Tag Archives: faith

Align, ALIGN, ALIGN!

Recently, I threw up my hands. Just for a moment, I gave up on apparently futile attempts to reason with seemingly reasonable humans about the urgent need for a paradigm shift — one that would realign fragmented levels of quantum reality, restoring LOVE to its natural place at the divine center of humanity’s life wheel.

To counter-balance the toxic effect of following current events, I chose to reallocate savings accumulated to purchase a fully functional computer. Instead, feeling a compelling need to surround myself with positive influences sadly missing in my daily life, I purchased a small library of angel oracle card decks, adding to my already sizeable collection.

It was worth it.

Among newcomers to my shelf, the Healing Angel Cards gave me this message of patience balanced with hope. “DIVINE INTERVENTION: You may feel frustrated because something stalls or comes to a standstill. Progress seems painfully slow. Yet this is a blessing — it is divine intervention at work. When the timing is in perfect harmony all will come to fruition.”

There’s food for thought. It leaves me wondering about the wisdom of what I seek, the unforeseen consequences of misdirected efforts I’m not aware of, and misfortunes that might have been averted by the immediate standstill.

It also gives me hope that, most likely in unforeseen ways, blessings are sure to follow — in good time.

This Archangel Michael deck, Sword of Light, offers to “cut through everything holding you back and guide you toward the brilliant life of light and love you so fully deserve.” An interesting sword-shaped 5-card spread called “Cutting to the Core of the Truth” shows what is currently hidden, where you might be operating from a place of fear, your current strengths, needed change, and improvements resulting from increased awareness.

My first reading with deck was right on the mark. In the first place of “what is hidden from you, what you may be blind to”, #9 came up. Don’t Give Up on Love. This speaks directly to that isolated core imaged above, hovering as if inaccessible on the periphery of the fragmented quantum Life Wheel.

The message on the card face reads, “A relationship you cherish can be healed. Allow me (Archangel Michael) to clear the way for forgiveness so that love can thrive again.”

The Guidebook commentary concludes, “If your past experiences have caused you to give up on love entirely, I would urge you to allow forgiveness to wash over you. You deserve all types of love in your life. Don’t shut out the chance for it by saying, ‘I give up.’ Your angels love you. I love you. We will never, ever give up on you.“

It was as if Archangel Michael had picked up on my very words. “I give up.” I’d made the mistake of looking the wrong place for hope, which rests eternally within, above and all around in the cosmic quantum ether.

The card in the second place that indicates “where you might be operating from a place of fear” was #21, “Open Up To Your Spiritual Gifts.” It reads, “Remember that your true nature is spiritual, not physical. The angels are sending you messages to guide your soul’s growth.”

This second message reinforced the first. I was reacting to toxic current events in the physical world that made me doubt the point of writing, feeling that I’m just one more lonely voice, lost in the cacophony of the internet wilderness.

The Guidebook advises, “I am continuing to clear any energetic connections that may be binding you to worry, fear, and self-doubt. I am moving these out of the way, casting them aside with a sweep of my sword of light. . .”

The card that came up in the third place that speaks to “what strengths you can rely on now” was #3, Archangel Michael Is with You Now. It reads, “Even though you can’t see it, I am actively working on this situation. I am here and helping you.”

At the time, I could not see it. It helped to be reminded.

The card that came up in the fourth place that speaks to “changes you might need to make” was #14, Have No Fear. The message on the face of the card reads, “Fear is a trap of the ego. Allow me to use my Sword of Light to free you from disquieting feelings holding you back.”

It reads in part, “Know deep in your heart that you are loved and protected, and that your choices are being angelically guided.”

There you go. I was being advised to stop focusing on the confounded mess being made by people who should know better over matters that should be simple and clear, and say simply say what I’m given to say, surrendering outcomes in trust to the Source of the messages I’m given to deliver.

And the final card in the fifth place “signifying improvements resulting from increased awareness” was #27, Regain Your Focus. The message on the face of the card reads, “Trivial matters are distracting you from your goals. Archangel Metatron and I are here to help you stay grounded.”

The Guidebook commentary expands, “Daily life is currently distracting you from your primary goals and life purpose, and I am here to remind you of why you are here on Earth.” It concludes, “. . . concentrate on the big picture.”

Okay. Back on course, thank you very much.

Another newcomer, the Guardian Angel Messages deck, is a re-visoning of the classic tarot. I chose to use a simple three-card spread, with cards indicating the past, present and future.

The past was indicated by the very first card of the deck, here called The Dreamer. Its key words are Beginning. Believing. Protected. In most tarot decks, 0 is called The Fool, and signifies taking a leap of faith.

Of the Dreamer, the Guidebook says, in part, “Your guardian angels are walking beside you ever step of the way.” That does indeed describe my past. At every step of the way, however dangerous the circumstances, the right people appeared at the right time to help me safely along the next step of the way. Of my time traveling alone through Europe my teacher said flat out, “Your guardian angels were working over time!”

In the second place, representing the present moment, the card was The High Priestess. Its key words are Intuition. Wisdom. Patience. The advice in the Guidebook reads in part, “Take some time to be quiet and listen to the voice of the Divine and your guardian angels as they reach out to give you the answers you are seeking.”

Yup. That’s where I am right now. Taking a needed “time out,” working with my new angel oracle decks, seeking to regroup.

In the third place, representing the future, the card that came up was The Hermit. Its key words are Introspection. Self-Discovery. Mentorship. Usually the solitary hermit is pictured in tarot decks carrying a lantern to light his lonely path.

Comments in the Guidebook read in part, Seek and ye shall find. Ask your guardian angels for someone who can provide you with wise counsel and loving guidance, and you will discover a wonderful mentor or spiritual teacher. Or perhaps it is time for YOU to step out into the open as a teacher with many spiritual gifts. Do not underestimate the brightness of the light you have to offer others!

That’s still a bit hard for me to take. It’s definitely in the future. In the past, my teacher provided wonderfully wise counsel and loving guidance. When I write now, clearly his voice comes through me, speaking things I would not dare. But me myself, fully integrated, serving as an instrument of light? Am I ready to step into this role?

On the other hand, if not now, then when?

Another delightful deck called Guardian Angel Cards focuses throughout on the central, healing and guiding influence of LOVE permeating all things. Appropriately, rather than rectangular cards, the messages are printed on multi-colored, heart-shaped stock. They’re highly rated, and with good reason. There’s no guidebook, nor need there be. Messages printed on the cards speak for themselves.

Three cards which spoke to my immediate situation included a violet one, Breakthrough, a purple one called Believe, and a pink one: Miracle.

The message printed on the violet heart-shaped BREAKTHROUGH card reads, “How many beautiful heartfelt wishes have been crushed by fear? How many times has society’s voice of disapproval cast a shadow on your dreams? It is time to break free of these false beliefs and realize your dreams. Allow your heart to guide you. Trust your inner guidance. The time is right!”

On point. I need to break through through the crushing pessimism that had me at a standstill. Remembering love, quickening the heart and waking up to self-trust was what it would take.

The message printed on the purple heart-shaped BELIEVE card reads, “Be open to all possibilities and opportunities. Let go of preconceived ideas. There is nothing to fear. You are constantly surrounded by love. Start to believe in yourself and trust your instincts. Wondrous possibilities and opportunities abound, provided you are flexible and retain an open heart and mind. Believe. All is possible!”

I’m being called to push past current self-doubt. Say Yes! to life, once again.

Most hopeful is the message printed on the pink heart-shaped MIRACLE card, which reads, “Dearest One, Even if all hope seems lost, let not hope slip away, for I, your Guardian Angel, am constantly by your side. Surrender all your concerns to me and trust in the healing power of love. Please believe that you are never alone. Together we shall work through each issue or situation which is of concern to you. All heals with the passing of time. Magic and Miracles are about to manifest!“

These angelic messages give me hope. They bolster courage. And sustain patience.

The Angel Wisdom deck is another re-visioning of the basic tarot. Three randomly selected cards representing past, present and future again were accurate reflections of my situation.

In the past position was the Four of Swords. Raziel, archangel of magic, is its designated guardian. Descriptors on the face of the card read, Insights that come from meditation. The need to rest or take a vacation. Allow yourself more time before making a decision. Mental exhaustion. Get more sleep.

In the present position, again, the High Priestess appeared. Haniel, the archangel of heightened intuition, is her guardian.Descriptors on the face of the card read, Meditate and turn inwards to discover your soul’s true desire. This is not a time for action. Develop your intuitive gifts and trust the wisdom you receive.

In the future position was the Nine of Water (Cups in the classic tarot). Uriel, archangel of epiphanies and brilliant ideas, is its guardian. Descriptors on the face of the card read, Wishes come true! Your dreams become reality. A magical time of life. Good fortune. Faith in the Universe that all will be well.

The past and present were accurate. I look forward to experiencing the future coming to pass!

In sum, these angel oracle decks serve as useful tools for realigning personal awareness and daily practice to the wholeness envisioned in the quantum Life Wheel.

The messages of Abraham-Hicks repeats. Align. ALIGN. ALIGN! Seek to center yourself in Source. Align your personal life with the unconditional LOVE of your eternal being.

Get it together!

Stated in biblical terms, “Seek ye first the kingdom of heaven. All else follows.”

As Stephen Covey put it, First Things First.

Take the time to rethink and align lifestyle with ultimate personal values. Do whatever it takes to place unconditional LOVE at the center of your personal Life Wheel — where it belongs.

Align the inner levels of light and energy with surface, physical experience. Then, as I have found, all goes well.

And only then.

The Path of Reason – 012821

Today’s I Ching answer totally surprised me, though in retrospect it makes perfect sense. I expected consequences of not choosing the Path of Love to be catastrophic. But the Tao is merciful. Eventually, all paths (however different, difficult and long) reunite, meeting at the same mountain top.

In hindsight, I recognized that the outcome of either choice is similar (though the process is not). Why? It goes back to the Great Reconciliation described earlier. Faith leads to knowledge. Knowledge leads to faith. Apparently opposite approaches to experience are linked in an infinite loop. It looks like this:

Yesterday’s complimentary post, The Path of Love, focused on today’s full moon in Leo. But for folks closed by education and/or prejudice to the e=energy, middle level of the Life Wheel, that message rings false. They’re too reasonable, logical and intelligent to take stock of such nonsense. Operating on the empirical science paradigm which rules out anything which can’t be measured and quantified, all too many are stuck on the slow, round-about way to wisdom.

The good news for those who sincerely seek truth is that they’ll (eventually) find their way home. For, as it has wisely been said, “That which you seek seeks you.” Love will find a way to get through to the noisy mind, opening even the most hardened heart.

So long as we keep moving, the infinite path will take us home. Hearts closed for whatever reason – be it pride, disappointment, or abuse – can heal. Because it’s a two-way street, facts and faith will eventually align. In God’s time, each leads to the other.

I Ching wisdom confirms that when skillfully balanced, opposite approaches to fulfillment complement and complete each other:

OPPOSITES attract. When they are skillfully balanced, they unite to form a heart with a common center. When they clash, the conflict is destructive. Blending opposites is not easy. Rely on the unity beneath all diversity to bridge the gap. The result will be a creative flowering.

The open, receptive Path of Love is pure yin. In Taoist shorthand, it’s represented by an upward-pointing triangle. The grounded, masculine Path of Reason is pure yang, represented by a downward-pointing triangle. When merged, they form the biblical Star of David, the Hindu Shri Yantra. This particular image appeals to me because the center encompasses its parts.

Without exception, the hexagrams appearing in today’s reading are already familiar from The Lessons of 2020. ORIGIN is the original but dynamic answer to the question, “What is the consequence of failing to choose the higher path?” It reads:

All people thirst to know the roots their ORIGIN. At one level, learning about family and cultural traditions fills this need. At another level, this quest is satisfied by seeking for deeper knowledge. The vitality of all races flows from a single source which never runs dry. Avoid narrow-mindedness.

The starting point of this reading is narrow-mindedness. Often people, though committed to finding truth, are stuck at the level of cultural conditioning. But looking for wisdom on the surface of the Life Wheel is futile. It’s like“hunting for deer in a forest where none dwell.” What’s needed is to shift gears, broaden the paradigm and look deeper, approaching that single source which everyone everywhere shares in common.

* * *

Advice of the fifth line reads, “If you refuse to serve others, your gifts are wasted.” The situation is still one of narrow-minded selfishness. That approach leads to failure and must be released. When advice is heeded and one’s gifts are recognized as being integral to the welfare of the whole, the line changes to Promotion, which reads:

Promotion will come from steady, positive improvement over time. Rising to meet new challenges results in emotional maturity. Advancing on the job puts one in the position to serve those who are in need. Quiet, persistent self-discipline wins the confidence of others. Make the most of opportunities. Avoid hesitation.

Here self-discipline, emotional maturity and service enter the picture and are rewarded with recognition.

* * *

Building on the fifth line’s theme, advice of the top, sixth line reads, “Sharing your gifts will bring blessings and prosperity to many.” Here the benefits of promotion are multiplied to bless others as well as oneself. When the promise of the sixth line is fulfilled, it changes to Gentleness, which reads:

As the wind moves clouds, shapes mountains and stirs the trees, so GENTLENESS has a powerful influence. Quiet, steady gradual actions win respect and cooperation. Find out what concerns the people you work with and speak in those terms. In this way, you can reach their minds. Avoid noisy conflict.

Here, leadership evolves from one who is laughed at, then feared, then adored by the people to the deepest, broadest influence: broadcasting to every mind receptive at the quantum level.

* * *

The final, combined outcome of Origin is Fresh Start, which reads:

Even when it seems that all has been spoiled, it is possible to make a FRESH START. Be willing to face your faults. Find out how to correct them. The situation will gradually improve if you are sincere and work hard. Be sure you know what you want. Avoid delay.

Here, the noisy mind starts at the surface level of drama, conflict and scattered confusion. It takes determined effort to tame and discipline that mind. But if the intention to do so is sincere, clear and focused, gradually emerging from the swamp of chaotic emotions, hurtful relationships and destructive circumstances will most certainly follow.

Collected posts will be published as The Lessons of 2020: Using the Wisdom of CHANGE to Build a Better Future. Look for it on amazon in 2021.

If you’d like a copy of the Common Sense Book of Change, or extras to give others, click here.

To order Two Sides of a Coin: Lao Tze’s Common Sense Way of Change, click here.

Okay, then. That’s all for now. Talk with you again soon. Take care, all.

The Tao Is Indifferent, But I Am Not — 010621

Early this morning, on the day historians are calling the Warterloo moment of the United States, I queried the I Ching three times.

I asked, “What should we know about Biden, radical dems and the CCP?” Next, “What should we know about President Trump?” Finally, I asked for myself, “What should I be aware of NOW?”

In sum, from its universal perspective, the Book of Change doesn’t seem to care which leader prevails. It endures, either way. Its ends will be accomplished, no matter how far humans stray from the law. The Tao is all-inclusive. It encompasses and (in the end) brings us all home.

HOWEVER, from my mortal perspective, I care deeply. I woke up today feeling heartsick and afraid, overwhelmed by the magnitude of events. To me, the gravity of immanent danger in combination with the corruption and/or cowardice of entrenched upper classes is beyond appalling.

The danger is very real to me. During WW II, my maternal grandmother’s Viennese relatives were exterminated in German death camps. As relatives who died in Stalin’s concentration camps or Mao’s equivalent all know: fated to fail as they always are, in the short-term, lustful fantasies of world domination come at a tragically high price.

First I’ll share relevant passages from the Tao Te Ching which express a sage-like overview on today’s events. Then, in the reading section, thinking it may resonate with you as well, I’ll share the answer to my personal question.

In poetic versions of Lao Tze’s Tao Te Ching, the fifth passage begins, “Heaven and Earth are heartless / treating creatures like straw dogs”.

Here, heartless doesn’t necessarily mean cruel so much as detached or indifferent. “Straw dogs” were ceremonial dolls usually discarded after their use.

Here’s how the meaning came through for me:

The first two verses of the following Passage are also to the point:

Yet, though the Tao is impartial, you can take heart from this (and have a caution):

FAMILY is the original answer to today’s personal question, “What should I be aware of NOW?” it reads”

Inside the FAMILY one learns to play out given roles. This makes later success in roles on the job and in the larger community possible. Clearly defined relationships make communication easy. Respectful cooperation with others earns trust and acceptance from the human family. Avoid roles not suited to your nature.

In my case, within the human family, I don’t have a lot to contribute to today’s DC confrontation. As much as I wish participants well, I dread crowds. I’m not suited by nature to be either an event organizer, a politician, attorney or news commentator.

So I contribute as I can, doing what I love to do . . . writing. In the long-term, there’s an underlying false paradigm driving today’s event. My eventual contribution – when folks calm down enough to wean themselves off of stimulating conflicts – may be to advocate adoption and dissemination of the correct, compete and accurate Quantum Paradigm which will correct the mistakes driving today’s chaos and eventually create a better future.

What are you suited by nature and skills to contribute? Are you actually doing it? If not, why?

* * *

Advice of the 4th Line reads, “Any attempt to serve will benefit leaders and followers equally.”

This line confirms not only that my efforts will benefit others, but that in the long-term, it’s a blessing, not a drain, for me to keep writing.

Advice heeded, the line changes to Community:

Commitment to COMMUNITY is a necessary part of individual growth. Choose leaders who can express common goals with clarity. They will know how to assign work according to ability so that all prosper. In the harmonious community, Creative Power expresses through the skillful work of individuals. Avoid all selfishness.

Community is built on the foundation of Family. Again, the issue of roles arises. And, again, I invoke Creative Power to suffuse my work with wisdom in a way others will find beneficial.

* * *

Advice of the 6th, Top Line reads: “Rise above worldly concerns. Create good work of lasting value.” This gets my personal YES!! Financial compensation would be nice, but it doesn’t motivate me. God always, miraculously, if not a moment too soon, provides. I will somehow continue to get by.

What really floats my boat is the hope that the creative work which flows through me will be found valuable in the long-term. Ever since 1977, when a School Board Association mentor made the comment, I’ve been told I’m ahead of the times. So be it. In the meantime, it’s my job to be sure what’s needed is ready and available for when the times are finally ready for me.

Advice heeded, the line changes to Completion:

Perfected actions reach COMPLETION. From this balance, however, new elements spring forth which create future imbalance. In this way, the cycles of nature are continued. This is not cause for sadness. Perfection lies in the whole life process, not in the beauty of a single peak moment. Avoid rigid attachment.

Who knows? Cycles large and small are nested, wheels-within-wheels. Certainly 2020 saw the end of a major cycle. The year 2021 marks the beginning of a new one. Will I survive to see its completion? So long as the work endures, it doesn’t matter.

Do you plan on surviving? If so, how and why?

* * *

Advice heeded, the composite of changing lines results in the final outcome of Change.

Day and night replace each other in endless cycles of CHANGE. The same natural law generates flux in human events. The unprepared see change as a threat, but the well-prepared face the unknown calmly. They know that after degeneration reaches critical mass, regeneration follows. Welcome the new. Avoid short-sighted fear.

This hexagram is the outcome of the first post, We’re At Critical Mass, in The Lessons of 2020. The year 2020 saw a culture building to a constitutional crisis. The Waterloo moment of January 6, 2021 marks its culmination.

Whatever the outcome of the election controversy, it is best to Avoid short-sighted fear.

Welcoming Change doesn’t necessarily mean liking it. It’s enough to remain open, rather than resisting whatever may come. Accepting the future brings, giving it space to evolve, leaves me open to recognize and make the best of new opportunities.

I hope you choose to remain courageously, confidently open to the opportunities in your future. May 2021 be kind to you all.

Look for The Lessons of 2020: Using the Wisdom of CHANGE to Build a Better Future later in January of 2021.

If you’d like a copy of the Common Sense Book of Change, or extras to give others, click here.

To order Two Sides of a Coin: Lao Tze’s Common Sense Way of Change, click here.

Okay, then. That’s all for now. Talk with you again soon. Take care, all.

History Repeats Itself – Renaissance or Another Dark Ages?

A recent post described the unfortunate end of Abelard, the medieval philosopher best known for his tragic love of Heloise.

Out of synch with his times, this celebrated cleric taught that men gain knowledge – including faith – through reason. For this, he was convicted by his monastic superiors of heresy. Abelard’s books were banned and burned. He died shortly afterwards in prison.

St. Augustine’s exclusively faith-based Rules of the Knowledge Game were balanced with Abelard’s opposite approach only after St. Aquinas harmonized the two extremes. According to the new Rules, no matter where you start, each approach leads to and reinforces the other.

This broad-based approach to knowing as a two-way street set the foundation for the flowering of arts, sciences and commerce known as the 12th Century Renaissance.

But, I suspect you’re wondering by now, is medieval history relevant NOW?

It’s highly relevant, particularly when taken in the context of patterned, repeating cycles of human behavior. Learning the basic lessons of history is an important way of leveraging the future.

Back to the 12th Century Renaissance. It was during this time of creative balance that universities evolved to replace monasteries as centers of learning.

I’ve thought about this a lot. The Origin and Future of Universities was the dissertation topic of my choice. In my proposal, I drew a bell-shaped curve that cycled above and below a median-line that represented historical times of creative balance between extremes. It looked like this:

bell curve sized

In the late 1970’s, when I wrote my proposal, universities were at a critical point of intersection. There was still a window of time left during which to mitigate a predictably dangerous direction of change, before a narrow window of opportunity closed.

Humanistic psychology and holistic health movements were leading the way towards another reintegration of faith and logic — a reconciliation of intuitive and rational ways of knowing. On the one hand, I held hopes that another creative renaissance was on the horizon. On the other, I foresaw the possibility that the curve would cross the median balance point and continue its downward slope, plunging the world into another dark ages of fanaticism and intolerance.

Departmental politics prevented me from writing the dissertation of my choice. (That story and its implications, however, are a different subject.) What’s pertinent here is the outcome. The window of opportunity has closed. Proof abounds. For example, during the Arab Spring, disillusioned Muslims who at first had welcomed violence as an opportunity for positive change were horrified at the repressive results. One Egyptian commented to a reporter that his country had entered a new dark age. News here and abroad continues to confirm that downward trend.

What remains are the mitigating possibilities open to I Ching users. The Chinese Book of Change keeps self-honest seekers in synch with the times, giving them survival insights and hints as to where to look for respite from the worst that might yet come. It keeps hope for the positive change we persist in holding dear to our hearts alive.

Here’s the key. Patterns codified in The Book of Change repeat on every scale of magnitude. That is to say, the same seasonal cycles repeat in an individual’s life. They also repeat in families, in the work place, in governments and even in the history of civilizations.

So even when the times are dangerously out of joint, individuals can still change for the better. So can intentional communities. So long as there’s this hope, it’s never to late. In the early dark ages, for example, monasteries were islands of hope, civility and sanity in a violent, barbaric world. Their equivalents might again serve the same purpose.

Further, personal, organizational and historical rhythms aren’t necessarily in synch. This explains why the same view is welcome at one place or time, but not in others. Abelard’s emphasis on reason, for example, would have been in synch in 17th century universities even though they were fatally out of harmony with beliefs held in the monastic circles of his day.

This information holds good or bad news, depending on whether it’s recognized and how it’s used. On one hand, acting as if personally preferred realities are fact, regardless of whether or not they’re in synch with the times, is unrealistic. For example, New-Agers who ardently believe the near future promises a widespread renaissance of human upliftment are quite probably mistaken. Worse, they may be misleading followers who will find themselves unfit and unprepared to survive in an increasingly intolerant, dark ages environment.

But on the other, positive side, it’s still possible, even as a dark age of fanaticism is gaining ground, to maintain personal balance. Personal renaissance – literally re-birth – is possible at any split second in time. Even when social trends are devolving into extremes, individuals aren’t required to forsake the ideal of personal integration just to fit in. In fact, personal and community survival may well depend on the capacity to maintain stable balance even in the most unbalanced of times.

Of a certainty, heightened, intentional balance will be essential to personal survival, even and especially as dark times cloud collective reason and threaten to extinguish faith.