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

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

This 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

Snakes and Ladders

When I was a young child, one of the games I used to enjoy playing was a board game called Snakes and Ladders. It’s actually still available to this day. It consists of a board with horizontal squares numbered 1 to 100; beginning in the bottom left corner. The objective of the game is very simple: A player wins by being the first to land his/her gamepiece at the square marked 100. Players take turns rolling a die and advance their gamepiece accordingly. If players land on a ladder, they can scoot upward; conversely, if they land on a snake they must slither downward. So, what’s the point?

What I didn’t realize until recently is that this simple game is based on an ancient board game from India called Moksha Patam. Moksha, for those who may be unfamiliar with the term, means to be liberated from the cycle of birth and death. This occurs through enlightenment; a term which refers to the recognition of True Self (which is Spirit) and, thus, the falsity of the conceptual person. The game was originally intended to help teach basic lessons regarding morality and how to better live with one another. The ladder represents our noble qualities–such as love, compassion, kindness, generosity, and empathy. The snake represents our ignoble instincts–such as lust, greed, anger, selfishness, and hatred.

On a human–grown up–level, we can still learn many valuable lessons through analogy of our life and the game of Snakes and Ladders. It reminds us to be aware, especially with regard to our thoughts, speech, and actions; for these are building our character and, thus, creating our destiny. If we allow our life to be driven by our little egoic “i,” we are certain to lose; for a self-centered cannot help anyone win. Such will be a shallow life, to say the least; one lacking the depth and richness that ultimately makes life worth living. To truly win, we are wise to apply ourselves to helping others climb their way to success. In effect we, thereby, become the ladder for their ascension and let our life stand humbly in the background. Sweet idea, isn’t it? Even better lived.

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”

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

Ride On

I’ve just returned from a 13, 000-kilometer motorcycle trip in which I visited the west coast of Canada and also a few of the States of America. I was away for thirty-three incredible days. It was a great trip, and I’m very grateful to have had the opportunity to travel in a way that provides both excitement and joy.

My passion for motorcycling struck me when I was a teenager, and despite a period of over twenty years in which I didn’t ride, my passion returned several years ago. How glad I am that it did! Several friends I know also ride, but we have strikingly dissimilar belief systems when the subject of continued riding in future years comes up. Two people I know have even planned the exact age when they will quit riding–stating reasons such as, “Well, you know that your reflexes get slower as you age,” or “you have to be very sharp when you’re riding on two wheels.” I don’t deny that these statements are true; but both negate that safe riding can still be possible, in part due to benefits that we’ve acquired as we age. We’ll look at the subject from a Law of Attraction viewpoint:

The Law of Attraction basically states that what we think about, we bring about. When we apply this to the subject of safe motorcycling, it, thus, means that if we focus upon the day when we will quit, to be safe, we will actually manifest that as a consequence of our thinking. Our mind, when directed in such a manner, will offer ample evidence as proof of why this should be so. My approach is much different.

Yes, the day will undoubtedly come when I will stop riding, but until that day appears I’m going to focus all of my efforts on staying in the saddle. Why not? I’m going to tell myself that such is possible for as long as possible. The point? It’s definitely not solely about riding a motorcycle! It’s about indulging in and enjoying all of our interests! Golfing, skiing, running? Travel, adventure, passion? I’m saying “Yes!” to all of my interests. Isn’t it wiser to let life determine when the time is right to forgo an interest, and trade that one for yet another? The details will look after themselves. We need not plan for the day when we figuratively park our motorcycle for the last time, or shelve our helmet. In fact doing so, only makes such occur that much sooner!

Why was my trip only 13,000 kilometers long? Simple: Because I started to entertain thoughts (which brought about corresponding actions) that it was time to turn eastward and return to life in Ontario. If I had continued to think about riding in other States–perhaps heading further south–it would have been much longer. This little example applies to so many of our other interests? Why are we not travelling anymore? Because we stopped entertaining the idea that we could or should? Why have we given up on driving, maintaining our own home, or hiking the surrounding parks? Quite often it’s because we stopped thinking that such was possible; long before any physical reason presented that actually inhibited our ability to do so.

In a book entitled In The Flow of Life, the author, Eric Butterworth, tells the account of a businessman named Joseph McDonald, who, despite being eighty years of age, was vibrant, energetic, and doing the same amount of work of employees many years younger. At lunch one day, a young employee politely asked Mr. McDonald his age. Without missing a beat, Joseph replied, “My son, my age is none of my business!” What he was so wisely saying was that his age need not ever be his focus. Must we squeeze ourselves into the stereotypical definitions of someone who is sixty, seventy, eighty and beyond? No! We can let age take care of itself. It will. In the meantime, isn’t it time to be planning our next trip?

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Exchanging Paradigms

Paradigms are a collection of beliefs in the subconscious mind that serve as a mould or blueprint for our life experiences. Many of our paradigms are positive and serve us beneficially; but some are negative and detrimentally affect the quality of our life. It’s easy to understand the importance of exchanging paradigms that aren’t working in our best interests.

How can this be accomplished? The first course of action is to realize they exist. Although it’s true that we cannot directly witness paradigms, we can definitely notice their effects. A useful analogy would be to think of paradigms as the wind–made knowable through a weather vane. We can notice our paradigms by observing how we navigate through life. When we pay attention, we’ll notice that we perform most activities in a predictable and habitual manner. For instance: After a shower, we begin to dry ourselves in a definite pattern–arms, chest, and then lower body? When brushing our teeth, we begin from right to left or top to bottom? When driving our car, we buckle our seat belt immediately or just prior to pulling away? Believe that there’s no such thing as paradigms? Then watch next time as your habits drive you to the same parking space, in the same lot, at your local grocery! These actions are due to the function of paradigms.

In this article, I describe a technique that I borrowed from a hypnotist’s internet presentation. In it, the hypnotist shared that we could conceptualize the subconscious mind as a glass container, perhaps in the shape of a carafe or flask. The flask is full of our subconscious paradigms–both good and bad. Fluid symbolically represents the paradigms contained within the flask.

For the purpose of learning this technique, we may imagine that the flask contains a belief system (paradigm) that’s producing a negative effect regarding a goal we desire to achieve. Perhaps we have a habit of procrastination that’s hindering us from completing our goals in a timely fashion. Next, we may imagine dropping a new and positive belief (conceptualized as a pebble) into the flask every time we perform our tasks on time. Initially this may not appear to make any difference to the amount of volume in the flask. But, when we drop pebble after pebble–day in and day out–our limiting beliefs will be displaced. They’ll simply spill away to darkness where they belong. The key with this method is mindful repetition. When we’re present, we’ll see that it’s actually possible to choose our habits.

So, please take an honest introspective peek. What paradigm needs exchanging? Anger? Defensiveness? Excessive consumption of food or alcohol? Fearfulness? Irritability? Jealousy? Tardiness? Is there a belief that’s preventing you from experiencing a healthier and happier life, or hijacking your degree of success? If you’re aware of a limiting paradigm, now’s the time to symbolically drop that first pebble and take inspired action toward the change you desire.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

It Just “Is”

Today’s article is going to help anyone to create better life experiences. Guaranteed. The method is free, is easy to use, and will bring immediate results. With a little practice, it has the potential to dramatically change the quality of our life. I’m going to use a real-life experience to share my message:

It’s raining today, at least where I live. Grey clouds are hanging over town as though they might stay forever. They won’t. It was under these conditions that I ran some errands this morning. At the checkout of one of the stores I visited, the woman behind the counter glanced out the front window and remarked, “What a crappy day.” I replied, “Well, it’s raining, that’s for sure.” She made another statement about ducks liking this kind of weather.

I realize that such comments are often intended as conversations starters, which is wonderful because it engages people and provides an opportunity to share. Also, I’m not judging the woman as being right or wrong for her dislike of rainy weather; she just made a comment that felt appropriate for her. I would, however, like to offer an alternative way of looking at life.

We who desire to learn more about the Law of Attraction, and how to manifest more effectively, understand that what we’re habitually telling our subconscious mind literally “matters.” We know that positive or negative thought patterns create according to their nature. We realize, too, that underlying programming gives context to everything we experience. In other words, telling ourselves that a rainy day equates to a “crappy day” creates a crappy day. It’s just the way it is. Anyone who lives with a rainy day mentality is inviting negative influences to other aspects of their day. This is logical. The experience has been labeeled, as though carved in stone, with little or no awareness that it could be labelled otherwise.

My message today also relates to freedom. Such freedom is available here and now when we break free of the mind’s incessant need to label. Can we allow life to just be? Could a situation, event, or circumstance just be what it is? The benefits of living in this manner are tremendous, but they’re dependent on our effort. Every time we deliberately practice allowing, we disempower our old limiting programs and invite a brighter life experience. We’ll discover that it’s actually possible to enjoy a rainy day. The air will feel vibrant and fresh, cleansed by the rain that once seemed a curse!

As we dig deeper within, we’ll unearth more labels, which may no longer seem relevant to what’s currently occurring. No one, including me, will deny that certain situations are more challenging, for many labels are deeply ingrained. Still, our new practice holds value. By detaching ourselves from our mind’s habitual narrative, we may also discover our higher self, the witness. From this perspective, we’re grounded in the very core of our Being; rather than upon the shifting sands of effects.

Can you imagine catching yourself the next time you’re about to automatically label this as good or that as bad? The practice has the potential to transform your life. And with just a little observation, you’ll understand that a thought is only creative when empowered with attention. The upshot is that you’ll find yourself consciously attracting more of the good you desire, from within.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Stake Your Claim!

Today while running some errands, I entered into a brief conversation with a young woman who was working at a clinic. When it came time to depart, I said that I hoped that she would have a good day. Her reply was “I will.” In those two words, I realized that she understood the importance of what we’re telling ourselves on a consistent basis. She didn’t say “I hope so,” or “time will tell,” or “what are the chances?” She stated–as though a fact–“I will.”

Deliberate creators realize, either consciously or subconsciously, that certain behaviours create certain results. They know that thoughts lead to feelings, actions, habits, and results. The Law of Attraction, simply defined as like attracts like, is functioning through every aspect of the process of manifestation. Nothing’s left to chance; for deliberate creators don’t believe in chance. An analogy may make this clearer:

Imagine that you knew of a parcel of land, beneath which lay tonnes of un-mined gold. The veins of gold are rich, and crisscross the property close to the surface. It would be easy to mine. Only you know about the land, and the reserve of gold. And now a question: Given that only you are aware of the gold, who could be its rightful owner?

Until you actually claimed it–meaning staked a claim to it–no one could actually own it! Not even you! The point is that we must first claim what is ours, in much the same way that the young woman claimed that she would have a great day! She wasn’t waiting to see if life would give her a great day; she was creating it! She knew it, and she claimed it! We must stake claim to the life that we desire. If it’s greater health that we desire–we must claim it! If it’s greater wealth that we desire–we must claim it! If it’s a business that we desire–we must claim it! We must think it, state it, claim it, act it, and be it!

So, how do we do this? First: Focus; become clear about what you really desire. It’s your life, and your decision. Then: Write your goals down in the present tense, as though they’re already accomplished. Begin with: I Am now……… (You might add: the owner of my first house; in a loving relationship with a wonderful partner; exercising four times each week). Make your goals as specific as possible. If it’s a certain amount of money you desire, claim it in exact figures. If it’s a career you desire, claim it precisely; e.g., a nurse, a lawyer, a plumber, the owner of ‘this type’ of business. And then?

Refer to your goals frequently, and by that I mean at least once a day. When you read them, imagine the experience of that reality; engage as many of your senses as possible. Next, confidently and patiently wait for the intuitive nudges that you’ll receive. When you do, act! Even step counts, for they’re what move you forward. If any of this sounds foolish–or as though you’re denying reality–you might contemplate what’s really foolish: leaving the dreams and talents that are unique to you (your gold) buried for a lifetime! Trust the process. First, though, stake your claim! Your future depends on it.

Dare to dream.

With heartfelt regards,

Art

.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” 🙏🏻🧡

Think2wice

CONSCIOUSNESS, SPIRITUALITY, & LAW OF ATTRACTION

Category: Empowerment

Bad Things Come in Fours

This Mental Universe

Snakes and Ladders

An Interview With Fear

Ride On

Exchanging Paradigms

It Just “Is”

Stake Your Claim!

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