V
For much of my life, I believed I was a victim. Whether it was circumstances, or other people’s behavior, my “poor me” thoughts were a habit that was hard to break. Then I discovered The Work of Byron Katie—a simple yet profound method of self-inquiry—and everything began to change. As Katie says, “A thought is harmless unless we believe it.”
Since Christmas, I came to notice some repeating “victim” thoughts that were dampening my spirit. By questioning my thinking and turning it around, I realized that those beliefs were victimizing me and other people around me.
Jesus taught us to be vigilant, and I know that critisizing and blaming others are the kinds of thoughts we need to become aware of. They are like clouds blocking the brilliance of our true natures.
My new year resolution is to be more vigilant of negative thoughts, and to continue loving what is.
“There is nothing to fear but fear itself.” –FDR
Jesus’ words, “Do not be afraid, for I am with you,” carry a timeless spiritual reassurance, calling us to transcend fear through faith and divine connection. “The Work” helps me recognize that fear stems from scary thoughts. When I question those persistent thoughts, I can bring the light of understanding to my darkest fears. This process aligns with the essence of Jesus’ message, and draws me closer to “the peace that surpasses all understanding.”
The spiritual essence of The Work lies in its capacity to bring us back to a state of grace, where fear no longer defines us. Jesus’ assurance, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you,” becomes our lived reality when we turn around the fearful thoughts that separate us from this divine gift. Each turnaround allows us to see life through the eyes of love rather than fear. In this sacred practice, we discover that fear, when met with inquiry and faith, becomes a doorway to deeper spiritual growth, leading us into the freedom and trust that Jesus promised.
Merry Christmas Everyone!
JUST TWO
The Maga Christians are passing laws requiring public schools to post the 10 Commandments in their classrooms. (So much for separation of church and state.) And you'd think as Christians they would know that Jesus left us with just two commandments: 1. that we love God with all our hearts and souls and 2. that we love our neighbors as ourselves. I think of those more as promises—the more we evolve in self-realization, the more we will love Great Spirit and each other.
God is Love and so are we.
Thinking about forgiveness: the key to happiness, extremely important in our awakening process. A huge help to me is The Work of Byron Katie. As I fill out the Judge-Your-Neighbor worksheet about someone I think has hurt me, all my beliefs about that person pour out in six statements that I can work on. When I question those beliefs (ask 4 questions & turn it around) several truths surface to show me a kinder way.
I've also found it very helpful to contemplate what I might have done in past lives. Like, maybe I was male warrior who felt entitled to beat or rape women, maybe in front of their children. My soul knows what I need to experience in this life to balance, or to fully understand past karma. And forgiving a person in this lifetime means also forgiving that person I once was in a past life.
How do I know I'm arguing with reality? First I notice the feeling; if it's negative, like fear, anger, sorrow, etc. then I ask myself what am I thinking? Actually thoughts create the emotion, but the feeling is like an alarm clock that yells, “Wake up!” The thoughts that argue with reality are the “shoulds and shouldn'ts” like “He should___. She shouldn't___. They should___. I shouldn't.” See statement 3 on the worksheet. When I believe these thoughts, I cause my own unhappiness, and I may need to do a worksheet to get free from that.
I am reminded that “Is is, and all the rest is story.” There is one universal law—the law of cause and effect. If you believe in reincarnation, then you understand that karma is that same law at play in human lives. Rather than arguing with reality, and judging ourselves and others, we can balance our karma with forgiveness and love. Then, with a clear mind, we do what is ours to do to contribute toward a more just and peaceful world.
As Edgar Cayce in trance often counseled, “Do what your hands find to do today.”
Once I was so attached to the belief that I needed love and approval from someone else, it took me 3 years in a relationship with a guy who regularly found fault with me, to finish The Work that set me free. When I was critisized I cried, and then I did a worksheet. Each time I felt freer, and more aware of the low self-esteem I had lived with most of my life. I grew to love myself, to accept and approve of myself. That guy was there to teach me by pushing my buttons, which sent me into self-inquiry. I left him finally, with love in my heart.
ps: It wasn't long before I found myself with someone who never faults me, and we've lived together in harmony for 9 years so far. Smile.
Lately I've been reading "Revelations", the last book of the Bible, and "Earth Changes", Edgar Cayce's explanations while in trance. Both books are helping me to understand what is happening in the world today. Some changes in the geography of the Earth are gradual, and natural, while others are caused by human disregard for our planet home. These are gathering strength and are obvious in weather extremes, famines, flooding, and disruptions among the animal and plant kingdoms. Also, there are greater extremes in politics, bad actors in power, confusion, fear, and destructive ideologies.
Everything boils down to cause and effect, the universal law. Along with all the "mess", there are enlightened causes, global determination to clean up the planet, wonderful advances toward humanitarian solutions and equality, etc. There was a song in the 60's, (can't remember who) that went "Last night I had the strangest dream, I ever dreamed before. I dreamed the world all agreed to put an end to war."
A reminder from the Christ to each of us to "Love God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself."
Who am I?
That is what I desperately wanted to know in 1972 as I was meditating on a sofa in a friend's home on Long Island, NY. Suddenly there was nothing but bright white light, everywhere, infinite. No "I", just the Light. Then I had a thought...and there was a "me" again. The thought was, "Do I have to come back?" But of course, with the thought I was back. But since then I've always known who I am (and who you are.) Still with plenty to learn and karma to balance out, but always knowing who we are.
