Gifts of Pictures by Lillian Grace

The last of the devotees depart after a weekend of celebrating Christmas with our spiritual family. The house is quiet, and yet not quiet, for the all-powerful sound of Aum/Amen is ringing in the air, and from the walls, floor, and ceiling. My heart is full and complete.

God is the special ingredient that makes for this total contentment. All the plans could look the same: Christmas carols the night before, spiritual service followed by a potluck, a social gathering of such wonderful souls, but without the vibration of God the festivities would be incomplete, an unnamed emptiness.

But with God, oh, what a different story! Upon meeting each person my heart is an overflowing cup of love, the eyes flow with bliss, the Soul is touched and a depth of Spirit is reached that makes the world bright and peaceful. The Divine ingredient makes it all sacred. It is the true philosopher’s stone that turns all it touches into gold; the gold of the Spirit.

For so many years I yearned for this and did not have it. How many lonely Christmases, how much time was spent living in separation, knowing there was more; like the waif on the outside, in the cold, watching those on the inside share a warm banquet. I keenly felt the Divine absence.

Now the Infinite Presence lives in my heart and soul, separation is but a memory of the past. Oh how I long to have all yearning souls share in the Kingdom, to know that through total surrender comes spiritual perfection.

Come my dear ones; come into the kingdom of bliss, light and peace. Come, oh blessed Christ, come! By whatever the name you may call upon the one, the redeemer of mankind; for it is through Thy Grace that all are lifted, even on this day, into the waiting Kingdom of Spirit.

I continue listening to the resounding Aum coming from everywhere and nowhere, and I know that it is the result of God’s Presence combined with all the wonderful souls who have celebrated this holy season with us today. And this feeling, this music of Spirit, this is the best Christmas gift I could ever hope to receive. It is the vibrancy of the Holy Ghost and Christ Consciousness born anew, manifesting through this blissful sound. And its words sing through the very cells of my Being: Merry Christmas to you, and goodwill toward all!

I sit in inner stillness; a tremendous pressure is in the base of my skull. I focus inside this intense pain; the sound of Aum/Amen is remarkably loud. My vision goes into the center of this dense power; I see the “atoms” inside this density, what appears to me now as so many galaxies in a vast universe. The compact density expands, the pressure in my head reduces, and the feeling of power increases, only now it is spread out over vast space.

There is so much power behind creation, inside the cell, an atom, and even a quark; it is all the power of creation itself. Dumb power could not create out of randomness all that we see about us. I perceive this great intelligence and beauty in this power; to perceive this vision is awe-inspiring.

This mystical experience is the remover of fear and the birth of Christ Consciousness. The microcosm and the macrocosm are not different, but are expressions of the one power. This is a mystery to the uninitiated, and self-evident to those who know.

The holy birth is here, it is now, and it is ever-present.

Picture: Seeing God (Krishna) in all.

Tragedy comes into the home in many ways. Sickness and Death are two common ways, but there are also tragedies of stealing, lying, cruel words, domestic violence and silent withholding; these are some familiar tragedies that too often snake their way into the home. While the first two instances may be beyond our direct control, the later acts are volitional and entirely within our choosing.

There are those who unthinkingly perpetuate such pain on a daily basis; many times without really thinking of the effect it has on others. I remember many years ago when I was in my master’s degree program we were enacting an adult student’s childhood family situation at Christmas time. She chose me to play her father, and two good friends of mine played her brothers. In this scenario there were common verbal fights and occasional dunken brawls that broke out to commemorate the season of “brotherly love and goodwill toward all mankind.”

I made a startling discovery in re-enacting the verbal fight; I felt the power of anger and loud, aggressive words pouring out of me. Then I was replaced by the woman whose family we represented; now I was a witness only. The difference in the effect this clash had on me, based on my perspective, was stark. I felt the loud words going right through me; I was physically assaulted by the vibrational violence. Where before I felt in control, now there was no sense of control and that anything might happen.

I was stunned by this change of perspective; it made me realize that many of those who yell, swear, threaten and possibly get violent have little idea of the effect they have on others. The one who is yelling knows what he or she will do or not do, while others are left to imagine to what extent it can all go.

When doing family therapy I have oftentimes thought how useful it would be to videotape the session, so that others may hear how they sound, what they look like when interacting with others. For many it would be shocking to hear his or her own tone of voice and the look on his face.

Self awareness is the first step in making a change. You can make more of an effort at self-awareness by really observing yourself in any situation. When you evaluate that what you say, or how you say it, is not reflective of the person you want to be then get busy and change your behavior. Simply writing it off as, “This is just the way I am,” is the cowards way and will lead to intense future regrets.

Make sure that your words are sweet, so just in case you have to “eat your words,” well you get the picture! Make your goal in life for every thought, word and action to be an expression of your highest Self; then you will not have to live with regret ever again. You are now an agent of truth, strength and healing for yourself and for all.

Picture: Jesus knocking on the Door

There are so many kinds of addictions in this world: alcohol, drugs, sex, gambling, anger, and eating are among the most common. The brain and biochemistry are powerful actors, some will say they are everything. And yet there are those who rise above these addictions and genetic predispositions; those who choose a course of freedom.

The pain of addiction is tremendous, affecting the lives of not only those with the addiction, but the lives they touch, and in turn the lives those people touch, in a ripple effect that spreads out in all directions.

Support of family, individual will and faith in God are typical antidotes thought of to abstain from addiction. For many, these factors turn the tide; yet, in too many cases these usual formulas are not enough. The family is supportive, the individual deeply wants to change, and he or she prays to God for relief, yet the addiction continues.

Just as the biochemistry of individual’s vary, so too may the prescription for recovery. What is common to all abstention from addictions is a clarity in the individual’s mind for the damage created by the addiction, a clear, unambiguous desire to be free of the addiction, and a concrete course of action for gaining this freedom.

This course of action may be a 12 step program, aversion therapy, counseling, and so on. The key is that it must be a commitment and provide the right kind of support that someone with the first two steps, clarity regarding the damage and an unwavering desire to be free, are in place.

To some it may sound surprising that faith in God alone cannot solve the problem. There are those that an internal connection with God is exactly right, while others must look to God’s helping hand being extended through a specific program.

There is a instructive story about a man who is warned a flood is threatening his home and he must evacuate. The man thinks, “I have faith in God, He will see to my safety.”

The flood waters rise up to his porch. A four wheel drive truck comes by and the driver tells the man to get in the truck and he will take him to safety. The man waves off the driver telling him to save others, God will take care of him.

Then the flood waters rise up and the first story of his house is now underwater. A motorboat pulls up and offers the man a ride to dry land. Again he waves off the resucuers, secure that God will keep him safe.

Finally, the man is standing on his chimney, his house is covered by the rising flood when a helicopter flies overhead and lowers a harness. The man waves off the helicopter when suddenly he is swept away and drowns.

Arriving at St. Peter’s gate soaking wet he asks to talk directly with God. He is escorted in to an interview with the Almighty, dripping river water on His carpet. “God, why didn’t you save me?” He asks with irritation. God looks the man in the eye, “Look, I gave you advance warning, then I sent you a truck, and a boat, and finally a helicopter. You refused all of these, what else could I do?”

We must be willing to humbly accept the help that God sends us, and with a clear determination, to never give up striving for freedom! Even if it is with your last breath in life and you continue to strive for freedom, you will carry that determination with you into your new existence.

Picture: Jesus lamenting over the poor spiritual health of Jerusalem

You might say this is about anti-thanksgiving, those things we are not grateful for; when people lie, cheat, steal and even murder. As aspirants for realization what do we do when are lives are touched by, or we collide with, such situations?

There will be few who have not done any of these things themselves; and fewer still whose lives have not been seriously disturbed by others who do. We must have an avenue to get through such times so that we do no harm to ourselves or others; that we may actually do what we can to set the situation right.

When it comes to my own behaviour I act as if all that I do will be used as headlines in the newspaper or television. This can have a sobering effect on any misbehavior. It is interesting that when I have done something wrong, I have wanted it to be done in secret.

Knowing that to God, all of His angels and the spiritual Masters there are no secrets, there is no place to hide and everything is known, then only a fool can believe no one will know. Jesus said it most graphically when he said, That which you think you do in secret will be shouted from the rooftops!

When your life is touched by others who lie, cheat, and steal there can be no doubt that you will have some reaction. Mother Hamilton, in her fully realized state, said that others imagine that she could not feel hurt or pain because of someone else’s actions or words. She said that was most assuredly not true, she could feel deeply hurt.

So what distinguishes a realized soul from those of us in spiritual ignorance? The difference is that such hurt did not separate Mother from her conscious oneness with God, for others it does, and that makes all the difference.

And it is in this difference that you can find a stepping stone to freedom. When someone injures you through mis-behaviour, you see the situation as you imagine God would see it. You may think, “God feels pain for everyone involved, but He is also dispassionate; God is always God. And God always sees the truth of a situation, He is not blinded by a need to gloss over a behaviour.

By mentally staying connected to God you remain anchored to your vast, Divine Nature, even while you interact with the pain and disappointment of this world. Highly realized souls can feel deep pain by what others do. Master went to Mexico after a betrayal by a childhood friend and helper in his work here in America, feeling that he just wanted to return to India; until Divine Mother prompted him to stay and complete his work in America.

A touching experience occured during Sri Yuktewar’s last days on earth when he had a deep disappointment, although it did not include wrong behaviour. It happened when he had asked Master to stay with him, but Yoganandaji was keen upon attending the Kumbha Mela where he hoped to have the darshan of Babaji. When Sri Yukteswar came to know that Master had left, he took to bed for three days in a deep despair.

It can be disturbing to know that great spiritual masters can be affected by others, but it can be comforting as well. The key to finding your way through a situation is whether you take your mind off God or you keep your attention upon the One. You may still feel pain, distress, anger, and frustration, but with a perfected consciousness there is not a cloud of separation from the light of God; in fact your mind goes deeper into God, such as Lahiri Mahasaya did when he came to know he was to soon leave the body.

This is something to deeply think upon during this time of Thanksgiving. When God is present in disappointment and tragedy then pearls of Truth may be realized and the great Comforter may come to you in a dark night; these rescues from the Divine are truly something to be thankful for.

George Washington in prayer at Valley Forge

Thanksgiving has been a hallowed and cultural tradition for many years now. Times of thanksgiving, prayer, and fasting have been part of American tradition from before its inception.

When the pilgrims arrived they were poorly prepared for the harsh winter in their new colony. Without the help of Squanto, a sole survivor of the Patuxet Tribe, who showed the new arrivals survival skills such as how to catch eel, plant corn, and was an interpreter with the nearby tribes, the Pilgrims would have been far worse off.

After their first year and a successful harvest the 50 surviving Pilgrims (out of the original 100) invited a neighboring tribe, the Wampanoags, to a thanksgiving celebration. Their chief, Massasoit, had supplied precious food the previous winter for the starving colonists. Massasoit arrived with 90 warriors. Fortunately they brought game with them to supplement the supplies of the colonists; the four surviving adult women supervised the cooking for the three day feast!

During the revolutionary days it was not unusual to have a nationwide day of fasting and prayer to commemorate a battle and provide spiritual strength for gaining independence. George Washington declared a day of Thanksgiving in gratitude for the birth of a revolutionary idea, a constitutional government.

This tradition was continued by presidents down to the Civil War. In the midst of the war Abraham Lincoln declared a nationwide day of Thanksgiving for all the blessings; even in the middle of a terrible war. It was intended to come toward the end of the year, giving thanks for all that was good in the year.

And that idea of setting aside a day for giving thanks has continued to today. A day for gratitude. My first thought of gratitude is for the general lack of wars in this world. While we work for a world free of all conflicts and fights, it is good to acknowledge that the bitter past has been replete with terrible death and destruction as nation has fought against nation; today, thankfully, there are no major wars.

The next point of gratitude is for the plentiful supply of food. Times past has seen widespread famines and lack that made hunger a daily pain. Again, it is relative, but today the world has plentiful supply, if not evenly distributed. This is a good for which I give thanks.

My list would continue for friends, family, and much more, but the last and most important on my list of thankfulness is for my spiritual life. My gratitude goes out to those pioneering souls who surrendered all at the feet of God and whose lives have made our spiritual path possible.

From Jesus and Babaji, to Lahiri Mahasaya, Sri Yuketswarji, Master and Mother as well as Swami Ramdas, Mother Krishnabai, and Swami Satchidananda, and the multitude of truly worshipful saints and realized beings down the ages, I give humble thanks for the lives they led, the teachings they generously imparted, and the truly superior examples of their lives. They dedicated their lives and their all to the upliftment and enlightenment of this world.

And to you my friends, God has given us each other that we may support each other in gaining the highest attainment in the realization of our oneness with God, and for serving one another with love. For you my heart overflows with love and thanksgiving. May you be blessed with all the good that life has to offer, and most of all to experience the Divine Presence, within and without.

Monday we had Skype Service with the Ashland Group, and as I spoke deeper levels of Truth were unfolding in my mind from the great Mind. The topic was Eternal Youth. We used Master’s, Is Everlasting Youth Possible? Understanding how mind controls the atoms of the body. The additional layer that came so clear to me was that the Fountain of Youth that Ponce de Leon sought, and down through history mankind has sought, is to be found right within.

I am sure Ponce thought of finding some magical springwater that would keep him in a youthful body and death far away. However, the youthfulness God was showing me had less to do with the body and more to do with the Spirit. Contacting God is youthfulness itself. The Self is always youthful in spirit.

When we see a baby or a little child smiling, playing and being charming, we are reminded of our original innocence, that part of us that has not grown old in the world. In that moment we feel love, the joy of eternal Spirit bubbling up from some unbidden Source within. Being with the world too much makes us old, wary and grief stricken. Being with God makes us young, brimming with life-force and enthusiasm for what God is going to bring us next.

Surely you have been given tasks to do in this world, and there are times that like a bridge bearing a large load you can creek and groan. However, even when life seems to be straining you, even then you may feel true joy. The secret is to remain identified with the Self. Stepping back from the challenge, observe the movie of this life from the projectionist booth with God at your side. “Fine joke Ram! Look where you have put me now. Surely You mean well, You must guide me and show me the way through.  ”

Then you feel God smile. You feel a fresh spring air blow through you and you feel lighter, optimistic, and secure. The thought of Krishna comes to mind, he is smiling even when calamitous events are unfolding. Why is he smiling? Because he sees the Big Picture; not just the little frames of individual incidents. The Big Picture tells him that all is occurring exactly as it ought to, and that all is working for the highest good of all.

To be aware of the loving Hand that controls and guides all events in creation breathes new life into you, makes you young again. And, as Master points out, mind controls the atoms of the body. With the mind merged in the Infinite, then the healing salve of health, youthfulness and inner knowing that all is well must be in residence, for body mind and soul.

Awake at 1 a.m., worries about money come unbidden to mind, “How am I going to pay my bills? How can I ever go on vacation? My old car needs to be replaced, how can I ever do that? My business is stalled, money is going out the window, I am more and more in debt!”

Awake at 7 a.m.  “Oh, another day. I am so lonely. What is wrong with me that I do not have someone special in my life? I want someone to especially love, and who will love me! I just want to roll over and go back to sleep; there I may feel some respite from this loneliness.”

Just two examples of how we worry and cry bucket loads of tears about our unfilled desires. Is it so inconceivable that you would cry over not knowing God? That you would remain awake, thinking that days, years are going by and you do not know God, or deeply love Him? That you would wake in the night, wondering how you will pay for the air that you breathe?

What if you yearned for God at least as much as you desire things in this world? What if you worried if you will know God as your complete lover as much as you yearn to be loved by that someone special in your life?

At one point in my life I started to connect the idea that all my desires for things and satisfaction found in this world was really my desire for God. Sri Yukteswarji quoted the Vedas, saying that God is  the fulfillment of all your heart’s desires. Just think, everything you desire, everything you worry about, everything that causes you stress in this world, it is all satisfied through your connection with the Divine Presence.

Begin today by transferring your allegiance, your focus of attention, and your love, to God and not the world. You will still live in the world, therefore you must give it its due. However, inwardly, deeply, you look to God as your all and all, in all. Discover that amazingly, simply, your heart’s desire and fulfillment is, and always has been, right within you.