Spiritual Growth Articles

“Expecting the world to treat you fairly because you are a good person is a little like expecting the bull not to attack you because you are a vegetarian.” Dennis Wholey Everyone has expectations. We expect people to treat us a certain way. As leaders we expect people to perform well and behave well. If you are a leader, it is your job to be powerful. If you're up to it, you have the potential to increase the well-being for yourself and for others by communicating clear expectations. Expectations are not demands.

How do you actually communicate with God? This question brings up another for me - is it anything like communicating with another person? Yes indeed. The skills we use for communicating with God are the same ones we use for communicating with each other. So what defines good, effective communication? Great communication is a two-way street right? I mean communication isn't too great if you're doing all the talking!

Sometimes insight comes from the strangest places.

It is all-visible to each 'presence' within our entire population; however the effect of each choice in the filter of their own consciousness is often one of the ‘hidden’ processes that take place, regardless of the exte al activity. These are processes that one internalizes and rarely offers in reflection to the group. Now that we have this collective database, we begin to realize the similarities in each individual contribution, as they are virtually the same in the evocation of feelings.

A friend of mine is currently going through a rough break-up. Her emotions are all over the place. She wants to move-on from her partner, but she is confused. Her ex is being nice to her lately, so she is thinking that she should take him back. She says she is seeing the person she fell in love with that she hasn’t seen in a long time. As an outside observer I can honestly say that these two have argued over the years since the first time I saw them together a decade ago. But my friend is wavering.

In church every second Sunday we hear part of this scripture passage as part of communio Sunday. The Lord asks that we take an honest look at ourselves to realize just who we really are, and how we really are. We should all take time to take an honest evaluation of ourselves to see what we ...

Young teens are getting married because they feel that they cannot do without each other. This is what is happening to many families lately and parents feel they have no choice but to go along with it. Teen are growing up very fast and they may not have the skills to make it happen. Becoming pregnant Some teens are having sex at an early age of 12 and are becoming pregnant and having kids. Imagine kids having kids and many of them are having difficulty in taking responsibility for raising their children they are depending on their parents to help with buying food, rent,

Sleep accomplishes much more than resting the physical body. The spirit within us never sleeps – we are sparks off the Divine Flame, does God ever sleep? No, and neither do the Angels. Our spirit inhabits our bodies like electrical wiring in a house. And while we sleep, no lights may be turned on, but that does not mean the current isn’t active. Dreams are often remembrances of the rich and wonderful spiritual life that we accomplish while our physical body sleeps. There are seven main categories that dreams fall into, and most of them achieve fantastic work.

Oprah recently featured Dr. Oz and several people with obsessive-compulsive disorders, or OCD’s, and their trip to “OCD Boot Camp,” where they spent 72-hours facing their fears and learning to overcome their programmed-responses to those fears and worries. In just 72-hours, ...

Do you ever find yourself arguing with your spouse, boss, co-worker, friend or family member about something that seems to have no solution? Of course, you see it one way and they see it another, and never the twine shall meet, it appears. To add to the predicament, you feel strongly that you’re right, and they are adamant that they are. To further add to the difficulty, figuring this out is important to both of you, while persuading the other to understand your side of it feels imperative.

So many personal development programs promise instant results, effortless changes, and huge personal shifts as a result of using their programs. Our culture, as a whole, tends to value the "quick fix" - even in industries as "evolved" as the spiritual or personal development space. A big part of it is likely linked to an almost instinctual need for instant gratification; it feels so comforting and relieving. In my experience using various self-help programs, the results often do come but rarely as quickly as promised, and rarely in the form I had originally hoped for.

The Healing Waterfall This should last at least for 1/2 an hour. Sit comfortably as in a position that you would use to normallynmeditate...and replacenyour meditation with this one. Relax, and imagine you are a beautiful waterfall. [Give yourself anfew moments for this] Now...repeat a few ...

WHAT IS A MIRACLE? - Unexplained medical healing?rn- Much needed money from an unknown source?rn- An answered prayer?rn- A significant coincidence?rn- Surviving a horrible accident?rn- Being saved by a surgeon?rn- Witnessing child birth?rn- Seeing the blessings within your curses?

As the title implies, A Course in Miracles is a teaching device. It teaches us what is real and what is unreal, and leads us to the direct experience of our own Inner Teacher.

From Joe Wolfe I founded the prison ministry known as Spirit Light Outreach. It’s primary function is to share and deliver Course related books to prisoners. For over six years now I’ve been sending prisoners copies of books, including copies of A Course in Miracles and material written by several well known teachers, like Jon Mundy, Gary Renard, Robert Perry and Ken Wapnick.

Does that sound extravagant right now - to luxuriate in your worthiness? With economic hardships everywhere we turn, indulgence of any kind may feel inappropriate to you. I can understand that. Still, I suggest that this may be precisely what will help to unbind you from the sensation of hardship, and initiate an improved flow toward abundance.

The Bibles says, “Beloved, I pray that you prosper and be in good health even as your soul prospers.” Many times our physical illness and ailments are directly related to our spiritual and emotional health. If we are living in fear, negativity, anger, resentment, or abnormal amounts of stress, this is going to affect not only our spiritual health, but our physical health as well. According some ministers and many alte ative health experts, many of the diseases prevalent in the world today, are said to have their roots in spiritual health and well-being.

Scorpios get a lot of bad press. They're vindictive, mean, and obsessed with sex. That's not really fair. Scorpio rules the house of sharing. They are the stewards of sharing money, resources, love, and yes sharing each other's bodies. It is their deepest most spiritual need to be ...

Feeling perfectly content to be so physically small in this great big space, I was sitting on the ground in what I have come to call the Temple of the Horse and though no other humans were there, I was far from alone. We were just watching the snow gently falling outside through the arched doorway that led from the arena to the forest. A spring snow is not at all uncommon in the mountains of North Carolina. It was so quiet that day, the air was fresh and it looked like a winter wonderland, cold enough for snow but not too cold to be outside.

There are topics that in accordance with its purity are extremes of the same condition. There are so opposed as day and night. The topic is submissiveness. In its most strict sense, it is commitment, loyalty, surrender. It is also the participation without self questioning. The submissive ...

I listened to an online discussion on evolutionary spirituality, evolving beyond the ego and spiritual evolution led by Craig Hamilton last month (April 2010). In a nutshell, Hamilton's message was that the ego (which he defined as the part of the self susceptible to collective conditioning) would rather stay comfortable than to take a chance on living a transformed life. The key to this problem, Hamilton said, was to evolve beyond the ego. This article is the third in a series of three and evaluates the four steps Hamilton formulated for evolving beyond the ego.

This is an age-old question that has been asked for decades and more. According to one woman’s opinion, Dana Perch a professional matchmaker, women want a man who is self-confident. “Confidence... not arrogance, not dominance, not one-upsmanship, not useless bravado, not macho heroics. Women just love truly confident men,” she says.

What I Ache For I wrote this powerful prayer many, many years ago when I felt trapped in a life that was not my own. Today, I am happy to say, just about all of this prayer has come true, and I am blessed with my authentic, beautiful life! Be careful what you ache for... I ache to be wanted instead of needed, I ache for my eyes to be met and held for more than a split second, I ache for a strong, silent hug that doesn't let go in such a hurry, I ache to be seen through the eyes of one's soul instead of one's head,r

If you've been a believe any length of time you've heard the parable of the sower. It's the story that Jesus used to illustrate how God's word enters a person's life and what affect it will have once there. In Mark 4 verses 1:20 Jesus told his disciples, "Behold, there went out a sower to sow: ...

It is said that the only two things in life that are certain are death and taxes and that seems to be the case. Everything in the world around us is constantly changing. We have to let go of traditions, adapt to social, political and financial changes in the world in order to continue to function and fit into the world around us. All these changes, which seem to be happening both more rapidly and more dramatically today, have led to the possibility of seeing life and death from a new perspective.

Time For an Emotional Alignment? Whenever you get new tires on your car, they always ask if you want them aligned. Having the wheels, tires and the vehicle aligned properly makes the car run more efficient. As a result of an alignment, you get the best use, most mileage and a smoother ride ...

Why are there so many stories of dying people seeing their loved ones around them when no one else can? If death is imminent such as in a fatal accident, does the spirit leave the body before the trauma occurs? Do good and evil people end up with the same experiences of death? Is death the same thing as a near-death experience? Do we live more than once? Where do we go after death, and can we visit our loved ones on earth again? Do we get to decide what happens to us after we die?

The Five Signsnn Five profound mystical experiences that verified the existence of something greater than the body’s eyes can see. By Joe Wolfe Author of Letter To A Prisoner The First Signnnn My first recollection of the sensation of ‘being in a body’ was very uncomfortable. The clothes ...

Psalm 97:1 says this: “The Lord reigneth, let the earth rejoice.” If the earth could speak, what do you think it would say it has to rejoice about? I think it would thank God for all its beauty like the mountains and the ocean and the people who live on it. Here is a fun Bible object lesson to teach your children that even the earth has reason to rejoice because the Lord reigns. Here’s what you do: The object you will use for this lesson will be a globe of the earth that you can attach a smiling face to. Ask the following questions to help stimulate discussion:

An excerpt from spiritual teacher and author Swami Dhyan Giten's book "The Silent Whisperings of the Heart - An Introduction to Giten's Approach to Life" (Lulu.com, 2012) Intuition means to learn to listen to the silent whisperings of our own heart. Intuition is our inner teacher, our inner source of love, truth and wisdom, in life. Intuition basically means ...An excerpt from the book "The Silent Whisperings of the Heart - A Collection of quotes from Giten" Intuition means to learn to listen to the silent whisperings of our own heart.

“Corn Silk is great for kidney stones, inflammation, UTI, slightly lowering blood pressure, a great diuretic, for detoxing, for boils, weight loss, prostate inflammation, carpal tunnel disease, and contains lots of Vitamin K.” Dr. Paul Haider - Master Herbalist Watch Video and Find Out More-- See Link https://youtu.be/HCCY5-cRpeg

Prayers for Protection are spiritual insurance for our family, friends and self. There is no fee to pay for this kind of insurance. All you need to do is surrender, have faith, trust in your Higher Power, and simply speak to God. Praying is talking to God. You can say a standard prayer, create a prayer or simply speak to the Divine in your own words. Prayers for protection are focused specifically on the intention of asking for God's protection for yourself and loved ones and Mother Earth.

I didn't realize it, but as early as 3 years old I was already spiritually aware. Well, sort of. You see, I don't remember being psychic in any way, and I certainly don't remember reading books like The Power of Now or watching movies like Peaceful Warrior. I didn't feel some grand connection to ...I didn't realize it, but as early as 3 years old I was already spiritually aware. Well, sort of. You see, I don't remember being psychic in any way, and I certainly don't remember reading books like The Power of Now or watching movies like Peaceful Warrior.

Sacred story can speak to us of timeless lessons (many of them painfully relevant to us in our present age) and offer us different ways of looking at our innermost being.nn- Frank MacEowen, The Celtic Way of Seeing The Anamcara invites you into the experience of sacred story. This is story ...

Tantric sex activates energy centers in our spine affecting our health, mind, emotions and spirit. But, just like driving around in LA, getting around this tantra grid is impossible without some guidance, a map to follow, good eyesight and a reliable car. Then all you have to do is fasten your seatbelt and drive safely. Tantra is no different. You need to understand the energy system based on the chakras before you travel that road. Tantra Chakras, or wheels of life, are energy centers located along the spine in the etheric body.

Here is a powerful healing tea that will do the body good and will help with just about everything… it’s pretty amazing! It’s flavorful and has lots of healing abilities. It contains powerful herbs that will help a person become healthy and stay healthy. Plus it’s very easy to make and have on hand for a wonderful tasting tea either hot or cold. Ingredients: 10 to 14 - Fresh or Dried Neem Leaves. 5 to 6 - Fresh or Dried Holy Basil Leaves. 2 - Fresh or Dried Coffee Plant Leaves. 2 - Fresh or Dried Soursop Leaves. 1 - Ounce of Fresh Organic Ginger. 2 - Cinnamon Sticks.r

For the new seeker, the variety can be bewildering; to the skeptic, proof of frivolity. They can’t all possibly matter, and they can’t all be right at the same time now, can they? Faced with all these choices, spirituality can be a daunting concept. What does it really mean to be spiritual? A hundred people will respond a hundred different ways, so I won’t pretend to have the universal answer. What I can tell you is what spirituality means to me. It comes down to four s

The Chinese character for qi is the same as the character used for breath. When we breathe air we are breathing qi. In English when we breathe in, we inspire or "take in the spirit." Many ancient health practices focus on breathing. It is how we sustain life from minute to minute. It continues without significant cessation from the moment we are born until we draw our last breath. In most qigong practices breathing is done consciously and in a specific manner. The fundamental technique used in most beginning qigong exercises is simply natural breathing.

Innovation means progress, new visions and ideas -- moving forward. Forward progress is essential in life and business; we call it, "Success." If you aren't moving, you're stuck; and if you aren't growing, you're dying. But forward progress also means leaving things behind and moving on; ...

The Dance of the Dragonflyr This summer has brought a new creature into my life that has brought a deeper meaning to me. That creature is the dragonfly. In the early part of the summer my kids called me out to see this amazing large dragonfly in our garden. It was so beautiful and later I found out that it seemed to be rare with blue eyes. It was definitely a gift with meaning. I began to explore the symbology of the dragonfly as I usually do when something comes into my life unexpected.

You Are Never Alone From the time you're born you have a powerful spiritual support system offering you guidance and wisdom throughout life's journey. These loving beings are known as Spirit Guides. Your Guides know your true potential in life and their greatest desire is to help you achieve it.

Have you bumped into the Holy Trinity lately? Based on our traditional notions of what the Trinity looks like—the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit as three distinct entities—most of us would answer ‘No’. Based on Unity’s conception of the Holy Trinity, however, we actually encounter the Trinity everywhere, at all times.nnThat’s because Unity construes the Trinity as emblematic of the tri-fold nature of what we call ‘God’. As Elizabeth Sand Turner wrote in Be Y

She can be the woman in the market with the bruises on her face and you look at her with pity, wondering why she stays. Or she could be the woman at gatherings who goes off by herself, seldom speaking, quietly watching—a shell of a person. She could be your sister who never wants to come to the family events or if she does come with her partner, you question the relationship. She could be any of the nameless women moving through their lives carrying “the secret”.

As a stay-at-home, work-at-home, homeschooling mom, my days can be quite hectic. I have clothes to wash, floors to scrub, pets to feed, phones to answer, articles to write, emails to answer and arithmetic lessons to teach (and those are just my morning chores!). So, by the time evening rolls around it's fair to say I'm exhausted!

Like most families we have our Christmas traditions. For us, the Christmas tree is the first tradition of the season. We go to the same tree lot every year on the first weekend of December to pick our tree and we decorate it that evening. It is a special time for us to really connect and reminisce on past Christmases.

“Most people hold their breath and this causes aches, pains, tension, hormonal changes, and leads to disease. The very simple act of breathing deep can bring about lots of beneficial health changes… and it’s FREE” Breathing seems simple yet most people are caught in a constant cycle of holding their breath and not breathing much at all. And this causes great physical, mental, and inter-relationship stress… but it’s easy to change if we remind ourselves to breathe deep.

There is an aspect of ourselves that is invisible, yet very real. This dimension of ourselves that is such an integral part of each and every one of us has been called many names. The higher self, the sacred self, the inner self - all falling short of sufficiently describing what this dimension really is. Along with discovering your highest and most sacred self comes an inner knowing that probably best describes this mysterious invisible aspect of ourselves. Discovering your

The whole world celebrates with a big dinner, with many presents, with colorful lights. There is music, parties, there are many things: Abundance, generosity, sympathy, romance in the air, and so much happiness because the day of Love is celebrated. Ladies and gentlemen, read with great ...

Here in New York State, August is a month where our actions focus on summer vacations with an intention of packing our bags and heading off on jou eys in search of rest and relaxation. It is interesting to note that if we compare our spiritual jou eys with our vacation jou eys, there are similarities between the two. Both center on reaching a specific destination aimed at helping us enjoy the world around us. In working with Mind, Body and Spirit, we can approach our spiritua

One of my favorite two-word phrases in the English language is: All One. I believe that when we understand this phrase with every fiber of our being, it unlocks our highest potential and reason for being here. Now, at this point in history, variations of that phrase have become common place ...