© 1999 Connie Cook Smith
(Approx. reading time - under 10 minutes)
BUT YOU FEEL LIKE THE ONLY ONE?
SPECIFIC SUGGESTIONS TO ACCESS PEACE AND GUIDANCE
HEALTHY THINKING, AT HOME, IN SOCIETY
I believe we come to earth to lose ourselves - and to find ourselves again.
From our soul-perspective beyond earth, that seems like a fun game. But, embodied and embroiled on earth, it can no longer seem fun. (See Metaphysical Principles, A Healing of World History, to understand existence before life-on-earth.)
Loss of self - loss of "who I am" - is also a cut-off of awareness of God's constant abundance and support for us. And this state is so very common that Thoreau was right: "Most men lead lives of quiet desperation."
BUT YOU FEEL LIKE THE ONLY ONE?
If you personally feel lost, though, you may be keenly aware that most people around you don't seem to be lost or desperate at all.
Herein may lie two possibilities. Either they have not yet hit the "I am lost" point on their soul-journey on earth - and ironically - you are way ahead of them! Or they have been through "lost and found" (perhaps in a previous life), and now have unusual clarity about who they are and why they are here.
No one can be too sure about another person, though, as to whether their "I've got it together" life-style is only playing out a role that comes from their family, or is a reaction to others - which WILL fall apart - or whether they have deeply accessed their being (found themselves) and are perfectly on course for this lifetime.
But that doesn't matter! The greatest mistake is to look to others and wonder about them - positively or negatively. Everyone's task is to realize himself or herself - not others.
HOW TO FIND YOUR GUIDANCE
The way to do this - and all that you seek, every book, every path, every teacher, every desire will eventually lead you to this point - the way to realize yourself is to come to absolute silence within, daily, so that the self's true purpose (and God's automatic, always-nourishing support for you) can surface and guide your life.
Stated another way, French philosopher Pascal wrote: "All of humanity's misery comes from the inability to sit quietly, close your eyes, and do nothing."
Stated another way, Christ said: "Seek heaven first, and all things will be added on to you." "Heaven is within you, heaven is in the midst of you, heaven is at hand" (where you can reach it). Seek heaven first - perfect wholeness inside of you - and all else you need will come. If you don't do this daily, first thing, then your life does not get the guidance that it needs.
SPECIFIC SUGGESTIONS TO ACCESS PEACE AND GUIDANCE
How does one do this? Tomorrow, get up extra early in joyous anticipation, sit up and sip your first cup of coffee or tea - enjoying it very much - and then with eyes closed, do nothing. LISTEN. Deeply listen - to a bird, to your air conditioning or furnace, to your heart or your breathing. If you have ringing in your ears, listen to that. (You will eventually pass through it.) Or concentrate on listening to a whirring fan instead.
When a thought arises, say, "Not now, I need to listen, to just be," and go back to listening. Each time a thought arises or an interruption comes, say, "Not now, I need to listen, to just be." You have the right to do this. It's only for a little while, each morning. (And it may be you need to do this more than any other thing in your life!)
If you absolutely must think something, think of A Course in Miracles. It says:
You need do nothing.
God comes demanding nothing.
If you absolutely must think something, think of Christ's words to seek heaven first and how to do so:
Come apart and rest awhile
Toil not, like the lilies in the field
Neither sow nor reap nor store up in barns
Take no thought for tomorrow
Be as a child (unburdened, unconcerned)
My peace I give to you
Be ye perfect - remember down deep you are perfect - as your father in heaven (within you) is perfect.
After all, thinking this way is only for a little while, each morning. But what a big difference it will make! Usually, from the freedom and relief you experience, due to pointedly doing nothing, there comes a revelation with how to proceed with this day. Or there simply comes peace of mind at going into this day. As stated -- what a big difference this will make.
PERFECT ALIGNMENT WITH ALL
My own daily session often concludes with these phrases, a beautiful revelation that came once from seeking heaven first. It's as if God spoke: "The drop is ONE with the ocean, the cell is ONE with the body, the human is ONE with all beings, the Self is ONE with God. Because you exist, the Universe is complete, and all is well."
The rest is just details. And even though details can be overwhelming, there's always your pleasurable and nourishing freedom session to anticipate tomorrow morning, your daily, go-deep-and-peaceful-and-get-inspired special time that you give yourself first thing. (And if you're really smart - you'll sneak in some loving, do-nothing moments here and there throughout the day!)
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P.S. I have converted my Alignment-With-All phrases - "the drop is ONE with the ocean..." to a powerful visual reminder of this blissful state. On a poster featuring gold lettering, the phrases surround a dreamy photo of a sunset over the Pacific Ocean. This is available to you on the Products page.
TOP HEALTHY THINKING, AT HOME, IN SOCIETY
(YOUR RIGHTS, OTHERS' RIGHTS)
1. You have the right to be human, not perfect.
2. Others around you have the right to be human, not perfect.
3. You have the right to express annoyance and anger.
4. You have the right to solve the problems-with-others that cause your anger.
5. You have the right to learn how to assert your rights while respecting others'.
6. You have the right to express your own feelings and opinions.
7. Others around you have the right to express their feelings and opinions.
8. You have the right to not be liked by everyone.
9. You have the right to expect to be listened to.
10. Others have the right to expect you to listen to them.
11. You have the right to ask for what you want.
12. Others have the right to not be able to give what you want.
13. You have the right to refuse requests without feeling guilty.
14. You have the right to make mistakes.
15. You have the right to change your mind.
16. Others involved with you have the right to know if you have changed your mind in ways that affect them.
17. You have the right to make your decisions and to accept the consequences of your decisions.
18. You have the right to say, "I don't know."
19. You have the right to find the best way for you.
20. You have the right for compensation if someone seriously harmed you. But if justice and compensation are not forthcoming, you have the ability - with community support - to recover and live positively, IF that is what you choose to learn.
Connie Cook Smith. Box 405, Canton IL 61520 December, 1999
(Thanks to various inspirational teachers, and to the emphasis on RIGHTS at Community Mental Health in Canton, Illinois)
Holographic
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