Category: Love

Working For “The One”

The following fictional account didn’t take place–ever; but for fun, let’s go with it and pretend that it did. Special Note: The characters and events depicted in this article are fictitious. Any similarity to persons, either living or deceased, is purely coincidental. No persons were harmed in any way during the writing, editing, or subsequent publishing of this article. 🙂

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“Have a seat, Bob,” said Mr. Swanger. He descended from a long line of Swangers, before swanging became a cultural phenomena in certain circles.

“Thank you,” said Bob. He slowly stepped forward and settled himself in the chair across from Mr. Swanger’s desk. He tried to appear calm, but his fidgetting fingers gave him away.

Mr. Swanger leaned forward over his desk, which was distracting because he had a mole on his left cheek the size of Saskatchewan. His computer screen was open to Bob’s profile. “How long have you been with us at The One?”

“Little over a month,” said Bob.

“I’ve brought you in here today,” said Mr. Swanger, “because there’s been a nasty rumor circulating, at the yellow ticker tape that surrounds the previously available water cooler.”

Bob leaned forward, an expression of innocent curiosity pasted on his face. “About what?” he said.

Mr. Swanger sat back and arched his hands together in the stereoptypical teepee power position. “This makes me very uncomfortable,” he began. “Rumor has it that you actually believe that you’re ‘Bob.’ That’s incredibly awkward, given that we all work for The One. See my point?”

“Can’t say that I do,” said Bob. “I’m not Bob?” He patted his knees; they certainly felt real.

Mr. Swanger rolled his eyes. Inwardly, he wondered how Bob had slipped through the hiring process. “No,” said Mr. Swanger. “These bodies are what show up in the waking state. Contrary to public opinion, they’re not your essential nature.” He turned his attention to the computer screen. “It says here,” he said, “that there’s evidence that you still believe you’re the doer.”

Bob crossed his legs and gripped the arms of the chair firmly, knuckles blanced. “I’m not?” he said.

“No,” said Mr. Swanger. “Not now–or ever, for that matter. These,” he said, moving his arms about with floating ease, “move by one power alone–Consciousness. This is idealism, Bob. We gave up that old software called naive realism years ago. That’s when we formed the new company–The One.”

Bob began to fidget; he needed this job. He had nowhere else to go. Everyone these days was talking about the wonderful living immediacy of the present moment; the “Here and Now,” they called it. “What can I do to make it right?” he asked, learning forward. “I could stay late, make coffee. I have an advanced degree in Modern Sychophancy,” he offered. “Would that help?”

“No,” said Mr. Swanger, with a wave of his hand. “Groveling is passé–went out with landlines and the notion of personal consciousness. Since enlightenment, we don’t work that way; we’re all equal here. I think it best if you go home–now, of course–and spend some time in silent solitude. If you do so often enough, you’ll see that the true You isn’t Bob at all. This company is founded on the principles of The One. There’s no room for a bunch of persons running around like egoic chickens, thinking that they own the place. We work for The One; and the world functions a whole lot better when all of us know It.”

***

The meeting concluded a few minutes later, and Bob departed with a fearful I-could-soon-be-walking-down-the -road-kicking-my-lunchpail expression. He was almost out of the building when he became curious about the note that Mr. Swanger had handed to him before leaving. Politely but firmly, he had told Bob that if he wanted to continue working for The One, he should follow the instructions on the note closely. Bob’s pace slowed as his hand fumbled to remove the note from his pocket. It read as follows:

  • Meditate for ten minutes, once a day. Increase to fifteen minutes, twice each day.
  • Earnestly ask the question (“Who Am I?”) and don’t settle for the story self.
  • Read about the teachings of Buddha, Jesus, Ramana Maharshi, Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj, and similar sages.
  • Watch this presentation on self-inquiry by Rupert Spira.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Copyright © – 2021 – R. Arthur Russell

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 Raping of The Sheep

“Don” is in this life for himself, and he makes no bones about it. He often says “You gotta look out for number one,” and the expression perfectly reflects his behaviour. Behind his customers’ backs, he calls them foul names and ridicules their mannerisms. In business deals, he’s proud of “raping the sheep,” which means getting the upper hand through sly manipulation. The love of money is his sole reason for being. After a deal concludes, he smiles and shakes hands with his customers; but behind closed doors, he mocks their gullibility. The memory of the sweet deal with Rosie, one his trusting elderly neighbours, always brings a smile to his face; it was so easy to defraud her of an extra ten thousand dollars. In his personal relationships, he’s no less ruthless; for his pleasure is what matters most. It is all about him. Although Don is six feet two inches tall, he is a small man; trouble is, he doesn’t know it.

***

What Don and innumerable persons like him don’t realize is that our body-minds are expressions of The One, aka Consciousness. Consciousness is the only reality. Due to this, absolutely nothing can be hidden from The One–how could it? If such were, indeed, possible, how could we ever accomplish this miracle of hiding our best or worst from the Loving Power–“That”—which is Omnipresent? In Luke 12:7, KJB, we may read the following: “Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. When we come to know Truth, we realize that there is only One Knower and One Doer masquerading as a multiplicity and diversity of apparent forms. Any act performed against an apparent other is actually an act against ourself. I make no pretense of being an authority on the Bible, but this truth is clearly revealed in Galatians 6:7: “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” It’s informing us that Consciousness knows whether you’ve been bad or good; so be good for goodness sake.

It’s important to realize that we are not punished for our sins (by some vengeful God in the sky); rather, we are punished by our sins (which is actually defined as to miss the mark). What we apparently do comes back to us. Fortunately, the same holds true as it relates to goodness. Thus, if we desire more love in the world, we must be more loving. If we desire to experience more compassion, generosity, and sincerity, we must be more compassionate, generous, and sincere. We can spare ourselves a lot of needless suffering by embracing high ideals on a regular basis. If we’re serving “we” on a regular basis, as opposed to the little “me,” we’re on the right track. Our human incarnation is of tremendous value; for it provides an opportunity to awaken to the Truth of our essential nature. We are so much more than name and form. We are divine Spirit having an apparent human incarnation.

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Update: The majority of us are likely tempted to wish otherwise, but Don’s unethical business tactics went undetected while he remained in human form. However, nothing escapes the snares of karma. Subsequent to a major business deal in which he apparently raped all of the sheep involved, his body-mind passed from this world–not one soul attended the funeral. Don is currently serving time in Colorado, as an intestinal parasite in a sheep named Rosie. You might say, that’s he’s awaiting his extradition papers. With any luck and a little more grazing, he’ll be out in a day or so to continue his journey. Be kind; wish him well; embrace the love that flows through you–that is you–and be wise enough to turn the other cheek and seek not human revenge. Hold no evil wish against anyone. The wheels of this Universe roll along in unexpected and mysterious ways.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Copyright © – 2021 – R. Arthur Russell

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” 🙏🏻🧡

Rocking The Boat

The boat to which I’m referring to in the title is commonly called Materialism. It was christened so long ago that most persons assume that it’s the only boat available. The boat is a large one, indeed; for it holds the majority of the world’s population who, in most cases, unknowingly drift along in what is termed naive realism, the “subject-object” dualistic interpretation of a world that’s apparently made of stuff called matter. In this article, we’re going to do our best to rock that boat with information that suggests that there’s another valid way of interpreting reality. For the purpose of greater understanding, you’re welcome to board the alternative boat called Idealism. We’ll begin by contemplating the following quote from rocking the more common boat by contemplating the following quote from Interpretation of Scripture: Unlocking The Secrets of The Bible by Neville Goddard:

“Nothing come from without; all things come from within…from the subconscious.”

What Neville Goddard realized, of course, is that what most persons term waking “reality” is actually occurring within the waking-state dream; a state that’s similar from the state in which nighttime dreams occur. He, no doubt, was informing us–as did Paramahansa Yogananda–that “Mind is the creator of everything.” Perhaps another quote, this time from Plato, will help us rock the boat a little harder:

“Reality is created by the mind; we can change our reality by changing our mind.”

It’s well known that Plato was an idealist. In case you’re not familiar with idealism, the following is the definition from Merriam-Webster Dictionary: “a theory that ultimate reality lies in a realm transcending phenomena.” This basically means that all so-called matter is mental phenomena created by mind; and that our body-mind and the world exist solely in Consciousness. Buddha was spreading this very message when he stated that nothing had independent existence. William Blake and Anaïs Nin, respectively, delivered a similar message through the following two quotes:

“As a man is, so he sees.“

“We don’t see things as they are; we see them as we are.”

The position of idealism is at the core of any worthwhile teachings of the Law of Attraction. It’s also why mystical verses from the Bible, such as “Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee” (Job 22:28) can make sense. From the perspective materialism, the Law of Attractioin may seem like little more than positive thinking.

If you board the boat christened Idealism, you’ll be setting out on the grandest voyage of discovery about your true Self–not the conceptual false “me” that you’ve been conditioned to assume is your identity. We are divine Spirit dreaming an apparently human experience.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Copyright © – 2021 – R. Arthur Russell

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”🙏🏻🧡

“Feeling” The Prayer

Prayer, as everyone realizes, is a highly personal subject. Some persons pray every day, some only when a grave concern arises, and others never. The manner of prayer also differs greatly. Please know that I’m not trying to tell anyone the proper way to do anything. The purpose of this article is to offer a viewpoint and understanding of prayer expressed by Neville Goddard, which varies greatly from the common approach. Of Barbadian descent, Neville lived in the United States, where he lectured about mysticism and the Bible. Many, if not all, of his books are available in the public domain. I first discovered his numerous books through my passion for studying the Law of Attraction.

One of the key points related to the Law of Attraction teachings is that “we bring about what we think about.” As that relates to the subject of prayer, Goddard added that we must imbue our thoughts with the feeling of the wish fulfilled. When we’re imagining our desire, we must picture it “from” the desired end–whatever that might be. To visualize “of” the end, implies subject-object duality and, therefore, separation from the very results that we desire. So many persons are praying to a conceptual deity with the hope of “getting” a desired result in the future. It’s like trying to get wet from the concept of water. As Oneness and Nowness is the underlying Truth of the Universe, we must align our method of praying with that. To do so, we must claim (in our imagination) what we desire as existing NOW. Time (and space) is a concept rendered via the mind; but all experience occurs NOW–not at some conceptual future date. If this seems nonsensical, please try to experience “next Tuesday.” When Tuesday arrives, it can only be experienced NOW. Below are four teachings relating to prayer, which I’ve borrowed from Goddard’s books:

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Many individuals approach prayer with an attitude of begging. While being humble in all of our dealings is certainly wise, an attitude of begging only amplifies the feeling of distance from the desire fulfilled. Contrary to popular belief, God does not play favourites with His children–bestowing blessings or curses based on good or bad behaviour. In mind, we must exemplifly our ideals (set a clear pattern) before they will become apparent through the senses. We must claim what we desire NOW; for what is impressed in the mind, will be expressed.

Bob Proctor, who is noted for his outstanding career related to the Law of Attraction, adds to this knowledge with the following statement: “You can only attract what you’re in harmony with.” To pray effectively–for improved health (even cure), abundant wealth, greater success greater–is to envision yourself with your desire fulfilled NOW. If you’re envisioning your desires as occuring in the future, such results are doomed to remain in a conceptual future. Given the challenging conditions that so many persons are experiencing, the subject of prayer–and pointers leading to more effective praying–seemed highly relevent.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Copyright © – 2021 – R. Arthur Russell

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 “Real” McCoy

Many humans will only purchase brand name items. They wouldn’t be caught dead buying anything less. They want the genuine article, the best of the best; and yet how easily they are fooled into buying into a false “i”-dentity. The latter was certainly true of me. With regard to the subject of “Know Thyself,” we most often–through lack of awareness–settle for a knockoff. The origin of the expression that serves as the title of this article is debatable; but several sources state that it relates to Elijah McCoy. Born in Canada in 1844, he was the inventor of a lubricating device for steam locomotives that worked exceptionally well. Other inventors came up with imitation devices; but theirs were considered far less effective. Therefore, when persons desired the best, they asked for the “Real” McCoy. Do you?

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Without knowing it, the majority of persons are letting the imitation McCoy run their lives without permission. This occurs for one simple reason: they’re unaware that it’s happening. The false self to which they’re accustomed seems to get the job done with varying degrees of success; although most individuals admit that it swings between happiness and despair–often dramatically, within a short period of time. However, because the imitation McCoy is all that they consciously know, they put up with its imperfections and often patch it (the ego) up with a drink (or three), an affair, or a new car. Thus, happiness is regained, albeit temporarily. Without knowledge of the Real McCoy, we dwell in poverty. In the spiritual classic, I Am That, Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj summarized the situation through the following words:

“Your begging bowl may be of pure gold, but as long as you do not know it, you are a pauper.”

We can logically understand that individuals never seek what they don’t know is missing. That’s why suffering, which no one would consciously invite, often provides the fertile ground for the growth of self-inquiry. When the imitation McCoy isn’t functioning well (perhaps due to divorce, financial struggles, or health issues), we may finally open our consciousness to a spiritual solution. We might find ourselves listening to a spiritual teacher, purchasing a book about our essential nature, or praying to God for the first time. The key that unlocks awareness of our deeper dimension is often handed to us very subtly.

There’s a simple test that can help you know if this is occurring in your life. Question: Do you believe that all you are is a person? If so, the false self (which is merely a collection of habitual thoughts and beliefs) has misdirected you with conceptual sleight of hand and convinced you that it’s your sole identity. It’s not. As for the body, it’s a representational form within consciousness, whose apparent credibility is supported by sensations. The real “You” is removed from the polar swings that occur within the false self. It has no fear of death whatsoever because It knows that it is Life, Itself; therefore, beyond time, space, and all objects that apparently come and go.

We needn’t let the egoic self, which is rendered by the finite mind, rob us of our birthright of a joyful life. Our Real McCoy is Awareness, aka Consciousness. For some persons, it may feel more appropriate to refer to It by a reverent term such as God. Please realize, however, that the term can never be It. In daily life, all of us informally refer to it as “I.” To know our Real McCoy is to live an abundant life–to live from the still point of our Being. Investigation into our essential nature (called self-inquiry) will help us discern the difference between the little “me” and true Self. The Real McCoy is immortal and irreducible. It is prior to the mind. Anything less is a poor imitation.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With deep love,

Art

Copyright © – 2021 – R. Arthur Russell

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” 🙏🏻🧡

There Walk “I”

Existing on the superficial strata of life, we appear as though we walk and interact with apparent others. There is John; there is Mary; there is Bob, and there is Alice. They have a form, and they have a name; as do we. When we know ourselves only as the superficial little “i,” we, therefore, can only relate to the little “i” of everyone else. It’s just the way the system works; it is the balancing of perception. As we rise in consciousness, we gain clarity and understand more; we leave the level of egoic identity behind. Thus, “Dear God, please give me more understanding” is such a valuable prayer; outdone only by a heart full of gratitude for what is as it is.

The Truth is that each and every one of us is being walked. Under the illusion cast by Maya, we assume with absolute–but erroneous–certainty that we are the doers of our actions. Such is not the case; nor was it ever. How could characters in a dream life (the Waking State) actually walk themselves? There’s no room in this matrix for flesh and bones–only the appearance thereof. According to the nature of our hidden beliefs and conditioning, we are being walked by One Power; and the experience–both within and without–is known by One Knower. There is nothing but God, appearing as a multiplicity and diversity of forms. We–Divine Spirit–wear the disguise of apparent human of name and form. However, we are wise to remember that following expression is true, indeed: appearances can be deceiving.

This knowledge can lead to a deeper understanding that transcends the appearance of things. “There is John, Mary, Bob, and Alice,” thus, becomes “there walk I.” All sense of separation falls away, as easily as the sun slipping beneath the horizon. Everything and everyone is actually the Self, Consciousness. In Truth, such was always the case; only ignorance made it appear otherwise. The apparent personal “i” of name and form is but an illusion rendered by the mind–a total fabrication. When such is clearly understood, all conflict dissolves. A boxing ring with only One is lacking an opponent with whom to box.

What does this mean in terms of real and lasting effect when realized on a worldwide basis? When we are no longer a stranger to our real Self there dawns the realization that no one else is a stranger, either. They, too, are I; and I, too, am them. We, quite literally, become “One for All; and All for One.” Upon recognition, must we all don musketeer outfits? Of course not, we may keep our apparent individuality; but in our heart–where it matters most–we realize that We Are One. With this knowledge , the lyrics “mine eyes have seen the Glory” becomes so much more than words. They come to symbolize the path of transcendent peace and love.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Copyright © – 2021 – R. Arthur Russell

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”

“Unforgettable”

We derive the title of today’s article from the song of the same name. It was first published in 1951 and made famous by the late great Nat King Cole, who lent his dulcet voice to it and many other wonderful songs. Here, I offer you the lyrics to the first verse:

Unforgettable
That’s what you are
Unforgettable
Though near or far

Although the lyrics were undoubtedly intended to express the love that lover might feel for a partner, they also perfectly describe our true Self. Our essential nature is That which is truly unforgettable–unlike the descriptions of the mind, which refer to a conceptual self only. At any point in time, we might forget what we are, or where we are; but it’s literally impossible to forget that we are. There, in that placeless place, are we, Consciousness. Our true Self is irreducible and unforgettable, the very foundation of our Being.

True Self is prior to the finite mind, not after. Most often overlooked, the real “You” is the silent witness of everything that’s happening in your so-called “life.” Such can be known directly by becoming still and entering the silence. The key is not to try to “be” anything; for in that attempt, we lose track of what we already are–now and forever.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Copyright © – 2020 – R. Arthur Russell

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”

Behind The Veil

I’m sure that most of you have heard of the mystical veil referred to in spiritual teachings. Although I’ve had a keen interest in psychology and human development for many years, I’ll admit that I didn’t give the subject of the veil any attention until relatively recently. The veil seemed to refer to an ephemeral barrier hiding something from plain view. Little did I realize, but “That” which is imperceivable via our senses is the Truth of our Being. The veil apparently hides this fact.

The veil is that placeless juncture that separates the True You, which is Spirit, from the apparent “you” of name and form. All that has ever been known, is known, and could be known is known by the One behind the veil of our human drama. Although words cannot define It, we often describe It as being omnipresent, omniscient, and omnipotent. Paradoxically, It is nowhere to be found yet everywhere. We often refer to It by many reverent names; but It’s also referred to as Consciousness, the Unified Field, and informally as “I.” We apparently exist because It exists. It is the Alpha and the Omega of our Being.

If you’re interested in recognizing That which is behind the veil, such means that you’re curious about recognizing true Self. In Truth, the nature of your seemingly personal self is the same in kind and quality as That which gives birth to distant galaxies and grains of sand with equal ease. Nowhere may we turn and find a place that doesn’t bear Its powerful footprint. It is my very breath and That which is beating my heart now. It is raw unadulterated Glory, and to Know It is to be Love. It is the True You and I, in which each of our false little “i’s” have their apparent existence.

If you’re earnestly interested in discovering more about this subject, it may help to conceptualize the veil as a curtain that figuratively separates both actors and audience from the Truth that peacefully resides backstage, behind the scenes. Everything in front of the curtain is in time and space; and everything behind the curtain is timeless, eternal, and immortal. Do you dare to leave behind your unquestioned assumptions and discover the nature of true Self?

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Copyright © – 2020 – R. Arthur Russell

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” 🙏🏻🧡

Making Room for Emptiness

Dear Readers,

I thought I’d inform you of some recent happenings in “my” life. I’ve got some good news, and some good news. Although it may sound bad, or even wacko, I finally had to give “Art” the boot to make room for the emptiness of true Self. For the figurative move to the Truth, I had to clean house, so to speak. The place is feeling a lot more spacious without him. Sure, Art meant well, but his arrogance and ignorance about our essential nature became very wearisome. By ignorance, I’m not implying that he was stupid; I just mean that he didn’t know. He was unaware, but unaware that he was unaware. He and the majority of other persons on the planet are asleep to their true nature.

Have I lost anything by giving Art the boot? No, not at all. What can be lost by letting go of a ghost? I’ve actually gained peace, joy, and freedom simply by dropping what I am not. The fact is that Art was simply a collection of repetitive sensations, images, feelings, thoughts and perceptions that gave the illusion (but not reality) of a separate self. Give it a name, like Jane or John Doe, and you’re off to the races. I’m happy to report that my suffering has decreased immensely since I got rid of Art. It was only he who was the negative voice; he who suffered apparent losses or wins; he who existed as a fictional self in apparent linear time and space. You and I, Spirit, realize that there’s only here and now.

Doubt that space-time can be an illusion? Go ahead, please try to experience the future. Can you actually live an hour from now or next Tuesday? Of course not. When that conceptual future hour or day arrives, it can only be lived “now.” Can you take a step into the past? No, even when you remember it, you do so “now.” Eckhart Tolle, a well-known spiritual teacher, shared this point through the example of a sign that he once saw in a pub in England. The sign read: Free Beer Tomorrow. If you think you can show up and actually drink free beer tomorrow, you will remain thirsty forever. It’s always now, despite the protests of the finite mind.

Maybe you also feel that it’s “time” for the shift to true Self. It’s easier than you might imagine. The key is to drop the thinking self, the fictional “me,” and let Awareness rule the roost. Don’t expect to find your true Self in anything that can be conceived or perceived. That’s why the following is expressed in Luke 17:21: “Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” In stillness, true Self will become your established point of view. This was the way that life was meant to be; but the conceptual self can be stubborn. It doesn’t like to be dethroned. Take your position as Truth, and politely kick the little “me” out by regularly withdrawing your focus from it. You’re not losing anything real; only a conceptual thief.

Oh, by the by, just in case you think the “you’ve-gone-nuts” truck has pulled up to my place and picked a permanent parking space, you might be interested in this: Even science is backing up these findings. What was once considered matter is recognized as being nothing other than mind. They’re one and the same. The apparent objects that appear to our senses are perception only. What you call reality is nothing more than the Waking State, which is actually a projected story of “you” and the “world” in high definition 3-D. If you care to search for “atoms” on the Internet, you’ll discover that they’re 99.999% empty space, more aptly described as whirling clouds of energy. Ain’t that a kick in the imaginary gut! Yup, the “you” that you’ve been identified with is nothing more than a projection of the mind. True Self, my dear friend, is Spirit, aka Consciousness.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Copyright © – 2020 – R. Arthur Russell

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” 🙏🏻🧡

Heart Bound

Today, a man on LinkedIn posted a short video of a happening that occurred within his family. I watched his presentation intently; and I’ll be honest, it moved me to tears. I literally wept. Why? Because what he shared resonated with the Truth of my Being. That “Being” is in me–pervading; and It is also in everyone else–pervading. It is the substance of That from which all of us are made. It’s Reality is undiluted Love in all its fullness. Here’s the account:

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“My daughter did something wonderful this morning,” the man began. He then related that he had watched as his elder daughter placed some newspapers in the mailbox. He was puzzled, so he asked her why. She told him that her younger sister so enjoyed going to the mailbox and finding some mail. That’s why she did it–to be a source of joy for her little sister. The man then wondered to when the last time was that he had performed such a deed, purely for the sake of bringing joy to someone else. He also shared that when his younger daughter checked the mailbox, she was ecstatic!

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As I’m writing this, the joy of that account is still ripe within me. No happiness of the ego can touch its transcendent authenticity. The account reminds me of what my dear mother, who experienced her fair share of suffering, often wisely told me. She told me that the easiest way to shake off the blues was to do something nice for someone else. There–in the heart of this timeless moment–is the secret to a very rich life; a life devoid of the self-centered “what’s-in-this-for-me?” perspective of the little “i.” If you can catch that thief in operation, you’re on your way to being liberated from it.

The false self, the character of Mister or Misses “me,” is not the real Self. As far as natures go, those two are galaxies apart. True Self is giving. It is the Source of love, comfort, peace, and joy. We feel our way to It; and we recognize and appreciate It just as It is. The false self is the psychological me; the fictional self that outwardly may appear giving; but who inwardly interested in self-preservation, appearance, and taking. It is the author of The Book of Sly.

Today–right now–we can take back our birthright and be heart bound. We’ll recognize the nature of true Self by the way we feel. No thinking is required. When we rediscover the Center of our Being, we are once again home in our sense of belonging. True Self is closer than our breath–not a heartbeat away. One of the best ways to rediscover It is to live from the perspective of that elder daughter. What can we give? A friendly smile or kind word? Some financial support? Time spent sharing a talent? A telephone call to someone who’s lonely? And what of that “beggar” on the street–the one who shares the same true Self? Isn’t it time to truly live from our heart?

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Copyright © – 2020 – R. Arthur Russell

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” 🙏🏻🧡