Sabbath for Divine Love

I believe that God is Love; I long to feel that Light of Divine Love more often; be in that place of bliss and peace, where I have a sense of unity with all creation; where I have a sense of being pure Love.

I have many small experiences of God - an instinct or intuition, receipt of a gift from the universe, a feeling of insight, or inspiration. It’s tantalizing, and I yearn for more-- I want to (more often) expand outside the physical me to the place where I touch God; I want to be more aware of God as Spirit, as Friend, and more aware of BEING God. As a seeker, I will practice until my brain unfolds into a little more Light.

“Why do we Love? We love because at every moment we are pinched with hunger to realize the highest, to feel the inmost, to be consciously one with the universe; with the universal Truth, Light, Peace and Bliss, and to be completely fulfilled.” ~Sri Chinmoy

 Agenda Today:

1. Read "Everyday Simplicity"

2. Love mantra
3. Simple project list

4. Resilience skills plan

5. Review essential intentions

1. Read "Everyday Simplicity":

I bought myself this little book, by Robert J. Wicks (2000), as a birthday treat. The subtitle is: A Practical Guide to Spiritual Growth. (The wording is more God-focused than I like, but I can translate easily.)  

Chapter 3 is Faithfulness, the first of eight themes that will help us to "soften our souls and allow us to experience and share the gift of God in simple ways during the day".

He calls faithfulness the "portal to growth". Faithfulness is when we maintain a deep belief in God even in the middle of chaos and uncertainty; it opens the door to the insight that it is how we stand in the darkness that matters. 

"When we cry out in prayer amidst the darkness, the very circumstances that are so oppressive to us begin to create in us something new. A softening of our souls takes place, we become sensitive to the subtle movements of God in a way that was previously impossible..."

What I get from this section: During this dark chapter of our country's history, I can lean on faithfulness; on a steadfast trust that Love will carry us through. I can bolster that faith by bringing my sorrows to God in prayer, asking for the wisdom, strength, and courage I need to persist, and remain open for New Light.

2. Love Mantra: 

Repeat my circular love mantra throughout the day: 

SPIRIT - in sky, earth, trees - I EXPAND 

THOU - infinite, ultimate Love - I OPEN 

ME - awake, grounded, present in this moment - I AM

3. Simple projects list:

My list of 3 projects for this week is:

1. Start a Turning Over a New Leaf project; (First task =  Write about it, collect papers.) 
2. Write a Duck Values lesson.
3. Write Lent theme and intentions

4. Resilience skills plan:

This week's resilience plan: 

1. New health habit #7: Skin care.
2. Love Cycle: Practice praying.
3. Mindfulness: Review my essential intentions.
4. Stability: Clear bedroom

5. Review Essential Intentions:

This week I'm reviewing and recommitting to my core values, and writing new intentions. I ask-

How do I define each of my values?

Why do I value them? Why is it so important to me?

What right action or good deeds do I intend each day?

How do I intend to live, to support and demonstrate my values?

When I turn my values into intentions, they become a pledge for action in the moment - they remind me of my deepest, most essential, most passionate reasons for leading a valuable life. It's vital for me to define my values and principles in a way that touches me at my core, and hone each one down to a phrase that will be useful, day in and day out.

I'm working at this a little each day:

I intend to live in unity with my family, my community, and all of creation, cooperating despite our differences, and moving forward together, because everyone deserves basic respect and compassion, and because unity with the universal Truth, Light, Love, and Peace will heal the world.