The Spiritual Life Is NOT a Theory!

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="zemanta-img separator" style="clear: left;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Twelve-Steps-Traditions-AA-Services/dp/0916856291%3FSubscriptionId%3D0G81C5DAZ03ZR9WH9X82%26tag%3Ddreawarreco-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3D0916856291" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Cover of "Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditi..." height="300" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51pi-l7TsHL._SL300_.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="186" /></a><span class="zemanta-img-attribution" style="clear: both; float: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; width: 186px;">Cover of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Twelve-Steps-Traditions-AA-Services/dp/0916856291%3FSubscriptionId%3D0G81C5DAZ03ZR9WH9X82%26tag%3Ddreawarreco-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3D0916856291" target="_blank">Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions</a></span></span><h3><br /> </h3><div></div><div id="post-body-5115620389101523351"><div dir="ltr"><div></div><span class="GingerNoCheckStart"></span>"The spiritual life is not a theory," we read in the 'Big Book'. "We have to live it." Why this exhortation? At one level it is a recognition that we must have a spiritual awakening and live a spiritually awakened life if we are to remain clean and sober. At a deeper level, it is an affirmation that - whether we like it or not, and irrespective of whether we believe it or not - we are living a spiritual life, that life itself is inherently spiritual. The  question then becomes: are we living this spiritual life consciously?<br /> <br /> Living a spiritually conscious life is no mean feat. It must be lived consciously, and our self-consciousness is a pernicious and relentless adversary. Can our self-centered consciousness truly be overcome. In the St. Francis prayer (the Step 11 prayer at page 99 ofThe <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.amazon.com/Twelve-Steps-Traditions-AA-Services/dp/0916856291%3FSubscriptionId%3D0G81C5DAZ03ZR9WH9X82%26tag%3Ddreawarreco-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3D0916856291" rel="amazon" target="_blank" title="Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions">Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions</a>) we are assured this is possible. "It is by self-forgetting that we find," we read. "It is by dying (to self, or the ego) that we awaken to eternal life." If we awaken to eternal life, is this eternity not inclusive of our whole lives? Are we not living in an eternal life, irrespective of whether we know or accept that fact. "The spiritual life is not a theory." We are living it - right now!<br /> <br /> <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIFvmiQw9Lt7LNAt6wCue78pZ6NEcN2h9AN0CCgpRF0KUE3V0OQ75o6_-zzvfDshy6f501phBxzE3prAzD6qqQ8fVj3HjwWvjQlgS42oT2_c8KqsTwm3bVQ6ksd0CUaxs0vpHtZX5tjsk/s1600/meditation2.png"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIFvmiQw9Lt7LNAt6wCue78pZ6NEcN2h9AN0CCgpRF0KUE3V0OQ75o6_-zzvfDshy6f501phBxzE3prAzD6qqQ8fVj3HjwWvjQlgS42oT2_c8KqsTwm3bVQ6ksd0CUaxs0vpHtZX5tjsk/s200/meditation2.png" width="191" /></a></div>How then do we attune ourselves to this hidden reality? In theTwelve and Twelve (at page 98), the author suggests a richly interwoven process of self-examination, meditation and prayer - a process and practice that is reflective of the entire 12 Step program.<br /> <blockquote>"There is a direct linkage among self-examination, meditation and prayer," we read. "Taken separately, these practices can bring much relief and benefit. But when they are logically related and interwoven, the result is an unshakeable foundation for life. Now and then we may be granted a glimpse of that ultimate reality that is God's kingdom. And we will be comforted and assured that our own destiny in that realm will be secure for so long as we try, however falteringly, to find and do the will or our own Creator."</blockquote>"Selfishness - self-centeredness! That we think is the root of our problem. Driven by a hundred different forms of fear, self-delusion, self-seeking and self-pity, we step on the toes of our fellows and they retaliate." (Alcoholics Anonymous, page 62.)<br /> <br /> <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimRnV7emA7b-qThDYGyw2nJ-XrcyZRFFDGiRnXIZsG-7NWsGvmZHi3GQyMxrB2r3GOFSonQPD4xaz9Nf_xY4eIcOlVLkcbOJbGRGHJrKm5YPzazj-5uERw6iF39QMqHulC4JS_2L4idVk/s1600/spiritualPath.png"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimRnV7emA7b-qThDYGyw2nJ-XrcyZRFFDGiRnXIZsG-7NWsGvmZHi3GQyMxrB2r3GOFSonQPD4xaz9Nf_xY4eIcOlVLkcbOJbGRGHJrKm5YPzazj-5uERw6iF39QMqHulC4JS_2L4idVk/s200/spiritualPath.png" width="133" /></a></div>A life of conscious spirituality requires constant vigilance, or self examination. When we find ourselves thinking once more without awareness, we can be assured that this our ordinary self-consciousness trying to reassert itself. Just a snippet of the Step 3 prayer - "Relieve me of the bondage of self!" - may be enough to re-center ourselves in the God-consciousness of pure being. At other times, when in the throes of a full-blown ego attack characterized by emotional intensity and acute indecisiveness, the Serenity Prayer helps. In either instance the goal is to re-establish ourselves in the security of our newfound sense of consciousness and being, assured that it is there for the seeking.<br /> <br /> Self-examination, in turn, requires that we set aside time for prayer and meditation. Just a few minutes of silent recurrence to the realm of pure Spirit each day is enough for us to begin the path of living this spiritual life consciously. This is not a theory. It is the practical lesson learned by millions of alcoholic addicts in recovery. It works if we work it.</div></div><span class="GingerNoCheckEnd"></span> <div class="zemanta-pixie" style="height: 15px; margin-top: 10px;"><a class="zemanta-pixie-a" href="http://www.zemanta.com/?px" title="Enhanced by Zemanta"><img alt="Enhanced by Zemanta" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/zemified_h.png?x-id=696ec997-6644-4905-9328-2c1cc48a880c" style="border: none; float: right;" /></a></div></div>

The Spiritual Life Is NOT a Theory!

Cover of Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions "The spiritual life is not a theory," we read in the 'Big Book'. "We hav...

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consciousness

<p> </p><p>Perhaps a graphic picture might help. Imagine a ping pong ball suspended atop a water fountain. The ball jiggles about, the water is constantly changing, while forever pushing upwards – but there is a clear element of stability, of certainty, despite all the splashings to the contrary. And this is what consciousness is really about, this is the aspiration towards which all humanity is moved. We all crave security, stability and peace of mind – and here, by delving into what living processes can do, and deflecting attention from their origins and what they ‘really’ are, we can see that it does come about, that it is real, rational, and what’s more, healthier. The more streams of ‘intent’ and consent, the greater the stability, which is the essence of any real democracy. Capturing this dynamic security through the static printed word is challenging even for the most poetic. Even videos fumble. However, the stability of the docosahexaenoic acid molecule should challenge us to greater efforts to find the same certainty in other parts of our living selves. Consciousness is indescribable, for reasons discussed – but it is currently open for exploration and on-going experience. What could be a better purpose in life than to keep exploring this utterly fascinating and endlessly creative entity, which comes free to every one of us who is awake. Let’s explore, create, dream, but above all, enjoy.</p>

consciousness

  Perhaps a graphic picture might help. Imagine a ping pong ball suspended atop a water fountain. The ball jiggles about, the water is const...

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