Peace as a Spiritual Practice

Peace as a Spiritual Practice

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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 Peace.

What does peace look like? If your heart was placed on one end of a scale and a feather on the opposite end, would the scales be balanced? Or would your heart be heavier than the feather? The ancient Egyptian concept of MAAT was practiced in 2375 BCE. The wisdom of the principles of MAAT (truth, justice, righteousness, harmony, order, balance, and reciprocity) are principles that create peace. An open heart creates peace and oneness. As the saying goes, keep your heart as light as a feather. The scriptures counsels us to guard our heart, because out of the heart flows the issues of life (Proverbs 4:23, 24). Is your heart as light as a feather? Are you at peace? If not – why not? If we sow peace, we reap peace. Peace is the quality of the Divine presence within us.  Peace is heaven.

Peace is created through compassion for others. Do you classify people to be important or unimportant? Your perception of who is important demonstrates how well you know yourself.  Observe yourself in how you relate to others and discover who you are by your responses – think about how “it” would feel if “it” were you. How you interact with others offers clues about who you think you are. We are all the same on the soul level. You can be educated/uneducated and be ignorant and unaware. The more awareness, the more peace you will experience. Know yourself and your ignorance; argumentative, unkind, and stupid actions toward the other. Know the working of your mind and heart and you will come to peace by knowing and being willing and able to self-correct from the inner-being.

When thoughts are scattered, the mind is not peaceful. Shame, dishonesty, hate, judgement, discontent, competition, contentiousness, and drama is the opposite of peace. Non-peace shows up as confrontation, arguments, and discord. Peace is not the absence of war. The rumors of war and the preparation of war is a state of non-peace. Move from duality to unity. Awareness creates peace of mind; a higher state of consciousness that surpasses understanding (Philippians 4:7)

Assessment

Do you ask the question “What’s in it for me?”

Do you have a “need to be right” attitude?

Observe how you communicate with others; are you kind or rude?

What tilts the scale and prevents peace in your life situations?

What are your requirements to live a peace-filled life – to keep your heart open?

What beliefs cause non-peace?

Can you reflect on a period of time when you were in a state of peace?

How do you quiet the mind?

Is your heart as light as a feather?

Best Practices

Ø  With family, friends, associates, and others, cease from “pulling rank” based on age, status, gender, and relationship with other adults. Don’t diminish the other’s status by saying “I’m older, educated, etc.”. Treat adults as adults – everyone has the right to their opinions.

Ø  Being right is over-rated. Allow others to have opinions and beliefs without debate, even if you feel you are right. Being right is over-rated when it causes conflict. Allow others a “right” to their opinion.

Ø  Decrease the atmosphere of competition where there are “winners” and “losers”. Strive for cooperation, collaboration, mutual recognition, and respect for others. Affirmation:  I am not the only one.

Ø  Keep the lines of communication open with yourself and others. Notice when you avoid others and “shut down” communication. Strive to keep your heart open and allow all feelings/emotions good and not so good to pass through you.

Ø  Commit to one day of peace – free from drama, worry, shame, jealousy, obsessiveness, no judgment, etc. And decide the next day, based on the previous day, if you would like to practice peace for the next 24 hours.

Ø  Become teachable. No one has knowledge and expertise about everything. If there is something you do not know – admit it. Know who you are and why you do what you do. Seek the intent of your actions. Create a space for peace by admitting you don’t know – not knowing is okay. Not knowing is a space for newness. There is no pretense, embarrassment or shame in not knowing. Don’t hide or camouflage who you are. Be authentic.

To create the feeling of peace, we can apply the aforementioned principles of forgiveness, stillness (Psalm 46:10), love, light, joy, goodwill, truth, justice, righteousness, harmony, order, balance, and reciprocity on a daily basis. How you interact with others offers clues about who you think you are. Offer peace to the present moment and become who you were meant to be. Seek to know who you are on a deeper level. Self-Knowledge is the beginning of wisdom and peace.

What is your process in creating internal and external peace for Self, family, community, and world? Develop your own spiritual practice.

Peace and Much Blessings.

Purpose as a Spiritual Practice

Adinkranotes.com
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 Purpose.

Who am I? Why am I here? How can I help? How can I serve? These critical questions are tied to our purpose. Our purpose is to demonstrate God’s power, love, compassion, wisdom, intelligence, and grace – right here, right now. Our purpose is to create peace, harmony, and abundance. Our purpose is to bring forth in manifestation the best of who we are. If you are at peace and have a sense of well-being, you are on purpose. Purpose is mastered through practice.

Destiny is directly tied to service – service to humanity and service to God. We are co-creators with God. God has something for us to do and His mission for us makes life work when we use our gifts and talents. We are not what we see when we look in the mirror. Our true self is the inner being (Psalms 139:13). We are both human and divine, and the Divine takes human form to fulfill a purpose. Our purpose is to have the courage to develop the divinity within. To know God is to develop God-like qualities.  Be who you are and do what you are called to do. When we know our mission/purpose we utilize our resources efficiently and effectively. Live your truth. Identify, accept, and live your purpose without question and the Universe, God, Source will support you.

The purpose of life experiences is to heighten awareness. You know what you know to teach and serve others. Develop a life purpose statement. A life purpose statement is not a goal. Goals are temporary, purpose is eternal (Psalm 33:11). A life purpose statement provides a sense of direction, whereas we are able to envision the end at the beginning (Proverbs 4:26). A vision places us on a path of knowingness. We are not required to know how to get to the end, but we are required to plant the seed (think on good things), and water it (don’t doubt the possibilities). All things work together for the good of those who love God (Romans 8:28). All means unlimited possibilities and leaves nothing out.  What is important and valuable is to know our purpose, develop a process that feels right, and trust that we will be supported if we do not faint and grow tired (Isaiah 40:31). God’s plans and purposes are eternal and limitless. Be interested in what God wants you to do and do it. You will be blessed abundantly.

Self-Assessment

How can you best serve humanity?

What are your unique talents?

How and when are you in touch with your inner being?

If money and time were not a concern, what would you do?

How do you know if you are living the life you were meant to live?

What stirs your passion?

What is your mission; core task; life objective?

How do you demonstrate that you know God?

Do you know what you want?

Are you aware of your responsibility to self and others?

What and who are you building your life around?

Is God the center of your life? If not, why not?

Do you know what God wants you to do?

Do you believe God is supporting you in your honorable intentions?

Best Practices

·         What have you come to life to do? Develop a clear and articulate mission statement. Write it down and post it where you can review it daily. Live it.

·         Being and Doing: Be aware of what you think, say, feel, and do and work to bring them in harmony. Being and doing in unison is the fulfillment of our purpose.

·         Affirmation: Why am I here? I am here to serve, inspire, love, and live the truth of who I am, and to do what brings me joy.

Our core purpose in life is to serve others with our unique talents/gifts. What are you good at naturally? You know the things you do better than anyone else. You are told that you are the best at what you do. What activity gives you a sense of timeless awareness and places you in the zone? It could be singing, encouraging others, dancing, writing, cooking, painting, etc. Purpose is using your gift to serve others effortlessly and easily. Your talents bring others joy and also brings joy to your soul. Explore your interests and ask for guidance. Our Creator instructs us and teaches us the way we should go, and guides us with His eye upon us (Psalms 32:8).

How do you live a conscious and meaningful life with purpose? Develop your own spiritual practice.

Peace and Many Blessings