Tag: Spirit

S is for Spirit & Space … Spirituality A to Z

Posted on by cmryan

Whether it’s the beginning of a new year or a new day, the awareness of new moments in life allows us to connect with the Divine Space within…also known as Spirit or God.

Even if that pause is but a microsecond of time, such a pause in consciousness allows us the opportunity to birth a new way of thinking. I’ve noticed that I can fill that pause, that space, with joy, love, awe, gratitude or wonder… or something else. I can choose to bask in this space of Spiritual connection or skip over it and ignore its existence.

Years ago I didn’t even know such a space existed. As I’ve become more aware of the Divine Energy that is me at my deepest core, the void where Spirit lives has expanded and continues to do so. There’s a part of me that notices my God-Self getting bigger and in control of my thinking processes. It’s moving aside more of my ego-self, replacing survival instincts with eternal knowing. Fear is losing ground to Faith and Trust.

I like this change in control. I’m now aware that my life is directed with a positive power that creates for my highest and best good. As I learn to pause in the Spiritual space, the void of creation, and listen for Divine Guidance to speak through me and direct my worldly actions, I live with no regrets. I have more confidence in the decisions I make and feel the Presence of God supporting my every step.

It’s only when I get in the way of this Infinite Intelligence that life goes awry. When I don’t take the time to pause and be aware of that still small voice – whether to move forward in a new direction or to wait longer for the proper moment – that’s when I question my actions. It’s then that I notice, sometimes too late, other options that would have been far better for my life and the people around me.

Just as there is space between musical notes, garden crops, atoms, and the stars and planets, we need to have space in our thinking and in our lives. It provides room for Spirit to live. It allows ideas to expand and come into form. Space gives us time to rest and a sense of peace. Space provides balance and freedom of movement …to turn around and see where we’ve come from as well as where we’re going.

There is no such thing as wasted space or negative space. It serves a vital purpose in creation. Space is where ideas are born. It’s where God is. The more room I make for Spirit in my life, the bigger my life and my consciousness becomes. Oh, happy day!

G is for Grace… Spirituality A to Z

Posted on by cmryan

According to Wikipedia, one of the definitions of “Grace” in Christian theology is listed as “the love and mercy given to us by God because God desires us to have it, not because of anything we have done to earn it.”

Again from Wikipedia sources…when exploring Grace in other faiths, such as Islam, I found this definition: According to Abu Huraira, Muhammad once said that “None amongst you can get into Paradise by virtue of his deeds alone … not even I, but that Allah should wrap me in his grace and mercy.”

The word ‘Grace’ (CHEN in Hebrew, CHARIS in Greek), as it is used in the scriptures, literally means “‘favor’, to bend or stoop in kindness to another…the idea of graciousness in manner or action. When used in reference to God, it is the benevolent action of Him stooping down to us in His kindness to reach us in our need, and convey upon us a benefit.”

It is said that in Hindu devotional or bhakti literature, available throughout India, it is replete with references to grace (kripa) as the ultimate key required for spiritual self-realization. And there’s more.

In the Science of Mind textbook glossary (p. 596), Grace is described thus:  “Grace is the givingness of Spirit to Its Creation and is not a special law, but a specialized one. In other words, Grace is, but we need to recognize it. It is not something God imposed upon us, but is the logical result of the correct acceptance of life and of a correct relationship to the Spirit. We are saved by Grace to the extent that we believe in, accept, and seek to embody, the Law of Good; for the Law of Good is ever a Law of liberty and never one of limitation. Limitation is not a thing, not an entity, but a belief. Freedom is a Divine Reality.”

Okay, enough of the definitions!

The true test of its existence and our belief in it is that we are aware of Grace for ourselves and then share it with others …that we freely share our love, forgiveness, acceptance, and other Good with those around us …without expectation of getting something in return. That’s how I define Grace …and how I invite you to demonstrate it.

Within an atmosphere of Grace there’s an allowing, a beingness that is not dependent on the whims and moods of human experiences or individuals.  What I know to be true is when I stop condemning or blaming myself and others …when I stop beating myself up for past failures …when I let go of paralyzing fears or rigid beliefs that no longer serve me …and instead, am open to receiving Divine Grace, and then turn around and share it wherever I can, my life expands in ways that leave me more successful, contented and peaceful at the soul-level …in that God-space within me.

Yes, Grace saves us from a life of misery and limitation. When you practice receiving and sharing Grace in your life, your spiritual awareness will change …grow …deepen …and enlarge your life. When Grace is present, the Law of Good – whereby the result of everything that happens has within it some positive impact or result (whether we recognize it or not) – operates more freely, in more unlimited ways. Grace is a deep knowingness that guides and caresses your heart (and mind) toward a greater expression of who you are. It’s a way of living in a paradise state of being. Your life will unfold perfectly in whatever manner you can envision through Divine Intelligence for Good.

The point of all this is to show that Grace just is. Grace is a gift …a gift of Life, of God, available to everyone and anyone who is aware of it AND willing to accept it. There is no gift without a recipient. This gift is of the highest Good and is one that you can freely bring into your life, and, hopefully, share with others every day. Grace is unconditional Divine Love of the purest kind. Bask in that awareness right now. Experience how it expands your soul and mind and life.

And so it is.