Reincarnation and Karma

You have come from a place of perfection.
When this experience, which you have chosen, is through,
you shall return there.

How do we explain a Mozart? How do we explain a child with near perfect and provable recollection of a previous life? How do we explain the sense of having been in a place before? Let us not overlook past life regressions. Bridey Murphy has spawned many fascinating stories. These are all examples used to reinforce the belief in reincarnation. There are many others. Indeed, reincarnation has been called the “cycle of necessity”. Many perceptions are difficult to explain without this device.Reincarnation as a topic of discussion is fascinating and resonates with our impulse toward truth. The elaborate scenarios that are spread out before us are endless. The inferences we draw from these are useful in answering lingering age-old questions, questions, some of which remain ironically because of religions rather inept attempt to answer them.Although the evidence given in reincarnation beliefs is useful in strengthening the belief in life after death, it seems riddled with inconsistencies when viewed from a more lofty height. Overly detailed explanations of the process may well afford comfort to some. One truly on the path however will be quick to point out that much of what they have learned is true only until supplanted by a truth of greater understanding.The enlightened ones tell us that it is the nature of the soul to know. If we already know, why would we reincarnate so that we might learn? Surely, there is a more plausible reason for our existence here, one not tied to the paradigm of incremental education. Has no one observed that the “learning” process continues even when the drudgery of study is set aside? To dispel this construct will allow space for the awareness of truth to shine through. May the drudgery of study be tempered by the joy of learning.When our life is viewed as a chosen destiny rather than a forced exile, our focus can be on those things we need (want) to do, allowing us to more clearly intuit our true destiny. Consider the possibility that we are here to participate in the process of evolution of this plane (planet). The process may be called creation.Have we incorrectly assumed that God stopped creating? Have we yet to discover that God is the creative process and that we are co creators? Are we not made in the image and likeness of the creator and thus part of the creative process? Are we not imbued with divine creativity?Are we even now as homo-sapiens arrogantly pretending to be the epitome of Gods creative efforts? Look afar; there may be problems with this assumption.We cannot progress far on this plane if we base our beliefs on those things we have been taught, i.e. those things we have accepted without question.To know of the divine is helpful, yet when one knows the divine then one is divine and there is no need for officious meddling. There is no greater block to the realization of enlightenment than the pretense that we already know or that we even know what it is that we are looking for. Did the master not say, “Verily even the harlots are closer to the kingdom of heaven than thee”? Consider also the possibility that a facade of righteousness is an insurmountable barrier to enlightenment.Old souls do not come here with a resume in hand. They do come with a destiny, a commitment to participate in the creative process. View it all as a great adventure and you shall discover many marvelous things. You shall one day agree that God is in his heaven and all is well with the world. Your life and your works will then be filled with the omnipotence of divine love as guided by universal infinite spirit. The greater the self-realization, the greater the creation.The soul has but one lasting desire on this plane, and that is to reunify with the source from which it came, a place where there is no lingering desire, a place of ineffable joy and the peace that passeth understanding, a place where the manifestation of intent, of thoughts, words and deeds become one, the true reality. Adjust your concept of God so that it more closely mirrors that which you inwardly know to be true of yourself. Be as a child in your discovery of the many wondrous things awaiting you. Become not entangled in minutia, but rather contemplate your own eternality in a fresh light.The problem lies not in the veracity of any or all of the reincarnation ideas for they may all be true. The problem occurs when they become an infatuation, a fascinating side-trip that tends to inhibit further awakening. Paradoxically, with awakening and the realization of the eternality of all life, the question becomes mute. If we have moved into the awareness of the unity of all life, if our ego (That me thing) is viewed for what it is, the very mechanism that blocks that awareness, then we are in position to accept the possibility that there are other explanations for even the most compelling signs of reincarnation. We may still be aware of past lives, though they may not necessarily be yours or mine, they may simply be ours.Are we stuck with karma? Perhaps we are, perhaps not. If virtuous living is its own reward and if evil is a creation of the human condition, i.e. experiences of our own choosing, then what is the need for a system of balances obviously constructed by the mind of man? If we violate an unjust human law and are punished for so doing is this punishment karma? Is karma a vehicle for the creation of fear? Is karma a vehicle for inducing certain behaviors? Is karma a tool for exacting wishful revenge? If we perform good deeds for the sole purpose of accumulating good karma does the bad karma of selfishness we gather at the same time offset the good or are we simply debited for those moments when our thoughts were less than pure? Can we defer bad karma to a future life? If we ask for forgiveness for some wrong we have committed, will karma be meted out? Does it accrue to the forgiver? If we inherit a large sum of ill-gotten gains is this good karma or bad? Does the legal system assist with the delivery of karma or is it irrelevant or even counter productive? Do we treat just punishment as a debit or a credit? Seriously, are there enough lawyers and accountants in heaven to handle such an immense workload? May we, as mere mortals participate in the distribution of karma? Do we have a choice as to what form the karma will take? Are we capable of telling the difference between good karma and bad karma? How about a root canal? Is this good karma or bad? Do our pets reincarnate? Absolutely. It is all so confusing.“What goes around comes around”. Clichés such as this do not survive without truth. That truth however is not based on fear or the need for revenge or the lust for power. If we are to comprehend the truth of karma, we must first dispose of the boogey man brownie point nonsense, a thinly disguised human, not divine, artifact.Karma is real, it does exist, and yet it appears to transcend the law of cause and effect as we know it. To deal with karma, we must move our attention to the eternal now; there it functions as a guidance system or what some would call a conscience although there is an important difference. Conscience contains instructions from the sub-conscious mind that are based on conclusions and decisions that may be quite different from those of our current choosing. Karma gently tells us to do the right thing. Bear in mind that our karma comes from the unerring wisdom of our soul and there we know it quickly, before the fact so that we might make a choice as to our actions. The enlightened, having grasped the reality of the unity of all life, follow the golden rule, not because of karmic consequences, but because it is the natural and joyful thing to do.The human mind will not be denied its important function of trying to make sense of life’s experience. It will create castles of sand, ever more elaborate, delightful to contemplate while providing a resting place for eager travelers on the path, only then to be removed by the timeless breeze of understanding.

Health

Our health, our sense of physical well-being, is the sum of all that we are on this plane. The mental, physical and spiritual aspects of this marvelous vehicle that we have been given are indivisible and should be reassembled after study, debate and profit sharing.The failure to address the whole is the perennial Achilles heel in this process and yet the area most amenable to change. Arrogance, ego, turf battles, greed, cynicism, and such have not been tolerable as viable healing tools. The arduous task of unifying this conundrum with the reality of our being falls to a few courageous souls who have overcome the shackles of ego and burden of greed and whose destiny is that of a healer. Though their numbers are small, the power that sustains them is infinite. May their voices rise that we may be awakened.Know that your health is yours. Be it a burden or a blessing to you, it is a perception that can only be changed from within. Our will to live and to fulfill our destiny is our greatest asset. This does not mean that we are alone, far from it; all the wisdom and miracles of the universe are at our disposal. The genius that gave us the ancient wisdom is eternal. The “miracles,” past and present, with awakening and understanding, will become commonplace.Most of us on occasion participate in the futile process of trying to disprove the adage “There is no free lunch.” When we as individuals abrogate our god-given status as masters of our own being to whomever, we invite fragmentation of the whole into portions that are then claimed and maimed by those opportunists whose primary motive may not be our health but rather their wealth. Do not despair, for although there is no cure for human nature, we can rise above it. The process is called awakening. Awakening tends to dispel all that is impure and to reassemble that which is inherently perfect. You are made in the image and likeness of God (perfection). Do not be misled by teachings to the contrary.

Proselytizing

To ascribe a name to God
is to limit your awareness of God.

Be charitable to proselytizers, they are well-meaning foot solders in the battle against evil. Unfortunately, the collateral damage in this war is immense. Those who are on the path of awakening and enlightenment need not participate. Early on, the true seeker has discovered that the great work is self-realization and the preferred way to fight evil if we must, is with good.Do not judge the actions or beliefs of another but rather if you feel the need, look at yourself. Does the felt need to “fix” another arise from the need to share some great joy you have experienced or do you perceive a problem in another that you simply must repair? Sometimes the only motive for such action is the need to validate beliefs that were given to us by another and we are simply repeating the process.The teacher is within and the truth is within. To interfere in the dialog of self to soul is non-useful to all involved and should be discouraged. Dogma and doctrine are burdens that will eventually be discarded. They are the false foundation from which arises the destructive behavior of the zealot. You cannot give away that which you do not have and creating barriers for one who is sincerely “on the path” is not a fruitful way to achieve karmic balance if that is your goal.As the omnipotence of Divine love flows through you to another, the appropriate result will follow. The soul that needs what you have to offer will be drawn unto you. Each soul chooses the path that fulfills the needs of their destiny. Give freely of that which is truly yours.Words and phrases with meanings more apparent than real prove to be inadequate in the quest for awakening; proselytizers tend to use them as passwords to identify believers and non-believers. The resulting sense of belonging affords comfort and security to some and they may find temporary solace in the comfort of community. In the realms to which we aspire, they will be nothing more than quaint artifacts of this earthly existence.For those who choose to sleepwalk through this marvelous experience, rest in peace, for there is no loss in the spiritual realm. Lethargy however (passive fear) does not afford us the joy we seek and will prove to be non-useful to those on the path.The master Jesus is said to have told his disciples to go forth and spread the good news. He did not write a handbook for proselytizers. He did embody the good news and for some that is enough, for others it is incomprehensible. “You have been with me so long and yet you know me not”. To spread the good news is not possible if we do not have the good news. Sadly, Jesus is perhaps the most talked about and least understood being ever to incarnate on this earth.Avoid any proselytizing message that rests on a base of fear. It is a plague and has no place in the spiritual quest. Observe the process used by those who would manipulate you. First, you are made fearful and then, lo and behold, a way to ameliorate your fears is presented to you. Simple isn’t it.Awaken yourself from the deep slumber. When you awaken, you discover that the life you have been living is as an incoherent dream, perhaps useful as a topic of conversation but utterly irrelevant to that adventure you will one-day experience. The task of releasing old ideas, those that do not serve you well, must be undertaken.Examine your beliefs for their genesis. Review the moment when they first came to you. Ask yourself, do they still have the same significance. Ask yourself, have I been given a Trojan horse?Judge not, beginning with yourself. You have already been judged and found to be perfect. Observe yourself honestly, fearlessly and unceasingly. There is that within you which knows.The truth, your truth, will come to you only from your higher self, your soul. Others may speak the truth, you hear the words and you may resonate to them, this is good. However, your truth comes from within. Those moments, long awaited, are received as the fresh breath of liberation and you realize that you have met your liberator, your soul.There are those who search for arcane mysteries in obscure passages of sacred literature in order to feign great wisdom. Their motives are suspect, for all the while the great truths for which the heart yearns, go unnoticed. Intellectualism is a similar process. Have they totally overlooked the words of the master? Did he not say “Seek ye first the kingdom of heaven and these things shall be added unto you”? The kingdom of heaven is here and now, it is to be found within, it is the Christ-consciousness, the knowledge of who you truly are. Ernest contemplation will be endlessly rewarded.

Ego, Pride, Self-esteem

All that caresses the ego is non-useful.
Pride may be called the grandfather of all character flaws for from it flows many of the non-useful patterns of thought and behavior that befall us. It is accepted as normal by the world although it may be nothing more than the obverse of shame which is also accepted by some in the same manner.Many who have glimpsed the light have retreated to the seductive comfort of pride. Consider this; if you have asked God to put you in the right place at the right time, and He does, do you still expect more, such as a road map so that you can show your friends?Healthy self-esteem and self-assurance are attributes of spiritual awareness not to be confused with pride. Is not pride a variation of selfishness? Ultimately, we must embrace the marvelous truth that we are total, complete, perfect and eternally blissful. We are given a priceless gift, our task is to accept it and use it with compassionate intent.On the spiritual path, there will always be the temptation to feel proud of progress however meager, yet pride, ego, and self-righteousness inhibit access to the great truth for which we are searching. To assert that we are psychic, gifted, or intuitive or to long for such flattery is to reveal that we are still somewhat mired in the throes of ego. Ego is the one true “psychic vampire.” We are one with God and all power comes from God. That power is ours to use. Heed the words of the master, “It is not I, it is the father within, He doeth the works”. Note the absence of pride/ego.With the awareness of who you really are, and awareness of the infinite power within, you will no longer seek or find useful those things that produce the feeling of pride, nor will you feel the burden of responsibility, for knowing that we are all one, your joy will be found in helping others. Consider the unity of all life.Rejoice in the awakening of another for it is your own. Embrace also the ugliness you perceive in another, for it too is your own. Humility is not achieved through practice; it is an aspect of knowing. It is the nature of the soul to know. The humble (sometimes called the meek) shall inherit the earth, however be cautious not to become proud of your humility.“How great thou art” alludes to the divinity, which is also within you, yet on occasion take a moment to reflect on how silly and frivolous we all are. We are as children pretending to be what we are not and unappreciative of those who would change the rules of the game. Transcend the childish tendency to set aside the great gift and play with the box.Paradoxically, with the wisdom of maturity and the sincerity of the child we will reach the goal. It will however still be a game. Be a good sport and take joy in seeing others win. Their victory is your victory.Peace.....Dean

The Use and Abuse of Departed Souls

Find an object of love and knowthat it is a part of God eternal.

When a cherished soul departs this plane, we experience a variety of thoughts and emotions. The emotion we might discuss here is sadness. First, release the feelings that were not resolved during the dying process. This would include negative emotions such as fear, guilt, anger, self-pity and doubt. Then consider this. You feel loss, hence sadness. The loss you may feel is on the manifest plane, not the spiritual plane. Have courage to know that there is no loss on the spiritual plane.Know that the soul for whom you mourn is once more with you, here and now. As God is universal and eternal, you and the departed soul as part of God are universal and eternal. Why pray tell do we greet them with sadness? (When you think of them, you are greeting them). Should we not welcome them with open arms and great joy? If the departed soul has come to you from a place of peace and joy where he/she now resides, why not share these feelings with them? Is not this what they want you to do? Sadness is not a condition of the soul; we choose it not only as a natural reaction but also often as a matter of propriety. “What would people think if I appeared to be happy at a time like this”? Tears of joy on the other hand are always appropriate and therapeutic.If we intend to have the blessing of the strength and wisdom of our forebears, those who have departed, we must be joyful in acknowledging their presence. Undue sadness will inhibit the process. The departed will visit you, in a moment of stillness, perhaps in a dream, we may hear a far distant voice calling our name or we may simply be aware of their love. Although fleeting, these moments are to be treasured. Be aware that they, in a transcendent state, have transcendent wisdom to give. Listen with love in your heart and love will be returned. When you think of the departed one, know that they are saying hello in a joyful voice. Respond in a like manner. Their simple message is “all is well”. There are no questions that these three words do not answer. Feelings of a negative nature that you may have held are no longer valid. Release them to the archives of experience. Forgiveness is appropriate from either side. Know that it is done. Know also that the past as well as the present and the future are amenable to prayer.If approached without fear and with the smile of love in your heart, the divine essence of the departed soul is revealed to you. Release the shackles of uncertainty and greet them with great joy. Live if you will, in the eternal now.

The enigma of Beauty

By the gentle gaze of the heart is beauty revealed
Beauty exists in and of the soul of the beholder and is an attribute of the divine. Of the many paths to enlightenment, the contemplation of beauty is available to all, for it is by the gentle gaze of the heart that beauty is revealed. The beauty discovered within is the beauty we observe in all creation. The search for beauty in whatever form leads us unerringly to the divine. The thirst for beauty is surely imbedded in our DNA as is the impulse toward the divine. The common thread between beauty and divinity is simplicity.It said that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. It may seem to be in the eye, the ear, the touch, or even the brain, but truly, it is in the heart. When we allow the divine force (which we call love) to flow through us the object of that love will be seen as beautiful (ask any mother). Ugliness can exist only in that space where we have withdrawn love. With gentleness, resist the urge to judge, for excessive aversion tends to hinder the impulse toward the discovery of beauty.The reluctance of some religions to accept the feminine aspect of the Devine all the while glorifying the horrific and warring tendencies of a patriarchal society reflects the mores from which it came. Such religious constructions are human, not divine and much, perhaps the most beautiful, has been denied us because of this bias. Without the maternal instinct, the process of creation would not work to create life and without beauty, there would be no reason for it. The warring tendency is not inherent in our DNA; it results from the perception of social constructs that are deemed unfair or that appear to cause inequalities. They exist only in the vacuum of spiritual ignorance.Is it possible that the age-old human problem with sexuality, a pendulum that seems to swing from extreme to extreme, would be amenable to a fresh look? If only we could become aware, that beauty, (an aspect of the divine), is absent if the lust for power, (ignorance of the divine within us) is present. So long as we continue to force the gentler half of humanity into a defensive, subordinate status, we can expect the problem to persist. The misguided attempt by some of a religious bent to redefine or deny nature has failed. Hopefully, the proverbial pendulum will come to rest in balance.Our life experience will mirror our love for beauty. Consider balance, harmony, and composition, tone, and rhythm, integrity, fidelity, gentle conversation, meaningful form, inspiration and perspective, Benevolent mischievousness and humor. Are these not elements of a fulfilling life as well as art? They are woven into the tapestry of our true nature and life. As you see beauty, beauty will see you.Peace......Dean

Unique Messiah

Whatever the perceived truth of the matter, the mythology of the unique messiah has served to inhibit and frustrate all but the most fearless seekers. To draw the inference that he (Jesus) was/is unique is misguided, contradicts his own words and serves to limit the unfolding of the individual as well as giving an undeserved pseudo-power to many religions. Forgive them father for their oppressive arrogance.It is perhaps likely that the master may have felt that he was the first and only to experience this state of consciousness (enlightenment). He was not and is not. It is doubtful that he had any reference point to think otherwise. It was and is however a thinly populated realm. On the other hand, he may have simply understood that there is but one first and only although he or she has been among us many times in many places. Consider the concept of unity. We are all one. In that sense, he is the first and only.“The joy we knew, as we tarried there, none other has ever known”. These words from the old song reveal the unbelievable joy, peace and love of one who knows, one who has been there, done that, an enlightened soul. It is altogether understandable that such a one may feel they are uniquely blessed for it is beyond the human mind to imagine the ineffable joy and the peace that passeth understanding. Thus, the assertion “none other has ever known”. The light that transforms is not instilled by words, neither mine nor yours. The voice of God is silence. It is not however beyond the soul to know for the soul is truth and may mirror itself on this plane in full awareness.The question arises, why has no one told us? They have, however the good news has been obscured by the stained glass shouting of those who talk without the benefit of knowing. We are taught, as mice to scurry away with crumbs, soon to return for more crumbs, ever fearful that we will be caught absconding with that which is rightfully ours. The marvelous truth of our individual being is threatening to those who lust after earthly power, authority, position, and prestige. It also appears to be true that many are dissuaded from releasing their human bondage for a more Godly existence simply because it is not possible by the use of intellect alone to do so. That is to say, intellect alone cannot supplant the wisdom of the soul. At the same time, they have taught us that the body, which produces our feelings, is sinful and needs to be restrained. Is this not a near perfect formula for suppression?The one trait that is common to all enlightened souls is the impulse to share the good news. The good news is that the potential for enlightenment is available to all. The master articulated this truth. The master embodied this truth. By the touch of his hand, he shared this truth. The bad news is that few attain to it, choosing instead to worship the lamp rather than the light.Step over the dead for they would have you believe that you too are dead. There is only one barrier between you and God (Whatever you may choose to call him) and that barrier is within you. How long will we continue to look outside for that which is within? As long as we continue to look outside ourselves for the joy of truth to which we are entitled, we will remain without our true heritage. Earnestly examine the consciousness for the genesis of this fallacious notion.Have we not noticed that the enlightened ones who have gone before and perhaps those who are with us now tend to be a bit abrasive to the establishment? Take note that establishment implies a cluster of power. The enlightened never lust for power nor do they seek to linger in the illusory security of such earthly power.The power of divine omnipotence (the soul part of us) is eternal, omniscient, universal and infinite; it is in this world but not of it. It is the pearl of great price that awaits your discovery.Enlightened souls are with us eternally;”Lo, I am with you always”. Feel free to call upon them. They will not ask for your resume, nor will they listen to a recital of your good works. They are not interested in your sins. They will not ask questions nor answer them. These things, you must do yourself. They will however remain with you eternally, at times, the apparent source of that for which you are seeking. Love them as your elder Siblings and discover the miracle of divine communion. Simply talk to them, with love and without fear, and their words will flow to you, through you, and become your own. Be aware, that as you approach the goal, your eternal journey begins anew each day.

Destiny

Be prepared for a solitary journey,
you will find that the camel
for which you are searching
is the one you are riding.

Who among us at some time has not felt that there is something they must discover which will make everything all right? There is, that something is you for you are so much greater than your wildest dreams or the cruel and misguided words of those who would have you believe otherwise. Greatness as seen through the eyes of man is rarely the soul’s desire or your destiny. Understand that destiny is the intent of the soul. Your soul, your destiny, joyously anticipates the unfolding of your awareness.For some, there is in a moment of stillness the fleeting awareness that there is a secret to life you must and shall know, only you can find it (The seeker and the secret are one) and that you must keep searching. This awareness is not always strong yet it is persistent. Become a willing participant in the great work.Why are we here? The simple answer is to fulfill our destiny, that one moment for which we were born into this world. Our destiny is the product of our supernatural (soul) intent, intent being the catalyst of creation. For many, destiny is not clearly seen, however it may be deduced by careful scrutiny of our actions and inclinations. Blessed is the child who is allowed (with loving guidance) to march to his/her own drummer. If your noble goal is unclear, know that it is not unclear to your soul. Pray for guidance and learn to trust that unseen hand. It is the gentle nudge of a dear friend, your soul. To change course with the wisdom of inner guidance may require uncommon courage. Trust the soul part of yourself and be at peace.You may not find some endeavors fullfilling for the soul part of you has another and perhaps greater plan. Do not however disparage what you are now doing for it too is part of the plan. Even tasks that are repetitious and boring can become a form of meditation; those moments of boredom are an invitation to look within, to greet your soul, to become a voice for it, a voice that speaks with authority.Pride and prestige are not attributes of the divine and do not serve us well as a guide to our destiny. Our destiny may not include enlightenment, although there could be no destiny that precludes it. In fact, the anecdotal experiences and the substantive evidence of new and/or increased awareness following near death experiences suggests an acceleration of the process. A good barometer of how well we are doing is the ease with which we move through life and the peace, joy and gratitude we feel. Ponder carefully the concept of unity with all life. The soul part of you which is God chose to experience this life on this plane. You came to this experience with all the tools you need to fulfill your destiny. Your destiny is unique to you. There is a gentle hand guiding you every step of the way. In time, you will clearly see that every so-called misadventure was exactly as it should have been and that the soul was indeed guiding you even when you insisted on doing it the hard way. You shall one day know that it was indeed a blessing. Consider the possibility that our limitations are not roadblocks but rather guideposts.Make no mistake, you chose to be here, you chose this experience. As a part of God, your soul chose to play a unique part in the evolution of life on this plane. The control that we so desperately seek over our lives has been there from the very beginning. The soul part of us in charge, submit to it.As Joseph Campbell has said, “follow your bliss”. There are those who from the beginning do this, sometimes with the help of a strong and loving parent. It is common for there to be a strong bond between the high-achiever and the parent or grandparent. It is as if there was a melding of the two souls. Abraham Lincoln said, “All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my mother”.The strong tendency of the soul to assist another flows from the wisdom of the universe. In so doing, we may know great joy. The freedom we exercise in choosing our path should also to be afforded to others.The last refuge of those dedicated to a life of mediocrity is to cast blame on others or the parent or that which we assume the parent(s) were trying to teach us. Get over it and accept the great blessing that you are here. You chose your parents. The soul part of you did not falter in this most important task. All the psychological theories in the world will not change this. Ernest contemplation of the matter will reveal the truth. Honor your parents, for without them, you would not be here nor would you have your unique DNA. To deny them is to deny your destiny, the very purpose for which you are here.You chose the initial circumstances of your life. Those very early moments, moments you may not remember may well have been pivotal and are not lost to the experience of the soul. A long time obstetrics nurse has said “I have with joy welcomed many old souls into this world”. Perhaps it is in the very early moments of incarnation that the light of the soul most clearly shines through. You chose which talents you would have and those you would not have. Perhaps those that would have made it easy for you to be diverted from your destiny were withheld (by you). Have we failed to observe that those among us we would judge to be the least well endowed produce some of the best if not the greatest works? Although the urge may be great, judge not, you know not the destiny of another.The awakening of consciousness should be attempted only with a pure heart or the desire of it and the guidance of a guru. A guru is one who loves you more than you are capable of loving yourself. A cautious approach is prudent. The soul, your soul has a plan, it is called destiny. We are told, “When the pupil is ready the master (Guru) will appear” and alas, depart when the task is complete. It is as if you have known him/her before and you shall know him/her again as always. The guru(s) will be unlike any teacher you have known, and will simply validate the truth that emerges from within you. The synchronicity of this process will cause you to smile. Western religions seem to be devoid of this concept and thus have no language with which to discuss it. To become entangled in Sanskrit terminology, for many may serve only to widen the chasm of misunderstanding. Examine all teachings, for the resonance found in the heart, your heart. From there you will be guided. Bias, once embraced, tends to flourish and ultimately consumes the host. On a positive note, fear not, the soul like water, will win.Accept this on faith as a first step. Practice the golden rule until it becomes automatic, and then you will know you are truly on the path. Joyously embrace that part of you that you scarcely know, it is your soul.If you are ready to renounce the more brutal aspects of human nature, if you sincerely desire to do so, if you suspect there is more to life than you have been told, if you are becoming restless in your comfort zone, if your muted voice cries out to be heard, if you smile at adversity, If the veiled mysteries have more attraction for you than the familiar, if the world about you is as a guinea farm at sunrise, then you are ready to allow the soul to lead you to your true destiny.The path is straight and narrow and filled with wonder. Release the tendency to imagine that you know what it is that you will discover. Question the paradigm that says an expert must teach you. You are the expert, the master, and the pupil. You are the great book of mysteries. Prepare a place in the heart to receive the pearl of great price.Over a century ago, Dr Maurice Bucke graciously gave us a work “Cosmic Consciousness” (a clever editor obviously chose the title) that even today in gist, appears to be ahead of its time. In it, he discussed not so much the process of enlightenment as he did the results of this marvelous occurrence. Although still in print, it remains mysteriously a great secret hidden in plain sight. If we ask why, there is the heresy of questioning the myth of the unique messiah and who would have dreamed that the taboo of the evolutionary process would still be with us?

The Manifestation of Intent

With compassionate intent,
create that which is pleasing to the heart.

You probably know people for whom everything goes well most of the time. They expect good things to happen, thereby activating the necessary metaphysical mechanism for the inflow of good. The mechanism is the path to intent. The intent resides and is felt in the heart. The result, when appearing simultaneously, we call synchronicity. It is a remarkable moment, a glimpse of how life can be always. Be glad that we have observed it enough to attach a name to it. Be glad also that the masters do not have a name for it. For they, the enlightened, intent manifests when and as appropriate, in the twinkling of an eye, if you will. The intent and the manifestation are one.To experience synchronicity or more accurately to become aware of it is to catch a glimpse of divine omnipotence. To the enlightened soul, desire is transformed into the manifestation of intent.For many, intent (which resides in the heart) may be obscured by confusion or erroneous certainty in the mind. Intent is found deep within the heart and though the heart remains eternally pure, the mind is a construct of this plane. Ernest contemplation will reveal those areas where what we think we intend and the intent of the heart differ. This may perhaps shed light on the mystery of unanswered prayer.Our life is the manifestation of our intent. If your life is not as you desire, look deeply into the heart, honestly and without fear, for there will be found intent. When you affirm in prayer a desire you will know intuitively if it meshes with the intent in the heart. If it does, you will also feel that it is done. If the feeling is less than perfect, have you asked the same good for others or is there too much of me and not enough of them in your heart or is there a part of you of which you are not aware that is discordant? To disavow good for another is to block the same good for yourself. Examine the heart for any lingering traces of selfishness. Give unto another that which you most cherish and desire. There are marvelous examples of the efficacy of this approach of which we should be aware. If we contend that the philanthropist gives for other than pure reasons, are we not looking through the inappropriate end of the telescope? A correct action, the intent of the soul, may occur even without the purpose being in the conscious mind.We must become masters of the mind; it is nothing more than a good and useful servant. Choose to release to the archives of experience those things that have not served you well, all non-useful patterns of thought and behavior. The tactic of release is also useful in dealing with persistent problems, in particular, those that have consumed too much of our time and energy. To release does not mean to surrender, but simply to hand off the problem to someone who is more experienced, your higher power.Make your belief the willingness to accept the possibility that events are synchronized to the desire or intent of the heart. Indications of this abound if we are alert to them. As our spiritual aspirations begin to reach their proper prioritization, the teacher within will be encountered in many forms according to our level of acceptance. The great mysteries will be made clear to you. Do not look for signs or miracles for to do so is to create them. The great work (your awakening) is not a spectator sport but rather on the job experience. Treat each day as your first day on the job. Look within your own heart and there you will find marvels beyond your greatest dreams.The enigma of desire is resolved by the realization that in the Christ consciousness desire is transformed into the manifestation of intent. To know is to be. The great mystery of creation is simplicity. That which you experience, is that which you create.Synchronicity is reality. What is not real is our attachment to time and of space; these are at best helpful illusions, a part of the human condition that we have accepted in order to function on this plane. They need not be a part of our contemplation, our prayer our intent. Have you not heard, you are made in the image and likeness? Step out of your shackles and experience life more fully.Miracles are often viewed as the manifestation of the impossible. Such a concept places us in an untenable position. It is very difficult to proceed successfully from this dichotomy. The enlightened have told us that all things are possible. Science is imminently approaching the same truth. We must ask ourselves; are we trying to perform a miracle, or are we truly receptive to the creation of a miracle. Our focus should be on the desired results, not on the mechanics of the process.Look unto the hills from which cometh your help. There is a place in consciousness wherein the noisy mind is silent, a place where truth, your truth, is unclouded by the doubt and uncertainty of human thoughts. There, you may know the truth of reality for yourself and all who come unto you.To imagine that your higher power is somewhere off in the distance, to think that there is something or someone from whom you must curry favor, to doubt or question your worthiness, to have been persuaded that there are earthly authorities who have explained all of this in its finality, to have accepted “faith” as a substitute for the courage to question, to have embraced ritual rather than reality, all are non-useful patterns of thought.Be not deluded by the assumption that you are impervious to the life experiences, the thoughts, emotions, feelings or pain of others for to do so is to risk acceptance of them as your own and then to fruitlessly search for a cause within yourself. These feelings may come from, but are not limited to those with whom you have a strong bond. Your destiny may well include helping others. Do so in gratitude. The resolution is indeed within you. Do unto others as you would do unto yourself. Find the place where creation begins, it is the heart