An Epiphanic Star

Anyone who has followed my writing about the law of attraction (that we bring about what we think about) knows that I don’t believe in accidents. To me, this universe functions in an orderly manner: summer follows spring not once in a while, but always; and fall surely precedes winter each and every year. When planted at the right time, in the right place, a corn seed will grow into a corn plant–not a pea plant. On the human level, I believe that spiritual laws also apply: our habitual thoughts form beliefs which lead to actions and results that we witness in our lives.

With regard to the apparent events that we experience, a revelation recently occurred to me. It was as though an epiphanic star blazed across my awareness and, by its trailing light, revealed a hidden belief that had been buried deep within my subconscious mind. There “it” was: the reason. We can learn what is contained within us by examining the repetitive patterns we experience; but to do so, we must be aware and pay attention.

The background: On a Wednesday in May, 1974, when I was sixteen, I returned home from high school and immediately heard my mom anxiously call to me from my parents’ bedroom upstairs. She thought that my father, who was lying in bed, might have had a heart attack. That was how the horror of that afternoon began. At about 10 p.m. on the Saturday of that same week, my father’s dead body was being removed from our house. In a grief-stricken blur, you soon find yourself standing with your sisters and mother in a funeral home, selecting a casket. How can that be?

Any memories of what I was feeling at that age will be tainted, as all memories are notoriously imperfect. I can, however, do my best to recall. As a shy teenager, who was unaware of the ways of the world, I might have quite naturally assumed that life would be hard without my father; that there would be challenges to deal with, made worse by my adolescent fears. Without him, how would you learn how to be a man? How would you know how to perform the tasks and maintenance that he used to perform? Without his guidance, how would you find your way?

Has my life offered results of that belief? Yes. Of course, I realize that in hindsight we can draw faulty conclusions and build a case to fit the effects that show up in our life; but I also realize that to ignore our intuitive understanding is unwise. I have long believed that to experience different results we must be willing to change; and with that logic, I have applied the principle of the following ancient hermetic axiom for many years:

“As within, so without.”

The epiphany that shot through my awareness is this: I did, in fact, believe that “life is going to be hard without dad.” The tears which came, in a sudden and unexpected release of emotion, seemed proof. That they came, however, is actually good; because it means that I’m letting go of a belief that was formed by an adolescent mind. It’s time to feel that belief in its entirety and replace it with a better one. I, thus, deliberately choose the following:

Today, I live fully, completely, joyously. I am Life, itself.

I choose–NOW–to embrace this moment and live with ease and grace.

Dear Readers: If you have been experiencing undesirable patterns in your life, I encourage you to dive deep into your beliefs and examine them for validity. Are they true? Do they serve you? If not, you can consciously replace them with ones that produce better results.

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”

Banking on Love

When the subject of wealth arises, how we think and feel about it are quite different. The mind attempts, through ever-changing criteria, to measure and define wealth based upon circumstances and comparison; our heart eloquently knows the truth about real wealth without uttering a word. In this article, I share two accounts of wealth: the first, as told by the mind; the second, as known by the heart.

***

My life story includes the common theme of divorce. In my opinion, the real wealth that was lost is the closeness of a loving family; however, at some point during the pick-myself-up phase of the first few years, my mind kicked hard into gear during a night shift. I was returning from Toronto. Despite the fact that I was still earning a good income, my mind suddenly informed me that I would never be able to afford a home again unless I found a partner with whom to share the expenses. “Not enough time,” my mind stated flatly, without so much as “sorry.” Its definition of wealth–and worse, my very self worth–was based solely on the amount of numbers in my bank account, and the unattractive likelihood of having a mortgage in retirement. An unmerciful judge, my mind snapped down the gavel and decreed that I was poor. There was never a chance to appeal the verdict. The case was closed.

In stark contrast to the account above, I offer wealth of the heart: I recently received an unexpected phone call from a very dear friend. Words are so pitifully inadequate; the word “dear” cannot possibly describe the innate goodness of the man and how much I value our friendship. For the past two years, he’s been going through treatment for a serious illness. Although we initially met through his business, we quickly formed a friendship that has endured for many years. It was so wonderful to hear his voice again. In spite of his health concerns, my friend–true to form–asked, “How are you?” Toward the end of the call, my friend said, “I want you to know that I love you.” I replied, “I love you, too, _ _ _ _ _.” The wealth that we exchanged cannot be measured by the mind; its realness can only be felt by the heart.

I hope that your definition of your true wealth is broader and deeper than the one that I experienced on that night as I returned from Toronto. We are repeatedly sold a story that if we have one of “these” and perhaps two of “those,” plus a certain amount of numbers in our bank account, that we may qualify for the rich club; and I, for a brief period, bought into it. Money is actually very useful, and I’m grateful for it; but a warped sense of its placement in the hierarchy of our lives can lead us astray unless we’re careful.

In Proverbs 23:7, The Bible tells us this: “As he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” Based on what my friend said to me two days ago, I’m the richest man in the world. My mind doesn’t have a say this time. Thank God.

Dare to Dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

“Thank You” & “Note to Publishers”

Recognizing YOU

Life has no shortage of circumstances that challenge our strength. On any given day, someone–perhaps you–is dealing with the impending death of a loved one; the heartbreak of an unexpected divorce; or the humbling conditions related to poverty. Our body-mind, which we once trusted to be full of vigor, may at some point seem a weakened traitor, both physically and mentally. In response to loss, strife, or fear, we may shudder as we hear a sorrowful cry of “this can’t be happening to me,” and later, vaguely realize that the voice was our own. Doors that we so eagerly open, and imagine to be leading to our shining promises, may, instead, lead us to despair. Upon the seeming luck or fate of our little “i,” we attempt to base our happiness. At best, this is folly; at worst, a formula for varying degrees of suffering.

***

Dear Readers: Please join me, if you will, and sit still for a few minutes. You may also find it helpful to take three relaxing breaths. To find our way to the peace that we inherently are, it’s important that we distance our perspective from the mental noise related to our person and the stimuli of the apparent world. It’s also important that we investigate the nature of the little “i” who seems to be going through such trying circumstances.

Ever since our appearance on earth, we’ve been habitually conditioned to believe that we are a person (of name and form) in a world made of so-called “matter.” This is so strongly impressed upon us, that to even question it seems ludicrous. However, to recognize YOU (the deeper dimension of Self) and, thereby, live with greater peace, we must investigate the assumption for validity. The following questions may be of help:

Are you absolutely certain that you are a separate body-mind in a big world? (or, are the body-mind and the world actually within YOU, Consciousness?)
Do you know, for a fact, that matter exists beyond your awareness of it? (If so, how?)
Is it possible, that objects and persons within the waking state (defined as “reality” by the masses) could also be rendered via the mind that produces similar effects within the dream state?
Is the knower of your body-mind’s experience growing older? (or is It ageless, changeless, and eternal?)
Can you find a limit to the YOU that is aware of your body-mind?

Many Beings may be unaware that science has been unable to identify matter that is independent of the mind that perceives it. This, in itself, is a pointer which can deepen our understanding; because it means that Consciousness and matter are intimately interconnected. Let’s further our inquiry by taking a look at the meaning of the following verse from John 10:30:

“I and the Father are one.”

When we understand the meaning of the verse (which the Bible attributes to Jesus) the degree of suffering related to identification with the person may lessen. Many seekers conceptualize the Father as a distant God sitting atop a cloud in the heavens, but such a view doesn’t suggest the Oneness referred to in the verse. It implies a relationship that is based in duality: subject to object. Through enlightenment, we recognize–directly–that the Father (Consciousness) is the way, the truth, and the life. Jesus’ body-mind would, therefore, be an appearance within Consciousness, as would ours. The old expression, The All in All, relates the same principle: The All (the Father) must, logically, be within us (the children); and we, therefore, are within the Father (the All). In I Am That, Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj offers his sage advice through the following quote:

“Before the mind–I Am. ‘I Am’ is not a thought in the mind.

The mind happens to me, I do not happen to the mind.“

This indicates that Consciousness (Awareness) is prior to the mind; that Awareness is self aware and eternal. That we have erroneously identified with being a person, in an ever-shifting environment, is the cause of great suffering. Within each of us, there is a dimension of YOU (true Self) that is untouched by anything that your apparent body-mind may seem to be experiencing. We need not wait for suffering to recognize our essential nature. When better than NOW?

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”

Rumour Has It

Rumour has it, that the devil of the underworld is on a rampage. Apparently, it’s not the stereotypical beast that we’ve been warned about–you know, the red one that’s often imagined as holding a bident amidst the fires of hell. By some accounts, the beast is more devious and elusive than we may have believed. It lurks where we may least expect to find it.

No matter how detailed, all descriptions of the devil are useless. They can never be accurate. Just when we think we have captured its likeness, the devil–as though made of flowing mercury–is able to pour itself into a different shape and behaviour. Its hatred then seems to become love; its pride, then humility; its greed, then generosity; its deception, then honesty. Without hint of remorse, it’s capable of appearing angelic, after having performed the most horrendous crime. A recent “Look Out, Beware Bulletin,” listed below, may be of service to help us avoid the devil’s touch:

It proclaims itself separate and autonomous of the one-and-only Power.
Its nature is primarily greedy; its motives, self centered in varying degree.
It loves to boast without appearing boastful.
It prefers judgment over discernment.
Its nature is rooted in comparison to all apparent others. It competes to win, not for joy.
It haunts the past and the future, and shuns the ever-present NOW.
Its moods are subject to swings between good and bad.
It wouldn’t be caught dead reading David R. Hawkins’ Scale of Consciousness.

Throughout the centuries, the devil has been referred to by various names, including (but not limited to) the following: Satan, Prince of Darkness, Lucifer, Beelzebub, and Mephistopheles. Such terms actually refer to a lower level of consciousness, which periodically presents itself in lesser or greater degrees. My personal devil is known as “Art.” What name does your devil go by? Collectively (when we assume the body-mind to be our actual identity), we are the devil mentioned above. In Oneness, as Consciousness Itself, we are spared the negative consequences related to egoic identity.

Dare to Dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

“Thank You” & “Note to Publishers”

Muscleman Joe

Muscleman Joe was “the man” at his local gym, and knowing that filled him with quiet pride. He had dedicated a major amount of his time and energy to achieving that status. All of the other weightlifters and bodybuilders, both male and female, considered him as the epitome of their sport. He possessed the strength, bulk, and definition that made the majority of them stand back in awe. He was the king of the chest press, squat, and deadlift. He had lost count of the number of first-place trophies that he’d won at various competitions.

In Joe’s mind, he (not surprisingly) held a crystal-clear image of who he thought he was. In his mind’s eye, he imagined himself as a successful bodybuilder, a veritable physical legend. Unbeknownst to Joe, however, his mind contained various other images, which (having been unwittingly impressed with feeling into the subconscious mind) were creating their effects. Like the greater unseen portion of an iceberg, these contents were causing other areas of Joe’s life to sink like the Titanic. His personal relationships were filled with conflict; his financial debt load was heavy; and his career path always veered from success.

One night after leaving the gym, Joe got into his truck and attempted to start the engine. Instead of hearing the familiar sound of a cranking engine, however, all that he initially heard was silence. It seemed to envelope him and force him to remain still. Within a few moments, he became even more bewildered when he heard a soft voice utter the following words:

“You’ve been attempting to live a lie, Joe. Mistakenly, you believe that you are a physical bodybuilder. Given the conditioning of your environment, it’s understandable that you would believe that you are a person and, therefore, the doer; but such is an erroneous perspective. There is only one doer, Joe, and I Am That. Despite appearances to the contrary, I Am the One who lifts the weights…through you. I also beat your heart and breathe your lungs. To improve aspects of your life that you currently deem a failure, you must change the nature and quality of your thinking. There is no other way.”

When the message from the voice ended, Joe shook off his disbelief at what had occurred and pressed the starter button again. The car’s engine started without hesitation. Shaken with puzzlement, he then slowly drove home and soon fell into a deep sleep that lasted all night long.

***

In the coming months, Muscleman Joe began to flex spiritual government of his mind. Meditation and visualization became a regular part of his daily routine. Just as he deliberately chose which foods that he included in his diet, he learned to deliberately choose which thoughts he allowed entry into his mind. No longer did he dwell upon negative circumstances. It became his ingrained habit to remain strong in his true power; to seek opportunity in every situation. By embracing a new vision for his future (through persistent positive thoughts, imbued with the feeling of having already achieved his goals), he finally turned his circumstances around. In fact, in some circles he is now better known as Spirit Man Joe.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

“Thank You” & “Note to Publishers”

To The One

In the barren lands of earth, our gestures of gratitude can often seem hollow and trite–an obligatory Thank You note written here; a box of chocolates given there; handshakes, hugs, and gift cards, though well intended, can also prove lacking. The worst, of course, is when someone’s precious gifts of time, effort, and heart are overlooked and entirely taken for granted.

There comes a time–and that time is NOW!–when debts of gratitude must be expressed to the fullest degree possible. Despite the best of efforts, our attempts may still, however, fall short of the mark. How can we ever repay gestures of kindness, which, in themselves, are priceless? To directly name those to whom I owe gratitude will not occur here; my intention is to thank That which they are–not who they appear to be. From my heart, I offer the following:

To the One…

who helped teach me how to be a man. Thank you.
who loved me unconditionally. Thank you.
who lovingly guided me, and still offers guidance. Thank you.
who loved me during times when I could barely love myself. Thank you.
who split wood and washed my vehicle….just because. Thank you.
who baked cupcakes for me on my first Valentine’s Day alone after divorce. Thank you.
who took a chance on me and my skills in the workplace. Thank you.
who drove me to surgery and waited with me. Thank you.
who repeatedly listened to my incredibly important woes. Thank you.
who carried my workload, on days when I could barely carry myself. Thank you.
who chose to overlook my inadequacies. Thank you.
who taught me painful, but necessary, lessons. Thank you.
who tolerated me; even when I displayed intolerance. Thank you.
who cut me down, when my pride had risen too high. Thank you.
who chose to forgive me. Thank you.
who offered food and shelter to me, a stranger. Thank you.
who saw my fear, yet pretended they didn’t. Thank you.
who prayed for me and my safe arrival back home. Thank you.
who gave me a compass when I retired; so that I would never lose my way. Thank you.
who helped me “see” the Light, in so many ways. Thank you.

***

Dear Readers:

Do you owe anyone heartfelt gratitude? If so, to whom? Is it family members, friends, peers, or mere acquaintances? The list above is pitifully short; it is, of course, an impossible task for me to list everyone to whom I owe a debt of gratitude. Perhaps you will display greater wisdom than I once did. If you can, please love those to whom you are grateful as though they are God. Because. They. Are.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

“Thank You” & “Note to Publishers”

I Am Aware

The most troubling days of “my” life–and not coincidentally, the worst for those Beings with whom I interacted–occurred when the light of awareness was unable to shine through the density of my mind. Sleep deprivation, excessive stress, and hunger might have been some of the obvious causes. It was then that the apparent little “i,” which could periodically range from mildly offended to defensive to angry, was left alone to wreak its havoc. And wreak havoc, it did.

When ego is in charge, our experience is never going to be of the highest quality. It’s like being aboard a captainless battleship, with a set of programmed reactions standing at the helm. The governing idea on the radar screen is self survival; not the petty concerns of apparent “others” who might be cruising within range. At such times, “our” needs, “our” goals, and “our” desires are deemed most important; and be damned the people who attempt to interfere. When this occurs between two or three persons, varying degrees of conflict may arise. When it occurs in mass numbers, there is the high probability for war.

Does this feel familiar? If so, you are not alone; for we’ve been conditioned to believe that our apparent “i” is more important than anyone else’s. Our unspoken motto–even as we care in our own way–is often “better him/her than me.” We’ve been programmed to believe that it really matters whether this blog post is read by five persons, five thousand, or no one; that it really matters whether Elon Musk’s dream of colonizing Mars is realized; that it really matters whether the person filling our coffee order pours in milk, not cream!

And now, to the main point of this article: I took the attached photo last week, in a nearby city. When there was opportunity, with “I Am Aware” fully at the helm of my body-mind, I approached the man who was standing near the tent, and we engaged in polite conversation. Not surprisingly, we shared not a word about the importance of my blog, whether humans will ever live on Mars, or the milk versus cream dilemma about coffee. I wonder what matters to him as he lays in a sleeping bag, in a tent, in Canada, with winter approaching.

To spare ourselves the pitiful circumstances that can arise when “me” (and “my” needs) attempts to take the helm, we are wise to govern through “I Am Aware” as often as possible.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

“Thank You” & “Note to Publishers”

The Unnecessary Question

From the human perspective, we often directly or indirectly ask the following question of our family, friends, and peers: “Are you with me?” Depending on the answer that we receive, we may feel bolstered, ridiculed, or even abandoned. The time waiting to know if they will support us can feel unbearable. Within the psychological structure of the “person,” there is a part of us that seeks assurance in numbers; to know that we won’t be forced to push our personal boulder up the mountain alone. During various challenging circumstances of our lives, this can seem incredibly important.

Through Grace we know that this question–“Are you with me?”– need ever be asked of God; for we realize, that we, as the body-mind, are living proof that God is with us. Every heartbeat, every breath, and every step is permeated with, and initiated by, the essence of our Creator. With a deeper understanding of the divine matrix, we know that “I and the Father are one,” as related in the Bible, are not just empty words describing a theory but, indeed, FACT. The word omnipresent (which is often used to describe God’s nature) also rings loud and clear as Truth; for we realize–through direct experience–that there is literally no place in which God is not. Therefore, wherever we are, so, also, IS God.

Fooled by the evidence of the senses, the mind’s egoic perspective will attempt to convince us that the words above express a belief only; for the person (which is actually a conceptual identity only) bases its apparent existence upon time and the world of form. Through the mind’s logic, it will inform us that life beyond it (which, ironically, is dependent on the One and Only LIFE) is a hope at best and a hoax at worst. Asserting the false claim that it is the doer, it incessantly screams that we are a separate individual in a cold harsh world and must face our challenges alone.

In a flash of realization, the story told by the ego can evaporate into nothingness from which it originated. By engaging our intuition and listening to the pointings of awakened Beings who have gone before us, our faith that there is a greater dimension within us can be strengthened, and known. In the still silence, beyond the machinations of the mind, the Absolute lies waiting to be recognized. As expressed by scripture, it is true that the Source of our Being will never leave us. Here, right now, it is eternally the real YOU.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

“Thank You” & “Note to Publishers”

By God, Through God

When I was first studying the teachings of the Law of Attraction, I read various books that emphasized that there is only one true power in the world; and that the most potent is spiritual in nature. From my limited perspective at the time, this seemed an incredible premise to accept. It contradicted common sense and what I’d been conditioned to believe. Every which way I turned, I saw evidence of a seeming multitude of sources of energy; there was chemical, mechanical, thermal, nuclear energy, and at least a couple of others. Why, then, did the books clearly state that there was only One Power?

The answer is hinted by the capitalization of the last two words of the previous paragraph. When I refer to the One-and-Only Power, which is God (Consciousness), I ensure to capitalize any reference to It as a sign of my deep love and respect. The following are some passages from the Bible that point to the principle that I’m relating:

“All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.”
John 1:3

“For by Him were all things created, that are in Heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers; all things were created by Him, and for Him.”

Colossians 1:16 -20

“For in Him we live and move and have our being.”
Acts 17:28

“Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works.”

John 14:10

Of course, the Bible is not the only source that relates this information. I offer the following two quotes to help relate the point about One Power more clearly:

“There are only two things you can do for yourself. One is conception, and the other is conviction. All the work of creation rests with another than you. For no man [woman] is responsible for anything in his [her] life except his [her] thought and his [her] belief.”
Three Magic Words, by U. S. Andersen

“No thought of form can be impressed upon original substance without causing the creation of that form. A human being is a thinking center and can originate thought.”
The Science of Getting Rich, by Wallace D. Wattles

***

When we rise in our level of Consciousness, we realize that all of the apparent sources of power actually subsist within the One, which is Infinite Living Mind, or God. We also realize that our body-mind (person) is never the doer. That it undoubtedly seems that way is just part of the grand illusion. This is easier to comprehend when we realize, through comparison, that although we most certainly feel like the doers in our nighttime dreams, such is an impossibility. It is due only to our ignorant assumptions that we believe that we, as the persons, are the source of our own life. There is One Life, and It is empowering what we ask It to do via our predominant thoughts and beliefs.

Now and forever, Infinite Living Mind is the only Source of power and intelligence related to every circumstance and occurrence. To realize this Truth is to cast off our needless burdens. As co-creators of reality, our task is to patiently and persistently maintain our highest ideals; and then rest assured that by God and through God they will be achieved. When we realize that Truth works through us, we will possess the wisdom to choose our predominant thoughts and beliefs wisely.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

“Thank You” & “Note to Publishers”

Think2wice

CONSCIOUSNESS, SPIRITUALITY, & LAW OF ATTRACTION

An Epiphanic Star

Banking on Love

Recognizing YOU

Expressions of Divinity

Rumour Has It

Muscleman Joe

To The One

I Am Aware

The Unnecessary Question

By God, Through God

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