SPIRITUAL EXPLORATIONS – 275

WE ARE EXPLORING THE PRACTICE OF HEAVENLINESS

+ This is a post on the style of The Way of Prayer as we continue to explore Heavenliness through the lens of the 12 styles of the Mandala process created by Edward Bastian.  There are 3 more Mandala styles to explore after this: Reason, Relationships and Wisdom. After that, we move on to the 9 Attributes of Heaven.

+ Prayer enables us to transform the world because it transforms us. From the moment we awaken each morning, our minds are at work in one direction or the other. Either we are slaves to the fearful mental habit patterns that dominate our world, or we are consciously taking part in the counterforce to the world's despair.

 ... To go within is not to turn our backs on the world; it is to prepare ourselves to serve it most effectively.

-- Marianne Williamson in Illuminata

This was the One Spirit Daily Inspiration on October 15, 2015.

+ This wise woman has discerned the essential connection between prayer and mindfulness.  As we continue to explore these heavenly realms, we need to keep our intention on our ultimate goal of transforming the world.  This is an attitude.  We might call it a Be-attitude.  I like to say we need an attitude of gratitude.  Slowly but surely our intention creates more compassion, peace, justice and sustainable abundance in ourselves and in others.  If we can become so mindful that we are in constant prayer, then the miracle of transformation grows and grows in ourselves and in others moment after precious moment.

+ The 12 styles of Mandala: Creating An Authentic Spiritual Path: An InterSpiritual Process by Edward Bastian are listed in SE206.

+ The 7 steps of InterSpiritual Meditation by Edward Bastian are listed in SE21 and SE213. They are described fully in his book, InterSpiritual Meditation.

+ To get inspired and illuminated by Ed Bastian, I invite you to set aside some time for these videos:

·         Seven Steps of InterSpiritual Meditation (11 minutes)

·         15 minute introduction to InterSpiritual Meditation and the Mandala Process

·         2 hour lecture & conversation

+ I would love it if you offered a guest post on this practice or any practice.  And, I have work to do on my Heavenliness page.  Maybe you can help.  Send an email with the subject “Heavenliness” or “Love” or “Guest Post” to John@abundancetrek.com.

+ You can always find a link to any of the Spiritual Explorations posts by going to http://abundancetrek.com/sepostsaccess.html

SPIRITUAL EXPLORATIONS -- 37

WE ARE EXPLORING THE PRACTICE OF STILLNESS

Authentic mindfulness takes into consideration the intentions behind our actions. Intentions matter as much as mindfulness. Together they have the power to transform our lives. Our intentions act as a governing force behind our actions. Even if we make mistakes and the results do not work out the way we want, we can take note of our intentions. If we know deep in our heart that our intentions are wholesome, then we should take comfort in this knowledge. . .

-- Christopher Titmuss

 AND

AN EXERCISE ON  MAKING INTENTIONS:

Make a firm intention, motivation, or resolution to stay present and connected with as many moments as possible. Make the intention to stay calm and conscious throughout the whole day. Practice to relax into every situation, even if things are not going as you would wish. Don't neglect mindfulness of breathing as a basic aid.  Ask yourself whether there is any area of your life where you need to make the intention healthy and wholesome.  Make that intention until it is well established.”

-- Christopher Titmuss

+ Spirituality and Practice offers an excerpt from Mindfulness for Everyday Living by Christopher Titmuss.

+ Christopher Titmuss offers powerful insights into the value of mindfulness. In the excerpt above he lauds the virtues of the spiritual practice of intention.  No doubt about it.  We need to constantly intend to be still and mindful or we won’t be still and mindful.  I like a Sufi proverb I encountered recently: There are 2 rules for a spiritual practice. 1-Begin. 2-Continue.

Life is full of obstacles to an effective, beneficial  spiritual practice.  Over and over again, we must remind ourselves that there is an amazing peace deep within us worth seeking at all times and in all places.  This requires intention and practice, practice, practice. 

+ You can always find a link to any of the Spiritual Explorations posts by going to http://abundancetrek.com/sepostsaccess.html