Living Consciously June 12, 2009

Dear friends,

The admonition by the man Jesus to “resist not, evil” has a counterpart in our modern New Thought spirituality. When we find ourselves facing what we call an obstacle of some kind, which could arise in any area of our life, we do not resist it or fear it. We stop fighting and attempt to realize its opposite. We see through the appearance to the reality behind it. Behind the temporary manifestation of illness are Health and Vitality. Behind lack and scarcity are Abundance and Circulation. Behind depression and emptiness are Joy and Energy. Behind isolation and loneliness are Unity and Love. The question is simple: Which is more real, that which I am experiencing now or that which I know is eternal?

One of my favourite questions is What would I like instead? This is not resisting the problem, but rather acknowledging my ability to recognize another possibility and to begin to deeply choose it. If I know there is a richer, fuller way to experience vitality other than sickness, I am in the position of allowing its restoration as my physical experience. This is subtle and can be misunderstood, but either this dimension of life arises out of consciousness or it doesn’t. I believe it does and therefore my experience is always my creation to work with as I choose.

This is challenging to do when we are struggling financially or our body is weak and we are in pain. This is why we need to build up our conviction when everything is going well! To be grateful always, to have a relationship with the unseen powers of Love and Intelligence, to cultivate an inner core of peace that stabilizes our emotions and sustains our clarity in times of chaos, to feel the presence of possibility, this is what spiritual practice gives us. A walking meditation that is useful in our busy world is: My life is a joy to behold, from the inside out and the outside in.

Peace and Blessings,

Rev Carol Carnes

Living Consciously June 15, 2009

Dear friends,

This morning while some of us sprinkle blueberries over our yoghurt and sip gourmet coffee, little children are drinking contaminated water and hoping there might be some crumb of food for them. More are dying from the effects of mosquito bites or the wounds of war. For many children. Life on this planet is a place of disease and horror.

There are thousands of people helping with the building of wells and bringing clean water into villages and mosquito netting and food. But underneath it all is a need for education. Children need to learn early how to interact with this world and how to become someone who can make their way and be a contributor to the betterment of humanity. They learn by example.

The following is a letter from Rev Keith Cox and it is self explanatory.

Peace and Blessings, Rev Carol Carnes