Powerful Principles of Personal Growth

The True Definition of Faith

A while ago I wrote an article titled "Faith is Not Blind", wherein I stated that there is no such thing as blind faith. While I stand firm on the context in which I explained my thought process, I feel like there was something missed in that article – the True Definition of Faith.

The goal then of this article is to provide a simple outline of what faith truly is and how it works. This way, no matter how it is phrased or said, you will have a crystal clear picture of how it operates in our lives every day.

Let's Define Faith

The first thing to understand is that faith is not a physical thing; it is spiritual. It is an attitude; a state of being in the mind. Faith is not just about our religious experience but rather the DNA of our belief system. Those who have great faith always accomplish more than those who lack faith especially in oneself.

Why is this important?

This is important because in understanding the true definition of faith, we must recognize that simply believing in something does not completely define true faith. To put it simply you must believe period.

In a nutshell, Faith defined is your belief that you know that you know that what you believe IS and therefore unshakable.

I know… a bit tough to grasp. Let's see if we can crystallize for you the application of true faith.

The Principle of Faith

As with all principles – faith is unbiased and unchanging in its function. This means that we are the directors of how faith is applied to our lives. The life's blood of faith must flow from the vessel cultivating it. Just as a match can provide light during darkness or destroy a house; it is so with faith – it depends on who is controlling the vessel.

Let's dig deeper to get a clearer picture…

Negative Faith

Negative faith or misplaced faith emerges when we believe that there is another universal power other than GOOD. To think that one person's prayers are answered and another's ignored is to believe that the universal power that binds us all is one of bias…utterly ridiculous.

I mean, regardless of how you refer to the higher power in which you believe – I am certain you will find that no one believes there is any evil or negativity associated with such a power.

That being true – how then could there be anything but the existence of anything evil when the higher power is Omnipresent and Omnipotent? It's simple then…

Only negative faith – our misplaced faith could cause us to suffer and spread any misery. Simply put, it creates a major conflict in state of mind and being when your belief system is that there is the universal GOODNESS of God and also the universal EVIL of the devil. This means that you believe there is BAD in the world. This is negative faith.

Now, I am not naïve – certainly bad things happen all the time; however, it is not because evil exists, it is because the awareness of good and the leadership to adhere to it is lacking. Thus, where bad things happen, you will find a negative faith – the belief that EVIL exists and manifests on its own.

The truth is that GOOD and EVIL can only come about as a result of our state of mind and being… our level of faith.

Let's look at the flip side…

Positive Faith

Positive faith or rightly placed faith emerges when we believe that there is only one universal power without opposition. When we not only believe but know that we know that there is one universal mind, body and soul from which all thoughts, things and results flow – this is positive faith.

The true definition of faith is to affirm the universal GOODNESS and dispel any thoughts to the opposite. In other words, to overcome all the negativity in the world is to have positive faith.

The main roadblock for most when it comes to this concept is that they do not understand it and therefore find it difficult to believe. It has long been taught that there are opposing forces in the world because of the physical manifestation of man's actions.

This is why it is so imperative to understand and furthermore KNOW that all physical manifestations are born from the spirit of man. The universe only knows to do as we command it and therefore our thoughts and beliefs drive the universes physical manifestations.

The bottom line is that our thoughts and beliefs create the results we achieve.

Now, if you can believe that, imagine what the world would be like if we all also understood, believed and knew that the universal power that binds us all is only GOOD. There is no BAD but that which we create through our negative faith. It is through positive faith that we see the GOOD in our physical manifestations.

Let's look at prayer as an example…

Regardless of how you do it, if you pray with doubt, the results you achieve will be doubtful. Why is it that some prayers seem to be answered and others not? Do you really believe that the all-knowing power in the universe sits on a judge's bench and arbitrarily decides which prayers to answer and which ones not to?

Of course not!

The person who prays with conviction and confidence knowing that he/she has already receive the gifts of prayer will always see his/her goals manifest physically. So then, the opposite is also true; the person who prays with doubt and lack of confidence hoping that he/she receives what is requested may not always see his/her goals manifest physically.

Positive faith means that all good is a foregone conclusion and all that is left to see it manifest is to act in accordance with your faith knowing that the universal power that binds us all will create that which was commanded through faith.

The Application of Faith

There have been many instances in history where strong faith was credited for miraculous events. It cannot be disputed that where faith is strong great things happen.

The application of faith is simple; however, not as easily applied because most of us have been so conditioned to believe that it is limited. In order to apply faith to your life fully, it is crucial that you understand that faith is limitless. Through faith anything is possible and no boundaries exist.

All things are done unto you as you believe – ALL THINGS. This does not mean that we control other people's choices; however, it does mean that we are in control of how we respond to them… a full explanation of this concept is in another article I wrote here.

The true definition of faith says that if we ask, it shall be given to us. What this really means is that our state of being determines what the universe creates for us in the physical. All our needs and desires already exists in the spiritual, we only need demand it through our faith – and belief that the universe will procure it – and it shall be so.

Spiritual matter is all around us waiting to take form as soon as we command it to do so. If you can have positive faith in yourself, in your fellowmen and in the universe, you will see that ALL IS GOOD. This is the way to apply faith.

Faith by Design

Since faith is a principle built upon by belief it is important to understand that we are in control of our convictions. If we can become truly convinced that all that we need is available, then it shall be so.

I know… it sounds too simple BUT – it is true.

Mostly, the problem with this is that the concept of faith is either totally misunderstood or just too hard to believe in its simplicity. Either way, it produces negative and misplaced faith which in turn produces negative and misplaced results.

Faith by design means that we must endeavor to know that we know that all is good; that the universe will procure that which we command without question. He who believes that his prayer will automatically be answered receives as such because he walks in true faith.

When there exists in your mind no contradictions to your faith and you are convinced of its limitless power, then you will see the equivalent manifest in the physical. Faith by Design is no different from Growth by Design – it is a choice – YOUR CHOICE!

Pure faith is spiritual conviction; it means you embody an idea, a concept that is unshakable in its function and application. It is the way of your belief which fuels your faith. Essentially, to believe in any contradiction to your faith is to say that your faith can exist in opposition of itself. This simply cannot be.

The universe cannot oppose itself; this is the reason why all is good – all is available and only through our awareness of and belief that it will procure all our needs will it do so. This is the true definition of faith.

Pure Faith

Since the highest mental attitude of faith is often found in the religious setting, it is important to note that this is also where most often faith is limited. The reason is because more often than not, at least in my experience, the application of religion conditions its followers to believe that they are LESS than the higher power to which they pray.

Pure faith is exactly the opposite; it says that you are the higher power – we are all a part of the universal force that binds us all. This means that we all possess within us the incarnate spirit with the limitless power to create a world of our choosing.

When we believe that we are LESS, we make excuses for not behaving alike the same universal power that we acknowledge. In pure faith you understand and know that the universal truth is no different from the individual truth which is that our state of existence is our doing. If there were any contradictions to this then the universe would destroy itself because it cannot exist in opposition to itself nor can we.

Pure Faith then means that what you receive is not what is given to you but ONLY that which you are aware of, believe and have faith that you can have. In essence we give ourselves everything that we get – we only have to have faith and it shall be so. This is why you have to be careful what you wish for – because you have negative faith and think the worst all the time – that is all you will give yourself.

I truly hope that this article has given you a better understanding of the true definition of faith and that it helps you to achieve your goals.

 

 

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The Whole Person Concept

Too often, we forget that a person is made up of more stuff that we show gratitude and appreciation for. I have never known the days when it was standard to look at each person as a Whole Person.

That might sound a bit odd – BUT – think about it a moment…

How do you view the people in your life? Can you honestly say you see them as a whole or do you just look at and relate to them in part?

The world's greatest resource is people and to view them any less than as a whole is truly a disservice to them and you. This article focuses on the "Whole Person Concept." Essentially, it means truly viewing each person to whom you are connected in completeness.

The more you can see, understand, appreciate and show gratitude for all that a person is, the better the results you will achieve in your personal growth. Furthermore, the more you truly see a person for all that they are, the greater value you are able to add to their lives. Basically, the Whole Person Concept is a sure way to fuel motivation, empowerment, hope and ultimately true success.

The Whole Person Concept says that a person is made up of 4 quadrants – body, mind, heart and spirit. Truly successful individuals understand the importance of growing positively in all these areas. None of these are neglected in the equation because the health of each determines how high you will climb. To the degree that you can nurture and develop the 4 quadrants of you and also in others, the results you and they achieve will mirror alike.

For instance, I could, and I have, ask 100 people in a room "How many believe that the individuals that work for your organization possess more talent, more creativity and more passion than your current job requires or even allows?" Almost 100% of the time more than 90% of the people in that room raise their hands.

Now I don't know about you but to me that is a crying shame – utterly despicable. Why would any company want to hire a half a person or only part of a person? It makes perfect sense why we continue to see declines in productivity and efficiency. No one is truly valued and therefore remain unmotivated and unfulfilled. This is a recipe for lackluster results to say the least.

The Whole Person Concept requires that you tap into all 4 parts of the human make-up; body, mind, heart and spirit.

The Body

The body represents health, goods and services – it is where we meet our physical needs. Taking care of the body is crucial to your personal growth and success simply because we live in a physical world. Without a healthy body, one becomes lethargic, lazy and unmotivated.

As it relates to body, it is also important to understand the underlying symbol such as goods and services. If your goods and services are below standard, have little value and meet the needs of no one – they are useless. In other words, taking care of the body does not just mean your physical body; but also that of your work as well as your goods and services. These are also elements of the body.

Companies that put in place a strategic focus on health, work-life balance and the importance of a healthier lifestyle continue to see increases year after year in productivity, efficiency and overall morale. No matter what else is going on in the economy, when the needs of the body are met, increases in almost every area is automatic.

This is the reason it is so important not only to nurture and develop the body in positive ways but also to help others do the same.

The Mind

So often we fail to treat people like people and instead treat them more like machines. This is a prevalent condition in the corporate world. In fact, I find it absolutely ludicrous that in this day and age, you still find machines on the asset side of the balance sheet while people remain on the liability side of the balance sheet.

The truth is that it is extremely imperative for growth that we focus on tapping into and building the minds of others. Too often, people's true gifts and talents are overlooked because someone is following what it meant to be a guide as if it's the end all be all of knowledge.

The Whole Person Concept demands that you seek to grow your mind and tap into the minds of others. Find out what other people are truly good at and then help them to cultivate that in an effort to create and distribute value to others in unique ways.

So many times when you hear people complain about work, you hear about what the company is doing wrong and how no one listens to them. This is the cry of more than 90% of all employees working everywhere. This to me is a travesty.

Instead of telling people how to do something, simply relay the results you are trying to achieve and then turn them loose to find the best ways to accomplish the task. Give them the mission, make sure that they buy in and then refrain from policing their methods in how they achieve the goal.

I guarantee that the more you can do this for yourself and others, the greater the results you will achieve. A major reason for this is that people will more quickly commit to and promote what they help to create.

Remember that in the mind lives your true gifts and talents and through the body you can bring these to life. Any limitations on this will limit your personal growth and the results you achieve.

The Heart

The heart is where your true passion lives; it is where your innermost desires are born. Countless people go about their lives every day wishing for the moment when they will get the opportunity to truly do what they are passionate about.

In my experience, it does you no good to wait around for the opportunity to come to you – go forth and create it. Too many times, companies and people forget to find out what really drives others. It is important to know what makes people get out of bed in the morning – what people would do whether they got paid or not.

Think about it…

If money were no object, what would you be doing with your time? Are you doing that right now?

I am almost certain that most people would have to answer No to the second question. The sad fact is that 99% of people do not spend the bulk of their time doing what they are truly passionate about – what they truly love to do. Companies focus even less on tapping into this part of a person. They seem to function on the premise that as long as their ends are achieved, all is good. All the while though, frustration, depression and ultimately turnover begins to plague that organization. Companies with smart leadership do the opposite and see tremendous success because of it.

Even when people stay on the job, it is often just because they need a paycheck – a portion of which they spend deriving their fulfillment off the job.

In order to bring out the true greatness in others, focus on helping them to realize and develop their true passion. Passionate people always deliver better results. When you feel passionate about what you are doing, motivation, hope and empowerment all become second nature. This is a recipe for greatness.

When you are able to match people's gifts and talents with what they are passionate about, the possibilities become limitless in the success you can achieve.

The Spirit

In order to make significant strides in your personal growth and help others to grow, it is vital that you nurture and grow the spirit. The spirit is where your conscience lives – this is your inner compass. Your core values and beliefs are formed here. This is the helm from which you direct the other 3 quadrants.

The spirit tells you whether or not what you are doing is right. It validates your choices; either they are aligned with your true beliefs or they are not. When we make choices that are directed by our spirit, the results we achieve will most certainly be greater by leaps and bounds.

Just to be clear, the spirit does not necessarily have anything to do with your religious beliefs. It is more about making choices that come from your inner blueprint – the mantra by which you live your life. The spirit is where you decipher whether or not through your passion, your true gifts and talents and your service – you are truly creating and distributing value to others. The spirit is at the nucleus of body, mind and heart. Working together, they are more powerful than most can imagine.

The Whole Person

You can never truly see a person unless you can appreciate and show gratitude for all 4 quadrants of that person. True greatness comes from building all 4 – making them strong. To achieve significant strides in your personal growth, it is imperative that you understand this concept and endeavor to develop each of the 4 quadrants in yourself. Once you begin to do that, helping others to achieve the same will become a habit.

Too often parts of us sit on the sidelines waiting for the coach to put us in the game. I say stop waiting – get off the sidelines and just get in the game. The only person stopping you is you.

 

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Faith Is Not Blind

Contrary to popular belief, there is no such thing as "blind faith."

Let's let that sink in a bit… ok – ready?

Most, if not all, of us have heard this term at one point or another. It is most often used in religious settings when referring to the Almighty – the Supreme Being – the Creator. Essentially, the idea of blind faith is to believe in something that you are told exists, yet perhaps not totally aware of. Furthermore, when operating in blind faith, the goal is to believe without questioning why.

Of course, being conditioned not to ever question "why" is the surest way to spread the ravenous disease known as "Unconscious Incompetence."

Unconscious Incompetence is the base level of awareness that sadly plagues the vast majority of us in insurmountable ways. Basically, it means that not only aren't you aware of yourself or your surroundings, you are oblivious to any solutions to the disease with which you have been stricken.

I know… it doesn't sound pleasant – does it?

The good news is that there is a SIMPLE cure for this disease and it starts with understanding that there is no such thing as "blind faith."

In fact, the truth is that most people who talk of blind faith are in the business of controlling the minds of others through fear and wonder. Whether they are aware of it or not is the only portion up for question; however, this is essentially what they are attempting to do when they impose upon you the charge to be ok with remaining dumb, unseen and unheard.

I don't mean to sound harsh on the concept of blind faith; however, it is imperative that you understand where I am coming from in order to receive the greatest benefit from what I am about to say in the next paragraphs.

Real change demands questions

No real change or great benefit and impact ever came about without someone first asking questions. In fact, part of our unique purpose includes consistently seeking ways to be better and make others better through our actions. This requires that we question the status quo.

Those who ask questions are seekers of knowledge and agents of change; those who do not are enforcers of ignorance and agents of stagnation.

My dad use to always say, "Observe the masses and do the opposite." I didn't realize what he was trying to tell me then in my youth; however, I have come to understand and believe in this quote. The fact is that most real change occurs when the few question the many; when the minority stand against the majority; when right is overwhelmed by wrong.

One man standing on his core values and beliefs is far better than a thousand standing on someone else's.

This is why real change demands questions. In order for us to share with the world our best selves, we must know why we are doing what we are doing; why we think the way we think. This is the only way to know what is truly important to you and the person you want to be.

Ignorance is not bliss

Ignorance only feels good in the moment; however, when the consequences begin to take toll, ignorance becomes far more painful. For many, the price is often unbearable and even sadder, most often, people are not even aware of why this pain exists in their lives.

This is because ignorance is not bliss; it can be rather painful and also do almost irreparable damage. Being unaware of yourself and those around you not only robs you of your true nature but also robs the world of your unique greatness. It is in all of us; we are all meant to do great things – we each have a unique and powerful purpose. Sadly, most of us will never realize this potential and it is mostly caused by ignorance.

Choosing to remain unaware and live in ignorance is the same as making the choice to deny your true self and worse, the entire world of your true greatness. Think about this the next time you even have the faintest thought to believe or utter the words ignorance is bliss.

Principles determine consequence

While we determine our own fates through the choices that we make; principles determine all consequence we endure. Whether we are aware of it or not or believe it or not, principles govern the level of pain or pleasure that we feel.

Certainly, our choices govern the results we ultimately achieve BUT principles govern how we reap. Essentially, the principle of choice and results say we reap what we sow; what we put out comes back to us ten and even a thousand times over. Once you understand principles and the fact that they operate in our lives unyieldingly, unbiased and unwavering, you will truly understand why blind faith does not really exist.

Principles are like "true north"; no matter where you think north is, it won't change the true direction of north. It's not something that we can vote on or solicit opinions on; north is SIMPLY north.

When we make choices grounded in correct principle – abiding by natural law – the consequences we reap will most assuredly be good. Of course, the exact opposite is also true. When we make choices that are not grounded in correct principle – that do not abide by natural law – the consequences we reap will be ill.

The important thing to understand here is that it doesn't matter what we believe; principles exist and operate impartially in our lives every single day. These are universal laws that affect each and every one of us; they govern the consequences we endure which are based on the choices we make.

Faith is a principle

It is important to understand that faith is a principle. The principle of faith essentially says that belief and confidence in and your level of conviction about something are what fuel your actions in being devout.

Here's the thing though…

If what you have faith in is grounded in correct principle, then the consequences you reap through your devotion to it will most certainly be good. Of course, the exact opposite is also true. If you choose to have faith in something that is not grounded in correct principle, then the consequences you reap will most certainly be ill.

It doesn't matter whether or not you are aware of the nature of what you believe in – if you choose to remain ignorant – the consequences will still be determined by principles.

This means that it is imperative that you always understand why you are doing what you are doing. This does not mean that you necessarily have to see something with your own eyes to believe it exists; however, it does mean that you must understand why you believe it.

Asking what things mean is not only important but also crucial to understanding who you are.

As it is faith is most often used in religious settings and this is where it tends to be most powerful and intense. It stands to reason then that it is in this realm where it is even more important to make choices that are grounded in correct principle.

In other words, saying that you believe in God and then participating in ungodly deeds such as control, manipulation and limitation does not adhere to universal law. No one has a monopoly on the truth.

Once you understand that faith is a principle; then you can begin to understand that the term "blind faith" is simply another way of saying just believe without knowing why. This is a choice to live in ignorance – to remain stricken with the disease of Unconscious Incompetence.

You see, faith is not blind – just often misdirected. The consequences of those people and things that you have faith in will come to past and will be determined by principles. It matters not that you believe it or are aware of it. It's going to happen anyway so just accept it.

If you cannot accept this, the road ahead will be difficult for you.

Fear and wonder

If you truly think about it; anyone that asks you to simply have blind faith is operating on ego. What he/she is basically saying is that they know something you don't; I am the chosen authority and I choose not to share the information because you are not capable of making your own choices to govern your life.

This is just another way to control others through fear and wonder. As one of my colleagues put it – many people have a "F.O.M.O." which means fear of missing out. Often times when a person or group of people wants to control others, they use this tactic to draw them in and then conjure up horrible consequences for non-compliance.

Those who hoard knowledge seek to control and spread tyranny; those who share knowledge seek to uplift and spread equality.

I won't ask you to believe what I have written in this article blindly – I invite you to ask questions and find your own path.

 

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My Personal Spiritual Journey

I was inspired to write this article for 3 reasons.

First, because I have been consciously evolving in a spiritual way for most of my life and this article is in part an evolution of my spirituality and also a way of helping me develop a deeper understanding of my journey.

Second, because experience has taught me that spiritual growth often times can be a confusing and even arduous endeavor; gaining clarity is supremely important.

Third, my sincere hope is that my journey thus far helps you overcome any challenges you might be facing in your own spiritual pursuits. Although this entire article is about my spiritual journey, my goal as always when I write an article is that it creates value for you in some way.

This is a very personal topic and it is with sincere love and respect that I put fingers to keyboard to bring it to life. My hope is that you find value in the evolution of the message.

In the beginning…

I was raised to be a Christian. My parents have a deep and abiding belief in God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. In growing up, my parents obviously passed on the best of themselves to me and my siblings. Part of this was of course how they chose to pursue their spirituality – to achieve connection to the divine creator.

In this vein, I was taught to believe in God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. I went to church, read the King James Bible and prayed every day (Well almost every day… ). During my childhood up to my teens, You could say that by all accounts I was a Christian.

By the time I reached my mid teens though, I noticed that I started to struggle with my Christian beliefs. I became unsure of what I was truly supposed to believe and what it truly meant to me. At the time, it didn't seem like such a big deal – I mean I had girls to think about – oh yeah – and school too.

What was certain was that I was very unsure of where my spirituality was going – I wasn't even sure at the time whether or not I thought it was truly important. Still, I was still Christian, still attending church and still reading the bible and praying because I thought it was the right thing to do. For the first time in my spiritual journey, I was truly searching for my own answers.

What happened next…

Over the next few years through my experiences, I began to feel very differently. I started to look at religion and spirituality in a new way. I no longer saw the point of any religion – in fact, I thought that they were all powerful devices designed to control others through fear and wonder.

With this new found enlightenment, I became rebellious against organized religion and began to pursue the Atheist beliefs. Essentially, in my late teens up to my mid twenties, I truly believed that there was no God and certainly no such thing as heaven or hell. I believed that my thoughts were my own – derived through my own internal motivation and inspiration. I did not believe in any life after physical death.

Furthermore, I was sure that the body, mind, heart and spirit although connected were in fact just different pieces in the same puzzle. I thought that what affected one did not necessarily affect the other.

Some of these feelings and new found beliefs were brought on by some of the greed and controlling attitudes that I witnessed in the religious world. I saw a lot of disingenuous acts by so-called Christians that truly turned me off.

This evolution had taken me to what I now refer to as the dark side of my being where I believed in nothing. The only thing that mattered was the present and what I did to affect it. During this chapter of my life, it was all about me.

A new chapter…

Still, my spirit was not settled – I was still at war within over where I truly belonged in the spiritual sense. With all the things that we go through in life – this issue did not seem so important at the time and yet it was a big draw on my energy.

I spent a great deal of time trying to find some sense of direction – a sign of some kind that said hey – this is the way to true enlightenment. Although I did not make it a point of focus to search for such an outlet or vessel, my mind remained open to any possibility.

By this time in my life, I had also begun another journey – the pursuit of personal excellence. In so doing, I also began to share my experiences with others in an effort to help them improve their own personal growth. This new way of learning, growing and sharing seemed to come very natural to me. I began to feel truly alive in ways I hadn't experienced before.

It was through this vessel that I came upon my next spiritual evolution. I was introduced to the Palo way of life. Palo, which comes out of the African Congo, is a way of life that says that we are all connected. This way of life advocates calling upon one's ancestral spirits to provide inspiration, guidance and enlightenment. In so doing, we channel this energy to improve our lives and the lives of those you touch through what you do.

Being a part of Palo seemed to sit much better with my spiritual being. I was more in-tuned with myself – with who I am and much more aware of others and my surroundings. I began to respect all life and embrace differences. Through meditation, I was able to go into that part of myself that I admit had eluded me my whole life up until that point. The clarity in my choices that I experienced during this spiritual evolution was amazing.

The personal growth I experienced as a Palero was incredible; I can hardly describe the tremendous energy I felt every day at this point in my life.

What truly appealed to me was the concept that the body, mind, heart and spirit are one; that when these four quadrants are in alignment, true greatness occurs. As I continued to grow personally and help others to do the same, I truly began to feel the power of the universal force that binds us all working through me.

It was also during this part of my spiritual journey that I began to truly believe that I am a part of everything and that everything is a part of me. I began to understand that the universal force – the divine – was working through all of us as one even though we functioned separately. I realized that the only thing that can block our true greatness is in fact us.

As tremendous an impact that Palo has had on my personal growth and spiritual development, it too started to tug at me. As I continued to evolve personally and spiritually, there were some things about the Palo way of life that began to fall out of alignment with my core values – my inner compass. As I became more connected with who I truly am as well as more connected with others, the Palo doctrines no longer seemed to be the perfect fit. It became more like trying to stick a round peg into a square hole.

This was initially very confusing for me; however, through the great examples of my mentors and seeking true understanding, I was able to come to terms with what was happening to me.

Coming of age…

After I separated myself from the Palo way of life, a new evolution began in my spiritual growth. I read as much as I could and learned as much as I could in an effort to become even more keenly self-aware.

It had taken some time – up to my early thirties, but I finally realized what I had been searching for all along. You see, up until this point, I was always looking outward for the answers to my spiritual growth instead of looking where I needed to look in the first place – inward.

In looking within, I discovered some key things which changed my entire perspective on spirituality and gave me true direction and purpose.

My true purpose in life is to help others recognize and appreciate their true gifts and talents so that they can achieve their dreams and goals. I wrote my mission statement specifically to embody this vision.

What I discovered was that we are all here to serve each other in one way or another. Our true purpose is to create and distribute value to others through what we do. It doesn't matter so much what you do – only that you derive true fulfillment from it and that others benefit from your work.

With this in mind, and looking inward, I discovered that my core values, my true beliefs and my spiritual direction were in fact the same. In other words, I know that I am here on this physical plane to be of service; I also know that my true passion in life is the pursuit of excellence in myself and helping others find the same in themselves. I further believe that by aligning my body, mind, heart and spirit whereby my spirit is the guiding force behind my choices, I will achieve the greatest results in myself and others.

In this belief, each and every day that I am alive, I strive to be more aligned; to be more than I was yesterday and be more of a benefit in the lives of others. I endeavor to give without expectation and continue to learn new things each day.

The most incredible discovery of all at this point was that we are all in a state of constant evolution whether we are aware of it or not. To the degree that you are aware of this principle of evolution, your success in directing your power will mirror that degree.

With my own inner compass – my core values – as the guiding force in my life, I continue to feed the four quadrants of my being in the most positive ways. It's not always easy; however, it is simple once I commit to the follow through. As I continue to do this, I continue to grow in unimaginable ways that allow me to be more effective in achieving my goals and helping others to achieve theirs.

This does not mean that there is nothing else to learn from others. In fact, it is exactly the opposite. There is an unlimited amount of knowledge to gain from everyone and everything once you remain open to receiving the value in all things. This is the greatest gift of the universe; finding the value in all things. First you must believe that there is for only then will you be able to see it.

At this point in my spiritual journey, I was deeply humbled and fulfilled; not just because of where I was but even more so about where I was going. You see, my hope for the future became brighter and I truly began to believe in limitless possibilities.

I still cannot find words to explain why; however, this has been the most incredible feeling that I have ever experienced. Believing through and through, understanding and knowing in your heart of hearts that all things are possible is what fuels the never-ending circle of excellence.

No more labels…

It was through this self-discovery that I also realized what had been truly tugging at me each time I made a spiritual transition. It was the fact that each was labeled in some fashion. Each doctrine required that you give up certain things; do things a certain way or else. These infrastructures to me seemed more controlling and limiting than anything else – thus I was unable to accept them fully.

That being said, I have found something else that is truly fascinating.

Although I have not done in-depth studies on these, I have found it to be true of all major religious orders, ways of life and faiths. They are all built on these three principles:

First, that there is an existing power – energy – a universal force that is beyond our comprehension that connects us all. Whether we refer to this force as the Creator, God, Allah, Buddha, Yahweh or Tata Sambe doesn't really matter.

Second, that through our pursuit to become more connected to this source and lead others to it is where true happiness lies. The more connected we are the more success we see in all areas of our lives and the lives of others which effectively leads to greater happiness.

Third, that the more we live true to this awareness and do our very best through our choices and actions to bring others true happiness, the closer we get to this source – or as Christians say – the closer we get to God.

I truly believe in these three principles and I further believe that it doesn't matter how you pursue them so long as you do so for righteous reasons. Because of this, labels simply do not work for me in my spiritual pursuits. I believe that I have as much to learn from Christians as I do Buddhists. No one has a monopoly on the truth or in how we pursue our connection to the universal force that binds us all.

This belief of course is mine and it is personal; it has nothing to do with having you believe the same.

The truth is that whether you consider yourself a Christian, a Buddhist, a Jew, a Gentile, a Hindu, an Agnostic or you just consider yourself spiritual, no religious title will ever be as important as how you live your life.

As one unknown author puts it…

"There are limits to the time you have to live; however, there are no limits to how you live your time."

Regardless of what faith you choose to follow, the more important factor is that you endeavor to create and distribute value to others. Your choices and your actions must be grounded in correct principle – the natural laws of the universe in order for you to ascend spiritually.

So what do I know…

Everything and Nothing!

I know everything about what I believe to be true today and nothing about the evolution of tomorrow because I have not yet gone through it. This is to simply say that I know that I am in a state of constant evolution and that change is inevitable. This is the reason that it is so important to live from a principle center.

You see, it doesn't matter how much you know or how much things change, principles do not. They operate in the same manner – unbiased and unchanging no matter what. What I am saying is that there is no substitute for doing the right things.

As it relates to my (your) spiritual growth, so long as you truly believe in your heart of hearts that your actions are the right thing to do, you feed your spiritual growth in the most positive ways. Certainly when you do something that is not righteous, the consequences will be the same whether you are aware of it or not. The difference is that if you truly were unaware that your actions were negative and you live from a principle center, changing your direction will be an easy decision.

All of this in summary just means that spiritual growth takes place in many ways and comes in many forms. What I have learned is that you have to do what makes the most sense for you.

In other words, if being a Buddhist helps you put your best self forward in improving your life and the lives of others, by all means go with that. As long as your inner compass stays pointed on true north, you're good.

There truly is no wrong or right in any religion – only in the way we interpret their principles and live our lives. This means that it is not the label that grows your spirituality; it is what you give and what you do.

It is only when you are open to receive the wisdom and energy of that divine connection that connects us all – only then can you truly experience the power of the universal energy working through you.

And the saga continues…

My spiritual journey continues and will infinitely be in a state of constant evolution. The more I grow personally and the more aware I become, the more aligned I will be. Furthermore, I believe that we are all meant for greatness; we have only to truly believe it to manifest it.

Spiritually, I have never been clearer about how to pursue my spiritual growth. What works for me is a life without labels; I love to learn from everyone and everything. It is extremely important to me that I remain free of devices that alter my choices simply based on an organized doctrine. My choices are made from a center of principle – well most of the time anyway – after all I am no angel.

All I am simply saying is that when I am putting my best self forward, my aim is always to do the right thing. I allow my spirit – my conscience to guide my choices and actions. I operate in service to others and I truly seek to find the best in all situations.

Whether you believe it or not, I am connected to you and you are connected to me; we are all connected to each other. To me that means that the more I elevate my consciousness and help others to elevate theirs in my own way, the more connected we become and the closer we are to that universal force that binds us all.

In a nutshell, while my spiritual journey will continuously evolve, the principles by which I pursue my spirituality and my life will remain the same.

FAQ…

Ok, so I can imagine if you've read this far, you probably have a few bubbling questions. At least, I know I would after reading this.

Well, you can always drop me a note if you want to know more.

In the meantime, I've anticipated that the following questions may be some of the more burning ones that are begging for answers. I will attempt to answer them right here right now.

Q: Do you believe in God and the Devil?

A: Yes; however, perhaps not in the same way most might. I believe that the universal force (God) that binds us all lives in all of us and to the degree that we believe and are aware of this, the more connected we become.

It stands to reason then that I believe that there is a universal force that can separate us (Devil); therefore, the less we believe and the less aware we are, the more disconnected we become.

To me, God and the Devil is how we collectively choose to channel the universal force that binds us all. I do not believe that God and the Devil are one and separate beings from one another but rather two sides of the same force that is connected to everyone and everything.

Q: Do you believe in Heaven and Hell?

A: Again, yes; however, probably not in the traditional sense. Heaven and Hell I believe are created by the choices we make right here and right now. I do not believe that these are separate places where we go when we die but rather the realities that we create while we live.

Heaven then would be represented by true happiness and hell by utter despair and sadness. I believe that if you choose to pursue excellence and endeavor to create and distribute value to others in a way that truly fulfills and enriches your life and the lives of others that you will effectively create your heaven.

In that vein, I believe that the opposite is true for creating your own hell. If you only pursue the worst in yourself, create and distribute no value for others and continue to live an empty unfulfilling life, you will effectively create your hell.

Essentially, I do not believe that heaven and hell are physical places but rather states of being.

Q: What do you believe happens when we die?

A: I DON'T KNOW! Truthfully, I could never even formulate an answer for this because until it happens or someone who has died tells you, I don't think you can know.

But, the question is what do I believe happens… right? Well, I believe that we simply go back to being a part of that universal force that binds us all – just in a different form. This is because I also believe that this physical life is only one state of being and that everything is first spiritual before it is physical.

I truly hope that this article has helped you in some way in your own spiritual journey. If you have any more questions, please feel free to contact me.

Happy evolving!

 

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When It All Falls Down

Often times when we have recurring unpleasant instances in our lives, it is usually easier to blame others and/or circumstances for our plight. Sometimes it doesn’t even matter that we know it’s not true, we continue to repeat the same patterns and expect different results.

I have counseled and talked with so many individuals who fall victim to this type of thinking over and over again. While there are many habits, techniques and success principles you can learn, discover and adapt to achieve your goals, it’s not always easy to see what is corroding your path.

The focus of my blog is about making the conscious choice to take responsibility for your own personal growth so that you can achieve your dreams and goals. With that in mind, you will find many articles that speak to many different aspects of personal growth and how you can profoundly and positively impact your life.

What is often missing and/or missed though is the realization of the types of occurrences that corrode our lives and the world at large.

By no means am I attempting to be self-righteous; however, I heard something recently that I must share with you. It goes to the core of what it means to truly have significance – make a difference and contribute to the world.

Ok, back to earth before I go on…

Mahatma Gandhi is certainly one of the most influential individuals that ever lived. He is responsible for the ushering in of an independent Indian nation in 1947. Gandhi said and did many great things in his life; however, there is one expression of principles he shared that I feel compelled to share with you.

Essentially, Gandhi believed that when the following 6 states exist, a society, a nation and even a person will break down. After hearing what he shared in these 6 states, I must say that I too agree. Of course, all the states may not exist in your life at the same time; however, it is important to understand how they might apply to your life.

Following are 6 states that when existing individually or in combination can cause significant break down in society, a nation and in an individual.

1.   Wealth without Work

There is of course nothing wrong with wealth; however, how it is acquired makes a big difference. In virtually every case, you will find that wealth that is not earned is either squandered or used for ill and selfish reasons.

When you acquire wealth for which you put in no work, your level of appreciation is almost non-existent. Especially for those who inherit great wealth, it is important to understand the meaning of work. To have things simply handed to you on a silver platter only creates a sense of entitlement and not empowerment.

The work in wealth is where you learn how to use that wealth to create and distribute value to the world. Without work, your wealth means nothing and will probably serve no one but yourself.

2.    Pleasure without Conscience

This is an easy one to fall victim to; I think that most of us have – I know I have. While there are degrees of selfish pleasure, the fact is that without conscience it becomes harmful fun.

Yes, I know it might be hard to swallow; however, it is undeniable. Any fun you have at the expense or pain of others is destructive. Some cases may be milder than others but nonetheless, it is a damaging act. Doing things just because they feel good regardless of injury to others can sometimes do irreparable harm.

It is far better to be true to whom you are, keep your word and have a clear conscience.

3.    Knowledge without Character

So much of what we put in to the measure of people is about formal authority even though the most important authority is moral authority. What good is what you know if you are not a person of good moral stature?

There is nothing wrong with knowledge; however, how you use it is crucial. If you are not using your knowledge to create value in the lives of others – to help others – to uplift, empower and encourage, then you are just an egomaniacal windbag.

I believe that a person’s character is far more important that his/her level of knowledge because if your intentions are anything other than good, knowledge only makes you dangerous. Knowledge is powerful and with great power comes great responsibility. Spider-man isn’t the only one who needs this lesson.

The fact is that people don’t care what you know until they know that you care. In order to truly care about others, you need to have strong moral character.

4.    Commerce without Morality

Most of us have probably seen this at some point in our lives. So much of the corrosion in business comes from people trying to get over on other people; cutting corners and trying to do as little as possible while expecting as much as possible.

Too often we have partners cheating partners or vendors cheating customers. Eventually what you get is the old cliché of “no honor among thieves.” How can there be honor where deception exists?

The pinnacle of excellence in commerce is not for one group to be rich and the other poor but rather for all to prosper. A friend once said to me that the world is not big enough to be ideal to which I replied “my friend, the truth is that man’s ideals are not big enough for the world.” There is more than enough to go around – we have only to create it.

5. Science without Humanity

We have had so many wonderful technological breakthroughs just in my lifetime alone; however, unless they are used for the betterment of humanity, they are indeed worthless. Science is not better than man; in fact, without man, science remains dormant. Isn’t it ironic that man can make such scientific progress and then allow their very achievements to be used in ways that destroy themselves?

I mean seriously, without humanity, science is just Dr. Frankenstein on steroids. Science serves no truly worthwhile purpose if it hurts humanity. It must be used in humane ways or else the very purpose of it is utterly defeated.

To understand this better, I offer this analogy:

The idea of cloning continues to be a controversial topic especially when you look at the reasons for desiring the practice. For instance, if you cloned a human being only for the sake of harvesting the organs to save another person’s life, that is inhumane. Once you’ve cloned someone, that clone becomes a living person with feelings and freedoms that we all enjoy.

On the other hand, if you simply cloned a heart so that you can implant it into someone who needed one, that is humane. No one died but someone can be saved. In my view, this would be science with humanity.

6.    Worship without Sacrifice

Whether it is your religion, your values or your way of life, if you aren’t willing to pay the price to maintain it – it means absolutely nothing.

There can be no true worship without sacrifice. By worship, it does not only refer to religious beliefs but also to your value system. No matter how much you claim to believe in or stand for something, if you falter at the first sign of adversity, you’re just living in a house of cards.

You have to be willing to stand on your beliefs – your values – your way of life even when you stand alone. True worship is in the sacrifices that you are willing to make because you believe deeply in its worth. The very definition of worship means devotion, respect and reverence. To fold when the going gets tough is to show disrespect and irreverence to what you claim to believe in and stand for.

Remember these 6 states now that you are aware of them and endeavor to make sure that they are not at play in your life. The results you achieve in your personal growth and success will be significantly increased the more you can minimize these occurrences.

From experience I can tell you that it is at the times that I have minimized these 6 states that I have seen the greatest success in my personal and business relationships. Conversely, it is at the times that I was not aware one or a combination of these was at play in my life that I have seen my most lack-luster failures.

Obviously no one is perfect; however, striving to minimize these occurrences in your life will undoubtedly bring about profound and positive changes in your personal growth and success.

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The Mirror Is All That Matters

Outside is looking in; the world’s eyes are open wide and flaring

The universe sits silent while I feel a plethora of lenses staring

Glaring at me, in me and through me

Fear creates thoughts that their judgments might move me

But whether you accept me or not is inconsequential

Because I know that accepting myself is all that’s essential

So regardless of opinions, innuendos and chatter

You know as well as I that the mirror is all that matters

Do your thoughts bid me life or do they bid me death

Are you grateful for my existence or do you smite me with every breath

If the world ended tomorrow, what would history say

Would it show me regretful that I didn’t live life my way

But whether you appreciate me or not is extraneous

Because I know that if I appreciate me, my value is instantaneous

So be I villain or hero, man or mouse, clown or mad hatter

You know as well as I that the mirror is all that matters

While I do what I do, the world gazes on in awe

Looking for cracks and holes just to magnify my flaws

Every action evaluated and every word dissected

Until hopelessness and cynicism soon is what’s perfected

But whether you approve of me or not is superfluous at best

So long as I approve of what I do and my values sit on my crest

I serve with love until I expire, principles as my backers

You know as well as I that the mirror is all that matters

 
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