WISE PRAYER CAN CHANGE THE WORLD – “God grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change. Courage to change the things we can. And wisdom to know the difference.” (12 & 12, p. 52)
“Prayer power is real. By putting it into action, we will be able to stay more constantly in higher awareness than ever before. If we can do that, the world will quickly change.” – James Redfield (1950 – ) U.S., spiritual author
What type of powerful change has prayer enhanced the serenity in your life, lately?
At a Lunar Eclipse
by Thomas Hardy
Thy shadow, Earth, from Pole to Central Sea,
Now steals along upon the Moon’s meek shine
In even monochrome and curving line
Of imperturbable serenity.
How shall I link such sun-cast symmetry
With the torn troubled form I know as thine,
That profile, placid as a brow divine,
With continents of moil and misery?
And can immense Mortality but throw
So small a shade, and Heaven’s high human scheme
Be hemmed within the coasts yon arc implies?
Is such the stellar gauge of earthly show,
Nation at war with nation, brains that teem,
Heroes, and women fairer than the skies?
THEN REMOVING ALL SELF-SERVING DESIRE COMES NEXT – “When we ask our Higher Power to remove these shortcomings, we ask for freedom from anything which limits our recovery. We ask for help because we cannot do it alone.” (It Works, How & Why, p. 49)
“Freedom from the desire for an answer is essential to the understanding of a problem.”
– Jiddu Krishnamurti (1895 – 1986) Indian spiritual author/guru
What solutions have been revealed to you lately after having asked for help?
The Origin of Coconut Tree
A Hindu Mythological Story
King Trishanku was a saintly man whose one great desire was to ascend bodily into heaven.He had once done a good turn to sage Vishwamitra and the sage decided to help him fulfill his desire.
Accordingly, he performed a yagna and Trishanku began to rise heavenwards.
When Indra, King of the gods, saw Trishanku at the gates of Heaven, he was furious and catching hold of him, threw him down. Vishwamitra saw Trishanku hurtling downwards and shouted:”Let Trishanku stay where he is now!”
Trishanku’s fall was arrested. As Indra would not let him ascend into heaven and Vishwamitra would not allow him to come down, Trishanku became suspended between heaven and earth.
Folklore has expanded this mythological story to explain the origin of the coconut tree: Vishwamitra knew that Trishanku would eventually fall to earth unless held up by physical means, so he propped him up with a long pole.
The pole eventually turned into a coconut tree and Trishanku’s head became its fruit. The fibre around the coconut is Trishanku’s beard. When you take it off, you see his eyes peering at you.
How would you describe the “main ingredient” of your own spiritual growth, nowadays?
IT ALLOWS US TO LOOK DEEPER –
“… when we have
taken a square look
at some of these de-
fects, have discussed
them with another, and
have become willing to
have them removed, our
thinking about humility
commences to have
a wider meaning.”
(12 & 12, p. 74)
THE MAIN INGREDIENT –
“We couldn’t handle
the ordeal of life by our-
selves. It wasn’t until we
made a mess of our lives
that we realized we couldn’t
do it alone. By admitting
this, we achieved a glim-
pse of humility. This is
the main ingredient of
Step Seven.” (The
Basic Text, p. 36)
“I can trust
my friends. These
people force me to
examine myself,
encourage me
to grow.”
For months, the son was asking his father for a new car, knowing that his father had more than enough money.
When graduation day came, the young man’s father called him into the study. The father handed him a wrapped gift and congratulated the new about to be graduated on his achievement.
Looking disappointed, the son opened the gift to find a lovely, leather bound journal, with the young man’s name embossed on the cover. He angrily raised his voice, threw down the journal and stormed out.
The young man had not seen his father since graduation day. He became successful and was wealthy like his father, with a beautiful home and family. He came to realize his father was aging and it may be time to put the past behind them.
Just then, he received a message that his father had passed, and he had to return home to take care of the estate.
As the mourning son regretfully returned home, he began searching through his father’s important papers and saw that still new journal, just as he had left it.
He opened it, and as he flipped through the pages a car key dropped from the back of the journal.
A dealer tag was attached to the key that read “Paid in full. Wherever this car takes you, write about it to remember it forever. Love, Dad”
No matter what you expect, be grateful for what you are given. It may be more of a blessing than you think.
“A great turning point in our lives came when we sought for humility as something we really wanted; rather than as something we must have.” (12 & 12, p. 75)
“My turning point was my pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. It was then that I, who had dedicated most of my life to penetrate the ‘secrets’ of the universe; realized that there are no secrets. Life is and will always be a mystery.” – Paulo Coelho (1947 – ) Brazilian spiritual author
What has been one of your most memorable turning points you’ve experienced on your recovery journey?
THE FORK IN THE ROAD – a short story
Posted on February 24, 2012
Two young men walked shoulder to shoulder, talking quietly under the hot summer sun.
“I don’t know,” Harry said. “I just can’t accept the idea that there is some sort of being that is in control of everything.” He looked at his friend and raised his brows in challenge. “And I don’t think there’s anything when you die. I think you just die and that’s the end.”
“But,” argued John, “why are we here then? What’s the point of this life if we just waste it away and then die without ever doing anything important?”
“I think we are here to have fun, to do what we want to do. I mean, it’s my life; why can’t I do what I want when I want?”
John thought about that question, knowing there should be an answer, but he didn’t know what it was.
As they walked a short way further, John looked a little ahead, studying the heat rising from the pavement. The road they walked along was wide, paved and smooth, with no potholes or bumps to mar its surface. He frowned, wondering if this was indeed what life was supposed to be like.
[L]ooked to each side, taking in the dark quiet of the woods that flanked each side of the road.
He felt uneasy as he looked into the shadowed depths on the left, as if there were someone in there watching their passage along the road, wishing evil on them.
…
[T]urned his head and looked to the right, feeling a peace fill him that he had previously not known, as if whatever was there was watching over him.
He turned to look at his friend and said, “I don’t know. It just seems to me that there should be something more to life than a never ending stream of parties and friends drinking and playing and having a good time. There has to be more. Otherwise, what’s the point? It seems such an empty, shallow life; if that is all there is.”
Before Harry could respond, they rounded a bend in the road, and came upon another road that went off to the right. This road was narrow and covered in dirt, an uneven surface that would be much more difficult to walk.
They stopped just before the intersection of the two roads, taking in the distant view. The woods ended just a few yards further on and there open fields began. They stood and studied both roads for a bit, then noticed the signs ahead.
…
The sign on the left was a giant billboard, covered with beautiful young people, each holding a bottle of beer while they laughed and talked. The words spread across the bottom of the sign said, “Joe’s Jolly Joint. Where a good time is had by all.” In smaller letters was the address “Fire Street, Brimstone Township”.
Harry chuckled delightedly and rubbed his stomach.
“Ah-h-h … my friend, a welcome sight, this. I am thirsty and in need of entertainment. Come, let us go and get a drink.”
John turned his head and looked at the sign that stood further down the road that led to the right. It was weathered and beaten, the paint chipped and faded; but it was still possible to see the beautiful scene of a glistening lake nestled in the trees and hills. “Serenity Lake. Come and rest.”
He let his eyes focus on the distant view and could see sunlight glinting off water. Suddenly, he was thirsty also, but not for the drink that was beckoning to his friend.
He turned to look at Harry, who was slowly stepping toward the point where the paved road continued to the town that stood silent in the late afternoon sun. The buildings were painted in bright colors that gleamed in the sun, glorious hues that filled the eye with a colorful welcome.
John hesitated, wondering if the lake matched the worn out, battered sign; comparing that image to the bright, eye-catching town that had grown up around the wide highway.
“Come, rest in Me.”
…
The Voice was quiet, beckoning and reassuring at the same time.
“What did you say?” He asked Harry.
Harry had reached the edge of the woods and turned back, brows raised.
“What?”
John frowned. “I asked what you said to me.”
Harry laughed. “Friend I didn’t say anything other than I want to go get a drink.” He pointed to the sign for Joe’s.
John asked, “You didn’t tell me to come with you?”
“What are you doing? Hearing voices?”
…
“You didn’t hear it?”
At this, Harry laughed outright.
“No. I didn’t say anything, I didn’t hear anything.” Then he sighed, getting impatient with the delay. “Now, are you coming or not? I really want to go get a drink, and see what other amusements are available.”
John frowned heavily at the sense of dread that filled him.
“Come, rest in Me.”
…
The quiet Voice came again; and this time he realized that Harry had not heard it because the words were spoken in his own heart.
“Harry, why don’t you come with me? We can get something to drink down at the lake.”
Harry looked both directions, taking in and comparing the two destinations before laughing sardonically. He looked at the two differing roads then back to his old roommate.
“No, I don’t think so,” he responded decisively. “I can’t imagine that road leading to anything good. You’ll probably have all sorts of trouble going that direction. If anything, you should come with me. Aren’t you thirsty? We’ve been walking quite a while.”
“Yes, I’m thirsty too; but I’m going this way.” He raised a hand and pointed toward the sparkling water in the distance. “Please, come with me. I have a bad feeling about that place.” He pointed to the bright town and looked at Harry steadily; but his friend just laughed.
“Seriously? You have a bad feeling? Going psychic on me now?”
John closed his eyes, unable to find the words to keep his friend from making what he was sure would be a deadly mistake.
“Please, Harry, come with me. I don’t know why, but I feel like you should come with me.”
“Ok, you know what? This is nuts. If you want to go to your little lake and break your leg in the process, who am I to try and stop you. Just don’t try to force me to follow you.”
…
Harry turned and walked down the paved road in a huff. John watched him go, sorry to see his college buddy take what felt to be the wrong turn. Why couldn’t he see that it was the wrong way to go? Why didn’t he hear that voice that beckoned so quietly?
He pulled his mind away from the questions and looked to where Harry had been standing a moment before; but all that was there was an ominous black cloud that seemed to be rising from glowing embers in the middle of the road. The town was shrouded in a dark grey covering, somewhat resembling smoke and ash.
Startled, John stepped back.
“He has made his choice and can not turn from it now.” The quiet Voice filled his heart. “He has rejected Me in favor of a good time and having his own way. Now it is your turn to make your choice. Will you come to Me and sup with Me and let Me give you rest? I have living water that once you drink of it, you will never thirst again.” As if reading his hesitance, the Voice continued, “Do not worry about the uneven road. When you have trouble getting to the end, I will be right beside you to help you along. All you’ll have to do is reach for Me.”
John felt peace and love fill his very soul as he turned and hurried toward the lake.
What changes in your life do feel have been necessary to make, lately?
THE NEXT TO LAST GASP AGAINST THE SQUALL –
“Failure had be-
come our way of
life and self-esteem
was non-existent.” “When
nothing relieved our para-
noia and fear, we hit bot-
tom and became ready to
ask for help. We were
searching for an answer
when we reached out
… .” (The Basic Text,
p. 15)
“The greater
the difficulty the
more glory in sur-
mounting it. Skillful pi-
lots gain their repu-
tation from storms
and tempests.”
Five months ago the stream did flow,
The lilies bloomed within the sedge,
And we were lingering to and fro,
Where none will track thee in this snow,
Along the stream, beside the hedge.
Ah, Sweet, be free to love and go!
For if I do not hear thy foot,
The frozen river is as mute,
The flowers have dried down to the root:
And why, since these be changed since May,
Shouldst thou change less than they.
And slow, slow as the winter snow
The tears have drifted to mine eyes;
And my poor cheeks, five months ago
Set blushing at thy praises so,
Put paleness on for a disguise.
Ah, Sweet, be free to praise and go!
For if my face is turned too pale,
It was thine oath that first did fail, —
It was thy love proved false and frail, —
And why, since these be changed enow,
Should I change less than thou.
“… we are not
a glum lot. If new-
comers could see no
joy or fun in our exist-
ence, they wouldn’t want
it. We absolutely insist on
enjoying life. We try not to
indulge in cynicism over the
state of the nations, nor
do we carry the world’s
troubles on our shoul-
ders.” (The Big Book,
p. 132)
“If you have
zest and enthu-
siasm you attract zest
and enthusiasm. Life
does give back
in kind.”
– Norman Vincent Peale (1898 – 1993) U.S. clergyman
How have you demonstrated joy and possibly inspired others through the expression of your own spiritual practice, lately?
Beautiful Nairn
by William Topaz Mcgonagall
All ye tourists who wish to be away
From the crowded city for a brief holiday;
The town of Nairn is worth a visit, I do confess,
And it’s only about fifteen miles from Inverness.
[A]nd in the summer season it’s a very popular bathing-place,
And the visitors from London and Edinburgh finds solace,
As they walk along the yellow sand beach inhaling fresh air;
Besides, there’s every accommodation for ladies and gentlemen there.
Then there’s a large number of bathing coaches there,
And the climate is salubrious, and very warm the air;
And every convenience is within the bathers’ reach,
Besides, there’s very beautiful walks by the sea beach.
…
The visitors to Nairn can pass away the time agreeably,
By viewing Tarbetness, which slopes downwards to the sea;
And Queen Street is one of the prettiest thoroughfares,
Because there’s splendid shops in it, and stocked with different wares.
And there’s ornamental grounds, and lovely shady nooks,
Which is a great advantage to visitors while reading their books;
And there’s a certain place known as the Ladies’ Beach,
So private that no intruder can them reach.
And there’s many neat cottages with gardens very nice,
And picturesque villas, which can be rented at a reasonable price;
Besides, there’s a golf course for those that such a game seeks,
Which would prove a great attraction to the knights of clubs and cleeks.
…
The surrounding scenery of Nairn is magnificent to be seen,
Especially its fertile fields and woodlands so green;
Besides, not far from Nairn, there’s Cawdor Castle, the ancient seat
Of the noble Thanes of Cawdor, with its bold turrets so neat.
And its massive proportions is very imposing to see,
Because the arched entrance is secured by a drawbridge and a fosse;
And visitors will be allowed all over the grounds to roam,
Besides shown over the castle if the Earl is not at home.
The scenery surrounding the castle is charming in the summertime,
And the apples in the orchard there is very fine,
Also the flower-beds are most beautiful to see,
Especially in the month of June, when the birds sing merrily.
…
Then there’s the ancient stronghold of the Bays of Lochloy,
And visitors when they see it will it heartily enjoy;
[A\nd a little further on there’s the blasted heath of Macbeth,
And a hillock where the witches are wont to dance till out of breath.
And as the visitors to Nairn walk along the yellow sand,
They can see, right across the Moray Firth, the Black Island so grand,
With its productive fields and romantic scenery,
And as the tourist gazes thereon his heart fills with ecstasy.
[A]nd Darnaway Castle is well worthy of praise,
And to oblige all visitors there are open days,
When they can see the castle where one thousand warriors in all
Oft have assembled in the Earl of Randolph’s Hall.
And in conclusion I will say for good bathing Nairn is the best,
[A]nd besides its pleasant scenery is of historical interest;
And the climate gives health to many visitors while there,
“We can call it
the group, the pro-
gram, or we can call it
God. The only suggested
guidelines are that this
Power be loving, caring
and greater than our-
selves.” (The Basic
Text, p. 24)
THE WILLINGNESS TO BELIEVE IN A POWER GREATER THAN OURSELVES –
” ‘ IT WAS ONLY
A MATTER OF BEING
WILLING TO BELIEVE IN
A POWER GREATER THAN
MYSELF. NOTHING MORE WAS
REQUIRED OF ME TO MAKE MY
BEGINNING.’ … Scales of pride
and prejudice fell from my
eyes. A new world came
into view.” (The Big
Book, p. 12)
“From Wakan Tanka, the Great Spirit, there came a great unifying life force that flowed in and through all things: the flowers of the plains, blowing winds, rocks, trees, birds, animals, and was the same force that had been breathed into the first man. Thus all things were kindred, and were brought together by the same Great Mystery.”
What “Great Mysteries” have you discovered about life with your HP or “Great Spirit” by your side?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXLWGnBGpI4
NATIVE AMERICAN BELIEFS: “THE GREAT MYSTERY”
By MURRAY LEE FOR PWNA | Published: SEPTEMBER 29, 2015
Native American Beliefs – The Great Mystery_TwitterMany Native American beliefs — ranging from beliefs about nature and animals, to traditional customs and ceremonies — are cause for discussion among non-Native peoples. Also discussed are the various spiritual and religious beliefs of Native American tribes. I want to speak to one specifically, the Native American belief in “The Great Mystery.”
When non-Natives consider “The Great Mystery,” thoughts and discussions might revolve around religious passages such as the Ephesians passage in the Bible that speaks to the great mystery hidden through the ages in God, or perhaps Paul’s reference to the great mystery in his letter to the Romans, or the Colossians passage that describes “the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations… which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:24-27 NIV)
,,,
When Lakota speak of the Great Mystery, they speak of Wakan Tanka, which is more of an abstract force of creation and spirituality that is to be honored and given thanks. It is not a reference to a personified or singular deity, but rather an encompassing life force and energy existing in all things.
Chief Luther Standing Bear said: “From Wakan Tanka, the Great Spirit, there came a great unifying life force that flowed in and through all things — the flowers of the plains, blowing winds, rocks, trees, birds, animals — and was the same force that had been breathed into the first man. Thus all things were kindred, and were brought together by the same Great Mystery.”
There is a similarity between Christian and Lakota beliefs about the Great Mystery as far as giving thanks and realizing what exists around you. However, the Lakota believe Wakan Tanka, the Great Mystery, is represented as an all-encompassing collective or oneness. And, the Lakota understanding of the Great Mystery is a reverence and thankfulness to all things made possible by this Great Mystery and a realization that all things are related and interconnected.
“It’s being here now that’s important. There’s no past and there’s no future. Time is a very misleading thing. All there is ever is the now. We can gain experience from the past, but we can’t relive it, and we can hope for the future, but we don’t know if there is one.” – George Harrison (1943 – 2001) musician & songwriter (the Beatles)
What beneficial results have you experienced lately from living in the now, one day at a time?
Out of your whole life give but a moment!
All of your life that has gone before,
All to come after it,—so you ignore,
So you make perfect the present,—condense,
In a rapture of rage, for perfection’s endowment,
Thought and feeling and soul and sense—
Merged in a moment which gives me at last
You around me for once, you beneath me, above me—
Me—sure that despite of time future, time past,—
This tick of our life-time’s one moment you love me!
How long such suspension may linger? Ah, Sweet—
The moment eternal—just that and no more—
When ecstasy’s utmost we clutch at the core
While cheeks burn, arms open, eyes shut and lips meet!
The dammed-up
emotions of years
break out of their con-
finement, and miracu-
lously vanish as soon as
they are exposed. As the
pain subsides, a healing
tranquility takes its
place.” (12 & 12,
p. 62)
“The sacrifice you
want is a broken spirit.
A broken and repentant
heart, O God, you will
not despise.”
– King David (c.1037-970 BC)
second king of Israel
In what ways would a “broken and repentant heart” be on display through your own spiritual practice, lately?
A fable is a story often with animals as characters that conveys a moral. This poem about an ant and a cricket contains an idea of far-reaching significance, which is as true of a four-legged cricket as of a two-legged one. Surely, you have seen a cricket that has two legs!
A silly young cricket, accustomed to sing
Through the warm, sunny months of gay summer and spring,
Began to complain when he found that, at home,
His cupboard was empty, and winter was come.
Not a crumb to be found
On the snow-covered ground;
Not a flower could he see,
Not a leaf on a tree.
“Oh! what will become,” says the cricket, “of me?”
At last by starvation and famine made bold,
All dripping with wet, and all trembling with cold,
Away he set off to a miserly ant,
To see if, to keep him alive, he would grant
Him shelter from rain,
And a mouthful of grain.
He wished only to borrow;
He’d repay it tomorrow;
If not, he must die of starvation and sorrow.
Says the ant to the
cricket, “I’m your servant
and friend,
But we ants never
borrow; we ants never
lend.
But tell me, dear cricket,
did you lay nothing by
When the weather was
warm?” Quoth the cricket,
“Not I!
My heart was so light
That I sang day and night,
For all nature looked gay.”
“You sang, Sir, you say?
Go then,” says the ant, “and dance the winter away.”
Thus ending, he hastily lifted the wicket,
And out of the door turned the poor little cricket.
“We learned that we had to fully concede to our innermost selves that we were alcoholics. This is the first step in recovery. The delusion that we are like other people, or presently may be, has to be smashed.” (The Big Book, p. 23) “The ignorant mind, with its infinite, afflictions, passions, and evils, is rooted in the three poisons. Greed, anger, and delusion.”- Bodhidharma (c. 5th century AD) Zen Buddhist monk & founder of Kung Fu.
What delusions that you mistakenly hold about yourself that you feel oughta be SMASHED?
I’m thinking about you.
What else can I say?
The palm trees on the reverse
are a delusion; so is the pink sand.
What we have are the usual
fractured coke bottles and the smell
of backed-up drains, too sweet,
like a mango on the verge
of rot, which we have also.
The air clear sweat, mosquitoes
& their tracks; birds & elusive.
Time comes in waves here, a sickness, one
day after the other rolling on;
I move up, it’s called
awake, then down into the uneasy
nights but never
forward.
The roosters crow
for hours before dawn, and a prodded
child howls & howls
on the pocked road to school.
In the hold with the baggage
there are two prisoners,
their heads shaved by bayonets, & ten crates
of queasy chicks.
Each spring
there’s race of cripples, from the store
to the church.
This is the sort of junk
I carry with me; and a clipping
about democracy from the local paper.
Outside the window
they’re building the damn hotel,
nail by nail, someone’s
crumbling dream.
A universe that includes you
can’t be all bad, but
does it? At this distance
you’re a mirage, a glossy image
fixed in the posture
of the last time I saw you.
Turn you over, there’s the place
for the address.
Wish you were
here.
Love comes
in waves like the ocean, a sickness which goes on
& on, a hollow cave
in the head, filling & pounding, a kicked ear.
