Joy of Living Now

Rain - It's What Happens Here

2010-09-07T07:45:00.000-07:00

Good morning from Portland, Oregon...

I arrived almost a month ago and have had a major time adjusting to the coolness of the weather here. Even a sunny day when the temperature rises to 70, I keep waiting for it to get so much hotter - and, alas, it does not! Then, my friends want to stay out of the sun cause they are too hot - oh my!!!

The almost daily shifting in the sky of clouds, sun, shadow, fog, mist and/or rain is a constant delight, I must say - and can be quite distracting when driving. I actually have found myself stopping on the side of a road just to enjoy the view overhead. Lovely.

In many ways, coming back has been somewhat of a culture shock - especially grocery shopping. The first time I set foot in Safeway again, I audibly was saying to myself, "Oh - look at that" or "How fantastic" - or "How do I choose"!! It is not that we do not have supermarkets in Baja - we do, but the selection is so much more limited. I have been wanting to just go to New Seasons or Whole Foods and "hang-out" - like one would go to the movies. And then the discovery of gelato - specifically pistachio gelato at a local spot in Sellwood. It puts ice cream to shame....

Visiting with my family and friends has been grand, and I have discovered that my 96 year old step-mother does not have health insurance. So, I have appointed myself her advocate and am now researching possibilities to ease the huge - HUGE - pay-out for prescriptions each month. It is somewhat daunting.

When I am at home in Mexico, I swim almost every day - sometimes several times a day, as the pool is about 50 feet from my door. It has made a huge difference in how I feel physically. Honestly, I was somewhat apprehensive about coming to Oregon and putting my body back into this cool and more humid environment especially without my pool.

Then - along came 24-hr Fitness and built a facility just two blocks from where I am staying off of SE Holgate. Yeah. I will now be able to walk a short way and swim which will allow me to maintain my progress. Just have to determine the best times to go...

As I have lost a couple of clothing sizes, I am now on a quest to put on some pounds - along with my exercise. Desserts are the answer! And Papa Haydn (an excellent restaurant with a bountiful and beautiful and delicious dessert menu) is just a few blocks away. Remember that old poster: "Life is short - eat dessert first!" I agree!

It is also delightful and soul-warming to connect with my spiritual family on a regular basis. I do miss the music and the focus on positive shifting of consciousness that is shared in a community. Hopefully, I will be able to bring some of this uplifting and life-altering awareness to the new friends I am making in Mexico through classes and shared study. At least that is my current intention.

Since I desire a deeper and expanded spiritual focus in my life, I trust there are others where I live who desire the same. As Emma Curtis Hopkins teaches, "if I see a need, it is mine to fill." So I am....

Please stay tuned....I will return....

Remember,
You Are Loved In All Ways
Lynn

Leaving for US

2010-08-03T06:59:00.000-07:00

It has been quite sometime - over a month - since I last wrote. Oh my gosh how time just keeps moving so fast.

A friend came to visit a week ago and remarked on how fast the days seem to fly by even without doing much....so true!

I am preparing to fly to Portland for 2 1/2 months after being in Mexico for almost 9 months and there are lots of preparations to make, some of which perplex me. Like my car. What to do with it - where and how to store it, etc. Luckily, here, we have a fantastic internet-communication site where you can write in with questions. I did - and so many people responded with such excellent advice that I now feel confident about leaving my vehicle.

Then there is my cat. Do I take her or leave her? If I take her, the friend who I am staying with in Portland has 3 dogs - not a good idea to bring a cat. So, have found a friend here who is willing to have my cat stay with her which prevents me from boarding her for so long.

Then - the biggest issue - what clothes to bring! Portland is so much cooler than Baja and although I have coats stored there, I have no other things - like a bathrobe. Solution, used clothing stores! That way I can create a "winter" wardrobe to keep in Portland and have fun doing it at the same time.

Well, then again, the biggest issue will probably be in culture, and I am preparing myself now. Mexico is so much slower and not at all as serious about everything as the US can be (which is what I love about it) - so we will see what feelings pop up for me during this time.

If anyone is still reading this blog, and who may be interested, I am teaching the "Relationships: Being Real" class at the Portland Center for Spiritual Living starting in September. The cl is 7 weeks and is truly more than worth the $80 fee. I am excited about teaching it again and highly encourage people to register for it.

So, for now - I bid you farewell. My next note will come from Portland.

Blessings of love in all ways.

Relax, Let Go....aaaahhhh

2010-06-28T08:31:00.000-07:00

For the past couple of weeks, I have watched myself become bound by fearful thoughts. What a disappointment I feel in myself on several levels, and what discoveries I have made in the process.

The situation: My car has California plates which were due to expire in May. When I was in mainland Mexico (once I received my annual visa card), an expiration date on a vehicle did not matter; here in Baja, it does. Many people have been detained by the Federal Police and either (1) asked for payment of a fine immediately in US funds (up to $500); or (2) have the car impounded. The reason "to check if the car has been stolen".

I sent in my payment to renew my plates but could not because I do not have insurance in the US (I have Mexican insurance). I could not get US insurance without an inspection of the car, which I would then have to drive back - which I am unwilling to do.

Enter South Dakota. In SD one does not need insurance to obtain car registration or plates or even live in SD. So I obtained SD plates and had them sent to a friend's in Portland, Oregon. He then sent them UPS to me here in Los Cabos. He sent them "next day" but Mexico does not have air freight - only truck, so it was impossible to get them here from Portland in 2 days - even tho my friend paid $70 for that kind of delivery.

I became fixated on UPS and their tracking system, and in the interim stopped driving from here to Cabo (that highway has Federal jurisdiction) because I was so fearful of being detained.

After the fact, now that the plates are on my car and I can drive anywhere, I realized just how vulnerable I had become, which kicked into high gear my need to control the delivery of the new plates, etc. Let go - have faith - were all wonderful phrases, but I in the midst of my fear, very impossible for me to choose.

So, what was my fear about? Being in a foreign country with very limited use of the language, uncertainty about my rights (if any) both as a temporary visitor and foreigner, the appearance of limited funds to pay a large fine, knowing only a couple of people here, how would I get around without a car, and on and on and on. It also spoke to my history of "doing everything myself" (in other words, attempting to control everything) and having to trust the "system" while recogniziing that here in Mexico a "system" really does not exist!!

So, now, I am back to deepening my spiritual practice, primarily by longer meditation along with prayer to shift my reliance back to Spirit, which I thought was firmly in place but this experience showed me just how much more work I really have to do.

Better go take a swim and relax a little more.

You are loved in all ways,
Lynn

Creative Juices

2010-06-06T07:27:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, while in conversation with a close friend, I found myself becoming excited about the unlimited possibilities that exist for me here in this beautiful part of the planet. As I am "creating" the environment in my new 'casita', I find my mental activity focusing on beauty and color and texture and I see it everywhere here. Especially color - vivid and happy colors that make you perk up and take notice simply because....

That creativity has spilled over into my teaching and spiritual life as well. A date has been set for me to begin the first Science of Mind spiritual study group: the first Wednesday in July, which is July 7. Many people are away right now, but there are still a few people here - and all I need to start is a few. In fact, I may even start 2 groups - and do one on Sunday morning as well since many people don't go to church and it may be a perfect time to start a spiritually-focused community something, aka "Open Circle" in Ajijic.

Now my task will be to locate a space for the Sunday group - preferably something outside and free. A perfect space just popped into my mind - and I will have to investigate more fully. Oh my, God is so-o-o-o good!

Made the decision to offer my Relationship class here in November and also to teach it in the US while I am there - got to get myself back in the saddle again. I am also going to offer spiritual counseling to people through a networking group I have joined and think I may have a client already. It feels good, especially here, since I am feeling so much more comfortable about driving places. Even if I get lost, I can find my way back to a familiar spot pretty easily. I think that since I now have my own place to live and it is really in a very central location, I feel more comfortable as a whole. Even tho I have only been in Baja for about a month and a half, it really feels much like home - especially because I am breathing so much better and my body is filled with more energy and vitality.

This is astonishing in some ways for last week I walked up a very long and steep hill - only stopped a couple of times - and when I got to the top, I felt so elated that I had actually done it I sad down on a ledge to revel in the feeling. 6 months ago I had difficulty walking just 2 blocks up a gentle incline. Once again, elevation, medication and prayer!

So, once I am settled and have a spot to keep my computer set up most of the time, I will be writing in the blog on a more regular basis. Once again, thanks again for your diligence and patience in continuing to follow my thoughts - and my life. I am truly grateful.

You are loved in all ways,
Lynn

New Casita

2010-06-02T06:21:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was the first day in my new casita - a small, 1 bedroom in a 3 apt. house in San Jose del Cabo. I am delighted. It is very private and has a large patio area just off the living room where I plan to create an "outdoor living space" with large palms in containers, etc. I also have a small pool just around the corner to use every day; plus, access to the beach and restaurants at a large resort just down the hill. The view from the end of my street is spectacular as my house is built high on a hill overlooking the Sea of Cortez.

San Jose del Cabo is the oldest of the two 'Cabos' (I think the church in the town square dates to 1500 something) and is more quiet and less 'touristy' than Cabo San Lucas, which is about 30 miles to the South.

After almost a month in this lovely area, I am beginning to feel somewhat comfortable in finding my way around. All directions are given in terms of landmarks as opposed to addresses: there are no addresses! Although, the government just announced that all houses will now have assigned addresses, but since no mail is actually delivered, they will not be for any significant purpose except as ornamentation for lovely tile numbers. There are a few street names - but just major streets. If a side street does have a name, there is usually no sign anywhere to tell you what it is -which makes the use of landmarks essential for finding even a business.

Am meeting many wonderful Mexican women through my roommate - all educated, bright, lovely people - and know a couple of them will become good friends of mine over time. One I will be taking Spanish lessons from when I return from the US in November.

Am becoming much more clear about what kind of spiritual support I can bring to this area. As the outdoor patio at my apt is quite large, I am contemplating having a weekly Sangha or prayer-support group there for a few people to begin integrating the Science of Mind philosophy into this community. I also plan to go to a little town about 45 minutes north once each month and do a study group for people who live on the 'East Cape'. In the interim, I am getting to know my way around, finding the organic markets (which abound here - yeah), swimming each day (an essential part of my physical spiritual practice), meeting lovely people and beginning to form networks.

Life is good in the Baja and I am feeling wonderful.

You are loved in all ways,
Lynn

My 70th Birthday

2010-05-16T09:11:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, was my celebration of 70 years on this earth plane - and I am still wondering when all those years accumulated! I still feel about 25 inside, even tho the outer spacesuit has many more signs of gravity, I feel blessed to be in such good health and especially to have a mind that is alert and actively awake.

Yesterday, I went on a catamaran sunset cruise to Land's End - at the tip of Baja where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez. It was simply glorious. The weather, of course, was grand, the company wonderful, the food and music perfect and the views - especially getting so close to the famous Arch - were breathtaking. Once the boat reached the Pacific, the captain turned off the engines and put up the sails. Simply awesome...

(A part of me wants to work for the Chamber of Commerce and tell everyone I know to come and visit this beautiful area. To that end, I am now looking for either a new digital camera or a cell phone that takes pictures.)

Sometimes I wonder if my life is as special as I think it is - or if the majority of lives are full to the brim with living. As I review these past 70 years, they have flown by - even tho there certainly were years that seemed to be filled with chaos, pain, sadness and confusion (two that stand out are 1968 and 1978 - oh, and lest I forget 1990 - whew, what a year).

One event that stands out at the moment - probably the biggest, other than my sobriety - is my inner reconciliation with my 2nd husband and love of my life after 40 years. In my heart, this is a testament to all the inner spiritual work I have done over the years, and I feel so grateful. Just using this phrase seens contrite and not nearly big enough, deep enough or profound enough for how I feel - but it will just have to do for now. Feeling this love in the innermost recesses of my being has transformed everything - at least the way I look at life and at people now. I am much more accepting and my inner (and outer) judgments have all but disappeared (not completely, yet - but close).

This appears to be what my journey has been about, and even though it has taken all these years and all these experiences, I have a rich book in the making - quite possibly a movie too.
But no matter what, I have evolved into the woman I so wanted to be and my heart is overflowing with love.

Blessed be....

The Unfamiliar

2010-05-12T07:25:00.000-07:00

As I look over my life, I realize that for most of it, I have been somewhat curious. Especially about new places, which has given me the opportunity to push the boundaries of my "safe and known" life experiences. I have finally accepted the fact that I desire to experience as much of life as I am able and to learn more about myself in the process.

Sometimes that learning is very, very uncomfortable as I allow myself to stretch into unfamiliar territory and push myself into doing things I have never done before. Then I get to watch myself - and listen to my inner voices as they either attempt to keep me from moving forward or support me as I tentatively do so. Fortunately, the encouraging voices usually win and, off I go exploring.

One aspect of this learning is that I have (finally) become comfortable in asing for help or assistance. People usually are more than willing to help - more than willing to share their experiences - more than willing to shine light ahead on the path. Such is the case here in Baja.

I am in the process of developing a sweet friendship with a woman who has lived here 12 years. She has been more than willing to share her experiences and knowledge of "how things work" here in Baja, Mexico - and I am deeply grateful. There is an ever-present undercurrent of apprehension for me as I learn about this country and its customs (and laws) since I do not speak enough Spanish to be able to communicate and thus feel somewhat vulnerable. That vulnerability (or inner tension) is a good thing for it means that I am stretching; the more I stretch, the more (I feel) I am growing.

Yesterday, for example, I purchased a new cell phone here at the TelCel store. My friend accompanied me and guided me through the process. There are no "plans" here; each phone comes with a certain number of "free" pesos and then you purchase additional minutes with a phone card. The additional minutes are then entered into your phone. So, the only decision one must make is which phone to purchase - which, for me, was pretty easy: simple. No camera; no extra bells and whistles. In addition, there are several ways to telephone someone here (not just their numbers - but the manner in which you dial those numbers).

The least expensive way to speak with someone is cell to cell. So, that is why so many people use cell phones. To call a land-line from a cell is more expensive (and vice-versa). One of the local bi-monthly publications has an entire article this month on how to use phones here in Mexico.

Once we have experienced something new, the next time is easy is it not? That is why when you ask someone how to do something they usually say, "Oh - it's easy", because for them it is - they know how!

So, I am - every day - telling myself that whatever I encounter today that is unfamiliar is going to be easy. I am mentally preparing my mind - and thus the rest of me - to be more relaxed and comfortable in these foreign surroundings.

How are you stretching yourself? Or, are you holding on to the past and what is already known or familiar?

Blessings of joy,
Lynn

Bugs and Spiders

2010-05-05T15:35:00.000-07:00

Yes - I firmly believe there is only ONE life and that Life is expressing in every form of life everywhere...AND, I must learn to be more comfortable with some of the forms, i.e., very large spiders (or spiders in general) and cockroaches!

Today, I found a cockroach (about 2" long) sitting at the foot of my bed! I stood frozen for several moments while I assessed my options. Screaming wasn't one of them, although now I wonder how come. It must have come in from the yard as I leave the sliding door open and just the screen separates outdoor life from my living space. Crushing it with my shoe I was sure would implant a crunching sound in my mind, whch I did not want. So, I found the broom and first knocked it off the bed, then chased it until I had secured it within the bristles and scooted it out the back door. It righted itself and ran for cover under some storage boxes.

What is it about these small creatures that makes a perfectly sane and normal woman squirm?
In some ways, I think it is sinply the fact that it crawls and moves pretty fast (as do the large tarntula spsiders in Mexico), and I fear them crawling on me as well. Knowing they do not transfer diseases to humans doesn't seem to help.

So, now I am feeling a bit more rational and benevolent toward then (several hours have elapsed) and am, once again, willing to acknowledge their "spiritual" nature - cause at their core, like all form, they are of God. And then I might engage God in a conversation that would go something like, "What were you thinking?"

Yes, it is my choice to live in this hot climate where such creatures abound - and yes, I am sure I will come to accept their presence as Divine. It iis just at this moment I feel a tad bit of resistance.

Blessings of love,
Lynn

Discovering Cabo

2010-05-04T08:08:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a day of discovery. A new friend guided me as I drove up and down the side streets (away from the tourist path) of Cabo san Lucas. We then parked the car next to a lovely park and walked the same path. Yes - this is the Mexico that I so love. Activity everywhere (especially since yesterday was part of the 4 day holiday - Cinco de Mayo), shops, photo studios, small cantinas, children playing, various smells of meals being prepared, colors adorning the windows and doorways in rugs or clothing, etc. etc.

We stopped for lunch at Poncho's, a fairy well-known restaurant that has been in Cabo for many years. It was decorated in classic Mexican Hacienda style and was visually captivating. I could not say that about the food, which was less than okay, but our table outside provided much entertainment through the street activity and passers-by.

My friend pointed out the best Italian restaurants, the municipal offices, the place to get my photo taken for my annual visa permit, the famous "Cabo Wabo" bar, the best spots to park, where one can get a great massage,etc. as we walked one street after another.

By the time we parted at about 3:30pm, I was definitely ready to drive back home and take a short siesta.

Along the "corridor" (which is the highway down the hill from my home and which runs the 30 miles between San Jose and Cabo), the government is putting up tall street lights to help curtail the many accidents along this route. Yes, they are putting up lights - about 30 feet apart - along the entire length of this highway - about 30 miles! Astonishing - not to mention the cost to the local taxpayers for the electricity needed to run them. Most of the accidents are caused by drivers who pay no attention to the speed limits. Then I discovered that Mexican drivers have no instruction in driving - but simply "pay" for their driver's license! Amazing....

Today, I am traveling the 14 miles North to San Jose for more discoveries. It is definitely a learning process here in this amazing country...

Blessings of love,
Lynn

New Home in Baja

2010-04-30T10:28:00.000-07:00

Hello from Baja...

It has been a couple of months since I have written and I am feeling 100% better. Primarily, because I have moved to a low elevation here in Baja, where the temperature is usually iabout 85 and the air crystal clear. Plus, it is visually gorgeous. I look out over the Sea of Cortez, and it dazzles me with shades of azure blue to turquoise all set next to white sandy beaches. It is a good thing that I love the desert, for it is so beautiful in its simplicity - and I so appreciate the diversity and age of the sturdy cactus, standing guard over the palms.

And then there are the flowers - oh my! As the air is so clear, the flowers appear even more vibrant; reds, oranges, yellows, pinks - WOW...

My new home sits on a hill, literally half way between San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas. I prefer going to San Jose as it is much less "touristy" and has the feel of mainland Mexico overall, even tho the pricing is still geared for the tourist - and many things are 3x what they cost in Ajijic - which is a bit shocking. A friend said Southern Baja feels more like a 51st state - just an extension of California. I look forward to exploring a little deeper and discovering those "out-of-the-way" spots. I did not move to Mexico to be among ex-pats and will begin taking Spanish lessons asap.

The Universe just keeps presenting me with wonderful opportunities to explore, learn and grow. Thank you for joining me on this journey of discovery.

You are loved,
Lynn

Physical Well Being

2010-02-19T06:45:00.000-08:00

Last Friday, Feb. 12, 2010, I began to feel the internal nudges of a "cold" coming to visit. I took my usual preventative measures, but on Saturday, I was not well at all. I had a deep caugh, chills, slight fever and had an extreme difficulty breathing. I went to bed and off and on welcomed a couple of friends who came with tonics and potients to help me, but I had such low energy it was challenging to even be present and listen. I was in bed for about 48 hours - not very concious of much - and off and on during Sunday had unbearable hallucinations that I could not get away from in my mind's eye. If I closed my eyes, it felt as if they were open and watching creative visual videos. I could not get away from them. Luckily there was no sound. (I have a new and profound sense of empathy for the mentally ill.)

Finally, on Monday, one of my friends took me to a recommended physician here in Ajijic. A man named Dr. Leon. He used a device to measure the oxygen in my blood and immediately said, "Oh my - you are really suffering". I was in love! My oxygen level was at 57% and he said he wanted it to be at 90%. He put me on oxygen and then gave me some kind of humidifier treatment and sent me for a chest x-ray. When I next saw him, he outlined an agressive system of treatment for which I was very grateful. But he, more than anything else, empathized with how I was feeling and saw me as a human being (not a cash machine). He gave me great information which told me I had been making decisions on where to live that were incorrect, given my physical challenges.

I should be living at sea level in a place where the temperature is warm to hot. Ajijic at 5,300+ feet is not the place for me - plus I have been cold since I have been here. He also does not want me to even drink beverages with ice and to keep myself warm. Period. So, I am researching now for a new place to move - but this will not take place for a few months. I am on antibiotics and several other medications and even now, do not feel 100% better - but am slowly moving in that direction.

I may not be writing on the blog for awhile as taking care of myself right now is my #1 priority. Thank you for reading and for checking-in with me now and again.

Blessed be,
Lynn

Waiting

2010-02-12T06:33:00.000-08:00

Wednesday, I read a lovely post on a website that encouraged its readers to "...wait for God's guidance." What an amazing concept to most of us who are so very comfortable with taking charge of our lives and 'making' life happen the way we think will make us happy. Oftentimes, this can involve wanting other people to do our bidding - or act in ways that affirm what we think is best for all concerned.

I am reminded of the Serenity Prayer: "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." The last line seems to be the one that trips me up, and I am certain I am not alone. Most of my life (and right now to a large degree) I like to be in control (or at least think I am in control) of what transpires on a day to day basis. What is interesting to me is how often I am so very 'unwise' in the choices and decisions I make that create an effect that immediately affects my serenity. Most often it involves other people - usually those closest to me - who simply will not conform to my idea of what I think they should or should not be doing!!

Again and again, I am reminded to simply wait - do nothing (especially in my mind) and trust that Spirit will handle everything just perfectly. And it always does - not just sometimes - but ALWAYS.

What is so difficult about waiting? What is it within me that thinks it is necessary for me to take action of some kind? I believe it is my deeply-rooted belief in separation from my source. That at some level, I really believe Spirit is not on my side; that somehow I am less than the beloved child that I (most of the time) know myself to be! Or that others are as well. I forget that each of us has a higher power guiding, directing, loving, protecting, providing for all that we will ever, ever need or desire.

Wait. Wait upon Spirit. Trust and know that all is well - no matter what appears in form; my job is to remember...to remember...to remember.

Blessed be,
Lynn

Idea to Practice

2010-02-10T05:39:00.000-08:00

On Tuesdays, I have the privilege of facilitating a study group here in Ajijic. We have about 17 people who come on a regular basis, which is grand. We are studying one of the basic Science of Mind books by Ernest Holmes called, "Living the Science of Mind". It is one of my favorites due to its "relative" simplicity. We usually discuss concepts and ideas (principles) presented in the 2 or 3 pages of content covered in a specific chapter (sometimes the 'chapter' is only one page) and then break-out into smaller groups of 5 or 6 where questions about the reading are posed in relation to how the content applies in our own lives.

Having taught Science of Mind and Spirit for about 15 years, I am always amazed at how frequently someone comes to the group with the apparent inability to share personally even in a small group environment. As SOM tends to be quite intellectual in its structure, it is so easy to stay focused on the concepts and principles from a mental perspective. In other words, it is pretty common for people to understand what Ernest Holmes is saying and even agree with him - but that is where it can end.

Many people feel if they can readily conceptualize the principles with their brain - that they automatically 'live' them in their lives. So not true. Making the shift from idea to practice is a huge leap for most people. It is safer to theorize; it is more comfortable to espouse understanding; it is quite another to explore the inner self and learn what prevents the heart from opening to a deeper level of trust, faith, or acceptance.

As we are a place through which Spirit expresses, and as we are made up of nothing but pure Spirit, all of our existence is designed to demonstrate various aspects of the Divine. If we are unwilling to delve below the surface - if we are unwilling to look deeper than what appears in form before our eyes, we miss out on the utter joy of life itself. It is like going to a movie and watching the visible screen but not hearing the sound.

When we take even tiny steps to open our hearts into the amazing life that expresses in us, as us and through us, we are enriched beyond our wildest imagination. Creating a daily spiritual practice that includes a few minutes of silent meditation or quiet contemplation - even just 15 minutes - can assist us in releasing the fear that blocks our connecting with ourselves and loving who we are no matter what.

We are literally whole, perfect and complete (from a spiritual perspective) right now! Nothing to add - nothing to take away. Take that first step and open your heart to yourself. You will be amazed at how fantastic you actually are....

Blessed be,
Lynn

Tonola & Tlaquepaque

2010-02-06T07:37:00.000-08:00

Thursday, some friends and I took a private tour of some of the workshops in Tonola, Mexico - a suburb of Guadalajara. It is a hub of Mexican artisans and some of the finest craftsman in the entire country come from this town. Oh my, what a delight and if you are a shopper; it would take days to cover all the shops and factories.

Our first stop was to a tiny (and I really mean tiny) one room workshop where one of the most famous potters in all of Mexico creates his award-winning masterpieces. His name is Salvador Vazquez Carmona. If you would like to learn more about him and the specific style of pottery he makes, I encourage you to google his name.

One of the things I thought astounding was the "paint" is mixed from pounding into powder various colored rocks from areas all around Guadalajara and then adding water. So, there is nothing that can dissolve, melt, or discolor as everything is made from clay. The polishing is also amazing and is done with a crystal type of stone - quite time consuming - but again no glaze of any kind. The kiln is fired with real wood (not gas) and is simply a small fireplace-type design in one corner of this room. He has passed the technique on to his family, but it is not taught to outsiders. Simply gorgeous and each peace tells a story. Very old world.

We also went to a glass-blowing factory where maybe 30 men or young boys were in the process of producing stunning designs. All glass is from recycled material - as long as it is clear. Then they introduce their own color during the melting process. The glass from this region is known and much sought after all over the world.

We then drove a few miles to the town of Tlaquepaque. It is a high-end gorgeous town of upscale restaurants and shops (ala Rodeo Drive in LA or Carmel in California). No graffiti on these walls! The shops were converted mansions that the Spanish built in the 1400's when they would move their families out of the center of Guadalajara to the "hills" overlooking the city for the summer vacations. They would literally move the whole house - pianos, furniture, paintings, everything. The homes (now shops) are simply breathtaking in their magnitude and architecture, replete with 20' mahagony doors, marble walkways, gigantic inner gardens, etc.
I could have moved into any one of them.

We had lunch in a beautiful "villa". The food was delicious and served graciously in the inner courtyard, replete with ficus trees 20 feet talk, stone walkways, etc. I really felt I was dining in Italy or Spain - not in the heart of Mexico.

All in all this was a trip so worth taking, and I am delighted to know I can now drive to either of these places in about an hour. Definitely on my personal "tour" when friends come to visit.

Blessed be,
Lynn

What is Love?

2010-01-30T14:31:00.001-08:00

What is love? Yes, that question has been posed since humans have come together...and do we have a definitive answer? In some ways, I think I have evolved into at least accepting and understanding some aspects of what love really is - the Truth of Love, so to speak, at least with regard to my experience of it - especially during these last few months. Here is what I feel is true in my heart right now:

Love is always present. Yes, I believe it is always, always a force - a power - a presence enveloping us in every way - if we but pay attention.

Love is free. Meaning that it cannot be bound, hoarded, owned, bartered (I will love you if you do this or don't do that), or contained.

Love is unconditional. It has no strings - does not require certain behavior in order to be felt or experienced, nor does it "disappear" upon demand, request, etc. It is not turned on or off at will - I believe it is always "on".

Love is more powerful than fear. When fear is present, adding more love will dissolve the fear.

Love is generous. We have the capacity to love and love and love lots and lots of people, cause I believe we are literally love. When we think we can "own" love in the form of a person (i.e., I can only love my husband, my wife), I believe we are actually in fear. ( Yes, I do feel this is true from my own experience.)

Love is kind. Love does not hurt. Period!

Love is patient. Love will wait for the perfect opportunity to make itself realized and does not force itself upon anyone.

Love is accepting. Again, love is "loving what is" as Byron Katie so beautifully states.

Love is fulfilling. Love completes itself. There is no "other" - it is the all in all.

Love is what each one of us is at our core. We are the expression of love, if we but allow ourselves to accept, receive and give away that which we are.

Today, I am loving my courage to have walked this sacred journey into love with my heart open wide. I am feeling so blessed by the fulfillment of an intention I set one year ago which was to be a being of love - to be an expressino of love and to know love with all my heart and soul. Each morning for about a year during my morning spiritual practice, my prayer-bead mantra has been: "There is One Life; That Life is God's Life; That Life is Perfect Love; That Life is My Life Now". In the sacredness of this moment, I believe I am literally experiencing love so fully that I am overcome with gratitude.

Blessed be,
Lynn

Suffering

2010-01-28T04:18:00.000-08:00

In the Buddhist tradition, suffering is created by attachment. Attachment to the way things turn out - attachment to the way we want people to be - attachment to our ways of thinking that do not support us - attachment to having "our own way", etc. etc. etc.

It seems we are confronted with this idea of being attached to just about everything in our lives! Does it not appear to be the way of being human? At least in our Western materialistic culture, I believe it is almost encoded into our DNA. In observing children, at about age 2 the word "mine" becomes a consistant mantra. Many of have failed to move on after we have learned that word!

When I am especially attached to an outcome of some particular experience - in other words, when I want what I want when I want it - and then it doesn't happen, I experience upset (or suffering). The idea of staying open to, and accepting, life "on life's terms" (meaning what is) appears to be a big challenge for most of us. I have struggled with it over the years and have come to understand that I have an easier time with some things than others. In other words, there are 'degrees' to my levels of attachment.

So when I bump into one of those places that is more difficult than others, I pray for the willingness to let go. I pray for my heart to stay centered in the place of love where life is for me (all of life) and not against me in any way. I pray for my mind to let go of its attachment to whatever it is I am so convinced is what is necessary for my highest good. (I really have come to realize that I have no clue what that is!!!) I pray for the willingness to let go of control. And, if I can even begin to do one of those things, I suffer less.

In counseling many people over the years, I have learned that most people do not really know what they want at all. Most of us know what we do not want - and that is usually not to be uncomfortable in any way, or inconvenienced, or challenged by life. We wish everyone else would just do what we decide is best and our life would be grand. But would it? I really think not, for it appears that we simply do not grow without struggle, conflict or suffering of some kind. This appears to be part of simply being human. So, the more aware we are of our internal strugging - the more we challenge our attachment to outcome - the more we are free, which translates to more loving, more kindness, more peacefulness.

Yes, life always supports our highest good and suffering appears to be one stepping stone on our journey of awakening.

Blessed be,
Lynn

Perception - again

2010-01-27T06:28:00.000-08:00

I have written about perception before, but it revealed itself to me once again in another amazing way.

Do you have siblings? If you do, when you get together to remember your upbringing, do you each have a different view of the same circumstances? This is true in my family, and from what I have discovered in discussing this with others, it is a very common experience. We each bring to our experiences who we are - internally. We each bring our own fears, imaginings, fantasies, phobias, beliefs, opinions, etc. established long before in our very young years.

So whatever is going on in the present moment, is influenced by all that has gone on before and colors the lens through which we "see" reality.

A few days ago, I had such an experience. An intimate partner whom I was with over 40 years ago and I have been communicating with the intention of healing some of the woundedness from that time and being present now. (Or, at least that is my intentio). What we have discovered is that we both had the same perception: that we were not loved by the other! Oh my...At that time, I felt so insecure and fearful (of just about everything) that I simply could not believe anyone loved me - period. So, this belief was projected out from me in behavior that "proved" my belief. My friend evidently was doing the same thing.

Could we have shifted our perceptions? Probably, but we were so young and so very wounded ourselves, we had no tools with which to shift to another viewpoint. But, now we do. Now, we have (or at least I have) a deeper understanding of what motivates me and a deep desire to experience my life as a loving and kind and caring person - beginning with myself. I believe I now have a heart that is free and fearless when it comes to loving - both myself and another - and I am willing to stay curious; I am willing to ask questions to gain clarity - as opposed to staying silent for fear of "offending". Questions shift perceptions as they shed light on beliefs, opinions and "made-up stuff" that we each seem to continually create in our own minds.

Perceptions keep us separate unless we open to delving deeper - going underneath the surface where our True Self resides. This is where the furtile soil of connection lies - where dreams and relationships thrive. Let the air in and begin to ask questions; become curious and dissolve some of those worn-out perceptions.

Blessed be,
Lynn

Glorious

2010-01-24T08:00:00.000-08:00

Several years ago, I wrote a lengthy poem entitled, "Glorious " and then created a small booklet with images and photographs, sayings and icons that depicted the various phrases and stanzas of the poem. I would like to share it with you this morning...as the view from my home in Mexico is just that - glorious overlooking this amazing and (today) calm lake.

GLORIOUS

Dawn embraces the meadow
with rays of illumined knowing;
cracks penetrate the cave of bondage
as Hope struggles to remember.
REALITY OR ILLUSION.

Tentative the heart that knows only fear.
Feelings deadened by years of
forced forgetfulness suddenly connect
with inner Truth. Wake up!
Vision soars in ribbons of clarity
loud as thunder.
GLORIOUS THE VIEW.

Eyes wide as willingness points to new
avenues where the search for self -
and SELF - ensues.
Wrapped in love, enveloped in good.
Faith wins!
Drop the mask of separateness.
ALL IS ONE.

Always present...Whole...Complete.
Spirit within embracing all...as All...
through All.
Essence of life and love,
unnamable and infinite.
Divine inspiration gilded by
sacred thought.
I AM THAT I AM.

Passion fuels internal unification
as wholeness heals separation.
Truth revealed when Nature
joins spiritual beings in
celebration of beauty and perfection.
WE ARE ONE.

Blowing distant echoes into
God's knowing womb;
yesterday's memories fade with
soft kisses wrapped in joy
knowing NOW is all.
Union complete in love's sweet moment;
Angels sound the call of
SURRENDER.

You are More than my BELOVED;
You are More than my JOY;
You are More than my HEART;
You are More than my LIFE;
YOU ARE MY VERY SOUL.

Blessed be,
Lynn

Good or Negative Thoughts

2010-01-21T06:14:00.000-08:00

Last night a friend asked me what the difference was between a "good" thought and a "negative thought" in relation to its effectiveness in manifesting. This question was prompted by the reading of the first chapter of a book called, "Living the Science of Mind" by Ernest Holmes in which he outlines the basic philosophy of this teaching. I am facilitating a weekly study group of this book which began yesterday. Most of the students attending have never heard of this philosophy and are seeking ways to anchor some kind of spiritual practice in their lives.

As this was the first day and the first chapter in a lengthy book, Ernest Holmes does not really answer the question directly. He is giving a simple overview of this teaching and how it works in our daily lives. This book is a compilation of various works by Holmes along with transcriptions of various lectures he gave over the years.

As this philosophy is not necessarily a "religion" in the classical definition (we do not worship anything), what it is has to do with is the idea that all of creation is energy and is creating itself 0ut of that energy - initiated by some movement in "thought" or "consciousness". It is a way of thinking that shifts the actual pathways of the brain (over time and with much practice) to create greater and greater peace, joy, love, harmony, beauty and creativity in the world. It enriches or enhances whatever spiritual journey a person may already be engaged in - or even if one is not walking a spiritual path, it enriches the day-to-day experience of living.

It is not easy; simple - but definitely not easy.

So back to my friends question. I believe that Ernest Holmes would say that "good" thinking promotes wholeness and life and aligns itself with unlimited qualities that exist everywhere and all the time (love, beauty, peace, power, light, abundance, joy) and that "negative" thinking is just the opposite and is likely based upon fear or separation from life in some way.

Her question specifically related to a group of people engaged in activities promoting preservation of the planet who all seem to have various "opinions" about how action should proceed - and many of them appearing "negative". She wanted to know which were "right" - and the answer is that all of them are right. There is no "wrong" way of thinking - only ways of thinking that manifest an undesired outcome. As that occurs, a new thought is then introduced whch can create a totally different outcome.

As things - ALL THINGS - begin first as a thought, then it follows to create different "things" (experiences, etc), it is absolutely necessary to think different thoughts.

Musings on a 75 degree day from Mexico....

Love,
Lynn

Good and More Good

2010-01-20T06:21:00.000-08:00

There is an affirmation that I have used over the years that I received from an old book. It goes like this: "Good and more good is mine. An ever-increasing good is mine. There is no limit to the good that is mine. I accept this good now." I think there is more to it, but this is the way I remember and the way I use it.

If I accept that the entire Universe is engaged in supporting me - if I believe that the Universe, the energy of life is unified in its desire to express more life or more good - then I feel comfortable and safe no matter what is happening on this Earth plane for I am at home everywhere.. I am a part of life itself and not separated from anyone or anything. It is the feeling of separation that brings sadness or disquiet to my heart and to my experience.

When I feel separate from the goodness that life is - when I feel separate from the life that is flowing through me (and through you), then I become fearful. At some level, I believe that life is somehow against me and ultimately, you are against me - so I do not feel safe to be me and begin to create barriers within my own heart so I won't be hurt.

Again and again, I must bring my conscious awareness back to my deepest desire and that is to be a loving, accepting and kind human being - especially to myself. As Howard Thurman said, "I want to be more loving in my heart - not just have the idea of loving." This is sometimes my challenge with folks who push my buttons (of course, this is where I need to look more closely and ask how did the button get created in the first place...). Again, it comes back to a feeling of separation. Somehow my ego gets all bent out of shape, fear sets in and then I automatically surround myself with barb wire and protective layers to keep me safe!

Safe from what? I am always safe if I but remember who I am. Remembering is key...

Oh my....good and more good is mine. Yes, good is being experienced all the time. My life is good and each experience I have reminds me even more fully how unified and connected I am to this good. Remember e is my word for today....how about you?

Blessed be,
Lynn

Intentions

2010-01-18T05:54:00.000-08:00

This past Saturday, I facilitated a workshop on setting Intentions for 2010. Many of the participants were surprised that it was not about goal-setting or making "resolutions" - pleasantly surprised. The focus of this workshop (or "funshop" as a friend called it), was to determine (through thoughtful and inward contemplation) how we intended to show up this next year. In other words, who did we come here to be rather than what have we come here to get!

We then created a visual board with pictures and words to remind us of our intentions.

For sometime now, it has become apparent to me that my reason for being in this particular incarnation is to learn how to love. Yes, I did say learn. Love has been so "out of my reach" for most of my life. It has been something I read about, observed in other people, saw depicted in movies or on tv, but was not something that was readily apparent in my own experience of life. I was not taught love, nor was it modeled in my growing up by the people around me.

From the age of about 3 or 4, due to circumstances in my family, it was clear I was not wanted by my parents. Of course, I had no understanding of what this was about until years later - but it had a profound effect on how I thought about myself. My belief about myself was that I was unacceptable and unlovable. Much of the remainder of my life provided "evidence" to support this belief....until recently (last year) when I set the conscious intention to "be" a person who loved.

I wanted to feel love; I wanted to be love; I wanted to "get" love (kind of like getting a puppy); I wanted to absolutely know that I was loved to shatter my childhood belief about myself.

So, I began to "practice" loving unconditionally. Loving people who were "hard" to love. Loving myself when I forgot and was "unloving". It became the focus of my life. I longed to break the pattern. (George W. Bush was my biggest hurdle for several years!). For the last several months, I have been in communication with my second husband who also happens to be the "love of my life." Our relationship was tenuous 40 years ago and I have written about it before, so will not repeat that information. It has been my current intention to show up with him as I truly want to be - from my highest self - and not simply react based upon our past association. I wanted to release all fear and open my heart completely (or as best as I could)...so I consciosly shfted my focus about and to him and have been blessed beyond my wildest imaginings.

And, now, it has happened.

For the very first time - yes, the very first time - I feel loved. I actually FEEL (all through my physical body) an internal awareness of comfort, sweetness, acceptance, joy, beauty, peace and grace. Oh my God...I do not have words sufficient to express this experience. And, use of the word now has an entirely new meaning for me. It is so much bigger - so much more inclusive - so much more alive - so much more.....

THANK YOU LIFE and THANK YOU LOVE..

Blessed be,
Lynn

Present Moment Living

2010-01-14T06:53:00.001-08:00

What does it really mean to live in the present moment? Can any one of us truly do this? Are we not so influenced by our past experiences that each moment is somewhat guided by that influence?

It seems that if I was to live completely in this moment, my thoughts, feelings and actions would be experiencing what was happening now - except that they will have been guided by my thoughts, feelings and actions from the past! Spiritual writers and guides (including myself) encourage living in the present moment - hence the title of this website. But, is that really possible. When I contemplate this more deeply, I really do not think it is totally possible. Yes, I can bring my awareness to my breath and consciously experience my breathing and the life within me from one breath to the next - but very quickly, my mind begins to "have its way with me."

Quite possibly dedicated monks and mystics who live a cloistered life of prayer and meditation on a day-to-day basis have the ability to actually live in the present moment. I would like to have the opportunity to discuss this possibility in depth with one such monk or mystic at some future date - but here again, I am moving away from this moment!

Yesterday, I received an e-mail from someone I knew many, many years ago informing me that it was not possible for him to continue including me on his Facebook as a friend (plus a couple of other ways he intended to "fade away" from any visible association with me). In one way, I completely understand this action as it is in alignment with his past (quite distant past) behavior. However, it may also be in alignment with possible new intentions he has set for himself in this current phase of his life. What is my reaction or response to this new information? Varied.

After sitting with my initial disappointment, I had to ask myself what was the disappointment about? I guess I really want the past to stay in the past and for my friend to "see me" as I am now - or to see "us" as "we" are now, without our history influencing current behavior. Is that at all possible? I am unsure. So, I took it to prayer and what revealed itself to me was maybe my friend needed to know that I have forgiven him and released any blame from our time together. I don't know if this is true, but I will contemplate this idea and possibly convey this to my friend.

I so want love, rather than fear, to guide my actions. AND, I do know that love always wins.

Blessed be,
Lynn

Walking In Time

2010-01-12T06:06:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to share a small, hand-held photograph album of my first marriage with some new friends. One of them exclaimed, "Oh my - you look exactly the same!" This was such a surprise to hear as these photos reflected a time when I was 49 years younger. Has time and living all these years truly not had that much of an effect on my body? Certainly, my internal life - especially over these last 20 years - has calmed and been more conscious of living with intention and purpose; but the frame containing my Spirit has received little focused attention.

One reason, I am convinced, is that I have literally always believed that my body is healthy and have affirmed this in my mind as an underlying belief that simply is the Truth. I have always had a good relationship with my body and appreciate it. I think it is quite lovely and am grateful for how it has supported me so well. For years, I was in the clothing business and have felt grateful that I can wear pretty much whatever I want and they look good and feel great on me. My body is a joy to experience.

I feel especially grateful that I have not had to "work" at staying in a weight-range that supports my frame, nor have I been overly-engaged in exercise, etc. I am also grateful that I have been able to eat pretty much anything I like (and I do), which is grand since eating is a passion in many ways - especially really good food well prepared.

So - what makes this so? Genes? Belief? Swimming daily as a child for 7 consistent years?
A part of me believes that swimming all those years - each day from the time I was about 7 until about 14 - has a huge impact on my body today. In some way, I believe I was training my cells to "remember" how powerful and graceful and responsive they actually are, and that this "training" has remained part of the anchor sustaining my body all these years. Is this factual? Don't know - and am not attached to a definitive answer. What I do know is that I am grateful and feel blessed to experience life through my body in such a blissful way.

Thank you life.

Blessed be,
Lynn

Creating 2010 Intentions

2010-01-10T06:20:00.000-08:00

Next Saturday I will be facilitating a workshop to create Intentions for 2010. This is a wonderful way to begin any new year or project. Intentions differ from "resolutions" in that they are generated from that place within that is Spirit-led - as opposed to setting a "goal" and then using our human will-power to "make" it happen. Most of my life, when I have set resolutions at the new year, they have become a distant memory (and hard to recall) after less than a month.

Intentions take us into the flow of life. They allow us to work within the natural framework of our inner being...that part of us that is continuously supporting our higher Self and our greater good. Resolutions sometimes have felt to me to be in opposition to my natural state of being, and I think this may be the reason they never rooted deeply enough in my own consciousness to manifest.

I believe we set intentions much of the time in a very unconscious way. As I listen to my inner dialogue, I pay attention to what messages are continuously present in my mind. These are anchoring some desire, some need, some want that I have into the Mind of Spirit...and eventually will bear fruit. Recently, I experienced such a revelation.

For the longest time (probably most of my life), I have acquiessed to the needs, wants and desires of the people closest to me. In the latter years, I have told myself that I am "accepting" of behavior (when I actually wasn't) - or, I have told myelf that what I wanted or desired was "not that important" - to just let it go...it's "not that big a deal", etc. etc. What I have recently discovered is that I have been engaging in a form of (what a dear friend recently labeled) "solf-self-abuse"! At first, I rejected the label immediately. I was the product of major abuse in my life and certainly knew what abuse was...and what I was doing was definitely not that. Or was it?

Upon deep contemplation and much inner reflection, I have come to believe that indeed this is what I have bveen doing. When I fail to make my needs, desires, preferences or wants known to another (especially th0se close to me out of my deep fear of rejection), I am telling myself that I AM NOT WORTHY...that I am not valuable enough or important enough; not the action or outcome - but ME.

A this writing, I believe this AHA is the revealing of a deep inner intention that I set many years ago to express and live from my Higher Self. If I am unwilling to take full responsibility for me (and that means speaking up and actually taking ownership of my wants, desires, etc.), then I am not living from my Higher Self - I am only playing "make believe".
This revelation is a huge one for me and I intend to seek guidance as to how to proceed to give voice to what has been revealed. One action I am willing to take, however, is to stop - right now - remaining silent when my life depends upon speaking up.

Blessed be,
Lynn

Evolving Stories

2010-01-03T07:55:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, I had the wonderful opportunity to receive a phone call from a dear friend who was sitting at the ocean's edge preparing to launch 3 "ships" off to sea in honor of the goddess (unsure of just which one). She had created the ships the previous evening out of waxed paper. Each was decorated with a different sprinkling of glitter iin colors of red, blue and purple - the goddess likes purple and glitter. Inside each one, she had placed tokens or momentos which would appeal to the goddess - small reading books, poems, perfume (sprinkled on cotton balls so as not to pollute the ocean!), bracelets or other jewelry, etc. Oh how I wished I had been there to share in the ceremony and encourage the little ships on their journey. Who knows, one may eventually show up on the beach in Puerto Vallarta!

Creativity and its expression - so multi-layered and extensive. I am always in awe of my friend's creative gene. She appears to be a never-ending example of how Spirit expresses through life and through our humanness.

I am firmly convinced that this creativity gene is very near the surface of my friend's consciousness. Was she always this way? Was she encouraged as a child to express herself in such amazing ways? I must ask her...but in any event, I believe that each of us has this gene - each of us has the ability to sing, or dance, or draw, or write, or.....fill in the blank...from the moment we are born. What derails its expression through us is the stories we have repeatedly told ourselves over the years, beginning from our first breath.

Have your personal stories evolved over your lifetime into a fuller expression of who you truly are? Have you allowed yourself to grow and expand your own self-talk to one of encouraging "you can do it" messages? From my own experience, I had to give myself conscious permission to embrace and practice my creativity - and then to accept whatever I had then created as being good! This was, perhaps, the most difficult part - not to compare what it was I had created with an accomplished or acknowledged artist.

Over time, however, I have sufficiently shifted my internal story. I also have accepted that my creative gene is continuously evolving and thus, the stories I tell myself must evolve as well.

How about this year of 2010 you encourage your own creative gene to grow in whatever ways feel good to you? I promise it will be a fun experience for you and those around you.

You are loved in all ways,
Lynn

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2010-01-01T06:02:00.000-08:00

Hola Dear Friends,

The first decade of the 21st century has passed. What astonishing news that seems to be for me as it seems just yesterday many of us were concerned that our computers would not work as we turned the clock to the year 2000! And, look how we began this decade - politically, we were pretty peaceful and definitely more solvent; economically, most of us were doing well; consciousness was growing around the climate changes that we needed to shift; and on and on.

For me, I had just graduated from the Holmes Institute and was newly licensed as a minsiter. I felt excited and hopeful about the future and was exceedingly grateful to be contemplating ideas for my spiritual community and the ways I would be serving Spirit in my new capacity as a spiritual leader. At the time, I had not a clue as to the profound impact this new role would have upon my life or the internal changes that would be required of me to serve at this higher level. Oh my!!!

Sometimes I think that 10 years is a long time. It is actually very short. Really just a blip on the radar of ones existence.

As I contemplate the next 10 years, as I reflect upon how I want to experience this upcoming decade, I find I must move even deeper into my inner contemplative self - actually my inner Higher SELF. I must still my outer - and oh so chatter-driven mind - and FEEL what wants to be born within me; what wants to be expressed or experienced through me. Where I am lving right now is a grand spot with which to begin this process - and I believe it is more of a process than an actual decision. I believe it is an emergent awareness that surfaces when I am still enough to pay attention - when I am available to "hear" its call.

My home sits next to this amazing lake. 60 miles long and roughly 30 miles across. It is large enough to have its own varied expressions, depending upon the wind and the weather, and is constantly changing. My view across the lake is of a higher mountain called Mt. Garcia (I think), and it too reveals it's own varied expressions. The lake supports hundreds of cranes, along with ducks, birds, etc. but the cranes are especially wondrous to observe. They are beautiful and graceful and still and powerful and contemplative and....

So each day, I have made it a daily practice to sit next to the lake and observe it through my own stillness. To meditate and open my heart and mind to accept the deeper awareness coming to and through me in the softness of this energy. Allowing myself to be - to simply be - and to pay attention to the inner voice gently whispering through my heart.

Life is good and you are loved.

Blessed be,
Lynn

Sounds of Christmas

2009-12-26T06:09:00.000-08:00

Hola...

Here in Mexico, Christmas is a lot about noise - singing, bells ringing constantly from the village churches, loud music blaring from boom-boxes on the corners (all night), and, of course, fireworks! The fireworks usually begin for any saint's day in the middle of the night (maybe 5 or so in the morning) and are meant to keep the evil spirit's away. The ones for Christmas Eve were especially loud and I believe were coming from high atop the mountain - probably more like small cannons. How they get them up there is a mystery as the elevation begins at 5,000 ft and goes up to about 7-8,000 feet.

In any event, I have become accustomed to the sounds - especially of the fireworks - and have decided they are simply a new-type of alarm clock! So, my mornings begin about 5:30 or 6:00am as I welcome the dawn of the newness that will emerge.

As there is a very large ex-pat community here in Ajijic (both Canadian and American), it is easy to celebrate this holiday in familiar ways, including turkey dinner with all the trimmings and Bing Crosby singing White Christmas from the ipod. My roommate and I had an open house and someone even brought us a fruitcake!

A deep feeling of gratitude is wrapped around my heart. To be enveloped with such physical beauty - the mountains, flowers, lake - and the warmth of new friends brings full circle the depth of our unity and connectedness as we live and express this One Life. God is gracious...God is good....all the time.

You are loved,
Lynn

Feliz Navidad

2009-12-20T12:02:00.000-08:00

Blessings of joy from Mexico - Ajijic, Jalisco - to be exact.
It is a beautiful 70+ degrees, with clear skies and blooming flowers. Our nights have been a bit chillly (high 30's) and since houses here do not have heat, I was grateful I brought a couple of cashmere sweaters and my sweats.

The past month has been a grand adventure. Driving down took 5 days (the first being the longest - as it was the Sunday after Thanksgiving and people between San Francisco and LA drove rather than take airplanes to visit families. Interstate 5 was quite literally a parking lot, with the speed no more than 30 for about 2 1/2 hours. Took ll 1/2 hours to just get to San Bernardino!) The terrain from Nogales south was beautiful and I am so very grateful I drove. Especially from Mazatlan over to Guadalajara through the Sierra Madre mountains - simply gorgeous.

A friend accompanied me and was my fantastic navigator. I had downloaded a mile-by-mile guide from a website called, "On The Road In ...." (in this case Mexico) and it was simply invaluable as it told us of upcoming sights, pertinent turns, Pemex gas station locations, the OXXO (kind of like a 7-ll), etc. etc. Even a description of the terrain we were nagivating through replete with locations of a specific and colorful cemetery. Along with this info, were the locations and approximate cost of the tolls - we only took the toll roads, which were excellent. Knowing about the tolls ahead of time made it so much easier to have the pesos ready - and there were many, many tolls, each increasing in amount the closer to Guadalajara we drove.

Met a road "angel" in Mazatlan prior to the drive through Guadalajara and I will be forever grateful. He pointed out the single most inportant turn we had to make to avoid driving thru the middle of the city - which we found - and so driving thru GDL was very easy, just like driving in any other major city in rush hour traffic. Once I passed the airport, I knew where I was and felt "home".

The adjustment to being in a foreign country hit me about a week after I arrived when my friend returned home. I felt very sad and suddently thought, "Oh My - What Have I done?" Plus my body needed to release all the tension from the 5 days of driving, I needed to adjust to the 5,000ft elevation and my body was working overtime, which was energy depleting, I have a new roommate (someone I had just met a couple of months before), the apartment needed a thorough cleaning, the food was different, etc. etc. So, finally, I gave myself permission to simply BE - to be with what I was feeling and experiencing - to cry a little - to talk with my spiritual practitioner - to make many Vonage calls home to friends and family and slowly, my attitude and feelings have begun to shift.

It is so lovely here and today, I just sat in a chair next to this huge lake contemplating the beauty, peace and tranquility of life and feeling the warmth of the sun on my body. Feels pretty much like Heaven.

Will write more consistently now that I am close to getting my internet connection up and running on a regular basis.

In the interim, be well, smile and spread kindness wherever you are....you are the GIFT.

Love to you,
Lynn

Sunshine and...

2009-11-23T08:42:00.000-08:00

It is astonishing how delighted I feel when the sun is shining (good thing I am moving to a place where it shines most of the time!). Even tho the rain is needed, and the cooler temperature feels crisp on my skin, I relish the sun. When I was young and growing up in Portland, Oregon, I did not know that the sun actually did shine most of the time in places - not just every once in awhile. Education is a good thing! It gives us the opportunity to make more conscious choices.

Have you read the book "Outliers"? I highly recommend it. It just may make you joggle your pre-determined ideas in all areas of your life, not just in the ones the author is emphasizing in the book. Question...question...question...and then wait to see what evolves from your inner Mind.

You just may be surprised and delighted. An entire new world my open to be explored.

You are loved,
Lynn

Willing to Accept

2009-11-20T06:13:00.000-08:00

Over the years, I have observed that one of the major stumbling blocks in the ability to shift away from one belief, opinion, or idea is the ability to simply be willing to accept the possibility - just the possibility - of a different view. How very rigid we (or I) seem to be in holding on to beliefs that work in opposition to my highest and best good. What I might think is my highest good, often turns out to be just the opposite, or, in the very least, much less than even ordinary good!

What is it that keeps me stuck in those old thought patterns? I believe the ego is definitely at work doing what appears to be its job of keeping me "safe". Safe meaning what is known, cause if I am comfortable with what is then it can take a rest. But, I really question whether this is what life is about - playing life "safe". In Truth, we are always safe as we are eternal beings and life goes on forever.

Okay - okay....If I am unwilling to accept greater and greater good then how is it supposed to appear in my life? And, how do I even know what good for me really is if I am not open to new and different experiences or beliefs - especially those beliefs!

I believe I must consistently monitor my tendency to slide - to slide back into the "safety net" whether that be evidenced in my lack of curiosity in the natural world around me (the planet), my tendency to eat the same food or watch the same movies, or cut my hair the same way, etc. etc

An example: yesterday I had the opportunity to watch a program on the National Geographic channel. (Don't you love their photographers - wow). Anyway, the show was about creating life on Mars! Yes - us human beings using our ability to create (with skill & expertise) greenhouse gas to heat Mars enough to sustain human life! WOW... that is using the imagination. I watched myself (or rather listened to my internal dialogue) as I almost stopped listening to the scientist because of my judgment about what we are doing to our planet now; I leaped to..."and we are going to do this to another planet"! 4

Then - I became acutely aware of my thinking, stopped myself and "became willing to accept" a higher possibility. It was fascinating and revealing at the same time. Not only my thinking - but the program content as well.

So, if you are willing, I encourage you to begin being a conscious listener of YOU. Where are you stuck and to what do you find yourself willing to accept? Try doing this for a week and see if you begin to shift into a more open and willing state of acceptance and watch life begin to explode with color.

You are loved,
Lynn

Life as Energy

2009-11-17T09:45:00.000-08:00

The experiences of the past several days have reinforced my belief that life - all life - is energy, influenced, caused and directed by consciousness. Thought - both conscious and more importantly subconscious thought - is all that exists.

The Buddha said: "All that we are is the result of what we have thought; it is founded on our thoughts; it is made up of our thoughts."

If our thoughts truly create and form the foundation of our life, and as we think approximately 65,000 or more thoughts a day, what determines which thoughts manifest themselves as embedded beliefs? It has also been scientifically proven that we think basically the same thoughts (or the same flavor of thoughts) over and over and over again. These patterns become literally embedded pathways of our brain, much like water flowing over time wears away stone to form a channel.

Experiences have a direct impact on this flavor of thought by informing our body (primarily our nervous system) as to whether the experience is life-affirming or life-threatening. (Fight or flight) To remain in a life-threatening thought pattern over long periods of time "traps" the energy within the body and can create negative physical sensations or dis-ease.

Due to the release of my old life-threatening thoughts which had formed an energy block within my physical body around this 40-year old negative relationship, today my body feels light and relaxed, free of any tension at all. During my meditation this morning, I could literally feel the flow and openness of energy in my body - and how very grand!

Even though I have been teaching this for almost 20 years, to have it reinforced by my own life-altering, energy-altering, conscious shift in thought is truly astonishing. It reinforces in such a positive way the Truth of this teaching.

To those who are skeptics or who dismiss and disregard the ever-growing body of evidence supporting the new sciences, I encourage further study. The wisdom of the sages, Shamans and mystics over centuries is being revealed again and again by people just like me.

Blessed be,
Lynn

Safe Passage

2009-11-16T07:34:00.000-08:00

Years ago, I recall sharing with a client, who was in the deepest despair, that healing would begin with the tiniest opening of the heart - just a willingness to be willing was all Spirit needed to rush in and claim victory! Yesterday, I personally had such an experience.

To continue from yesterday's post, my "friend" chose not to meet with me either in person or by telephone. The reason given was that it would not be in the best interest of my friend or my friend's family. My initial "reaction" was automatic - a definite feeling of disappointment. This appeared to be a repeat of our past relationship; pull me in and then push me away. But as I said, this was automatic and therefore based upon memory and not present-moment awareness.

Upon reflection, writing and prayer, I realized that I had been given a HUGE gift in the e-mail communication from this person that touched my heart deeply. We both had shared honestly and openly with each other for the first time in all these years and I was brought to tears - Spirit had its opening!

I also realized that my request to meet in person was so that I could stay in control. I honestly had no clear idea of what I wanted from my friend, and was not aware enough (still operating with my closed heart) to realize I had already been given what my soul desired... Love in the form of freedom! The freedom to love and be loved completely...no strings attached, no agreements, no contracts, no conditions, no constraints...oh my sweet GOD.

What a sacred time this has been - and continues to be for me. I feel jubilant and overflowing with such appreciation and gratitude for my willingness to just be willing. My heart is free and this dear beloved friend has "safe passage through my mind" as well as my heart.

Blessed be,
Lynn

Creating New Beliefs

2009-11-15T07:07:00.000-08:00

Recently, I had the opportunity to communicate with someone I knew intimately 40 years ago. My experience with this person at that time was life-shattering, and eventually became the focus of the most profound forgiveness work I have ever done. I now believe it was the greatest gift I have ever received because it propelled me out of victimhood and showed me the power of true forgiveness.

However, when I received an e-mail from this person recently (after having no real contact for all these years), I was acutely aware of the sensations in my physical body. My stomach immediately began to clench and what appeared to be uncontrollable heightened awareness of possible danger took over; I was 29 again and my body was in protective mode.

All of this created in MY MIND by MEMORY.

As I have no new information or experience of this person in the present moment, I have nothing with which to create a new "memory" in my body. Yes, I can conjure up positive "pictures" of this person or I can make up new possibilities in my mind, but what I realized is that this would take a huge amount of energy and time - especially due to the depth of the psychic pain embedded within me.

So how to heal? How do I literally release my attachment to the old beliefs and replace them?

I proposed a personal meeting with this person so that I could replace - or actually create a new - mental equivalent, one which would override the one existing in me now. I feel it would assist me greatly in resolving this dilemna and speed up the healing process. Hopefully this will be possible prior to my leaving the country. Plus, I intend to begin immediate forgiveness work for myself and my role in creating this belief in the first place.

In many ways, my heart has been stuck for 40 years. It is way past time "to open the windows of my mind and let Spirit fly in and out." (Rumi) I will know when I have replaced the old beliefs with new ones when this person has "free passage through my mind."

Blessed be

My New Home

2009-11-05T06:36:00.000-08:00

Hello...

It has been several months since I have posted to my blog. If you have been reading this on a regular basis, I apologize for my inconsistency...but, have a really good reason! I am moving to Mexico and have been investigating and exploring exactly where.

My new home is on 16 de Septiembre in a town called Ajijic in the state of Jalisco, Mexico. This particular "village" is south of Guadalajara about 45 miles and sits next to Lake Chapala - the largest lake in Mexico. My new apartment sits next to the lake on a large piece of property filled with beautiful lawn, rose edged pathways, lots of lemon, lime, avacado, mango and banana trees...and a lovely view of the lake with which to contemplate the joy of life.

I will be making the physical move on November 29. A new friend and I will be meeting up in Tucson, Arizona and "caravaning" down Highway 15 on the Western coast of Mexico. The trip will take about 4 days and, I am sure, will be delightful, beautiful and filled with new signts, sounds, tastes and experiences. Fodder for my blog.

Mexico and I have been having a "love affair" for over 35 years, so this move is not a sudden one. Choosing Ajijic (pronounced Aah - hee - heek) was influenced by the weather (nearly perfect - low 80's in the day and 50's in the evening almost all year) and the people I have met. A part of my life will be active in supporting a minister friend of mine in building the Lake Chapala Center for Spiritual Living. It is our vision to create a truly multi-cultural spiritual center celebrating the oneness of Spirit in all.

So, I will be more consistent in writing this blog - but there may be a few weeks gap during the transition and awaiting internet connection.

Sending gratitude to you for your willingness to check-in now and again. I appreciate your interest in reading my journal entries.

Blessed be,
Lynn

Gi ve...Give...Give

2009-08-10T14:04:00.000-07:00

"When you are down and out and there is no place else to go" start to give. Give whatever comes to mind - compliments, apples, appreciation, pennies, suggestions, service, cherry pies, paper clips, love, rides, prayers, checks, water, kindness, pets to your pet....just give. Begin to look for things you can give and for places and people you can give to.

Soon you will realize that you have an inexhaustable supply and that the more you give, the more you have to give! Why? Cause you were created out of the very giving nature of life itself; therefore, giving is your nature. It is a part of your DNA. The best part about becoming more and more aware of giving, is that you begin to notice that life is giving more and more back to you - more of what you give away returns to you again and again and again.

So, begin to notice what you are actually giving. Begin to notice if what you are giving is "freely given" - or if it has some hidden purpose or agenda. In other words are you giving to receive? or, are you freely giving. If you are giving to receive something back, that is a transaction or an agreement between you and the receiver, and is not a true "gift".

Especially now, during this "economic downturn", I encourage you to increase your financial giving. Not giving to a charity (although that is good to do) because that is giving with an expectancy that the organization will "do" something specific with your gift and is really a contractual agreement, albeit a silent one.

Begin to give to people or organizations that uplift you or inspire you. Make a weekly game of searching out ones that bring warmth to your heart or who are doing the work in the world that supports greater life, and when you send your check (or check the box on your bank account's bill-paying column), be grateful and then let it go.

Whenever you feel sad, disappointed by life in some way, I encourage you to find someone or someplace and begin to give. You will be amazed at how much better you feel and how quickly smiles return to your face.

Blessed be...

Is God Good?

2009-08-08T16:16:00.000-07:00

It appears that this is an extension of the age-old concept that God is for us and against the "other" guy. This belief is witnessed at football or other sports functions where each team "prays" that God will bless their team with a win! And, of coure, there must be someone who loses.

We also see this belief manifesting in organizations that promote an idealogy in which God supports whatever behavior advances its idealogy - regardless of the consequences. "If God is for us, who can be against us." The difficulty arises in my mind when there are so many varied groups with conflicting idealogies who all believe God is for them and act from that belief. Separation, often unwittingly, promoted causing pain and suffering for so many.

In Science of Mind, we acknowledge that Spirit - or God - is a principle. As a principle, or energy, or intelligence - it has no preferences - period. It simply IS. And, the power that it is flows in and through all (ALL) of its creation. As a result, God is neither good nor bad, right or wrong, etc.

As human beings, we can use this power which flows in and through us to create good - or not; the choice is ours. The more good we choose to create and the more we align with a good that works for everyone - no exceptions - the greater will be our experience of good in our own lives.

Blessed be

The Right Path

2009-08-07T10:37:00.000-07:00

Years ago, I had a delightful conversation with a woman who was convinced that God/Spirit had a definite plan for her life. She was also convinced that this same God continuously presented her with "lessons" to learn as she walked her specific path through life.

Since that time, I have spoken with many who believe this is true for them as well - that there is a specific plan God has in mind for them, even before they are born. Does this idea or belief eradicate any possibility of personal freedom or individual choice? I believe it does.

It seems to me that life is so much bigger than my finite idea of what is "the right path" - as if there is only ONE. In my heart of hearts, I believe we are always on our "right path" since that is the one we are experiencing at the present moment. As life is lived moment by moment, if we are fully engaged - if we are awake, aware and present to the life force pulsing through us right now - we are on our right path cause this is where we are and nothing else exists!

Yes, it does appear as if we grow in consciousness along a specific path. However, I believe that path is of our own choosing. What might bring me joy or allow my heart to open more fully to life, may not be the same for another. What life presents to me and through me allows my own individual awareness to expand or contract as I choose to engage with it or not.

Ultimately, it is I who determines my own "lessons" and it is I who chooses my reaction or response. Consciously or unconsciously, I am always choosing even tho sometimes it appears the path has been chosen by some force outside myself.

What is your personal belief about the purpose of your life journey? Might be fun to explore it a little.

Blessed be

Letting Go...

2009-08-04T10:55:00.000-07:00

Years ago, when I was first practicing Science of Mind principles, I felt so elated that I finally began to "let go" of my past feelings of powerlessness in my life and shift into more grounded feelings of power and control. At last I was introduced to tools that assisted me in knowing that my thinking - when I aligned it with my greater good - would definitely show up in changed conditions in my life.

What a revelation! And how magnificently my life began to shift. Now, I was in control....or so I thought at the time.

Then, as I grew in consciously aligning myself with Spirit within me, I was introduced to the concept of "letting go" of the control I had just gained! This was so confusing and a little disheartening at the time. My spiritual teachers kept affirming that I would gain greater control over my experience of life once I let go of thinkiing I was controlling any part of it. Doesn't this sound paradoxical?
Well, it is....

There are many examples of paradox involved in spiritual evolution, but this is the one that keeps showing up in my life again and again. Maybe it is because I keep "letting go" and then taking it back!

At the present time, I am practicing again. In January, I applied for a position as pastor for a wonderful spiritual center. Serving in this community would be a phenomenal shared experience of growth and expanding love - both for me and, I believe, for the members of the congregation. My daily prayer is one of complete non-attachment to the outcome; my daily practice is simply trusting that the highest outcome for everyone is what will be revealed. So, I am very much attached to being fully engaged in the process...and yet completely detached from the outcome.

This is a narrow fence to walk, and I find myself letting go again and again and again.

Do any of you experience this in your own lives? If so, I encouirage you to just keep practicing.

Blessed Be...

Break on Through to the Other Side...

2009-08-01T07:32:00.000-07:00

Within my memory, the above refrain, "Break on through to the other side" seems to be a line from an old rock song - possibly by The Doors, although I am not 100% certain of this. In any event, it has made itself known to me and I think a very accurate description of what happens when we have personal shifts in our own ideology.

We "break through" our own rigid internal barriers created to support our ego identification with personality (beliefs, opinions, etc) and illumine our own minds with an expanded awareness of a different idea or opinion or Truth of Being held by "the other". This other looks like and sounds like another human being; however, I am convinced that in fact, that being is acting out the spiritual side of our own nature.

As I believe there truly is no separation, then what you think say or do is a reflection, in some way, of me. In literal fact, our dna is almost identical.So, what does this all have to do with now?

I had such a breakthrough yesterday. I have a dear friend who has begun driving much slower. In her mind, she is choosing to be more present in the moment and taking the time to notice things around her. To me, driving so much slower than the speed limit, poses a physical danger to her and to the people driving around her. At lunch, I said something to her about it and suggested that she speed up a little. Well, her response was one of hurt. Oh my....

After we parted, I called to apologize for clearly saying something that triggered an old hurt. We talked for awhile, and I realized that my "idea" of driving slower and its importance to me was not of issue at all. It had to do with inposing my opinion about my friend's behavior on her - which touched a long-held childhood belief that she was "wrong." I was vividly reminded of the Serenity Prayer: "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." The only thing I can change is me - my ideas, beliefs, opinions and behavior!

It also remidned me - in a major way - that I, too, have unhealed hurts. As I soften my heart to myself and learn to accept my "opinion" about myself...as I truly recognize my oneness with every other being on the planet...the armor surrounding my heart can begin to fall away. Only then, will I "break" my resistance and move "on through" as One with The Other.

I am also grateful that forgiveness is a major spiritual component in long-held relationships for my love and caring for my friend (and hers of me) is only solidified each time either of us has a "break through". God is...and all is well.Blessed Be.

Turning Up the Heat

2009-07-28T06:02:00.000-07:00

Temperatures above 100 are very, very, very rare in Portland, Oregon - which is where I am visiting for the next few days. However, Sunday was about 99, yesterday about 101 and today and tomorrow predicted to be over 103. This is just way too hot for this part of the world!

Air conditioning is a rarity in people's homes here, and opening the windows at night brings little relief as the temperature last night only cooled to 79.

However, we human beings are amazingly adaptive. I watch people jogging early in the morning, walking their dogs (even tho the pads of their paws must be hot on the pavement), shopping (possibly to get out of the heat), going to movies even tho they don't particularly care about the film, and on Sunday at a picnic in a beautiful local park, I witnessed g
lee in action.

The city had created a giant palm tree about 40 feet high, painted a vivid green with purple palm fronds at the top. It sat in a carved out circular cement pad roughly 25 feet across. Out of the top of this unlikely form poured a powerful shower of water that cascaded down the fronds to land on the bodies of awaiting children (and a few daring adults) who were laughing and wiggling with complete delight.

Such a simple contraption that brought joy and relief from the heat to awaiting hot bodies. It was also a joy to watch and everyone viewing the scene had smiles on their faces. Connected by a spray of water - brown, white, black, old, young - united for a few hours in a shared expereience of life.

Is this not what will bring peace and understanding to our planet? Shared experiences of what it means to be human in the most simple of ways - allowing us to drop our entrenched ideologies that promote "us and them" viewpoints?

To me, this is what brings us together. Shared experiences that touch us without pretense. When we "forget" that we look different, and simply allow ourselves to "be" as we truly are, boundaries fall away and right and wrong dissolve.

Let's keep turning up the heat...

Blessed be...

Family Dynamics

2009-07-22T16:19:00.000-07:00

How old must we be before we can comfortably let go of our childhood hurts and behaviors that arise from interactions with our families? What must shift in us to be able to truly view our parents and siblings as human beings rather than powerful directors and controllers of our internal reactions? When do we begin to allow ourselves to grow up into the mature adults we think ourselves to be?

These are questions I have been contemplating today as a friend readies her inner landscape for a "possible" visit with her mother and sister, whom she has not seen for many years - and even more years in her own home. I am observing this amazingly gifted, powerful, spiritual warrier, who confidently meets with pillars of the business and religious communities all over the world, nervously await the "maybe" visit with her visiting relatives. I say maybe, for even tho they have been invited to come for dinner, they are continuing to convey non-attachment by making no commitments whatsoever! They will only be in her town for 2 days on their way to another tourist location, and she very much would like to share a litte of her life with them.

What is emerging is what appears to be a continuing and long-held resentment over a 30 year-old incident of betrayal between herself and her sister. Since then, there has been no talking about it - no processing of it together - no nothing. And it is still very much alive in my friend - and must be in her sister as well due to her insistence upon complete independence during this visit.

Years ago, in recovery, I learned that resentments can be so harmful to us, but the letting go of them requires a huge amount of willingness - willingness to really, completely let go of any victimhood that may be lingering around the edges of our hearts - and surrendering into what is at this very moment.

Right now, life is grand and joyous. Right now, my friend is at peace. Right now she is free. Right now....right now...right now is all there is!

And we all - every one of us - gets to practice, practice, practice this simple awareness every day. AND, especially with our families. Constantly remembering that right in this very moment, we are loved beyond our wildest dreams of love - we are perfect in the eyes of Spirit and are cherished children of the divine - right now and always.

To Marry or Not!

2009-07-19T12:49:00.000-07:00

Lately, there has been an expanding movement in favor of clergy refusing to perform marriage ceremonies (actually refusing to sign "official" documentation requested by a particular state)when that state refuses to honor marriage between any couple other than a man and a woman. To me, this is a step forward in clergy actually aligning with the values of spiritual belief passed down through the centuries. It is a way to "walk our talk" of God's unconditional love.

Over the years, clergy have been called to adhere to high spiritual principles. Some of us have done so; others have not. In those instances where the clergy have honored their values and principles, major changes in human behavior and beliefs has occurred. Each step taken with an underlying intention of unity and connection is a step that brings us closer as a species to actually living on a shared planet that supports all of us living in harmony and peace.

How can we create a world that works for everyone, when we begin to exclude this person or that couple or that group? Of course, we cannot.

I support this action, and if asked to perform a wedding in the near future within a state that refuses to honor gay or lesbian marriages, I, too, will refuse to sign the requisite paperwork.
Blessed Be.

Open-Mindedness

2009-07-16T08:41:00.000-07:00

What does it really mean to have an "open-mind"? Is it just another name for "tolerance?" I wonder. Many years ago, I heard someone say that they did not want to be "tolerated" - they wanted to be understood or accepted, but definitely not tolerated. The underlying implication being that tolerance was kind of a "putting up with" cause there appeared to be no other choice.

In our ever-widening world of connections with different people, different cultures, different foods, etc., I wonder sometimes if we are truly curious and open-minded as we walk next to our "siblings" in this life. And, if we are truly "one" in the overarching definition of the connectedness of all life, then do we not already sense and know our brother in Angola...our sister in Tahiti. What gives rise to our inward wariness to embrace that which is different? What is it that calls our hearts to open?

I believe as we more completely embrace our own essence and begin to live within the comfort of our own unity with life itself, as we begin to understand ourselves and begin to accept ourselves (imperfections and all), we more readily lose our attachment to our own long-held opinions, beliefs, ideas and feelings of separation. It is this awareness that truly opens our hearts and minds. Tolerance loses its grip and becomes part of our past behavior.

Open-mindedness opens the door to acceptance, connection, creativity and love. It opens the door to deeper intimacy, especially with ourselves.

On-Line Again

2009-07-15T10:27:00.000-07:00

Hello...
Since my last post, so much has evolved, it is better to just stay with today - right this moment - and remind myself that LIFE IS GOOD!

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to speak at a center in another city. My intention in going there was to consciously create an atmosphere in which people might "experience" - in a very personal way - a sense of their own divinity...to have a visceral taste of the sacred, as opposed to simply listening to an intellectual presentation of ideas or concepts about Spirit. On the way home, I felt very good about that intention being fulfilled. There was definitely a shift in the way people related to each other and I feel certain it was because they had the opportunity to experience a shift in how they related to themselves.

I also felt extremely pleased with allowing myself to simply be a vehicle through which Spirit guided my words and my actions during this experience. Authenticity is one of my core values, and showing up in an authentic, honest and very human way feels quite comfortable and easy so that my outer persona is not attached to what other people think about me or how I might feel they are, or are not, judging me. What an internal relief? And what freedom too.

So, when I share that I am "on-line again" it has a much bigger meaning than simply being plugged into the world wide web - it means being truly "plugged in and turned on" to the Spiritual Being that is actually living this life I call mine. AND IT IS GRAND...
Blessed Be

Computer glitches

2009-06-19T09:56:00.001-07:00

Does it seem sometimes that we are asked for too much information to keep track of on all our various electronic devices? Lately, I have been adding and adding and adding - yet again - a new password or username every time I attempt to do just about anything on the computer. My "file" for all of this data keeps getting longer and longer, and I must admit I am almost at the point of removing myself from the computer entirely! It feels that way = I mean W-A-A-A-Y too much of my time is spent retrieving, remembering, or trying to find some username or password - even keeping track of ones I use or don't use is challenging at times.

Do any of you know what I am talking about? There simply must be an easier way....

Blessings for today.

Compassionate Listening

2009-06-17T10:37:00.000-07:00

As the past few days have been immersed in practicing appreciation, what I have noticed is that all the people, events and experiences that SHOUT at me for the opposite have been showing up! Is that not what life does? We set an intention and then life presents opportunities to practice - and then practice again, with more gusto. Almost like a little test..."so, you really think you have embodied appreciation?...then what about this?"

What has revealed itself over the past couple of days has pressed me into more compassionate listening to my own heart. And, I have learned, what a challenge that can pose in the midst of what feels like self-judgment and non-acceptance of my own words and actions that may be in opposition to how I desire to show up as a spiritual be-ing having this human experience.

Recently I read the following quote which helped me soften my own spiritual journey: "As the fourth-century monk Marcarius emphasized, all improvement in spirituality is 'a matter of falling and getting up again, building something up and then being knocked down again.'" (From The Spirituality of Imperfection, by Ernest Kurtz.

So, I am now engaged in compassionate listening to myself. Listening with an inner to that still, soft voice of Spirit that is always comforting me - always loving me - always nurturing me - no matter what. And then my heart can open again as I begin the weekly practice of appreciation - both for my own life and the life experience of all those around me on this path toward loving Spirit.

Embracing Good Like a Friend

2009-06-13T06:47:00.000-07:00

Lately, in my inward contemplative state of mind, I have been thinking about what life would be like if I were to embrace the quality of love - or gratitude - or harmony - as if it were a true friend. More than just a "feeling"; more than just an "attitude", but more like an actual, lifelike experience that was consistant and constant - like a friend - a very good friend.

In the philosophy of Science of Mind, we recognize the huge impact upon one's life that a mere minimal shift in how we think can have upon our outward living experience. Can you imagine what would happen by truly "embodying" or making our own inward experience an everyday habit out of such things as peace, or contentment, or joy? Can you imagine how the entire world would shift?

What would my life (or your life) be like if we truly - not superficially - lived from a place of kindness or beauty or abundance? All sense of separation would dissolve. Anything resembling competition (created out of lack) would no longer be an issue. Creativity would abound and mutual respect would be "normal". "Different" would be looked upon as a place for expanded learning. Art and science would flourish. Life would be revered as an expression of the Divine and so hatred, violence and war would be non-existent.

Can we even imagine such a thing? If we can begin to imagine that it is possible, I believe it can then become a true reality. And, I realize it has to begin with me.

So, for the upcoming week, I commit to embracing the quality of appreciation as a true friend - as a deep and rich part of my daily living.

Will you join me by choosing a quality you would be willing to practice consistently for the next week?

Let's see what happens. It can only be good!

Letting Go....

2009-06-11T09:39:00.000-07:00

Early this morning as I was chatting with my weekly prayer partner, she asked me what was going on - that I "seemed" to be "out of sorts" and not my usually enthusiastic and upbeat self. As I began to inwardly ponder her question (one that had actually been visiting my thoughts for sometime now), I noted that this was a place I do not ever recall being in before. It is definitely a place of inward searching for a definition or word that describes accurately what my state of consciousness appears to be experiencing at the present moment. "Weird" is all I could come up with....not very revealing, I understand.

Upon further contemplation, I believe it has something to do with my "letting go" of the "productive" and "outward doing" of my life. This is HUGE. In May, I went to a workshop presented by Jett Psarsis and Marlena Lyons (co-authors of "Undefended Love"). This workshop was entitled, "Taking the Midlife Leap, One Step at a Time." The very first section was entitled, "Approaching the end of who we have been and the life we have been living." This is where I feel I am - and have been - for about a year.

It involves big inner questions: What did I do all my life? Did I actually live my own life? Who am I when I put all my history aside? What is the deeper reason I am doing all these things? How do I choose to live from this moment on?

One thing becomes very clear: it is not about doing "the first half of my life better!" or different. The first half is truly about doing; the second half feels more about be-ing...and therein lies the mystery. Simply be-ing is not on my resume, and I have never assigned any value to it. In fact, my upbringing discourages be-ing and rewards do-ing!

So, who am I really and what is my value if I am no longer a being doing? How do I recreate a higher sense of purpose and belonging. How do I begin to value wisdom - the wisdom of a life lived full-out most of the time? And is there anything to "do" with that wisdom?

Of one thing I am certain, it involves Letting Go of what was - truly letting go - and practicing be-ing present with what is in the experience of my next heartbeat...and then the next...and so on.

Stay tuned for the next adventurous life journey is just beginning

2009-06-10T10:11:00.000-07:00

2009-06-10T08:42:00.000-07:00

On the plane flying to Puerto Vallarta, I was seated next to a couple of young (30ish) women, who could most definitely be described as "Valley girls". I knew God had a sense of humor when I realized I was captured in my seat for four hours and simply could not remove myself from the constant "dishing" by these women of every person photographed in the current TV or movie magazines.

The book I was reading distracted me for brief moments, but then I would be jarred back to their conversation by some completely innane comment: "look at her nose - why does she even get photographed?", "Oh my God, you would think she would stay indoors with a behind that big.", etc. etc.

Then, out of the blue, I heard, "Why would I want health care that everyone else has? I deserve better than that. What would be the point of my having to put up with what everyone else puts up with!" A part of me was stunned...and, then, I remembered the phrase: consciousness creates reality. This was their reality; this is what they truly believed - or at least it was what they supported one another in believing.

How does a culture that promotes - through the consistent superficiality of sitcoms on television, and text messaging to the person sitting next to you - separation, begin to shift to one that embraces true equality of mind and spirit?
For it doesn't really matter that we enact a Universal Healthcare plan, if all it does is assure the continuation of business as usual, packaged under a more acceptable name.

Consciousness is what needs to shift, and there appears to be a deep-rooted movement in America to keep or promote the same old ideas of "I need to be better than you or have more than you, because I am worthy and you are not." In my humble opinion, this attitude will be the ultimate cause of the destruction of this country. The US cannot continue to be a model of justice and freedom for the world, when it is unwilling to acknowledge, care for - or even have compassion for - all of its own citizens.

To quote Socrates: "The unexamined life is not worth living." It appears that we, as a country, are unwilling to be honest with ourselves. We appear to be unwilling to take responsibility for the inequality we promote here and around the globe. We continue to destroy while attempting to convince ourselves we are a country of peace. We talk out of both sides of our mouth and pretend that no one notices - especially ourselves!

So, having said all of that, I must bring my thoughts back to my own life and question my own thoughts, words and behavior. Where am I talking out of both sides of my mouth? Under what circumstances do I believe that I am worthy and you are not? What actions do I continue to take that promote separation? This is when living a conscious spiritual life can get sticky.

Am I willing to question my inner belief patterns and shift them? Today, I am. AND, I find myself back to the Valley Girls and my sense of superiority as I judged their chatter!
Oh my.....

2009-06-09T07:07:00.000-07:00

Returning to the groove of sitting at a computer again, has been somewhat of a challenge. During my time in Mexico, I did not use a cell phone, did not have a computer, did not watch TV, see a newspaper or listen to a radio! It was actually quite wonderful. It was possible to actually have a meaningful conversation with people - to converse about ideas and explore possibilities of what might be - and not be "rushing" to get to the next thing or experience on the daily list.

As I look back in time, I remember when I first came into this philosophy. I consciously chose to remove myself from the daily input of all the media, and it had a dramatic affect on my internal feeling about myself and about my life - all in the positive. Did I miss "not knowing" about all the events of the world? Absolutely not, for people are very quick to inform you of major happenings. All that was important for me to know, I found out in some way.

Upon my recent return to the US, one aspect of life in our country stands out vividly: our frenetic activity. It is quite jarring to the psyche. And, in my opinion, it is creating a culture that is so detached from its connection to one another; we flit from one person to another, from one experience to another, from one obsession to another - and are losing our sense of belonging to life itself and, perhaps, losing any sense of value of life as a whole.

So, I invite any of you who might be reading this, to take some time today - and this week - to turn off all your electronic gadgets and simply BE. Be with yourself - be with life - be with those you love - and have a conversation with someone to explore what you truly value and what might be important to you. Who knows - it just might become a habit....

2009-06-06T10:20:00.000-07:00

Hola....from Mexico (or actually, my return from Mexico). The past several weeks have been full - very full - of sights, sounds, tastes, experiences of my time in our sister country to the South. I began in Puerto Vallarta which is, for those who have not been there, a lovely and beautiful city on the Western Pacific side of Mexico. The gorgeous home of a friend located high in the hills just South of the city was my home for 6 days. It has 160 degree views of the sea and the city from a large terrace and the gentle lapping of the waves hitting the shore lulled me to sleep each night.

A major part of this journey to PV was to determine if there was enough interest among folks to initiate a more focused
Sciene of Mind Center there. We actually put together a Sunday Celebration Service, May 17, which was attended by close to 40 people - many of whom were exposed to Science of Mind for the first time. Several people attended who had been members of SOM communities in the US, which was quite exciting for me - and for them. One person even brought a number of Science of Mind magazines to give to people.

After the service, we participated in questions to determine the level of actual interest in supporting such a spiritual center. It was extremely high, and everyone had interest in taking classes of some kind, which was very encouraging. The attendees were a diverse group, indicative of Science of Mind communities all over the world.

So, at this juncture, I am committed to a visioning process to "listen" for what Spirit's highest idea of a spiritual center in Puerto Vallarta is and to proceed from that understanding. This is an exciting idea; this is an exciting time in the conscious evolution of the people of Mexico - both locals and expats - and I am thrilled to be a part of what is emerging.

2009-05-12T07:36:00.000-07:00

Day 32:
"I lift up my mind and heart to be aware, to understand, and to know that the Divine Presence I AM is the Source and Substance of all my good."

As I leave tomorrow for Puerto Vallarta, I am so-o-o reminded that the above statement is the absolute Truth! My lodging in PV (the home of a former student) is simply gorgeous and overlooks the sea. On Sunday, I am blessed to be speaking to a group of people about Science of Mind as there is some interest in starting a study group or metaphysical center there. Then, on Wednesday, I fly to Guadalajara and then take a taxi to Lake Chapala (the largest lake in Mexico) to meet even more metaphysicans. I will be staying in a magical B&B and exploring the area with two newly-adopted friends.

This trip has been a complete demonstration of my belief in the above statement, as I have been supported in every way to make this journey - time, lodging, money, beauty, love, kindness, friendship, creativity, harmony, unity, joy - all have contributed (and continue) to make this journey easy.
Whatever I have needed or desired has been revealed - including a beautiful friend to stay and care for my cat, Spirit.

As I will not be taking my computer, this post will most likely be the last until May 30.

I encourage you to continue with this practice through Day 40; please refer to previous posts for Day 33-40 (they just repeat 1-10).

2009-05-11T07:06:00.000-07:00

Day 31:
"God is lavish, unfailing Abundance, the rich omnipresent substance of the Universe. This all-providing Source of infinite prosperity is individualized as me - the Reality of me."

If I believe (and I do) that I am the manifestation, or form, created out of a Divine Intelligence (Spirit), and that this Spirit is literally the source out of which everything emerges, then all of what it is has to be what I am made up of, cause there is nothing else I could have been created out of! If this is so, and if I believe that this Spirit is abundant - in other words, has the capacity and capability to create (out of itself) unlimited forms - then that same ability must inherently be within me as well. This is the 'Reality' of me.

Once I begin to 'own' this reality, or make it my own, or identify more with it than I do with the finite world of human form, then whatever, literally whatever, I desire within the innermost regions of my being (my core) manifest themselves automatically in my life. If I believe I am prosperous, I am; if I believe I am supported in a lavish and literally unfailing way - I am.

This is where the rubber meets the road. It is all well and good to intellectually understand this principle or concept. It is quite another to practice it in daily living.

Just take the word 'lavish'. To one person, lavish may mean simply having enough food to eat during any given day, so having the ability to secure food be automatic (without any concern or worry)would be prosperity. To another, it may mean experiencing fulfillment through life's work. To another, it may mean the ability to purchase shelter, etc. etc.

Nature provides the best example of the lavishness of Spirit. There is not just one kind of apple, there are many; there is not just one apple on a tree, but hundreds; there is not just one kind of tree, there are hundreds, etc. etc. So too in my world. Hundreds of ways that lavish abundance shows itself daily. I see them; I appreciate them; I identify with them; I embody the process and recognize that process - the 'rich, omnipresent substance of the Universe' IS me now!

2009-05-10T08:37:00.000-07:00

Day 30:
"I keep my mind and thoughts off "this world" and I place my entire focus on God within as the only Cause of my prosperity. I acknowledge the Inner Presence as the only activity in my financial affairs, as the substance of all things visible. I place my faith in the Principle of Abundance in action within me."

Staying focused on this affirmation and true to its guidance is challenging at times. The world of effect is so very enticing and appears to very real. It seems to affect every waking moments at times with its insistent cry for attention. Plus, all that it offers appears to be the answer to any feeling of sadness or worthiness: buy this widget and you will be beautiful; stay at this hotel, you will feel luxurious and you deserve it; buy this perfume or golf club or car or .....and it will transform your life.

All of this is so not true, and I believe all of us know this but we have (I know I have) been hypnotized to some degree in believing it at the moment we indulged the fantasy. But in the very next moment, that feeling was gone and there we were again - with our same old feelings.

Placing my faith and belief in the God Presence Within as my only Cause of prosperity, truly brings = not only financial prosperity and abundance - but elevates my own feelings of internal worth and value. Then, if I choose to purchase an item, I do so with conscious awareness.

2009-05-10T08:23:00.000-07:00

Day 29:
"When I am aware of the God-Self within me as my total fulfillment, I am totally fulfilled. I am now aware of this Truth. I have found the secret of life, and I relax in the knowledge that the Activity of Divine Abundance is eternally operating in my life. I simply have to be aware of the flow, the radiation, of that Creative Energy, which is continuously, easily and effortlessly pouring forth from my Divine Consciousness. I am now aware. I am now in the flow."

Yes, the 'secret of life' is both the knowledge and awareness that the activity of Spirit is eternally operating in my life. There is absolutely no separation between what is the great and eternal cause of life itself pouring through me as me and what I identify as myself. It is always operating in me as me. I am what it is in form. There is no effort involved, nor do I have to work at being this presence. My only 'job' is to be aware of the Truth of who and what I am and allow it to flow. Then, all is well in my world.

2009-05-08T09:36:00.000-07:00

Day 28:
"My consciousness of the Spirit within me as my unlimited Source is the Divine Power to restore the years the locusts have eaten, to make all things new, to lift me up to the High Road of abundant prosperity. This awareness, understanding and knowledge of Spirit appears as every visible form and experience that I could possibly desire."

My experiences in life directly correlate to my acceptance, belief and understanding of myself in relation to life. As my acceptance of life becomes more rooted in the knowing that life is good and is pouring through me at all times supporting what I desire, my outward experiences reflect this acceptance. The more and more that I embrace the eternal and powerful truth of my inner being - my Oneness with and as life itself - the more fully my "word" manifests in a conscious way to support me in actually living my word. To say this more simply, my life takes on form and experience at the same level as my inner acceptance of life - my unity with it.

This is my intention, and so each day I take the time to reconnect, to remind myself, to be still and listen and stay focused on my unlimited and eternal Source from which emerges more and more good - more and more love - more and more peace - more and more harmony - more and more abundance of all that I truly desire.

2009-05-07T09:16:00.000-07:00

Day 27:
"The Divine Consciousness that I am is forever expressing its true nature of Abundance. This is its responsibility, not mine. My only responsibility is to be aware of this Truth. Therefore, I am totally confident in letting go and letting God appear as the abundant all-sufficiency in my life and affairs."

This morning, as I welcome the sun after weeks of pouring rain (which we need here in California), I am delightedly grateful for life "appearing" in all its glory and sufficiency. The appearance of God's bounty is always showing up if I but acknowledge it - if I but 'see' it. That requires complete faith and confidence that ALL of life is expressing God - no exceptions.

This appears as my repeated challenge when faced with what appears to be "lack". I must remind myself to return to God - the awareness that Spirit is in, through and as everything and everyone in life...in my life, just as it shows up.

This morning, once again, I realize that fear is no longer making its appearance in my emotional experience, and I am so very, very grateful. No, more than grateful...peaceful and filled with grace as I realize I am more anchored in Faith at this time in my life. WOW - that is a huge evolution for me. Praise be to Spirit!

2009-05-06T07:49:00.000-07:00

Day 26:
"My inner supply instantly and constantly takes on form and experience according to my needs and desires, and as the Principle of Supply in action, it is impossible for me to have any needs or unfilfilled desires."

What I understand this particular statement reveals is that it is not possible to have an unmet need or desire, because the Divine Mind operating automatically within - key word is automatically - has already provided all in this instant. If it were otherwise, my experience would be different than the one I am having right now. In other words, if I stay fully present in this NOW moment, and do not allow myself to look back or forward, everything I could possibly want, need or desire is in my life experience at this moment!

What this says to me is that I must continuously bring myself back to the moment I am experiencing. All is perfect in this moment. Nothing else exists. All is well. How very simple it all is really.

2009-05-05T12:45:00.000-07:00

Day 25:
"Money is not my supply. No person, place or condition is my supply. My awareness, understanding and knowledge of the all-providing activity of the Divine Mind within me is my supply. My consciousness of this Truth is unlimited, therefore, my supply is unlimited."

When I ponder the phrase, 'My consciousness of this Truth is unlimited...' I wonder: is it really? In the expandsiveness of the Universe, it would appear that the "potential" for my consciousness to be unlimited is definitely apparent. And, yet, from my human experience, my consciousness 'appears' limited - limited in the sense that I have unconsciously (more often than not, subconsciously) overriden the unlimited nature of my consciousness by beliefs, patterns of behavior, opinions, etc. etc. that show up in my life as lack, scaricity, limitation, etc. - all manifestations of separation from my Source - the truly Unlimited Energy or Source of Life itself - pure Spirit.

I completely agree that money is not my supply. I also fully embody the belief that no person, place or condition is my supply - or do I? I like to think I do, and yet, there are times when I rely on a check from a Center or organization showing up on a regular basis and can be frustrated when it is doesn't. It appears that I can more readily apply this principle in my life - actually live in complete faith of being supported in all ways - when I am not receiving 'regular' checks from anywhere specific. It is then that my '...awareness, understanding and knowledge of the all-providing activity of the Divine Mind within me is my supply."

Again, it all comes back to my consciousness and my belief about my relationship to this Divine Mind of Spirit and how I view its avenue of expression in my life. Good thoughts to ponder this day....

2009-05-04T07:35:00.000-07:00

Day 24:
"Through my consciousness of my God-Self, the Christ within, as my Source, I draw into my mind and feeling nature the very substance of Spirit. This substance is my supply, thus my consciousness of the Presence of God within me is my supply."

Today, the word from the reading above that stands out for me is "feeling nature". It appears to me that my consciousness expands and becomes automatically anchored in the unity and oneness of my existence as a physical expression of God or Spirit or Divine Intelligence through my feeling sense. So concepts, beliefs or ideas become "second nature" and my human action responds in an automatic way.

So, as I fully embody my unity with my Divine nature - rather than my human nature - the very substance of supply on my human level automatically creates all form that I might need or desire. My 'word' is, therefore, all powerful and simply creates from my thought or feelings automatically, without any exertion or planning or figuring out whatsoever. The 'how' just unfolds easily.

So, it is the feeling or belief in SEPARATION from my good (or my God) that produces all effect in my life. This becomes my mission - my purpose; to dissolve any feeling of separation, and that is formidable.

2009-05-03T08:19:00.000-07:00

Day 23:
"I am conscious of the Inner Presence as my lavish Abundance. I am conscious of the constant activity of this Mind of infinite Prosperity. Therefore, my cosciousness is filled with the Light of Truth."

'...filled with the Light of Truth.' Yes, I do feel a wondrous sense of light as I release the burden of thinking I have to figure out how to supply me needs and wants all the time. The ability to allow myself to receive the lavishness support of this truly constant activity of Divine Mind or intelligence or LIFE itself that flows through me all the time is so freeing. It allows me to BE in life rather than trying to DO life; it brings a sense of deep freedom to my heart and my mind; it truly allows me to accept the love from friends, family and even perfect strangers and bask in the light of this Truth: Life is good, and I am supported lavishly all the time.

2009-05-02T15:18:00.000-07:00

Day 22:
"I lift up my mind and heart to be aware, to understand, and to know that the Divine Presence I AM is the Source and Substance of all my good."

Understanding can be a tricky concept. Sometimes I find it easy to 'understand' something (an idea, for example) and at the same time find it quite challenging to 'know' from the inner depth of my being that it is True...or not. As I deeply embody the idea or belief that all I AM is truly the presence of Spirit or the intelligence of all that is, the awareness of this naturally outpictures in my life as all substance or form - and I can name it good. Getting my 'bloated nothingness out of the way' (as Joel Goldsmith might say) is the key to this embodiment.

Some days or, in truth just moments now and again, I feel 'at one' with this Divine Mind or Creator. This sustains me and is growing.

2009-05-01T08:31:00.000-07:00

Day 21:
"God is lavish, unfailing Abundance, the rich omnipresent substance of the Universe. This all-providing Source of infinite prosperity is individualized as me - the Reality of me."

"Infinite prosperity" - whew! When I ponder the word infinite, I am immediately transported to a place of puzzlement, for it just seems way too incredible to imagine with my small, finite human mind. And, yet, I intellectually accept this as the Truth of Life. Life is infinite and is always recreating itself over and over and over again with its lavish, unfailing, always and forever expressions of good and more good.

As I am one of its expressions - created out of its thought -
then I too must have within me the ability to create and recreate the lavish and unfailing Abundance in my own life...and I do! Especially, when I review my life journey and acknowledge the myriad of times I have "begun anew", and then, as if my magic, all I need or desire manifests itself again and again. In different forms, perhaps, but the process remains the same - creation - infinitely prosperous and unfailingly present revealing itself and its lavish ways. I am always, and in all ways, sourced by this Presence and I feel exceedingly grateful for my awareness of this Truth. It - my Faith in this Universal Law - sustains me when I forget.

2009-04-30T07:33:00.000-07:00

Day 20:
"I keep my mind and thoughts off "this world" and I place my entire focus on God within as the only Cause of my prosperity. I acknowledge the Inner Presence as the only activity in my financial affairs, as the substance of all things visible. I place my faith in the Principle of Abundance in action within me."

When I sit quietly with myself and contemplate Life - especially how it emerges and then expresses itself in the myriad of forms around me - I am so knowing that all ALL life is activated and sustained by a force, energy, intelligence so much greater than I can even imagine. When I allow my mind to embrace this larger idea of Life, I always come back to the belief that this same energy, intelligence is present within me. I am using it all of the time, even if I am not consciously aware of using it.

So my task today is to become even more conscious that all I am is immersed in this presence - it operates through me. Therefore, the abundance or prosperity or activty that it is engaged in through me operates automatically, if I but open myself and allow the flow.

2009-04-29T06:36:00.000-07:00

Day 19:
"When I am aware of the Gof-Self within me as my total fulfillment, I am totally fulfilled. I am now aware of this Truth. I have found the secret of life, and I relax in the knowledge that the Activity of divine Abundance is eternally operating in my life. I simply have to be aware of the flow, the radiation, of that Creative Energy, which is continuously, easily and effortlessly pouring forth from my Divine Consciousness. I am now aware. I am now in the flow."

Awareness! That is always the key and yet, how readily I find my mind obsorbed in an idea, or a belief - or especially an opinion - that takes me away from this inner awareness of my God-Self. Just yesterday, I had a conversation on the telephone with someone seeking to employ me for a particular position in another city about 300 miles from where I live. When I asked about compensation for my travel expenses, I was informed that they were not covering them and that this expense was mine to absorb. Immediately, I felt an inner stirring of "this is not okay". I felt unsupported and dishonored that I was being expected to "pay for an interview."

Then, as I took this issue into prayer, I decided to take another look at the dynamic and kick into my inner awareness of always being supported - no matter what. My awareness tells me that I am only dishonored or unsupported if I allow that thought to become "real" for me - if I believe it! Since I am desiring to live from an inward connection with my True Self, I had to come back to the realization that I am always - ALWAYS - honored and always - ALWAYS - supported, regardless of what appears in my human experience.

I have the ability to change my awareness and bring myself back to what I desire to believe about myself and what is actually True - rather than get caught in a negative perception - or false belief. The creative flow of abundance is operating and I am now aware of that flow. Life is good!

2009-04-28T12:29:00.001-07:00

Day 18:

"My consciousness of the Spirit within me as my unlimited Source is the Divine Power to restore the years the locusts have eaten, to make all things new, to ift me up to the High Road of abundant prosperity. This awareness, understanding and knowledge of Spirit appears as every visible form and experience that I could possibly desire."

What are the locusts? I think they are the negative beliefs and ideas - the engrained secular thinking that programs us (me) to believe that the objects or things or forms in my life are representative of the abundance of Spirit in life. In actuality, it is simply the awareness of my inner being - my inner knowing - that I am the abundance of my life period. Once this knowing is fully embodied, then scarcity and limitation or lack no longer hold sway over my life or my experience, and I am restored to my original whole and naturally abundant state of Being.

2009-04-28T12:05:00.000-07:00

Day 17:
"The Divine Consciousness that I am is forever expressing its true nature of Abundance. This is its responsibility, not mine. My only responsibility is to be aware of this Truth. Therefore, I am totally confident in letting go and letting God appear as the abundant all-sufficiency in my life and affairs."

There it is again - the letting go issue. Isn't control an interesting idea to cotemplate. What exactly do I think I have control of? Certainly not life itself, for life flows thru me unbidden at all times. And, so as this thing called life expresses its nature thru me, it naturally creates all it needs to sustain itself. Anything that I add - from a human perspective - is frosting on the cake. I simply set into motion my desire and allow the unfolding to take place...being a witness to the "all-sufficiency" as it reveals itself.

2009-04-28T11:53:00.000-07:00

Day 16:
"My inner supply instantly and constantly takes on form and experience according to my needs and desires, and as the Principle of Supply in action, it is impossible for me to have any needs or unfulfilled desires."

This morning, my focus on this statement automatically went to "...according to my needs and desires". If I am honest with myself, I realize that all my needs are met all the time: I always have a lovely, safe, comfortable place to call home (whether my own or someone else's); I always have more than enough delicious food to nourish my physical body; I have several very close friends who love me unconditionally; I feel uplifted and fulfilled in my work; I am healthy and have boundless energy and vitality; my connection with Spirit is sweet and nurturing to my soul; my creative urges have an outlet in my teaching, my writing, etc.; ...so now to desires. Quite honestly, my desires appear to be very few at the moment and pretty basic. I desire more love connections in my life experience, whether in the form of a lover, or simply in my consciously expressing love to others; I desire to express and experience joy each and every day; I desire to enhance my listening skills to more consciously hear what is beneath the words; I desire to set myself free from the internal "obligations" I have created in my life; I desire to be a more conscious friend - to myself and to others; I desire to release any fear of any kind that lurks in my consciousness....especially the fear of what others might think of me or my actions.

A friend sent me a list of questions and the one that keeps glaring at me is: "When I die, no matter when it is, I will wish I had."...and my answer is, "worked less, _played more_, traveled the world to meet more of my companians on earth and learn about other cultures - in other words not played it so safe and "responsible"...
M

2009-04-28T11:48:00.000-07:00

Day 15:
"Money is not my supply. No person, place or condition is my supply. My awareness, understanding and knowledge of the all-providing activity of the Divine Mind within me is my supply. My consciousness of this Truth is unlimited, therefore, my supply is unlimited."

Realizing that I am always supplied - with everything I need or desire - by the Divine Mind within me, I am feeling disconnected from the forms and feel always at one with the higher purpose of my inward beingness - and that is simply to love. My attachment to forms (house, car, etc) appears to sometimes override my inner KNOWING that everything I need I already have - and it has nothing to do with form.

I appear to be a well-trained Western human placing so much emphasis and attention on acquiring or maintaining my "forms". Those nagging inner questions: who am I without my stuff? - do I really need to pay all this money for a car? Is not the inner me the priceless composition of my being? When I die will people really care that I drove a Prius? Will the furniture, knick-knacks, art, jewelry, clothes, etc. all be mentioned in my eulogy? I think not....

Amazing how just one day can shift me into a completely different way of looking at this little practice - which is turning out ot be pretty big!

2009-04-28T08:36:00.000-07:00

Day 14:
"Through my consciousness of my God Self, the Christ within, as my Source, I draw into my mind and feeling nature the very substance of Spirit. This substance is my supply, thus my consciousness of the Presence of God within me is my supply"

Once again, I must come back to my own being - reminding myself of who I really am. The I AM presence - the creator of all life - is who I am made up of, so I naturally (when I can claim and accept this truth) am supplied with everything I need or desire when my inner knowing matches my inner feeing - the oneness aligns. This is truly my supply.

2009-04-28T08:33:00.000-07:00

Day 13
There is that word Lavish again - and as have been reading (re-reading) this little book again, it's focus is decidedly on money - so that is where I am focusing. Money is energy - there is a lavish amount of energy - cause energy is really all that exists as it is consistently taking form. Someplace within me is a short-circuit to the lavish flow of energy flowing thru me, somehow I am thinking that I am creating the energy - whew. As I open more and more to the deep knowing and utter reliance upon the Spirit within me (and get out of my own way) - prosperity just flows easily to and thru me in all kinds of forms, including money.

The more I trust and have faith - the more 'supply' shows up - cause and effect at work once again.

2009-04-22T08:57:00.000-07:00

Day 12:
"I lift up my mind and heart to be aware, to understand, and to know that the Divine Presence I AM is the Source and Substance of all my good."

Today, the key word is "to be aware"...and I intend to practice this every moment as I prepare to go to Oregon and facilitate a workshop emphasizing accountability and spiritual oneness. If I am truly accountable, I will LIVE from the principles I believe and teach. I will live from my spiritual self - walk my talk - in every area, including Abundance. This is my practice today.

2009-04-22T08:52:00.000-07:00

Day 11:
"God is lavish, unfailing Abundance, the rich omnipresent substance of the Universe. This all-providing Source of infinite prosperity is individualized as me - the Reality of me."

There is that world lavish coming round again. And, how do I define lavish? To me it means more than enough - way more! For most of my life, I have always had more than enough of whatever I desired or needed - even when it appeared to not be so. About 20 years ago, I lost a business and filed bankruptcy, lost my home and my car....and yet, I was truly in gratitude and bliss for I could truly see God in every arena of my life encouraging me to BE who I was really and not live from a false-sense of identity.

2009-04-22T08:46:00.000-07:00

Day 10:
"I keep my mind and thoughts off "this world" and I place my entire focus on God within as the only Cause of my prosperity. I acknowledge the Inner Presence as the only activity in my financial affairs, as the substance of all things visible. I place my faith in the Principle of Abundance in action within me."

This is a very challenging activity since I am living as a human being in a world driven by effects. Consume - consume - money - money - values of a culture anchored in the accumulation of wealth at almost any cost. To shift away from this belief is well and good from an intellectual standpoint, but then the rent is due or I have a flat tire or need a cavity filled and there is no "visible" money to use. What then? In my life, money just seems to "show up" and many times it truly is a mystery. This reinforces my faith that Spirit is my source.

2009-04-19T17:36:00.000-07:00

Day 9:
"When I am aware of the God-Self within me as my total fulfillment, I am totally fulfilled. I am now aware of this Truth. I have found the secret of life, and I relax in the knowledge that the Activity of Divine Abundance is eternally operating in my life. I simply have to be aware of the flow, the radiation, of that Creative Energy, which is continuously, easily and effortlessly pouring forth from my Divine Consciousness. I am now aware. I am now in the flow."

What just comes to mind immediately is the feeling that I have every once in awhile in which I am just enveloped and so focused on whatever I am doing (or being) that nothing - literally nothing - else exists! This is the awareness of total fulfillment that I believe these statements refer. When I am in that place (complete surrender and non-attachment) all is pure bliss, cause there isn't anything else! To maintain this, is - or so it appears in my life - challenging because I am so immersed in my ego thinking, in my little human idea.....surrender....surrender....surrender....Immerse myself in joy - in love - in creativity - without human thought. This is the flow...yowsey!

Lynn

2009-04-18T06:44:00.001-07:00

Day 8. "My consciousness of the Spirit within me *as* my unlimited Source is the Divine Power to restore the years the locusts have eaten, to make all things new, to lift me up to the High Road of abundant prosperity. This awareness, understanding and knowledge of Spirit appears as every visible form and experience that I could possibly desire."

Yes - once again, my Power comes from within me. I have the power to create anything - anything - in my life, and in reality, I already do; my life represents my beliefs, opinions and ideas about me and about life. In order for me to have a major shift in my experience of life, it is even more important for me to have a shift in the way I “feel” about my life and how I “feel” when life doesn’t show up the way I had planned or how I thought it “should”. Once I shift – internally, not just intellectually – to the deep knowing (from an automatic “isness”) that Spirit within me is truly my source, then my exterior life reflects that internal knowing or desire in every possible way.
This process takes time. It is not enough to simply understand it – or to accept it – or to agree with it. It must be infused into every fiber and cell of my being so that I truly become one with it….not even a shadow of separation.

2009-04-17T13:33:00.000-07:00

Day 7:
"When I am aware of the God-Self within me as my total fulfillment, I am totally fulfilled. I am now aware of this Truth. I have found the secret of life, and I relax in the knowledge that the Activity of Divine Abundance is eternally operating in my life. I simply have to be aware of the flow, the radiation, of that Creative Energy, which is continuously, easily and effortlessly pouring forth from my Divine Consciousness. I am now aware. I am now in the flow."
This is an amazing statement. An amazing affirmation, and when I am actually being conscious of this activity - the flow - the radiation of life flowing in and thru my life, I feel so-o-o very present and so-o-o very good about EVERYONE AND EVERYTHING. This is not just a separate experience of unity regarding money or support or abundance, but it is a much deeper and abiding "internal knowing" that I am literally one with everything that is and all - truly ALL - is well. It can be nothing less.

2009-04-16T06:52:00.000-07:00

Day 6:
"My inner supply instantly and constantly takes on form and experience according to my needs and desires, and as the Principle of Supply in action, it is impossible for me to have any needs or unfulfilled desires."

This morning, my focus on this statement automatically went to "...according to my needs and desires". If I am honest with myself, I realize that all my needs are met all the time: I always have a lovely, safe, comfortable place to call home (whether my own or someone else's); I always have more than enough delicious food to nourish my physical body; I have several very close friends who love me unconditionally; I feel uplifted and fulfilled in my work; I am healthy and have boundless energy and vitality; my connection with Spirit is sweet and nurturing to my soul; my creative urges have an outlet in my teaching, my writing, etc.; ...so now to desires. Quite honestly, my desires appear to be very few at the moment and pretty basic. I desire more love connections in my life experience, whether in the form of a lover, or simply in my consciously expressing love to others; I desire to express and experience joy each and every day; I desire to enhance my listening skills to more consciously hear what is beneath the words; I desire to set myself free from the internal "obligations" I have created in my life; I desire to be a more conscious friend - to myself and to others; I desire to release any fear of any kind that lurks in my consciousness....especially the fear of what others might think of me or my actions.
A friend recently sent me a list of questions for internal inquiry. The one that keeps glaring at me is: "When I die, no matter when it is, I will wish I had…" My answer is, "worked less, _played more_, traveled the world to meet more of my companions on earth and learn about other cultures - in other words not played it so safe and "responsible.”

2009-04-15T10:08:00.000-07:00

Day 5:
"Money is not my supply. No person, place or condition is my supply. My awareness, understanding and knowledge of the all-providing activity of the Divine Mind within me is my supply. My consciousness of this Truth is unlimited, therefore, my supply is unlimited."

This morning even tho I completely understand these concepts with my mind and embrace the Truth of them, my small, finite human mind struggles with this at this time in my life when it appears my physical "needs" are met at the eleventh hour. Yes, consciousness shows up as it does in form - so what I am learning is that my consciousness appears to be comfortable (even skilled) at the level of "unlimited" supply showing up in some kind of pre-agreed upon form at the last minute. I seem to be pushing myself to the edge of my faith month by month as I simultaneously force myself to grow and expand my reliance upon the Presence moment to moment. This is a much-practiced habit and I am willing to let it go and surrender completely.

Lynn

2009-04-14T17:12:00.000-07:00

Day 4
"Through my consciousness of my God-Self, the Christ within, as my Source, I draw into my mind and feeling nature the very substance of Spirit. This substance is my supply, thus my consciousness of the Presence of God within me_* is*_ my supply."

Once again, as I connect in a conscious way to who and what I really am (under the layer of this human body clothing), I "get" that I am literally = I AM - my supply, and everything in my life emerges or is created out of this life energy pulsing thru me. The key for me is remembering - remembering - remembering....

Lynn

2009-04-13T08:18:00.000-07:00

Day 2 - As I did 3 yesterday, I will do Day 2 today. The quote from the book "The Abundance Book" by John Randolph Price that I will use today is as follows: "The Divine Presence I AM is the Source and Substance of all my good."

If I really believe that this is so, then I would not be concerned about attempting to "make" anything happen in my life. I would be able to simply BE and allow my life to unfold easily being present to what is in each moment. When I think - or feel - this present moment with a practiced awareness, all is well in my world - regardless of what is actually occuring from a human perspective. I am not my experiences - I am not my history - I am not my financial condition or my credit report - I am not my job - I am not my relationship, etc. etc. What I truly am is the eternal presence of the Divine in form and all "my" life, including all supply, flows thru me always. I choose to define it as good or not so good - but the creative urge is always available awaiting my acceptance and direction of it.

2009-04-12T09:25:00.000-07:00

#3: "I am conscious of the Inner Presence as my lavish Abundance. I am conscious of the constant activity of this Mind of infinite Prosperity. Therefore, my consciousness is filled with the Light of Truth." Once again, to me, this is a reminder to stay focused on my inner resources - the "spiritual capital" within me that expresses itself through qualities such as generosity, creativity, persistence, knowledge of all kinds of things, networking, insight, humor, imagination, dexterity, etc. etc. etc. So many gifts that are easily recognized as abundant within me that readily transfer to the form of money in the world. As I activate any one of these inner gifts I tap into the lavish abundance with which I am infused with naturally. All of these are just daily reminders to "keep before me the moments of my high resolve".

40 day Prosperity Plan - Day 1

2009-04-11T06:45:00.000-07:00

Page 2: "I lift up my mind and heart to be aware, to understand and to know that the Divine Presence I AM is the Source and Substance of all my good." As I contemplate this statement, it reminds me that I need to keep my attention on "faith" or on what I believe to be True about life as a whole, and not allow myself to become mired in a downward spiral of "ain't it awfulness" - which is perpetuated by many humans drawn to the sensational or negative drama of the day (whatever that might look like). As an example, what appears to be happening in our country's financial "crisis" is fueled by daily "news" wherein we are all informed of what new company has closed, etc. The internal message for many people then becomes, "Oh my, how awful. Everything is just a mess. So many people are out of work. What if I am next?" The deep fear of many people is encouraged by the "news" casts, which as many of us know is simply sensationalism. Not to negate what is actually happening to many people at the moment - that is real and needs to be addressed in many ways. However.... My job is to not buy into the "news" - to not get caught up in the "ain't it awful" and to keep reminding myself of what is True. To keep my focus on what I desire - on what I personally want to feel - to remind myself that in spite of all the drama of the day, LIFE IS GOOD. The majority of people in our country are employed; the majority of people in our country are not being evicted from their homes; the majority of people in our country are pulling together to assist one another in creating more connection and human interaction as we all "go green." The majority of people in our country are good. The majority of people who own companies are just like me - we are all creating opportunities to shift consciousness all over the planet and "life up my mind and heart to be aware" that there is only one source of all my good - and it is not my employer. It is the activity of Spirit flowing thru and as me.

Eggs, Lilies and Bunnies

2009-04-10T15:55:00.000-07:00

On the day before the day before Easter, as I was strolling the aisles of the local grocery store, I was in awe of the abundant displays of products - candy, stuffed animals, toys, cards, flowers - all enticements with which to "celebrate" the upcoming Christian holiday called Easter. In so many ways, I believe this holiday is lost on millions of people and has been reduced to another day of family gatherings, egg hunts on expansive lawns or small aprtment decks, and large meals of ham, jello salad and green beans. Easter, for me, has long been more of a feeling about re-birth, even within my own heart, than about anything else. It represents a time of hope and newness and a reminder that spring does bring beauty, joy and delight - if I but look with an aware heart.