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More on believing…

Yesterday, I spent time with the notion of believing in Santa Claus:

Why Not Believe?

Today I’d like to take that one step further and explore belief in a Higher Power, God, Spirit, Universal Presence, Allah or a teaching such as that of the Buddha.

What value is there in faith traditions?
How does belief impact life?

I guess I can only speak for myself here. My own journey of belief has had a few twists and turns. I started life in a christian tradition and believed in God as the Creator of all life whose love was unconditional and who asked me to be and do good. I think the faith that grounded our family was a very important part of how we showed up in the world as good, hard working, trusting, loving people.

Then, life hit hard and I needed the 12 Step programs which talked about “God as I understand God” and a Higher Power. I think the deep pain in my life required me to believe in a whole new way. Trusting in something outside of myself, taking myself out of the driver’s seat in life, asking for help, softened me. I couldn’t keep doing life alone, my way. Believing that there were other powers in the universe supporting me was a gift.

Since then, I have explored many spiritual traditions and belief systems. I continue to expand and soften. I have experienced the power of meditation, come to understand the richness in the writings of many great spiritual teachers. The more I journey, the more I trust, the easier life becomes. This human life experience has challenges – lots of them! And when I focus only at the level of my humanity and try to solve problems on my own, I fail and life hurts. When I see a wider view, when I trust that we are supported by something bigger: Life, Love, a Master Creator, I let go. I allow life to be what it is – even the painful parts.

If believing is foreign to you, or if your belief system doesn’t support you in the way you’d like it to, stretch! Try something new. Read. Find a spiritual group. Meditate. Try a new church. Whatever you do, know that there is no right or wrong. Belief is personal. Your way can’t look like anyone else’s. Believing “is an inside job”.

What value would you find in believing?
How might your life change?

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The Space …

I’ve been struggling. So much going on. So much action and reaction. So many emotions. So strong. So much confusion. So much pain. So much anger.

I have lost myself in all of it. Can you relate? Maybe not. But just in case you can, I offer these lyrics. They suggest some focus on and resting within the spaces – the spaces between stimulus and response, between emotion and reaction, between the in breath and the out breath, between each thought. It is in the space, the silence, where we encounter our truth and the courage to live it.

In The Space

In the space, in the space between each task…
In the space when I take the time to ask…
In that space, that precious space, I relax.

In the space, in the space between my words…
In the space where I pause and breathe, discern…
In that space, that sacred space, I learn.

In the space, in the space between my thoughts…
In the space where I know I am not lost…
In that space, that peaceful place, I am taught.

In the space, in the space between my fears…
In the space where I feel pure love, so dear…
In that space, in sweet embrace, I hear.

In the space, in the silence of my soul…
In the space, I’ve released my false control.
In this space, this resting place, I am whole.

                                   Jeanne Loehnis, 2008

What awaits you in the space?
What if you spent time there?
What would shift in you? 

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Shadow Power

Shadow

What? Isn’t a shadow a dark cloud? Doesn’t the shadow mean we are blocking the light?

Well, here’s the metaphor of the day. Today, I was doing my first thing in the morning visioning in my sacred space. It was early and still dark outside. The only light in the space (outside of the light in me, that is) was the candle. I inadvertently stood in front of the candle and noticed my HUGE shadow on the opposite wall and ceiling. Then, I began to walk toward that shadow. What happened? If you don’t know, try it.

Now, of course it shrunk!

I offer you two ways to interpret this. Choose whichever works for you in this moment – or – create your own powerful interpretation and share it as a comment! Here goes:

  1. When we stand nearest the Light, the Source of strength, Truth, Power, Integrity — pick your definition — our impact on the world is HUGE! When we abandon or move away from the true Source of our inner strength, our being, we shrink.
  2. When we are faced with a challenge – a big, dark, fearsome shadow on the path of life – if we move toward it, embrace the opportunity to grow and face it head on, it shrinks!

What is the Source of your inner strength?
What will move you closer to that Source?
What is your impact when you are centered in that Source?
What challenge awaits your head-on, Source-infused courage?

 

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Just for me … continued

Yesterday’s post:

Just for me …

ended with:

Is it okay to do something “just for me”?
What can make this register as “okay” in my brain?
What if it isn’t a question for my brain?

LyneesFlower

Today, returning to those questions, my heart – and my soul – immediately knew what I needed to hear. It isn’t a new message, rather one I obviously have a hard time remembering! But for this moment, I remember and I’d like to share it with you. As always, take what you like, make it your own and leave the rest!

We – you, me and every other being on planet Earth – even Mother Earth herself – we are one. We are united, interconnected. We are not separate beings. We are Spirit-God-Source-Universe manifest as me, as you, as tree, as mountain lion. We are this thing called Life.

If that is true – if I believe it to be true (and I do) – then:

Just for ME == Just for WE

What I do to me, for me, as me impacts the greater WE. If I do something nice for me, WE benefit. If I do something ill toward me, if I treat my body or mind or heart poorly, WE are pained.

If this message holds truth, then it is important that each of us practice conscious and respectful Just for me sometimes.

What would a little “just for me” look like today?

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Paint With Love …

Today’s tidbit is just this …

Paint with love.

In the moments of your day, as you engage with people at home, at work, at play, wherever you are and whatever you do, imagine you are painting with love. Imagine you are creating and co-creating the effects of your life using love as the only color, love as the energy.

Now imagine this: Love is the canvas.

What do you create when you paint on love with love?