Church Today

It's been a long time since my last post to this blog, and a lot has changed. I'm now a practitioner student at the Center for Spiritual Living, a Science of Mind church in Seattle. And Rev. Kathianne's talk today was exactly what I needed to hear.

I seem to be undergoing what Catherine Ponder called chemicalization, a period when you've made some spiritual growth, and all of a sudden your whole life falls apart. In the past few months, I've had a job that I thought was my Right Livelihood end, had a roommate act very bizarrely, lost several close friendships, had another roommate situation end strangely and abruptly before I finished moving in, and done some things that are pretty out of character for me, which caused someone I care about to apparently withdraw from my life. I've also been pretty frustrated with myself because I'm not accomplishing as much as I feel like I should with so much free time (being unemployed).



But today, Rev. Kathianne was talking about the metamorphosis of a caterpillar to a butterfly, and the fact that there is a stage in between the two where the caterpillar actually turns completely to mush before it becomes the butterfly. But the mush stage doesn't happen until the butterfly DNA is reproducing faster than the caterpillar's body can kill it (the body sees it as a foreign object). And, I was telling a friend, that's how I felt this morning-- like caterpillar soup. But a kind woman walking by pointed out that I was actually butterfly soup, because the mush stage doesn't happen until the butterfly DNA is present.



So, I like that better-- butterfly soup. This is a good thing, because it means that I've grown spiritually, and my life is changing. Rev. Kathianne also pointed out that the word Jesus used for 'good' in Aramaic actually means ripe and fully mature. So now, as I expect my good from this (because the Universe is in a conspiracy for my good), I know that my life is reaching a new level of maturity. That's definitely for my good, because people who know me know I can be a little immature-- a touch rebellious. I know at least one woman who's going to roll her eyes at this and say, "No kidding!"

So, where do I go from here? First, I need to increase my spiritual practice. It hasn't been regular, and that's always the first thing that improves my life. Secondly, I'm going to see a Practitioner this week to get some guidance. And finally, I'm going to break my to-do list up into more manageable pieces, and try to accomplish a few things every day. Not whole huge lists, but a few things. I intend to be kinder to myself ,stop kicking myself over what I don't do, and still accomplish more.

Abe in the New Year

Our strongest wanting for you is that you lighten up. In other words, spend more time looking for things to laugh about and play with. Play your way through this. It REALLY IS THE KEY. When you follow your bliss----it really is an easy journey.
Abraham-Hicks 9/4/93

Abraham is all about joy, and feeling good. In response to the quote above, my friend Carol writes:

"On this eve of the new year 2007, I set my intentions to line up my vibration with having fun. I set my intentions to line up with feeling good. I set my intentions for this new year to trust that the Universe is always working toward my highest good and that well being is my natural state.

"The rest is gravy......"

Me, too, Carol.

Abraham's Take on New Year Resolutions

ESTHER: Abraham, How do you feel about New Year's Resolutions? And how would you approach a New Year's Resolution if you were in our physical shoes?

ABRAHAM: They are a wonderful idea. They fall into the same category as Segment Intending or Positive Expectations or Deliberate Creation. Most New Year's Resolutions, like any new decisions, are made from a rather clear awareness of what you do not want or of what has not gone well, and so, in order to set your New Year's Resolutions into motion with enough momentum to keep them going, it is necessary to spend some time lining up your energy with your new decision. Many people make resolutions, and often by the first or second day of the new year they have gone back to their old habits, and then they feel discouraged.

Every day provides a wonderful opportunity to set forth your clear intentions. You do not have to wait for a new calendar year.

Find a comfortable place where you will not be interrupted. Write at the top of your notebook page: My Dominant Intentions: Then write four sub-headings: My Current Intentions Regarding My Body, My Relationships, My Home, My Work. Then, write a general description of how you want to feel and be, regarding each of the four categories. Be general and easy. Let these words come easily from you.

Now, go back to the first category, focus on the topic, and sit back, relax, and daydream about this. Imagine your body looking just as you would like it to look. See it in your mind's eye. Try to imagine how that beautiful body would feel. Move it, in your imagination. Take it for a walk, dress it in something that pleases you. Appreciate its stamina and flexibility and clarity. Spend as much time daydreaming about this wonderful physical vehicle as you can. Stay in your vision until you feel refreshed, and continue to be there as long as you can.

Now, go to the second category, and do the same thing. Bring an image of the most significant person in your life experience and see that person with you. Feel appreciation for that person. Mentally speak your appreciation. Imagine that person loving you back. Praising you, and complimenting you. Feel your mutual appreciation and admiration. Stay within the vision until you feel refreshed.

Now, go to the third category, and feel appreciation for your home. Make mental pictures of your home as you want it to be. See it orderly, if you desire that, and beautifully furnished, if you desire that. In an easy and carefree manner, imagine it however you would like it to be. Take pleasure from your vision and stay there until you feel refreshed.

Now, go to the fourth page, and gather a mental picture of your work. Feel appreciation for the excuse it gives you to flow energy toward something. Acknowledge how expansive it is, and feel appreciation for its ever changing nature. See yourself expanding and thriving. Stay there until you are refreshed.

There is no right or wrong way to approach this. The thing that is important is that you choose areas of your life that matter most and that you conjure positive images that thrill you. And as you do that, you have not only resolved, in your own mind, how your New Year will be, but you have notified everyone and everything in the entire Universe and you have solicited their assistance in achieving your intentions. And from that moment forward -- the entire Universe will conspire to assist you."

- Abraham-Hicks

This quote from Abraham is my inspiration right now. I don't usually do New Year's resolutions, because I'm always focused on change, and for me, September feels more like the beginning of the year.

This year, though, I'm feeling like making some resolutions. I've got things I want to accomplish with my new business, and things I want to get done at home (it's time to do a serious purging of clutter again). And I'm feeling that new-start alignment of energy, signaling that it's time to get going.

So, bring it on, Universe!

I may end up regreting that. Asking for all-out change can bring on more than I bargained for initially. Like a friend of mine says, "The shortest path doesn't always go through the nicest neighborhood."

Parenting Toward Enlightenment

Here's a koan from Dolores:
How do I attain enlightenment while parenting a teenager?

My youngest son is 16. I'm convinced that one of his major roles in life has been to provoke my spiritual growth. It hasn't been an easy path with him, but it's been a rewarding one (at least, it feels rewarding most days.)

This son came into this life with some major challenges, and eventually had some big diagnoses. Life was challenging for us those first few years, and I'm a much, much more patient person than I was before he was born.

One of the things that helped us survive the early years was a book that said that I could choose whether to engage in confrontations, and that the dictatorial parenting model I'd grown up with didn't work with these children. From that, I learned to pick my battles, and let the unimportant stuff (which was almost everything) go.

That was much easier, and a real life-saver for us. Now, my son is in a school where he's happy, and a home environment where he's ususally happy, and he's a different kid.

What it really boils down to at home, though, is that he's very sensitive to energy, and I'm very sensitive to energy. So, when I'm calm, balanced, and relaxed, my son is much calmer, more balanced, and relaxed. And if I'm not, he magnifies my stress and reflects it back to me. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

So I get really good practice, every day, in walking my talk. And working toward enlightment.

More Traffic Reflections

Obviously, traffic has been my theme lately. I started writing about it, and the Law of Attraction is bringing it to my attention more and more. That's OK with me, because there are lots of lessons to learn in traffic.

While I was on the freeway this evening, I was thinking about yesterday's koan, and attaining enlightment on the freeway.

What would enlightment on the freeway feel like? I think that first, it would feel like absolute safety. If you're enlightened, you don't have to worry about what anyone else is doing. Their actions can't affect you. So, if they cut in front of you, or start to come into your lane, you can bless them and let them go, with no emotional involvement whatsoever.

Other than safety, I think someone who is driving an enlighted path is peaceful, calm, and relaxed. An enlighted driver doesn't need to rush, because they always arrive at the perfect time.

And, beyond that, I believe we can reach a level of bliss, even while driving in heavy traffic. I've been there, and I intend to reach for bliss more and more often as I'm driving. Maybe traffic will end up being my favorite part of the day.

Enlightenment on the Freeway

Here's a koan for Westerners:
How do I attain enlightenment driving on the freeway?
Suzuki Roshi, founder of the San Francisco Zen Center

In The Millionaire Course, Marc Allen continues, "I have asked myself that question many times over many years while driving on the freeway, or on any kind of road.

"Over the years I've gotten many, many different answers. Some can be expressed in words; most can't. Often all thought simply falls away. I drive with complete awareness of the vehicle and the road, but without a thought in my mind.

"Next time you're driving, ask yourself that question. See what happens."

Segment Intending & Traffic

One of the things that can really help with traffic is Abraham's concept of Segment Intending. Segment Intending is taking the concept of setting clear intentions and focusing it on every segment of your day.

What's a segment? Every time you change activities, you're starting a new segment of your day. Waking up in the morning, getting out of bed, getting ready for the day, answering the phone, getting in the car-- each of these is the beginning of a new segment, and a good time to set your intentions.

Abraham suggest that, when the phone rings, you answer it, ask the person on the other end to wait just a moment, then think about your intentions for the call. These can be specific things you want to talk about, or the way you want to feel during the conversation. You can intend to communicate clearly, to be uplifted, to be an uplifter, or to be brief, depending on your desires.

Getting into your car is an especially good time to set clear intentions. I set intentions for safety, for flow, and to arrive on time, relaxed and refreshed.

Segment Intending really paid off for me last week. We had a snowstorm here in Seattle, where these things are notoriously a mess. When I headed for home, it wasn't snowing where I was, but it had been snowing hard where I was going. I got to a point on the freeway where there were 2 jack-knifed buses, a semi that had slid sideways, and cars and trucks sliding all over the place.

I was fine, though. I knew I was safe, and I wasn't even (very) concerned. All of that intending of safety, over a long period of time, has made me feel safe in every driving situation.

Traffic is Perfect

I used to get angry a lot. If someone was in the grocery store "10 items or less" line with more than about 12 items-- watch out!

One of my biggest trials was traffic. I'd weave from lane to lane, trying to get home as fast as possible, and getting upset every time someone cut in front of me.

A book called Peace Is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life, by Thich Nhat Hanh, completely erased my traffic angst.

This book was my first introduction to the idea of mindfulness. In it, Hanh talks about mindfulness in everyday life, and paying attention to moments like washing the dishes. Every moment is perfect (even sitting in traffic!) and every moment should be appreciated. After all, the present moment is all we really have.

This idea was a real mind-blower for me. Every moment was perfect? I couldn't wrap my mind around that for quite a while.

But I began to look at my anger and frustration in traffic, and to see that there was another option (who'd 'a' thunk it?) I felt kind of like the Grinch, realizing that there was more to Christmas than presents. Maybe there was more to driving in traffic than getting frustrated and angry.

My heart might not have grown three sizes with this realization, but my life certainly has changed. When I drive in traffic, I relax, breathe, and look for beauty in the scenery around me. Even if it's someplace I've been hundreds of times, there's always something new to notice and appreciate. And I make a point of having good music to listen to, although I often prefer the silence.

I'm also more patient standing in lines, and dealing with other people in general (although my 16-year-old can still find and push my buttons). But that's perfect, too, and it's OK. Since I'm still here breathing, I still have work to do.

VISIONStatement for Manifesting

I love starting the morning with a new inspiration, and this one's brilliant. Create your vision statement, and make your own slide show, with inspiring videos, and music. Then watch your slide show first thing in the morning, last thing at night, and whenever else you can during the day.

Now I just need to figure out how to make a slide show. How did I get so behind technologically?

Whips and Chains, or Aligning Energy?

At the end of a recent marketing seminar, the presenters offered us quite a few options for follow up. One of them was weekly calls to "give you homework, and make you do it." Whips were mentioned.

Hawing someone else remind you, and gently push you to do something, can be very effective. Whether the whip adds anything is a matter of more personal preferences. But the whole thing got me thinking about my own motivation.

I've been to two of these seminars recently, and I've come out of them with a great plan to follow. The first thing I was supposed to do was start a business blog. But I hadn't started it yet. I even went to a specialized class about blogging, and got more great ideas. Again, no blog.

So what was the hold-up here? I usually like to write. And I'm usually not timid about trying new things. So what was going on? Did I need to sign up for the BDSM plan?

Well, maybe. But not yet. Because motivation is really about lining up spiritual energy. So, if I'm not doing something that I think I want to do, I haven't aligned my energy. And taking action first, without doing the energy work, usually isn't very effective.

There are lots of ways to achieve this energy shift. In this case, I'm spending more time visualizing the end result, and finding the feeling of accomplishing what I want. I'm also taking time to set clear intentions for my new business blog, and the business in general. And I'm practicing writing two blogs, both this spiritual one and the one for my business.

Then, if all else fails, I'll be setting up special calls with the marketing guru. I wonder what he wears when he makes those calls?