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Issue #1228 - Tuesday, October, 15,
2002 - editor: michael
Non-Dual Highlights and Other Fishy Stuff
the egg?
+++++++++++++++++++++
it's the spiritual
Spiritual Chickology
Question Everything
Condemn Nothing
Align Yourself With What You Want
To us, spirituality is the process of exploring our connection to
the universe at large---or, more precisely, to the elusive power
that holds the universe together and makes our hair grow, all at
the same time. OK, but what is this power were talking
about? Science calls it Energy or Consciousness, and theology
calls it God or Spirit. The interpretation of this power varies
(scientists measure and quantify its effects, while creationists
ascribe human-like body parts and personality traits to it), but
there are three general characteristics that are more or less
consistentthis power is everywhere, knows everything and
can do anything. Now, thats a kick ass power. We use terms
like God, energy, Spirit and consciousness, along with Nature and
the One Life, interchangeably. But its all the same
ever-present stuff.
So if energy, or God, is everywhere, then where are we? And who
are we? This brings us to the definition of one final term---the
One Life Principle. This ancient idea says that there is a single
underlying power in the universe, but the expression of this
power takes many forms---baseball players, puppies, exotic
dancers, Supreme Court Justices, rocks, trees, even criminals.
And, while you might not be ready to jump on the One Life
bandwagon just yet, you must admit that this principle explains a
lot about life---not the least of which is how Jerry Falwell,
Larry Flint and Mother Theresa can all be "children of
God." Were all spiritual beings, because were
all Spirit. There you have it. God, or energy, is all there is.
Isnt it a kick in the ass to realize that weve always
been what were trying to become...spiritual, that is?
Think about it. If we are already spiritual beings, then anything
we do is spiritual whether its praying in the highest
temple or taking out the garbage. And because the One Life
expresses itself through many forms, we each have our own way of
exploring our spiritual connection. This means that
somebodys fistfight may be as necessary for enlightenment
as another persons college education. So theres no
need to get into spiritual name calling over whats
"good" and whats "bad." The only thing
we need to consider is will this belief, action, idea or
conversation bring us what we say we want? The spiritual process
is about questioning everything---examining every idea or concept
we have to make sure that it is logical to us, and that it works
for us. But the trick is not to condemn anything in the process.
Everything is spiritual---even stuff that you dont like or
dont agree with. Question everything, but condemn nothing,
then decide what you want and align yourself with it. If we can
manage these three steps, we find that our personal power is the
power of the universe, and life can be pretty great.
[the egg? is actually a virus]
spiritual chicks hold forth at http://www.spiritualchicks.com/Home.htm
Pronoia
--- In SufiMystic marcos lacerda respons to bondzai:
Excellent! I've been getting regular attacks of it lately, -
even if things 'go wrong', that's all right (and they end up not
going wrong really)!
Marcos
--- bondzai had written:
Pronoia:
The suspicion the Universe is a conspiracy on your behalf.
On the terrestrial level, pronoia should be defined as the
opposite of paranoia: the sneaking suspicion others are
conspiring to help you (and you them!). Symptoms include: sudden
attacks of optimism and outbreaks of goodwill.
--- In NondualitySalon Harsha wrote:
If it feels nice don't think twice. Just...
Shower the people you love with love; Show them the
way that you feel.
Things are gonna work out fine, if you only will.
Shower the people you love with love; Show them the
way you feel.
Things are gonna be much better if you only will.
James Taylor
--- In SufiMystic Jan Sultan wrote:
The Little Fish
"Excuse me," said an ocean fish.
"You are older than I, so
can you tell me where to find
this thing they call the ocean?"
"The ocean," said the older fish, "is the thing
you are in now."
"Oh, this? But this is water. What I'm seeking
is the ocean," said the disappointed fish
as he swam away to search elsewhere.
<**************<*>**************>
He came to the master in sannyasi robes. And he spoke
sannyasi language: "For years I have been seeking God.
I have sought him everywhere that he is said to be: on
mountain peaks, the vastness of the desert, the silence
of the cloister, & the dwellings of the poor."
"Have you found him?" the master asked.
"No. I have not. Have you?"
What could the master say? The evening sun was sending
shafts of golden light into the room. Hundreds of sparrows
were twittering on a nearby banyan tree. In the distance
one could hear the sound of highway traffic. A mosquito
droned a warning that it was going to strike . . . . And yet
this man could sit there & say he had not found God.
After a while he left, disappointed, to search elsewhere.
Stop searching, little fish. There isn't anything to look for.
All you have to do is look.
Anthony de Mello