Relationships as a Spiritual Practice

­­­­­­Relationships as a Spiritual Practice

PRACTICE

52 Weeks of Spiritual Practice

By Deborah Williams

The purpose of the 52 Principles is to develop a partnership, a connection with God. Connecting with God is why we are here; the soul’s desire. To be in communication with the Creator is ideally the most fulfilling life, our best life. The intent of the 52 Principles is God-realization through daily practice. Practice the principles with frequency and find God-consciousness through your own efforts. This week’s spiritual principle is Relationship.

Family is our greatest asset. Our best is only achieved through our relationships with others. Relationships also bring out the worst in us when we love others conditionally. At the level of the ego (Easing God Out), we cannot love others more than we love ourselves. That level of love only occurs when we move from human love toward Divine Love.  We love others based on our level of consciousness. The gap between human and Divine Love is an opportunity for change.

 

Relationships cause anxiety, pain, and uneasiness for a reason. The purpose of relationships is to make us conscious – not happy. Our intentions and responses towards others bring to the forefront our core issues, providing an opportunity for change, or not. Family dysfunction reinforces negative behavior patterns in our children. Divine Love starts with self and family - like a pebble thrown in a lake; the effects ripple outward like waves. Divine Love is life giving nourishment for the soul, like the sunshine and the rain.

Human love depends upon others; usually the person closest to us gets our love. Our loved ones earn our love conditionally through reciprocity. Human love is based on survival – survival of the ego. To protect the ego, or to protect the ego’s position, we accuse, defend, attack, need to be right, get angry, jealous, argue; have temper tantrums, and demand attention all in the name of love – human love. The more we identify with the mind/ego – the more drama, discontent, and dysfunction we experience in relationships. These patterns of behavior are the ego’s defense to get its needs met.

Divine Love is unearned. Love your neighbor and love your enemies. Pray for those who treat you badly.  If you do this, you will be children who are truly like your Father in heaven. He lets the sun rise for all people, whether they are good or bad. He sends rain to those who do right and to those who do wrong (Matthew 5: 43-45). To love on this level is a Love between souls. To love your enemy requires a higher awareness; a God-consciousness. Divine Love radiates, compassion, forgiveness, peace, sympathy, cooperation, and kindness and the fruits of the Spirit – joy, gladness, peace, patience , even tempered, tolerance, kindness, goodness , goodwill, and faithfulness (Galatians 5:22). Divine Love identifies with the heart and soul. Practice Divine Love in your relationships with self, family, and others.

 Relationship Practices

·         Envision positive interactions and see the end at the beginning.

·         Encourage creativity in your relationships – guard against boredom and repetition. Having a vision for family and friendships eliminates boredom.

·         Take 5 minutes and reflect on your relationships. What is unique about your partner or significant other; learn to appreciate that goodness. Take note of others who drain your energy and decide a course of action; limit, increase, or modify contact.

Self-Assessment

Where are your relationships located on the continuum of human love and Divine Love?

Will your relationships survive without Divine Love?

Who receives the best of who you are?

Do you treat others with love, kindness, and respect?

Does your family find time to relate to one another?

Do your children manipulate you to get what they want?

Do you bribe your children or others with material objects to get what you want?

Are you able and willing to bring 100% of who you are to a relationship?

Who makes you a better person?

How can you impact the world?

How many people does it take to make your life a spiritual practice? You only need you – you make the change to transform self and others. “You are the world.” You make the difference; you matter.

 

You are one out of many.

How do you demonstrate Divine Love in your day to day interactions with your partner, family, and others? Develop your own spiritual practice.

 Peace and Many Blessings

 

 

 

 

Intention as a Spiritual Practice

PRACTICE

52 Weeks of Spiritual Practice

By Deborah Williams

 

The purpose of the 52 Principles is to develop a partnership, a connection with God. Connecting with God is why we are here; the soul’s desire. To be in communication with the Creator is ideally the most fulfilling life, our best life. The intent of the 52 Principles is God-realization through daily practice. Practice the principles with frequency and find God-consciousness through your own efforts. This week’s spiritual principle is Intention.

 

Intention can be associated with light energy on a continuum. Everyone has light. The quality of your intention is paralleled to the brightness of your light; laser light with single-pointed attention in contrast to a subdued dim, low beam light. When the quality of our light is dim, intentions are only centered on money, sex, power and material gain. In contrast, God-centered intentions reflect love, truth, happiness, and peace. In the presence of God’s Light, anything is possible. Don’t hide your light! Let it shine for all; let your good deeds glow for all to see, so that they will praise your heavenly Father (Matthew 5:16).

 

Our intent to know God makes our life spiritual. Others cannot determine our true intentions – only you and God know the intent of an action. We can give our time and money to genuinely help others, or to impress and receive recognition. God would surely know, for he knows the secrets of every heart (Psalms 44:21).  We are responsible for setting our intention; our light. The soul’s intention is toward the greatest good – when you intend or have intentions, consider the best possible solution for everyone –not just you. Inner growth requires daily discipline. God is waiting for us to come up higher.

 

Near death experiences are always associated with a beam of light. Our light is always available – contemplation, prayer, and meditation can unmask false intentions, impeding our light; our spiritual growth. It is possible that we may not be aware of our own intentions. Our quality of intention/light is manifested in how we think, feel, and behave. When thoughts, words, and actions are fragmented, our intention/light cannot shine brightly. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, and purify your hearts, you double-minded (James 4:8). We move in the direction of God, toward the source of our Light, when we acknowledge our true intent.

Our intention/light affects our inner and outer world. Thought is energy, and our thoughts affect our physical body, mental state, and emotions. We can choose to affect the atmosphere wherever we go by our intention/light. The physical effects of our presence linger after we leave. Be conscious how you affect others. Let your light shine – the Light of God and the Love of God is within you. We have the ability to strengthen our intention/light through association; choose positive like-minded people. Matthew 18:20 encourages group energy dynamics. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

 

 

Spiritual growth is setting your intention/light. Verbalize and write down your intentions for yourself, family, work, church family, gym, world – see the end at the beginning. Have a vision of you in the Light. Where there is no vision, the people perish; but he who keeps the law of God, which includes that of man—they are blessed, happy, and fortunate (Proverbs 29:18). Master your intention/light by giving a percentage of time daily to spiritual growth.

 

How do you intend to let your light shine? Develop your own spiritual practice.

Peace and Many Blessings