Author: R. Arthur Russell

Although I was employed as a Primary Care Paramedic for almost thirty-six years, I also have a keen interest in the study of Consciousness, Spirituality, and the Law of Attraction. I believe that when more persons recognize their True Self, they will be relieved of needless suffering. This is my purpose--to ease suffering and improve the quality of life through the sharing of knowledge. Toward that end, I have just published a book entitled "This Taste of Flesh and Bones" --September, 2020. I also publish articles on a regular basis @think2wice.me

Curses Begone!

Boj (no relationship to Job, I assure you) had it rough. Just ask him, and he would eagerly relate the 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’d 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 to be grateful for?”

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

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” 🙏🏻🧡

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

The Better Way

If you’re 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 occurring. The world of effects is a mirror to our innermost beliefs and assumptions; therefore, it’s in our best interest to maintain 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.
And 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 expressing Divine Love 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, such doesn’t mean that we should suppress our true feelings and tolerate abuse, of any nature. If it’s time to exit a situation that’s 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 happen overnight–but they will “occur” 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’s spiritual law. What we sincerely feel in our heart is reflected back. The world (which is created via, and known by, Consciousness) is a reflection of 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

“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’s 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’s not a hint of selfishness 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’re 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, will our work bear proof that we have knowingly climbed to the peak of our Being. Only then will we lovingly look at one another and truthfully say, “Job, well done.”

Dare to Dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

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 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 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 realilzed, “as was i.”

When Frank examined what he had assumed to be his life, he discovered that the grooves of his own behaviour 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 subsequently 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

I’ll Be With You

Most of us are familiar with the saying, “I’ll be with you in a moment.” We’ ‘ve probably heard it or even used it ourselves. It’s often stated in polite conversation, to indicate that there will be a short delay before an intended interaction will occur. In the majority of cases, it’s uttered perfunctorily; in much the same way that an empty glass is handed to someone who is thirsty for water. If we care about the depth of our communication (and I hope that we do), we would be wise to contemplate the deeper meaning of the expression.

In the deepest sense of the saying, it’s actually impossible to “be” with someone in a moment. By the most literal interpretation, Being only occurs in the eternal and timeless Now. To accept anything less means that we’re dealing with the concept of time and, thus, interacting with conceptual selves. It means that the thought of “me” is dealing your thought of “you.” While this may seem to be of trifling consequence, I assure you it’s not.

To the degree that the interpretation of the expression differs, the communication between persons is highly vulnerable to conflict or misinterpretation. Why? Because the definition of a “moment” is subject to various opinions. To one person, a moment is literally one second–one little blip of a digital time piece. To another person, a moment, used offhandedly, might signify a lapse of five or ten minutes. Of course, we’re well aware that all of our words are not interpretted literally; it’s up to us to determine when we are speaking literally or figuratively. A personal best habit, however, would be to choose our words wisely.

The most important point of this article (of truly being present) can be understood more easily through the following: Have you ever shared the company of someone and asked, or been asked, “Where are you?” If so, you understand that the two persons, although physically close, were dimensions apart. One might have been quite present, awaiting a reply. The other, for whatever reason, may have drifted mentally and, thus, not been present. To truly “be” with someone we must meet them at the level of the heart. In this placeless place of sympathetic resonance, words and actions are not required.

If we desire to truly share openly and honestly with other dear souls who are taking this apparent journey called “life,” we owe it to ourselves and them to be “here” with them Now. To do so requires that we get out of our busy mind and be present: Such is the price of admission to real, meaningful communication. In time, everyone is being defrauded in varying degree. When we, as Presence, are there for “others,” we also benefit; for this means that we’re not functioning on behalf of the “voice in the head” that claims to be our real identity. With regard to issues that really matter, to settle for anything less than heart-based communication is to offer an empty glass.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

The Chain of Gratitude

Recently one morning, I had finished eating my breakfast of poached eggs, when a thought entered my mind about gratitude. I was actually brushing my teeth when it occurred. I found myself thinking, “thank you for my breakfast.” Just as quickly, another thought related to gratitude entered my awareness; leading to the following chain:

Thank you for the eggs.
Thank you for the bread, butter, and plate.
Thank you for the frying pan and stove.
Thank you for my kitchen.
Thank you for my refrigerator.
Thank you for my apartment, electricity, and running water…

As you can readily tell, the list of related items and conditions for which I gave thanks are like links of a chain. I soon actually chuckled to myself, because I realized the chain is endless. I’m glad that a willing and eager desire to offer thanks is within me. Such is part and parcel of realizing a good life.

I am not advocating a Pollyanna approach to life–far from it. People who deliberately give thanks still encounter challenging situations. My point about offering sincere gratitude is related to the science of neurophysiology. Hebb’s Rule, or Cell Assembly Theory, basically states the following: neurons that fire together, wire together. By practicing gratitude, we’re actually training our mind to deliver a positive outlook, which equates to less suffering.

As this relates to the law of attraction, it’s important to know the following: Whatever we practice is performed more easily. It, thus, becomes our habit. This also includes suffering and pity parties, in which we have trained our mind to label situations negatively. We can avoid worsening challenging times by ingraining a perspective in which we seek for the good that surrounds us. It’s here. Napoleon Hill, who wrote Think and Grow Rich, was well aware of this. I offer one of his famous quotes:

“Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit.”

Gratitude, habitually and sincerely expressed, has the power to transform our lives. Circumstances and events that might have been considered commonplace (such as a breakfast of poached eggs) become miraculous. You might ask yourself the following: “What have I trained my mind to focus upon–that which I’ve labelled good, or that which I’ve labelled bad?” If you’re seeking to improve the quality of your life, I highly recommend introducing, or continuing, the practice of gratitude. Breakfast anyone?

Dare to Dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Almighty Fearlessness

Have you experienced fear that robs you of the joy of each moment? Have you, as the person, been afraid of the so-called future? Have you, in the dark of night, tossed in a bed of worries about the coming day? If such is the case, there’s a solution of which you may be unaware. We lead into it through the following passage from Teachings of Ramakrishna:

Q: What is the nature of absolute reliance?

A: “It is like that happy state of comfort and satisfaction which is felt by a weary man when, reclining on a pillow, he smokes at leisure after a hard day’s toil: it is the ceasing from all anxiety and fear.”

The peace that’s described in the passage is not achieved by actions taken by the person. In fact, to attempt any actions from that perspective will almost certainly fuel our anxiety; or at best allow a brief reprieve. To discover the peace that passes all understanding, we must recognize our essential nature beyond name and form.

To understand this clearly, we must realize that persistent anxiety and fear belong to the perspective of the false self, also referred to as the person. Our body-mind is imbued with natural protective instincts that are intended to keep it safe; these usually function perfectly and should be heeded. However, prolonged anxiety and stress is generated by the fictional “i,” which believes it’s separate from All That Is. Fear of any nature doesn’t belong to true Self, because there’s literally nothing to oppose It.

How do we adopt this point of view? From the human perspective, we don’t attempt to do anything; for by repressing our fears, we would only add another layer to the belief in the false self. To arrive at true fearlessness, we must go within and knowingly recognize That which we actually are. When we become still (meditate)and know that I am God; we realize that we never were the person. We are Consciousness, in which the perspective of our body-mind appears. It was only our human conditioning that has made us interpret experience in such a fearful manner.

When we recognize that our higher Self is actually in charge of our life, we realize that we are free to live fearlessly. We learn to trust and have faith during circumstances that seem very uncertain. And the more that we trust That, which is our true nature, the more easily we flow with life. The verse from John 14 offers more inspiration: “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.”

Dare to Dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Birthday Assumptions

On my apparent birth date, “i” (baby boy) was consciously unaware that such was the donning of a costume named “Arthur” that “i” was destined to wear. In a continuous display of magic, that costume of flesh and bones transformed from baby to infant–to child, teenager, and adult. At birthday after birthday, cakes with lighted candles were placed before me; and “i,”–so fortunate–silently affirmed my future wishes. To have questioned any, or part, of these celebrations as unreal would have seemed ludicrous. Just one finger held to a lighted candle would have verified the facts. Here, though, is a passage from Hebrews 11:3, which might help us investigate those apparent facts more closely:

“Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God,

so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.”

What do you think that this passage means? How very strange to state that “things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.” The passage means that objects, persons, and the world have no independent existence, apart from the mind that perceives them. They are made of, and known by, the only Substance that is: Consciousness.

When we assume ourselves to be a relatively long-lasting “self” in time/space, the weight of personal history labelled mine often becomes burdensome. Due to ignorance of our essential nature, we attempt to carry our experiences, instead of allowing them to flow to and through us. Because of this attachment, even the pleasant past memories related to family and friends may give rise to suffering; especially if they are no longer currently present. In our blind assuredness that we know all there is to be known, we unwittingly invite suffering to come and visit. Too often, it comes to stay.

Until a few years ago, I assumed everyone and every object in the apparent world to be as real as real could be–that they were discrete and independent of my mind. How could I have possibly known that my body-mind is actually a character in a dream of my own making? When we experience nighttime dreams, we naturally assume that our character and the dream are real. The food in our dreams is hot and spicy; the beverages cool and wet. A high mountain peak is covered in snow; a desert, filled with sand.

It is only when we awaken that we realize that all was but a dream.

This, dear friends, provides a major clue to a deeper understanding of our essential nature. We may know life, stripped bare of assumptions, here and now. Is it not so, that the reading of this article, could also be occurring within a dream? If not, how may we be certain? Is it not possible that the mind that weaves our nighttime dreams could also be creating our daylight world? What if there was only One Knower/Creator that was dreaming our various roles? Could it be that the Creator searched the world over–seeking “others” to play our apparent roles–but found no other than Itself existed? Such would imply that “i’ was God incarnate. So, too, are you.

Dare to Dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

“Spelling” Success

In the following fictional account, I share real tips that I hope will help you experience more success in your life, both personally and professionally. As the title suggests, it relates to casting “spells:”

***

Kate and Sloane, who are now forty-three and forty-five respectively, first met when they were young children. They liked each other immediately and soon became best friends. During the long hot days of summer, they enjoyed spending time together as often as possible. They took great joy in sharing their secret dreams; of countries they desired to visit, businesses to start, and possessions to acquire. Excitedly, they would high-five each other and exclaim, “Yes, we can do this!“

When they were in college, the difference in their approaches to life became evident. Although they both faced challenges, Kate somehow managed to surmount them fairly easily. Sloane’s life was filled with struggle–with his grades, part-time jobs, and relationships. Undaunted, he vowed to work harder to achieve the success he deserved. Over time, their friendship slowly drifted apart. Their lives diverged in other ways, too. Kate did, indeed, achieve the success she envisioned; but Sloane did not.

From a law of attraction perspective, the difference in their level of achievement resulted from the ways that they were spelling success. Whether we realize it or not, everyone is casting “spells” via our habitual thoughts, feelings, and beliefs. Kate happily performed her work “from” the perspective of already being successful. She was living her passion, which made it natural to feel successful. This was the paradigm (pattern, or example) that she carried within her wherever she went. Sloane, on the other hand, performed his work with the dream “of” one day being successful. He reasoned that if he worked hard enough, he would finally achieve his dreams. The subconscious paradigm that he mentally carried was of his self-proclaimed past failures. He talked about them frequently. In contrast, Kate mentally claimed her success before it manifest. Sloane was mentally chasing success; but Kate was embodying it.

***

The reason for the varying degrees of success experienced by Kate and Sloane is related in the following passage from Matthew 13:12:

“For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance;

but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.”

“Whoever has” refers to those who have claimed their success and prosperity in consciousness (in health, wealth, and relationships) and, thus, carry it with them in the core of their Being. “Whoever does not have” refers to those who carry subconscious paradigms of failure and poverty.

This message is echoed in the following passage from Proverbs 23:7:

“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.”

If you’re seeking success (as you, yourself, define it), you might consider asking yourself this question: Do I already possess my success at the core of my being, or do I hope to experience it in the future? Just for the record, no one has ever experienced the future. In other words, “you can’t get there from here.” All there is, is Now.

Dare to Dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Think2wice

CONSCIOUSNESS, SPIRITUALITY, & LAW OF ATTRACTION

Author: R. Arthur Russell

Curses Begone!

Baker’s Dozen: Power Quotes

The Better Way

“Job, Well Done”

The Still Small Voice

I’ll Be With You

The Chain of Gratitude

Almighty Fearlessness

Birthday Assumptions

“Spelling” Success

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