Moving Rocks

A little boy was spending his Saturday morning playing in his sandbox. He had with him his box of cars and trucks, his plastic pail, and a shiny, red plastic shovel. In the process of creating roads and tunnels in the soft sand, he discovered a large rock in the middle of the sandbox.

The boy dug around the rock, managing to dislodge it from the dirt. With a little bit of struggle, he pushed and nudged the rock across the sandbox by using his feet. (He was a very small boy, and the rock was very large.) When the boy got the rock to the edge of the sandbox however, he found that he couldn't roll it up and over the little wall.

Determined, the little boy shoved, pushed, and pried, but every time he thought he had made some progress, the rock tipped and then fell back into the sandbox. The little boy grunted, struggled, pushed, & shoved; but his only reward was to have the rock roll back, smashing his chubby fingers.

Finally he burst into tears of frustration. All this time the boy's father watched from his living room window as the drama unfolded. At the moment the tears fell, a large shadow fell across the boy and the sandbox. It was the boy's father. Gently but firmly he said,

"Son, why didn't you use all the strength that you had available?"

Defeated, the boy sobbed back,

"But I did, Daddy, I did! I used all the strength that I had!"

"No, son," corrected the father kindly.

"You didn't use all the strength you had. You didn't ask me."

With that the father reached down, picked up the rock and removed it from the sandbox.

Do you have "rocks" in your life that need to be removed? Are you discovering that you don't have what it takes to lift them? There is One who is always available to us and willing to give us the strength we need. Isn't it funny how we try so hard to do things ourselves.

Posted by Susan@Healing Journeys at 5:15 AM EST

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Artwork by Janaka

"Initiation"

by Gary Springfield

The word initiation means to initiate action with impeccability, the synonym of impeccability being purity of heart. In our spiritual growth the initiations that we pass through are successive periods of spiritual tension, also known as points of crisis, where we learn how to embody more of the three divine qualities of power, wisdom and love. When we successively pass through these points of crisis our actions are then initiated from a higher place in consciousness that is ever more pure, loving and wise.

In some spiritual teachings and wisdom schools they enumerate the minor initiations where you are taught how to release some of the grosser aspects of the personality such as aggressiveness, moodiness, and emotionality in general. This is all well and good, but once we have stepped onto the path of spirituality, and have made a commitment to walk the narrow path that leads to the inner Christ, then goodness, grace, and love should already be a major part of our self-expression.

For our study here we will discuss the major initiations, which are four in number and are called the birth, the baptism, enlightenment and transfiguration. These lead to the fifth initiation which is the level of the Master who can no longer be limited and over shadowed even by our physical world of form. Like Christ, these individuals heal the ill and infirm, are able to manifest loaves and fishes and even raise the dead. The Master is able to traverse the spiritual realms of light, as well as the physical realms, in full consciousness and is the custodian of arch-typical information that sets the stage for the evolutionary awakening of mankind for thousands of years in the future.

It is said that over two thousand years ago there was a divine plan that was set in motion by the Masters of the Wisdom that began to prepare the land, that we now know as America, for the unfolding of a new life wave of humanity. In this grand scheme brave Souls would sail the seas and discover a New World where the virtues of truth, demoracry and freedom could be embodied for the first time in Earth’s history. Through subsequent conflict and crisis this new and vibrant seed would be called upon to spread the word of freedom throughout the world and, overtime, this would eventually usher in the new Golden Age of Peace on Earth. We are the progeny of this seed and through our spiritual awakening and transformation the divine flowers of wisdom, love and joy are blooming in our hearts and minds. This sweet perfume, of spiritual hope for the world, is now wafting through the ethers, inviting all of humanity into a place of peace and plenitude.

In the major initiations the first initiation is called the birth of the Christ child. It is during this point of spiritual training that we, as the now awakened and indwelling Soul, begin to impose a new rhythm of balance and harmony upon the physical body. Up until now the physical body has often been an automaton that has demanded that it’s baser appetites of food, drink, sexuality and sensuality be fed at its whim and desire. With the awakening of the indwelling spirit, or Soul, you learn how to monitor and watch the physical body, feeding it foods that are higher vibrational and more appropriate for spiritual development. The monkey mind of superfluous thoughts and inane chatter is trained through meditation and spiritual practices to rest within this new found silence as an instrument of the Soul. Even sexual energy is no longer squandered for the shear pleasure of the experience and it slowly evolves to become an intimate sharing of communion and union between two Souls. These individuals have learned how to love themselves first of all and, with that love, share it….rather than give it away in a chimerical need to be validated and accepted.

At the same time within the second chakra, which is a hands breadth below the navel, as well as the symbolic area of the womb in both men and women, you can begin to feel the stirring of a new life force. This is the awakening and the birth of the magical child within you. Up until now most people have lived from their woundedness; needing to be validated and accepted by someone or something in the outer world in order to feel good enough about themselves. In our society the unresolved wounds of childhood create the proverbially masks that people wear in order to make themselves good enough in the eyes of family, friends or the world. Money, power, sex and glamour are the acceptable masks of society while the dysfunctional masks of drugs, alcohol, obesity and psychological disorders are condemned. Nonetheless, all of these masks are but a call for love from a magical child-like part of each human being that wanted to be unconditionally loved just for who they are and not for what they do.

When we begin to recognize and love the inner child we reconnect with that pure and perfect essence that was seeded into the child at our biological birth. This is the Divine light of the Soul that is symbolic of the inner Christ. Your mother and father prepared a physical body, but the authentic life force that animated the physical body is the indwelling spirit that descended from the wisdom realm of the Soul. The first initiation is the reawakening of this Divine essence within you through your own power, wisdom and love. With this birth initiation you are now called forth to become the mother and the father of the newly awakened inner child. With great patience, dedication and spiritual resolve you will nurture and grow this Divine child within you until, eventually, it will grow forth to become one of the awakened Sons and Daughters in Christ.

This is why you, as the awakening Soul, must now impose a new rhythm of harmony and balance upon the physical body through meditation, emotional clearing and yoga, which means focused movement of the body, so that it might become a fitting temple wherein the pure light of the Soul might dwell. This will be the temple not made with hands, but a living temple made in heaven through the power and love of the indwelling Christ.

Gary Springfield is a visionary, spiritual teacher, healer and meditation master who has dedicated his life to the path of enlightenment.  The purpose of his work is to help individuals achieve the mystical marriage between spirit and matter, which creates Divine Alchemy. This allows the light of the Soul, as spirit, to live fully integrated within form.

Posted by Susan@Healing Journeys at 4:41 AM EST

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

 by Susan

A Clearer Understanding "Good"/"Bad  "Negative"/Positivef Thoughts:

Hopefully you will find here a clearer understanding of the definition of Positive (Good) Thoughts and Negative (Bad) Thoughts so that we might better understand ourselves, others, our behaviors, our community, our world, our interactions with others and our chosen lifestyle. 

It is my perception that each of us has the right, freedom and responsibility to choose what path we take in Life and our beliefs.     Because of that freedom we, alone, are held accountable for the choices we make and suffer the consequences whether it be good or bad.

 I personally find this to be a good test for me in making decisions pertaining to my daily life, my thoughts, my actions, my interaction with my community, my friends, my family, my relationships, mankind in general, my personal beliefs regarding religion, God, (Higher Being) and the personal choice of lifestyle that works best for me.  

I find that whatever I am focused on whether it is thought or deed does not bring harm to anyone or anything on this planet and produces good then it is the right thing for me to do.  However, if it brings hurt, injury, pain, suffering or degrades another in any way then I choose not to engage in it.  

“A man is but the product of his thoughts what he thinks, he becomes.”

 Mahatma Gandhi quotes (Indian Philosopher, internationally esteemed for his doctrine of nonviolent protest, 1869-1948)

Definition of Positive (adjective)

free from doubt or hesitation characterized by or displaying affirmation or acceptance or certainty; Having a real position, existence, or energy; existing in fact; real; actual;. Persuaded of; very sure; involving advantage or good; "a plus (or positive) factor" [syn: plus]

Positive (adj) Definition: beneficial, helpful

Antonyms: disadvantageous, negative, unhelpful

Positive (adj)Definition: definite, certain

Antonyms: doubtful, indefinite, negative, uncertain, unsure

Definition Of Good:

Good- ( noun)    Something that contributes to or increases one's well-being: advantage, benefit, interest (often used in plural), profit;: The quality or state of being morally sound: goodness, morality, probity, rectitude, righteousness, rightness, uprightness, virtue, virtuousness.      *Also see right/wrong.

Good(adj) Definition: authentic, real

Antonyms: fake, false, forged, phony, unreal

Good (adj) Definition: competent, skilled

Antonyms: incompetent, unqualified, unskilled, unsuitable

Good(adj) Definition: considerable

Antonyms: inconsequential, inconsiderable, unsatisfactory

Good(adj) Definition: kind, giving

Antonyms: bad, mean, unkind, vicious

Good (adj) Definition: moral, virtuous

Antonyms: evil, immoral, improper, naughty, noxious, sinful, unvirtuous, vile, wicked

Good (adj) Definition: pleasant, fine

Antonyms: bad, detestable, disagreeable, unpleasant

Good (adjDefinition: reliable; untainted

Antonyms: corrupt, noxious, rotten, tainted, unreliable, unwholesome

Definition Of Negative: having a bad, detrimental or injurious influence;

 Sometimes used as an alternate way of saying "no" (the opposite of "affirmative")

1. Designed or tending to discredit, especially without positive or helpful suggestions; "negative criticism"[syn: damaging] a reply of denial; To refuse to approve; veto.
2. To deny; contradict.
3. To demonstrate to be false; disprove.
4. To counteract or neutralize.

Negative (adjective)

Tending to discourage, retard, or make more difficult: adverse, disadvantageous, unadvantageous, unfavorable, unsatisfactory, untoward.

Negative (adj): bad, contradictory
Opposite : affirmative, good, positive
Negative (adj) : contradiction
Opposite: affirmation, positive

Definition of Bad:

 Bad-adj Below a standard of quality;Morally objectionable;Misbehaving, often in a troublesome way;

Bad (adj)Definition: decayed

Antonyms: good, ok, undecayed

Bad (adj) Definition: harmful

Opposite (antonyms): advantageous, beneficial, benevolent, good, honest, profitable, virtuous

Bad (adj)Definition: immoral

Antonyms: good, honest, just, reputable, right, true, virtuous

Bad (adj) Definition: of poor quality

Antonyms: acceptable, excellent, good, satisfactory, superior, worthy

"Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you'll start having positive results. - Willie Nelson

“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”   Winston Churchill quotes (British Orator, Author and Prime Minister during World War II. 1874-1965)

“The best thing to give to your enemy is forgiveness; to an opponent, tolerance; to a friend, your heart; to your child, a good example; to a father, deference; to your mother, conduct that will make her proud of you; to yourself, respect; to all men, charity.” -

 Benjamin Franklin quotes (American Statesman, Scientist, Philosopher, Printer, Writer and Inventor. 1706-1790)

“There is little difference in people, but that little difference makes a big difference. The little difference is attitude. The big difference is whether it is positive or negative.”-

 W. Clement Stone quotes (American best selling Author and Founder of Combined Insurance Co (now a part of Aon Corp.), 1902-2002)

“It takes but one positive thought when given a chance to survive and thrive to overpower an entire army of negative thoughts.”-

 Robert H. Schuller quotes (American Reformed Church Minister, Entrepreneur and Author, b. b.1926)

Posted by Susan@Healing Journeys at 5:12 AM EST

Updated: Tuesday, 23 December 2008 5:42 AM EST

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

( A story about quitting or giving up)

The Fern and the Bamboo.....

One day I decided to quit....
I quit my job, my relationship, my Spirituality...
I wanted to quit my life.
I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.

"God", I said.
"Can You give me one good reason not to quit?"

His answer surprised me...

"Look around", He said.
"Do you see the fern and the bamboo?"

"Yes", I replied.

"When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them. I gave them light. I gave them water. The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor. Nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.

In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful.
And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo".

He said. "In the third year, there was still nothing from
the bamboo seed.  But I would not quit.

In the fourth year, again, there was nothing from
the bamboo seed.  But I would not quit.

"Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth.
Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant.  But
 just 6 months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall.

It had spent the five years growing roots.  Those roots made it strong
and gave it what it needed to survive.

I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle."

He said to me. "Did you know, my child, that all this time
you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots? 

 I would not quit on the bamboo.  I will never quit on you.  Don't compare yourself to others."

He said. "The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern, yet, they
both make the forest beautiful. Your time will come you will rise high!”

"How high should I rise?" I asked. "How high will the bamboo rise?"  He asked in return.

"As high as it can?" I questioned. "Yes." He said, "Give Me glory by rising as high as you can."

I left the forest and brought back this story.

I hope these words can help you see that God will never give up on you... Never regret one single day or experience of your life.

Posted by Susan@Healing Journeys at 5:05 AM EST

Updated: Tuesday, 23 December 2008 5:50 AM EST

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Thomas Edison

It was a cold December night in West Orange, New Jersey. Thomas Edison's factory was humming with activity. Work was proceeding on a variety of fronts as the great inventor was trying to turn more of his dreams into practical realities. Edison's plant, made of concrete and steel, was deemed "fireproof". As you may have already guessed, it wasn't!

On that frigid night in 1914, the sky was lit up by a sensational blaze that had burst through the plant roof. Edison's 24-year-old son, Charles, made a frenzied search for his famous inventor-father. When he finally found him, he was watching the fire. His white hair was blowing in the wind. His face was illuminated by the leaping flames. "My heart ached for him," said Charles. "Here he was, 67 years old, and everything he had worked for was going up in flames. When he saw me, he shouted, 'Charles! Where's your mother?' When I told him I didn't know, he said, 'Find her! Bring her here! She'll never see anything like this as long as she lives.'"

Next morning, Mr. Edison looked at the ruins of his factory and said this of his loss: "There's value in disaster. All our mistakes are burned up. Thank God, we can start anew."

What a wonderful perspective on things that seem at first to be so disastrous. A business failure, divorce, personal dream gone sour . . . whether these things destroy an individual depends largely on the attitude he or she takes toward them. Sort out why it happened, and learn something from the blunders. Think of different approaches that can be taken.

Start over.

Posted by Susan@Healing Journeys at 5:01 AM EST

Updated: Tuesday, 23 December 2008 5:54 AM EST

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

"Fear is the foundation of all human limitations."
Benny the Jet

Benny the Jet was a fighter, a kickboxer. Although very small in stature he has ventured to fight much larger opponents in full contact tournaments and he has beaten them. An achievement which earned him some acclaim.

Before you say, "hey! I thought that this was a spiritual publication" think carefully and reflect over your life. What fears have stopped you doing something and what rewards have you missed out on?

Fear is only an emotion not a brick wall.

We have discovered that you are not your thoughts. We have discovered that you are not your emotions. Thoughts and emotions happen through you as a result of you interactions with the world based on your perception of the past.

What you must realise is that all of the thoughts and emotions you have.......

1. Can be changed to suit you.

2. Do not have to determine your actions, or you don't have to act on them.

Last time you learned of goals and setting targets.

It is important to move forward into the direction that you wish to go. I deliberately use the words 'move into' because that's what you do. You don't move towards your goal as if it was a never reachable / achievable ideal. You literally merge with it.

You move forward and become what you want.

What stops you?    Fear.

Fear is an interesting emotion and comes from a series of thoughts.

These thoughts are expressed and form a picture of what you don't want to happen.

The ideal is to focus on what you do want to happen.

Whatever you focus on you move towards.

Just because you have a series of thoughts that

 create an emotion does not mean that you can't act. The emotion is independent of the ability to act. 

Here are some physical examples that illustrate the possibilities.

If you are about to parachute from an aeroplane you may feel fear but you can still perform the action.

A fighter may feel fear whilst he faces his opponent but he can still perform.

You may feel fear at the thought of public speaking. You can still actually speak whilst in the company of this emotion.

If you look at the pattern of thoughts that precede the emotion you will see that your focus is on what you do not wish to happen.

There is a direct correlation between the amount of thought you give in this direction to the power of your fear.

Of course there are other factors that complicate this illustration.

You may have had a prior negative experience which usually increases your fear. I know if you look closely you will find the same pattern of thoughts that lead to the emotion of fear.

A thought or series of thoughts have as much power over you as you give them.

It's not always as easy as the physical examples I have given. For the relationship between action and emotion is quite obvious. Here are some common but more intangible ways fear manifests and stops you moving ahead and into your goals.

Fear of Responsibility.

Responsibility means to have control or authority over something. In relation to your life you must realise that you are responsible for your actions.

You are the agent and the cause of everything that happens to you. You are in control.

The fear enters when you think in terms of good and bad, instead of cause and effect.

Thinking in terms of good and bad is the way you are conditioned. You must realise that no person is in a position to judge you.

If you take an action it has a consequence. If you make a mistake this does not mean you are bad. It means that you have made a mistake.

If you want a different result then I would do something different next time. With the help of mistakes you learn, those of you who can walk, actually learnt this through a series of mistakes.

Fear of Accountability.

To be accountable means that you are answerable to someone or something. We are answerable to ourselves. I don't mean to the self that manifests itself as your ego. I mean to yourself that is the true being hidden behind the ego.

This is the part of you that wants you to be the best you can be, it wills you to strive for excellence.

To be accountable to your true self is difficult because your ego is tasked with the job of keeping this true self from you so that you are protected from certain things such as emotional pain.

The fear comes from the fact that to be accountable to yourself you often have to venture a path that is apart from the crowd. This requires your individual idea's and desires to manifest. You may have been punished or ridiculed for either your mistakes or your idea's by others. This leads to conditioning that chains you to someone else's pattern of thought.

Fear of Success.

Fear of success is prevalent and is often linked to self esteem and responsibility.

You may not think you are worthy of success.

You may believe that you are worth less than someone else and therefore are not deserving of success.

Realise that you are equal as a human being with the rest of humanity and that no one person is any better or worse than you.

You have your own set of challenges to work through.

You are just as deserving of success as anyone else. What judgment have you made that limit your own self esteem.

Are you happy with yourself can you look yourself in the eye via a mirror and love yourself.

When success comes we move from an old pattern that has held us back, to a new pattern.

This can create emotional turbulence in the lives of those around us. It is important that you understand that you don't have to hold yourself back to protect the self esteem of others.

Many of these expressions of fear are closely intertwined and indistinguishable from one another.

It is important that you concentrate on what you want, not what you don't want. Realise that thoughts create their power over you through your emotions.

Your power comes through awareness of the process and observation of the hold that is over you. Awareness brings what is hidden into the light. The light shows you that you can be in control.

Posted by Susan@Healing Journeys at 4:41 AM EST

Updated: Tuesday, 23 December 2008 5:56 AM EST

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

By Susan

"duty" is an anti-concept which obscures the Law of Causality. Such a thing has no real existence. There is only choice and by Causality, the consequences of choice.

There is nothing that a man has 'got to do' except die. Reality gives us a great many "musts," but they are conditional and really mean "you must, if --" and the if stands for man's choice: "--if you want to be alive tomorrow in this desert, you must drink water today." You must practice, if you want to be an all-star football player. You must obey the law, if you wish to avoid prison.

In order for a man to achieve his goals he must make choices. To make the choices, a man needs to constantly and automatically be aware of the principle of causality.

It is causality -- not "duty" -- that guides one in considering, evaluating and choosing one's actions, especially those needed to achieve a long-range goal.

Gift- something bestowed freely:

When you are in the service of your fellow beings you are only in the service of your God.

The importance of serving others can never be over emphasized. What are we here for if not to serve our friends and loved ones? The golden rule says, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” King Benjamin said, “When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.” That’s a powerful statement, but true.

How many of us think of others who need us but we feel that we are too busy to help? In the heat of the day, when we are trying to get something done, have we ever answered the call for help when someone asks? If we happen to know someone is sick, feeling down, depressed, and needs our support or help, do we stop what we’re doing and give a call to see how he or she is doing or give a helping hand? Following is an unusual story, which will touch anyone’s heart. It’s a story of love and compassion.

The Seattle Special Olympics only had nine contestants that were ready to run a 100-yard dash; all of them were children that were physically or mentally handicapped. When the gun sounded, they took off, each one hoping to win the race. Joy filled their souls, as they thought about the reward up ahead and how proud their parents would be if they were the one to win. Every parent and relative cheered them on, calling out their names and encouraging them. One of them would be able to display their son or daughter’s trophy in their living room for all to see.

As they ran, nearing the finish line, one small boy stumbled and fell to the ground. Upon hearing the boy weep, the eight contestants slowed down and looked back. Their hearts went out to him and each one of them turned around and went back and helped the young boy to his feet. All thoughts of winning had left their minds because a comrade was in trouble.

A girl with Down’s Syndrome kissed him on the cheek and said, “This will make it better.”

All nine contestants linked arms and walked together to the finish line. There was not a dry eye in the congregation when they saw that one act of compassion and love for another. Every one in the Stadium stood and cheered and clapped with tears in their eyes.

What really matters in our lives is helping others win. It is not where we serve, but how we serve, and we must serve with love. We have our rewards when we serve, rewards that bring us great joy.

So, you see Sweetie, it is our perception of those actions of service that we perform for others and our intentions in performing those services that is important. What is in our heart?  Are we serving ourselves or are we serving God, The Universe and Others?

Posted by Susan@Healing Journeys at 4:32 AM EST

Updated: Tuesday, 23 December 2008 6:00 AM EST

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

A traveling preacher finds himself in a tremendous rainstorm.

Within a few hours the hotel he is staying in becomes flooded. As the water rises, the preacher climbs to the roof and starts praying.

"Lord, save me so I can continue on my mission of preaching your gospel."

Just then, a coast guard rescue party floats by in a rowboat. "Let's go mister. Into the boat."

"I'll stay here," says the preacher, "The Lord will save me."

An hour later a second boat reaches the scene and the water is close to the roof of the hotel. "Sir, you better get in. the water is still rising."

"No thanks. The Lord will be my salvation."

Toward evening, the hotel is almost completely under water and the preacher is clinging to the satellite dish on the roof. A helicopter is spotted and on a loudspeaker is heard "Hello Sir, grab on to the line and we will pull you up. This is your last chance.

"I'm all right," says the preacher, as he looks heavenward. "I know the Lord will provide sanctuary."

As the boat departs, the satellite dish is hit by lightning and the preacher is killed. When he arrived at the Pearly Gates he was furious.

"What happened, " he shouts. "I thought the Lord would provide!"

Moments later a thunderous voice is heard. "Gimmie a break pal. I sent you 2 boats and a chopper"

Posted by Susan@Healing Journeys at 4:26 AM EST

Updated: Tuesday, 23 December 2008 6:03 AM EST

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink