Spirituality
One way to gain perspective on our problems is to look at the bigger picture. We, as humans, are made up of three things: Mind, Body, and Spirit. They are all interconnected. Now, I'm very aware that there are folks out there who do not believe in the "spirit" part at all, and I'll address that. For the others here who know that the spirit exists, it should be obvious that we must nurture and respect that part of ourselves, just as much as the other two parts.
That's what this assignment is about. It's time to put some energy onto our spiritual development. This assignment is going to be easier for some, and potentially difficult for others depending upon your current belief systems. One thing is for certain:It will be different for everyone. Please know – that's okay!
The idea behind this assignment is pursuit of knowledge, and that's all I'm asking of you. So, let's get to it.
Assignment Eight
For at least fifteen minutes a day, pursue knowledge and understanding of the force that binds the world together. (Note that fifteen minutes should be your bare minimum. If you have the luxury of time during your day, bump that up to an hour or more.) Meditation is great, and definitely applies. So does the study of quantum physics. As long as it is wakeful time spent in the pursuit of the Big Picture, it counts. How you go about this over time will be largely up to you, but I have a few suggestions.
If you already have a belief in a power greater than yourself, go with that. Pursue it in any way that brings you joy. Pray, go to church if you want, meditate, read. Whatever brings you closer to an understanding of your spiritual self is just great.
It really doesn't matter what belief system you pursue, as long as it is based in Love. If you are interested in a belief system that promotes hatred, destruction, or violence, please consider the possibility that this will not help you attain joy. And that's why we're here, right?
If you have an atheistic or agnostic basis for belief – i.e. you either don't believe there is a God, or you have serious doubts about it – here is something that helped me.
There was a time in my life when I didn't believe in God at all, but I was in a position where I really needed faith. However, my analytical mind would not allow me to produce faith from nothing but a need for it. A woman who was helping me suggested that I say a little prayer every night before going to sleep:
"Please show Yourself to me in a way that I will understand."
She told me that she said this prayer in earnest every night for a month before receiving an undeniable answer, but that my experience might vary from that. The only guarantee she made to me was that if I persisted with an open heart, I would get my answer.
I balked. How could I pray to a God I did not believe existed? She replied that I should pray to anything that was bigger and more powerful than I was.
I really needed help, so I acquiesced – albeit apprehensively. I chose "The Universe". At the time, I did not even acknowledge the possibility that "The Universe" had a consciousness, let alone the ability to hear me. I only knew that it fit the criteria of "bigger and more powerful than I", so I went with it.
I prayed that prayer every night for two weeks with as open a heart as I could manage. I did my best to remain open to the possibility that I might get some sort of answer, even in the face of my doubts. For thirteen nights, it felt like I was talking to my own head. But I kept on, each night trying to open myself up more than the last.
On the fourteenth night I got an undeniable answer that changed my view of the world forever.
Your experience will likely vary from mine, but I guarantee that if you persist with an open heart, you will get your answer.
Recommended Reading:
"Conversations With God – Book One" by Neale Donald Walsch
"One" by Richard Bach
"The Power of Intention" by Wayne Dyer