“In your own bosom you bear your heaven and earth,
And all you behold, though it appears without,
It is within, in your imagination,
Of which this world of mortality is but a shadow.”
– William Blake
As we enter 2016, there are two critical movements in our world. The first is a disquieting transition towards greater unrest, insecurity and uncertainty. The second is less obvious but profound, and it is occurring more rapidly than most of us realize. An enormous number of people around the world are earnestly moving to raise their level of consciousness. They recognize that this is not only the best means to long-term personal fulfillment, but also the only path to a sustainable peaceful future for humanity.
In this context, I would like to share some thoughts for your consideration and meditation. They are a few ideas I have absorbed over the years from my teachers, and they have made a positive difference in my life. I hope they touch you as they have me.
Abundance
We are born with everything we need for a life of fulfillment and success. But, all too often we measure our love, joy, health, wealth and other qualities by comparing ourselves to others. Perhaps thinking thoughts like, “I have a comfortable home, but not nearly as nice as my good friend John,” or “I have a loving husband, but not nearly as loving as Lucy’s relationship with her husband, or “I have a good job, but I don’t make as much money as my colleague,” or “I have a dependable Volkswagen, but my neighbor has a much nicer Mercedes.”
These comparisons are known as “object referral,” namely looking outside you for value and validation. “People will like me and respect me much more if I have a Mercedes instead of this Volkswagen.” The fundamental point that external comparisons miss is that a life of fulfillment always comes from within, knowing that you came into this world with everything you could possibly need to be happy and successful; and you can access these seeds of abundance whenever you so choose.
Even when things seem to be going wrong, there can be comfort in learning from your situation and recognizing that you possess the power to focus your energies on new possibilities, and the possibilities for abundance are endless. There are no limits to what you can have. Take time to think deeply about each situation that challenges you and find those seeds of potential success that will attract greater abundance into your life.
You and you alone, create your personal abundance from an infinite eternal source—Cosmic Consciousness. The core of your being, your spirit, is the ultimate reality, not what you perceive with your five senses. It is the root and ground of the universe, the source of all that exists. So why not internalize the following affirmation, “From this moment on, I invite unlimited abundance into my life.”
Much of your belief system has been shaped throughout your life by the thoughts and preferences of others. It is locked in your subconscious, connected to your ego, and it often runs your life. Is your belief system providing what you really want in life? If not, why not decide what you truly believe. To do this you must dig down deep into your core, your spirit, your soul. Everything you desire is within you.
It easiest to find your core when you are living your Life Purpose, which is based on your strengths, something you do well and love to do, something that makes this world a little bit better place. In doing so, financial abundance will likley follow; but, more important, you will find satisfaction, confidence, optimism and joy; you will experience abundance in all its forms. You will have manifested your dreams to live a great life. If you are not in alignment with your Life Purpose, ask yourself, “What do I love to do and do so well?” “How can I use this to serve the world?”
The Universe—Mine, Matter and Spirit
Your Mind is divided into three parts, your Subconscious, your Ego and your Conscious Mind. The latter is the reasoning force that tells you what you can or cannot be, do, or have. Matter is the five-sense experienced physical world around you that shows you the results of what you hold in your mind. Everything that happens to you, whether you label it “good” or “bad,” is brought to you by your mind. Spirit is your deepest domain, the place of your interconnectedness with the infinite mind of the universe—Cosmic Consciousness. It is your absolute entrée into the field of pure potentiality.
Accessing the spiritual realm through the daily practice of meditation opens the way to manifesting your deepest desires. By changing your thoughts, beliefs, expectations, and intentions and connecting with stillness, you allow the unbounded, unlimited abundance of the universe to flow easily and effortlessly into your life. Why not focus on what you want to attract into your life? It is not difficult to do, unless you think it is so.
Consciousness
The nonphysical part of your being, your spirit, is buried deep within your core. You are like an onion with many layers that must be peeled back to reach your inner light, which is Personal Consciousness. And once you do, nothing is impossible as your Personal Consciousness is connected to all others through Collective Consciousness and to Cosmic Consciousness, as well. To access your inner light you must release your world of thoughts, feelings, perceptions and beliefs. The best way to do this is through daily meditation. It is a power beyond powers.
As you quiet your mind in meditation you will eventually squeeze out all interfering thoughts, even if it is for just moments at a time. In these “gaps” of nothingness you will begin to glimpse the deepest level of your spirit or soul. Your consciousness will expand and transcend the three-dimensional world, at first perhaps just for a few moments. And in this brief state, you will be amazed at the creative sparks that emanate from the universe into your mind. You will find ideas and solutions to challenges you never thought possible in your normal waking state. That is the power of the gap.
Meditation
You can obtain the details for a simple procedure for meditation elsewhere. However, allow me to share with you an exercise you can practice immediately for a taste of the power of meditation.
Sit quietly alone in a room with reduced lighting and filled with a modest volume of your favorite non-lyrical inspirational music. Assuming you are not a frequent yoga practitioner, sit with your back erect on a straight-back chair, feet flat on the floor, arms comfortably on your lap with your palms facing upward.
Close your eyes and breathe normally for a couple of minutes and listen to the beauty of the music. Then, slowly begin to take in deep breaths, sequentially extending first your upper chest, working your way down to your diaphragm and stomach. Hold your breath for five seconds and then slowly exhale. Do this five to ten times and then return to normal breathing. You will experience a quieter mind.
Now think to yourself, “Who is really listening to this music?” You will likely feel a still presence and several moments of the absence of thought. You are in the gap and that still presence that you feel is your spirit, your soul, or whatever you wish to call it. Deepak Chopra calls this a state of Choiceless Awareness. Should you remain in this state through the power of meditation, you can manifest essentially anything you desire into your life. The only constraint is that it not bring any physical, emotional or spiritual harm to others. The possibilities to fulfill your dreams are endless.
Field of Possibilities
The unlimited power of Cosmic Consciousness is always available to you. Making choices through the power of this unified field can bring a more fulfilled life for you and for those around you, and also help create a better world. Besides being intimately in touch with this force and the practice of meditation, it is also helpful to cultivate waking stillness by spending some quiet time in nature to notice and absorb the beauty that surrounds you. Listen to inspirational music and uplifting stories and cultivate relationships with optimistic people. In doing so, embrace your potential to be, do and have whatever you can dream.
It’s All About Love
Nearly all of the greatest thinkers throughout history eventually came to the same fundamental conclusion in one form or another—Love is the most powerful force in the universe. In its deepest state it can literally move mountains. And love is your absolute birthright. It is the essential, in fact, the necessary and sufficient condition for a fulfilled life. In the words of the metaphysicist, Neville Goddard, “Don’t go seeking that for which you are. Those who go seeking for love, only manifest their own lovelessness and the loveless never finds love. Only the loving find love and they never have to seek for it.” So, as suggested by folk rocker Stephen Stills, “Love The One You’re With!” It’s the means to all your dreams.
I wish you a happy, healthy and wonder-filled 2016!
Sat, Chit, Ananda!
Enjoy your journey, make a difference!