Washed By The Lord

In John 13: 1-7, it’s stated that Jesus washed his disciples’ feet the night before he was to be crucified. Why would He perform such an act? From my understanding, the reason was to signify that they, too, were temples of the living God; whether they realized it or not. His message to them—and to us, still—is that we must be cleansed of our erroneous belief that we’re the false self (ego) and realize that we are God incarnate, the Christ. By washing their feet (which would have been considered a humbling act), Jesus symbolically demonstrated that they were of equal greatness as He. The following two passages offer more information about our essential nature:

“Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.”

John 14:12

***

“I and the Father are one.”

John 10:30

The confusion regarding our true origin is certainly understandable. For That which is One to take an apparently human journey (and experience the world which It, Itself, is creating on moment to moment basis), It must willingly veil Its true nature from Itself. There’s no other way that such may occur. The apparent strife that we witness is created by, and due to, confusion regarding our true identity. Because of this, humanity suffers the painful consequences of one another’s innocent ignorance. Another valuable passage is found in John 8: 32:

“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

The Truth that will set us free is a higher state of Consciousness. In other words, we must knowingly rise. When we recognize our essential nature, we are liberated from the delusional belief of being the person. This is not a conceptual occurrence, as many assume. It occurs when we realize—via direct experience—our true Self. Through meditation, we discover that we aren’t who we think we are.

How does being washed by the Lord improve living conditions on Earth? Let’s logically contemplate the question and see if we may discover a sensible answer. The majority of us have most likely witnessed, or directly experienced, the strife that can arise when persons disagree. When this happens in our personal relationships, we experience conflict or abuse in varying degrees. When it occurs amongst nations, we are subjected to wars that promise peace via violence against one another. How in heaven’s name can such an approach ever bring peace?

A solution of deeper understanding is available. If we are washed with the Spirit of the Lord and, thereby, recognize one another’s shared Unity, what conflict could arise? Who, in seeing their Self in an apparent “other” could ever lift a hand in aggression? Who, in knowing the Truth of our shared Being, could live in a manner contrary to peace, harmony, and love? The sooner that we are all washed by the Lord the better our apparent world will be.

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 “I Am” Family Reunion

As Katherine Dafoe marched toward her office, her anxious expression revealed that she was lost in thought–the majority of which were negative and troubling. The hectic pace at which her week had begun showed no signs of slowing down. Details of her impending divorce, concern for her children’s welfare, unexpected bills, and discontented clients loomed in her mind. If she had believed in God, she would have stopped then and there to pray. Her common sense approach to life wouldn’t allow such foolisheness, however; so she kept on marching.

Katherine was cutting across the yard that led to the side door of her office, when she noticed a shiny postcard lying face up on the grass. For some strange reason, she broke her hurried stride and picked it up. When she turned it over, she read the following message:

***

Dear Soul,

Here and now, you are invited to attend the “I Am” Family Reunion. Everyone is welcome. You need bring no-thing by which you have previously defined yourself. Please leave your identity-related conceptions such as name, form, status, race, colour, nationality, and gender behind. In our “I Am” Family, everyone sees one another equally. We are creators, not competitors. Please know that this is a “come-as-you-are” celebration–not a “come-as-you-think-you-are”–party. The only intention of this reunion is to spread love, peace, and harmony far and wide.

To attend this joyous reunion, you need only surrender your false beliefs. When you let go of who you “think” you are, your real Self–“I Am”–is recognized. You, my divine child, are within me; and I Am within you.

God

***

Katherine was still holding the invitation card when she entered her office and softly closed the door. For unknown moments, she stood there, questioning her sanity and the incredible message that she had just read. From deep within her, she suddenly felt a soft energy arise within and tingle throughout her body. As her legs became weak, she sat down; and for the first time in years, she wept. Warm tears filled with good release flowed down her cheeks.

***

Dear Readers: There is a deeper dimension of Self beyond who you “think” you are. You, too, are invited to attend the “I Am” Family Reunion. Self inquiry into your essential nature is the way. Can you feel Grace whispering to you?

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

I Walk With You

To go for a stroll with someone you love is one of the grandest experiences we could ever have. In the right company, with the right prevailing spirit, a walk hand-in-hand is sublime–a blessing for both. It’s both comfortable and exciting at the same time. When we’re moved by deep love, the conditions don’t matter. Most persons quite naturally assume that they walk under their own power. They are absolutely certain that it’s their hips, legs, and feet (in combination with other body systems) that propel them forward. What if, however, such isn’t truly the case?

Whether we realize it or not, the wonderful relationship that I described abov is occurring with our Divine Creator. If it wasn’t, walking–and every other human activity–wouldn’t occur. To our logical minds, this seems ludicrous. Humans are conditioned to accept a set of beliefs that are based upon, and founded in, innocent ignorance. By this, I don’t mean to imply that humans are stupid. In its root form, ignorance (derived from Latin, ignorantia) simply means lacking knowledge. The following Bible passage (John 15:4) may help us understand the principle more clearly:

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.”

Is this not true? Have you ever seen a fruit that grew unto itself, by itself? Or did it need to be connected to the Life-Giving Vine to express the juicy gift within it? The easiest way that I can relate this principle is not coincidentally) through the analogy of a set of Christmas lights. Did you ever see a single light that shone by its own power, or did it have to be connected to a source of power? Perhaps another passage from the Bible (John 14:10) will give rise to another insight within us:

“Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.”

As much as we’ve been conditioned to believe otherwise, the principle of connection to our Source also applies to humans. Through confusion about our essential nature, it is, indeed, possible for us to believe we are disconnected from our Creator (as related in the parable of The Prodigal Son); but such can never actually be the case. Unless our body-mind (person) is connected to our divine power Source, it cannot manifest as a living form. It is, therefore, true that we never walk alone. To do so is impossible.

Through enlightenment, we interpret the activities of our body-mind and the occurrences within the world from a vastly different perspective. We realize that just as we could not possibly be the person who is walking in our nighttime dream state (although it definitely feels as though we are during our dreams), we are, likewise, not actually performing our own walking now, in the waking state. In Truth, it is more accurate to state that we, as the apparent body-mind, are being walked. We are an aspect of our Creator, having an apparently human life. When we directly recognize That which walks by our side at every moment, all of our human mountains become so much easier to climb. In other words, when we draw nigh unto our Creator, our Creator draws nigh unto us. Hiking boots anyone, or would you prefer sandals or sneakers?

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Love So Deep

The Bible might be unfamiliar territory to a lot of readers (myself included), but the majority of persons may know of the following well-known passage. Found in 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7, the passage describes the nature and qualities of God/Love:

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

By comparison, the egoic love of humankind can seem barren, or lacking, in any real substance. It’s a poor imitation, which is often unstable and dependent on circumstances and/or behaviour. This type of love might be termed the “thought” of love, because it’s based on the sliding scale of polarity. Such explains why many persons experience a version of love that feels hot one day, yet frigid the next.

To know and express God’s love, we must become It. No shortcuts exist; there’s no other way. We know that we’re dealing with real–So Deep–love by the depth of our emotional capacity. To pour forth as that which is pure, we must first be emptied of that which is impure. For instance: If the love that we profess is dependent or tainted by self interest, it’s not pure. If there are motives that are suspect, self-serving, or selfish attached to the love we express, such a love is also impure. If there’s the faintest hint of getting, instead of the purity of giving, we are dealing with imitative love. Logically, this makes sense. As God is already everything, what could It possibly hope to gain? If, on the other hand, our love is abundant, non judgmental, and overflowing with sincerity, we have tapped the Golden Fountain of Love. At this point, we aren’t loving “like” God, but “as” God.

Awareness is the key to helping us to express, as much as humanly possible, the shining fullness of our Creator’s Divine Love. Left to his own resources, the guy named “Art” is incapable of expressing Love So Deep; but when he is surrendered, God is enabled to flow in and express a love that’s deep, rich, and real.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

The High Way to Healing

Life, as everyone realizes, can wear upon us. The challenges of unfamiliar circumstances may overwhelm us. Our fears may be high, and our reserves of strength low. On their own, each pelting raindrop of trials and tribulations may seem innocuous; but collectively, such drops can seem like a torrential downpour intent on drowning us. “Dear God,” we pray, “please..please stop the rain and give me peace.”

The details of the challenging events in my life story are unimportant. For the purposes of this article, it’s enough to share that part of my healing included several long solo motorcycle trips. On the surface level, the trips were about visiting new places, meeting new people, and learning how to live on my own again. In hindsight, however, I now understand that the trips were about so much more. Learning how to outride our history is a tremendously important lesson; for unless we stop carrying our personal baggage–both the good and the bad–it will prevent us from riding into a glorious new future. It’s also vitally important that we investigate the nature of the person that we believe is carrying the baggage.

Although I was unaware of it at the time, divine magic was definitely at play during my High Way to Healing. From the depths of suffering, there arose a great gift. Please join me now, if you will, and look at some of the following photos that “somehow” caught my eye as I rode away the pain during those lonely kilometers:

These photos (and several more that I haven’t shared) reveal a strong religious theme. The images naturally caught my eye while I was riding my motorcycle. For some of the photos, the attraction felt so strong that I was compelled to turn around and backtrack to ensure a photograph. Please keep in mind that prior to my departure, it was never my intention to capture a religious collage. The photos simply occurred.

By a few of the photos, it might be easy to assume that I was then, or that I am now, this religious guy who follows a particular spiritual doctrine; but such isn’t the case. With regard to our spiritual nature, I’m more comfortable with how Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj expressed our shared Oneness in his spiritual classic I Am That:

“The same water is in all the wells. You just draw from the nearest.

In my case the water is within me and I am the water.”

The story of my life also includes off road healing that occurred through the reading of many books by some of the greatest spiritual leaders, past and present. I became familiar with, and was nurtured by, the works of Rupert Spira, Eckhart Tolle, Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj, Mooji, Neale Donald Walsch, Sir Ramana Maharshi, David R. Hawkins, Swami Vivekananda, and Ramesh S. Balsekar; to name but a few in very long list. The content which they generously shared helped to unearth a spiritual knowing buried deep within me. My deepest appreciation goes out to each and every one of them.

I’m happy to report that The High Way to Healing occurred through the Grace of our Creator. I now clearly understand that the real cause of our suffering is not our apparent life circumstances, but our delusional belief that we are–or ever could be–separate from our essential nature. The Bible expresses this very clearly in Acts 17: 28: “For in Him we live and move and have our being.” The most important message in this article is this: The healing recognition of true Self can also happen for you. My wish is that you’ll discover the peace that you’re seeking. Here’s a clue: look within. To seek elsewhere, is to search in vain.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Walking on Water

I am not certain if the content I relate in this article will resonate with readers; but I feel compelled to share it. Most persons who delve into the subject of spirituality are doing so for one of two reasons: (1) Due to suffering, they are seeking solutions beyond the normal scope of daily living; or (2), for reasons unknown, they have been naturally drawn to investigate life at a deeper level. My life contained both components, with the balance periodically tipped toward suffering that provided the driving force to find answers NOW.

For many of my years, I lived in the opposite manner implied by the title of this article. I felt as though I was walking on eggshells–that circumstances could go horribly wrong at any moment. When we live in a fearful mode for extended periods, we unconsciously invite fear to stay, as though it were an old familiar friend. In my case, the behaviour may have been fostered by the sudden passing of my father when I was sixteen. It was then that I learned that unforeseen events can arise swiftly, without warning. What we assume is guaranteed–isn’t. Not even close. In hindsight, it’s not surprising that my fearful subconscious paradigms gave rise to circumstances that mirrored them. The tendency to worry provides situations that prompt an even greater degree of worry.

One of the practices that helped shift my perspective from fear to FAITH was the daily use of positive affirmations expressing gratitude to God. At the time, I wasn’t aware of the deep significance of them; but they definitely felt good to say. They helped me learn that I could trust that all was actually well, in spite of apparent circumstances. The following affirmation is still one of my favourites:

“Thank you, God, for being my Infinite Source and Supply.”

What, you might ask, has this to do with the title? Am I now proclaiming that I’m capable of walking on water? No. However, I can relate that a dramatic shift in my life makes me feel as though I could, if the need arose. The shift is due to recognition of my essential nature, true Self. Now, I realize That which is the true Source of power and intelligence. The resources of Art Russell are as naught without the loving benevolence of The Absolute. Through That, I know peace that was previously lacking. I also realize that wherever I walk, through whatever nature of circumstances, I never walk alone. EVER. It is this direct recognition, dear readers, which I wish for you.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Ever-Present “I Am”

Regarding knowing recognition of our essential nature, it has been my experience that apparently “little” points can make a huge difference in the degree of our understanding. Through Grace, the gifts of clarity often arrive when we least expect them and displace more of our delusional beliefs. The following is the account of one such incident that occurred out of the blue:

***

About three years ago, I was in a local store when I met a man whom I occasionally interacted with during my career as a paramedic. His formal career was as a respiratory therapist; but from our past discussions, I also knew that he was very knowledgable about our spiritual nature. Our meeting was an opportunity of which we took full advantage. For several minutes, we stood to the side of an aisle and allowed our enthusiasm to transport our conversation into the very depths of life.

At that time in “my” life, a lot of conditoned beliefs were still being shed. On some days, it felt as though “Art” had disappeared in the ocean of Truth; but on other days, it felt as though “Art” had reappeared to recite the details of “his” apparent life. In relating the situation, I believe that I said that some days I feel as though “It” (meaning my essential nature) is here, but that on other days as though “It” has left. In response to this, my friend made the following short comment, which serves as the foundation of this article. He said:

“Where would It go?”

I immediately smiled and nodded in agreement. The comment that my ex-colleague had made was so relevant and CLEAR. On those days when it felt as though my essential nature had departed, that, of course, wasn’t the case. And it can never be the case for you, either! A seeming departure actually means that my old conditioning (the belief in being the person) had once again returned and attempted to take center stage. Although our essential nature can neither be described nor defined (for it is limitless), It is often expressed as being omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent–meaning all knowing, all powerful, andpresent everywhere.

The main point of this article relates to this: We awaken to true Self when we knowingly recognize That which neither comes nor goes. It is the substratum of all that ever was, is, and will be. The Absolute is One, playing all of our apparent roles as persons. It does not arise in us–the persons; we–the persons–arise in It. Eternal and indivisible, It is the unchanging foundation of our Being.

***

The photo at the top of this article is taken from my apartment. Several years ago, I felt inspired to attach the quote from St. Francis of Assisi to an old suitcase that had belonged to my parents. His message was that we are now–already–That which we are seeking. My point in attaching the message to the suitcase is actually the opposite of what persons might assume: We don’t have to pack our suitcase and travel anywhere to know That which we already are…here and now. We can unpack our history, take a deep breath, and just BE.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

“Spiritual High Rollers”

The majority of Beings are knowingly unaware of their essential nature; so it really wasn’t surprising to learn that Reginald still seems lost in his body-mind “story.” How can we be certain that Reginald has not yet awakened to his true nature? When he was recently a contestant on a game show called Spiritual High Rollers, the host asked him to complete the following sentence: “As it relates to your essential nature, beyond name and form…”

A m

A n

E T E R N _ L

B _ _ _ _

As the clock ticked down the remaining seconds (dum de dum-dum, dum dee do; dum dee dum-dum, dee, dee, dee-dee-dee-dee), Reginald’s face turned red, and he blurted the following answers:

“I am an eternal bigot!

I am an eternal beast!

I am an eternal baker!”

When the timer alarm sounded, Reginald spun on his heels and flung down his arm. It was over, and he knew it.

“I’m sorry,” said the host, as he noticed Reginald’s dejected expression, “but time has run out. Please don’t feel too sad, though; there’s good news. We’re inviting you back for another round!”

***

What about you, dear reader: Beyond belief, would you have known–directly–the answer that stumped Reginald? It’s possible to recognize a deeper dimension of Self here and now.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Standing “As”

This world can seem a battlefield of challenges and strife. On a daily basis, we directly view or hear reports of varying degrees of conflict. Everyone has preferences: we desire this, but not that. As the number of so-called “others” increases, the issue becomes more complex. Our differing opinions regarding right and wrong leave us with little or no middle ground labelled “Peace.” During such times, it can be challenging to resist the temptation of being “against” a circumstance, rather than having the wisdom of being “for” what feels right in our heart. This metaphysical principle of behaviour (which I refer to as Standing “As”) is vitally important to understand: That to which we give our attention persists more strongly. To improve conditions, we must resolutely place our attention on that which we desire, not its apparent opposite. Let’s imagine, if we can, a peaceful world in which we live by the following:

Can we stand “as” tolerance, without being against intolerance?
Can we stand “as” honesty, without being against dishonesty?
Can we stand “as” selflessness, without being against selfishness?
Can we stand “as” equality, without being against inequality?
Can we stand “as” honour, without being against corruption?
Can we stand “as” love, without giving your energy to hate?
Can we stand “as” peace, without being against war?
In short, can we stand for the result we desire, rather than expending our energy by being against its opposite?”

Through the development of our character, we may exemplify the beliefs that we hold most dear, without becoming self-important or proud. This is clearly illustrated in a famous poem entitled Sermons We See, by Edgar Guest. Here I offer the first stanza:

I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day;
I’d rather one should walk with me than merely tell the way.
The eye’s a better pupil and more willing than the ear,
Fine counsel is confusing, but example’s always clear;
And the best of all the preachers are the men who live their creeds,
For to see good put in action is what everybody needs.

Mahatma Ghandi also expressed this vitally important principle in his famous and succint expression:

“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”

Perhaps we could develop the habit of asking ourselves, “What attitude am I broadcasting to the world today?” It’s up to us to ensure it’s a good one, born of our highest ideals.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Observations of Terah

In a distant galaxy, far far away, there’s a planet named Terah with a population of almost eight billion people. The people, who are of various races, colours, and creeds, live in compartmentalized sections of land called “countries” and usually consider themselves to be quite civilized; that is, when they aren’t waging war against one another for the sake of keeping the peace. Terahlings are usually quite proud of themselves; for they believe they have advanced from the dark ages. Ignorance, however, can be a tricky beast to wrestle, because we are often unaware that we’re unaware. This is the case with the majority of Terahlings, who, for reasons unknown, choose to turn a blind eye to the following:

***

Despite the discovery in 1911 by Ernest Rutherford (one of Terah’s acclaimed scientists) that atoms are actually comprised of 99.999% empty space, the citizens of Terah continue to believe that they live upon a planet made of solid stuff called matter, which they assume to exist independent of consciousness. No amount of logic-based arguments can sway their population from the reports of their senses.

***

Despite passages in one of their Holy books called the Bible, which states (in Acts 17:28) “for in Him we live and move and have our being,” Terahlings continue to believe that each of them is, indeed, a separate source of consciousness. Their argument is that it certainly feels that way. That David Chalmers, who’s a noted philosopher and cognitive scientist, coined the phrase “the hard problem of consciousness” to refer to the unprovable assumption that neuronal processes of the brain give rise to consciousness, seems unimportant.

***

Despite the best efforts of sages and saints of Terah, who claim that the “reality” of their lives actually occurs in the Waking State (which is similar to the well-known Dream State, in which people, objects, and events are also experienced), the majority of Terahlings choose to ignore such reports and continue to believe in their autonomy as “persons.” The irony is that by doing so they’re denying the existence of the Creator that is the very Source of their life.

***

Despite evidence from science (The Double-Slit Experiment), which strongly suggests that mind is directly related to apparent objects experienced in consciousness, and that a world independent of consciousness cannot be proven, Terahlings continue to deny their divinity as co-creators with Infinite Living Mind and assume themselves to be mortals of flesh and bones.

***

The majority of Terahlings are actually prodigal, without being aware of it. In the well-known Biblical account of the prodigal son, the son turned away from The Father (his Creator) and spent his inheritance with his attention facing outward, toward the apparent world. When his suffering related to the perspective of being a “person” became too great, the son finally turned his attention back toward The Father, which symbolizes turning his attention within, to the Truth of his Being.

By last account, life is much the same for the citizens of Terah–strife, conflict, mass shootings, selfishness, greed, and war. Of course, there’s also a lot of goodness that occurs; but for some strange reason, that doesn’t get reported very often. One noted university professor of Terah, who preferred to remain anonymous for the purposes of this article, stated, “Do you have any idea how much it would cost to rewrite all of our history books…and tell the Truth?! Don’t be insane!” Please note: Any similarity to the situation on Earth is ~~purely~~ coincidental.

Dare to Dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Think2wice

CONSCIOUSNESS, SPIRITUALITY, & LAW OF ATTRACTION

Category: Love

Washed By The Lord

The “I Am” Family Reunion

I Walk With You

Love So Deep

The High Way to Healing

Walking on Water

Ever-Present “I Am”

“Spiritual High Rollers”

Standing “As”

Observations of Terah

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