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 Choice.
Choice
is a teacher when we become aware of why we choose our behaviors, friends,
activities, food, attire, music, etc. When our decisions are based on social
conditioning, automatic responses, and past experiences, they are not true
choices. Habitual responses are learned, not choices. Choice only occurs in
awareness. We don’t choose dysfunction; choice is a conscious act and requires
a higher degree of consciousness. Domestic violence, eating disorders,
oppression, depression, racism, and sexism – these are conditioned responses. Making
choices to fit in with other’s expectations is the lowest level of choice. Choices
perceived as wrong can be framed as lessons learned; no experience is wasted. Get
the lesson and make another choice. Life is win-win and self-correcting and when
we are unaware, choice is an illusion.
We
think more about the past and future than the present moment. Research studies show,
that as adults, 25,000 hours of conditioning from childhood affect our thought processes
daily. Insanity is doing the same thing over and
over again and expecting a different result (Albert Einstein). Present
moment awareness free us from automatic actions and reactions when we seek to
qualify and understand our actions. Conditioned
patterns can be changed through subtle action. Make a conscious choice to look,
watch, be aware of reactions, and be open to change. Subtle awareness is
connecting to the soul; God’s Spirit within. Choices made from the level of the
ego discourage forgiveness and encourages drama, competition, and conflict.
Jesus’ edict on the cross, Forgive them for
they know not what they do (Luke 23:34), indicates that people can be highly
intelligent and lack Higher consciousness. God consciousness balances the
intellect and emotions.
Make
choices based on intention. When making choices, ask the questions: What are my
intentions in making this choice? How will this choice affect me and others? Is
this choice for the good of all concerned? When examining the quality of your
choices, align with the soul, a deeper level of awareness. The energy of the
soul is love, wisdom, oneness, compassion, and acceptance. There is always more
than what we see through the five senses. Responsible choice takes into account
what is seen on the physical plane, and also unlimited possibilities from
intuition, gut feelings, and visions.
Your
choices move you closer to the ego or the soul. Temptation is an opportunity to
grow when we allow the soul to enlighten us. God-consciousness provides insight
before acting. When tempted, Jesus chose to move closer to the soul (Matthew
4:1-11). His deeper awareness superseded all physical temptation (turning stone
to bread to eat; acquiring all the worldly kingdoms). Keep the purpose of your
life as your center, driver, and motivator when making decisions. Be clear on who
you are and why you are here.
Choice Practices
·
All
choices have good or bad consequences. Make a list of crucial choices you’ve
made over the past five years. Think of one “bad” thing that resulted from a
“good” choice and one “good” thing that resulted from a “bad” choice. “Good”
and “bad” are labels. Choice consists of a variety of scenarios, some things we
can foresee and others are hidden. Our paths are not linear and predictable.
Our level of awareness and how we respond to the choices we make have deeper
meanings. Take an opportunity to choose a vertical path.
·
Set
a list of values that are basic for who you are and why you are here (love, kindness,
truth, compassion, wisdom, acceptance, etc.) and develop daily practices. Track
your progress by journaling.
·
Have
an accountability partner that can “check” you when your choices are less than
desirable. An accountability partner provides support, feedback, and insights.
·
Practice
awareness. Identify when a choice is made from past conditioning. Once you
track patterns of behavior, you have an option to make changes. Recognizing a
choice is a choice.
·
Affirmation:
“Your will be done (Matthew 26:42), Find me where you want me to be.”
Self-Assessment:
Am
I morally justified to make this choice?
Will
this choice help me grow?
Who
am I and Why am I here?
Who
will this choice help or harm?
Is
this what I have always chosen, is it automatic or habitual?
Has
this choice worked in the past and do I have alternative choices?
Do
I trust in a Higher Power?
Is
this choice based on my Highest principles?
Is
this what I really want?
Am
I looking inward for direction?
True
choice is a spiritual teacher when we act from a state of awareness. Practice
awareness in your actions/reactions. Identify when a choice is made from past conditioning
- fear, loneliness, regret, revenge, anxiety, and hurt. With every choice there
are consequences. When we make choices from the soul, we generate love and
compassion for self and others. Mind is conditioned by the past and we “choose”
what is familiar. Patterns of dysfunction, conflict, pain, and insanity are
reactions, not conscious choices. No one chooses dysfunction or insanity. Free
the choice maker and act in collaboration with the soul; God’s will.
Are your choices intentional
and aligned with the soul? Or are they a result of past conditioning? Develop your own spiritual practice.
Peace and Many Blessings
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