Reflections and Realizations - September 2022

Sullins Stuart - September 17, 2022

Nothing can truly bother me or disrupt my internal state unless I give it permission to.

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All around me is changing. Things come and go. Nature is constantly changing. Material items around me are deteriorating. My body grows older and changes with each breath. My relationships to people and things in my life are constantly changing. Everything is born, slowly decays, and dies. Everything, that is, but my soul.

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What if I woke up today and all I had were the things I expressed gratitude for yesterday? I need to express more gratitude for the many blessings in my life for I am truly blessed.

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When I am present to whatever it is I am doing in that moment, I find that presence makes the activity more spiritual while also releasing any expectation or result my ego may have from doing the activity. In this way, everything I do becomes a part of my spiritual practice. 

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The ego is the master of deception while the soul is the mirror of truth.

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Suffering is payment in advance. Just as with exercise or dieting, you don't see the results of your efforts until a certain amount of time has passed. The same is true with transforming suffering. You don't realize how much you have grown in your being until you reach a time in which you can look back to see how far you have come.

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Everything that exists, every person, all of nature, the planet, the universe—everything is a manifestation of God. God is our source, our creator. As such, God exists in us.

When you become aware of this, when you are able to realize God lives in you, and you in return, can live in God, meaning you can live from the place within you that is divine, that is the source of all that is, you become what Meher Baba called God-realized. 

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I have observed when we base decisions in fear, we often unintentionally create or bring into our reality the very thing or circumstance we fear. Like attracts like. Our fear attracts the very thing we are afraid of. Instead of making decisions or reacting in fear, try making decisions and acting from love.

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Three simple things I can do each day: be present, be generous, and be grateful.

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We seek that which we already are.

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When we abuse, mistreat, or are disrespectful towards any person, creature, or thing, it is because we fail to see the divine nature in the person or object.

Spirit inhabits everything as all is a manifestation of God. 

In harming others, we ultimately harm ourselves. 

If you can see the divine in everything, you will begin to respect everything, as the divine thread connects us to all that exists. This is how we must grow, both individually and as a society.

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I encounter so many people living in fear. It is as if they are in a swimming pool and restrict themselves to the shallow end where they can keep their head above water. Life is meant to be lived fully, not restricted to the shallow end where it's safe. 

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The more I grow spiritually, the more I realize the sanctity of life, the more I see the common thread of divinity from which the earth and all its inhabitants have been woven. All life is truly sacred. 

Our inhumanity to man and towards the creatures and the planet, ultimately harms each of us. 

We rise and fall not only individually, but as a community and country, and most importantly, as one people on this amazing planet. 

It is imperative we find ways to lift and serve others, to improve the life and plight of others, as this not only gives us meaning but also elevates us and our community in numerous ways to the benefit of all. 

"How can I serve?" This is a great question to ask yourself each day. 

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How can one come to know God when they don't even know themselves?

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We are God manifest in human form.

Our body is the house for our soul, the God within, and we should treat our body as such, with respect and care. How can we do our spiritual work if we don't care for the body? 

The body and mind are tools the soul utilizes so do not neglect them. Feed your body and mind food and knowledge that is nourishing. It is easier to be present when we care for the very vehicle the soul inhabits. 

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The power of thought is becoming more prevalent to me. Thoughts are energy and have the ability to both empower and destroy. Refraining from harmful actions is not enough, for we need to also refrain from harmful thoughts. 

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