THE PURPOSE OF EASTER...

Understanding Scripture from a spiritual point of view refers to how we are demonstrating our inner connection with the voice of Christ consciousness, Wisdom, the Kingdom within--Truth.  When we follow the inward thread faithfully, we find that Scripture deals with how we live from a spiritual basis, from the deepest aspects of consciousness, not in a physical or literal sense. 

Living spiritually offers us endless opportunities for discerning whether or not we are connecting with the still, small voice heard only inward for our spiritual guidance, or whether we instead are falling  blithely into the trap of abiding outer influence as a way of fixing our daily lives.  Spiritually speaking, Scripture is not--I repeat, is not--about how we are to improve our lot through striving and seeking answers from our limited beliefs and opinions, garnered largely from others.  Indeed, once we learn how to listen inwardly for the still, small voice we call Christ consciousness, we demonstrate that rich texture of Wisdom throughout our physical lives.  We live thus from the inside out. 

Many of us already live from the inside, out, although we may not think of it this way.  Many of us follow our "gut," our intuition, the inner calling, as we go from moment to moment, only for the most part we're not aware that we are living this way.  If we stop for just a moment and reflect on our daily lives, I think you would agree that this is true--we are in contact with inner guidance, and we follow it more than we may give ourselves credit for doing.  So if you're already living from the inside, out, certainly you're engaging with Life spiritually.    

Contrary to the general understanding about Easter, the story of Easter is a reinforcement for living this way--from the inside, out--living in a way that Loves the Truth so much that we get out of our own way in order to hear and demonstrate Truth--and only Truth, inner Wisdom.  From a symbolic representation, the story of Easter is here with us to reinforce our innate goodness by bringing to our awareness the glorious voice of Christ consciousness, and living by its voice, its guidance alone.  

In this way, we are resurrected beyond old ways, to live anew, forming our lives by staying connected from moment to moment with Christ consciousness.  Indeed, Christ rises again--indeed, again and again and again.   Christ arises each time we go inward and give our full attention to still, small voice as our guiding Light.  It is this inner knowing which saves us--saves us from our self-importance, the voice of arrogance and the vanity of vanities.    

A FEW IDEAS ABOUT LIVING ANEW...

Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over.........it became a butterfly.  anonymous

"Old patterns become uncomfortable to return to.  That's how you know you're really going places.  Give yourself a pat on the back for the work you did to make this progress."  Author unknown

"You've canceled lunch one or two times, but have you ever canceled a way of thinking?  You'll hit on a line of reason that no longer serves you or is simply untrue.  Cancel that internal monologue and replace it with a new one."

Author unknown 

FOLLOW YOUR INNER GLEAM

Follow your inner gleam, its light is true.

Follow your inner gleam, it shines for you.

Follow it to see it work in all you do.

So follow it, follow it, follow your gleam.

Asking here, asking there,

To ask is stumbling in the dark, beware!

Seek your own, seek your own,

So seek your own light and you will be shown!

I'll follow my inner gleam to light my way.

Follow my inner gleam without delay.

Follow to see it work, I'll start today.

I'll follow it, follow it, follow it, follow my gleam. 

I'll follow it, follow it, follow it, follow it,

Follow--I'll follow my gleam! 

Music and lyrics by Carmen Moshier 

Sung by Cassie Lea Ford on her new CD, Surrendered to Love. 

ORDER CD HERE 

BEYOND ENLIGHTENMENT...

Many would say that enlightenment is special, revealed only in extraordinary moments, or after decades of devoted spiritual or religious practice. Not so.   Enlightenment is our innate capacity and condition routinely demonstrated--a sign that we are staying aware. Nothing special about that. Being aware is simply extraordinarily ordinary from a spiritual standpoint.   It's only when we look at enlightenment, spiritual awareness, as something we find outside us that the occasional aha moment seems to be extraordinary, or that "we've arrived."   

From Adyashanti:

Do not think that enlightenment is going to make you special; it's not. If you feel special in any way, then enlightenment has not occurred. I meet a lot of people who think they are enlightened and awake simply because they have had a very moving spiritual experience. They wear their enlightenment on their sleeve like a badge of honor. They sit among friends and talk about how awake they are while sipping coffee at a cafe. The funny thing about enlightenment is that when it is authentic, there is no one to claim it. Enlightenment is very ordinary; it is nothing special. Rather than making you more special, it is going to make you less special. It plants you right in the center of a wonderful humility and innocence. Everyone else may or may not call you enlightened, but when you are enlightened, the whole notion of enlightenment and someone who is enlightened is a big joke. I use the word enlightenment all the time; not to point you toward it but to point you beyond it. Do not get stuck in enlightenment.  

A HEARTY THANK YOU...

I remain grateful for your continued interest in the Creation Spirit Newsletter.  As you read this, I am on a Spring speaking tour in Ohio.  And when you receive the May issue, I may be actually "speaking to you" from Greece, where I'll be continuing the tour.  As always, I'll be carrying you in my heart wherever I am, no matter how it may appear.

With gratitude and Love,

Jim