HAPPY NEW YEAR: 2017

Happy New Year: 2017 OR Any New Year

I am preparing for the start of the New Year. There have been massive shifts and changes in this past year and the dawn of this new year will bring an increased need for vigilance, acceptance, and action in form of sharing LOVE to confront the “Dark Forces.”

First let me say: You Are a Blessing! Yes, you are an important part of a much greater Universe and YOUR Divine Spirit plays a pivotal role. You may not believe this because your ego and mind have created limits in your thinking but your soul/spirit are a cornerstone to all divinity!

Second: YOU are a Master! You live with the challenges of survival in your current “Meat-suit” (life) and YOU have wisdom (from life experience) to share. You can serve all consciousness by telling your story! Your struggles are lessons for all of us! Your challenges are part of OUR pilgrimage to higher consciousness! Even your pain is important as a tool for all of us to learn from in this “Human experience.”

Now with that said, what are you going do in this New Year? How are you going to share your story for the benefit of all? We are all in this together. We are all “One” in the Divine Universe. No one crosses the “Finish line” alone. We must all do this together.

Our Earth is at a cross-roads. Life, as we know it, may not survive much longer on this planet because humans have NOT learned from our own violent history as “Takers” and we have “soiled the nest” in ways that may be irreparable. Mankind may have to stop being, so our world can regenerate itself… This is the nature of life. This is neither “right” or “wrong,” it just is… Humans have not evolved fast enough to keep up with our new technologies. Just look back since the late 1970’s and early 1980’s to realize that we do not know how to live with an overpopulated world, with limited resources, and an internet communication that is so easily manipulated by small minded angry, immature people. Is this a “Judgement” or just a fact…??? (I am serious in asking this question!)

So, how can you make the very best out of the limited time we have on this Earth (World)? Suggestion: Look into the eyes of everyone you encounter and know that they are there for a reason. They are part of YOUR lesson. If you “like” them or if you are challenged to understand their perspective, then they are very important to your learning. Look into their eyes and find the “Divinity” and their perfection. Know that they are fellow seekers AND Masters! In your way, reach out and take their hands. Share unconditional love, no matter what your judgmental mind thinks! Perhaps you will remember that THEY are YOU! (They are struggling with their lessons just as you are with yours.)

This New Year offers you a new chance to begin a time of remembering your important role in ALL consciousness. I challenge you to move toward the “Light” and share your wisdom, more by example than in words, of the evolving spiritually awakened soul that you are, have been, and will continue to be.
Namaste and Blessings!

Masters of the Journey is a forum to connect with other seekers and to share your story. You can also discover resources which may enhance your search for remembering the Divinity within you. Or, you connect with other events and resources through our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mastersofthejourney

DYING TO KNOW

Have you ever considered what it was like to be dead? We will all end our living by dying and then the mystery of what comes next becomes an activity that we will participate in. Some people consider that at death, we stop completely and there is nothing to look forward to. Some people believe that we travel to the “Pearly Gates,” get a few moments to reflect on our lives, and then head off to the “After Life” in Heaven or…. Some believe in “Re-incarnation” where we agree to return to Earth (or somewhere) in a new body for another “learning” in being human. Whatever your belief, the thought about what happens at the time of death has probably come up for you.

There have been many books written by people who have experienced a Near Death Experience (NDE), or who have worked with people who have moved through the ultimate transition, or who have researched the subject by reading (or conducting) interviews with people who have had NDE’s. In the 1970’s, Raymond Moody was one of the first people to come out with a book on research conducted with interviewing people who had NDE’s. I like Ken Ring who authored a series of books on this topic after even more interviews than Moody. Survivors like Eben Alexander wrote a wonderful book, Proof of Heaven, which is a well written account (by this Neurosurgeon scientist) of his own NDE where he was “clinically dead” for 7 days. There are many books, stories, movies, and other accounts through the history of man, even back to the ancient Greeks. But what can be learned from this research???

Many, maybe most, of the survivors of NDE’s come back to life with similar stories but, more notably, these people return with a different perspective on LIVING. Many report that the “after-life” or “heaven” is not a scary place. In fact, many resisted returning to their bodies and their lives because it felt so peaceful and accepting. Survivors report the feeling of unconditional love and support, full acceptance, freedom from the limitations of the body and space and time. Many report access to divine consciousness and wisdom not known in their human form. Most importantly, many return with the fear and anxiety commonly found in living, reduced because they do not fear dying. They report a different appreciation of “living in the light” and in a state of “Grace” over the way they may have chosen to live before. These stories are compelling. Whether you believe these reports or not, you can benefit from attempting to gain the “Feeling of this Grace” as you experience these stories.

Whether you get these stories first hand by speaking with someone who has had a NDE or read the accounts in the many books on this topic, it is important to try to remember your own Divine Spiritual experience and possibly bring the knowing of the State of Grace back with you to offer you perspective as you live out your remaining days.

My parents were role models with two very different approaches. My mother lived without fear of death and dying. She had adventures in life because she was not afraid to live… most fully. My father got fearful the older he got. He disliked change or traveling or eating new foods because he feared the adventures in life. I chose to be more like my mother and love the adventures, and accept the challenges that these might bring. You have a choice in how you want to live your life. You will have to come to grips with the experience of your last transition and, for many people, some consideration regarding dying adds interesting dimensions to how you live…

Our community of consciousness seekers, Masters of the Journey, offers connection to a community where topics like these are shared and resources offered to you. You may want to consider coming in person or engaging in one of our video conferences on a topic you may know about, and can offer your wisdom, or one where you can come and experience the wisdom and experiences from other people like you. This is NOT a religion but it is a way to connect to a supportive community.

Our Online Spiritual Community - Masters of the Journey

DO YOU WANT TO BE “RIGHT” OR DO YOU WANT TO BE HAPPY?

This discussion has been going on for a long time. Do you have the burning need to be “Right” even with the possibility that you may create difficulties? May people will choose Happiness. The desire to be Happy outways the NEED to be Right. This does not mean that you can not “get your way” or sacrifice your beliefs and deeper values. It means that you do not ALWAYS have to get the “Last Word” in a disagreement. Gently make your point but do not demand that you are the Winner. (As I write this I realize that Winner and Whiner seems similar as they roll off my tongue…) You can have your “Beliefs” without Demanding full acceptance by everyone in the room, or even the world… (Because you ain’t gonna get that anyway…)

Judgements also get in the way! Relationships with deeply held “Judgements” are not often relationships that breed long term happiness. Judging other people, their words, their activities, their lifestyle, their beliefs, even their “Looks” can get in the way of deeper connections which can be beneficial, for perspective, if nothing else. Sitting in Judgement separates you. You may feel superior or “Right” but there is ALWAYS another point of view! Be careful when you Judge. At the very least, know when you are “Judging” another person so you can learn from your limitation. (Your limiting view of the world…)

To be Happy is to share your joy! Try to love unconditionally. Try to accept without qualification. For acceptance connects people and differing opinions in a way where there views can become tools for learning and growth. Be “Right” by finding the emotional, mental, and spiritual space to allow for differences.

This is NOT easy and requires compromise in the decision making process. BUT, being too polarized and too “Black and White” is a Judgement that will get in your way to finding deeper peace and a Happy Life.

Blessings and Namaste my Friend.

Masters of the Journey is a worldwide community which supports all people on their spiritual quest with the belief that we are all Masters with wisdom and experiences to share… Join us online or in person. Connect with our Non-religious community and share resources with our members.

Masters of the Journey Online Spiritual Community - http://www.mastersofthejourney.com/

SPIRITUALITY FOR MILLENNIALS AND GENERATION X

Millennials: a person reaching young adulthood around the year 2000; a Generation Y’er. Born from mid 1980’s and later. Generation X born from Mid-1960’s to Mid 1980.

These are the generations growing up in the “Information Age.” Often very tuned to technology and communication through Internet and Electronic Devices. Where generations prior played imaginary games and acted out roles like: “Cowboys and Indians” or “War-GI Joe’s” or Played with Dolls, these two more recent generations have Multi-channel Television, Graphic Movies, and Interactive Computer Based Gaming, Smartphone technology, and Internet Based Social Media which earlier generations did not have.

The “Gamers” play violent, realistic combat games which include dying over and over until they can learn from the game and move on into the next level, until the game is “Mastered.” To be a great “gamer” requires: concentration/focus, patience, persistence, competitiveness, and problem solving. This dedication, good hand- eye coordination (and quick reactions), and focused time, allows for long term success. Gamers are used to dying over and over again until they learn the lesson and move on in the game. They are rewarded for their dedication and successes. Frequently, these “Gamers” often lack social skills because time is spent with games and not real world interactions. Real world interaction has become abbreviated in life to “Text Messaging,” “Tweets,” and responses to Facebook or other Social Media Postings.

BabyBoomers are having issues with the evolution into Social Media interactions. If BabyBoomers are chasing Spirituality, they often fear dying over and over again. Their mortality is closer at hand and so their focus is different than Millennials. But, Millennials practice Dying over and over…??? At least in their games… And, accept death as an opportunity to move on with their learning. With tongue in cheek I ask, are Millennials more spiritual and do they have much to offer the BabyBoomers???

Millennials can be more focused in the present when they are gaming… They do not mind dying… They concentrate… They are patience and dedicated to their learning… They do not speak but interact in very abbreviated ways… Are they from other Star Systems and Masters of inner Knowing? Time will tell…

Another trait common in the Millennial/Gen X culture is the use of an ancient spiritual ritual which is a test of endurance and faith. It is the process of tattooing and body piercing. Ancient civilizations created similar processes as a “right of passage” into both adulthood and for spirituality. Today’s culture wears their art and political orientation on their skin. Though seemingly superficial, this process requires commitment and “presence.” The discomfort one experiences as they move through the tattooing process is a learning opportunity and demonstrates their strong personal belief that “body art” is a form of expression which can be linked to awareness and changing consciousness. It creates a uniqueness which has been chosen and can become a lesson in spiritual development… Time will tell whether this generation and cultural “fashion statement” actually leads to a deeper level of awareness and consciousness. Though this cultural trend is relatively recent, in the coming decades it will allow for continued acceptance of living with these personal expressions created in our present time. (If nothing else, lessons in acceptance and taking responsibility for these conscious choices will be important experiences for these generations.)

The downside to the Millennials and Gen X’ers is their reduced need to socialize through face to face deeper interpersonal processing. Sure they gather for the party or the work function or the political action but do they gather as a “tribe” to share stories and learn from the generations which have gone before them? Do they respect the wisdom of experience and want to learn from the trial and errors of the other generations of spiritual seekers? Do they have the commitment or patience to learn through “subjective” emotional experience instead of the the video game visual feedback? Do they fully realize that they will be the leaders and role models for the future and must learn to reach backward to assist those who are the pilgrims who will follow them???

How will the experience and quest for spiritual growth be enhanced (at least sped up) by our Millennials and Gen X’ers? Time will tell but “apps” and “games” will possibly become part of the modern day process toward enlightenment. AND, we certainly need better and faster ways to achieve spiritual consciousness.

The Masters of the Journey community is searching for leaders from the the Millennial and Generation X generations to help build bridges to other wisdom seekers and to build much needed programs for consciousness development.

Check out our online Spiritual Community @ http://www.mastersofthejourney.com/

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS!

Have you ever heard that expression, “Count Your Blessings?” Why would someone say this to you? What is the purpose for looking for the “Positives” in the life you are here to live? For many people, it is easier to look for the problems and the negative interactions and perhaps even play a “Victim” to these challenges. But does looking for and living within the “negative” give you the joy that can be found in this world?

What do YOU give thanks for in the world? Even the most brutal lessons can be honored as important opportunities to learn from, even if the learning is what NOT to do. Personally, I have learned more from my mistakes and my painful relationships than I have learned from when my life was most easy and successful. The 8 years I lived with my wife’s terminal cancer I would not wish upon anyone and yet these were some of the most important years for learning in my life. The lessons of empathy and compassion were so valuable. The fear and the sharing within our many crisis’ was such a powerful tool for learning about the human dilemma. The closeness that we grew into, with the love at a level tested by trauma, was an amazing and important experience for me. AND, from all of this learning, I find that I have wisdom and gifts to share.

So, look for the difficult experiences as well as the joys when you look for the many blessings that YOU have been granted. Do not keep these a secret. Share them! Challenge others to appreciate being more fully “Present.” Bask in the drama that is your lessons of this life. Do not hesitate to reach out for other people. Allow them to support you AND reach out to share your love and support with them. Find compassion and caring. Find the perfection of the divine spirit within every soul you encounter, even the ones who trigger your fear, anger/frustration, and your defenses. Each encounter is there for a reason. Each encounter is there for your learning.

Blessings to you! Love and appreciate each moment and share your love and wisdom whenever you can.

If you are looking for support and resources to focus upon your spiritual growth and development, consider the Masters of the Journey community. YOU are a Blessing! You have a Purpose! The Universe would have a huge hole in it if you did not exist… With Love – Namaste!

Check us out online @ http://www.mastersofthejourney.com/