Abraham is an entity (more of a soul group) channeled by Esther Hicks. Jerry and Esther Hicks have released a multitude of books, Cd’s and other materials,  on the teaches of Abraham. Before, you click away thinking new age bull, well read a little further.

Yes I know that channeled information is hard to accept, and while I have not gone to see Esther Hicks personally I know many people who have. Yes she is for real.

As for the information she channels it is right on and none of it is offensive to any ones belief system. The message is truly one of peace and love and helping ones self.

Several processes are given for helping people to change there negative attitudes to ones of positive accomplishment. Abraham teaches us that all of us create our own reality and all of us can change our reality.

This I think is the hardest thing for many to accept. As humans we prefer to blame everyone else for our misery, we only take credit when we are happy. There is none of that with Abraham, but there is a clear cut sense of principles to change your life.

Periodically I will be posting different processes based on Abraham here. The following is a simple one.

Get a box, you can decorate it or not as is pleases you.  Then set down with some old magazines, pictures, etc. As you go through the magazine cut out things you want to have. The house with the pool, the car you want, the word success, whatever you desire. Now here’s the trick as you put the pictures in the box imagine what it would be like to have that object.See it feel it, get into the feeling of it. As you put it in the box say these words. I intend I receive this……………………………

Go back through the box on a regular basis, always feeling what it would be like to have these things. By doing this you are sending out a vibration that these are the things you want. There is a caution here,do not sit and dwell on not having them, on why you haven’t got them. When you do that the Universe interprets it as lack. You will continue wanting.

Your desire will be heard and it will show up, but you have to allow it to come. Read The Law of Allowing, Jerry and Esther and Hicks. or go to http://www.abraham-hicks.com

I use the teaches of Abraham in my Intuitive Life Coaching business www.changingyourpointofview.com

We have the information, we’re confronted with it in many forms. We have the knowledge to change our life’s in any way wish to. Much of the information we now access and think of as new, has actually been around for centuries, just in other forms.

So the knowledge is there, we just need to incorporate it into our every day life. I actually teach a class called Creating Magic in Your Every Day Life. Check out my web site at http://changingyourpointofview  In that class I teach women how to take something as simple as the jewelry they put on every morning, to empower them. I teach them the meaning of the stones and jewelry they wear every day. With that knowledge they can then put their jewelry on as an act of affirmation, empowerment, and joy. They can use it as a tool to bring magic into their every day life’s. This is only one example of how to incorporate the knowledge and changes you desire,  into your life.

Every morning I turn off my car radio on the way to work and say my intentions.  www.intenders.com  This sets a positive tone for my whole day. When I exit the office and it is a particularly rough day, I once again turn off the radio in my car and I go on a Rampage of Appreciation. (Refer to Abraham Hicks) This gets me out of anger and frustration and back to my own feeling of well being. Which is where I choose to be now instead of angry.

These are just a few of the ways I bring magic into my every day life. I challenge you to find your own. I would love to hear from you. You can email me at gayletracey88@hotmail.com  and let me know how you incorporate spiritual practices into your daily life.

You know all to often people who practice organized religion think the spiritual minded among us are taking the easy path. Actually the reverse is true. All to often people put religion on with their Sunday best and take it off just as easily. People who follow a more spirtual path are compelled to incorporate spirtuality into their every day being.  True Spirtuality changes your soul.

So how do you learn to key into your own intuition? First and foremost you begin to meditate. You can’t ask your intuition to guide you if you can’t be still and quiet enough to listen. So start some type of meditation practice if you want to increase intuition.

Second, you need to find a focus for your intuition. Tools that, allows you to bring your own intuitive guidance into form. There are a large number of tools to do this. The Tarot, Oracle Cards, Runes, Pendulums, and probably countless others I have forgotten to mention.

How you ask do these tools increase intuition. Well, they give you a physical object to actually give your intuition form. As humans we do not like what we cannot give a form to. When intuition remains nameless it goes untrusted and forgotten.

So next you need to decide what tool works for you. This is a strictly individual thing. Some people have more affinity with Tarot others with pendulums, etc. All are valid. You can find books on any and all of these subjects online or at your nearest book store.

The problem with this course of action is that all too often you pick up a set of cards or a book and because you have no experience of the tools. You feel intimidated, or wonder if you are using them correctly and put them down more confused than before.

I strongly advise you to search out individuals with the same interest. Look on http://www.meetup.com for groups in your area. If you do not find one join an active on line meetup. I have a meetup group in Tyler TX on Tarot and other types of divination, once a month.

The other thing you can explore is finding a teacher. I privately tutor Tarot. I have recently started doing this. I have students that have studied cards for as much as 9 years and some that had not even bought their first set. All have been thrilled and found a new level of confidence, just from deciding to study.

For more information view my web site. http://changingyourpointofview.com It is currently undergoing major change and within a few weeks will have a new look and pay pal buttons for further info you can email me at gayletracy88@hotmail.com

I’m here to tell you that 15 minutes a day can make a world of difference. You can find 15 minutes if you just look for it. I have a friend that gets up 15 minutes ahead of the rest of her family, she sits alone with her cup of coffee and contemplates the day. She calls it her conversations with God. This is her form of daily meditation. I get up in the morning get dressed and get in my car. On the drive to work I turn off the radio and I do my intentions (affirmations) this is a form of meditation.

You can go and sit in the park to eat your lunch alone instead of going to a crowded restaurant. Relax, eat your lunch and get in tune with nature. Yes you can find 15 minutes in a busy day.

OK, next objection, I can’t find a space to meditate. This is a valid problem for many people. If the above suggestions don’t work and for many they don’t. After all we do have the demands of kids, bosses, spouses, friends, animals, ringing……………… oh you get the picture. If you can’t find a personal space in which to relax long enough to meditate, search for a public one.

That’s right many churches, public parks, and zoos have meditation spots. I personally run a weekly meditation group at my office in The Living Well Institute in Tyler, TX. We try different types of meditation, but many come just because it is hard to meditate in their own space. You can email me at gayletracey88@hotmail.com if you are interested in attending my meditation class.

If you have absolutely no idea where to start go to http://meetup.com and search meditation. I bet a group will come up in your area.

We will also be posting more meditations on this site for those of you interested. Here is one I tried just a few weeks ago.  It’s called The Camera Game.

In this meditation you have a partner. One partner is the camera and one is the photographer. They go outside and the photographer leads the camera, eyes shut to an outdoor setting they want a picture of. The photographer then taps the camera once on the shoulder. The camera opens its eyes, you give it 3 to 5 seconds to focus and then the photographer taps the other shoulder.

What you ask does this meditation do for you? Well for one it opens new eyes to nature and our environment. It also forces you for just those few moments to be totally focused in the now, present moment experience. It forces you to look at your world with a new set of eyes. Journal your experience’s. You may be very surprised at the results of this very simple meditation.

This meditation came out of the magazine Light of Consciousness, Vol 20, No 1. The article is Nature Meditations by Joeseph Bharat Cornell. You can visit my website at http://changingyourpointofview.com

Guided visualization meditations are one of the common forms of meditation used in the new age movement. Groups of people will come together in meditation circles to sit in chairs, on pillows, or even on the floor to go through the process of entering into a meditative state that takes them away from the hustle and bustle of daily life and into a more serene environment. The challenge becomes using this altered state of consciousness to understand more about yourself and your journey. Guided meditations, if led properly, are a good way for many beginning this practice to find ways to access that altered state and listen to the messages that the subconscious would impart on them.

Here on Insights For The New Age we will be publishing a number of guided meditations in the coming months to help those who would use them. There are several suggestions and cautions that I would make to those who would partake of this practice.

• Find a quiet place to do your meditation. Don’t rely on headphones alone to clear background noises in an area.
• Be comfortable, wear loose clothing, and be sure that you’re in a comfortable environment, use a fan, a blanket, pillows, or even a meditation cloak.
• Avoid distractions; be sure you can devote the time to do the meditations and try to do so daily, at the same time if you can.
• Record guided meditations that you find in print using a digital recorder or other recording device. Using recordings allows you to do the meditation without the distraction of having to stop and read the next step.
• Use ambient sounds, waterfalls, or music to help relax you.
• Take the cues from your recording to guide you through.
• Avoid rushing through the reading and take your time in doing the meditation.

For beginners, I’m providing a starting point with this meditation. The important thing in using this meditation is to access all the senses in a meditative state. We are aiming to heighten awareness and allow you the guidance to vividly visualize and experience the environment which we provide.

Read the meditation through. Record it to your own device. Find a place to do the meditation and simply allow yourself to experience it. There is no right or wrong way to do this, there is only doing. And in doing, you will open yourself to richer experiences.

The Garden Of Contemplation

©2009 By Samantha A. Tiner

Relax…

Breathe…

Release all the tension in your body.

Start with your toes, your feet… clench them as you inhale, release them as you exhale, allowing them to fall freely.

Clench the muscles in your calves… inhale… release them and exhale releasing even more of the tension you carry.

Clench your thighs… inhale… release them and exhale releasing even more of the tension you carry.

Clench your buttocks… inhale… release and exhale releasing even more of the tension you carry.

Engage your abdomen… inhale… release and exhale releasing even more of the tension you carry.

Now your hands, fingers, wrist and forearms…… inhale… release and exhale releasing even more of the tension you carry.

Your upper arms, and shoulders… engage those muscles… inhale… release and exhale releasing even more of the tension you carry.

Your neck, jaw, and head… consciously engage the muscles … inhale… release and exhale releasing even more of the tension you carry.

Now bring your focus to your eyes, relax them.. let them see all the little pinpricks of light that they see and let them go.. inhale… relax, exhale and allow the last of the tension you’ve been feeling drain from the body.

Feel yourself sinking slowly … into the floor, as if it were soft earth, caressing your relaxed muscles, grounding your unique energy, and allowing you to feel the cool, comforting pillow of grass, earth, and air …

Feel the warmth of the sun on your skin. Your eyes register shadows as though you are lying, eyes closed beneath a canopy of tree branches that are now swaying gently with a breeze.

You can hear the leaves rustling above you.. and then you feel the soft breeze flow over your body.. you can smell the sweet fragrance of roses, jasmine, wisteria lavender…

You inhale, deeply and take in all of these scents on that breeze. Your eyes flutter open in reaction to the sunlight. They adjust to see the leaves of the birch trees above you, vibrant in color, red, gold, and brown. They are warm colors, inviting…

Slowly you sit up; you look around you with a relaxed and whimsical fascination at the sights you see.

You’re surrounded by a beautiful garden. An arbor guards four different paths, each covered with ivy, jasmine, morning glories, and wisteria. Beds of roses mingle with peonies, lavender and blue bonnets. The colors are vivid to your eyes. Brilliant reds, yellows, purple, blue, white…

You stand and realize that you’re dressed differently. Pants fit loose on your legs, soft, like cotton or gossamer, a tunic of the same loose, flowing fabric feels as light as the breeze that lifts it gently to float around your ankles and stomach.

You walk on the grassy paths through the gardens… stopping at a red rose you reach out and feel the softness of the petals, the velvety smoothness of the petals, then you bring the rose to your nose and inhale deeply of the sweet fragrance.

You hear a bird sing softly, a sweet melody in the treetops, another calls back in an echo of the song they sing. This is their way of communicating somewhere up among the treetops.

The breeze draws your attention ahead of you where there is an ivy covered arch, The arch sits in the center of the garden and holds a white wicker swing. The light is turning a golden shade and the streams that come into garden illuminate the swing as if to invite you to sit down.

You walk over and sit on the cool bench-like seat of the swing. It rocks with your weight and you sit silently listening to the birds up in the trees. There is a thick green patch in the bed before you.

You see something red peeking out through the thick leafy foliage. You go to the bed and bend down to find that there are a number of plump ripe red strawberries. You pick a few of these perfect berries and then return to the swing beneath the arbor.

You ponder over the berries for a moment. Take the largest of them and hold it in your fingers. Feel the texture of the berry. The bumps and fibers… the leaves… these perfect strawberries.

Take a bite of the berry, taste the sweet juice, feel it drip from the corner of your mouth. Taste the sweetness, feel the seeds in between your teeth. Savor every taste, every sensation…

Take your time and eat the rest of the strawberries as you watch the light of the sun fade.

You watch the sun sink on the horizon as you eat the strawberries. The orange, red, and purple hues brilliant against the white bark of the birch trees.

You take time to think on your life, of the direction your life seems to be taking, of the direction in life you want to be taking… you ponder small changes that would put you on this path, or that would help you on your current path. You think about the things that have meaning in your life. The things you cherish, the ones you love, and you remember why you cherish and love them so.

As as the light of day fades, you know that it is time to return. You walk back through the garden paths… to where you were. In the grass there is a perfect indentation where you had been lying before.

You lower yourself back into the indentation and look through the trees. The sky has darkened and the birds have gone. There is a stillness now… The scents of the flowers all fade away as you close your eyes.

You feel yourself sink into the earth again. You breathe deeply … inhale remembering to take the peace of this place back with you… exhale… allowing the awareness to return to your limbs

Inhale…. Remember the things you thought about… Exhale… knowing that you’ll come back for more insight…that you will travel the paths the other arbors begin…

Inhale…. Wiggling your fingers… exhale… clenching your fist

Inhale… wiggle your toes… exhale and gently move your legs.

Inhale….allow your awareness to come back to the place where you are… Exhale and allow your body to feel the carpet, the chair, the pillow… whatever is around you.

Inhale stretching your body and as you exhale… open your eyes… and return to yourself, your life, your now…

This article and meditation may be reproduced for personal use only. Written permission is requied for any mass production for groups or organizations. Please contact the author at samantha (at) luminusveritas (dot) com for information permissions.

So what is an Affirmation? It is a statement that you make over and over to yourself, either out loud or on paper.  You make it so often you bring it into your daily existence. The more often you do it the more likelihood that you will manifest the affirmation.

Other ways of including affirmations or positive thoughts in your life are oracle cards or Runes. Often people draw one of these first things in the morning, to give insight into the rest of their day.  Intenders of the Highest Good is another way of stating daily affirmations and goals.

The most important thing to remember with affirmations is that the more you do them, the more they manifest. Developing a daily routine of affirmations is an excellent way to effect change in your life.

I will give you an example of my daily routine. As I get in the car in the morning on my way to work I have approximately a 15 minute drive. I turn off the radio and my phone and I go down the road stating my intentions. I intend that I create the best possible reality for myself today and every day here forward, is the way I always start. I then go on to state the rest of my intentions using only the most positive phrasing. To learn how to do this go to the web site,  http://www.intenders.com for more specific guidelines, on how to set intentions. I then always end with; I ask these intentions for the greatest and highest good of the Universe, Myself, and Others.

Remember that it’s not only asking for things that affirmations and intentions are about, it’s also about receiving them. So be sure to notice when things you have asked for show up in your life, and express your gratitude for them.

For anyone wanting to work on manifesting change in their life, the most powerful tool I know is an Intenders Circle. It is the simplest, most effective way I have found to change your mind set.

Remember routine is the key to affirmations and manifestation. This is just one of the tools I use in my Intuitive Life Coaching practice visit http://changingyourpointofview.com

For instance many people in this country today have chosen their views on spirituality and religion based solely upon the beliefs practiced by their family and community. Many have given no real thought or did any real research into these subjects.

All too often we condemn each other without any true understanding of each others position, how can you condemn something you do not understand? Unless we sit in God’s place who knows all, sees all, hears all and is all then we cannot judge. I don’t know about you but the last time I checked I definitely did not see myself standing in God’s shoes.

So what’s the point you ask? The point is we all have to live with the choices we make, and we are answerable to nobody else but ourselves and God.

I help people work through the process of what they believe in and what choices will make them happy in their lives. I help people determine how they feel about marriage, sexuality, career, religion, spirituality and a variety of other issues. I stress to clients that I don’t have to live with their choices but they do! We all each and every one of us create our own reality. If you are not happy in your present life you created it. If you are tremendously happy you created it.

 I have read a tremendous amount of Jerry and Esther Hicks work, and they teach this through Abraham, we all create our own reality. I practice the lessons taught by Abraham Hicks every day, and I am getting better and better at creating my own reality. By better I mean that my reality is becoming better day by day.  Does it change all at once? Of course not I have to live with and transmute the fallout of the decisions I made before I was more aware. However, this is what people don’t realize without the mistakes, without the things we don’t want, we would never know what we did want. As Hicks teaches it is the contrast between the two, it is the journey that makes up our life. It’s not getting to a desired destination, the perfect job, marriage, heaven, and hell, whatever. It’s the journey. That’s what life is about.

So if you are hear now reading this article you are making choices in your life. If you want help doing that I am an Intuitive Life Coach. Check out my website at http://changingyourpointofview.com

I meet people all the time who are interested in the New Age movement, alternative spirituality, and metaphysical practices. As I speak and tell my own story, people are often intrigued when I tell them where I came from. They are surprised to find that I come from a family with ties to a particular denomination of Christian church. They find it interesting that I’ve made the choice to make time for my spiritual practice. They are also often surprised when I tell them that it wasn’t an overnight change to make, nor was it easy.

Whether it is a decision to become more health-conscious, to take a different spiritual path, or simply to change something in their lifestyle change is difficult and  it takes a tremendous amount of courage to make lasting change. People go through many emotional stages when they decide to make a change including: hesitation, guilt, determination, realization, and acceptance. For many, they must deal with fall-out from families who don’t understand the fundamental concept of making a change for the sake of self, let alone, spiritual development. They face ridicule at home, in the work-place – especially if the change involves an alternative spiritual practice – and even from friends that they might have known for years. So how do you make lasting changes, without completely upsetting your life?

It is an excellent question, without an easy explanation. No one can pre-determine how the people around you are going to react to the change. In fact, no matter how well you know the people around you, you should be prepared for adverse reactions and the questions that might be thrown at you. This is a primary reason that many practice their spirituality in secret – in the broom closet is a favorite phrase for pagans – before they ever disclose their practices to their families and friends. But this sort of double life is not for everyone, and eventually the truth will liberate those with the strength to live openly.

So what advice can I give to people wanting to make a spiritual change in their life? What qualifies me to do so? My own experiences with changing spiritual practice is both personal and observational. I’ve made such a change myself. I’ve come out of the broom-closet to much of my family now. I’ve also watched many whom I’ve befriended and whom I have tutored make that decision for themselves. Each experience was different and my advice comes from both perspectives.

Know What You Want

It is essential that you not make fleeting decisions. When you hear of new techniques, new beliefs that resonate with you, even new ideals it is very easy to get caught up in the sensationalism of it all. You want to fully embrace it, to immerse yourself in them, to learn all you can by doing. Cults prey on this reaction and demand unrealistic change in order to fit into their circles. To do so, without preparation and understanding, would be detrimental to your personal growth.

Do your research. Understand what the changes entail. Be prepared for the process of making change. Understand that people outside your own mind will have questions, especially if they care about you and want to understand your reasoning for making such change. Be knowledgeable enough to have an answer for common questions and to explain how you came to the decisions that you did. While you don’t have to answer to anyone for your personal choices, being able to answer these questions for yourself is instrumental in making a change.

Remember that changing is not about others. It is about you and your personal journey. Understanding yourself, and your own reasons for doing so, is key to making a lasting change.

Know What Is Expected Of You

Our families and friends often become accustomed to certain behaviors from us. Anything out of the normal routine will set off alarms, prompt questions, and even – in some cases – promote conflict.

In some spiritual traditions, change is simply part of their practice. Someone entering into the Catholic faith is required to go to catechism and attend mass. In a particular Pagan path, a newcomer to a coven may be expected to take courses with the High Priest/ess and attend rituals performed by the coven or lodge. Others may require attendance at drumming circles, meditation circles, volunteer work, the wearing of particular colors or jewelry, or any host of other practices.

Start by asking questions and understanding exactly what is expected of you. Evaluating your lifestyle will help to give you perspective in how your loved ones and co-workers see you. Try to identify what is going to stand out as you make the change and prepare for the moment when they start to question you.

Big Changes Happen Gradually…Don’t Rush It

No matter what tradition you choose understand that making lasting changes to your lifestyle is going to take time. Nothing that lasts is going to happen overnight. Taking small steps and giving you time to make a full transition is only going to make the experience more meaningful. So, avoid doing too much too fast.

I often tell students to start gradually and listen to themselves. I teach meditation techniques and use guided meditation in my classes as a vital tool to put students in touch with their subconscious. And when I start them on meditation, I ask them to incorporate it into a daily practice. Whether in the form of prayer, transcendental meditation, or guided forms meditation is a key in many spiritual practices around the world. In fact it may be one of the few things that people see as a commonality among most spiritual practices. To start, I ask them to do five minutes. Then we gradually up the time until they are able to receive messages from the self, the divine, and the universal energy.

Many other practices can be started slowly and added to as you progress on your path. Ultimately, if a path is true, if you’re meant to be a part of it, there is no harm in taking your time getting acquainted with it for it will stand the test of time and be there when you are ready to make the final changes in your life.

Find A Support System…

Everyone needs encouragement at some point. No man, or woman, is an island. Whether your support is an online forum, an email buddy, a local spiritual center, a church, a coven, a lodge, or a guru it will be essential in your growth. Just remember to not become too engrossed. Balancing the life you live now as you transition into a life that you want will help you to keep on track and avoid sliding back into old habits.

It takes conviction and personal strength to make positive changes. Change is never easy. However, understanding your reasons and the expectations of those you care about makes it a little easier to adjust to. Not everyone is going to accept changes you make. Prepare yourself for the eventuality that your peer group, your friendships, and even your relationships with siblings, parents, grandparents, and other family may change forever.

You may be seen as headstrong and people may grow to admire your strength of character and personal conviction. Conversely, people may see you as flighty and lofty, explaining your behavior and interest as a phase in your life. Either way, it is important to remember that you are the one person responsible for your own spirituality and your soul. Your responsibility to yourself includes doing what is best for you, not for others. No one else will do it for you – let’s face it, it is hard enough to deal with your own spiritual self – nor should they be expected to.

I am an advocate of education. I think that people fear what they do not know and by educating people, we can open doorways to new understanding.

If you feel compelled to make a spiritual change, to develop your own personal spirituality, there are resources available. You can research different paths easily enough on the internet or you can take a course like mine to get some guidance. People like myself are dedicated to helping others find their spiritual selves and developing it. Find someone you’re comfortable with and can respect. Understand that development is a process and that any mentor is subject to change themselves. No one is perfect after all. But you can make the change you feel compelled to make. Use the resources at your disposal and check out what your area and the internet has to offer. Make an informed decision and let the changes you decide to make be worthwhile in your development.

For more information on my classes, personal consultation, and spiritual coaching style, see my website at http://samanthatiner.webs.com . Or email me at Samantha (at) luminusveritas (dot) com.

My point is not to tell you about ancient Runes however, but modern ones. Many sets of Runes and many books on them are available on the market today. I have looked at many of these and used many of them. The Runes set I prefer to use is The Book of Runes, by Ralph H. Blum.

I teach a course in these particular Runes and I use them in my Intuitive Life Coaching practice. See my web site at http://changingyourpointofview.com   

Of all the Runes I have studied I find Blum’s to be the most pertinent to my work as a Life Coach. The philosophy is very secular and can go with a variety of belief systems. The message of the Runes gives clear guidance to anyone trying to get in touch with their own inner compass. In my class I have expanded upon Blum’s original work and purpose by using the Runes to help people with personal problem solving.

But how does it work? That’s the question many of you are asking. How can drawing a stone with a symbol on it out of a bag help me? Well I tell you it can and it does and I have seen them work many times over. Using Runes or any oracle is a means of seeking guidance. Rune’s when used as they are in the Blum set, are about accessing your own feelings. Feelings which are often nameless, that we cannot necessarily give words to but that our own inner being recognizes. My best advice is, try them. I myself have never been disappointed.

Other Rune sets by Ralph H. Blum are Relationship Runes and The Healing Runes. The Healing Runes is much more Christian oriented and is written to correspond with the AA 12 step program. There are many other books by Blum and I would recommend any of them, to anyone seeking self enlightenment, healing, and general guidance.

Today’s American culture is defined by its diversity of traditions and belief systems. In many urban communities this is evident by the array of churches, mosques, synagogues, and even metaphysical centers readily available to the people who live there. It seems that there is a guru, preacher, priest, rabbi, or mystic on every street corner ready to show us the way to everlasting life, enlightenment, and warning of the end of the world. But can they define what makes their point of view more valid than anyone else’s?

I teach a year long class here in East Texas that meets weekly. The class itself is not devised around any particular dogma or doctrine of faith. It is a class in spiritual practices that is designed to allow students to experience an array of different faiths and the practices that go with it in order to heighten their own spiritual awareness and create a connection to the higher power that is unique for them. It is a course infused with occult philosophy, experiences with traditional practices, and theology. The idea is that through exposure to different forms of spirituality, the student will find their own path and be more grounded in their own moral code of conduct, beliefs, and have a solid and practical spiritual practice that encourages listening to the conscience and the connection to the higher power.

In the starting weeks, I go over definitions of spirituality and religion. In my research for the class I was surprised to find that even different dictionaries defined these terms in unique ways. No two definitions were the same; point of fact, they were actually quite contradictory in nature. So, with much research, I pieced together what I feel is more appropriate to define the two terms.

• Spirituality - a sense of connection to the universe and to a higher power that comes from a sense of mystery and an improvable sense that we are connected to the universe.
• Religion – an organized system of worship that gives a framework to the relationship we have with the universe and with a higher power that is; a formal system that was created to help human beings understand and maintain their relationship to that mysterious sense of connection.

These definitions are key in understanding that religion is given life by the spirituality of the people who practice it. This being said, it is also necessary to point out that while religion can be beneficial to a spiritual practice, it can also be a hindrance and a disguise for a lack of spirituality.

My personal belief is that no one religion is better than any other. In fact, I think that all the religions of the world hold some kernel of truth within them. It is this belief that fuels my passion in my teaching. However, I think that in practicing a particular religion, people become complacent and forget about the spirituality that their tradition was founded upon. They become so caught up in the intricate details of practice like learning particular prayers, rituals, memorizing scriptures, or even converting new followers that they lose sight of the originally intended purpose.

We go to our churches, our temples, our mosques, etc and we are accustomed to a certain set of events taking place. For many it is a combination of recited prayers, hymns being sung, religious leaders speaking and teaching, and a time of fellowship with others. This is what we equate with spiritual practice. However, in going to these places do we really focus on our own individual connection with the divine? Surely that is a challenge when religious services have become synonymous with social interaction.

Ultimately we are all personally responsible for our own spirituality. No matter what faith you practice, there is no religious leader that can assure your place in the world or, if you so believe, the afterlife. It is our own deeds, actions, and connection that will ultimately decide our fates. It is up to us as individuals to not become so caught up in the politics, socialism, and dogma of the religious tradition that we neglect what should be its true focus, connection to spirit and the universe.

By definition, religion exists to enhance the spirituality of those who practice it. But somewhere along the way this was lost. It has become a race for religious supremacy and control of the people who practice. Religions, the world over, have been the source of more violence in the world than any other disputes for resources. I for one am disinclined to believe that the higher power would even care how we connect to it. I’m a believer that all these different traditions exist because the higher power reveals itself in various ways in which people of varying cultures, climates, and environments can relate and recognize it. This does not give anyone license to believe that their way is the only way that a connection can be established and maintained. Thus, if people concerned themselves with their own spirituality rather than that of others around them there would be no need for violence in the name of religion.

Spirituality is an intrinsic part of life for everyone. There may be times in our lives when we do not see it as beneficial to us or even practical, but we cannot deny that there is a connection to be made with something larger than ourselves and that it plays a major role in how we view and interact with the world around us.

Asking ourselves how we personally make that connection is a start to a more spiritual and meaningful existence. Listening to your own calling from the higher force out there is the most important step that you can take to making the most of your spiritual practice. Not allowing the dogma of religion to define your connection isn’t easy. But knowing your connection and then forming your own religious practice around your spiritual connection is a surefire way to find peace in your life and the daily interaction with the spirit that allows us to deepen that connection and learn to listen to ourselves and the messages that come to us.