Mining Gold

The gold referred to in this article isn’t found as shiny nuggets panned from streams; nor is it bound in ore within the Earth. It’s spiritual Gold, and It’s closer than your breath. It’s the most precious non-thing, never found via the senses.

In some spiritual traditions, gold is used as a metaphor for the Source of our Being. We, as humans of various shapes, sizes, and colours, are likened to articles of golden jewelry such as rings, bracelets, and necklaces. Through this analogy, we understand that all of the pieces of jewelry are, essentially, gold. This principle applies to humankind; since at our core, all of us are fashioned from, and known by, Consciousness. In spiritual terms, we refer to It as God (or other reverent names); in scientific terms, we refer to It as the Unified Field; and informally, we refer to It as “I Am.”

To understand our true Self more deeply, it’s important to realize that Consciousness is self aware and that Its nature is creative. Out of the One Spiritual Gold, all of the forms, including the world and our apparent body-minds, are made and known. Logically, therefore, “each” of us must intrinsically be a shining nugget of Gold. As we’re made of It, It’s the one non-thing that can never be stripped from us.

To mine spiritual Gold, no amount of data collecting or soil sampling about our essential nature (books, religious services, spiritual retreats, online presentations) can ever replace leaning into our shovels and digging into the nature of our Being. Daily meditation is the tool with which we recognize the Gold that we are. When the overburden is removed (that which is not our essential nature; i.e., name, form, title, status, nationality, race, etc), the Gold is directly revealed. Please contemplate the similar message that’s uniquely expressed through the following quotes:

"Be still and know that I God."
—Holy Bible, Psalm 46:10

"Surely, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest."
— Qur'an, 13:28

"When the mind, restrained by the practice of meditation, becomes still, one sees the Self through the Self and is satisfied in the Self."
—Bhagavad Gita, 6:20

"Without meditation there is no wisdom; without wisdom there is no meditation. When meditation and wisdom are mutual, one is freed."
—Dhammapada, 372

"And after the fire came a gentle whisper."
—Tanakh, 1 Kings 19:12

"Empty yourself of desire, keep still inside, and the world will arrange itself."
—Tao Te Ching, 16

When God is raised from the depths of our Being to the surface of human interactions everyone’s life is enriched. Our experience is literally transformed. The ego’s selfishness is displaced by God’s selflessness. Base human traits are replaced with the genuine love of the Creator. We can, thus, know and appreciate the Gold that’s shining through the form of “others.” This type of Gold is worth mining, here and now. (If you’re eager to recognize your divine nature, you might find my YouTube video entitled “The Bedrock of Being” helpful.)

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Copyright © – 2026 – R. Arthur Russell

P.S. Please share this article if you enjoyed it. If you’d like to view my latest book (This Taste of Flesh and Bones), press here. My YouTube videos can be found at Think2wice@I-Am-Aware. May the content of either or both help you along your spiritual journey. Thank You” & “Note to Publishers 🙏🏻🧡

Here and Now: The Holy

Oh, how our ego loves to tell tales. With its sly reptilian ways, it regales us with continuous stories about our life. Through its silent voice, it decrees that we and so-called others are either wicked or worthy. Via the faculty of memory, it inflates us with pride about our successes; but then, in a moment flipped like a coin, reduces us to shame about our failures. In a dizzying twirl, it winds us up like gossiping toys about our neighbours’ sins; yet conveniently ignores our own. Through our belief in the ego’s reality, suffering arises.

In the blink of an eye, our ego shape-shifts from role to role. As the charmer, it coddles us with, “You’re the best–so good and lovely!” When it plays the stern judge, it holds the gavel high as we pray for a favourable verdict. Reduced to beggars, we wonder, “Today, will I be spared or thrown to the lions? But even if we’re spared, it soon jabs us with the next grave thought–“But what about tomorrow?” Behind our backs, the ego slaps its knee and howls, “Ha-ha, ho-ho, they don’t even know that Now is all there is!”

***

Dear Readers: If you’re begging to be freed from your ego’s harsh treatment, please consider the practice of daily meditation. Even five or ten minutes each day can be helpful. You might also consider asking: Who Am I?–really. Hint: The real You can’t be found through accretion. It’s only by removing all that we aren’t that we realize All that we “are.” Can you really be the person that’s perceived? If so, what is That which is perceiving it? We’re free when we realize that true Self is beyond the ego’s stories–both good and bad. (If you’re eager to recognize your divine nature, you might find the content of my YouTube video entitled “The Incarnate I Am” helpful.)

Dare to Dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Copyright © – 2026 – R. Arthur Russell

P.S. Please share this article if you enjoyed it. If you’d like to view my latest book (This Taste of Flesh and Bones), press here. My YouTube videos can be found at Think2wice@I-Am-Aware. May the content of either or both help you along your spiritual journey. Thank You” & “Note to Publishers 🙏🏻🧡

Claire’s Fortune Cookie

As Claire was paying for her groceries at a checkout line, a message that she had kept from a fortune cookie fell out of her purse. The message, which stated “Something wonderful will happen for you today,” was a visual reminder that she regularly looked at to impress her mind. She realized that positive expectation plays a major role in the quality of her life. Fortunately, the checkout lady noticed the slip of paper, and Claire was able to return it to her purse for safe keeping.

***

According to some sources, our subconscious mind processes approximately 400,000,000,000 bits of information per second; but our conscious mind is only capable of processing 2,000 bits. Estimates about processing capacity differ widely; but we can at least conclude that there’s a vast difference. This is often referred to as a “bottleneck.” Unless we believe that all of our experiences occur randomly (which I don’t), we may conclude that there’s an ongoing process that determines what we’ll experience in our reality. It might be helpful to imagine this as blinders on a horse; a device that limits the horse’s view to what’s straight ahead. In other words, the horse is only able to view a slice of the reality that’s actually available. Our blinders (which function via attention, functional memory, and expectation) play a large role in what we’ll experience.

The role of focus in our life is tremendously important. In Claire’s case, she wisely chose to remind herself that–in any given moment, on any given day–she expected something wonderful to happen. In other words, she was informing the Universe that she was receptive to the greatest experiences available. Do you believe, as I, that attention influences our experience, or do you believe that your experiences are completely random?

Please contemplate this: Does it seem logical that directing our attention to a “something-wonderful” perspective leaves ourselves open to better experiences? Does believing that something wonderful is happening–in our health, career, and relationships–attune us to those probabilities? If such is the case, we can logically conclude that reinforcing a negative perspective attunes us to a negative “reality.”

For many readers, a question may naturally arise: So, how do we open ourselves to the positive reality that we desire? In part, by realizing three ways in which we unintentionally sabotage our goals:

  • 1. (Fear): So often, it’s fear that makes us say “no” to a new experience. It’s fear, disguised as common sense, that forces us to focus on what could go wrong, instead of on what could go marvelously right. It’s also fear that keeps a ship “safe,” but rotting, in harbour, when it was intended to sail the world’s oceans.
  • 2. (Confusion): Until we know what we desire, we can’t possible achieve it. What type of sculpture might we expect from a sculptor who changed his/her mind on a moment-to-moment basis? Might confusion have resulted in Michelangelo’s David being a Donkey or a Daffodil? We must know our passion and focus upon it, as though already achieved.
  • 3. (Impatience): If we’re unwilling to let the Universe work through us, in its own way, in its own time, we’re sabotaging our own efforts. Patient and persistent detached focus pays big dividends.

To support this information, it may be helpful to know that Andrew Carnegie, who commissioned Napoleon Hill to write Think and Grow Rich, was one of the wealthiest men in the world. He obviously knew a thing or two about the power of the mind. He’s attributed with the following quote:

Any idea that is held in the mind, that is emphasized, that is either feared or revered, will begin at once to clothe itself in the most convenient and appropriate form available.”

I offer this suggestion: Consider writing your own fortune-cookie message about your heart’s deepest desire. Write it in the present tense, beginning with “I am now…,” as though your desire is already fulfilled. Keep it close (in your purse, wallet, or pocket) and refer to it several times a day, in moments of quiet reflection. The life that you desire is already here and now. A change of attitude, prompted by our own good-fortune expectations, will help you experience it in your reality.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Copyright © – 2026 – R. Arthur Russell

P.S. Please share this article if you enjoyed it. If you’d like to view my latest book (This Taste of Flesh and Bones), press here. My YouTube videos can be found at Think2wice@I-Am-Aware. May the content of either or both help you along your spiritual journey. Thank You” & “Note to Publishers 🙏🏻🧡

“Pawn’s” Homecoming

In a land called Prodigus, there was a young chess piece named “Pawn.” He disliked his name because it seemed common and lower class. In his innocent mind, he dreamed of being a king; in fact, the greatest king that ever lived. He knew that pawns were often considered peasants of “the board,” as it was called; and that they were often sacraficed, a tactic that he found most unappealing.

During one game, when Pawn was waiting to be moved, the King on his side of the board noticed the young chess piece’s malaise. Pawn looked tired and forlorn. Because of his loving nature, the King inched closer and struck up a quiet conversation. “Is something bothering you?” he asked.

Young Pawn’s face immediately brightened. He was honoured to have the King’s attention. “Uhm, thank you for asking,” he stammered. “I’ll be okay. It’s just that I don’t really like being a pawn. I want to be a great king like you.”

“Ahh,” said the King, with a nod. “Now, I understand. Has the competitive nature of our game been bothering you?”

“What do you mean?” asked Pawn.

The King chose his words carefully. “Well, enthusiasm for the game is important; but we must also remember what really matters. Pieces often compare themselves to other pieces and imagine that someone with a higher ranking is more valuable.”

“But you are!” exclaimed Pawn. “You’re royalty–the most important one! The whole chess game is based around you.”

The King smiled and patted Pawn on the shoulder. “That’s just the way it looks,” he said. “We’re wise not to judge by appearances.”

“What do you mean?” asked Pawn.

The king looked deep into Pawn’s eyes. “The truth is,” said the King, “that I’m not worth one whit more than you.”

“Huh?,” said Pawn, with a puzzled expression. “I don’t understand.”

“I mean,” said the King, “that you and I are of equal worth, even though we play different roles. I’m called the King, but “King” isn’t what I Am. It’s only relatively true that I’m more valuable than you. From the perspective of Truth, we’re equal. We’re both made of God stuff.”

“What’s God stuff?” asked Pawn.

“God stuff,” said the King, “is your essential nature. It’s what you and I actually are. At the deepest level, we’re the same.”

Pawn beamed quietly. Within him, he felt a sense of warm belonging that felt vaguely familiar. “Thank you, my King, for telling me.”

The King leaned down and discreetly gave Pawn a hug. “Just between you and me, you don’t have to call me King. It’s just a name…basically just letters arranged in a particular order. In fact, my real name is Archibald. I used to get called “Baldy” when I was a kid; but that can be our little secret.”

***

Dear Readers: Like all of us, Pawn was conditioned to think of himself as a thing. He knew himself only as a chess piece with a certain name, who lived on this or that type of board, and was a commoner in the game of life. His status was determined, so he assumed, by the definitions that he had accepted about himself. Thus, he believed that he’d finally be a somebody when he, too, was a king. What he overlooked, as most “persons” do, is that a king who’s unaware of his essential nature is impoverished, even if he’s living in a palace. Thank goodness that the King told him that he was made of God “stuff.” Could you, too, be overlooking a deeper dimension of Self that’s priceless? The difference between being played by life, and being an aware player, is tremendous. (If you’re earnest about recognizing your divine nature, you might find my short YouTube video entitled “Ruminating on Rumi” helpful.)

Dare to Dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Copyright © – 2026 – R. Arthur Russell

P.S. Please share this article if you enjoyed it. If you’d like to view my latest book (This Taste of Flesh and Bones), press here. My YouTube videos can be found at Think2wice@I-Am-Aware. May the content of either or both help you along your spiritual journey. Thank You” & “Note to Publishers 🙏🏻🧡

Living The Dream

At one time or another, most of us have probably asked someone how his or her day was going; and their reply was, “Oh, I’m living the dream.” What I’m asking you to consider is whether there could be more to that saying than meets the eye.

I offer you my short video with content that points to our true nature as Consciousness, or Spirit. I hope that you’ll find the information helpful.

Dare to Dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Copyright © – 2026 – R. Arthur Russell

P.S. Please share this article if you enjoyed it. If you’d like to view my latest book (This Taste of Flesh and Bones), press here. My YouTube videos can be found at Think2wice@I-Am-Aware. May the content of either or both help you along your spiritual journey. Thank You” & “Note to Publishers 🙏🏻🧡

Affording Grace

One night, Timothy Cares-Andwoes fell asleep. In the dream that followed, he found himself standing in the presence of the Lord of his Being, his true Self. He couldn’t see the Lord, but he sensed that he was amidst tremendous Power; the kind that creates galaxies and bumblebees with equal ease.

“Dear Lord,” he asked, “I have a question I’d like to ask, if you don’t mind.”

“Certainly,” came the reply. “Go ahead.”

“As you know, I have lived less than a perfect life. There have been mistakes, errors in judgment, and times when I acted without thinking.”

“And your question?” asked the calm voice.

Timothy shifted back and forth, searching for words. Finally, he said, “What must I do to receive Your grace?”

“You mean as a pardon?” asked the Lord, with a puzzled sounding voice.

“Yes, my Lord. How can I make it right with You?”

“Oh, my dear, dear child,” replied the Lord. “There’s nothing to forgive. When I look upon you, I look with my heart. How could I wish anything for you but joy?”

“You mean that I don’t have to pay a penance?”

“No,” said the Lord. “My system is rigged. Because I never condemn you, there’s never anything to forgive. All that I Am “is” Love; thus, all that I have for you is Love. When you, yourself, stop carrying your cares and woes about a non-existent past and an imaginary future, you’ll find that you’re standing in the glory of the Holy Now. Resist nothing, my child. It’s only because you resist what is that you create suffering.”

Timothy was struck dumb with the Lord’s revelation. Tears of welcome relief were welling in his eyes when he heard the Lord speak to him again.

“Do you mind if I ask you a question?” said the Lord.

“Uh, uh,” said Timothy, wiping a tear from his eye, “please, go ahead.”

“Where on Earth did you get that surname?”

“Oh, that,” said Timothy. “I never did like it. This guy named Art Russell gave it to me.”

“You might want to see about changing it,” said the Lord; and with that Timothy wakened from his dream.

***

Dear Readers: Prior to the mind’s interpretation, life just is what it “is.” It’s the ego (which is only the idea of yourself, not the real YOU) that creates the narrative related to suffering. I offer that we should strive to hold high ideals and live by the Golden Rule; but avoid the voice of the ego, as it can lead us astray. If your mind is attempting to kick you around like a damned soccer ball, it’s worth remembering that your essential nature is Love, Itself. As you descend from Love, how can the real “You” be anything else? (For those seeking a deeper dimension of Self, you may find my short YouTube video entitled “Finding Your Way Home” interesting.)

Dare to Dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Copyright © – 2026 – R. Arthur Russell

P.S. Please share this article if you enjoyed it. If you’d like to view my latest book (This Taste of Flesh and Bones), press here. My YouTube videos can be found at Think2wice@I-Am-Aware. May the content of either or both help you along your spiritual journey. Thank You” & “Note to Publishers 🙏🏻🧡

The Whole Enchilada

The expression that serves as the title of this article implies wholeness and integrity. Nothing is lacking. I’m using the expression to refer to the “knowing” that we experience when we recognize the Truth of our essential nature. To “become” a knower of true Self is unmistakable because it’s incomparable. Anything less is just spice and sauce–a poor imitation.

Why, though, is knowing it so important? Because at some point, most persons will become dissatisfied with life as it is. I’m not being negative or pessimistic; it’s just an inherent part of the shifting sands of the human experience. The historical Buddha called it Dukkha. In spite of having good health, great relationships, and adequate wealth, many feel that something (not a thing) seems missing. No matter how great our efforts, the results that we achieve give rise to only temporary happiness. This is when many individuals embark upon a spiritual journey of discovery.

When we begin our spiritual investigation we may initially feel fulfilled by visiting distant ashrams, temples, or cathedrals. We may enjoy studying scriptures or listening to gurus, rabbis, ministers, or priests share their knowledge. The practice of meditation or daily prayers may also seem new and exciting. For a while, the disruptive narrative of the ego may decrease or briefly stop; but seekers often discover that even this new spiritual activity also loses its thrill. Still, something seems to be lacking.

The solution may arise in an unexpected way. In deep sleep, we have intimate experience of the peace that’s inherent with Being our essential Self; for in that placeless place, we know nothing of a world, space-time, or the challenges that are associated with the perspective of the false self. When we merge again with the waking state (erroneously assumed to be daily reality), we may find ourselves in the same happiness quandary. Perhaps the following content from Who Am I?, by Sri Ramana Maharshi (who awakened suddenly to his true self at the age of sixteen) will be helpful:

5. [Seeker] Will there not be realization of the Self even while the world is there (taken to be real)? 

[SRM] There will not be.

6. [Seeker] Why?

[SRM] The seer and the object seen are like the rope and the snake. Just as the knowledge of the rope which is the substratum will not arise unless the false knowledge of the illusory serpent goes, so the realization of the Self which is the substratum will not be gained unless the belief that the world is real is removed. Note: The reference to the rope and snake is related to a story in which a monk was once greatly frightened because he erroneously believed a rope to be a snake. It’s an allegory for the human condition. When we erroneously believe ourselves to be the “person,” we suffer.

Enlightenment means to be freed “from” the tyranny of the conceptual “person” who’s dissatisfied with the human experience, not “as” the person. An illusory character can’t possibly become enlightened because it doesn’t actually “exist.” If we’re still carrying the burdensome perspective of our personal John or Jane Doe, we haven’t yet knowingly experienced The Whole Enchilada. (If you doubt that this can be true, I believe that you’ll find the information within my YouTube video entitled “Pointers to Self & Power” interesting.)

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Copyright © – 2026 – R. Arthur Russell

P.S. Please share this article if you enjoyed it. If you’d like to view my latest book (This Taste of Flesh and Bones), press here. My YouTube videos can be found at Think2wice@I-Am-Aware. May the content of either or both help you along your spiritual journey. Thank You” & “Note to Publishers 🙏🏻🧡

This Is My Father’s World

Please note: (In this article, I’m using the title of a well-known hymn to share some information that I hope will be helpful. The term “Father” isn’t intended to be gender biased. Both masculine and feminine qualities arise within the Creator or we wouldn’t have them to express.)

***

According to online sources, the hymn referred to in the title was written by Maltbie Davenport Babcock, who was a minister in Lockport, New York. It’s been reported that when he was leaving for scenic walks which he enjoyed, he would tell his wife, “I’m going out to see the Father’s world.” I offer the first stanza of his famous hymn, which was published several years after his death:

This is my Father’s world,
And to my list’ning ears
All nature sings, and round me rings
The music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world:
I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
His hand the wonders wrought
.

What I’m suggesting is that Mr. Babcock’s claim about this being “the Father’s” world is neither a belief system to be adopted, nor a sentimental perspective; it’s literally true. We’ve been conditioned to believe that objects, including the world, have discrete independent “existence” in space-time. To experience this as being God’s world requires a shift in the way that we interpret information from our senses. Regarding the nature of the reality in which we find ourselves, I offer that this “world” is a moment-to-moment process within God’s Infinite Living Mind, rather than a static “thing.” Let’s deepen our investigation:

When we fall asleep at night, our mind merges with one of an infinite number of dream states. For this example, let’s imagine that we’re sailing over a vast ocean. We can see the surrounding water, feel the surging waves, and smell the salty sea air. In the dream, we travel for three weeks, through a variety of sailing conditions. It feels as real as real can be. When we awaken in the morning, however, we realize that the sailboat, ocean, entirety of the three-week trip, and our character’s viewpoint were all made of Consciousness. No one would ever claim that they existed as “material” things.

Back in waking-state (daily life) “reality,” we assume that we exist as persons in a world made of “matter.” For the purposes of this article (which is to help Beings recognize their true Self), it’s worth knowing that in 1911, Ernest Rutherford discovered that atoms, which were previously thought to be the foundation of “matter” and thus, a material world, were mostly empty space. His results were published in a paper that’s informally referred to as “The Nuclear Model of the Atom.” Science would later discover that atoms are actually 99.999% empty space.

To support this, please contemplate the following spiritual information from Acts 17:28: “For in him we live, and move, and have our being.” What, though, is the “him,” to which the verse refers? I suggest that “him” refers to God, or Infinite Consciousness. It explains why the “world” and everything we experience within it, including our own body-mind, belongs to Him. This is the point at which a shift in perception and perspective allows us to shake hands, so to speak, with Mr. Babcock and his view of the world; of “going out to see the Father’s world.” Through enlightenment, or awakening to our true Self, we realize that the “world” in which we rise and shine is made of Consciousness. Such means that we, in fact, are God’s spiritual children.

“But wait a second,” you might be thinking, “that would require me to accept that I (in human form) am living within God’s dream.” Yes. In Genesis 1:3, it’s stated: “And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.” God’s living dream of humankind on Earth began (in Mind) and continues; with G-O-D smack dab in the Center “as” the Center. We’re of that very nature. How could we not “Be” that from which we descended? Such also means that everyone, and everything, with whom we interact is holy and divine; whether we have realized such or not. (In addition: I believe that you’ll find even the first five minutes of this video about Schopenhauer’s view of the world helpful.)

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Copyright © – 2026 – R. Arthur Russell

P.S. Please share this article if you enjoyed it. If you’d like to view my latest book (This Taste of Flesh and Bones), press here. My YouTube videos can be found at Think2wice@I-Am-Aware. May the content of either or both help you along your spiritual journey. Thank You” & “Note to Publishers 🙏🏻🧡

Your Mission: Found

Back by popular demand (okay, that might be stretching the truth just a little), I offer you my rendition of Mission I Am Possible. Press here to play it. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to re-cognize (know again) That which you are. With that in mind, I offer the following:

Maxwell Planck, the German theoretical physicist, is attributed with this quote: “I regard consciousness as fundamental. I regard matter as derivative from consciousness. We cannot get behind consciousness. Everything that we talk about, everything that we regard as existing, postulates consciousness.” This is easier to understand through the analogy of our nighttime dreams. All of the objects, events, and persons are made of Mind, which is Consciousness in motion. No one would claim that they exist beyond the mind that perceives them.

In Why Materialism Is Baloney, by Bernardo Kastrup, who’s a noted philosopher, author, and computer scientist, he wrote: “Experience is all there is. The world, as we know it, is a representation in consciousness.”

In John 1:3, it’s stated: “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” In this verse, “him” refers to God. I suggest that God is Consciousness, or Awareness of Being.

In Acts 17:28, it’s stated: “‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’” All of the characters and events within a nighttime dream “exist” only within Consciousness.

In John 8:58, it’s stated: “Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.” I humbly suggest that He wasn’t saying that “I, Jesus” was before Abraham. He meant that “I Am” is the substratum from which everything arises.

In Isaiah 45:5: it’s stated: “I am the Lord, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me.” I offer that to “not acknowledge me” refers to being ignorant (unaware) of the Source of our Being.

***

In Ego-land, aka Earth, most “persons” see things very differently. When asked who they are, most will likely reply that “I am…name, age, form, gender, race, nationality, status, etcetera.” But words are merely terms, or conceptual structures, that refer to something else. Thus, we realize that all of the words with which we define or describe ourselves can’t possibly “BE” what we are. The question–“Who, or What, are we?”–then begs to be asked.

In the Parable of the Prodigal Son, which illustrates the story of a son (child of God) who requests his inheritance early and goes to a foreign land where he spends it wastefully, it’s told that the son finally becomes weary of his struggle in the world and returns to his Father. In Luke 15:24, the following is shared: “For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.” Consciousness, which forfeits knowledge of Itself to take an apparently human journey, celebrates when It awakens to Its essential nature.

Could it be that we are Consciousness, the ground of all Being, masquerading as form in the dream of human life? Could it also be that we’re “found” when we know our essential nature as Spirit? That’s for you to question and only You to know.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Copyright © – 2026 – R. Arthur Russell

P.S. Please share this article if you enjoyed it. If you’d like to view my latest book (This Taste of Flesh and Bones), press here. My YouTube videos can be found at Think2wice@I-Am-Aware. May the content of either or both help you along your spiritual journey. Thank You” & “Note to Publishers 🙏🏻🧡

Ready For A Secret?

When I was in my late teenage years, I was drawn to books such as Think and Grow Rich, by Napoleon Hill, and The Power of Your Subconscious Mind, by Joseph Murphy. In my innocence, I thought that the books might help me find my way. At the time, I couldn’t grasp the depth of their content; but I was right about one point: they did (eventually) help me find my way. If you’re seeking solutions, or a better way of living, the information within this article may help. It’s my sincere hope that it will be of service.

The following quotes are from You Too Can Be Prosperous, by Robert A. Russell. To understand their meaning, you must be willing to look at the nature of “reality” in a very different way. What’s Real is so much grander than what you may have previously assumed. I offer my own explanation following each quote:

If your mind is shouting, “No, this world is made of matter;” please know that I hear you. But I can no longer agree. The use of dream analogy makes this quote easier to understand: When you’re having a nighttime dream, all of the persons and objects seem very physical. They seem as real as real can be. But when you merge again with waking-state “reality” of your daily life, you realize that all of the seemingly “material” things were rendered by Consciousness. They only appeared physical within the framework of the dream. The same principle applies here and now. In the same way that your perspective awakens from a nighttime dream, our true Self (Awareness, or Consciousness), can awaken from the waking-state perspective related to our “person.” This isn’t an event that happens to the person, because the person’s perspective is transcended. Through this knowledge, we realize that our habitual thoughts are directly related to the nature of our Earthly experiences: They’re the mental blueprints of coming circumstances.

***

In this quote, Robert A. Russell explains more of what I shared about his first quote. He’s informing us that “things” are appearances within Consciousness, or God; in the same way that objects and people seem to “exist” within nighttime dreams. Our predominant thoughts, especially if imbued with emotion, become apparent things and circumstances. It will help to know that science has been unable to discover discrete independently-existing “matter.” Smaller and smaller bits of apparent “matter” always break down to energy. Atoms, in fact, are considered 99.999% empty space. Do “things” within a nighttime dream “exist” without a witness? Even with a witness? Or are they appearances?

***

This quote is easier to understand if you’ll consider the amazing effects that have been attributed to a placebo; which is basically an inert substance (commonly referred to as a sugar pill) or fake treatment. It is the power of our belief in the treatment that causes it to work; not the treatment, itself. This is what puzzled me as a young man. As I was consciously unaware that I was anything more than the body-mind, I couldn’t understand why changing the nature of my thoughts could possibly make a difference. I, thus, believed that the only avenue to success was education, luck, or hard work. The following quote from Think and Grow Rich, by Napoleon Hill will add to your understanding: “If you are one of those people who believe that hard work and honesty alone will bring riches-perish the thought; because it’s not true. Riches, when they come in huge quantities, are never the result of hard work. Riches come if they come at all, in response to definite demands, based upon the application of definite principles, and not by chance or luck.”

***

Every Law of Attraction book that’s worth its purchase price mentions this one main point: We must first have what we desire in Consciousness before it can ever manifest in our apparent “reality.” Can you see why knowing the nature of our “world” is so important? Contrary to common belief, we’re not dealing with a static world that “exists” of its own accord. We’re dealing with God’s Living World, here and now. If God was not, we would not be. In Mark 11:24, the great master Jesus is attributed with sharing the same message:

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

The teachings of the Law of Attraction become quite logical when we know the nature of reality and our true Self. Contrary to what we’ve been conditioned to believe, this world and our apparent Earthly body-mind, are moment-to-moment experiences within Consciousness. I believe my YouTube video entitled “Knowledge About The Law of Attraction” will also be helpful.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Copyright © – 2026 – R. Arthur Russell

P.S. Please share this article if you enjoyed it. If you’d like to view my latest book (This Taste of Flesh and Bones), press here. My YouTube videos can be found at Think2wice@I-Am-Aware. May the content of either or both help you along your spiritual journey. Thank You” & “Note to Publishers 🙏🏻🧡