The Light Within

The human mind thrives on novelty.

What was once a source of pleasure can become tedious after a time. Though our lives are full, boredom lurks around every corner because we innately long for new experiences. Yet boredom, by its very nature, is passive.

In the idle state of mind, which is boredom, we may feel frustrated at our inability to channel our mental energy into productive or engaging tasks. We may even attempt to lose ourselves in purposeless or self-destructive pursuits.

I spend most of my time, as I work on my consulting project, either in a state of extreme busyness or extreme boredom. It is during the times of extreme boredom that I wander, both in mind and in body.

While this can be a sign of depression, it can also be an invitation issued from God, asking us to challenge ourselves.

Boredom can become the motivation that drives us to learn, explore the exotic, and harness the boundless creative energies which thrive within us.

In Hindu and Buddhist traditions, boredom is perceived as a pathway to self-awareness. Boredom itself is not detrimental to the soul. However, it is the manner in which we respond to it that determines whether it becomes a positive or a negative influence in our lives.

When we respond by actively filling the emptiness we feel lurking in ourselves, we cultivate creativity and innovation.

When we find ourselves in the grasp of boredom, we have an opportunity to create a list of tasks we can turn to when it feels as though there is simply nothing to do.

Referring to a list of topics we want to learn more about, projects we have yet to begin, or even pending chores can spark our creative energy and reawaken our zest for life.

I always keep a list of chores and of fun things as an agenda. Often, when bored or otherwise preoccupied, I begin a list of annoyances which I would like to correct.

I ask that you take a moment to view this link. It is a "take off", if you will, of "I've Got A Little List" from Gilbert & Sullivan's opera "The Mikado". It's quite brilliant.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJJzGoyKH4c&feature=related

Now, I've digressed but I'm certain that the song did something for you.

When we are presented with boredom, it is not that there is nothing to do but rather that we are not stimulated by the options before us. A bored mind can be the canvas upon which innovation is painted and the womb in which novelty is nourished.

When we identify boredom as a signal that we need to test our boundaries, it can be the force that presses us to strive for opportunities that we otherwise thought were beyond our reach and we can indulge our desire for adventure.

Every change that I've made in my life, every addition to Fairview (my home), every new adventure, has come from when my idle mind, in all its boredom, has grasped the opportunity to explore and become inspired.

After all, isn't boredom nothing more than inspiration at rest?

We all know inspiration when we feel it. It is a force that enlivens us and activates us to do something.

We might dance, sing, paint the house, or envision a new change.

We might call an old friend or plan a trip abroad.

Whatever the case, doing what we do from a place of inspiration makes all things seem possible. Inspiration often comes out of nowhere, from boredom, landing unexpectedly in the midst of our lives and lifting us out of our habitual mindset and into a higher level of vision.

We can, however, be more intentional in our relationship with inspiration other than just waiting for it to come to us. There are many ways to cultivate its presence, from journaling, to photographing, visiting with a particularly interesting friend.

Finding what inspires us, and consciously cultivating it, gives us access to new ways of thinking and energy we never knew we had.

Sometimes, we can be inspired by trips into nature. I'll never forget the walks I took with my dog Otto to the stream near Fairview. Sometimes the walks were out of boredom, other times they were out of need for balance.

We often keep mementos, such as a box full of objects, a seashell, an old photograph, or any collection of other items that does the trick.

They offer fond memories to us and provide us with inspiration to live on.

There are as many ways to find inspiration as there are people looking for it.

Once we understand what inspires us, we need to find a way to incorporate it into our lives on a regular basis.

If we aren't sure what inspires us, or if it changes, we need to take some time to prayerfully reflect upon it.

When was the last time we felt the spark of our imagination?

When was the last time we acted on an impulse that felt totally right?

When was the last time we decided to spend a moment together to embrace our friendship?

When we are in the presence of The Spirit that inspires us, we hear our Spirit more clearly, nearly, and dearly, and we have the energy to follow its cues.

If it has been a while since we have been touched by inspiration, we might feel listless and dissatisfied.

It is then that we need to know and remember what it is that can turn things around by embracing what lights us up and bringing that into our lives in order for us to shine brilliantly forward with the Spirit that lives within us so that we may share our light with those whom we are called to love and serve.

So, I ask that we take our times of boredom and see them as opportunities for us to listen to God and focus on those who need us, give thanks for all we have, and find a path on which to shine our own light.

Our light is too precious of a gift to not share.

With Love & light,

Rob

We Are One In The Spirit

We Are One In The Spirit ... A Reflection on The Ascension

We are one with the universe, and we are one with The Spirit. Very often we do not realize that. When we do embrace that reality, however, it quickens our spiritual energy and allows us access to higher realms of consciousness. It is when we are in those higher realms where lies the awareness that we are more than just finite physical beings living one life in one place at one point in time. Connecting with this awareness is to awaken to the truth and take a step forward, and upward, on our spiritual journey. This upward movement is known as ascension because the more we remember who we are and we mbody that truth, the higher our energy vibrates. We ascend up the scale from the physical sense of being and acknowledge our spiritual existence. As we ascend, we gain consciousness of the more subtle aspects of our being, with the ultimate outcome being a complete identification with the light that lives within us. The light which is released subtly with each breath we take. The light which explodes forward when we ascend past our earthbound existence.

As we look around ourselves, we see that many people are not even the least bit interested in these ideas. Others are open and embracing of these realities. Still others have devoted their lives to deepening their understanding of the truth. All these people are on the path of spiritual ascension, but we ascend at different rates while here on Earth. We each choose our own path. The more devoted a person is to embracing and being guided by The Spirit, the more quickly our level of consciousness will ascend. These people are at the forefront of an important process of raising the energetic vibration of the whole planet.

The earth, made of the same energy and from the same God as we are, is undergoing this shift along with us. This evolutionary process, while seemingly chaotic at times, is as natural as the process that unfolds a flower from a seed and we are all part of it.

We also need to acknowledge and remember that the Earth is also on her own ascension path as she is sentient.

The best way to support this process in ourselves and in the world is simply to relax and be open to its unfolding. We need to listen to our inner guidance, The Spirit, and let it guide us to the path that brings our hearts the most joy.

After all, that is simply what God wants for us.

There is a wonderful song written by Peter Scholte. In the spirit of interfaith alliance, I am excluding the chorus because I do not believe that God's unconditional love is limited to Christianity. Please also view the YouTube link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acqRe5MxWA0&feature=related

We are One in The Spirit

We are One in The Spirit,
We are One in The Lord.
We are One in The Spirit,
We are One in The Lord.
And we pray that all unity may one day be restored.

We will work with each other,
We will work side by side.
We will work with each other,
We will work side by side.
And we'll guard each man's dignity
And save each man's pride.

We will walk with each other,
We will walk hand in hand.
We will walk with each other,
We will walk hand in hand.
And together we'll spread the News
that God is in our land.

Now wouldn't it be grand if we would just allow ourselves to be one in The Spirit and one in The Lord?

What a world, what a life it would be; and God would be so pleased, I believe He would weep.

With love & light,

Rob