EXIT STRATEGY

THE

prodigal son

was not

kicked out of the house

he left

on his own accord

We seem to have gotten ourselves into a “situation” which requires an exit strategy.

Being perpetual “wondering” machines, with the ability to reflect and project ad nauseum, our ego has now taken on this task, so much so, that we can barely live in the moment.  And, it was this “innocent wondering” that caused our “exit” in the first place.

Little do we realize that choices made in each moment determine our experience.  When it came to the “big” choice of separation, something beyond our limited comprehension, the dynamics were the same, but on a much higher level.  Our choice now to exit that decision takes place with each decision made.

We are deciding to either “stay or go”, to choose either ONENESS or separation, to either extend in LOVE, or to separate by fear, within each moment. 

Our exit strategy may not always be easy, but it is simple.  We should go forth and be ONE, and all meet together at HOME.

THE WORLD IS OUR OYSTER

ALL

creation is ours

because

we are

all creation

To make the transition from a mindset of scarcity, where getting is the all-important goal, to the mindset of BEING, where everything can be enjoyed as if we owned it all, is to make the world our oyster.  One need not live in the house, drive the car, wear the clothes, have the body, or play the instrument, in order to enjoy the benefit.  By allowing ourselves to connect without feeling separate, we can glide like the pelican, and radiate like the flower.

All other’s gifts immediately become ours.  Their music, art, dance, and passions, at once become our own.  ONENESS via connection in mind allows us UNLIMITED experiences.  We accompany others as they share their travel adventures without having to rack up air miles.  We share the joy of their homes without having to pay their mortgage.  We can appreciate the styling on their vintage car without having to pay for upkeep and maintenance.

By discarding separation and embracing ONENESS, even the sky is no limit.

ALL OUR DIFFERENCES MAKE US THE SAME

THERE

is a

world of difference

between

ONENESS and separation

Much is made of differences and distinctions.  They represent the capstone of our individuality, our crowning “achievement”, and the source of all conflict.  By emphasizing what makes us different, we often lose sight of what makes us the same.

Our senses are prone to categorize these distinctions into neat little boxes, be it by sight, sound, smell, etc., but this only draws our attention further away from the realization of our sameness.  These boxes then get stacked into “like” piles, representing family, neighborhood, community, city, state, and nation.  Add to those piles others which emphasize sex, race, religion, culture, politics, etc., and we have differences ad nauseum.

All of this represents a world of difference apart from our REALITY as ONE.  Focusing on our uniqueness blinds us to this realization.  Within a world of difference, distinctions only separate, and separation only breeds conflict.  That which is TRULY equal then degenerates into a perception of inequality.

Our salvation from this insanity rests in the realization that, with the condition of difference being the same for all, there are not many solutions, but only ONE.  That which appears to be separate and unequal belies the REALITY of our ONENESS and EQUALITY.

By identifying with each as one who “suffers from the same condition”, we will eventually come full-circle back to the realization that our uniqueness only represents a different shade of ONENESS.

IT IS ALL ON US

WE

can always

count on the ego

to play

the victim card

If there is anything to be learned from the Prodigal Parable, the responsibility for our experience is all on us.  In spite of the convenience of projecting widespread blame, there is nowhere else to look except in the mirror.

While we may deny to our dying breath that there is little about us that resembles GOD, we are more like GOD than we know.  Our simple ability to create by choice, more aptly described as “miscreating”, keeps landing us in a world of our own miscreation.  We fail to grasp the power within our minds to deliver to ourselves the results of our choices.

Granted, many of the circumstances we now experience were choices made on a much higher level, long before we seemed to touch down as incarnated bodies, but rest assured, these were choices made by us, not decisions thrust upon us.  We need to own up to that which we signed up for, for it represents our continued desire to engage in a misadventure with an identity separate from GOD.  Lest we forget, that is what got the Prodigal Son into hot water in the first place.

All aspects of our individual script came fully equipped with a myriad of possible choices defined by the script, representing the range of our free will within the script.  These were chosen as self-imposed limitations upon ourselves.  To repeat, these have been SELF-imposed, not imposed upon us.  The ego, which represents a self-created identity separate from GOD, is the vehicle which insists upon a separate reality.  It is also quite adept at casting dispersions and responsibility when the pooh hits the fan.  When it is not busy taking credit where credit is not due, it always has a few victim cards ready to throw on the table.

Our ability to create our “own” reality always leaves us with the sinking feeling that perhaps our original choice to venture off may not have been in our own best interest, thus providing the environment for the birth of guilt.  Even though it is all on us, we can chock it up to a nightmare of our own making, for which we will eventually wake up to REALITY.

Therein lies the good news.  Our return HOME is the only place to go.  And even that is all on us.

OUR OWN WORST ENEMY

We

dream of being

a guilty body

forgetting we are

INNOCENT SPIRIT

Stories abound regarding self-destruction.  Our identification with what we believe to be our “self” is rooted in our identification with a frail vessel that seems to be continually avoiding assault from both without and within.

Bodies behaving badly dominate the news at large, and the conversation around coffee.  Be it individually or in groups, these examples unsettle us, because we realize, given similar circumstances, we are not sure if we could be capable of like offenses.

The reflective nature of the ego causes it to be continually preoccupied with comparison, evaluation, and judgment.  When push comes to shove it always defaults to the worst-case scenario; we never come out the winner.

With sin/guilt/fear being the default software of the ego mind, we often forget we have an option.  The loud voice of fear, which is always happy to place us on the lowest level of the totem-pole, overshadows the faint voice of LOVE lost in the background.  The INNOCENCE of LOVE, which offers us our only viable alternative, cries out to get a word in edgewise.

Recognizing that we have a choice of voices to give attention to is the first step out of being our own worst enemy.  Where the ego’s evaluation will always bode doom, LOVE will kindly remind us of our INNOCENCE before GOD, no matter what the accusation.  The advocate for LOVE, certainly not the loudest voice in the courtroom, will, when given adherence, see to it that the case the ego has built against us will be dismissed.  That dismissal is dependent upon which argument we are relying on; seeing ourselves as being a guilty body, or as being INNOCENT SPIRIT.

WAVING THE WHITE FLAG

PEACE

comes within

by disengaging

from conflict

without

Within in a world of conflict, waving the white flag is often viewed as a sign of weakness and defeat.  In REALITY, it is the sign of victory.  Mistakenly believing we can “improve” on own creation, the surrender flag represents our return to our beginning, the moment in which we forsook our REALITY for the one we made.

Consider how good it feels, when in the midst of stress, strain, tension and anxiety, the experience of release finally overwhelms us.  There is a lot to be said for completely letting go and surrendering our struggle to a path less burdensome.

This is not to be viewed as a one-time event, but in actuality, is a pattern to be developed.  After all, we have been developing the pattern of charging into battle much longer than we realize.  Flag waving is easier to implement if we relate its use to feelings of conflict and stress within the moment; if we are “feeling it”, it's time to wave it.  Giving up will slowly reveal the WAY of PEACE which is the path leading HOME.

We should carry a flag around with us wherever we go, and be quick on the wave.  It wouldn’t hurt to even carry around a few extras to give away to those who may want to join in on the festivities.  (It is important to note that they will have to wave their own flag--we cannot do it for them.)

While waving the white flag flies in the face of all that the world values, it is in TRUTH, the first step out of insanity, and onto the path of reclaiming our RIGHT minds.

DREAMWEAVING

The

ego wants

what it made

an identity

separate

from GOD

To say we are dreamers is an understatement; it happens to be our full-time job.

When we consider the full extent of how much dreaming we are engaged in, it is simply staggering.  Whether or not we are able to recall our dreams during sleep, we spend most of the time theater-hopping the Cinema 24.  Identity after identity, scenario after scenario, is played out on stages of our own creation, until we eventually wake up to a dream which appears to be more convincing, but still does not reflect REALITY.

Our day-dreaming identity only seems more real because it is experienced within parameters which appear more defined and predictable, but even there, illusion abounds.  The “reality” of our body is subject to continual change, the “dependableness” of our circumstances seem barely under control, and yet, we will argue to the death that we have a grasp on what is REAL.

Not only have we dreamed up a more convincing daydream, our “waking” identity is a morphing phenomenon of impressive miscreation.  We seem to be able to dream up alternate identities that transform themselves from one moment to the next depending upon the circumstance.  Cockroaches are impressed with our adaptability.

None of these false identities, no matter how convincing, can or ever will change who GOD created us AS.  Our covert dream lives will eventually give way to the overt TRUTH of us upon awakening.

LEGALLY FUN

Its

fun

to be GOD

that is

to LOVE

like HIM

LOVE is fun, at least, the LOVE of GOD.  LOVE, according to the world, resembles LOVE in the beginning, but then degenerates into something littered with conditions, expectations, projections, and calls for sacrifice; nothing resembling LOVE at all, and definitely no fun.

LOVE is so much fun that there will be those who may question what we might be “on”; it’s not “normal” to have that much fun.  Where exactly are we getting all this JOY, and is it street-legal?  With all the heavy demands that our little dream misadventure places upon us, how in this world could we ever find the time or energy to be so JOYFUL?  And, how could we possibly be extending so much LOVE indiscriminately to just anyone who happens to walk by?  Don’t we know where they have been?

If we wish to have the time of our life, and have fun within the playground of our own making, then it is totally legal to spread as much LOVE around as we can fit in our day, as indiscriminately as we wish, and feel no guilt about it, despite the circumstance.

It might even be contagious.

DIALED-IN AND TUNED-OUT

WE

are not

dialed into TRUTH

if

we are on

the wrong channel

We seem to be in a time when self-focus has been enabled to a dramatic degree.  With the dawn of wireless communication, with its many iterations, it is almost an exception to find someone who has yet to jump on board to some degree.  What has developed is a culture of being dialed in and tuned out.

Being “dialed-in” has many ramifications.  While one may be aware of the latest entertainment trends of our closest friends, one may also be completely unaware of TRUTH being spoken to us in our very presence.  One may also be oblivious to more immediate dangers, like walking across the street against the light or simply walking right into something.  Need we even mention the issue of dialing-in and driving on?

The obsession of always being dialed-in with the “out there” has fostered a pattern of being tuned-out with both “in there” and “right now”.  We find being dialed-in has created new levels of unawareness of our immediate surroundings, and more importantly, of our own state of mind, which is where being tuned-in is the rubber meeting the road.

Our highly developed myopia has allowed an obsession with the trivia that knows no satiation.  There seems to be no light at the end of this tunnel.  Perhaps we might correct the error by dialing-out and tuning-in.

WHEREVER WE LOOK, THERE WE ARE

Our

number

is

ONE

In every encounter, we actually believe we are engaging with someone “else”.  In TRUTH, there is no someone “else”, only ourselves in disguise as such.  In fact, everywhere we look, there we are.

We should hand it to ourselves on how creative we have been in coming up with so many different disguises.  We parade around as both sexes, and as every race, religion, body-type, economic and social demographic we can possibly imagine.  It is one continual costume-ball.

We run into problems when we mis-identify ourselves as the parts we are playing, and in the costumes we are wearing.  Our differentiation only belies our commonality.  We have all donned attire that indicates characters we have assumed, on a stage of our own making, and with lines we have given ourselves to speak.  We actually believe in our individual parts being separate, when in TRUTH, we are all ONE.  We are so convincing, we should give ourselves a standing “O”.

In TRUTH, our ONENESS cries out for “lines of LOVE”, in lieu of the dialog we have given ourselves.  That which appears to be separate, only appears as such.  The simple extension of LOVE breaches the illusion of there actually being someone “else”.  

Our ONENESS in LOVE confirms there really is only ONE.

Everywhere we look, there we are.

THE CONSUMMATE TOUR GUIDE

You

are being lead

out of a world

where there is no GOD

and

into a world

where there is only GOD

It always helps to have a tour guide when we find ourselves in unfamiliar territory.  They know all the right spots, when to visit them, and how to get there.  There is a lot to be said for local knowledge.

When we embarked on our little travel adventure, we had a tour guide already assigned to us.  They are completely familiar with our itinerary, and know the ins and outs of what lies ahead.

The great thing about having an awesome tour guide is that they are fully engaged in providing us with the ultimate travel experience.  They continually suggest various options, inform us of pros and cons, but always leave us with the choice to choose.  Their entire agenda is to leave us with a smile on our face.

Our guide’s recommendations are always presented in a gentle manner, and are helpful in every way.  They always know the shortest distance between two points, but never insist on us taking it.

While pursuing a dining pleasure, they may point out menu items to consider and ones to avoid, but leave the ordering up to us.  Our welfare is their total concern.

When we sometimes find ourselves completely overwhelmed in our travels, they know just the right spot to recharge our batteries.  Everything they present is always perfectly timed and always appropriate.

Even though they will never press the point, history has shown that following their recommendations always lead to the most fulfilling experience.

How can we go wrong when we have the consummate tour guide?

WRONG TIME, WRONG PLACE

We

exist in time

in order to

lead each other

to the TIMELESSNESS

of GOD

We all dread the possibility of being caught at the wrong time, in the wrong place--bad things usually happen.  What we fail to realize, in spite of seemingly “good” times and places, we are perpetually caught in an experience which exemplifies wrong time and wrong place.

No matter how much effort we put forth to hold back the barbarians at the gate, through an assemblage of acquisitions and defenses, we know deep down, we are merely biding our time.  The hammer can fall without notice.

Viewing the landscape around us, littered with randomness and impermanence, we also know that this wrong time, wrong place scenario has an alternative, albeit, a rather elusive one.  It is found outside the parameters of how we define ourselves as bodies attempting to survive the universe.  The moments of experiencing a representation of our REAL selves is not defined by time or place, but an experience framed in ETERNITY and EVERYWHERE.

We snatch glimpses of it in the most unexpected ways, and then we are just as quick to dismiss their veracity, even though they leave an impression that is unshakeable.  The intangibleness of them haunts our efforts to escape the wrong time, wrong place moment we feel lies just ahead.  

We should find encouragement in these experiences that take us out of the “hood”, and transport us to a place resplendent with ONENESS and LOVE, for there we will find no time and no place, just a glimpse of HOME.

DOWN BOY, DOWN

DO

not take seriously

the rantings of ego

Exhale

Smile

Forgive

Seriously

We all have our moments, the ones we would just as soon forget.  They can be small or large, quick or long lasting.  They all represent a reaction that feels uncomfortable.  Why is that?  Because they do not represent who we really are.

We may never admit publicly that we have erred at all, but we know, deep down inside, a transgression has taken place.  We either deal with it externally, with a possible admission, or internally, usually punishing our self in amazingly destructive ways.

These moments most often seem to erupt almost without our control, because patterns have long been established which represent buttons that are pushed without our permission; we take it as “normal”.  But, the internal conflict that ensues is evidence of just how abnormal this really is.  We then begin to develop justification patterns which also seem out of our control, where the damage we rend is justified as that which is deserved.  It represents a vicious cycle with no good end in sight.

These outbursts, either outwardly or inwardly, represent in their uncomfortableness, a sign that something is definitely amiss.  By contrasting these feelings with how good it feels to be expressing and sharing feelings of LOVE and ONENESS, we then have a plumb line to measure against.

Observe how fun and free it feels when you connect in LOVE with anything around you, and how, you seem to not really be focusing on yourself apart from whatever you are connecting with.  Contrast this with how uncomfortable you feel with the exposure of your fangs, and the hair rising up on your back, not to mention the bark that accompanies the “righteous indignation”.  That’s the time to stop and correct yourself with, “Down, Boy, Down!”, and not with the same attitude, but one with a slight smile that says don’t take it quick so seriously.

There is no need to punish the reaction, only the need to correct and notice the foreignness of the feeling.  Allow the reaction to settle down, resume your composure, realize the uncomfortable feeling is an alien life form apart from you, and continue on your way, sniffing out every tree and bush, and loving the adventure of it all.