and supplies all their needs.

Chorus:
Lay down the struggles and burdens you bear;
Pick up the peace that is yours in God’s care.

2. See the lilies! They neither toil nor spin.
Yet they’re clothed better than Solomon,
For your Father is pleased to provide all for them.
Chorus:

3. When you seek the Kingdom of God within,
You shall have all that you need to live.
For your Father knows and is ready to give.
Chorus: (twice)

Pick up the peace that is yours in God’s care.