The bridge of Meditation

When I begin meditation, I frequently place an image in my mind that creates a sense of peacefulness. The brilliant pink lotus flower is an excellent representation of peace. To me it is a symbol of calmness and helps create a sense of inner-stillness. The effortlessly floating lotus is a metaphor for the practice of meditation. It rests quietly, full of its own beauty, wanting nothing, thinking of nothing, judging nothing.

GETTING FROM HERE TO THERE

A bridge allows easier accessibility to two landings that are otherwise separated by a chasm. In my life I am often aware of the consciousness that is represented by love, and compassion. Often I am reminded by the Holy Voice to remain non-judgmental and see only Love. The frequent reminders makes it none-the-less difficult to, at times, cross over, and just relinquish one form of consciousness for the other. The cross over can be resisted by old thought patterns. It seems like when I’m in a certain frame of cognition I just cannot bring myself to a place in the mind where I want to make the effort to be peaceful, calm and accepting. Rather I want to clutch the anger and judgment. In my mind, I see the other side. I realize the benefits that I will enjoy by crossing over from one reality to the other. But! But I hesitate. And then I ask myself: Why am I reluctant?

The answer I believe is centered in the concept of control. To walk the bridge from one state of reality to the other would mean relinquishing control. On one side of the bridge is the domain that I have controlled for many years. When I set foot to the bridge I realize that I am moving toward another domain, one in which I must surrender both my offensive and defensive weapons. This is a place in which weapons of the psyche have no use. This is Divine turf, a place where I am asked to surrender my ego-based thoughts and instead extend love and offer forgiveness.

Maybe at some point you also experience difficulty in bringing yourself to inner peace and joy. Maybe you, like me, realize that there is a peaceful place that waits, but you are resisting the walk over the bridge. Maybe you want to hold onto those toxic thoughts for a while.

Here are some things I do to help myself. I first place in the center of my mind an image that brings me to a happy state of mind. Then I move my mind to an image that represents calmness. As these images are interrupted by thoughts that encourage me to turn back, I visualize letting those taunting thoughts go.

Like a balloon filled with helium drifts high into the sky, I too encourage these hindering thoughts to drift off. I see myself taking one step at a time, crossing the bridge ever so slowly. As my mind begins to settle down, I focus on my breath, taking notice as each breath arises and falls.

Again ego-based thoughts will try to creep in and disturb this meditative practice. When they do, I mentally perceive myself letting the thought go. Over time, the anxiousness subsides and divine consciousness prevails. Again I become calm, relaxed and one with love. God fills my heart.

Receiving the Light & Treasures of the Light

You were brought forth by the Light. This Light induced life into the tiny aqueous embryonic physical form. From the unity of Light and that host form a being was created. You were created.

At some point in our early lives many of us loose our memory of the Light. Rather our awareness is diverted and we are restricted by a reality that wants us to respond to its ever-persistent demands and expectations. In simple terms, we forego the wisdom of God, the Light, for satisfaction of self-serving desires.

Wondering in the dark causes loneliness and a sense that something is missing. And so, many come to a point in their lives where they eventually search for truth and in doing so acknowledge the Light, and recognize its divine power. When initially entering this new awareness, folks begin to see into the flawed conventional reality of self. They begin to view this reality from an objective point of view, much as if who they are is playing on a theatre screen, and they are the detached viewer.

In entering this transitional point many folks claim to see the self from a distant and removed vantage point. They realize that a powerful attraction, something beyond conventional reality is drawing them toward it. Something of a divine transpersonal nature is pulling them away from their pursuits of self-indulging wants and cravings.

Worldly desires become more and more meaningless during this transitional period.
Followers of the Light realize that the magnetic force of divine wisdom is redirecting their awareness and that they are part of Something that is Ultimate and Wise.

Once this recognition is acknowledged then what is to be done next? How does one immerse one’s self in this new reality? How do those who have entered this brink, evolve into the Divine Self and share in Divine Consciousness. The answer is: we must first be clear about our intention, then remain faithful and attentive to that intention.

I’m not speaking of intentions that are based on firstly satisfying self-gratifying expectations, wants and desire. I’m not referring to intentions that are pinpointed to getting a new Bentley or affording a wardrobe overhaul.

Intentions that emanate directly from self-serving worldly cravings are rooted in the idea that we lack something and will thusly be happy once we get whatever we believe is missing.
Those desires are seeded and propagated in a reality that restricts both self-awareness and our spiritual transformation. I am speaking of intentions that call forth love, happiness, and the fullness of life. These intentions will bring forth into our lives everything that is required to nurture, develop and support their wellbeing.

In asking that God guide you and ingratiate you with fullness, willingly release your worldly appetites. Ask that God take control of your daily comings and goings. Ask that you experience Love, and it is love that you shall receive. Ask that you be happy and you will be given the where-with-all and guidance to be a happy being. Ask that you experience a life of fullness and you will enjoy the abundant flow of love and happiness that comes your way. “Ask and you shall receive.” Ask, then allow God to do His thing. Get out of the way. Ask to receive the Light and you shall be the Light of the world. Don¤¤

Treasures of the Light

Last Sunday at The Center for Happy Beings, the theme of our talk was fear. We spoke of how we involve fear in our everyday lives, and also how fear can take control our behavior and the direction of our lives. We looked at how to transcend our fears, and get beyond the hurt that fear has caused us. Then we participated in a guided meditation where we silently and individually returned to a critically fearful place in our past, and allowed the fearful emotions to dissipate and then diminish. It was a great day for the Light. Each Sunday morning is an adventure in finding new treasures of the Light. db¤

Any transition serious enough to alter your definition of self will require not just small adjustments in your way of living and thinking but a full-on metamorphosis - Martha Beck

From within or from behind, a light shines through us upon things, and makes us aware that we are nothing, but the light is all. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

An age is called "dark," not because the light fails to shine but because people refuse to see it. ~James Michener

Even a thought, even a possibility, can shatter and transform us.- Nietzsche
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Enjoy a wonderful and happy month of May – remember you are the
Light. db¤

Discover the Love Within.
Take the Pathway to Self-Transformation. Your butterfly is awaiting!

What is necessary to change a person is to change his awareness of himself.
 -Abraham Maslow


It is difficult to see the picture when you are inside of the frame.
 -Author Unknown

It is a paradox of life that some of the best people we ever meet are those who have suffered a great deal. Their lives are like still waters that run very deep. There's a quality of inner goodness that has been wrought through all the pain.-
James Jones