Spiritual Solutions

Today, Saturday, April 23, is the fortieth day of the Lent. Lent is the period of time during which we can prepare ourselves for the Easter experience. 
 

Assignment 40
 
Relaxing is the perfect form for receiving. An old and familiar phrase, “easy does it,” means the same thing as “let go and let God!” They both have the same effect. To be a happy-go-lucky soul is to win the world. To be tight, tense, fretful and anxious, is to close the door of your good.
 
To receive the Divine activity in our lives, to allow our perfect pattern to come forth, there must be a period of rest, complete detachment and non-resistance. Man’s striving, his laboring, his struggling is a detriment to his release of the real power within. To “be still and know” (resting in the Lord) is man’s most difficult assignment. Nevertheless, it is the only way of accomplishment.
 
To contend, contest, to vie, to compete and battle is a hindrance to man’s true development. It has built a world that is a juggernaut and he himself is crushed by its wheels. Wealth, fame, fortune, possessions momentarily takes their toll, as does poverty, lack and loneliness rob us daily.
 
Striving from one to the other is man’s physical destroyer. To find an inner peace and inner calm in the center of the storm is man’s only hope; continual progress is neither possible nor desirable. We must have times of renewal for consolidating our gains and for gathering new strength. If we do not take them, they are pushed upon us by the wise and unrelenting law of life.
 
There must be a resting in God. This is where we fail, we are afraid of the wait and of the inactivity. We all run in such high speed we miss the true power. We need to let our soul catch up with our bodies. Man is afraid of a rest period, but all of nature is dormant at sometime, that it may be refilled. Man runs dry because he will not rest in the Law.
 
Some of the greatest development is achieved in a rest period; many times it is a forced experience. No one has ever gone down in any kind of experience without coming up a new being. We often must be forced out of the race of striving to find the real power through which all things are accomplished. “Our remedies in ourselves do lie, which we ascribe to heaven,” Shakespeare said. Nothing is truly ours until we use it and prove it. Do your part, rest in the law and see what God will do. The power that raised Jesus Christ from the tomb is in you today!
 
 
(This series of Lenten messages was first developed by Unity minister Dr. Sue Sikking, founder of Unity-by-the-Sea, Santa Monica, California, author of God Always Says Yes and Seed of the New Age.)
 
 
God is Blessing You, Right Now!
 
Rev. Alan A. Rowbotham
 
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Rev. Alan A. Rowbotham, a Unity minister for over thirty-nine years, invites you to subscribe to his free inspirational newsletter, Spiritual Solutions, at www.spiritualsolutionsblog.com
 
To subscribe for free weekday inspirational quotes, Rich Words, go to www.alanrowbotham.com
                                                 
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Have you ever had a feeling of being “at the end of your rope,” hanging on desperately, afraid to let go? If you have, then you know how uncomfortable and devastating it is.

Someone may suggest, “Get hold of yourself; get a new grip on life,” or “When you’re at the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.” It may see like good advice, but life is not something to be gripped, to be held onto desperately to keep it from slipping away. Life has hold of you. You do not live life; life lives you. It animates you and expresses itself as you. It is living you this very moment. It will never let you go.

The “hold on for dear life” attitude leads to the kind of mental tension and physical congestion that is at the heart and root of most physical ills. The truth is that no “grip” or “knot” is needed. What is needed is the will to relax and to let go.

Tension, anxiety, fear, and “holding on for dear life” cut off the flow of the vital juices that sustain life. Life will no more, of its own volition, cease to flow through you than the Colorado River would abandon the Grand Canyon. If there is an impediment in the flow of life resulting in weakness and deterioration, it is because unconsciously you have closed off the flow by your tense desire to hang on.

You are never alone. You are not really bobbing about on the seas of life at the mercy of the winds and storms of fate and circumstance. You are a whole creature, an expression of God, completely at one with Infinite Mind, in complete unity with all life. There is no possible way you can be separated from God, any more than a wave can be separated from the ocean.

No matter what is happening in your life, fretting about the conditions never helps you nor anyone else. The apostle Paul says, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Rom. 12:21) Don’t fight the apparent error, the injustice, the darkness. Instead, return to your own point of unity of all life. This “returning” refers to solitude and meditation. When man really believes that life is lived from within out, he will place as much emphasis on the contemplative recharging of his batteries in disciplines of prayer and meditation as he now places on eating.

It is in “returning” that we are not only able to let go; we also gain a growing ability to “let God,” or as Meister Eckhart said, “Let God be God in you.” In letting go, we remove or reduce the obstacles to the flow of Spirit and move toward the experience of the presence and activity of God within us, through us, and as us.

Jesus stresses the importance of what we might call “inner prayer.” He infers strongly that God does not force Himself into man’s consciousness, any more than air forces itself into man’s lungs. The Infinite waits patiently for the recognition and acceptance of the finite.

Jesus says, “When you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Matt. 6:6)

Man may be amazingly creative, artistic, productive, inventive, vigorous, powerful and dynamic; all this is the outpicturing or “exhalation” of his true being. But there must also be a regular period of inhalation, or else he will “come to know want.”

Most people are good “achievers” but poor “receivers.” We set our minds on the achievement of things and positions in the world. But because we do not look within for support, we do not receive the wherewithal to keep on achieving. Living beyond our spiritual means, we are overdrawn and overextended. The answer is to get involved in the discipline of solitude and meditation. And to have much success with “inner prayer,” we must cultivate “the art of letting go,” and this takes a lot of practice.

Every one of us must determine for ourselves whether we are going to go through life worrying and fretting over the challenges that come through change, or whether we are going to let the activity of the whole Spirit of God (Holy Spirit) express in and through us. Letting go and letting God is a fine art, achieved only through the discipline of practice. Fear tends to hold on, but faith lets go. Practice faith. Human love holds on, but Divine Love lets go. Practice Divine Love. “Let God be God in you.”

Remember, God is Blessing You, Right Now!

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

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!

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In Psalm 37, three times we read “Fret not yourself . . .” followed by the admonitions to “Trust in the Lord . . . ,” to “Take delight in the Lord,” to “Commit your way to the Lord,” and to “Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him” and the positive results of so doing.

Yet how often do we find ourselves fretting about the future, fretting over our loved ones, our work, our health, our prosperity or lack of it. Many people are fretting about politics, about the trend of government, the problem of our cities, the protests of our young people. Certainly we should be concerned, and we should exercise the options available to us to participate in the democratic process of change. But fretting about conditions never helps anyone.

To “Trust in the Lord,” “Take delight in the Lord,” “Commit your way to the Lord,” and to “Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him,” means that we have to learn the cultivate the art of letting go. And most of us know this takes some doing when we are faced with certain conditions in our life. 

For myself, when asked about my wife, Kathryn, being recently in hospital and now in a rehab center, and then asking how I’m doing in all of this, I find myself saying all too often, “I’m hanging in there,” or “I’m holding on.” Most of the problems we fret about are bound to us by the hold we have on them. We have to let go and let God, or “trust in the Lord.” There is an answer to every problem and a right guidance for every turning of the way – and it exists within me even while I am facing the need.

Every person must determine for himself or herself whether he or she is going to go through life fretting over the challenges that come through change, or whether he or she is going to let the activity of the whole Spirit of God (the Holy Spirit) express through him or her. Letting go is a fine art, and like all fine arts it is achieved only through the discipline of practice. Fear tends to hold on, but faith lets go. Practice faith. Human love holds on, but Divine love lets go. Practice Divine love.

I love the ancient Taoist story about the old man and his son. Whenever you find yourself fretting over what the future holds for you, you might want to remind yourself of the story. It goes something like this:

There was once a farmer. He was a gentle and humble man. His wife had died a few years before, and he and his son lived near the border region in China. One day their horse ran away; they were dependent upon the horse. The neighbors came to console the man for the loss of his horse. He answered them, “Who knows what the future brings?”

Several months later their mare returned with a wild stallion. Everyone at the village marveled at the magnificent stallion and congratulated the man on his good fortune, saying, “You are wealthy now.” He answered them, “Who knows what the future brings?”

One day the son mounted the wild stallion but, not knowing the ways of the stallion, within a hundred meters he fell off the stallion and broke his leg. The leg healed but the boy limped. The villagers went to console the man. “What a terrible misfortune,” they said. “Now your only son is a cripple. Your living will be limited and, worse still, how will your son be able to care for you in your old age?” The simple man answered his neighbors, “Who knows what the future brings?”

“He’s a simpleton,” the neighbors said of the man.

A year later, a tribe from across the border was preparing for war. The army arrived in their village and every young man was drafted except the lame boy. He was of no use to the army. He stayed home.

It was a dreadful battle, and only a few of the boys drafted returned alive. The lame boy cared for is father until his father’s death.

“Who knows what the future brings”

God is Blessing You, Right Now!

Rev. Alan A. Rowbotham

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 Rev. Alan A. Rowbotham, a Unity minister for over thirty-eight years, invites you to subscribe to his free inspirational newsletter, Spiritual Solutions.

Please feel free to publish this article in your blog or newsletter or share it with a friend, as long as you include this resource box.

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

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Here’s the article:

I like the concept of letting go.It’s mostly where I find joy, calm, peace and purpose. It’s so much easier than chasing. And so much more effective.

Rather than chasing happiness, the Buddhist philosophy suggests that we simply choose to let go of that which makes us unhappy.

The very notion of chasing something has a sense of urgency about it, doesn’t it?

Perhaps we should stop giving away our power?

 By Craig Harper   

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 Rev. Alan A. Rowbotham, a Unity minister for over thirty-eight years, invites you to subscribe to his free inspirational newsletter, Spiritual Solutions.

Please feel free to publish this article in your blog or newsletter or share it with a friend, as long as you include this resource box.

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

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Letting go is one of the most powerful self-development skills you’ll ever learn.

It’ll grant you the super-human ability to let go of troublesome emotions at will, enabling you to control your fear, anger, pride and ego – all in one fell swoop.

Now, we all experience emotions every single day.

Emotions are what make us human. And more often than not, they help us. Evolution has selected our basic range of emotions to be the best for our survival.

We experience grief after death. We experience fear when confronted with danger. We experience anger when we’re rubbed up the wrong way. These are essential to living.

But sometimes emotions run riot.

They go wild, and lead us into doing things we don’t really want to do.

Emotions cause us to fear public speaking, our words drying up and our bodies freezing in terror the moment we stand on that platform. Emotions cause us to continue ignoring once good friends, because we’re still angry at what happened, and can’t reach forgiveness. Emotions keep us yearning for our addictions to things such as bad relationships or gambling.

So, emotions aren’t always good for us. Logically, they don’t make sense.

But here’s something to remember:
You are not your emotions!

This is a core mistake almost everyone makes. You experience your emotions, yes. But you are not your emotions. They’re just “feelings” passing through. They’re not you.

Right? Think about it. You are not your emotions.

And that’s not all.

Because emotions are not you, you can actually “let go” of unwanted emotions – on demand. You can switch off fear and anger, as easily as you’d switch off a light.

Almost every type of therapy out there has the ultimate goal of helping you to let go of your unwanted emotions.

From psychotherapy to tribal screaming therapy, the ultimate goal is the same. To help you let go of the emotions you don’t want. To release, to let go of your attachments. To move on.

But these types of therapy can be a little long-winded. Letting go of emotions directly is really the quickest, easiest and most straight-forward personal growth technique.

So, how can you let go of your unwanted emotions?

Well, it can really be as simple as asking yourself the question: “Can I let this go?”

Remember, you are not your emotions. Right now, you’re tightly holding onto your emotions without even realizing it. You have a tight clench around anger with that annoying person. You have what Buddhists would call an attachment to fear when it comes to public speaking.

You are actually the one holding on to the emotion. You’re in control, and you don’t even realize it.

So, make a decision to let go of it. To loosen the clench. To release.

Imagine holding onto a small ball, with a really firm grip. So firm in fact, that it’s actually hurting you to hold it. But you keep on squeezing it tight. You almost don’t realize that you can let go.

That’s how most of us treat emotions. We don’t realize that we can simply let go of the grip… and let the ball fall away.

That’s what letting go, or “releasing,” is all about.

So, bring to the front of your mind any situation which may have an emotional charge for you right now. A particular person, a frustrating situation, a “mini” addiction. Whatever that may be, and wherever you are at the moment. No need to relax, particularly.

Then, remembering what we’ve said about emotions, ask yourself: “Can I let this go?”
Answer “Yes” or “No” out loud. It doesn’t matter which you answer, just say the first and most natural thing that comes to mind. Both responses are good.

Then, if you can, feel yourself unclench the emotion. Allow the tension to be released, and the emotion to roll away if needed. You may wish to breathe out while doing this, or imagine a door in your abdomen opening up. Really feel it release.

The process should feel something like when the doctor calls to let you know those worrying tests have come back all clear: a release of tension and anxiety.

If you find yourself resisting, ask yourself: “Can I let this go – just for this moment? Just for now? Just for fun? And just because it’s a smart thing to do?”

Again, feel yourself unclenching. Then check how you’re feeling. Emotions are like onions: they’re layered, and removing one sometimes unveils another. If there’s still some charge there, repeat the questioning until you’re clear of resistance, or feel like stopping.

This, quite simply, is the basic releasing process.
If you find resistance coming up when you’re asking “Can I let this go?” … whether that resistance is anger, fear, lust, greed, passion … then ask yourself: “Can I hold onto this for a little longer?”

If the answer is yes, ask yourself a few more times: “And a little longer still?”

Then either give yourself permission to hold onto it for a little longer. Or, if you decide you’ve held onto that “bad” emotion for long enough – then just let it go.

Try it out for yourself. Ask “Can I let this go?” with all of your issues and negative emotions.

And you may as well do it now.

You can let go of emotions at any time – even while mid-conversation in a busy restaurant. No special meditation positions or relaxation CDs required.

(This great article on Learning to Let Go is written by Karl Moore, of http://www.karlblog.com)

Also, it’s worth noting that this is only a very brief introduction to letting go. As this is such an important topic, I’ve covered it much more comprehensively – alongside a number of other releasing techniques – inside my book, “The Secret Art of Self-Development.” (ISBN 0955993504.)

Master this powerful skill for yourself – and you’ll suddenly begin enjoying much more happiness, freedom and emotional control in your life.

Letting go is a true self-development miracle, the real secret behind almost every therapy out there.

And now you hold the key to unlocking its magic.

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 (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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