Interconnectedness equates to service...not in a slave-like manner, but in a spiritual flow manner.

Date:   3/28/2006 12:17:19 AM ( 18 y ago)

Listening to Spirit

By Judith Costello, editor of Parenting with Spirit ã2000

A young man who is highly successful in his business and in his life,
reports that he starts everyday in contemplation and meditation. He sits
quietly and asks the God/Spirit who resides within him the following
three questions:
1) How can I be of greater service to the world?
2) What do my children and spouse need from me at this time in their
lives?
3) What do I need to do to make my work successful?

Why ask these questions and how do we get clear answers?
In order to receive spiritual guidance in our lives we need to be able
to still "the monkey mind." The monkey metaphor, used by Buddhists,
reminds us of how our minds are often overactive--flitting from one thing
to the next. As long as we are unaware of it, our minds will "chatter"
about what
is currently happening, about things to do, about past memories, and on
and on. We become distracted. There is no place for inner wisdom to
unfold. In order to really access our spiritual guidance we need to be
able to SLOW DOWN. Beginning to 'listen to spirit" requires that we first
learn how to
still the chatter that is taking up space in the mind. We can do this
by focusing on one thing such as the breath or holding the image of a
candle flame in our minds. As thoughts come up we let them pass, without
judgment or comment. Eventually, our minds begin to slow. That is when
Spirit finds a place. Spirit can only enter when there is an opening, a
void, an emptiness.

Once we have made some space in our minds then we can ask the kind of
questions listed above; and in the stillness true answers will arise.

Asking about our service to the world reminds us of our highest
purpose. We were put on this planet to make a difference in the world. We
often loose sight of our "mission in life" as we get caught up in
fulfilling tasks and trying to meet our family's needs. Our world is set up on
the premise that "You can't get something for nothing" which results in
thinking that everything must be 50/50. I will give you money and you
give me something. Service, compassion and loving-kindness with no strings
attached seem foreign to our culture. And yet, we know in our hearts
that love is really what life is about. When we quiet our minds we can
open up to recognizing our soul's purpose. Seeing ourselves offering
"service" brings us to a place of love, recognizing that we need all of life
and we are needed by all. There is a oneness to everything. To serve the One
is why we were born.

When we ask about our children's needs, we allow Spirit to help us see
into the essential nature of the young ones. In this way, we can
re-focus our perception of our children. They may be acting out but they are
not "bad" or any of the other labels we may be inclined to put on them.
They are spiritual beings who are acting in certain ways as a response
to their experiences. Our children speak to us in their actions not
their words. When we listen with our heart wisdom we can hear the message
from the souls of those in our care.

When we focus on our family needs we can open up to letting the Divine
work through us. We can begin to "get out of our own way." Then Spirit
works through us and all things fall into a harmonious rhythm. Divine
Order enters our being.

When we have addressed all of these other things, the cares of the day
- at work or at home-will begin to be answered. Our work should be a
part of the Divine Order we are beginning to experience in meditation. If
it is not then we need to find some new direction.

Answers will come in the silence. Are we listening?


 

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