Be The Change

Mohandas Karamchand (Mahatma) Gandhi(1869 – 1948), is attributed with the following well-known quote: You must be the change you wish to see in the world. The expression–or similar versions of it–has become common, almost to the point of being trite. However, just because we may see it on coffee mugs, T-shirts, and plaques doesn’t mean that we should overlook the wisdom it contains. In this article, we’ll be looking at how it relates to the Law of Attraction.

“What,” you may ask, “can this possibly have to do with attracting a better life?” In short, a great deal. Those of us who’ve been studying the Law of Attraction are already aware of the importance of our Point of Attraction. We realize that it is from here–now–that we attract according to our habitual thoughts and feelings. If we’re feeling down or depressed, we’ll attract (or definitely notice) more situations and circumstances about which to feel sad. Conversely, the same holds true if we’re thinking good thoughts and feeling fine. This is also expressed through Galatians 6:7 KJV: “As ye sow, so shall ye reap.” When we habitually sow goodness, we must reap more goodness.

When we become the change that we wish to see we are actually aligning ourselves with a fundamental law of the universe. This law operates by reflecting back to us our inner state of Being. If we desire to see a more loving world, we must first Be more loving. If we desire to see more prosperity in the world, we must first Be more prosperous. The same applies for other virtuous qualities–such as patience, kindness, and compassion–that we desire to experience in the world. Many of us may wonder, however, how our thoughts and actions could possibly make such a difference.

This will make more sense when we understand (or better yet know) Oneness. Imagine if you will that there is nothing and nowhere outside of One. And–contrary to a common misconception–humankind does not stand separate and distinct, apart from One. Because it can’t! All is intimately connected. When we realize that we are included in Oneness–and that there is only Oneness–we may understand that all of our actions must have an effect upon the whole. How could they not? Therefore, when we lie, cheat, or steal, we literally create a world in which we will experience more lying, cheating, and stealing. Our thoughts and actions are occurring within Oneness…because there is nothing beyond the whole! Conversely, if we think and demonstrate love, patience, and kindness, we are improving the quality of the whole for everyone.

Conceptually, this may be understood more easily if we imagine people smoking within a closed room. At some point, they’re going to inhale that smoke again, for it will return to them. By finding a way to serve goodness to others, we’ll also attract like goodness to ourselves. We must–for our world is a closed system much like the closed room beyond which nothing else exists. The good we create–the smoke in the analogy–must come back.

My suggestion to everyone who desires to create a better life (and to help the world situation) is to live Gandhi’s quote for a week. For seven days, practice it by deliberately expressing the highest ideal that you desire to experience in the world–to everyone, in every situation, in all of your interactions! If it is more love we desire, we must be more loving. If it is more patience, kindness, and sincerity we desire, we must be more patient, kind, and sincere. And when the week has passed, I further suggest adopting this manner of being for the rest of our life. All of us will benefit by doing so.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

P.S. Please share this article if you believe it holds value. If you’d like to view my latest book (This Taste of Flesh and Bones–released September 8, 2020), press here. May it help you in your spiritual journey. 🙏🙏

“Thank You” & “Note to Publishers”

Dear “Death”

Dear Death,

Regarding your rather dark and threatening memo dated yesterday, “thanks, but no thanks.” I’m having no part of the mythical story you’re attempting to spread via fear mongering, subliminal messages, and outright deceit. Nice try. Aren’t you getting a little tired of spreading the same old same old? That skull-and-crossbones logo is passé, don’t you think? Perhaps you could attempt to sell the general public another type of story. You know…a certain bridge for sale; shares in a swampland development; or cures for bunyons, acne, and warts.

Perhaps you haven’t heard, but there’s a spiritual movement that’s gaining momentum, here and now. Human beings are learning that they’re not who they think they are. They’re learning to recognize the deeper dimension of their essential nature that’s beyond birth and death. They know they’re so much more than flesh and bones. They also know that the consciousness through which they live and move and have their being is impersonal and Universal, not personal. So, basically, my message to you is this: The jig is up. Your pants are down. You can run, but you can’t hide. You may now cease and desist from your scare tactics.

I hope this won’t embarrass you, but I shared your recent message with as many people as I could; and I must admit that after reading it, we all had a good chuckle and then…yawned; especially at that fire and brimstone part. We’ve seen through you. Your story’s getting very old. Perhaps you should engage some ghost writers to punch up your story line.

As for you, you little buggar, I bid you farewell. You need not ever contact me again, either in person or via threatening emails. I’m on to you, and so are a lot of other beings. Personally, I wish you a fine, long, and warm stay in Hello, watching eternal reruns of Gilligan’s Island.

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”

The Magic of Believing

In 1948, Claude M. Bristol published his little masterpiece entitled The Magic of Believing. It’s still in print to this day; which tells us something of its enduring value and. The front matter of the book includes the following verse from Mark 9:23:

“If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.”

In his book, Bristol shares the accounts of numerous persons in a variety of situations in which their belief gave rise to seemingly miraculous results. The first sentence of his book reads as follows: “Is there a something, a force, a factor, a power a science–call it what you will–which a few people understand and use to overcome their difficulties and achieve outstanding success? I firmly believe that there is…” To help us achieve the results that we desire, he also shares techniques that include the practice of impressing the subconscious mind through the repetition of positive affirmations.

This, of course, is nothing new; but the majority of persons may as yet be unaware of the power that’s within their own grasp. Faith is not a dead word; it’s vibrantly alive with the power that can move mountains. Here, I offer you ten verses that I hope will inspire you to keep your faith in your vision:

Hebrews 11:3: “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.”
Matthew 6:33: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.”
Luke 12:32: “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”
Philippians 4:8: “Finally, brethren whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
Matthew 9:29: “Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.”
Mark 11:24: “Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”
Job 22:28: “Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways.”
Matthew 17:20: “And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall move; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.”
John 21:6: “And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were unable to draw it for the multitude of fishes.”
Romans 4:17: “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.”

Knowledge about the power of the mind to produce wonderous effects has been known for centuries. Today, this power is referred to as The Placebo Effect; and it’s equally powerful in producing both favourable and unfavourable results, depending on our habitual beliefs. Such is easier to understand when you realize that mind and matter are not opposite; they’re one.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Consciousness Creates

The content of this article may seem challenging to understand or outright ludicrous for the majority of “persons” who are still clutching the materialist (matter based) paradigm of reality. It’s highly likely that artists and other creative souls who are attuned to the Source will more easily realize its truth. As the title suggests, the purpose of this article is to cogently relate that CONSCIOUSNESS Creates–not humankind. If you’re open to transformational knowledge, please continue reading.

I agree that it appears as though Humankind creates; but that’s only due to ignorance of our essential nature and sleight-of-hand tricks that are being played by our perception, which is only modulations of thought. Having been conditioned to believe that we’re the false self (the person) since infancy, we, therefore, believe that we see, hear, taste, touch, smell, and act as discrete autonomous persons. The fact is that our body-minds are products of Infinite Living Mind. The true Creator, CONSIOUSNESS, cannot be sensed via the senses because it’s beyond the mind. The same can be stated of our true nature; we are formless, limitless, aspects of Awareness. The fabric of this universe is not matter, as is commonly believed. All apparent circumstances, and objects–including our body-minds–are rendered by Consciousness. Doubt this can be true?

If you attempt to relate evidence of an event that wasn’t experienced via consciousness, in consciousness, you will always come up empty handed. Can you? It is impossible to directly know a supposedly material world beyond our perception–namely, seeing, hearing, tasting, touching, and smelling. Any event that apparently occurs is only known by CONSCIOUSNESS. Of the supposedly material world beyond Consciousness, (which quantum physicists are still attempting to prove exists), we know nothing. How could we? Matter is only a belief that’s rendered by the mind; the truth of this is supported by the most rigorous science. In 1909 at Manchester University, Ernest Rutherford discovered that atoms, which were once believed to be physical building blocks of the universe, are predominately (99.999%) empty space. They are more appropriately described as whirling clouds of energy.

Due to the erroneous belief that Consciousness is personal (it isn’t), the vast majority of humans believe that they arise in the morning to “reality” and begin their day. Such persons erroneously mistake the waking state (a clearer and more sharply defined dream state) as the foundation of reality. They ‘re confused but unaware they are confused. To the enlightened, such Beings are asleep to their essential nature. Just for the record, it’s never been proved that biological processes within the brain give rise to Consciousness…because it doesn’t! The brain, our body-minds, all objects, and the world itself arise within Consciousness–not the other way around. Through innocent ignorance and the lack of clear discernment, humankind has identified with the creation (the body-mind) and remains unaware of their True Self, which is beyond name and form. We are an aspect of THAT (Consciousness, God) which gives rise to all name and form.

We can directly discover the deeper dimension that is our True Self through the practice of meditation, which is actually a non-doing activity. If we set aside a few minutes each day to still our body and mind, we will soon realize that we, indeed, are the Awareness in which our thoughts, images, feelings, sensations, and perceptions arise; they are not us. All of these appear to our True Self. This explains why the Bible advises us to be still and know that I am God.

One of the easiest ways to understand the creative process is through an analogy that Mike Dooley (noted Law of Attraction author and speaker) shared in one of his recent Notes from the Universe. To read it in full, press here. The information he shared is a fundamental principle of life. We pitch our ideas (via our feeling-imbued habitual thoughts and visualizations) and God hits them out of the park. Contrary to popular belief, “you“–Jane or John–are not the doer. There is One Doer, Consciousness, aka God. A note of caution: Consciousness hits all of our habitual mental pitches out of the park, whether we label them good or bad, favourable or unfavourable. It’s no wonder that we are advised to choose our thoughts wisely. I hope this information will help you understand the following quote attributed to Henry Ford at a deeper level: “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, you’re right.” Just know that either way, it’s only going to appear that you’re the doer. All you truly do is conceive and believe.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Bad Things Come in Fours

I’m sharing this article as my civic duty, to inform those persons who may be unaware of a change in a law of the universe. When it changed, or how it changed, I know not. I only know that it has changed. Although we were once subject to the law that Bad Things Come in Three, we must now accept the indisputable fact that Bad Things Come in Four! Perhaps we can blame the change on cosmic inflation or an ever-expanding universe. It only makes sense. It’s clearly evident that expansion is at play! In twenty years, it’s most likely that bad things will come in five! The cause truly doesn’t matter; only that we’re aware of the change.

Why is this so important? Because we wish to live an orderly life, one in which we’re aware of the facts and live by them. To stumble about, ignorant of the laws of the universe, would not only be silly but potentially dangerous! We want to be educated and clear-thinking individuals.

If you’re curious about the time frame under which these bad things must occur, the formal rules are nebulous, at best. This part of the law has never been clearly defined. The period could be twenty-four hours to the minute; loosely based around a period of several days; or even stretch to a week or more. The main point is that the bad things must truly be bad (think severed limbs, overflowing toilets, flat tires on freeways, and–now 4th–neighbours from hell). If no such bad things are available to count, it’s permissible to include matters that might otherwise be viewed as trifling (think smucked in the face with a cream pie). Again, no hard and fast rules exist; discretion is required.

Disbelievers in this law should be cautioned to proceed at their own peril: for the law is operating whether they accept it as fact or not. The situation becomes quite dire; for by and large, the masses are unaware of the change. So many unsuspecting people may be going to bed at night, thinking that all is well and fine (having counted their bad things up to three), only to later learn that the fourth bad thing was missed! What tragic fate may befall those people who are ignorant of the law? We may all do our part by advising two friends–who tell two friends.

So, at least the readers of this article are safe, for now you know the truth: Bad Things Come in Four. Please read it, know it, and commit it to memory. When looking for the bad things it’s imperative to know precisely how many bad things to expect. It’s all about being educated and aware. Realize, too, that if there’s a shortage of bad things in our immediate vicinity, we may lift our gaze and focus upon the horizon until some bad things show up there! Invariably they will, and we may include them in the count and rest easy.

And now, we arrive at the serious part of this tongue-in-cheek article. It lies in part of the verse from Mathew 7:7: “Seek and ye shall find.” What does it mean? It basically means that people find what they’re expecting to find. For those bent on finding the bad—be that in threes, fours, or fives–they shall undoubtedly find them; for such becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. I’m pleased to report, however, that the opposite is true. There’s a lesser-known saying, one of which many people are unaware:

Good things come in innumerable quantities!

By seeking the good, and being grateful for the goodness that already surrounds us, we discover even more. The change occurs within us, not the so-called external world.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

This Mental Universe

In this article, we’re going to depart from our inquiry into the nature of our true Self and examine The Law of Attraction in greater depth. For persons who are unfamiliar with the subject, the law is basically summed up as follows:

“We bring about what we think about.”

One well-known example of the law at work is related in Job 3:25, through the account of Job: “For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.” That to which we give our attention, whether favorable or unfavorable, manifests in our “reality.” If you doubt this can be true, please read the following photo-quotes from various books:

Socrates (470 – 399 BC) was no slouch when it came to philosophy. He was also an idealist, which basically means that he believed that everything is a concept in mind. Think opposite of a materialist; a person who believes in a discrete world made of “matter.” Before scoffing at the idea that matter doesn’t exist in the “concrete-real” way that most persons assume, please contemplate the following question: “Do you believe that you actually come into contact with matter?” If so, please consider this: All that we experience directly are our perceptions; which basically means sight, sound, taste, touch, and smell. Beyond these, we’re only assuming that a correlative world made of matter actually exists. Quantum physics has yet not discovered the tiniest bits of matter; and it never will.

A few quotes may help us understand how the Law of Attraction really works, beginning with Socrates: “To be is to do.” Mahatma Gandhi pointed to the same understanding through his famous quote: “Be the change you desire to see in the world.” Bob Proctor, who studied the teachings of the Law of Attraction for almost sixty years, said: “If you can see it in the mind, you’re going to hold it in the hand.” Mike Dooley, who is a noted speaker and author about the Law of Attraction, states it this way: “Thoughts become things.” Neville Goddard, who was a Barbadian-born mystic, lecturer, and author of many books about deliberate creation, stated: “Things have no reality other than in consciousness. Therefore, get the consciousness first and the thing is compelled to appear.” Andrew Carnegie, who was once one of the wealthiest men in the world, stated the premise the following way: “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.”

If all of this sounds ludicrous, I hear you. At one time, I would have definitely agreed. If we engage in even a little self-inquiry, however, we can realize that we are neither the body nor the mind. In other words, you’re not the person you have assumed. Through time spent in stillness (Psalm 46:10: “Be still and know that I am God“), we can directly experience a deeper dimension of Self; one in which we recognize that we are the witness of sensations, images, feelings, and thoughts. All of these arise and subside; we, however, are the eternal witness of all that appears. Persons are appearances in consciousness that are known by Awareness. Our true nature is Awareness, or Spirit. Just for the record, science has not yet determined how the body-mind gives rise to consciousness (coined The Hard Problem of Consciousness by David Chalmers), and it never will be. Why? Because the body is rendered by the mind.

We are co-creators, not persons. We create by imagining what we desire; and it manifests in our reality through our belief that it’s already ours. Our “world” is not made of matter; it’s made of mind. This explains why Nikola Tesla stated the following: “If you want to find the secrets of the universe, think in terms of energy, frequency and vibration; “and why James Jean, noted astrophysicist and author of The Mysterious Universe, stated “The stream of knowledge is heading towards a non-mechanical reality; the Universe begins to look more like a great thought than like a great machine. Mind no longer appears to be an accidental intruder into the realm of matter… we ought rather hail it as the creator and governor of the realm of matter.”

As much as it might seem that we are the doers and the personal knowers of the world, we are not. Those effects are produced by Maya (Sanskrit, meaning illusion). There is One Knower and One Doer (God), which is manifesting through a multiplicity and diversity of beings.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

What We’re Looking For…

Everyone is seeking happiness. Ask persons what they want, and they’ll likely respond with one of the following superficial answers: a relationship, more money, a promotion, a new car or house, or world travel. On a deeper level, however, they want some or all of these for one simple reason: They want to be happy. In our blindness, we erroneously attribute happiness to things. If so, we’re bound to suffer–bigtime. The reason? Human happiness is fleeting and always on the move. Inherent in pleasure is its polar opposite, which is pain. Doubt this can be true?

Here is a simple illustration: Johnny loves chocolate cake. It just tastes so good, especially when it has thick icing. One piece leads to two; two to three; and just about the time that three peices is leading to four, Johnny gets a stomach ache. Our folly is attributing goodness to a thing which eventually must yield its badness. If Johnny continues on his path, he’s likely to end us overweight and in declining health. In and of itself, the cake isn’t bad; it’s Johnny’s relationship to it that’s causing the problem. Think it’s any different for the person that believes that a relationship will make life just perfect? Or the workaholic who sacrifices family life and health for….?

The other examples–of relationships, more money, promotions, a new car or house, and world travel–can logically be taken to the point of turning into pain. If we lean on any of them to make us feel good, all of them will no doubt let us down when we experience the pain of that dependency. The key to transcend this trap is to discover that deeper dimension within ourselves that is already whole and, therefore, in need of nothing. That dimension is what St. Francis of Assisi was referring to when he stated: “What we’re looking for is what’s looking.”

Our essential nature is completely overlooked by the majority of persons. Why? Because we’ve become lost to our senses and been conditioned to believe that the body-mind (the person) is the sum total of our being. It is not. To make our apparent human journey, we must temporarily forget What we truly are–Spirit. Live as a human long enough, with little or no awareness of our deeper nature, and we are bound to suffer. The pain of polarity, and year after year of striving to arrive at a fictional destination, is just too much to endure. In time, we tire and grow weary. What we’re truly seeking is to rediscover that overlooked part of ourselves that will make us feel whole and complete.

Consciousness is not personal; it only appears that way. In the body-mind, it is but a reflection of the one-and-only Consciousness, which is Universal. Our true nature is unbounded, eternal, immortal. We are “That.” It doesn’t die because it was never born. Birth and death belong to the body-mind, but not to us. We are beyond time and space, which are rendered by the mind. Our true joy will only be found when we recognize our deeper dimension of Self. Then and only then can we enjoy that piece of cake without depending on it for our happiness; nor anything else, for that matter. Time spent in meditation is one of the ways to discover the doorway that leads to our essential Self. For anyone interested, press here to view a brief introduction to self-inquiry by Rupert Spira.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

“Thank You” & “Note to Publishers”

Place Your Reservation

Imagine with me, if you will, that you walk into a fast food restaurant and approach the woman behind the counter. You look her in the eye and innocently say, “Yes, my last name is Smith and I have a reservation for two, at seven thirty. My friend and I would like a table with a view.” What type of response do you think you would receive? Imagine with me, also, that you visit the beautiful state of Utah. However, instead of appreciating the beauty of it’s amazing vistas and rock formations, that you’re disappointed because you can’t reserve a hotel room with a view of the Pacific! And–you’re probably asking yourself–the point of this?

The point relates to an axiom of the Principle of Correspondence in the Kybalion, a book of ancient wisdom. It states: As Above, so Below; As Below, so Above. Meaning? It means that there is correspondence–or correlation–among the planes of being and life. The three planes– The Physical, Mental, and Spiritual–are not actual planes but arbitrary divisions or degrees in the scale of life. Such divisions are not hard and fast but shade in and out of one another. The Principle of Correspondence is important to understand, for with it, we can–and will–manifest more effectively.

What does this mean, practically? It means that to manifest more effectively we must align ourselves spiritually, mentally, and physically. In the spiritual: We must habitually be whatever we desire. In the mental: we must habitually think of what we desire. In the physical, we must habitually act in ways that reflect what we desire. The three states must align–or correspond–before we’ll experience the manifestation.

Using the analogy of the reservations from the first paragraph, that means that we cannot manifest prosperity by being, thinking, and acting poor. That means that we cannot enjoy health by being, thinking, and acting sick. That means that we cannot enjoy success by being, thinking, and acting failure. To be, think, and act in ways that contradict what we desire–does not make sense; in the same way that seeking a view of the Pacific from Utah does not make sense. You just can’t get that from there.

So, what do we desire? Is it great health, increased wealth, wonderful relationships, or more success? If so, it’s time to place our reservations. How to you do this? Through the powers of our imagination–first. Be it, think it, act it! We must imagine what we desire, and concentrate with patient and detached persistence. By doing so, we’re placing our reservation with the Universe. After that, we have only to remain strong in our faith, and then act upon our intuitive nudges. Law will bring what we desire.

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. May it help you in your spiritual journey. 🙏🙏

“Thank You” & “Note to Publishers”

The Vegetable Garden

The deliberate application of the Law of Attraction is about making our dreams come true. The Law of Attraction is about discovering What–not who–we actually are. The Law of Attraction is about thinking, believing, and acting in accordance with divine laws that can–and do!–make what we habitually desire manifest in our lives. The Law of Attraction is about deepening our knowledge, aligning with power, and expressing our potential. Our success can inspire others to reach for their divine potential and, in doing so, reveal the best that is within us to give. With all of the above in mind, I’d like to offer a poem that I wrote when I was a teenager. Is it the deepest or most well-written poem you’ll ever read? No. But does contain a message that I hope will help you continue to reach for your heart’s desires? Yes.

 
 The Vegetable Garden
  
  
 Into the rich soil of the garden
 Three seeds were sown
 And two weeks later
 Two sprouts had grown.
 The first seed, a pea, was growing fast,
 To soak up the sun, the rain, and be eaten at last.
 The second, a carrot, had sprouted a top,
 And kept on growing until frost made it stop;
 But the third, a potato, was
 Afraid to get burned,
 Afraid to get wet,
 Afraid to grow up,
 Afraid to pass on,
 And as nature took its course,
 The potato, whether willing or not,
 Lay safe in the earth but starting to rot.
  
 - R. Arthur Russell -

Everyone of us has vast untapped potential. It is our birthright, for it’s what we are. That potential is not there by accident–there are no accidents. That we exist proves that we have purpose. A clue to discovering that greatness within us is to examine what we love to do. To what dream–not “idle wish” (borrowed from “As A Man Thinketh,” by James Allen) would you devote uncounted hours lost in glorious amazement of Divine creation? What makes your heart thrill, your body electrify, your Being sing with delight? Find that answer, and when you do embrace it tightly. Hold it for dear life. Be not afraid to shout, “This is my dream!” Trust. Give of yourself. Believe that the achievement of your dream is not only possible, but already accomplished, and watch it manifest through continued faith and action.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

“Thank You” & “Note to Publishers“

An Interview With Fear

Clutching my thin briefcase, I tentatively entered the large room, which was ornately paneled with dark wood. Four dim-lighted sconces on the front wall were the only source of light. As I stepped forward, I heard the door close behind me, followed by the soft click of a turning key. The room had a high ceiling and an echo-like empty feel to it. I walked forward and stopped in front of an immense oak desk that was centered on a raised platform. A person would have had to climb stairs to sit behind it. I looked up, but I couldn’t see anyone.

“Mr. Doe?” came a resonant voice.

“Yes,” I replied. “John Doe.”

“I understand that you’re here to apply for the position of Fear Specialist.”

“Yes,” I replied.

“What makes you think you’re qualified for the position? We don’t hire just anyone, you know.”

“Well,” I replied, as I attempted to hand my resume upward to the voice above me, if you’ll take a look…”

“Just give me the highlights,” said the voice.

“Well, I’m quite familiar with fear, so I can well relate. When I was four, I was afraid of the boogeyman–so scared that I occasionally peed the bed. When I was eight, I was afraid of getting a few scrapes when I was learning to ride my bike. I cried more than a few times. And when I was a teenager, I was so afraid of being rejected by the in-crowd that I turned against myself to be accepted.”

“Nice,” said the voice, “that’s a good start. But what have you done recently?”

I flipped to the second page of my resume and scanned down the lines. “Well, during the last several years,” I said, “I’ve dwelt upon as much bad news as I possibly can. I’m mesmerized by it. As a result, I’ve endured a lot of fear and a tremendous degree of mental anguish. I’m quite familiar with the coverage of war, terrorism, and violence of various sorts.”

“Very nice,” said the voice. I imagined it smiling, if such could be possible. “You may be just the man we’re seeking.”

Inwardly, I smiled. How I needed the job. I slid my resume back into my briefcase.

“What are you willing to do to fit into our organization?”

“Almost anything,” I said, but as soon as the words exited my mouth I felt a twinge stab through me.

“Bow,” said the voice. It was a command, not a question.

“Pardon me,” I said. “What did you say?”

“I said ‘bow.’ The voice was harsh now. “Do it now, or this interview is over. There are plenty more like you that are eager for an interview.”

Time stood still as the realization of what I was being asked–no told!–to do settled within me. A cold shiver ran down my legs. Was this a nightmare? What price was I willing to pay to get the job? From somewhere deep within me, I felt the warm wellspring of holy power rise within me. It felt glorious, a power that was beyond any fear related to humankind. I need not bow. I would not bow.

A few moments later, as I felt that power surge within my being, I turned my back to the courtroom and marched proudly toward the door. “Come back, come back!” cried the angry voice; but I refused to turn. The door opened easily, and as I stepped toward the light, I felt the building collapse into a heap of ruble. For the first time in years, I knew I was free.

***

Dear Readers: Natural fear that’s meant to protect us from danger is very good indeed; and we’re wise to heed it. But when fear becomes a constant in our lives, it can rob us of so much joy. Abnormal fear is associated with the perspective of the false self–the “person” who we think we are. If fear is attempting to rule your life, perhaps you would benefit from self inquiry. Asking “Who am I?” is a good place to begin. You might also find my YouTube video entitled “Finding Your Way Home” helpful.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Think2wice

CONSCIOUSNESS, SPIRITUALITY, & LAW OF ATTRACTION

Category: Consciousness, Spirituality, & Law of Attraction

Be The Change

Dear “Death”

The Magic of Believing

Consciousness Creates

Bad Things Come in Fours

This Mental Universe

What We’re Looking For…

Place Your Reservation

The Vegetable Garden

An Interview With Fear

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