Daily Ramblings – Spiritual Saturday – The Law of God

Tags

higher worlds, Karma, Law of God, Ocean of Love and Mercy, Past lives, physical plane, Reincarnation, Soul, Spiritual Saturday

The Law of God: Everything has its origin in Spirit; divine truth is one and unchanging. A Cosmic Sea of Words: The ECKANKAR Lexicon.

The physical plane where we currently find ourselves is a classroom for Soul. Each time we return we learn new things, which add to the maturity of Soul into a greater being. In ECKANKAR, there is one key tenet of our belief system. It is: “Soul exists because God loves it.”

Many ask: “If God loves us, why do we die, why do bad things happen to good people?” The answer is simple: If you take reincarnation into consideration, every debt we create, regardless of lifetime, must be paid in full. This means that the evildoer of today will pay back his or her debts at some point in this lifetime or the next. There is no escaping the Law of Karma. The Law of Karma states that everything comes back in the end. The lessons we learn take many lifetimes to embrace and accept.

Another question: “If we do reincarnate, why do we not remember our past lives?” Some people remember their past lives in dreams, but can’t connect with that truth, because each lifetime we come here fresh. We must start anew each time we return, until we finally begin awakening to the reality of our past lives and can gain access to those records, which are not accessible to most. Can you imagine how disconcerting it would be if you had a recollection of every past life you’ve ever lived? It would be impossible to exist like that. God designed this place so that all of us start again and again, gaining what we need in this lifetime, and take small incremental steps back to our true home. This home is called the Ocean of Love and Mercy in ECKANKAR.

Trying to capture the idea of GOD, heaven, or other spiritual truths, is difficult when we are trying to understand the nature of worlds that do not abide by the Matter, Energy, Space, and Time of this place. In the upper worlds, there is no matter, energy, space, or time. Do you see how difficult it is for the mind to grasp these things? More on this in upcoming posts.

Until next time…

Dave

Daily Ramblings – Spiritual Saturday – The Law of Change

Tags

God, inevitable, Law of Change, reality, Spiritual, Spiritual Saturday, Universe

Take a moment to think about your life. What do you notice?

One thing I notice when I look at my life is change. The Law of Change deals with this aspect of our universe. Nothing stays the same—nothing. Our bodies age, our friends change, our environment changes, our relationships change, and so on. Everything in this reality we live in is constantly changing.

Why does change occur? It occurs because our universe is built on three different forces. There is a positive force, a negative force, and a neutral force. These forces interact with one another and impact each of us in an infinite amount of ways. Since each of us is unique, we experience these fluctuations in these three forces uniquely. Our experiences with these fluctuations can be good, bad, or indifferent. Our experience is dictated by our reactions to them. If we perceive change as good, we accept it. If we perceive change as bad, we fight it. If we perceive a change as neutral, we don’t see the change, so it doesn’t affect us.

Realizing this, it should be apt that we embrace change, expect it. But do we do that? No. We fight it, we rail against it, we dislike it. This results in a pretty unhappy existence for most.

When things change around us, we have to change. For example, if you are working a good job and told one day that the company is going out of business, you have to adapt to that change. If your loved one tells you that he or she is no longer in love with you and is having an affair, you have to adapt to that. When you wake up and realize you’re sick, you have to adapt to that.

Change is inevitable. It is constant. It is ongoing. When things change, look for the positives. Embrace the change as necessary for your spiritual growth. When you do this, you’re going to begin enjoying changes in your life and realizing a fact: All is in its rightful place in the worlds of God – Harold Klemp. Nothing is left to chance here. There is no bad or good luck. All is in its rightful place. Our feeble human minds may not grasp the reason behind a change, but the change is going to come, and it is necessary for you, me, all of us.

I hope you have a terrific Saturday!

Until next time…

Dave

Daily Ramblings – Spiritual Saturday – The Law of Spiritual Revolution

Tags

Learning, Past lives, Reincarnation, self-improvement, Spiritual Saturday, spirituality, The censor

“No matter what we were in the past during any other life, we are spiritually greater today.” – Sri Harold Klemp – The Loving Heart

Do you believe in reincarnation? If so, this statement will make some sense. My religion, ECKANKAR, and it is one of the key tenets of the path. The reason is simple: Your body is not the real you. What is the real you, you ask? Soul.

You do not possess Soul, you (Soul) possess a body. It uses this body to experience and learn. Since Soul, a spark of God, is infinite in nature, these finite bodies come and go, but Soul remains. To give you an idea of what this is, think about your own thinking. The part of you that is thinking about what you are thinking is Soul.

With each life you live in this physical realm, Soul learns. Unlike the mind, which is nothing more than an automaton, the Soul remembers everything it experiences. So, even if the mind cannot understand that it existed in many forms, places and times, Soul understands.

Why don’t we remember our past lives? The mind of a newborn has to start this life like it has every other. If it could remember every single past life it ever had, it would be so overwhelmed that it could not function. Some young children remember many of their past lives in youth. But the mind, slowly develops what we call the censor. The censor blocks out things that the mind could not handle. For example, if you experienced a traumatic death in a previous life, the mind will tend to censor out those experiences because they would be too shocking to the person’s psyche. Since the censor is developed along with the child’s brain, younger children tend to have nightmares, particularly during the time the censor is developing. During this young age, the censor is undeveloped and those nasty nightmares make their way into the dream state of the young child.

As the censor develops, the nightmares disappear. Some nightmares continue into puberty and adult life, but these are part of this life, not a past life in most circumstances. Nightmares can be sourced from violent books, movies, or even video games. I remember as a child watching horror movies on the weekends with my Dad. They were nothing compared to the movies of today. I’m talking about the old black and whites like The Wolfman, The Mummy, and Frankenstein’s Monster, played by the likes of Lon Chaney and Bela Lugosi.

Soul works with the mind by giving it impressions. These impressions are like feelings or prompts. These come from Soul’s huge amount of knowledge and experience—experience it gained over the many past lives you have had on this Earth plane. With each life, Soul learns. When it occupies a new body for another life here, it applies these learnings to the new life, hopefully avoiding the mistakes of past lives that may have even resulted in your untimely death. Subsequently, you are better in this life, than you were in previous lives, merely because you know more than you did before. You have more wisdom to draw on.

Does this learning ever end? Fortunately, no. I say fortunately, because if there was a true state of all-knowingness, what would be left? Nothing. When considering that Soul is infinite, it would be an absolute hell, knowing there was nothing else to learn, nothing else to experience, nothing to improve, right? This is where The Plus Factor comes in.

“The law of spiritual revolution presupposes inequality in all things and beings and their continued effort for self-improvement in life” (Klemp, 2010, p. 537). This continuous improvement occurs infinitely for Soul, as it strives for self- and God-realization. There are always new worlds to explore, new things to learn.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Until next time…

Dave

Daily Ramblings – Spiritual Saturday – Food

Tags

alcohol, Allergies, Carbs, Diet, Food, junk food, pastries, Religious diets, Spiritual Saturday, Sweets

Paying attention to foods can help you lead a better spiritual life. People ask me, “What is good food?” There is no good food or bad food for everyone. It depends upon the individual, upon his particular health condition. Who can best tell what’s right for you? You can, of course.

—Harold Klemp
The Language of Soul

Have you ever ran into a person that was allergic to something that you weren’t allergic to? My Mother and Brother are allergic to pork. My Dad, my Sister, and I aren’t. Interesting, right?

How about Avocado? My Mom is allergic to Avocado. The rest of the family isn’t. I can eat guacamole until my skin turns green.

I cannot drink Whey protein. It binds me up. It took me years to find this out, but sure enough. As soon as I moved to a plant protein powder, the binding up issue dissipates.

My body loves carbs, but has a horrible time digesting them. I’ve been bad as of late since the lockdown. I’ve eaten all the carbs I enjoy. But the weight gain follows. I’m not a proponent of a keto diet. I know many are, but for me it is just not a sustainable way to live. That being said, the carbs that do not put weight on me are the slow digesting ones, like oatmeal, brown rice, sweet potato. White breads, white potatoes, white rice, high sugar items like snack foods and pastries are a no-go if I want the weight to come off. The same goes for alcohol. Beer, mixed drinks, and all the rest put the weight on.

I just wanted to demonstrate what Harold is getting at. You have to eat what you know works for you. In some cases, particularly if you are a diabetic, you really need to watch the sugar or carb intake, to maintain your blood sugar levels.

So, enjoy the foods you can. Enjoy eating. As long as you are eating what your body can tolerate and is healthy for your particular condition, have at it. Everyone is unique. Everyone has different tastes and tolerances.

Until next time…

Dave

Daily Ramblings – Spiritual Saturday – Watch What You Let In

Tags

Books, Movies, Negativity, News, Positivity, social media, Spiritual Saturday, spirituality, Video Games

I read an article a little while back and the article was about a spiritual leader who realized that the negativity in our lives is due to what we let in. He went on further to explain that negative books, movies, video games, music–anything that brought in any type of negativity would result in projecting that negativity in the world. 

Have you ever analyzed how you feel after you’ve watched an hour of the news? How about reading the news? How about watching news on YouTube? How about discussing a posted news article on Facebook? I’ll tell you how I felt. I felt like throwing my laptop through a window. 

Who wants to be bombarded by COVID, lives being ruined by riots, cities on fire, etc. Who wants to watch news reports of “non-violent” riots with buildings burning in the background?

I gave up the news months ago and already notice a huge difference in my stress levels. I’m just calmer. I still scan the news, but don’t watch it, don’t listen to it, and do not obsess over it. Yep, COVID is still around. Yep, the riots are still going on across the country. Yep, Biden and Trump are still at one another’s throats for the election. Not much has changed.

If you are stressed out or negative, take a look at what you are letting in.You may be impacted by what you read, watch, or listen to. Pay attention to how you treat other people. If you notice a change or realize people are being more negative toward you, this is the indicator. You see, the world reflects what is inside you. The more negativity you let in, the more negativity you broadcast. Conversely, the more positive you bring in, the more you broadcast positivity. 

Take a look at what you are bringing in. My simple act of reducing my news consumption has made a huge difference in my life. 

Have a great Saturday, folks!

Until next time…

Dave

Daily Ramblings – Spiritual Saturday – Listening

Tags

Choices, Gut feeling, Inner voice, Intuition, Listening, Spiritual Saturday, Warning

Have you ever listened to your inner voice? Some label it conscience; others label it God. My experience with this inner voice has been an interesting one. I remember reading about it The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Covey mentions that this inner voice gets louder the more you listen to it and quieter when you ignore it. I’ll label this inner voice intuition.

Have you ever gone to a place, and it just felt wrong? You can’t put your finger on why it is wrong; it just is. Have you ever felt a sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach when you did something wrong? Have you ever had your internal alarms go off when you are about to do something you know is too risky? These are all examples of this intuition I’m talking about.

When I look back over my life, my intuition has saved me from some major errors. Whenever I have stepped in it, my inner voice was screaming not to do something and I ignored it. Sometimes the inner voice gives a little warning. Then, if I ignore it, it would give a bigger warning. If I continued to ignore it, it would stop warning me and BAM! The thing it warned me about happened and it was so much more painful than it had to be, all because I ignored the guidance I was getting all along.

Sure. Some could label this as a self-fulfilling prophecy. Who knows? Maybe it was. I believe there is more to it than that. I truly believe that our intuition is our best friend and should be trusted, because at least in my life, it has proven itself over and over and over.

Try this little exercise for yourself. Look back over your life and try to find the times your inner voice, intuition, whatever you call it, tried to warn you about a decision or action you were about to make. Did you follow the advice? How many times did your failure to follow this inner guidance get you in trouble?

Reply in the comments if this exercise helped you identify your own internal voice. Give me some success stories too.

Have a great Saturday, folks!

Until next time…

Dave

Daily Ramblings – Spiritual Saturday – Let People Be Who They Are

Tags

family, Freedom, Friends, good will, Responsibility, Spiritual Saturday, warm love

Our freedom stops where someone else’s starts. This line is called responsibility.

—Harold Klemp
The Language of Soul

People irritate us. Let’s be honest. Your husband, wife, mother, father, brother, sister, or long-time friend. They all do things that bug the crap out of us. The part we forget: We do things that bug the crap out of them too. Love people for who they are.

Now love has a few different levels, so to speak. Your love for your close family and friends is emotional and nostalgic. The relationships are close because you have so many shared experiences. Those outside of this circle get our good will. Many use the word love, but it is more about good will or a lack of feeling altogether. Sure you feel bad for someone that has experienced loss or a traumatic situation, but you aren’t as effected as you would be if a close family member or friend experienced the same thing.

As human beings, we are naturally empathetic. When you read about a family in your area dying in a house fire, you would naturally feel bad for the family. If the same disaster happened to your immediate family, it would be devastating.

You can’t control other people. People will do what they will do. All of us have blind spots. We all have that thing we could improve on. We don’t need to rub this in someone else’s face. In most cases, they’ll resist the change you suggest that much more, or they may increase what they do to bug you even more.

Let your loved ones breathe. Let them pursue the life they want to. Love them for who they are. Love them for the things that bug you. Love them for their idiosyncrasies, their flaws, their eccentricities. These things make them unique. They are endearing if you look at them in this fresh light.

When Harold talks about freedom stops where someone else’s begins, this is what he means. You should let no one impose change on you. The same follows for you and others. You do not have a right to make someone do something they do not want to do. So lighten up. Let your family and friends breathe. People will surprise you. They change. But they change when they want to and at the pace they are comfortable with. Mind your own garden. You and they will be a lot happier.

Until next time…

Dave

 

 

 

Daily Ramblings – Spiritual Saturday – Serving Life

Tags

Carl Sagan, Earth, Impact, Interactions, Pale Blue Dot, Purpose, Spiritual Saturday, YouTube

Today I’d like to explore serving life. Serving life is not some magnanimous act. It is doing your part. It really is that simple. I believe each of us is put on this Earth to serve a purpose. Maybe you’re a housewife, an accountant or doctor, a soldier, or some other profession. You are someone’s son or daughter, mother or father, aunt or uncle.

Each of us is in a unique position, in a unique family, in a unique community, serving our fellow beings by just doing the things inherent in the roles we find ourselves in. In other words, we serve by being who we are and doing what comes naturally. There is no effort involved, it just is.

We each play a part in this fabric we call reality. Some things we do for others is done unconsciously. A casual smile at the local grocer, a wave to a neighbor as we head off to work, or sharing some of our garden with the local wildlife (whether we want to or not). Some things are done purposefully, like when we send a nice note to someone, finish something for someone we promised to do, or taking care of a particular chore in our home.

What other ways do we serve? The list is infinite. The impact each of us has on the world is immense. Each action is like dropping a stone into a pond. The ripples of water go out, and they come back. The same thing happens with the actions we take and the ones we don’t take.

There are so many things to wonder about and this was one of those things I wondered about today. How do I affect the world, the universe, this dimension? How do my actions contribute or detract from the universal cause?

Here is a YouTube video by Carl Sagan called the Pale Blue Dot. It will give you a sense of what I am trying to say today in today’s posting. With that said, enjoy.

I think the key to all of this is to just be. Be the best you can be. Do the best you can. The rest will work itself out. I just wanted to give you something to think about on this fine Saturday. I hope all of you have a great weekend!

Until next time…

Dave

 

Daily Ramblings – Spiritual Saturday – Your path, is your path.

Tags

Belief, Dedication, Harold Klemp, Path, Religion, Spiritual Saturday

Very often, we are confronted by people who want us to pray their way or colleagues who want us to think their way. We must remember to maintain our individual relationship with God. We have the shining light of Soul, and because we have it, we also have the wisdom of God.

—Harold Klemp
The Language of Soul

I’ve been an ECKist for over 50 years. My religious path is called ECKANKAR. One of the things that has kept me on this path is our lack of proselytizing. We make the public aware of us, but we don’t push it on anyone. One of our core beliefs is that each of us finds the path that is right of us.

Whether you are a Christian, Jew, Muslim, Zoroastrian, Agnostic, Taoist, Atheist, Buddhist, or any other religion or belief, that’s where you are supposed to be. It is the path right for you. I find comfort that anyone I meet is right in their choice of religious path or belief system.

A few years back, I pursued a detailed look at the religions of the world. It was a fascinating study. What is most fascinating is how each religion came about, and how it has progressed through history. If you have not done something like this, I highly recommend it.

Whatever your religion or belief system, pursue it. Do all your path requires of you. Be the best you can be on the path you have chosen. It is worth it.

I hope each of you is having a terrific weekend!

Until next time…

Dave

 

Daily Ramblings – Spiritual Saturday – Recapturing the Curiosity, Imagination, and Wonder of a Child

Tags

Childhood, creativity, Imagination, Innocence, Openness, Spiritual Saturday, Wonder

“If you can dream something, you can do it. As long as you do not align your actions with your dreams, you are not fulfilling your destiny.” — Harold Klemp The Language of Soul

All of us have aspirations to be something more. Why do so many people give up on them?

 

Some may think life’s responsibilities are more important. Others lose hope because they have had some bad luck. Still others feel like that life has passed them by.

Remember when you were a kid and nothing was impossible? I think that is what all of us need to recover the dreams of our youth. We need that childhood curiosity. We need to capture that wonder and imagination that made everything bright and wonderful.

All of us can achieve that state. Once you do, you’ll realize you still have so much to do, to give, and to learn.

I was at our local Sam’s club yesterday. I had lunch there after I finished shopping. Next to me was a grandma and her grandson. She was spooning some frozen yogurt to him. The look on his face when that cold treat hit his mouth was priceless. There was another group of two women who sat down in front of me. They had frozen yogurt too. I asked the lady if it was any good. She said it was and was pleased that she and her daughter were enjoying some frozen yogurt together.

 

I make it a habit to get out and about during the day. It’s nice to have these little interactions with people. I enjoy interacting with them and sharing part of their day. Sometimes opportunities do not present themselves for these types of interactions, so I take a few moments to get to know the cashier, waiter or waitress that is serving me. I joke with them or tell them how great their food or service is.

 

How does this relate to my original point? The childhood state of mind I’m talking about is about enjoying the small things. Remember when walking through a store, getting some ice cream, or going to a movie was the happiest moment in your life? Recapture that. That’s where the magic is. Capture that feeling of wonder and excitement.

When you can rekindle your childhood imagination, you’ll see things differently. You’ll redevelop that sense of wonder that made the mundane magical, the impossible possible, and open your mind to an infinite amount of possibilities. Without the fear of failure, because you could do it all when you were a kid right?

 

 

Try this out. Get out there and be present. If you are in the grocery store, enjoy the colorful packages, the smells, the textures. If you are in a mall, look at the people, engage with them. If you are at the movies, get yourself some popcorn and enjoy every kernel. Lose yourself in the film and enjoy the time you have with the person you are with.

Being present helps us enjoy the details and to relish everything with all of our senses. When you can perfect this state, you will reinvigorate your life. You’ll cultivate that childhood wonder when everything is brand new.

Use your imagination. Think of all the things you could do if you couldn’t fail. Imagine the possibilities.

I hope you try this out. It is a wonderful way to regain some of that innocence, joy, creativity, and openness we had as kids. It’s a great place to be.

Have a great Saturday.

Until next time…

Dave