Hand in Hand with the Beloved

The world you see is all a projection of your mind. Everything you actually see is seen inside your head on the back of your retina in an upside-down image. Your mind turns the perceptions over and makes a story out of it. The story is a lot what you inherited.

You may be attached to this world of survival, right and wrong, devils and angels, the righteous and the sinners. You are right and the evil ones are wrong. Without realizing it, most of us most of the time would rather be right than eat.

The time is ripe to let go those old stories and declare yourself free.

Death is not necessarily an evil. Death is a doorway, perhaps to a sweeter land. And sin -- sin is “missing the mark.”

Since the God we love and worship is both omnipotent (almighty) and compassionate (all-loving), then certainly it must be God's will that people sometimes suffer, including me and you. It must be part of the great mystery of life. At least something good comes from our suffering -- you and other great souls are touched and filled with compassion and dedicate your lives to the benefit of everyone else.

How about the martial arts -- judo and karate, even Tai Chi. Will they completely disappear in heaven? And chess too -- no books on how to play chess better? All gone when war goes away? Don't you think, like peace, war is also part of God's design?

God's holy mountain is Zion, the realm of active belief, faith. The prophet painted a picture of paradise -- when the wolf eats grass and the lion lies down with the lamb. The wolf eats the grass of the field when he's feeling sick and needs to throw up. Otherwise, in wolf heaven, he'd prefer something else to dine on, I assure you. The prophet should have said, "... then the cattle will eat the grass of the field..." That's more like it, the way heaven ought to be, don't you agree?

Make your life into myth; write your own legend. Include peace for all, if that's the world you choose to live in. No more "very soons." No more "hopefully’s." Don't wait any longer. Be bold. Go for it. Step into it. Declare it so and live it yourself. Gandhi said, "Live the possibility you want for others." Jesus says, "You will all do even more than I am doing. Here, stand up on my shoulders ..."

The war of good versus evil, with evil ultimately vanquished by the victorious Godhead -- was useful for some years, but is not always useful to you. Consider other games in the unfolding of your life. Write your own myth with your own life.

A time comes when you declare yourself no longer a "seeker." Declare yourself "the finder!" Of course, you can always take refuge at the feet of the shepherd. But look and listen – you are being called now to swing out through the stars, hand in hand with your beloved.

In the Land of Nothing Lacking

Selections from Devarim/Words in Ekev, Deuteronomy 7.12-11.25

Listen YisraEl (put your own name here)
You are (to transcend) pass over the Jordan “this day”

Only this is required: Respect God with awe. Walk in the Tao
Love and serve all (God in manifestation)

Don’t be stiff-necked. Cut away the thickness about your heart
(Don’t be proud; be soft-hearted and compassionate)

Yah (God) tests and proves us to (let us) see what’s in our hearts
Hardships strengthen us like a father trains his children

Ascend the mountain and receive the tablets of stone
Tablets of the Covenant inscribed with the fingers of God

With your own eyes -- see the glory is everywhere!

Don’t ever think it’s your doing. Remember, it’s God
Who gives us power to get wealth and fulfill the Covenant

God brings us to a good land of brooks, fountains and depths
Of fruitful vines, trees and honey, a land of nothing lacking

Eat and be satisfied, and give thanks to God
For bringing us here and giving us this good land

God separates the tribe of Levi to bear the Ark of the Covenant
To stand before, minister to and bless in God’s names
To this day Yah (the Lord) is Levi’s inheritance
(The Levite in us supports holy places and teaches the Way)

Practice these instructions.
They empower you to possess the land (of non-duality)
And occupy the land of nothing lacking

Lay up these words in your heart and soul.
Set them as signs on your hands and symbols on your forehead
(Meditate on these letters and teachings)

Thus we dislodge all ignorance in us
And see that everywhere we tread is our home

Be fearless. God is in our midst. None can stand against us