THE MOST IMPORTANT CHANGE
 The most important change we make is the one within. "Why?" one might ask. Isn't it important that I am healthy, take care of my body, mind and spirit? Yes, of course it is. But the change I am speaking of is the one in which we see ourselves. When we can see past those bodily designations (I am a sales manager, a nurse, a single parent, a gay partner, Irish, etc.) and see the True Spirit that we are...that we are part of The Spirit; remembering that all that we do will help align us and bring about the internal change that I speak of. That change will bring lasting peace into our lives from within. If we are not in harmony/peace with ourselves, everything else we see will have a tinted color to it, so to speak. It will be skewed depending on our state of mind. If we do not have some semblance of peace from within, it will be hard to be satisfied with who we are. No matter how much we change ourselves on the outside, it will not be enough. It's the same with our minds; we will always be seeking more, i.e., now that I achieved this, I want to achieve that. If we are not satisfied within, no matter how much "good will" we do on the outside, it will not be enough. We will always feel there is more to do. Or we will continue to be saddened because we can't do all that we want for others. Throughout the ages, many people have found the peace within and it wasn't because they became health food activists, or because they were of a certain build and body weight, or because they were humanitarians, philanthropists, etc. While all those things are wonderful, they are of the "outside" world. They might be able to bring some temporary peace of mind or feeling of fulfillment, but it is only a provisional state of mind. There is a wonderful story in the New Testament of Martha and Mary. Jesus of Nazareth was visiting two sisters, Martha and Mary, at their home. Martha became somewhat upset that while she was doing this and that for Jesus, Mary just sat at His feet and took in His words. Martha then said: "Lord, do you not care that my sister is leaving me to do all the serving all by myself? Please tell her to help me." Jesus then replied, "Martha, Martha, you worry and fret about so many things and yet few are needed, indeed only one. It is Mary who has chosen the better part, and it is not to be taken from her." From purely a spiritual view, you might say that Martha can be seen as the "activist" trying to change or rearrange the outer world and Mary was focusing on the "One." Today, while there are Sages, Saints and Avatars that walk this planet, we are seldom (if ever) in their Presence. But we can always turn within...to that Presence that is within us...and if we can remember that while we are in this world and not let it take us down or entangle us when things are not going according to our "way" of thinking, we then can bring about change in this world. We can bring about real change, but it begins with us and it begins within. In this month's Ah-Man Blog, I will talk about going within to our Inner Self, that Communion, and what it brings about. Thank you. Namaste, Michael |