It has been a week since I have written. My apologies…the time has flown by. I am finding need of additional time each morning to listen for what is next for Mystic Heart as we move into our Next Yet To Be; I have honored that need, and it has been fruitful. I look forward to some new ways of being in Community, and some fun Summer Adventures!
Of course, I have held each of you in prayer every morning, knowing continued Health and Wellness, and Infinite Joy as the Truth for all. I have been journaling throughout the week, and I look forward to sharing with you here.
My devotional writing journey has led me to center this message on a particular Bible passage from the book of Philippians, chapter 3, verses 13-14. This advice offered by Paul, who is writing from prison, shows great wisdom: “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
Whenever a passage calls to me, no matter which Sacred Scripture I am reading, I look to what message I am being offered. Why this? Why now? What is the application in my life at this time? I begin my interpretation using the lens of metaphysics to clarify, and I see that I am being called to let go of the past…again. This is a day-by-day, moment-by-moment process. My willingness to surrender and release all that has come before now allows me to give full attention to what is before me, in this moment. There is nothing more important than what I am attending to, what I am interested in, here and now, in the co-creation of my future. Knowing this, I become willing to do whatever is required to keep me grounded in my Christ Nature. I make this my Spiritual Practice.
Letting go of past experiences can be challenging whether we are looking back at difficult circumstances or good times. Challenging experiences have a tendency to become the fodder for poor me stories, and joyful times can become the subject of those were the good old days! Either way, our peace is disturbed, our contentment interrupted, and we miss the amazing experience of Now.
Being present, mindful of what is unfolding in every moment, lends itself to seeing with the eye that is single. “The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.” (Matthew 6:22) The eye in this verse might be interpreted as the senses as they serve to direct, or give light to, where my attention goes…which tends to lead my body into whatever action follows. As I remain present, I let go of all that has come before, calling it done. I look toward the future, but without attachment to outcome…with openness to, and expectancy of, Good unfolding in my life. This state of Presence puts me in a state of miracle-readiness and I begin to see the everyday miracles that surround me.
So, what is it that gets in the way of my being present as I go through my day? Because, I don’t know about you, but it takes effort for me to be in the Now. It takes letting go of the stories that no longer serve me and surrendering to the Power that is seeking to work through and as me. It takes giving up my self-righteousness, and instead, seeing through the eyes of compassion. It takes being willing to admit when I’m wrong, and saying I’m sorry. It means giving up blame, complaints and judgments, and seeing the Good in others…trusting that we are each finding our way, and stepping into peaceful and loving acceptance of what is. It takes giving up my fear of not having enough, not being enough, and replacing that fear with a loving appreciation for all that I have been given, both materially and personally. It means giving up all of the excuses for why I haven’t done this, or can’t do that, and instead giving thanks for the many things I can do and have done. It means being willing to accept and share myself, just as I am, and moving out of the fear of failure, and into a love for the journey. I guess the crux of it is being willing to have a measure of mental discipline. It takes willingness, a sense of detachment, and Practice.
Whew! That sounds exhausting! So, here’s my shortcut. (The first two questions come from The Way of the Peaceful Warrior.) What time is it? Now. Where am I? Here. What is mine to do in this moment? This one thing I do. Try it out…just see if it doesn’t bypass all of the mental gyrations expressed in the last paragraph! I find that these three questions offer an express route to resting in Spirit, a quick trip to Peace, and an instant transport to what matters…here, now, this.
May we all be well…stay in touch…know our unity…and thrive!
And may we know the Absolute Beauty and Wonder of this Grace-filled, once-in-a lifetime day…
