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As my quest for spiritual awareness has evolved, so have my blogs. I am taking on a more leadership role than a reviewer. Please check it out.
Facebook page is available to match it.
See you on Dolphin Divine
Wednesday, March 15, 2017
Monday, February 6, 2017
The Heretical Apocrypha
Apocrypha means 'things that are hidden'. It is sacred text, thought of as an addendum to the Old Testament. Many believe that it was kept hidden from the general population because it was deemed heretical So, that means that I had to read it when stumbling on a copy at the local used book store.
What I read last night that really struck me:
Champion the widow, defend the cause of the fatherless, give to the poor, protect the orphan, provide clothing for those who have none; care for the weak and the helpless, and do not mock at the cripple; watch over the disabled. and bring the blind to the vision of my radiance. Keep both old and young safe within your walls.
-2 Esdras 20 21 23
It was the simplicity and directness that affected me. No proverbs, parables, nothing that was abstract. Easy to understand directions that tell us exactly what to do.
And yet, so difficult.
When we want to give to the poor, we are ambushed with doubt. Will the person use the money for drugs? Am I being a sucker by giving to someone who simply doesn't feel like working? I made this money working hard for a living. Why do you get to sit on a corner with a cardboard sign and expect me to fork over my pay?
Giving to charities also has insecurities. There are so many that give a huge portion of contributions to sales, marketing, administration, CEOs. What proportion of my money actually gets to the needy?
My advice:
1. Stay away from panhandlers asking for money. Rather, when you see them, send off a vision of support. You can picture in your mind the person receiving a paycheck, living in house, eating a nutritious meal from their own kitchen. Thoughts become things. Your vision is stronger than you think.
2. The best way to deal with NPOs is to do some research.Not everything has to be done spiritually. That internet is so damned useful. Find groups that support what you care about, and then research how much of your money goes to administration, and how much to the actual cause.
3. Practice love-heart meditations. As you go into the sanctity of your meditative state, direct your attention to your heart. Feel it receiving Universal Love. Breathe it into your body, always filling your self first.
Next, let it flow out of your heart and spill out to your immediate surroundings. Keep it going to include your room, house, town, as far as you want it to go. Now ask it to give extra focus to whatever cause you desire. Could be the refugees in your state, abused animals, neglected seniors. Whomever you want to 'feel the love' will automatically benefit from your attentions--they won't even know what hit them.
For those people you do know that are going through a challenging time, take the time to do the good stuff for them. Bring on the casseroles for the recently widowed. Offer to take your neighbor's kids to the park when she has a new baby screaming-literally-for her attention. Mow the lawn of an elderly or sickly neighbor. Good deeds are in your face every moment, just waiting to be done.
We are all busy, but volunteering your time adds value to your life. This is one thing I have been rotten at. I've recently started going to a Quaker church. They are incredibly gung-ho with doing charitable acts. My intention now is to join in on the fun.
In these times of turmoil, doing for others is more needful than ever.
Please leave a comment below as to what you've been doing, have done, or are contemplating doing to match the statements from the Apocrypha. I would love to be inspired by your actions and know that anyone reading this will also.
Looking for ways to become more spiritually aware? Have I got the book for you:
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=spiritual+lynx+heather+leigh
And so it is,
Spiritual Lynx
What I read last night that really struck me:
Champion the widow, defend the cause of the fatherless, give to the poor, protect the orphan, provide clothing for those who have none; care for the weak and the helpless, and do not mock at the cripple; watch over the disabled. and bring the blind to the vision of my radiance. Keep both old and young safe within your walls.
-2 Esdras 20 21 23
It was the simplicity and directness that affected me. No proverbs, parables, nothing that was abstract. Easy to understand directions that tell us exactly what to do.
And yet, so difficult.
When we want to give to the poor, we are ambushed with doubt. Will the person use the money for drugs? Am I being a sucker by giving to someone who simply doesn't feel like working? I made this money working hard for a living. Why do you get to sit on a corner with a cardboard sign and expect me to fork over my pay?
Giving to charities also has insecurities. There are so many that give a huge portion of contributions to sales, marketing, administration, CEOs. What proportion of my money actually gets to the needy?
My advice:
1. Stay away from panhandlers asking for money. Rather, when you see them, send off a vision of support. You can picture in your mind the person receiving a paycheck, living in house, eating a nutritious meal from their own kitchen. Thoughts become things. Your vision is stronger than you think.
2. The best way to deal with NPOs is to do some research.Not everything has to be done spiritually. That internet is so damned useful. Find groups that support what you care about, and then research how much of your money goes to administration, and how much to the actual cause.
3. Practice love-heart meditations. As you go into the sanctity of your meditative state, direct your attention to your heart. Feel it receiving Universal Love. Breathe it into your body, always filling your self first.
Next, let it flow out of your heart and spill out to your immediate surroundings. Keep it going to include your room, house, town, as far as you want it to go. Now ask it to give extra focus to whatever cause you desire. Could be the refugees in your state, abused animals, neglected seniors. Whomever you want to 'feel the love' will automatically benefit from your attentions--they won't even know what hit them.
For those people you do know that are going through a challenging time, take the time to do the good stuff for them. Bring on the casseroles for the recently widowed. Offer to take your neighbor's kids to the park when she has a new baby screaming-literally-for her attention. Mow the lawn of an elderly or sickly neighbor. Good deeds are in your face every moment, just waiting to be done.
We are all busy, but volunteering your time adds value to your life. This is one thing I have been rotten at. I've recently started going to a Quaker church. They are incredibly gung-ho with doing charitable acts. My intention now is to join in on the fun.
In these times of turmoil, doing for others is more needful than ever.
Please leave a comment below as to what you've been doing, have done, or are contemplating doing to match the statements from the Apocrypha. I would love to be inspired by your actions and know that anyone reading this will also.
Looking for ways to become more spiritually aware? Have I got the book for you:
And so it is,
Spiritual Lynx
Tuesday, January 17, 2017
Us And Them Is the Pits
There is a form of 'us and them' that has been brewing in the US: so-called elite liberals, and back-to-basics conservatives. It is how Trump got elected. He saw the gap, and widened it. Then he gathered up supporters and wedged his way into the Electoral College. What we need to focus on now is the commonalities of liberals and conservatives.
In the NY Times yesterday, there were short interviews with women as to why they voted for a man who excuses his sexist words as 'locker room' talk. The women sounded sane, and wanted change. I wondered what they wanted change from. What does 'Make America Great Again' mean? What time period? Aren't we great now?
And guess what? The only way that I would ever be able to get to the heart of what they mean, would be for us to communicate. I want to hear what they thinking. I want to understand so that we can work together to create a society that benefits all of us. Because I know that the us and them thing gets us exactly no-where.
One of the women said that she was being called a racist because she voted for Trump. And her reply is, "Wait a minute, you don't even know me."
I felt the same the other day when I read a posting on Facebook comparing conservatives to liberals. With my views, I am considered a liberal. But the definition on FB was not me. For example, it stated that liberals are vegetarians and therefore don't want to allow anyone else to eat meat. I am a vegetarian, but don't force my agenda on others. One of my sons is a omnivore and I buy him ham slices for his school lunches. We talked about it and I agreed to buy humanely raised, organic meat.
That is just one example of where the FB definitions were so wrong. It made assumptions about me that were all false. A commonality between me and the Trump supporter--not wanting to be lumped into a single, shallow definition of who we are based on one trait. We want to be heard, understood, and recognized for who we are.
Another thing we share is wanting a better life for ourselves and our children. In the capitalist U.S., this often translates to a good job that can support our needs with some extra for play time. However, many of the jobs that once sustained our middle class are being threatened by automation.
So what do we do next? What is the best way for our country to provide for all of us? More education, especially in math and science? Becoming world leaders in alternative energy sources? More research of careers that will continue to boost us as an economic power house of the world?
To me those sound like wise choices. The only way I will know what can work in your city is through open dialogue, discovering what you can do, discussions of what we can make money at in a global market.
And, once again, the only way to hear one another is to figure out what will work for all of us.
The other biggie is the environment. Actually, this is the biggest issue. If we destroy our water and air, none of these other concerns will matter much at all. That gives us another chance to connect.
Years ago, I dated a lumberjack. Yes, me. The liberal, tree-hugging, spiritual, vegetarian was in love with a logger. But he opened my eyes to a brand new way of seeing tree-cutting. He was against clear cutting, for obvious long-term reasons: no forest = no jobs, more mudslides, and a heck of a while to wait for regrowth. He advocated selective tree cutting.
He further explained that nature utilized natural fires brought about by lightening. This meant that every so often, the forest would be wiped out in certain areas. The ashes would fertilize the ground, and regrowth would be experienced. However, many environmentalists and property owners are against any tree cutting. But when this happens, there are too many trees for a forest to maintain and to stay healthy.
I would not have known all of this had we not had some great discussions. We both had a love of forests. We had a common ground that enhanced our 'crazy to others' relationship.
Buying into the 'us and them' syndrome weighs us down like a T-Rex in a tar pit. Common ground needs to be established through communication, and mutual respect.
What you do effects me. What I do effects you. There is no separation.
Be Aware Of Our Connections,
Spiritual Lynx
In the NY Times yesterday, there were short interviews with women as to why they voted for a man who excuses his sexist words as 'locker room' talk. The women sounded sane, and wanted change. I wondered what they wanted change from. What does 'Make America Great Again' mean? What time period? Aren't we great now?
And guess what? The only way that I would ever be able to get to the heart of what they mean, would be for us to communicate. I want to hear what they thinking. I want to understand so that we can work together to create a society that benefits all of us. Because I know that the us and them thing gets us exactly no-where.
One of the women said that she was being called a racist because she voted for Trump. And her reply is, "Wait a minute, you don't even know me."
I felt the same the other day when I read a posting on Facebook comparing conservatives to liberals. With my views, I am considered a liberal. But the definition on FB was not me. For example, it stated that liberals are vegetarians and therefore don't want to allow anyone else to eat meat. I am a vegetarian, but don't force my agenda on others. One of my sons is a omnivore and I buy him ham slices for his school lunches. We talked about it and I agreed to buy humanely raised, organic meat.
That is just one example of where the FB definitions were so wrong. It made assumptions about me that were all false. A commonality between me and the Trump supporter--not wanting to be lumped into a single, shallow definition of who we are based on one trait. We want to be heard, understood, and recognized for who we are.
Another thing we share is wanting a better life for ourselves and our children. In the capitalist U.S., this often translates to a good job that can support our needs with some extra for play time. However, many of the jobs that once sustained our middle class are being threatened by automation.
So what do we do next? What is the best way for our country to provide for all of us? More education, especially in math and science? Becoming world leaders in alternative energy sources? More research of careers that will continue to boost us as an economic power house of the world?
To me those sound like wise choices. The only way I will know what can work in your city is through open dialogue, discovering what you can do, discussions of what we can make money at in a global market.
And, once again, the only way to hear one another is to figure out what will work for all of us.
The other biggie is the environment. Actually, this is the biggest issue. If we destroy our water and air, none of these other concerns will matter much at all. That gives us another chance to connect.
Years ago, I dated a lumberjack. Yes, me. The liberal, tree-hugging, spiritual, vegetarian was in love with a logger. But he opened my eyes to a brand new way of seeing tree-cutting. He was against clear cutting, for obvious long-term reasons: no forest = no jobs, more mudslides, and a heck of a while to wait for regrowth. He advocated selective tree cutting.
He further explained that nature utilized natural fires brought about by lightening. This meant that every so often, the forest would be wiped out in certain areas. The ashes would fertilize the ground, and regrowth would be experienced. However, many environmentalists and property owners are against any tree cutting. But when this happens, there are too many trees for a forest to maintain and to stay healthy.
I would not have known all of this had we not had some great discussions. We both had a love of forests. We had a common ground that enhanced our 'crazy to others' relationship.
Buying into the 'us and them' syndrome weighs us down like a T-Rex in a tar pit. Common ground needs to be established through communication, and mutual respect.
What you do effects me. What I do effects you. There is no separation.
Be Aware Of Our Connections,
Spiritual Lynx
Tuesday, January 10, 2017
Animal Masters
In my meditations this morning, I received a message about animals. They are our guides and we are like children to them. We have the order of things mixed up. We need to be looking to them on how to behave.
Dogs teach us about loyalty. Hummingbirds not to judge others. Ravens to be clever and warn of danger. Hawks and birds-of-prey to keep a broad view of every subject. The list continues. To get a great idea of each animal's teachings, please pick up the Animal Medicine cards by Jamie Sams and David Carson. The cards and book have been a guiding force in my life for many years.
Animals do not judge us, even when we are treating them as commodities; inflicting them with torture and humiliation. They understand the words of Jesus, "Forgive them Father, they know not what they do." This is yet another lesson we could be adopting from them, the ability and beauty of forgiveness.
This is not to say that we should continue to harm them. We can not stand around, inflict or allow pain and then yelp out, "Oh, gosh, I didn't know any better." Accepting unjust, unkind ways of treating those physically or mentally below us is wrong. We all know that.
If you are eating meat, then buy from companies that raise animals humanely. Your buying power is strong. Use it to bend the farms toward practices that respect lives.
Yes, I am a vegetarian. But that doesn't mean that I expect you to become one also. If you do decide to make the switch, not only will I applaud your decision, I'll send my favorite recipes. We can have a tofu grill night!
Be thankful for the life that was given for your dinner. Be humbled by the gifts of their meat. This switch in attitude on your part will make it difficult for you to accept animal cruelty on farms, wild lands, and for domestic companions. The more people who make this mental shift, the more peace there will be on earth for every creature.
It is time to recognize that animals are available for us to learn from. Each has an inherent, built-in message. They teach through the example of how they live their life. We need to alter our view from that of Masters of the Universe, to Students of the Animal King/Queendom.
They are master teachers, waiting for us students to be ready to learn.
May the joy of the butterfly flutter around you today,
Spiritual Lynx
Dogs teach us about loyalty. Hummingbirds not to judge others. Ravens to be clever and warn of danger. Hawks and birds-of-prey to keep a broad view of every subject. The list continues. To get a great idea of each animal's teachings, please pick up the Animal Medicine cards by Jamie Sams and David Carson. The cards and book have been a guiding force in my life for many years.
Animals do not judge us, even when we are treating them as commodities; inflicting them with torture and humiliation. They understand the words of Jesus, "Forgive them Father, they know not what they do." This is yet another lesson we could be adopting from them, the ability and beauty of forgiveness.
This is not to say that we should continue to harm them. We can not stand around, inflict or allow pain and then yelp out, "Oh, gosh, I didn't know any better." Accepting unjust, unkind ways of treating those physically or mentally below us is wrong. We all know that.
If you are eating meat, then buy from companies that raise animals humanely. Your buying power is strong. Use it to bend the farms toward practices that respect lives.
Yes, I am a vegetarian. But that doesn't mean that I expect you to become one also. If you do decide to make the switch, not only will I applaud your decision, I'll send my favorite recipes. We can have a tofu grill night!
Be thankful for the life that was given for your dinner. Be humbled by the gifts of their meat. This switch in attitude on your part will make it difficult for you to accept animal cruelty on farms, wild lands, and for domestic companions. The more people who make this mental shift, the more peace there will be on earth for every creature.
It is time to recognize that animals are available for us to learn from. Each has an inherent, built-in message. They teach through the example of how they live their life. We need to alter our view from that of Masters of the Universe, to Students of the Animal King/Queendom.
They are master teachers, waiting for us students to be ready to learn.
May the joy of the butterfly flutter around you today,
Spiritual Lynx
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