Oh, Jubilant Heart

Recently, I, Heart, heard several rapid-fire knocks at my door. When I opened the door, I saw Mind dressed in a loud plaid suit and holding a briefcase. Mind said that it had some information of pressing importance to share and that it would appreciate a few minutes of my time. I didn’t wish to be impolite, so I invited Mind to enter. We sat across from each other at my kitchen table.

“This is your lucky day,” said Mind, as it opened its briefcase, “because I have a plan for your life; and I think–rather, I know–you would be wise to follow my advice. At FollowTheCrowdInc., we have a monthly installment plan that makes payments easy and affordable. Mind then edged a colour brochure toward me that was filled with graphs, glossy photos, and gobbledygook. “It seems to me,” said Mind, with a few judging glances, “that you need some help putting your life in order. How lucky are you that I stopped by–chuckle, chuckle, hack, hack! Perhaps you can’t see it because you’re too close to notice; but it’s obvious that you’re not living your best life possible. Here’s a few questions to get you thinking. Are your taxes in order? What about savings? Income property–do you have one? Have you considered multiple streams of income? And what about the Joneses down the street–can you not only keep up to them but also outdo them? I noticed that car of yours is looking long in the tooth–can you afford a new one? What about your children, if you have any–can you help them financially? Diapers aren’t cheap you know. Retirement, whew, now there’s a topic! How many years before you get the golden handshake? Do you have continuing benefits? Dental coverage isn’t cheap you know–you don’t want to be gumming it at the golf course. And what about funeral arrangements? Have you made them? Are you thinking burial or cremation? What about plans to travel before you’re too old and doddery? Have you got your name on a nursing home waiting list yet? And last but not least, have you filed your GYBTB-4321-Yellow Form yet? Don’t want to be late with that one! As you can see, there are so many details that must be arranged. Thoughts?” asked Mind, as it surfaced for air.

With a soft smile, I, Heart, handed the brochure back to Mind, and said, “Yes, I do. I plan to live my days as fully as possible, without carrying the burden of an illusory past or worrying about a future that never arrives. I am Life, Itself, enjoying this rare and wonderful experience. I am that I am, here and now; and that’s what matters the most. On a daily basis, I ensure that I keep my worries low and my enthusiasm high. I frequently get up early to view a sunrise and occasionally go for a walk in the rain. I make sure that I watch what I think–not a television. I eat well, enjoy a little drink now and then, and practice the golden rule with everyone I meet. I write, take pottery classes, and paint when intuition nudges me to do so. Oh, and I sing in the shower and have been known, on occasion, to skinny dip at midnight. But that’s probably a little too much information, isn’t it?

“Yes,” said Mind, gagging forth an awkward smile, “I think it is.”

And with that, I, Heart, politely showed a very glum-looking Mind to the door.

***

Dear Readers: Live, live, live! Oh, how I love you.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Copyright © – 2022 – 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–released September 8, 2020), press here. My YouTube videos may be found through this link. May the content of either or both help you along your spiritual journey. (F. A.)🙏🧡

“Thank You” & “Note to Publishers”

“Spiritual High Rollers”

The majority of Beings are knowingly unaware of their essential nature; so it really wasn’t surprising to learn that Reginald still seems lost in his body-mind “story.” How can we be certain that Reginald has not yet awakened to his true nature? When he was recently a contestant on a game show called Spiritual High Rollers, the host asked him to complete the following sentence: “As it relates to your essential nature, beyond name and form…”

I

A m

A n

E T E R N _ L

B _ _ _ _

As the clock ticked down the remaining seconds (dum de dum-dum, dum dee do; dum dee dum-dum, dee, dee, dee-dee-dee-dee), Reginald’s face turned red, and he blurted the following answers:

“I am an eternal bigot!

I am an eternal beast!

I am an eternal baker!”

When the timer alarm sounded, Reginald spun on his heels and flung down his arm. It was over, and he knew it.

“I’m sorry,” said the host, as he noticed Reginald’s dejected expression, “but time has run out. Please don’t feel too sad, though; there’s good news. We’re inviting you back for another round!”

***

What about you, dear reader: Beyond belief, would you have known–directly–the answer that stumped Reginald? We can recognize a deeper dimension of Self here and now.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Copyright © – 2022 – 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–released September 8, 2020), press here. My YouTube videos may be found through this link. May the content of either or both help you along your spiritual journey. 🙏🧡

“Thank You” & “Note to Publishers”

Theo McFacts

Theo McFacts was forty-four going on ninety four, with a spirit so covered with body-mind debris that he seemed more dead than alive. That is to say that his perspective was almost always buried in the dank grave of his present circumstances and his oh-so-terrible personal history. If asked to tell of the last time he really felt unbridled joy, he would have been hard-pressed to offer an answer. Perhaps, that time when a two-for-one coupon unexpectedly arrived in his mailbox–yes; that was pretty neat, yes it was!

The point of sharing this account about Theo is not to ridicule him; not at all. The point is that without being aware of it, Theo had developed the unconscious habit of arguing for his limitations. Theo McFacts knew the facts, and no one was going to convince him otherwise! If he had been a defense lawyer, he would have won every case! The reason why he couldn’t fall in love again was that he had experienced a painful divorce ten years prior. The reason why he couldn’t start a new successful business was that he had started three that flopped in the past. The reason why he was destined to carry the spare tire of weight around his abdomen was that he had already tried every diet in the books. He would love to date a compatible woman, BUT, you see, it could just never work out. He would love to dream big, BUT, you see, that just isn’t practical. In short, Theo habitually defended an “I cannot” attitude. As many motivational speakers share, Theo was allowing the wake (story) of his boat (person) to determine the direction of his life.

All there is, is NOW. The past does not exist if we stop carrying it forward, through our attention to it. If you know someone like Theo, perhaps the following quotations will help him/her break free:

***

“What we achieve inwardly will change outer reality.”

Plutarch

***

“There is but one consciousness in the universe able to think; and when it thinks, its thoughts become objective things to it.”

Charles F. Hannel (The Master Key System)

***

“Certainty, Faith, Belief, is a necessary part of creating wealth–or anything else for that matter. It is that which gives the universe a go-ahead to do as you wish it to do.”

Daivd Cameron Gikandi (A Happy Pocketful of Money)

***

“To know this law is enough: Whatever we accept as a permanent mental image in our consciousness must manifest in our world, for we become in life what we are in consciousness, and nothing can alter the fact.”

U.S. Anderson (The Magic In Your Mind)

***

“All men dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds, wake in the day to find that it was vanity; but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men [women], for they act on their dreams with open eyes, to make them possible.”

T. E. Lawrence

***

Dear readers: Life is far more magical and vibrant than you may have assumed. The ideas, thoughts, and beliefs that we habitually entertain make a tremendous difference in the apparent circumstances that manifest in our life. Are you living the best life you can imagine?

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Copyright © – 2022 – 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–released September 8, 2020), press here. My YouTube videos may be found through this link. May the content of either or both help you along your spiritual journey. 🙏🧡

“Thank You” & “Note to Publishers”

Standing “As”

This world can seem a battlefield of challenges and strife. On a daily basis, we directly view or hear reports of varying degrees of conflict. Everyone has preferences: we desire this, but not that. As the number of so-called “others” increases, the issue becomes more complex. Our differing opinions regarding right and wrong leave us with little or no middle ground labelled “Peace.” During such times, it can be challenging to resist the temptation of being “against” a circumstance, rather than having the wisdom of being “for” what feels right in our heart. This metaphysical principle of behaviour (which I refer to as Standing “As”) is vitally important to understand: That to which we give our attention persists more strongly. To improve conditions, we must resolutely place our attention on that which we desire, not its apparent opposite. Let’s imagine, if we can, a peaceful world in which we live by the following:

  • Can we stand “as” tolerance, without being against intolerance?
  • Can we stand “as” honesty, without being against dishonesty?
  • Can we stand “as” selflessness, without being against selfishness?
  • Can we stand “as” equality, without being against inequality?
  • Can we stand “as” honour, without being against corruption?
  • Can we stand “as” love, without giving your energy to hate?
  • Can we stand “as” peace, without being against war?
  • In short, can we stand for the result we desire, rather than expending our energy by being against its opposite?”

Through the development of our character, we may exemplify the beliefs that we hold most dear, without becoming self-important or proud. This is clearly illustrated in a famous poem entitled Sermons We See, by Edgar Guest. Here I offer the first stanza:

I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day; 
I’d rather one should walk with me than merely tell the way. 
The eye’s a better pupil and more willing than the ear, 
Fine counsel is confusing, but example’s always clear; 
And the best of all the preachers are the men who live their creeds, 
For to see good put in action is what everybody needs.

Mahatma Ghandi also expressed this vitally important principle in his famous and succint expression:

“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”

Perhaps we could develop the habit of asking ourselves, “What attitude am I broadcasting to the world today?” It’s up to us to ensure it’s a good one, born of our highest ideals.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Copyright © – 2022 – 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–released September 8, 2020), press here. My YouTube videos may be found through this link. May the content of either or both help you along your spiritual journey. 🙏🧡

“Thank You” & “Note to Publishers”

Observations of Terah

In a distant galaxy, far far away, there is a planet named Terah with a population of almost eight billion people. The people, who are of various races, colours, and creeds, live in compartmentalized sections of land called “countries” and usually consider themselves to be quite civilized; that is, when they aren’t waging war against one another in the name of keeping the peace. Terahlings are usually quite proud of themselves; for they believe they have advanced from the dark ages. Ignorance, however, can be a tricky beast to wrestle, because we are often unaware of its presence. This is the case with the majority of Terahlings, who, for reasons unknown, choose to turn a blind eye to the following:

***

Despite the discovery in 1911 by Ernest Rutherford (one of Terah’s acclaimed scientists) that atoms are actually comprised of 99.999% empty space, the citizens of Terah continue to believe that they live upon a planet made of solid stuff called matter, which they assume to exist independent of consciousness. No amount of logic-based arguments can sway their population from the reports of their senses.

***

Despite passages in one of their Holy books called the Bible, which states (in Acts 17:28) “for in Him we live and move and have our being,” Terahlings continue to believe that each of them is, indeed, a separate source of consciousness. Their argument is that it certainly feels that way. That David Chalmers, who is a noted philosopher and cognitive scientist, coined the phrase “the hard problem of consciousness” to refer to the unprovable assumption that neuronal processes of the brain give rise to consciousness seems trifling and unimportant.

***

Despite the best efforts of sages and saints of Terah, who claim that the “reality” of their lives actually occurs in the Waking State (which is similar to the well-known Dream State, in which people, objects, and events are also experienced), the majority of Terahlings choose to ignore such reports and continue to believe in their autonomy as “persons.” The irony is that by doing so they are denying the existence of the Creator that is the very Source of their life.

***

Despite evidence from science (The Double-Slit Experiment), which strongly suggests that mind is directly related to apparent objects experienced in consciousness, and that a world independent of consciousness cannot be proven, Terahlings continue to deny their divinity as co-creators with Infinite Living Mind and assume themselves to be mortals of flesh and bones.

***

The majority of Terahlings are actually prodigal, without being aware that such is the case. In the well-known Biblical account of the prodigal son, the son turned away from The Father (his Creator) and spent his inheritance with his attention facing outward, toward the apparent world. When his suffering related to the perspective of being a “person” became too great, the son finally turned his attention back toward The Father, which symbolizes turning his attention within, to the Truth of his Being. That same opportunity to investigate their essential nature is available to all citizens of Terah NOW.

By last account, life is much the same for the citizens of Terah–strife, conflict, mass shootings, selfishness, greed, and war. Of course, there is also a lot of goodness occurring on Terah; but for some reason, that doesn’t often get reported. One noted university professor of Terah, who preferred to remain nameless for the purposes of this article, stated, “Do you have any idea how much it would cost to rewrite all of our history books…and tell the Truth?! Don’t be insane!” Please note; any similarity to the situation on Earth is purely coincidental.

Dare to Dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Copyright © – 2022 – 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–released September 8, 2020), press here. My YouTube videos may be found through this link. May the content of either or both help you along your spiritual journey. 🙏🧡

“Thank You” & “Note to Publishers”

Curses Begone!

Boj (no relationship to Job, I assure you) had it rough. Just ask him, and he would eagerly relate the apparent woes of his life. He was cursed, he was certain. Habitually he thought about, and spoke about, all that was wrong. To him, every day seemed a chore, a battle to be endured from dawn to dusk. He didn’t just believe in Murphy’s Law; he had been the inspiration for its first draft. Boj was infamous for his uncontrollable tirades. It never dawned on Boj that if he changed positively within, that the so-called world without could improve, as a reflection of that change.

When circumstances went wrong, as they often did for Boj, his usual way of reacting was a version of the following performance: With his face reddening with building pressure, Boj would bend down into a deep squat (as though gathering energy from Mother Earth), and then spring upward onto his tippy-toes. At the apex of the spike, with his head convulsing from side to side like a ravenous lion, he would roar:

Dam# iT# al&L tH#E waY to $he%Ll and #ba$%%^k! Swee#T Ffly#%ing #fU@g%-a- doodle!

This lifE i$ one #h3!! of a RuFf bu##ggnng ride!

It was on one of these not-so-sweet occasions, that his neighbour, better known as Granny Goodadvice, approached him and softly said, “Having a rough one, Boj?”

“What was your first clue?” asked Boj, with a scowl.

“Oh, I don’t know,” said Granny, with a subtle grin. “A little birdie tol’ me so.”

“So, what of it?” asked Boj.

“Well, I just wanted to share some advice, in case it could be some service to you.” Granny, who was ninety-nine according to neighbours, waggled her index finger at BoJ, with a come-here-sonny look.”

When Boj had moved closer, she leaned close and whispered: “At one time, I was also no stranger to cursing. I knew all of the curse bombs, and I dropped them haphazardly everywhere I went. I could unload great big A-bombs, and strafe the atmosphere with rat-a-tat tat machine-gun ones. But one day, a dear brave soul approached me and tol’ me that my life would improve if I started expressing sincere gratitude…from my heart.”

“That’s it!?” exclaimed Boj. “That’s your great pearl of wisdom?!”

“Uh, huh,” said Granny, with a nod. “Yup, that’s it.”

“And just what,” said Boj, with a scowl, “do you think that I have for which to be grateful?”

Granny squinted like the Clint Eastwood fan she was and said, “Your life, sonny. Your very life.” And with that, she turned and ambled back to her home. It was time to watch her afternoon soap opera.

Dare to Dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Copyright © – 2022 – 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–released September 8, 2020), press here. My YouTube videos may be found through this link. May the content of either or both help you along your spiritual journey. 🙏🧡

“Thank You” & “Note to Publishers”

Baker’s Dozen: Power Quotes

There are many people who believe that they understand the law of attraction; but quite often that isn’t the case. To get the most from the following baker’s dozen of power quotes, a paradigm shift (from a matter-based world to a consciousness-only reality) is required. As you read the quotes, please imagine your body-mind to be as light as your character would feel to you in a nighttime dream. So-called daily “reality” is actually occurring within the waking state. This understanding (as challenging as that might be to your logical mind) is the key to help you manifest more of what you desire. What follows are thirteen of many law of attraction quotes that I have accumulated during years of study. May they help to awaken a deeper understanding within you:

“There is but one consciousness in the universe able to think; and when it thinks, its thoughts become objective things to it.”

(The Master Key System, by Charles F. Haanel)

***

“No living soul can demonstrate two things at the same time, if one contradicts the other. There is no way except to let go of all that you do not wish to come into your experience, and, in mind, take all that you do wish.”

(Creative Mind, by Ernest Holmes)

***

“Wealth consciousness is simply the expansion of your consciousness and awareness into the wealthy parts of your Self.”

(A Happy Pocket Full of Money, by David Cameron Gikandi)

***

“More gold has been mined from the minds of men, than the earth itself.”

(Think and Grow Rich, by Napoleon Hill)

***

“There are only two things you can do for yourself. One is conception, and the other is conviction. All the work of creation rests with another than you. For no man is responsible for anything in his life except this thought and belief.”

(Three Magic Words,” by U. S. Andersen)

***

“When you change the story you tell, the world changes too.”

(Magic Words, by Genevieve Davis)

***

“Thought is the only power which can produce tangible riches from the formless substance. The stuff from which all things are made is a substance which thinks. A thought of form in the substance produces the form.”

(The Science of Getting Rich, by Wallace D. Wattles)

***

“All is mind and we are mental, we are in mind and can only get from it what we first think into it. We must not only think but we must know. We have to provide within ourselves a mental and spiritual likeness for the thing desired.”

(Creative Mind, by Ernest Holmes)

***

“The law is always the same, that our Thought forms a spiritual prototype which, if left undisturbed, will reproduce itself in external circumstances.”

(The Edinburgh Lectures on Mental Science, by Thomas Troward)

***

“Thought creates the world. Thought brings things into existence.”

(Thought Power, by Sri Swami Sivananda)

***

“The Power in you is the Creator of the world.”

(Illusion vs Reality, by Shri Ranjit Maharaj)

***

“The mind is a magnet and attracts whatever corresponds to its ruling state. Whatever image is in mind, whatever we expect and think about, will tend to bring into our lives the things and conditions that in harmony therewith.”

(Working With The Law, by Raymond Holliwell)

***

“Things have no reality other than in consciousness. Therefore, get the consciousness first and the thing is compelled to appear.”

(Neville Goddard’s Interpretation of Scripture, by Neville Goddard)

***

Because it’s in my nature to give, and we are always told to “go that extra mile in everything we do,” I’m going to close this article with another quote, to make it fourteen in total:

“As the Divine Thought Energy flows through your consciousness and out into the phenomenal world to appear as prosperous experiences and conditions, its ‘plastic’ quality allows it to be impressed by the tone and shape of your dominant belief. Therefore, what you see, hear, taste, and smell are your beliefs objectified.”

(The Abundance Book, by John Randolph Price)

Dare to Dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Copyright © – 2022 – 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–released September 8, 2020), press here. My YouTube videos may be found through this link. May the content of either or both help you along your spiritual journey. 🙏🧡

“Thank You” & “Note to Publishers”

The Better Way

If you are searching (as was I) for a better way to live and, thus, to experience an improvement in the circumstances of your life, I offer you the following examples to consider. When the principle behind them (which is Divine Love by All for All) is applied until it becomes our habitual way of Being, we will definitely notice positive changes in our life. The world of effects is a mirror to our innermost beliefs and assumptions; therefore, we do ourselves and everyone else a favour by maintaining our highest ideals. By practicing this way of Being in the easy times, we develop a strong mental muscle that proves of great service during the most challenging situations. So, onward…to the good life!

***

  • For that irate driver who swerves suddenly and almost causes an accident–LOVE him/her.
  • For your children who, unaware of the burden that you are carrying, take you for granted–LOVE them.
  • For your boss, who piles an increasing work load upon you and rarely, if ever, expresses praise, LOVE him/her.
  • For your friends, who at times may seem to be only fair-weather friends, LOVE them.
  • For your spouse who, in the midst of a challenging day, uncharacteristically snaps at you, LOVE him/her.
  • For your co-worker, who takes credit for your creative ideas, LOVE him/her.
  • For persons who, in dealing with their own fears, intolerantly demand your behaviour to mirror theirs, LOVE them.
  • For strangers who, in dealing with their own stressful lives, express anger toward you, LOVE them.
  • Last, but definitely not least: For you, when you make a mistake regarding best behaviour or the wisest choice, LOVE yourself.

The purpose of these examples is not to turn us into holier-than-thou persons willing to subjugate our needs at the expense of poor behaviour. The principle of Divine Love expressed is to free us from the negative repercussions that we attract when/if we retaliate with negative thoughts and behaviour. Like truly does attract like. Please realize, also, that although I’ve written that we are wise to express LOVE, this does not mean that we are to suppress our true feelings and tolerate abuse, of any nature. If it’s time to exit a situation that is harmful or demeaning, we must realize this and ensure that we protect ourselves and our best interests. It’s true that we teach others how to treat us; therefore, what we tolerate out of fear, we appear to condone.

The positive effects of this way of Being in the world will not occur overnight–but “occur” they will when we change within. As we apply the principle of Divine Love for all, our world will begin to change without. As ye sow, so shall ye reap is not a trite saying intended to appease the masses; it is spiritual law. What we sincerely feel in our heart (not that which we think/utter with idle lip service) is reflected back. The world (which is created via, and known by, Consciousness) reflects our innermost way of Being; and when we exercise our inner authority in a positive way, circumstances MUST change for the better. Of course, the way to prove this for yourself, is to put it into practice.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Copyright © – 2022 – 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–released September 8, 2020), press here. My YouTube videos may be found through this link. May the content of either or both help you along your spiritual journey. 🙏🧡

“Thank You” & “Note to Publishers”

“Job, Well Done”

Humankind has it backwards. The trouble is, it thinks it’s doing a good job. All of our human mistakes occur–and continue to reoccur–for two basic reasons: 1. We’re unaware that we unaware we’re making them. 2. The majority of humans are unaware of their higher nature. Due to our ignorance (defined as: lacking wisdom or knowledge), humankind is constrained to act in accordance with ways that it thinks are best. However, to produce the best results, it’s not enough to embody the best that we think we can be; in daily living we must express “Being” the best that we are. Only when we awaken to the Truth of our essential nature will our results reflect our inner Greatness.

If we allow ourselves to be governed by the finite mind of humankind, the work that we think we can do will always be somewhat stained by self-centered motives. Such means that no matter how good our intentions, we will still be ruled to a certain degree by human instincts and drive. No doubt, there is much goodness in human potential; but that is not enough. Only when we knowingly live from our Being will we create the best-of-the-best conditions on earth. The following illustrates the difference:

If I allow Art to perform what he (the false self) desires to express,

the work, even if only faintly, will bear the stamp of getting.

In other words, there will still be self-interest of the little “me.”

Conversely:

If the Spirit of Infinite Living Mind (the true Self) expresses Itself through Art,

the work will bear the stamp of giving.

This means that everyone potentially gains.

In the first example, we can see that the work will still contain what’s in the best interest of Art. However, when we live and move and have our Being in accordance with the second example, we–in human form–become a conduit to the expression of Divine Greatness. Deep down, all of us know when we’re living according to the second way; for there is not a hint of self-centeredness within the work.

At this point in human evolution, the majority of us are habitually expressing our finite humanity. Why? Because we’ve been conditioned to believe that we are mere flesh and bones. Our results will dramatically improve when we fully express our Infinite Divinity. When we habitually express That, which is Infinite in potential, and Glorious in actuality, then–and only then–will our work bear proof that we have knowingly climbed to the peak of our Being. We will then be able to look one another lovingly in the eyes and truthfully say, “Job, well done.”

Dare to Dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Copyright © – 2022 – 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–released September 8, 2020), press here. My YouTube videos may be found through this link. May the content of either or both help you along your spiritual journey. 🙏🧡

“Thank You” & “Note to Publishers”

The Still Small Voice

One day, Frank became aware.

He became aware that he had been living unaware; that for as long as he could remember he had been existing on automatic pilot. Every day of the week was pre-planned, and so a week, a month, and, thus, a year. With startling clarity, he realized the life ahead of him; and the shadow of his future–scripted by forces not his own–was both frightening and depressing. The revelation foretold the story of a man, apparently alive, standing at the foot of his own grave, awaiting the fall.

As Frank’s level of consciousness increased, he noticed that for years untold, he had willingly subjected his “self” to the “cacophony of the multitude.” The trend had been so insidious that its increasing noise level had escaped his attention. Morning news (“weapons of mass destruction“) was parroted at mid-day and echoed, yet again, at night. Repeatedly, various media outlets offered identical sound bites. For most of his life, Frank had assumed that the intention of such programs was simply meaning to inform; but now, he realized that conform, conform, conform was their more likely message. He also began to notice that neighbours and colleagues, in somnambulistic reverie, were eager to instruct him in action that he should take…if he were wise. “They’re asleep,” Frank now thought, “as was i.”

When Frank examined what he had assumed to be his life, he discovered that the grooves of his own patterned ways were very deep, indeed. He realized (from the perspective of witness), that he always stirred the milk into his coffee with three clockwise turns–not two, followed by a tapping clink of the spoon against his favourite mug. He realized that he prefaced many sentences with the word actually, for no apparent reason. After showering, he realized that if it were not for awareness, his right arm would always reach to dry his left shoulder first. From his new vantage point, Frank intentionally severed as many patterns as possible; and as a result, he felt more alive than he had felt in years.

On that day that Frank became aware, he made a promise to himself, which he has kept. The promise is that he would always favour the Still Small Voice within, instead of the cacophony of the multitude. Much later, Frank discovered that the Voice that guides his actions is referred to in Deuteronomy 31:6: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Frank also wisely follows another action. When persons ask him for his opinion, it is to “That”–their own Still Small Voice–that he politely suggests they turn.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Copyright © – 2022 – 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–released September 8, 2020), press here. My YouTube videos may be found through this link. May the content of either or both help you along your spiritual journey. 🙏🧡

“Thank You” & “Note to Publishers”