People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within. -- Elizabeth Kübler-Ross
By h.koppdelaney Given the misogynistic nature of much of the politics in the U.S. these days, I think it very appropriate to have been gifted with this video at this time. Women, ask yourself, 'how would you treat yourself (or allow others to treat you) if you knew you were sacred?
I don’t remember the specific focus of the conversation that my wife, Kathy, and I were having, but I know it included something about prayer/communication with the Absolute, and something about laughter. We were playing around with the words, twisting what had been said, coming up with new variations/perspectives that had serendipitously been introduced.
And then Kathy exclaimed, “Laughing is praying!”
It was one of those things that made perfect, undeniable sense the moment I heard it —information that the spirit has always known, even if the conscious mind was unaware.
Time spent laughing is time spent with the Gods. —Japanese proverb
Neither of us had probably ever verbally expressed this insight nor even explicitly entertained it consciously—I know I had not. The moment she said it, I went silent, taking in the depth of this fortunate little gift of wisdom. A wave of realization ran through me and a couple of minutes passed before I was able to continue with the conversation.
The one who laughs, Lasts!
I have always loved that saying, and had not doubt of its truth. Science acknowledges that laughter exercises your heart, elevates your mood, suppresses the stress hormones, and boosts your immune system. Up to 80 muscles are exercised during a really good laugh.
Now considering Kathy’s insight, I realized ever more reason why this little saying impressed me as being so true.
Humor is the prelude to faith, and laughter is the beginning of prayer. —Reinhold Niebuhr
Not only is laughter benefiting the body in ways that can be studied by science, but it is also bringing body and spirit into communion/alignment with the Absolute, the Tao. It is not surprising that time spent in closer communion with Source would rejuvenate us.
The greatest prayer you could ever pray, would be to laugh every day… —Ramtha
It makes perfect sense that laughter would be one of our surest invitations into audience with the Absolute. In the moment of a sincere laughter, the heart is open, the restrictive mind is lost, and we are completely genuine, naïve as a child. In such laughter, we give ourselves over, fully and unreservedly. Laughter is a true expression of earnest gratitude for life and the experience of our Self.
Laughter could easily be the greatest prayer.
May you laugh heartily and frequently, my dear friends, and feel the union with your Source.
Available in Kindle ($.99 USD) and other eBook formats. International and US print sales, are available at online bookstores and upon request from your local bookstore.
Blessings and wonder to you and all you hold dear,
Celebrate What's Right in the World!
CG Walters primarily writes fiction that focuses on the multidimensionality of our loves and our lives.
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The definition of religion has picked up too much heavy baggage. I prefer the term “belief system.”
Otherwise it is only half a truth, constructed in fear of its own demise. A belief system should be a nourisher of the believers, else it does not justify the intrusion on the silence. It should give to its adherents not its truth, but provide a sacred environment to realize their own truth.
A belief system is a tool to aid a person in producing a result. A belief system is person, relative to a time and need of the individual. A credible belief system is a living, progressing/changing, like the person it serves.
Never can the tool be more important than the craftsperson.** Too often religion is practiced in the absence of these things--a one size fits all attempt. In such improper practice, religion becomes the sarcophagus of a once living truth. In such hands, religion is the rigid remains of what was living and life imbuing, but has a monument to itself and its leaders. Try not to take excessive offense when confronted with another’s beliefs that you cannot abide. We re are often introduced to our own beliefs by defining their conflicts with something we disagree.** If you could design a religion, what would it look like?
Truth is but a resting place until the next revelation **
Words do not contain truth, but may reflect the truth that you hold within. This is my truth. Only you can determine if there is any value in it for you. C.G. Waltersprimarily writes fiction that focuses on the multidimensionality of our loves and our lives. His current novel, Sacred Vow is a metaphysical novel about a man who responds to the mysterious call of [his soulmate], opening the way to redefinition of both himself and his understanding of the world around him…Highly recommended. —Midwest Book Review. Receive new editions of Into the Mist through a reader http://feeds.feedburner.com/IntoTheMist
**From Strike a Chord of Silence, in paperback or as Kindle for $.99 USD --free download of Kindle app allows reading on PC or mobile devices.
Meditation
comes in infinite forms. The consistent element is an immersion (into the
activity/inactivity) beyond thought, where we are in communion with self and
Self--
I can only be open by emptying out the clutter of distractions that I have periodically collected without noticing. When I am in this state, it seems my attention is scattered over my accumulation of mental/emotional trinkets that have magnetically attached themselves to me. I am unable to find my center. I am as a dancer out of balance, awkward, stumbling, likely to injure myself or others (in body, heart or spirit) if I continue that way.
Not surprisingly, in the times when I am unavailable to truly be open to others, I am also unavailable to be open to my authentic self.
An old story tells of an individual with a very busy mind going to talk with a teacher about Zen. The teacher listened intently and began to make tea as this fellow talked on about his thoughts, concerns, wishes, and imaginings. When the tea was ready, the master began to pour into her visitor's cup. Once the cup was full, she kept on pouring. Eventually, the fellow could watch no more and broke from his soliloquy to say: "Stop, stop! The cup is overfull. No more can go in!"
The teacher responded: "Like this cup, you are full of all manner of yourself. How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup?"
Oddly enough, it seems that most often the things I have so filled my attention with are not even things that I find that interesting—in fact much to the contrary—bills coming due, aggravations of the workday, things that have not gone as I planned, and dreams for the future. Each of these were things I needed to consider, but forgot to “put them down” once I had given them due consideration. Now and again, I am forced to realize the buildup, and do a thorough housecleaning—heart and mind—thinking the job is done—no need to concern myself with that for a while. However, without regular tidying/emptying, the next think I know the cup if full again and I am not taking in what anyone else is saying, not perceptive of the feelings of those around me (or myself).
For me, the best way of emptying my cup is either mediation or a walk in nature. Anything that will allow me to be completely passive will do it, allowing the clouds to come and go, without comment, concern, or contemplation—just a submissive lake beneath them, neither added to nor subtracted from by their reflection.
What helps you stay open? What practices help you keep an open mind or stay open to the thoughts and feelings of others?
Words do not contain truth, but may reflect the truth that you hold within. This is my truth. Only you can determine if there is any value in it for you.
C.G. Walters primarily writes fiction that focuses on the multidimensionality of our loves and our lives. His current novel, Sacred Vow is a metaphysical novel about a man who responds to the mysterious call of [his soulmate], opening the way to redefinition of both himself and his understanding of the world around him…Highly recommended. —Midwest Book Review.
