Family of One

There was a time, in my former narrowness of perspective, that I was practicing exclusion without being consciously aware of it. Through the love of my own family, I was decreeing that so-called “others” were excluded. Thus, “they” were not entitled to the benefits associated with inclusion. Such a perspective is deeply rooted in a personal sense of “i” who prefers to keep some persons close, and others distant. It’s the prevalent way of defining family in the majority of our current societies. It’s what leads to feuds between families on a small scale, and wars between nations on a larger scale. We’re so accustomed to it, that we accept it as normal.

It’s not surprising that this is a prevalent perspective, because it’s fostered by our media, governments, and the majority of families. It’s dispensed on a world-wide basis via a vending-machine mentality gone mad. Through our thoughts, words, and actions, we segregate and separate one another as though sorting conveyer-belt fruit into appropriate containers. You, the “Rockefellers,” belong here; while you, the “Smiths,” belong there. “Friends of the family?” we inquire, standing guard, as the poor and needy approach and smile with their hopeful faces.

In a fell swoop of conditioning, we belittle or dignify; accept or reject. Our processing ability to divide and classify is outdone only by our capacity to judge. We defend “our” positions by hurling rotten tomatoes and/or deadly torpedoes. “Out, out, damn spots” our minds cry, “you do NOT belong!” Gender and race, creed and nationality, colour and orientations–these are the tools of our biases; and apply them skillfully and willfully we do!

What if, however, humanity could awaken from its delusional belief in separation? On one shiny, perfect day, what if everyone entered the stillness and heard the following silent words from our Creator’s heart: “Everyone is of me, the only Creator. You are One.” Would we not then turn away from judging and embrace one another as family? Would we not then see with our hearts, instead of our eyes? Could we then look beyond appearances and comprehend our divine origin? We might even focus on building bridges of love, instead of fences of hatred.

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” 🙏🏻🧡

Videos To Serve

Dear Readers,

In an effort to help expand your understanding about our essential nature and the law of attraction, I offer you three of my YouTube videos. I hope you will find them both interesting and helpful.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Omnipresence Overlooked

Books related to the law of attraction often share mysterious-sounding titles: The Secret, by Rhonda Byrne; The Hidden Power, by Thomas Troward; Discover the Power Within You, by Eric Butterworth; The Secret of The Ages, by Robert Collier; and The Master Key System, by Charles F. Haanel. Cynical readers might naturally assume that the intention behind such catchy titles is solely financial gain through the sale of books–that the content couldn’t possibly match the titles’ claims. Nothing could be further from the truth. Although I can’t speak to the content of every law of attraction book, I can speak for those listed above because I’ve read them. If you’re willing to move forward in faith and deep curiosity about your essential nature, perhaps you will one day agree.

The crux of the secret is related to true identity. To realize the mystery that lies beyond our assumptions, we must be a discerning safe cracker about “What“–not who–we actually are. We must apply ourselves to understanding with an open mind. If we persist, the tumblers will eventually click into alignment, and the safe door will yawn open. This isn’t an exaggeration. It’s the reason why the esoteric book entitled The Kybalion contains the following mystical passage:

“The lips of wisdom are closed, except to the ears of Understanding.”

The passage means that a knower is wise enough not to share information until the student is capable of comprehension. Through the law of attraction, the teacher and student will be brought together when the time is right. To the teacher, the student’s earnest curiosity is a telling sign of readiness. With regard to this, another mystical saying is also true:

It takes one to know one.

What, though, is the benefit of realizing the secret to which the books allude? The secret that must be realized is quite literally priceless. In the Bible, it’s referred to as the pearl of great price. To find it (the kingdom of heaven), we must dive deep into the nature of our Being. When clearly understood, the secret gives access to power beyond compare.

The greatest challenge related to this mystical secret is that it can only be via direct experience. To gain information about it isn’t enough. To find the secret related to identity, look within–you’re not who you think you are!

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

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

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

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

Think2wice

CONSCIOUSNESS, SPIRITUALITY, & LAW OF ATTRACTION

Category: Truth

Family of One

Videos To Serve

Omnipresence Overlooked

Washed By The Lord

The “I Am” Family Reunion

I Walk With You

The High Way to Healing

Walking on Water

Ever-Present “I Am”

“Spiritual High Rollers”

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