“Right,” Where I Am

Strange; this life can feel so strange. We are born into an environment that seems to compel us to reach and continue to reach. As children, we learn the rules early: kindergarten is meant to lead to Grade 1, Grade 2, and so on. We are explicitly and implicitly taught that we should strive, become more, and make something of ourselves; and to that end, we often unwittingly sacrifice a greater gift to the false gods of materialism, success, and money. The price of our ignorance can be very steep.

Several years ago, the title of this article would have seemed nonsensical to me–I wouldn’t have understood. The idea of being “right,” where I am would have been paramount to capitulation. Without a figurative mountain to climb or a vision to achieve, I would have felt lost. Without purpose, what would be the sense of living? At that time, the notion of being was such a nebulous concept; for the nectar of life seemed to be in the dreaming, doing, and achieving. My misguided approach toward life seemed to offer only two paths labelled Success and Failure; and who of us desires to tread the latter? I spent a lifetime trying to succeed, and in the process discovered that I had not lived.

Now (when we become still and awaken), we may discover that everything is, was, and always will be, just fine. Beyond the machinations of the mind, we may realize that now we don’t need to go anywhere, or attempt to be other than that which we are in reality. Here and now, a greater realization may also dawn: that we are not alone. The One is with us, and has been with us, always. One: pervading everything, everywhere. One: beyond time, eternal. One: within our family, friends, and so-called foes. One: in every rock, tree, and butterfly. One: the All in All, including us.

What does “right,” where I Am mean? It means fine with, and fine without. It means to be accepting of that which is, and that which is not. It means to be at peace, and living in such a way that we’re not always striving to be somewhere else. It means creating joyously, but from the detached perspective of wisdom. It means to be grateful; dwelling with the Creator of our breath. Lastly, it means that we may rest; for we know that “right,” where I am; so, too, is God.

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”

Seeing Clearly

This article is my prayer for you. It’s a prayer that you will be spared the unwanted effects that occurred due to my own innocent ignorance. Its message is heartfelt. Of the nature of my mistakes, no incarceration was involved–the errors were not of that nature; but there was definitely time spent suffering, which can be avoided through clear insight. The intention within all of my articles is to offer insights related to a deeper dimension of being, so that you may also experience it directly and, thus, be spared the inevitable suffering that arises when we believe ourselves to be a separate egoic “self.”

My biggest error is that I believed that I lived for the false me. Such is the case for the majority of beings who still believe their identity is of name and form only; for without the hint of the deeper dimension of being, what else could we expect? When I state that I lived for me, I am not suggesting that all of my actions were selfish or always geared towards getting; but there’s no denying that an element of that existed. Most persons believe they have to get, to achieve, to succeed. If we contemplate this deeply, even when we’re performing an action for apparent others, there often still remains the subtle desire to get–perhaps if only to experience the accompanying “good feeling” related to giving. Some egos pin those moments (complete with day, date, and year) to their lapel like badges of honor. At least I didn’t do that.

If left to its own resources, our ego will spare nothing in its attempts to fulfill its needs. The alarm clock sounds in the morning, and our ego is (so to speak) off to the races. What follows is often a racing internal narrative being “thought-spoken” by the jockey known as “me.” Without any sense of separation from that jockey who’s riding us for dear life, we have little choice but to endure the weight of its saddle and go along for the ride–be it galloping uphill, or tripping face first downhill. The solution for this type of existence is related to the prayer at the heart of this article.

If you will commit but five minutes every day to meditation, you may avoid a great deal of needless suffering. When you “Be Still“–as stated in the Bible–“and know that I Am God” you may find yourself asking who (What) is it that notices thoughts about your job, images of your child’s messy room, or the sensation of a slight ache in your left hip. What is it that notices the intruding thoughts about upcoming repairs to your car? For the first time, you may be able to become knowingly aware and see clearly that you’re not who you think yourself to be.

With practice, a shift in perspective naturallyoccurs–from that of the person to Presence. In other words, we identify as the Source of all noticing and knowing during our periods of meditation.

This “knowing” gradually imbues our days with peace and joy

–because ITs very nature “IS” peace and joy.

Through the recognition of true Self, our apparent life will naturally shine as a beacon to our spiritual brothers and sisters. We’ll have been unsaddled from the egoic jockey that’s been riding the joy out of our life. When realization dawns within us, we’ll clearly know that to exist for the illusory separate “i” is the cause of all suffering; and that all of our so-called problems belong to the phantom jockey. True Self–Awareness–is forever removed from the polar swings related to the human story. Please trust me, this is a prayer worth making; and realization is its fulfillment.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

“Thank You” & “Note to Publishers”

The Strangest Dream

It was Celine’s weekend off work, so she was still dressed in her nightgown and robe when she meandered into the kitchen. Her long blond hair was tousled from the previous night’s sleep. As she reached for a mug from the cupboard, she said, “I think I’m going to need two cups of java this morning!”

“That tired?” asked her husband Frank.

“No, it’s not that,” said Celine. “I just want an extra boost of caffeine to kick out the effects of a troubling dream I had last night. It was so strange.”

“How was it strange?” said Frank.

After pouring her coffee and adding milk, Celine walked to the kitchen table and sat down across from Frank. “It’s kind of difficult to put into words,” she began, “but in the dream it felt as though my very being had been taken over by a strange–almost alien–force.

“That does sound weird,” said Frank.

“This thing–whatever it was–assumed complete control over me. I felt so constricted and bound. During the dream, I was forced to accept a name that I didn’t want–Neaera, whatever that means; and I had to believe that I could be defined by whatever thoughts entered my mind, especially negative ones. If I heard words such as dumb, ugly, or loser, I had to accept them as true descriptions of me. I think I rarely, if ever, heard a positive word.

“Initially, I was resistant to such rules; but as the dream progressed, my spirit became beaten down and I accepted them willingly. I began to speak of myself negatively, and I lived in almost perpetual fear of what persons thought of me. I never felt at peace, and I was defensive most of the time. When situations didn’t meet my expectations, I often became resentful, and sometimes even enraged. Get this, I actually even hated some people!” At the thought of her last words, Celine felt a tremor shake through her body.

“Whew,” said Frank, as he reached to touch Celine’s hand, “well, at least the dream is over now.”

“Yes,” said Celine, “thank God. Now, I can go back to being what I Am. Get you another cup of coffee, Honey?”

***

Dear Readers: Does the term “ego” ring a bell? Are you living from the center (and power) of your essential nature, or merely existing by the so-called standards of your ego? There’s a deeper YOU to you–and It’s divine.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

“Thank You” & “Note to Publishers”

8 Billion Prodigal Sons

Let me confess that this article contains an exaggeration: There are not (if I’m being truly honest) 8 billion prodigal sons. There’s actually two beings who are not (named Clive and Vaishnani), who live, respectively, in Seaside, Oregon, and Mumbai, India. Confession number two: Okay, perhaps I have understated the situation. However, we can definitely state that on a ratio basis, the vast majority of beings are definitely prodigal sons and daughters without being aware of it. Before we go any further, let’s share what the term prodigal son actually means:

According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, prodigal is defined as follows: “characterized by profuse or wasteful expenditure; recklessly spendthrift.” The Parable of the Lost Son is related in Luke 15: 11 – 32. It relates the account of a father and his two sons. The younger son asks to receive his inheritance from the father, who willingly grants it. He travels to a distant country and lives an extravagant and wasteful life; while the older son stays at home. In time, the son who went away becomes destitute and is forced to take employment as a swineherd; work that would have been considered repugnant. When the circumstances of his life finally become unbearable, the prodigal son finally realizes that he must rise and return to his Father; who welcomes him with open arms.

The parable is actually a metaphor for what happens to on us during our human journey. I’ll go out on a limb and offer my understanding: When we stray from the Father (Awareness), such means that we have got caught up in the world of illusion (Maya) and forgotten our essential nature, which is Spirit. Due to our conditioning, we assume ourselves to be a separate self of name and form. That’s what it means to turn away from the Father, aka Consciousness. Due to this confusion, we waste our life on self-centered goals related to a fictional self. Please remember that all things–including our body-minds–are actually rendered by the mind. The parable mentions repentance, but this needn’t be interpreted so heavily. To repent merely means to acknowledge our error (sin: to miss the mark) and recognize true Self. By turning to the Father, the son “awakens” and realizes that his true nature is Spirit.

For several hundred years, the materialist paradigm of reality has convinced the vast majority of beings that their apparent body-mind and the world are made of independently existing stuff called matter. This continues to occur despite science informing us (for more than one hundred years) that atoms, which were once considered the foundational stuff of matter, are 99.999% empty space. The truth is that our apparent body-minds and the world appear in Consciousness. Both are rendered by mind. It’s why Jesus said that “I and my Father are one.” He was referring to Consciousness.

How do we turn to the Father? By investigating the nature of our being through self-inquiry. We can “Know Thyself” by withdrawing our attention from our senses and becoming still. When we meditate, we can see–directly–that we are the witness of our sensations, images, feelings, and thoughts. Our true nature is That which knows. It is Awareness, Itself, the very Substance of All That Is. It’s not dependent on the body or the mind. In fact, the truth is the other way around–the body and mind are dependent on Consciousness. They appear in the Waking State and are erroneously assumed to be the sum total of our being. Every time that we rest in the stillness of our essential nature, we return to the Father and, thus, know peace and joy. We only suffer, or become destitute (as in the case of the prodigal son), when we fall back into Maya and the perspective of personhood.

The ratio referred to in the first paragraph will begin to tip in favour of the Father when more beings investigate their essential nature. All that’s required is to ask the question “Who Am I?” with earnest curiosity. We are not our name; nor the body-mind. Instead of trying to appease the false “i” through objects or activities, we are wise to turn within and discover the true Source of happiness. Human incarnation provides a unique opportunity to recognize our essential nature. It would seem a shame to waste it.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

“Thank You” & “Note to Publishers”

Are We “There” Yet?

Most parents will be quite familiar with the question that serves as the title of this article. The question (or variations thereof: “Soon? Much farther?”) often arises from our children during long car trips. To the children, the destination just seems so dang far away. The same mindset often lurks within us during our journey-less journey toward knowing recognition of true Self. In The Perennial Philosophy, by Aldous Huxley, he expressed this very clearly:

This ‘experience,’ which is a state of emotional excitement–an excitement which may be mild and enduring or brief and epileptically violent, which is sometimes exultant in tone and sometimes despairing, which expresses itself here in song and dance, there in uncontrollable weeping. But emotional excitement, whatever its cause and whatever its nature, must be died to by anyone who aspires to live to divine Reality. ‘Excitement’ about God (the highest form of this kind of excitement) is incompatible with ‘experience’ as immediate awareness of God by a pure heart which has mortified even its most exalted emotions.”

The point that Aldous Huxley made so eloquently is about the experience of awakening to our essential nature and how that relates to the person. To fully awaken is to live from the perspective of true Self; as opposed to the perspective of the illusory conceptual self that we refer to by name and form. As with so many points related to spirituality, a paradox applies: If we (as a person) are incredibly jubilant about having experienced recognition “of” the pinnacle of our essential nature, we have still not arrived. We are yet not there (liberated) until we’re presently living “as” true Self, and fully aware of What–not who–we actually are. From that perspective, such just is what it is. The situation is also described through the following quote from St. John of the Cross:

"The fly that touches honey cannot use its wings; so the soul that clings to spiritual sweetness ruins its freedom and hinders contemplation."

The toggle switch between awareness of That which we actually are and who we think we are is incredibly sensitive. When we are knowingly unaware, it can be triggered abruptly by habits that belong to the body-mind. We can be reminded of the difference by contemplating a few questions: “In awareness of the inherent fullness of our true nature, who is it that could possibly be feeling lonely?” “In this dream called life, who is it that could feel guilty of acts labeled bad or rejoice in those labeled good?” As we stabilize in recognition of our essential nature, we may be surprised to realize that–yet again–we have descended a rung or two on the ladder toward personhood. When such occurs, it’s often wise to become still, take a few slow breaths, and regain our center. In time, the egoic voice that’s habitually asking whether we have arrived yet will lose energy and fall silent. And that’s good news.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

“Thank You” & “Note to Publishers”

Break Out The Champagne!

What great news, dear friends–a toast is in order!. The grandest, most important merger has occurred! It is a merger of “knowing” that you and the Lord of your Being are One! To this grand recognition we will be lifting our glasses in celebration. It’s what Rumi, the great Persian poet and mystic, expressed through the following quote:

“I searched for God and found only myself. I searched for myself and found only God.”

Strictly speaking, of course, we cannot actually define this as a merger; for that would imply that we had actually experienced a separation. You see, we already are–and always were–One with God. It has only been illusion of Maya that made it appear otherwise. Through ignorance, we have been conditioned to believe that we are the body-mind of name and form. In John 10:30, this message is again related through the following verse:

“I and my Father are one.”

The Truth, of course, is not that one highly notable figure named Jesus was the only son of God. He came to make our lives more abundant by sharing that such was the birthright of every man, woman, and child. How, logically, could the Creator “not” be in his fruit? Never in a million years would “parents” within this Divine Matrix believe that their genetic material had not been passed along to their offspring:

Our true heritage is Divine, because we are of–and from–One Divine Creator.

The eyes of understanding open wide when we realize that just as our nighttime dream experiences are created by Consciousness in the dream state; so, also, are all objects, events, and circumstances in the waking state, which the majority of persons erroneously believe to be foundational reality. That reality is actually occurring within a dream. The following passage from Hebrews 11:3 may help to make this stunning revelation more clear:

“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.”

For the sake of clarity, we must be very clear about our understanding of the material shared within this article. I am NOT stating that experiences are unreal; but that they are only relatively real within the contextual framework of a dream. Does this information not suddenly help us understand why placebos give rise to cures and alleviate many conditions? It is our belief “in them” that creates their effects. “The mind,” as Paramahansa Yogananda stated, “is the creator of everything. In other words, although the champagne referred to in the title is not absolutely real (in the way we would have previously assumed), it can still make our legs wobbly. Now, let’s pop the bubbly and pour!

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

“Thank You” & “Note to Publishers”

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 passeth all understanding.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

“Thank You” & “Note to Publishers”

One Serving One

In the late nineties, 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 overhead 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 noticed that the 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 the counter to pick up their food. Although he outwardly calls their number tag (e.g. “Serving #17”), in his heart he knows the truth that he is actually “One Serving One.” He realizes that his customers are within him; and he is within them. Together they are a success. God in apparent form is serving God in different forms. And therein lies the secret of his diner’s success. As a result, his customers often think of his diner as a loving sanctuary, even more than a restaurant.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

“Thank You” & “Note to Publishers”

Home in The Heart

Home in The Heart

How lovely

To look upon

You, and you, and you

And recognize true Self shining

Resplendent through all.

Suddenly, the question—“Where do I end

And you begin?—is realized as being absurd;

For the illusion of separateness is shattered

When we see everyone and every thing

As Holiness expressed.

Here, now,

There exist no fences or boundaries between us.

In the stillness of the heart,

Everyone is back home,

Cradled in Love.

– R. Arthur Russell

***

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

“Thank You” & “Note to Publishers”

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 is 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 errant beliefs, which lead to actions that create negative circumstances, eventually lead to suffering that causes us to change within and realign with our 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 are, thereby, guided to turn our attention toward God and raise the quality of our thoughts. It is 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 realize 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, one divine spark can ignite a blaze within the masses. When the majority of us realize That which we truly are, the quality of our world will improve dramatically. It’s law.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

“Thank You” & “Note to Publishers”

Think2wice

CONSCIOUSNESS, SPIRITUALITY, & LAW OF ATTRACTION

Category: Life Enrichment

“Right,” Where I Am

Seeing Clearly

The Strangest Dream

8 Billion Prodigal Sons

Are We “There” Yet?

Break Out The Champagne!

Neighbour Blues & Good News

One Serving One

Home in The Heart

Expressions of Divinity

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