Sharing a Few Thoughts on Spirituality and Beliefs (Updated)

Article Title: Sharing a Few Thoughts on Spirituality and Beliefs (Updated)
Author: Craig LocknKey words: Spirituality, Spiritual, Spiritual Growth, Jesus, Inspiration..
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Publishing Guidelines: This piece (as with all my articles) may be freely published, electronically or in print. . n *
In these writings I'm sharing some personal thoughts and beliefs, as well as those of some prominent writers and theologians. Gets one thinking, as it's a good time to reflect on the real meaning of Christamas. Hope it's not too "religious" for you.n *

Spirituality is not religion. It is something different (and more profound, deeper, I believe): A "connection with the Divine" (or what mystics often call “union with God". Life is a spiritual, not a religious jou
ey. (I think it was Wayne Dyer, who said: "We are all spiritual beings on an earthly jou
ey").
Or something like that!

Thus, as with your day-to-day existence, it is important to seek and find what suits you best to enhance your spiritual life. I believe the spiritual dimension is something we can all "tap into"... like 'a sixth sense', which gives each person 'superior wisdom' ("Infinite Wisdom from the Ultimate Source") in making decisions and choosing one's path in life. Solitude and stillness is conducive for this state of "being", in which our senses are "heightened". I find incredible clarity of thought in this quiet period.

What is known as Spirit is an indefinable aspect of human experience that is way beyond the reach of science. "Spiritual" people draw on another source of power that is shared by humanity. This realm of God and the spiritual world is way beyond our understanding; so I have no compulsion to find "definite answers" ...to try to make sense of the "incomprehensible". However, there is another dimension of life to every one of us - the spiritual dimension, or "God-consciousness" . Because we ALL have the power to CHOOSE our beliefs and operate on another, "higher intuitive" dimension (if we want to). My best and most appropriate definition of God is the Essence of Life and/or the Ultimate Source.
Which leads to some central beliefs of Christianity.. and. the universal message of Christ: His compassion and humanity. I believe a person can subscribe to Christ's teachings without necessarly believing (literally) that He is the 'Son of God'. (Did 'humble" Jesus actually use those words, or were they the words of his disciples, btw?). The God I see in Jesus of Nazareth is revealed in the personhood of everybody; so the highest aspiration is trying to enhance the personhood of every person who touches your life.

Jesus was the conduit, whereby the love of God was loosed to human history. His divinity transformed people with a new awareness, a new consciousness, a new way of LIVING and THINKING. I believe that Jesus genuinely believed himself to be a 'Son of God', divinely ordained with a specific mission, which he CHOSE to fulfill. So, though I don't label myself as a "goody-goody Christian" (don't believe in "labelling" or excluding people), I CHOOSE to believe in Jesus Christ and follow his teachings to connect to God, the 'Ground of all Being, the Essence of Existence'. That is the path that I've chosen for myself!n *
The divine meets the human perfectly in the life of Christ (as Jesus embodies all the qualities of God). Jesus was the Perfect Teacher. He truly believed that common people can become incredibly powerful beings. He knew without a shadow of doubt that ordinary people could become extraordinary people, if they could become possibility thinkers. You are what YOU believe yourself to be and God will never tell us to do something that is impossible to do.n *
The teachings of Christ were psychologically correct and violate no psychological laws. These teachings were original in concept and spirit. The "Maker of the human mind" possessed a wealth of wisdom in dealing with people's day-to-day, as well as their spiritual problems. He knew the deepest recesses of the human heart: "He knew what was in man."

And his other claims/statements...

"I am the good shepherd."n(John 10:11)

"I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved.n(John 10:9)

"I am the bread of life."n(John 6:35)

"I am the vine, you are the branches.
He who abides in me and I in him,nbears much fruit."n(John 15:5)

"I am the way, the truth and the life.
No one comes to the father, except through Me."n(John 14:6)

Note (and my comment): The God of Islam is never described or known as "Father", but in both Christianity and Judaism, God is known as "Father".

"I am the resurrection and the life.
He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live."n(John 11:25)

And that's why Jesus said that "narrow is the gate and difficult the way (road) that leads to life, which is why few find it".

As Jesus said: "You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free"...nand this truth (ete
al) lies WITHIN each one of us.

"Lord, show me the perso

You want to speak tonthrough my life today.
Touch where I most need touching today.
Let my life be a window for Your light to shine through nto everyone I may meet.
Shine Your brilliant light of hope and love to the world "

Amen nn(adapted from 'The Possibility Thinkers Bible' by Dr Robert H Schuller)

God, expand my spirit, broaden my horizons... and reveal to the world your living spirit of faith, hope and especially love.nncraig n
"The task ahead of you can always be overcome by the power withinnyou...and the often seemingly difficult or even "impassible") pathnahead of you is never as steep with the great spirit that liesnwithin you."

"Success to others may be apparent in what you DO; butnsignificance, meaning and purpose lies, then reveals itselfnin what you ARE and BECOME down the 'river of life' - hownand the spirit with which you face, then overcome the dailynobstacles, the frequent trials and tribulations along thenoften rocky path-way of life's magical and mysteriousnjou
ey. Light your path by shine your own bright light of hope and love to the world "n-craign
"Let the light of your BEING shine brightly; so revealing WhonYou Really Are. Be a Bringer of the Light, which emanatesnfrom our soul, God, our Creator, the Source, the Essence of Lifen(and Ground of our very Being).
Therefore, it can do more than illuminatenyour own path.YOUR spirit will help makes the lives ofnothers easier by illuminating others paths. For this lightnis our humanity, the spirit of God, truth, wisdom, beauty andnespecially love...and it lies within each one of us. Throughnyour actions and your being, let your light, YOUR spiritntruly shine brightly on the world, like the radiance emittednby a candle at midnight."n- Craig Lock (adapted from Neale Donald Walsh in
'Conversations with God Book 3').

To your health, prosperity, a sense of self-fulfillment and satisfaction in your work, peace and especially joy. All the best for 2008 and beyond

God bless you allnncraignnn nnnnn