Acceptance as a Spiritual Practice

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 Acceptance 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. With practice, you will begin to encounter your experiences in a spiritual context as you begin to practice and master spiritual principles. This week’s spiritual principle is Acceptance.

So much of what we think is redundant, particularly when our thoughts create fear, anxiety and frustration. Is it possible to let go of the thoughts that keep us stuck in the past and future; this is liberation. When we begin to accept people for who they are, the energy we waste in attempting to change others can be used to enjoy their uniqueness. When we accept, we no longer have to fix. Acceptance is judgment free.

Your level of awareness is directly related to how you accept what is. Who are you? Clinging to a façade and building on the concept of a false self is not your true Self. Creating a false self is like building a foundation on sand.  This is similar to the “catfish” in social media where your online profile is whatever you decide to create. Let go and accept your authentic Self. We cling and build to conform to societal norms in order to be accepted. False images and pretense originate from the ego. Acceptance is on the soul level with full attention, appreciating life, nonjudgment, humility, embracing love, and no expectation of a response from others. You do what you do because it feels right for you. Accept what is and live out loud. Be who you are with no reservations, be your authentic Self.

Accept and embrace the truth of spiritual principles (peace, strength, freedom, understanding, joy, well-being, love). Acceptance is a knowing that all is well even when you cannot see how things will turn out. Realize that someone somewhere is taking care of things without little effort on your part. Pay attention to what happens in your life by focusing on you right here, right now. Letting go is accepting what is in the past and present, and not worrying about the future.

Self-Assessment:

What do you do to be accepted by others?

Are you willing to be wrong, even when you think that you are right?
Could you abandon your position?
Do you struggle with the things that have already happened?
Do you accept the presence of God in all things?
Do you accept the presence of God in you?
Can you see spiritual principles at work in other’s lives?
Can you see spiritual principles at work in your life?
Can you accept who you are in this moment?
Can you accept others?
How do you see yourself, and is that concept the real you?
Who are you pretending to be?
Who are you?
Do you predict how others will behave?
What are your preconceived notions that cause you to accept or reject others?
Why do you cling and build?
Why and how do you resist the reality in your life?
Do you assert your will in opposition to the flow of life?
How often do you exert energy on worrying about the past and future?
Are you stressed out?
What are your stress triggers?

Acceptance Practices:

When caught up in a strong belief, needing to be liked, to be right about something, or stuck in a strong emotion, ask Self, “Could I, just could I, let it go?” Letting go and accepting does not happen primarily in the mind – it happens in the body. You do not need to decide to let go; you need only to ask yourself if it is possible. In recognition of this possibility, something happens in the body: a deep sigh, a muscle spasm, or a release of tension you might not have ever known was there. There is no need to know where a belief comes from, or to try to change it in any way, or to understand at all (excerpt from Leap before You Look – Arjuna Ardagh). Observe or witness the mind and body’s response to accepting what is in the present moment. Affirmation: I surrender to the power of truth and the presence of Spirit in my life.

 

Daily Practice – Be aware when you are content or satisfied with the moment and not resisting the flow.  Who am I? This question prods your awareness to examine your true Self. Pay attention to coincidences, they have meaning. A coincidence is the Spirit/God speaking and providing information and intelligence to manifest goodness.

 

Don’t take anything personal (The Four Agreements – Miguel Ruiz). Don’t respond to naysayers because there agenda is not about you; it is about them. People’s actions are based on their level of awareness. Affirmation: I am totally independent of the good and bad opinions of others, I am beneath no one; I am fearless in the face of any and all challenges.

The pathway to acceptance is peace. No stress, no fear, and no drama. When we practice acceptance, events and situations pass through us with no resistance from our mind and body; no clinging. Being right is over-rated when it alienates and causes conflict and confusion. Don’t waste your energy; instead, use life situations to grow spiritually.

How do you demonstrate acceptance and letting go? Develop your own spiritual practice.

Peace and Many Blessings

Love as a Spiritual Practice

Love 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 Love.

“Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence. This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: ‘Love others as well as you love yourself. ” (Matthew 22:37-40). All religions recognize the philosophy of love.  We are challenged first to love God, to love ourselves, and then to love others as we love ourselves. Before we can truly practice loving others, we find the courage to love our Self with all of our imperfections.  Love is what we have come to life to be and to give.

Notice your self-talk; does it affirm the best of who you are? How you treat Self is a direct correlation of your love of Self. We cannot love others if we do not love ourselves. When we love ourselves, we, are compassionate, gentle, kind, forgiving and nonjudgmental. We trust that what we do and say is in our best interest. We tell ourselves the truth about what we do and why. We take responsibility for all that we are and who we are becoming.  Loving Self means we value and we celebrate who we are; human and divine. Unconditional love is when there is no condition that will keep you from bringing all that you are to the moment.

“Love your brother like your soul and guard him like the pupil of your eye.” How you treat the other in thought, word, and deed is a demonstration of love. You treat others, no matter who they are or what they have done, the same way you treat yourself; loving. When the other has faults, when they do something that ‘rubs you the wrong way’ you treat them the same way you treat you: loving. Your goal is to make the other feel welcome and comfortable by demonstrating compassion, gentleness, worthiness, beauty, and peace. You may be the only demonstration of love the other may see today, don’t miss the opportunity to love.

Love and hate can be present at the same time. Hate drains, hardens, and closes the heart. The opposite of love is not hate, it is fear. Where there is fear, there is no love. Love is the glue that holds everything together. Love is God; God is love. Where God is, there is no fear. Love is the energy of the soul. Experience yourself as loving by the practice of being kind, gentle, compassionate, trusting, and valuing who you are. You are worthy and complete. You are enough.

Love Practices

Activate internal love. Reduce the use of “I”. Be interested versus interesting. Look for something to love in the other person by taking the focus off of Self. Show concern for the other through active listening.

Greeting and/or Affirmation: Silently say Namaste; “The Light of God in me salutes the Light of God in you.”

Imagine the face of a newborn baby. Feel the warmth, that is love; in that moment your heart is open.

Stand, Share, Honor. Stand in the truth of your authentic Self. Share the whys of your actions. Honor yourself and others enough to be fully present in your relationships and interactions with all things. These are loving acts.

Appreciating beauty is Love. Think of the beauty of nature. A breath taking sunrise, sunset, moonlight, the ageless greatness of mountains, the vibrant fall colors of spring and autumn, the vast life sustaining ocean, flowers in unlimited shapes, sizes, and colors, fresh crisp fruit and vegetables kissed by the sun, and the air and water that sustains life. Appreciate nature’s beauty through the five senses.

Self-Assessment

Can you love in spite of unpleasant memories from past experiences?

Can you love for the first time and let go of the past?

What does unconditional love look like?

What do you think about you?

How do you know when others love what they do?

How do you know when you love what you do?

What does it feel like when your heart is open?

Are you tied to your personal history; past successes and failures?

Have you endured pain in the pretext of love?

Is your self-talk loving and kind or critical and debasing?

How and why do you withhold your love?

Do you withhold your love by shutting down, and ignoring others?

“I wish I woulda knowed more people. If I woulda knowed more, I woulda loved more” – Toni Morrison from Beloved. Everyone is worthy of love; love is why we are here.  The soul sees beyond all divisions. Remove the conditions set in the mind about the other that separates. Begin today to fill the gap and be the bridge; step to the other with a smile, a nod, a gaze, a hello, a good morning. Make it a daily practice to love and extend more of you, to more people. More love, less room for fear. Love is the fulfillment of the law.

How do you demonstrate love for Self and others? Develop your own spiritual practice.

Peace and Many Blessings

Patience 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 Patience.

Patience is waiting with anticipation, and being open to what will come next. Patience is knowing that a delay is not a denial. Clothe yourselves therefore, as God’s own chosen who are purified and holy and well-beloved by God Himself, by putting on behavior marked by tenderhearted mercy, kind feeling, gentle ways, and patience, having the power to endure whatever comes, with good temper (Colossians 3:12). Patience requires acceptance, receptiveness, awareness, and non-judgment. Impatience is anticipation of a future event, no restraint, taking offence and being offended, and fear of not getting what we want. Beneath all our agitation, restlessness, and boredom is patience waiting to calm the mind.

Can you hurry the growth of a seed? Our thoughts, words, desires, and actions are like seeds. We don’t see the roots growing deep and if we are not patient and attentive, we miss the first sprout above ground. And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint. (Galatians 6:9).  It takes less than twenty-four hours for a mushroom to grow,  compared to decades for an oak tree. Thoughts, words, and action are like seeds, and with patience, faith, and time all things come to full maturity.

Patience strengthens us for what comes next. Exercising patience is an opportunity for growth.  We will not be asked to do more than we are able to do. The scriptures are clear on the purpose of patience. Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way (James 1:2-4). During our transitional period of growth, old patterns take time to dissolve. Be patient with Self, real change takes time.

Patience Practices

• Slowly fill 100 small bottles with water, one by one, with patience; take your time. Say to yourself, “I filled one bottle and I have 99 to go.” Children can observe the art of patience through this activity.
• Waiting as a meditative state. Utilize meditation as a tool to slow your pace – sit and wait. Practice waiting, doing nothing but sitting and waiting like a cat or bird; be available for further instruction.
• Time as an illusion; think of a time when you experienced timeless awareness. Time passed by quickly and you lost track of time. Where did the time go? Or you experienced a “long” day where time moved slowly. Be aware of your perception of time and events.
•   Patience as a state of sacredness; practice patience by being attentive, alert, and waiting for what comes next (Matthew 25: 5-11).
•   Practice body awareness by being conscious of your breath (inhale and exhale). Focus on your breathing, not on your thoughts.
• The process of making tea; waiting from the beginning to the end and doing nothing in between.

Self-Assessment
When are you the most impatient?
What are your thoughts and feelings when you are impatient?
How do you experience time? Are you hurried?
Do you wait in doubt, fear, knowingness or love?
What does your waiting look like?
When do you experience timeless awareness?
When does time “stand still”?

Patience and Kindness are partners. The more we hurry, the less time we take to help others. The concept of time differs between cultures, locations, and families. Fast and slow rhythms in cultures are neither good nor bad. What is important is to be kind and respect the other’s rhythm (fast or slow) with patience.

To reach the soul level, time and patience are essential. Do not leave your soul’s work behind because you are hurried. Enjoy what is now by practicing kindness and patience. Challenge your impatience and consider the needs of others; have an honorable intent.

How do you demonstrate patience with Self and others? Develop your own spiritual practice.

Peace and Many Blessings

Wisdom as a Spiritual Practice

www.adinkranotes.com

PRACTICE

Wisdom as a Spiritual 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. With practice, you will begin to encounter your experiences in a spiritual context as you begin to practice and master spiritual principles. This week’s spiritual principle is Wisdom.

We are complex organisms and require more than food, water, clothing, and shelter for optimal wellness. Through study, experience, and wisdom, there are four basic life areas that with focused attention increase the quality of life. When these areas are aligned, we experience Holism; total well- being. Alignment is being in harmony with what we think, say, and do. Holism means aligning our thoughts, words, and deeds with four areas of awareness; mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual, to create total well-being.  If we focus our attention on one area, the other areas atrophy. Wisdom is living on all levels of awareness and striking a balance.

Physical level of awareness consists of the five senses; it is the base level of our experience. We are more knowledgeable and less wise in this area. The basics for optimal health in this area: eat fresh vegetables, drink plain water, breathe fresh air; get adequate sleep. Daily Suggestions: 30 minutes of conscious deep breathing of fresh air; consume plain water; eat 6-8 fresh fruits/vegetables; 30 minutes of conscious exercise (walk, bike, jog, etc.)

Mental level of awareness consists of our internal thoughts. Be aware of your thoughts; thoughts create your experiences. Thoughts are things. Listen to your internal dialogue and filter out thoughts that you know are not true about you. Replace negative thoughts by affirming the good you are and the good you expect.  Affirmations change your mental programming.  Read and study. Do your own independent study of the Truth (2 Timothy: 2:15). Pay attention to reoccurring thoughts/ideas – they may be the urging of the soul.

Emotional level of awareness consists of an internal energy system. The heart is a part of that energy system - not the physical heart, but the feeling heart. The scripture counsels, “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life (Proverbs 4:23).  Masking emotions with food, sleep, drugs, shopping, and activity is unwise. Keep the heart open and acknowledge what you feel when you feel. Emotions are messages from the soul.

Spiritual level of awareness consists of our connection with God; our Source. Develop a personal relationship with God through daily practice of prayer, meditation, acts of faith, kindness, and living spiritual principles.

Wisdom Practice:

Develop a regimen and live on all levels for optimal wellness; Holism.  It takes disciplined obedience to do what you know. Be gentle with yourself.

Self-Assessment:

Did I honor my agreements with myself and others?

Did I honor my feelings throughout the day?

What things did I do today that I could do better?

Who did I share my knowledge with today?

Who did I serve today?

What were the things I did well?

Did I celebrate my successes?

What am I willing to work on tomorrow?

Did I ask for guidance and follow it?

Did I give thanks for the guidance I received?

Wisdom is the principal and most important thing. Wisdom is discernment, comprehension, and interpretation, so get wisdom, even if it costs everything you have. And with all you have gotten, get understanding  (Proverbs 4:7).

How do you share and demonstrate wisdom? Develop your own spiritual practice.

Peace and Much Blessings