Bobby’s Pockets

From the moment he was born until the age of approximately seven, the subconscious pockets of Bobby’s mind were being filled with a multitude of thoughts and beliefs about himself and the nature of his world. He had no choice but to accept the type of information that was placed within them. By the time he reached adulthood, his pockets were bursting at the seams. Although Bobby wasn’t aware of it, the energy of his negative assumptions about reality far outweighed the positive. Here are a few that were lurking inside his pockets:

You’re just like your father–a loser!
I’m a failure.
You take after me; you’re terrible at math.
I’m not smart.
Our family can’t afford vacations like other families can.
I’m poor.
You’re not smart enough to create your own business.
I’ll always have to work for someone else.
Persons like me don’t go to university.
I’ll never amount to much.
Life is hard–very hard!

Estimates about the number of thoughts that an average adult has on a daily basis vary (depending on whether they’re conscious high level or underlying mental events); but it’s safe to state that our thoughts are highly repetitive and that negative thoughts are more salient. If you doubt that the nature of the thoughts make a difference in the quality of your experience, I offer the following quotes from In Tune With The Infinite, by Ralph Waldo Trine:

“Carry any kind of thought you please about with you, and so long as you retain it, no matter how you roam over the land or sea, you will increasingly attract to yourself, knowingly or inadvertently, exactly and only what corresponds to your own dominant quality of thought.”

“To be sure minded is to be sure footed.”

It’s important to realize that we’re not experiencing the world as it is; we’re experiencing the world as we “are.” Our “self” image is intimately related to the nature and quality of our reality. In support of this, I offer the following quotes from Thought Power, by Sri Swami Sivananda:

“As you think, so you become. As are your thoughts: so must be your life.”

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

“This world is a play of the mind.”

And from The Master Key System, by Charles F. Haanel, I offer you the following:

“The law is that thought will manifest itself in form.”

A similar message is related in spiritual terms in Proverbs 23:7:

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

What we think in our heart is what we know in our essence, without having to think about it. In this regard, it’s much easier to realize that a greater degree of success is possible when we recognize our true Self, beyond the limitations associated with our egoic identity.

Dear Readers: Are you letting other persons’ definitions of your avatar (the “person”) in the game of life determine your level of success? What is the nature of the thoughts that you’re carrying in your pockets? How do you feel about you? Are you unwittingly carrying a negative story and, thus, creating less than ideal results? If so, perhaps it’s time to begin anew and choose to fill your pockets with some high quality ideas. You might find my YouTube video entitled “Law of Attraction: Key Points” helpful.

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” 🙏🏻🧡

Oh, Jubilant Heart

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

“This is your lucky day,” said Mind, as it snapped opened its briefcase, “because I have a plan for your life; and I think–rather, I know–that you’d be wise to follow my advice. At FollowTheCrowdInc., we have a monthly installment plan that makes payments easy and affordable.” Mind then slid a colour brochure toward me that was filled with graphs, glossy photos, and gobbledygook. “It seems to me,” said Mind, with a few judgmental glances, “that you could use some help putting your life in order. How lucky you are that I stopped by–chuckle, chuckle, hack, hack! 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 with them but also outdo them? I noticed that your car looks a little long in the tooth–can you afford a new one? What about your children, if you have any–can you help them financially? 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 to 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 to the fullest, without carrying the burden of an illusory past or anxiety about a future that never arrives. I keep my focus on being present, enjoying this wonderful experience called life. I keep my worries low, and my enthusiasm high. I frequently wake 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, love myself, and live by the Golden Rule. I write and paint when I feel inspired. Oh, and I sing in the shower and have been known 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 politely showed a very glum-looking Mind to the door.

***

Dear Readers: Now is all there ever “is.” Do you, Awareness, really want to let Mind (ego) dictate how to live? If you’re curious about our essential nature beyond name and form, my YouTube video entitled “The Nature of Reality” may be of interest.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Theo McFacts

Theo McFacts was forty-four going on ninety four, with a spirit so mired in body-mind debris that he seemed more dead than alive. His perspective was almost always buried in the dank grave of his current circumstances and personal life story. If asked to tell of the last time he really felt joy, he would have been hard-pressed to offer an answer.

The point of sharing this information about Theo isn’t to ridicule him. The point is that without being aware of it, Theo had developed the unconscious habit of arguing for his “I-can’t” attitude. 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 successful business was that he had started three that failed in the past. The reason why he was destined to carry the excess weight was that he had already tried every diet in the books. He would love to date a lovely woman, BUT, it could just never work out. He would love to dream big, BUT, that just isn’t practical. He was allowing the wake (story) of his boat (person) to determine the destiny of his life.

All there is, is NOW. The past doesn’t 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.”

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

***

“In the great universal mind man [woman] is a center of intelligence, and every time he thinks he sets mind into action.”

(Creative Mind,” by Ernest Holmes)

***

“No thought of form can be impressed upon the original substance without causing the creation of that form. A human being is a thinking center and can originate thought.”

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

***

“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.”

(A Happy Pocketful of Money, by David Cameron Gikandi)

***

“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 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. When we awaken to our essential nature (Spirit), we realize that daily reality is occurring within a D-R-E-A-M. That’s why the quality of our thoughts are so important. Are you imagining your best life?

Dare to Dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Invitation to Play

Please join me, if you will, on a journey of remembering the feeling of days when our spirit sang with freedom; when we were happily unaware of mind chores that claim they must be done; when the words yesterday and tomorrow held no meaning. “Such” is still alive within us.

During the next few hours, you’re invited to:

Withdraw from all news media; in spite of being fearful of being struck ignorant or uncaring.
Write a list of 12.279 things that must be absolutely right before you will enjoy life. Prove the list wrong by literally or figuratively burning it.
Drop the seeming importance of your medals, trophies, formal education, resumé, and achievements. Ask, “Are they?” Ask the same of your so-called failures.
Imagine how a child feels upon meeting a new friend.
Listen carefully to children playing. As you overhear them rant and complain, make a list of their sorrowful woes about the economy or state of the world.
Glance at your “To-Do” list of chores demanding attention; then just as quickly turn away.
Drop all of your mind stories related to “I did this” and “He/she did that.”
Close your eyes and follow your breath into an inner world of wonder. Return as awareness, carrying the sense of wonder with you.
Remove the stain related to “life will be better when” by asking if “when” ever arrives.
Take off your ego’s muddy galoshes, and run bare foot.
Acknowledge the Divine Power that’s beating your heart. Bow your head and whisper “Thank you.”
Pack a picnic (however meager) and dine at a new location, in the glorious fullness of Now.
Look upon everyone (the young and the seeming old) as a child of the Creator. They are.
For sixty seconds, feel your heart’s warm unity of Oneness with All. Repeat.
Count your “haves,” instead of your “wants.”
Be with your hands as they slowly open and close. Can you feel the miracle?
Through awareness, Be peace, here and now. Silently say “hush” if the mind attempts to intrude.
Give.
Love.
Be grateful.

Through awareness, we may reignite so much of the joy that we felt as children. This world, Life, needn’t seem like such a bothersome chore. We don’t have to manage it, change it, or define it according to the mind’s perspective. Wonder, amusement, and excitement are waiting to be born into experience through Presence.

Dare to Dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Neighbour Blues & Good News

It was Gwen’s fourth night in her new apartment. At forty-six, she was starting over; her divorce papers had been signed only a month prior. The pace of unpacking had slowed; and now, with some favourite knick knacks in place, her living space was beginning to feel like home. A smile lit its way across her face as she surveyed her efforts. At quarter to midnight, she climbed into bed; eager for a good night’s sleep. She felt tired but content. All seemed right in her world until she heard of the strident voice of her neighbour Harriet (who she had met briefly the previous day) explode in an uncontrollable tirade. “Get the f#%k out!” Harriet screamed. “Get out, you f#u%ng loser–NOW!” She was a spigget of profanity turned on full force. A fearful thought spiked into Gwen’s mentality as she pulled the covers higher: “Oh, dear God, have I just traded one hell for another?”

For the next half hour, Gwen was tossed by fearful thoughts as Harriet subjected anyone within earshot to her continuing explosion of anger. Harriet was demanding that a woman who was visiting must leave; but the woman, who was also screaming profane replies, refused to leave. Admidst the turmoil, Gwen came very close to notifying the superintendent or the police. However, she finally found peace–even during the event–when the following thought entered her mind:

“Persons who appear most unlovable actually need our love the most.”

With that anchor of understanding, Gwen gradually found her own fearful thoughts being crowded out by feelings of loving compassion. “No one in their right mind would deliberately choose to live this way?” she said to herself silently. “What inner fears are driving this release of pent up energy? What kind of hellish environment must Harriet have been raised in, or exposed to, to give rise to such behaviour?” As the noise from the apartment beneath her lessened in intensity and frequency, Gwen was finally able to fall asleep.

***

Dear Readers: Attempting to ensure that home “without” always remains peaceful is a losing battle; for our outer environment is subject to ever-shifting circumstances. It’s only when we recognize home “within,” (that placeless place beyond name and form) that we realize the peace that passes all understanding.

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–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”

One Serving One

In 1998, Joseph decided to follow his passion; he took a leap of faith and opened his small diner. By the menu standards of other restaurants, the food that he offers is basic–burgers and fries, hotdogs, chili, stew, pulled pork sandwiches, and homemade soups and biscuits. Joseph runs his business simply but efficiently. When customers arrive, they’re directed to approach the front counter, place their order from the large menu board, and then take a number when they pay. When their number is called, they return to the counter to pick up their tray of food.

In the first two years of business, Joseph began to wonder if opening his diner had been a mistake. On many days, the flow of customers was pitifully slow. Initially he blamed the situation on the fact that his diner wasn’t on a major thoroughfare; but then he also noticed that first-time customers who trickled in rarely returned. He worked long hours just to make enough to pay the bills. In his desire to “get” success, Joseph seemed to be failing miserably.

The situation changed soon after Joseph experienced a startling revelation about his essential nature. His focus turned toward “giving” each and every one of his customers a successful dining experience; which meant serving them the best meals possible in a kind and courteous manner. He wanted them to feel his love for them. In the following months, his business quadrupled; and many of the first-time customers became regulars. Family and friends assumed that his business had only been saved by luck; but Joseph knew the real reason:

For more than twenty years, Joseph has secretly whispered to himself when customers come to pick up their food at the counter. Although he outwardly calls their number tag (e.g. “Serving #17”), in his heart he knows the truth that he’s actually “One Serving One.” He realizes that his customers are within him; and he’s within them. Together they’re a success. God in apparent form is serving God in the forms of guests. And therein lies the secret of his success. As a result, the people who visit his restaurant often think of it as a loving sanctuary, more than a restaurant.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Song of The Soul

The conditioning that’s prevalent in the majority of western-type societies has created a mythological version of happiness which is very conditional. It’s based upon ignorance of our essential nature and offers an empty promise that’s dependent on the concept related to one simple word–“when.”

Led by the relentless desires of our ego, we conclude that life will be dandy: when I find the love of my life; when we move into our new home; when all of our bills are paid; when the dishes are done; when I complete my first marathon; when we have financed our children’s education; when I receive a pay raise; when I summit another mountain; when my book is published; when I buy another fifty pair of shoes; when I buy another motorcycle/boat/thing; when the economy improves; when so-and-so is elected; when our neighbours behave; when I receive an apology for what he/she did twenty-two years, three months, and two days ago; when it’s Friday; when the weather is just right; when the waiter arrives; when I lose/gain twenty pounds; when I’ve had another three (ten?) beers; when I’m living on the west coast (east coast); when he/she/ loves me; when my bank account has a certain amount of numbers; when my talent is appreciated; when I can bench press a Buick; and last, but not least, when I’m p-e-r-f-e-c-t.

The voice of the ego temptingly proclaims that we will be happy when our desires are fulfilled; but here’s the catch: it’s LYING! The overlooked fact is that Now is all there ever IS. When we attempt to be happy by fulfilling the desires of the time-bound phantom “self,” we ignore the very non-thing whose nature is happiness Itself. Our BEing isn’t dependent on anything to be happy. It rejoices in Life, as Life. It revels in Is-ness. Can you become still here and now and hear the delightful song of your soul?

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Expressions of Divinity

I begin this article with a bold assertion that will probably be questioned at least or, perhaps, even strongly denied:

Everyone, and everything, is an expression of Divinity.

After reading my claim, some readers may be tempted to call 911 for my apparent rescue and/or straight jacket. Given the apparent state of our world, their common-sense perspective might also give rise to the following question:“Where, dear laddy, do you sense evidence of divinity here on earth?”

A glance at world media news–with its reports of murder, war, greed, corruption, and abuse of mother earth–would certainly seem to justify such an imaginal question. Based on superficial review, it might appear that we do, in fact, live upon a Godless planet in a Godless universe; but for readers who may be seeking a deeper revelation, I’ll offer more:

Due to our deeply conditioned beliefs, the expression of “That” within us which is divine is greatly hampered by the degree to which we remain ignorant of the Truth of our origin. In other words, it’s impossible to express our highest nature if we are unaware of It. The majority of Beings quite logically believe themselves to be a body-mind limited to time and space, and express themselves accordingly. Such belief leaves little room for appreciation that all Life flows from a Divine Source, and that our essential nature is unlimited.

Beings who are unaware of their innate Divinity may, quite naturally, assume that their circumstances arise because they have been blessed or cursed by a distant God. This may lead to an “if-I-had-only-lived-more-wisely” attitude and the feeling of tremendous guilt. The underlying spiritual principle is as follows:

We are not punished for “our” sins; but, rather, “by” them.

Wayward thoughts and beliefs, which lead to actions that create negative circumstances, eventually lead to suffering that causes us to change within and realign with higher ideals. God’s system, which is founded upon goodness, was never intended to work against Itself. It functions as a metaphysical mirror that reflects the nature of our thoughts and beliefs. Negative circumstances indicate that we have gone astray. We’re, thereby, guided to turn our attention toward God and raise the quality of our thoughts. It’s absolutely true that when we turn our attention to God every aspect of our life improves.

Without knowledge of true Self, it’s impossible for us to knowingly express Its inherent nature. Such would be akin to requesting that we use a tool that we didn’t know we possessed. The atrocities that we witness, and also our lesser sins, are not caused by an apparently Godless Universe. Such conditions arise due to humankind’s ignorance of its origin. Fortunately, every divine spark that recognizes its true nature can ignite a blaze within the masses.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Muscleman Joe

Muscleman Joe was “the man” at his local gym, and knowing that filled him with quiet pride. He had dedicated a major amount of his time and energy to achieving that status. All of the other weightlifters and bodybuilders, both male and female, considered him as the epitome of their sport. He possessed the strength, bulk, and definition that made the majority of them stand back in awe. He was the king of the chest press, squat, and deadlift. He had lost count of the number of first-place trophies that he’d won at various competitions.

In Joe’s mind, he (not surprisingly) held a crystal-clear image of who he thought he was. In his mind’s eye, he imagined himself as a successful bodybuilder, a veritable physical legend. Unbeknownst to Joe, however, his mind contained various other images, which (having been unwittingly impressed with feeling into the subconscious mind) were creating their effects. Like the greater unseen portion of an iceberg, these contents were causing other areas of Joe’s life to sink like the Titanic. His personal relationships were filled with conflict; his financial debt load was heavy; and his career path always veered from success.

One night after leaving the gym, Joe got into his truck and attempted to start the engine. Instead of hearing the familiar sound of a cranking engine, however, all that he initially heard was silence. It seemed to envelope him and force him to remain still. Within a few moments, he became even more bewildered when he heard a soft voice utter the following words:

“You’ve been attempting to live a lie, Joe. Mistakenly, you believe that you are a physical bodybuilder. Given the conditioning of your environment, it’s understandable that you would believe that you are a person and, therefore, the doer; but such is an erroneous perspective. There is only one doer, Joe, and I Am That. Despite appearances to the contrary, I Am the One who lifts the weights…through you. I also beat your heart and breathe your lungs. To improve aspects of your life that you currently deem a failure, you must change the nature and quality of your thinking. There is no other way.”

When the message from the voice ended, Joe shook off his disbelief at what had occurred and pressed the starter button again. The car’s engine started without hesitation. Shaken with puzzlement, he then slowly drove home and soon fell into a deep sleep that lasted all night long.

***

In the coming months, Muscleman Joe began to flex spiritual government of his mind. Meditation and visualization became a regular part of his daily routine. Just as he deliberately chose which foods to include in his diet, he learned to deliberately choose which thoughts to allow entry into his mind. No longer did he dwell upon negative circumstances. It became his ingrained habit to remain strong in his true power; to seek opportunity in every situation. By embracing a new vision for his future (through persistent positive thoughts, imbued with the feeling of having already achieved his goals), he finally turned his circumstances around. In fact, in some circles he is now better known as Spirit Man Joe.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Cautionary Tails

During my spiritual quest, I learned that Sri Ramana Maharshi (an Indian sage who recognized true Self at the age of sixteen) used the analogy of an electric fan–rotating again, after having been switched off–to refer to the return appearance of egoic behaviour and perspective. Mooji, who’s a noted speaker and author of books about non duality, refers to the same phenomena by stating that “the tail of the snake is still in the room.”

Language is a major obstacle in the discussion of Truth (in fact, it’s impossible to relate it via words); but most Beings who have recognized their essential nature would probably agree that the realization of true Self (a “person” never becomes enlightened) is not without its setbacks. Habitual ways of behaving in the world often surprise us when we are least aware. Knowing when and if the “tail of the snake” is back in the room can make a tremendous difference in the quality of our life experience. The following is a partial list of signs that indicate that the tail of the snake has reappeared:

Selfishness.
Defensiveness
Stubborn desire to be “right.”
Holier-than-thou-ness.
Judgmental behavour.
Dishonesty.
Hatred
Pride
Blame.
Shame.
Guilt.

When the tail of the snake appears, the perspective of Truth may be regained by becoming still. This provides an opportunity to recognize whether attention is flowing from an object of experience (the person) or from the formless Knower of it. We may also find it helpful to ask: “Who is it that’s expressing this self interest right now? What is its nature?” If circumstances permit, a few minutes of meditation may help to re-center in Presence.

Our egoic “self” attempts to convince us that it’s vitally important—that the world would fall to ruin if it were to vanish; but the fact is that the expression of life actually becomes richer when we recognize our essential nature beyond name and form. The ego doesn’t have to be annihilated. Of most import is to be firmly established as Spirit; rather than defending the perspective of a person who is, ultimately, illusory.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Think2wice

CONSCIOUSNESS, SPIRITUALITY, & LAW OF ATTRACTION

Category: Behavior

Bobby’s Pockets

Oh, Jubilant Heart

Theo McFacts

Invitation to Play

Neighbour Blues & Good News

One Serving One

Song of The Soul

Expressions of Divinity

Muscleman Joe

Cautionary Tails

Menu