Spiritual Solutions

 (Note: This is the eighth lesson adapted from the series “Steady in the Wind,” by Ann Strong. Ann kindly gave me permission to adapt and use parts of the lessons in my blog and newsletter. I believe you will find much value in applying the twelve life principles covered in this course. Enjoy!)

WELCOME TO:
Lesson Eight: Detachment

Please listen to the audio first by clicking on the link below, and then let’s read the lesson together.

Lesson Eight: Detachment (or Non-Attachment)

Nobody wants to buy anything from someone who NEEDS them to buy it. We’ve all had at least one experience of a salesperson who pressures us to buy so he or she can meet a quota. Or, worse, the salesman who tells you he needs your sale so is kid can get braces.

Even though we often do feel we need to make more money, we must serve from a place of detachment, not NEEDING any particular outcome. If you are in sales, for instance, it is important that you help your client make a good buying decision based on his or her needs, not your own.

Detachment involves not feeling invested in a specific outcome, not needing things a certain way. You can then serve from that place of helping others and trusting in the bigger picture, knowing that you serve on God’s payroll. You can hold “Steady in the Wind” with detachment, knowing that you offer great service and there is an infinite number of people who will benefit from what you offer. Know, too, that you are building excellent ongoing relationships and will receive tons of referrals.

Do not judge by appearances. If you are having difficulties or going through a tough situation, remember that nothing is ever as bad as it appears to the human eye. Tear down all barriers in your mind and all thoughts of limitation and separation. Your good is already here and yours for the believing. Remember the words of Jesus: “Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; . . . therefore do not be anxious.” (Matt. 6:28, 31) The secret is to let the experiences of life pass. “This too shall pass.” Let it go, and let your good unfold.

UNDERSTANDING DETACHMENT

Detachment is a state in which a person overcomes his or her attachment to desire for things, people or concepts of the world and thus attains a heightened perspective. Detachment as release from desire and consequently from suffering is an important principle in Hinduism, Buddhism, the Bahai faith and Kabbalah.

The Hindu view of detachment comes from the understanding of the nature of existence and that the true ultimate state sought is that of being in the moment. In other words, while one is responsible and active, one does not worry about the past or future. The detachment is towards the result of ones actions rather than towards everything in life. (This description is drawn from Wikipedia.)

DETACHMENT AND THE LAW OF ATTRACTION

Detachment is an important part of the Law of Attraction. Some call it “allowing,” others call it “receiving” and still others call it “detachment.” Using a fishing term,  it could also be dubbed “catch and release.”

It works in this way: When you catch a vision of what it is you want, you see it clearly - just like the fish you just caught and netted. You admire it for a moment, you acknowledge yourself for catching it, maybe you pose for a picture to capture the excitement of the moment. Then you set it free or “release” it and forget all about it; and you go back to whatever you were doing: tying another lure, fixing your pole, having a sandwich and a soft drink, or whatever.

Next time you cast your line, you are not hoping that you will catch this same fish again. You’re not even expecting it. When you cast again, you’ve already and altogether put that first fish out of your mind. In fact, you might suddenly get the urge to pull up anchor and move your boat to a totally different fishing spot; you’re certainly not thinking about the catch you just let go.

And that is exactly the moment when the granddaddy of all fish snaps onto your line. That’s precisely how the Law of Attraction works.

AN EXAMPLE OF DETACHMENT

Ann Strong relates how she recently went into a store looking for a specific type of product. The owner of the store told her they had the product she was looking for, but it didn’t have the exact features she wanted. Instead of trying to sell it to her anyway, the store owner told her which of her competitors might have a larger selection. And, she told her how to get to that store.

The store owner’s willingness to lose a sale to a competitor impressed Ann so much that she bought the product from her. She left the store happy to do without the features she had previously thought she needed because the store owner clearly had her best interests in mind. And, she says, she knows that even if she had gone to her competitor to buy the product, she would go first to her store next time because she would remember the store owner looks out for her.

PRACTICE DETACHMENT THIS WEEK

Start thinking of God or the Cosmos as your employer. Begin to really know that you never NEED any one particular result from any individual. Look for opportunities to serve as a committed employee of God. Know that your good comes from one source: God. It comes through an infinite number of known and unknown channels.

When you are talking to someone, completely focus on his or her situation and needs, not on your own. Serve the highest good of the person you are talking to, even if that means referring him or her to a competitor. Trust that you will be taken care of because you serve on God’s payroll.

Notice where you can practice “catch and release” this week. What are the results of your letting go?

Record in your evidence journal what happens by focusing on detachment.

CONTINUE PRACTICING GRATITUDE

Continue practicing gratitude this week. Are you making entries in your gratitude journal daily? How are you doing with looking for something about which you can be grateful even in challenging situations? Are you recording in your evidence journal what happens by focusing on gratitude even in tough situations?

CONTINUE PRACTICING OPENNESS

Continue practicing openness this week. In what situations can you brainstorm several possible new ways to proceed? If you get stuck, ask a friend or colleague to help you brainstorm options. Record your findings and opportunities in your evidence journal.

CONTINUE PRACTICING AWARENESS

Continue practicing awareness this week. Several times this week, check in with yourself. How do you feel, physically and emotionally? What will make you feel even better? Look for opportunities. Talk about what feels most exciting to you. Ask for what you want. Find out what others need. Give it to them. Record your findings in your evidence journal.

CONTINUE PRACTICING COMMITMENT

Continue practicing commitment this week. Have you written your commitment? Are you recording evidence in your journal that supports your commitment?

CONTINUE PRACTICING COMMANDING 

Continue practicing commanding or claiming this week and beyond. What have you chosen to command or claim? Are you recording evidence in your journal? What is showing up for you?

CONTINUE PRACTICING VISIONING

Continue practicing visioning this week. Whenever you feel stuck, do you write out a vision? Are you tracking evidence for all your visions?

CONTINUE PRACTICING DEEP LISTENING

Are you integrating both deep listening within and deep listening to others into your natural, regular routine?

CONTINE PRACTICING YOUR OBSERVER ROLE

Is observation becoming a natural part of your life and work?

Next week, you will receive Lesson Nine: Generosity.
Until then, have fun with detachment, gratitude, openness, awareness, commitment, commanding, visioning, listening deeply and observing.

God is Blessing You, Right Now!

Rev. Alan A. Rowbotham
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Rev. Alan A. Rowbotham, a Unity minister for over thirty-six years, invites you to enjoy more articles and/or subscribe to his free inspirational newsletter, Spiritual Solutions or go directly to the Spiritual Solutions Blog

If you’d like to receive weekday inspirational quotes, you can subscribe at Rich Words

I have been asked how a person can donate to “Spiritual Solutions.” Just go to Send a Love Offering and it will take you to a form you can use for your donation. Thank you - I am very grateful for your generosity!
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Previous in series Next in series

 (Note: This is the seventh lesson adapted from the series “Steady in the Wind,” by Ann Strong, of www.thrivingcoaches.com. Ann kindly gave me permission to adapt and use parts of the lessons in my blog and newsletter. I believe you will find much value in applying the twelve life principles covered in this course. Enjoy!)

WELCOME TO:
Lesson Seven: Gratitude

Please listen to the audio first by clicking on the link below, and then let’s read the lesson together.

Lesson Seven: Gratitude

Given that what we focus on expands, living from a grateful heart makes good sense. We cannot feel grateful and upset at the same time. As we view the world through the lens of gratitude, everything changes. Gratitude cures anger, neediness, high blood pressure, resentment, bitterness, upset stomach, apathy, disappointment, worry, pessimism and general sourpuss-ness.

I strongly urge you to choose gratitude as a way of life. Even in the challenging times. Sure, it’s easy enough to appreciate new kittens, a fast car, warm sunshine, a pile of cash or a delicious meal. How do you appreciate two of the kittens dying, a speeding ticket or two weeks of gloomy, gray days?

Let’s look at that. Take the kittens for example. Even though two of them die, I can feel grateful for the time I had with them or for the one that lived or for more intimately knowing the life/death cycle. Or, I can fixate on the unfairness of life because the two kittens died. I can become cynical and close my heart. I truly do have a choice. Choosing a life of gratitude, regardless of the circumstances, creates a far richer, happier life.

While we can’t always control what happens - like kittens dying - we can always control our response. What would your life be like if you chose to live from gratitude? If you chose to find the good in all situations? If you appreciated challenges for the opportunities they hold?

In the scriptures we read, “Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances.”
(Thess. 5:16), and a French proverb says, “Gratitude is the heart’s memory.”

Charles Fillmore, co-founder of the Unity movement, says, “It has been found by experience that a person increases his blessings by being grateful for what he has. Gratitude even on the mental plane is a great magnet, and when gratitude is expressed from the spiritual standpoit it is powerfully augmented.”

A grateful heart is an open heart - open to all the magic, wonder and glory life has to offer.

Living Steady in the Wind with gratitude, we find reasons to appreciate the wind. Have you become stronger because of the wind? Has the wind cleared some space in your life? Is the wind facilitating transition? Gratitude helps us receive the gifts of the wind.

Also, a grateful person is an attractive person. Think about it. Who do you gravitate toward? The person who’s often complaining or the one who has a fun, interesting or heart-warming story to tell? So, the more gratitude you share, the more attractive you are. The more attractive you are, the more people you connect with and the more opportunities come your way.

PRACTICE GRATITUDE THIS WEEK

Do you keep a gratitude journal? If so, congratulations! Keep writing in it daily. If not, start one this week. You may want to get a special journal for this or, if you prefer, simply keep it as part of your notebook for this course of “Steady in the Wind.” Every day, simply jot down five or ten things for which you feel gratitude.

When you find yourself in a challenging situation, look for something about which you can be grateful. Focus on that.

Record in your evidence journal what happens by focusing on gratitude even in tough situations.

CONTINUE PRACTICING OPENNESS

Continue practicing openness this week. In what situations can you brainstorm several possible new ways to proceed? If you get stuck, ask a friend or colleague to help you brainstorm options. Record your findings and opportunities in your evidence journal.

CONTINUE PRACTICING AWARENESS

Continue practicing awareness this week. Several times this week, check in with yourself. How do you feel, physically and emotionally? What will make you feel even better? Look for opportunities. Talk about what feel smost exciting to you. Ask for what you want. Find out what others need. Give it to them. Record your findings in your evidence journal.

CONTINUE PRACTICING COMMITMENT

Contine practicing commitment this week. Have you written your commitment? Are you recording evidence in your journal that supports your commitment?

CONTINUE PRACTICING COMMANDING

Continue practicing commanding or claiming this week and beyond. What have you chosen to command or claim? Are you recording evidence in your journal? What is showing up for you?

CONTINUE PRACTICING VISIONING

Continue practicing visioning this week. Whenever you feel stuck, do you write out a vision? Are you tracking evidence for all your visions?

CONTINUE PRACTICING DEEP LISTENING

Are you integrating both deep listening within and deep listening to others into your natural, regular routine?

CONTINUE PRACTICING YOUR OBSERVER ROLE

Is observation becoming a natural part of your life and work?

Next week, you will receive Lesson Eight: Non-Attachment
Until then, have fun with gratitude, openness, awareness, commitment, commanding, visioning, listening deeply, and observing.

God is Blessing You, Right Now!  

Rev. Alan A. Rowbotham

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Rev. Alan Rowbotham, a Unity minister for over thirty-six years, invites you to enjoy more articles and/or suscribe to his free inspirational newsletter, “Spiritual Solutions,” at http://spiritualsolutionsblog.com

You can also go directly to the blog at http://spiritualsolutionsblog.com/blog/

Feel free to share this article in its entirety with a friend. You may also reproduce and publish this article if you also include this reference box. Thank you!

If you’d like to receive “Rich Words,” featuring weekday inspirational quotes, you can subscribe at www.alanrowbotham.com

I have been asked how a person can donate to “Spiritual Solutions.” Just go to www.alanrowbotham.com and click on the link in the right-hand column that says, “Send a Love Offering. It will take you to a form you can use for your donation. Thank you - I am very grateful for your generosity!

——————————————————————————————–

Previous in series Next in series

(Note: This is the sixth lesson adapted from the series “Steady in the Wind,” by Ann Strong, of www.thrivingcoaches.com. Ann kindly gave me permission to adapt and use parts of the lessons in my blog and newsletter. I believe you will find much value in applying the twelve life principles covered in this course. Enjoy!)

WELCOME TO:
Lesson Six: Openness

Please listen to the audio first by clicking on the link below, and then let’s read the lesson together.

Lesson Six: Openness

In this lesson we will cover openness, which allows you to know and explore the possibilities of many paths to your visions. Whatever you want - increased fun with your work, better relationships, greater confidence - can happen in an infinite number of ways.

Practicing openness allows you the flexibility to realize it doesn’t have to happen “your way” or “the way it always has.” You can approach situations without pre-conceived notions or judgments.

Much of our own unhappiness and frustration is created by consistently resisting and fighting the way things seem to be. No matter what you are facing right now, relax and accept where you are since it is “what is” right now.

An affirmation that my wife, Kathryn, and I often use is “I release everything to God, and I am lifted into a new awareness of safety, security and peace.” Then from this place of openness and receptivity, you are ready to accept your greater good. Remember, the only door through which the Divine Essence can come to us is through our own I Am.

OPENNESS ENLARGES THE FIELD OF POSSIBILITY.

In Isaiah 54:2, we read, “Enlarge the place of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; hold not back, lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes.” This is a beautiful analogy of how to transcend your perceived limitations.

Then in Isaiah 58:11, we read, “And the Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your desire with good things, and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.”

OPENNESS READIES US TO RECEIVE THE GUIDANCE WE SEEK

With openness, you see opportunities you wouldn’t have seen before. You also create opportunities you wouldn’t have thought of in the past.

There is powerful understanding contained in these words from the aphorisms of Patanjali:

“As the removal of earth by a farmer digging a ditch
Opens up a channel for water to flow to his crops,
So the removal of obstacles by the student opens up
A channel for Cosmic Energy to flow into his being.”

Cease doing whatever is interfering with the natural flow of good from within you. Consent, let go, and let the flow of life unfold for you now.

With openness, you can simply sway with the wind, rather than fight it.

AN EXAMPLE OF OPENNESS

Ann Strong shares that when she first started her coaching practice, she wanted to work with as many clients as possible. If someone really wanted to work with her and she felt a strong connection between them, she had an open policy about making it work.

If this particular person told her they could not afford her fee, she asked them what they could afford. They then worked out a fee structure that stretched, but didn’t panic them and worked for her.

If she hadn’t felt open to working with a person who made a sincere offer, she would not have built her practice nearly as quickly.

By being open she was able to remove the obstacles and let her good flow for herself and the other person.

For more great examples of openness, read

http://spiritualsolutionsblog.com/acres-of-diamonds.php

PRACTICE OPENNESS THIS WEEK

Try applying openness to several situations this week by brainstorming three to five possible ways to proceed.

If you can’t come up with at least three, ask a friend or colleague to help you brainstorm options.

Record your findings and opportunities in your evidence journal.

CONTINUE PRACTICING AWARENESS

Continue practicing awareness this week . Several times this week, check in with yourself. How do you feel, physically and emotionally? What will make you feel even better? Look for opportunities. Talk about what feels most exciting to you. Ask for what you want. Find out what others need. Give it to them. Record your findings in your evidence journal.

CONTINUE PRACTICING COMMITMENT

Continue practicing commitment this week. Have you written your commitment for your life or work? Are you recording evidence in your journal that supports your commitment?

CONTINUE PRACTICING COMMANDING

Continue practicing commanding or claiming this week and beyond. What have you chosen to command or claim? Are you recording evidence in your journal? What is showing up for you?

CONTINUE PRACTICING VISIONING

Continue practicing visioning this week. Whenever you feel stuck, do you write out a vision? Are you tracking evidence for all your visions?

CONTINUE PRACTICING DEEP LISTENING

Are you integrating both deep listening within and deep listening to others into your natural, regular routine?

CONTINUE PRACTICING YOUR OBSERVER ROLE

Is observation becoming a natural part of your life and work?

Next week, you will receive Lesson Seven: Gratitude.

Until then, have fun with openness, awareness, commitment, commanding, visioning, listening deeply, and observing.

God is Blessing You, Right Now!

Rev. Alan A. Rowbotham
————————————————————————–
Rev. Alan Rowbotham, a Unity minister for over thirty-six years, invites you to enjoy more articles and/or subscribe to his free inspirational newsletter, “Spiritual Solutions,” at www.spiritualsolutionsblog.com

You can go directly to the blog, at http://spiritualsolutionsblog.com/blog/

Feel free to share this article in its entirety with a friend. You may also reproduce and publish this article if you also include this reference box. Thank you!

If you’d like to receive “Rich Words,” featuring weekday inspirational quotes, you can subscribe at www.alanrowbotham.com

I have also been asked how you can donate to “Spiritual Solutions.” If you go to www.alanrowbotham.com you’ll see an item in the right-hand column that says, “Send a Love Offering.” Just click on that link and it will take you to a form you can use for your donation. Thank you - I am very grateful for your generosity!
————————————————————————–
 

Previous in series Next in series

(Note: This is the fifth lesson adapted from the series “Steady in the Wind,” by Ann Strong, of www.thrivingcoaches.com. Ann kindly gave me permission to adapt and use parts of the lessons in my blog and newsletter. I believe you will find much value in applying the twelve life principles covered in this course. Enjoy!)

WELCOME TO:
Lesson Five: Awareness

Please listen to the audio first by clicking on the link below, and then let’s read the lesson together.

Lesson Five: Awareness

In this lesson, we will cover awareness, which helps us recognize and enjoy opportunities we may well have missed without our deliberate focus. We create our universe through our awareness.

There are two components to awareness. The first component is attention. To what are you giving your attention?

Giving attention to the negative tends to bring more of the negative into our experience. If we are peaceful and positive in our attention we tend to bring about health, wholeness, peace, joy and harmony.

Awareness begins with paying attention to your observations. Notice what is going on inside you and what is going on around you.

INTERNAL AWARENESS

You can develop internal awareness by paying attention to how you feel both physically and emotionally. Do you have a headache now? Do you remember that you didn’t have it an hour ago? What shifted in that hour? Or do you feel happy, centered, and peaceful? Or, do you feel anxious? Nervous? Sad? Angry? When did you start feeling anxious?

A friend, using these guidelines many years ago, remembered she’d be in a great mood. Then, for no apparent reason, she’d get into a bad mood. She felt really frustrated that her mood would shift without her knowing why. So, she decided to find out.

What she discovered: music profoundly affected her. Her mood would shift to melancholy with a song on the radio! She also learned that she took on other people’s feelings. If she had a conversation with someone angry, she took that in. She didn’t notice it at first because she wouldn’t walk away angry. She’d feel sad that the other person was mad. Or, she’d feel hurt that she took her anger out on her. Or, she’d feel anxious and try to fix her anger.

Once she began to choose her music carefully, her mood didn’t shift as much. Then, she learned to stay with herself and her own experience rather than jump into the other person’s experience with her. She says, “Wow, did that make a difference!”

The Second Component of Awareness

You probably noticed as you read that last paragraph that the second component of awareness is intention. As we become aware that our attention is being directed to those things which bring about an undesirable outcome in our life, we can then direct our attention with an intention to bring about the change we want.

INTERNAL AWARENESS CHECKLIST

Physical:
    How do I feel?
    If I feel less than healthy, vibrant and energized, what needs attention?
    Am I eating enough nourishing, whole foods?
    Do I need to eat more frequently or more regularly?
    Am I getting enough exercise?
    Do I get enough sunshine and fresh air?
    Am I sleeping enough?
    Have I properly attended to any health concerns or am I ignoring them?

Emotional:
    How do I feel?
    If I feel less than happy, centered, peaceful and energized, what needs attention?
    Have I taken on other people’s stuff?
    Have I been beating up on myself?
    Does my environment need changing - less noise, more light, fewer people, more
    inspiration?
    Do I need an attitude adjustment?

If we don’t feel well, either physically or emotionally, we won’t have as much awareness of what’s going on around us. We won’t notice or be available to enjoy opportunities that come our way. Become aware of what’s happening inside you before you pay attention to what’s going on around you.

EXTERNAL AWARENESS

As you become more aware of what’s going on inside you, you’re less likely to react to what’s going on around you. You naturally hold steady in the wind. Now, you can look around and notice all the opportunities surrounding you.

Do you notice a pattern in what people have told you this week? Have you heard the same message from several sources? How does this apply to the different areas of your life?

The best way to find opportunities you haven’t seen before: tell people what you’ve been doing. The next time someone says, “So, what have you been doing lately?” instead of saying, “Oh, working and going to the kids’ softball games,” tell them a story.

Talk about whatever feels important to you now. Are you learning Spanish? Remodeling your house? Planning a vacation to Italy?

Another great way to uncover opportunities: ask for what you want. “Do you know a good piano teacher in the neighborhood? Who remodeled your bathroom? Would you recommend them? Have you ever vacationed in Italy?”

Awareness opens you up to the natural flow of both giving and receiving. When your neighbor asks you about Italy, loan him your favorite guidebook. When a colleague asks you how you get so many referrals, share your system. When a friend needs a veterinarian, give her the name and phone number of yours. Offer generously. What you put out, so you get back (multiplied, actually). Give to your neighbor as you’d like to be given to.

As you become more and more aware, you will routinely experience what you might call serendipity, synchronicity, coincidence, magic or miracles. What a delightful way to live!

HOW AWARENESS APPLIES TO LIVING STEADY IN THE WIND

With awareness comes a natural ability to hold steady in the wind. The wind usually doesn’t catch you off guard. And if it does occasionally, you simply bring your focus back to awareness and re-steady yourself in the wind.

EXAMPLE OF AWARENESS

Ann Strong shared that, years ago, she came out of one too many meetings with a headache when she had gone into the meeting feeling fine! That day, she realized she needed to do things by committee most sparingly.

A couple of years after that, she noticed she didn’t get a headache from meetings that she led. So today she serves on very few committees. Most that she join, she leads or she gets involved in a way that she can do a task without attending the meetings. She also meets with people one-on-one, which works beautifully for her.

PRACTICE AWARENESS THIS WEEK

Several times a day, check in with yourself. How do you feel, physically and emotionally? What will make you feel even better?

What is going on around you?

Look for opportunities. Talk about what feels most exciting to you. Ask for what you want. Find out what others need. Give it to them.

Record your findings in your evidence journal.

CONTINUE PRACTICING COMMITMENT THIS WEEK

Have you written your commitment? Are you recording evidence in your journal that supports your commitment?

CONTINUE PRACTICING COMMANDING THIS WEEK AND BEYOND

What have you chosen to command or claim? Are you recording evidence in your journal? What is showing up for you?

CONTINUE PRACTICING VISIONING THIS WEEK

Whenever you feel stuck, do you write out a vision? Are you tracking evidence for all your visions?

CONTINUE PRACTICING DEEP LISTENING

Are you integrating both deep listening within and deep listening to others into your natural, regular routine?

CONTINUE PRACTICING YOUR OBSERVER ROLE

Is observation becoming a natural part of your life and work?

Next week, you will receive Lesson Six: Openness.

Until then have fun with awareness, commitment, commanding, visioning, listening deeply and observing.

God is Blessing You, Right Now!

Rev. Alan A. Rowbotham
————————————————————————–
Rev. Alan Rowbotham, a Unity minister for over thirty-six years, invites you to enjoy more articles and/or subscribe to his free inspirational newsletter, “Spiritual Solutions,” at www.spiritualsolutionsblog.com/

You can go directly to the blog, at http://spiritualsolutionsblog.com/blog/

Feel free to share this article in its entirety with a friend. You may also reproduce and publish this article if you also include this reference box. Thank you!

If you’d like to receive “Rich Words,” featuring weekday inspirational quotes, you can subscribe at
www.alanrowbotham.com

I have also been asked how you can donate to “Spiritual Solutions.”
If you go to www.alanrowbotham.com you’ll see an item in the right-hand column that says, “Send a Love Offering.” Just click on that link and it will take you to a form you can use for your donation. Thank you - I am very grateful for your generosity!
————————————————————————–

Previous in series Next in series