No Wishy-Washy Spiritual Living! It doesn't work.

(C) Rhoberta Shaler, PhD

No wishy-washy spiritual living! You know what I mean. It sounds like this:

"Everything is fine. I let go and let God."

and, fifteen minutes later:

"How am I ever going to pay these bills? I don't know what I'm going to do!"

That's wishy-washy. Just like the old tub washing machines used to be, going one way and then the other, and then the other. They called it agitation but it's wishy-washy spirituality.

We're human. We forget principles when our emotions get hooked. We forget God when the television tells us the world is going to ##$$ in a handbasket. We get our knickers in a twist when there is more month than money.

And, we're spiritual beings with choice and free will. That's when we purosefully take ourselves in hand when the wishy-washy stuff begins and set ourselves straight...over and over. No matter how many times we have to do it, we find something to remember: a thought, an image, a quotation. We consciously place it clearly in mind and go in that direction. One like this, perhaps:

"I sense the presence of Life within me. I believe in It. I accept It. My most desirable life is mine now."

Or, my personal favorite:

"I and the Father are one."

That works for me. What works for you? Share it by clicking on 'comments' below and writing.

Many blessings,
Rhoberta

P.S. I invite you to visit my new website at www.TamingTenseTimes.com . You'll find immediate, practical tips, insights and strategies to help you tame tense times!

Where is the Meeting Point Between Finance & Spiritual Principles?

(C) Rhoberta Shaler, PhD

Yesterday, I was talking with an interesting woman with whom I have much in common. We are both authors and have a strong spiritual foundation we share. We talked about such current topics as:

> creating your reality
> living your beliefs
> The Law of Attraction
> The Law of Mental Equivalents
> consistency of purpose

Some fairly lofty principles. In speaking about the Law of Attraction--an old concept previously well-documented by Ernest Holmes, Founder of Religious Science and called The Law of Cause & Effect coupled with the Law of Mental Equivalents, we both were clear about one thing: if a "Law" works sometimes, it must work all the time. It couldn't be a "Law" (I don't much like that word!) if it was not true all the time.

We talked about The Secret and how it had brought attention to the idea of intentionality in creating outcomes. We agreed that it was a good thing, but not a deep-enough thing. It did not bring folks to the truth that you have to live your spiritual principles every moment, not just when you want something!

So, not to belabour the point, we had agreement on principles! She spoke of the many things she had manifested easily and effortlessly. She knows it all works and how to use it. She teaches it. There was no question in her mind.

As we were ending the conversation she said something interesting,

"I'd love to do something with you if I had any money at all, but, I don't."

And we said "Goodbye."

If a principle works, it works all the time. If it works in one area of life, it works in all areas of life. So, what is the key that needs turning for her to create profit in her life?

What do you think is required?

Let's talk about it here.

I wish you well.
Rhoberta

Rhoberta Shaler, PhD
Counselor. Consultant. Coach. Catalyst.
Helping Businesses Prosper & People Flourish
www.SowPeace.com
www.Rhoberta.com
www.OptimizeInstitute.com
www.SpiritualLivingNetwork.com


Dr. Shaler is the author of nine books and is the Founder of www.SowPeace.com

You Are Rich If...

You Are Rich If...

You remember the image of something so exquisitely beautiful it took your breath away.

You can hear a friend's words of encouragement still ringing in your ear.

You remember one wise thing a caring adult told you.

You remember a time when laughter caused tears to run down your cheeks and you to double over to catch your breath.

You have any holiday tradition that you still insist on following, no matter how trivial or crazy.

You have someone with whom you have no secrets, some who knows you well and loves you because of it.

You know how it feels to have your heart expand with love.

You like yourself and demonstrate it by treating yourself well.

You know what brings you joy and you create it purposefully.

You have a happy memory that lights you up on dark days.

You see the cup half full, and know you are holding the pitcher to fill it.

You love freely without judgment, just because it's who you are.

You have released past hurts as there is no remedy.

You embrace the present moment because it is the only time you have.

You have someone to call who will brighten up by hearing your voice.

You know there is no one to blame and no longer go looking for them.

You believe you are beautiful in every way.

You notice and appreciate small joys, wonders and gestures as well as the big ones.

You believe in yourself and others.

Someone lights up when you walk in the room.

You have loved and been loved by a dog.

Every day you find something for which to give thanks.


I give thanks for you for...

...finding the sunlight and walking in it even when the world wants to tell you it is raining and there's more to come.

...loving life because you're breathing--and it beats what is in second place.

...bringing a smile to someone's face by putting one on your own.

...taking the time to appreciate the presence of another in your life.

...reaching out to say "Thank you" for the small things that touch your heart and mind.

...living your truth, no matter what those around you have to say about it.

...remembering that life is a journey to be experienced fully, not a destination to reach or a race to be won.

...being ever aware of the gift of Life in every moment, opening it and being delighted with whatever is in the package.

...and for being a center of peace, love and well-being--on purpose.


Happy Thanksgiving!

Many blessings, much love and great joy,
Rhoberta

Rhoberta Shaler, PhD
Founder, Spiritual Living Network
www.SpiritualLivingNetwork.com

What About Prayer?

This morning I was continuing to read a book that called to me from the shelves in a trendy, cool bookstore. I was attracted to it but left it behind twice. The third time, I bought it. And, it is well-written, content-rich...and demanding. The book is called Praying Dangerously by Regina Sara Ryan. The title is provocative but the content is mind-rocking and earth-shaking. Enough said, you might want to read it.

So, what about prayer? As a young person, I was taught that it was all about petition and bartering. A good example of that would be:

"If I'm not pregnant this time, God, I promise I'll never do it again!"

You know, that kind of thing.

Help me now and I'll be good forever. Somehow as though I could go and cast myself down in front of that celestial, anthropomorphic being who was in charge of making decisions and plead my case. On a whim, that Being would make a decision on my sincerity...maybe.

Not so anymore. My view of prayer has changed radically and Regina's book shows that both she and I shared this journey to some understanding. She's obviously given it more research and thought lately!

In light of the last two posts on prosperity, I'm going to tie the idea of prayer into our likely shared request for abundance. First, I know that abundance is not able to be parsed: I'll get an abundance of everything, not just the good stuff. (Now, that's not what they tell you in the books with airy covers, is it?) So, maybe abundance is a questionable request.

There is great value in difficult times. Often our prayer is to have the difficulty removed, and that seems logical. But, how many times have you looked back on a seeming disaster--or, at least, a challenge, and seen the growth and the good it brought you? I certainly have. And, that's not just putting a rosy spin on horrible moments. They did bring insight, understanding or experiences that just couldn't be found in "the perfect life."

It's downright unpopular to suggest that a spiritual life is a difficult life. Even that popular phenomenon, The Secret, suggested you could have only all the good you want. If you just knew "The Secret." I can't help but wonder how many people read that book, felt inspired, found that they didn't get everything they wanted and moved on to the bookstore, looking for something else!

So, what about prayer? Another book I enjoy is The Path of Prayer by Sophie Burnham, another take on the subject with a different perspective than Regina's book. Both thought-provoking. Sophie wrote:

"What is prayer? It is quite simply a yearning of the heart....It is thought concentrated and distilled. ...Prayer is the irresistible urge of our human nature to contact and communicate with the source of love, with the energy of the universe. ...Prayer is communication with our highest spiritual part, with the state of loving and of being loved. ...What is prayer? It is a tool provding strength and energy."

So, what is prayer to you? Let's talk about it here.

Prayerfully,
Rhoberta

More Thoughts on Prosperity, God and Guidance

I hope yesterday's post was provocative for you. It was affirming for me. I believe that what Ernest Holmes says is true: we definitely can demonstrate a control of conditions. As he told us: we do not take what we wish, but we do attract to ourselves that which is like our thought.

That is never more evident than in the case of anxiety, fear and panic. There's a lot of that going on these days, as the media whips up the frenzy as well as shares the facts! So, if we believe that we attract to ourselves that which is like our thought, panic attracts panic, anxiety attracts anxiety, and so on. It makes sense that in the face of possible fear, we do the opposite and do what we know to do to create calm.

When I'm working on myself, working with clients, or talking with friends, and the talk turns to what's going to happen, I've learned to bring the conversation back to the present moment. That means focusing on the question:

"Are you all right in this moment?

We get ahead of ourselves, don't we? We're already catastrophizing about next year and whipping up our own frenzy.

"What if?
What could possibly happen if?
What if I do?
What if I don't?
What if they...?
If this happens, then...."

And, then, there is the spiritual dimension to add into that mix. That can truly complicate it. And, it can simplify it as well. Well, that really helps! NOT!!

But, in the meantime...

"Do you let go and let God?
Do you listen for guidance?
How do you know it's guidance and not just your own conclusion?
Do you treat and move your feet?
Do you surrender and wait?
What the hell does God want from me, for me?"

As promised, as we walk this journey together, I'll share a few thoughts from writers I appreciate that are helpful to me as I think about prosperity, God and guidance.

"We are all familiar with Moses, Buddha, Jesus and other great spiritual leaders who did not use the power so much as they let it use them by providing a channel through which it could work. We also are aware of the great humanitarian accomplishments of Lincoln, Gandhi, Schweitzer and others who let the power use them. ...Anyone who has ever done anything worthwhile has drawn upon the inner resources of his own being where the One Power resides. ...Life's greatest rewards are reserved for those who earn them, who do not weaken in the face of adversity, and whose patience is not worn out by waiting. - Dr. Donald Curtis

If we are thinking of security in terms of protective barriers and a continuous provision for food, clothing, shelter, heat, light and medical care, then (and this may seem shocking) the most secure individual is a life-term convict in a penitentiary. Almost everything is cared for, thus he has little to worry about. He has real security, but at such a great price!

Most public opinion surveys indicate that the one thing most persons desire in life more than anything else is security. This is a sad commentary on comtemporary values. Professor Peter Bartocci of Boston Unidresity has said: It may be that any view of life that puts security rather than creativity first has misread life at its best, and thus misinterprets the cosmic process. This is not to suggest that the desire for security is wrong, or that we shouldn't seek ways of achieving it. It is simply that when we place the emphasis on outer things, we miss the whole meaning of life. Life is for expressing, for growth and expansion. ....When people think only of being safe, they stifle the urges of personal growth and advancement. - Eric Butterworth

"[In 1970] a Wall Street economist gave his formula for a cure for poverty: "What is needed is not so much a war on poverty as an understanding of the forces that generate prosperity." The forces that generate prosperity are mental and spiritual. In order to conduct a mental and spiritual war on poverty, the first thing you must do is open your mind to prosperity. ...You can open your mind to prosperity when you realize the true definiton of the word: You are prosperous to the degree that you are experiencing peace, health, and plenty in your world. - Catherine Ponder"

So, let's start with peace. We know what to do. We know to breathe deeply and give ourselves time to sit silently each day. We know what images bring us peace: walking in nature, remembering people we love, beaches, mountains. Dwell on them, especially when anxiety arises. That's often easier than affirmation or mental gymnastics. Just shift the picture in your mind to a peaceful one and push the other one out!

We know what to do. Are you willing to make a commitment to doing that each and every time something wants to shake your sense of peace? I'm going to keep making that commitment, even when it's not so easy. It means sometimes walking away and turning off televisions and leaving conversations. It means monitoring thoughts and changing our minds.

I'm in. Are you?

Many blessings and much prosperity for you.
Rhoberta

Prosperity. Abundance. What Do We Have to Do to Get It?

So, these words are heard all the time and we all nod our heads and say, "Yes!"

In the words of Dr. Phil, the big question is:

"How's it workin' for ya?"

Having been a spiritual leader and teacher for so long, I recognize the attraction of the idea of prosperity and abundance. I also know that the spiritual principles actually work...when applied! Where the breakdown seems to be is that most of us don't want to actually do what it takes because the "doing" is so frowned upon. Of course, the "being" is most important, but, there is some doing required.

In this economic change--and, it's only a change, not a disaster--there are some things we can re-visit in our own lives to make sure we stay on track. I know I've been re-visiting them lately, so, I'm thinking you might be ready to do so as well.

When the world gave us "The Secret", along with the awareness of metaphysical principles, it also gave an unfortunate idea: You can get anything you want by simply thinking about it and it will arrive. It's not that simple. That is magical thinking.

So, I decided to share some thoughts in the next few blog posts that I'm currently working with--again!!!--to keep me where I want to be: grounded in soul-driven living.I hope they deepen your understanding and inspire you, too. The first are from a favorite book, The Science of Mind by Ernest Holmes:

> "We do not teach that you can get what you want. If we could all get what we want, it might be disastrous, for it is certain that most of us would want things that would interfere with the well-being of someone else. While we could not expect to demonstrate that which is contrary to the nature of our own existence, we not only believe but we know that it is entirely possible, through mental treatment--through right thought and belief--to greatly influence our environment, its reaction to us, the situations we meet and the conditions we contact. There is such a thing as demonstrating a control of conditions.

...this Science does not promise something for nothing. It does, however, tell us that if we comply with the Law, the Law complies with us. No man can demonstrate peace and cling to unhappiness. He can demonstrate resignation, and call it peace, but it will not be peace. No man can jump into the water and remain dry. This is contrary to law and to reason. NO PERSON WHOSES ENTIRE TIME IS SPENT IN THE CONTEMPLATION OF LIMITATION CAN DEMONSTRATE FREEDOM FROM SUCH LIMITATION! -

It is a great mistake to say: "Take what you wish, for you can have anything you like." We dop not take what we wish, but we do attract to ourselves that which is like our thought. MAN MUST BECOME MORE IF HE WISHES TO DRAW A GREATER GOOD INTO HIS LIFE. wE NEED NOT LABOR UNDER THE DELUSION THAT ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS TO SAY THAT EVERYTHING IS OURS. This is true in Reality, but in fact it is only as true as wel make it. ...EVERY MAN MUST PAY THE PRICE FOR THAT WHICH HE RECEIVES AND THAT PRICE IS PAID IN MENTAL AND SPIRITUAL COIN.

Pretty much, this means that we have to our own spiritual practice...all the time! It tells us that their truly is no magic, and it is our consciousness that needs our attention.

Let's spend some time with these ideas in the next day or two. I'm going to, for sure.

You might want to take the MIDAS THINKING program, www.MidasThinking.com and learn how spiritual principles come together with daily life to make the difference you're looking for.
Many blessings,
Rhoberta

Don't Put Off Reaching Out

Yesterday was my birthday. It was a lovely day, filled with great conversation, cards, flowers and a general feeling of being appreciated. Perfect!

As I sat last night looking at the beautiful flowers my daughter sent me, I was thinking about how easy it is to be too tired, too busy, too stressed to reach out and think about someone else. The people in my life were not bothered by those things. They took the time to find the perfect card, pick up the phone, send a Facebook message, or take me out to eat. I am blessed.

It wasn't about money spent. A new friend whom I grow to appreciate more each time we meet took me to dinner. She was asking me about where we should go to eat. Now, lovely though restaurants with many stars are, they just don't interest me much. I have a ton of food allergies, and it just doesn't suit the environment to be questioning the ingredients. So, when she asked, I said:

"Cheap, cheerful and good company! Those are my requests."

She was visibly relieved. We had a great time, and I am grateful for her caring.

This morning, a dear friend of many years and I connected on Skype. The joy of an old friendship where you can talk about the changes we've experienced and the insights we're having cannot be topped.

This all just made me realize why I make phone calls and remember birthdays. It is an important way of staying connected, or getting connected. And, it has great value to me.

Is there someone you need to call? I'm reading my list and checking it twice today!!

Many blessings,
Rhoberta

Miracles as Teachers

You've likely noticed that we have more opportunities these days to remind ourselves of spiritual principles. That's because there are more messages filled with negativity, scarcity and limitation bombarding us. Chicken Little is alive and well, screaming that the sky is falling!


Clearly, things are changing. It's really no surprise, is it? Everyone likes to think it is possible to get something for nothing. Could it really have been possible to buy a house with an inflated price tag with a huge loan that your income really could not support? No, but it happened. Is it really a good idea to get a credit card with 0% interest to start, buy the things you wanted and then find yourself with a 25% or 36% interest accruing? No, but it happened.


I was talking with a dear friend a couple of years ago. He is a wonderfully generous man with an amazingly talented wife, and buying a home where they could entertain was a dream. His income barefuly supported the small, run-down home they rented. He thought it was a miracle when a mortgage company approved their loan on the big house with the huge garden for entertaining. And, it was a miracle in the truest sense: there was no way to explain how it could possibly happen!


Having lunch with him six months ago, the miracle had faded into a source of incredible stress, fear and pain. The variable rate mortgage that made it possible for them to have the house was now eating up every single cent he could bring in, with nothing left for bills, or daily food--not to mention for the entertaining that was so important. They were distraught.


So, what about the miracle? The tremendous gratitude my friends felt for being able to purchase the house had become depression over the potential albatross it had become. Their pain was intense as they saw their dreams fading into ruined credit and a return to the tiny, inadequate rental housing of earlier years. What to do?

Fortunately for them, another miracle took place: a friend who loved and appreciated them stepped in and helped them even before the government made it possible for them to renegotiate their mortgage. This fellow believed in them and their talents. A miracle!

A Course in Miracles tells us that:

"Miracles occur naturally as expressions of love. The real miracle is the love that inspires them. In this sense everything that comes from love is a miracle....A miracle is a service. It is the maximal service you can render to another. It is a way of loving your neighbor as yourself. You recognize your own and your neighbor's worth simultaneously."

So, was the miracle in the being approved for the loan, living in a house that seemed way beyond what was affordable, or, the love of the friend who removed the financial pain? All seem to qualify.

The miracles are the teachers. They are not magic because they arise from conviction of what is possible. Do they put an end to pain? Perhaps, temporarily, but other things will arise. That's life.

"Miracles are healing because they supply a lack; they are performed by those who temporarily have more for those who temporarily have less."

We all have something to give, no matter what the economy. We all will have learning associated with both our lack and our miracles. That's life.

Have you had a miracle lately? I hope you'll share it with us here.

Many blessings,
Rhoberta

Rhoberta Shaler, PhD
Founder, Spiritual Living Network
www.SpiritualLivingNetwork.com
NEW WEBSITE: www.TamingTenseTimes.com

Checking with your Gut

Hi,

Have you noticed that it's best to check with your gut before you make a decision? I have. It doesn't matter if the decision is life-changing or simply logistical. I have trained myself to listen. It's simple things, like I'm leaving my home and the thought crosses my mind,

"Take the other shoes."

When I listen and take the shoes, something on the trip requires the comfortable shoes and I smile as I get them out of the back of the car. It can be something that basic.

When big decisions arise, it is even more important to listen. It takes time and attention. That's why we wrote our book, SOUL SOLITUDE: Taking Time for Our Souls to Catch Up, to help folks understand why it is essential to sit quietly. So many people told us that they simply didn't have enough time to fit in exercise, let alone quiet sitting in Soul Solitude. My question to them was whether or not they could fit in the time to sit in regret, re-do relationships, lose opportunities, or regain their health. Not a popular question, right?

I invite you to ask yourself what your current self-talk is about taking time for spiritual practice. Only sitting in the sacred silence in Soul Solitude will bring you the insights and peace that leads to spiritual living.

Find time to sit. As you'll learn in the book, there is no technique. You cannot do it wrong. But, you do have to do it!

Much love, great joy and many blessings,
Rhoberta

You can find the book at www.SoulSolitude.com

OVERCOMING OVER-COMPROMISING

OVERCOMIING OVER-COMPROMISING
© Rhoberta Shaler, PhD
www.SowPeace.com

Do you ever feel over-compromised in your relationships?

Like you've given in, given over, and maybe even given up?

If you've ever said these words, you're there.

"IT'S NOT WORTH THE HASSLE!!!"

Those are complaints I hear often from my relationship coaching clients who are searching for the keys to having the relationship they long for, but haven't yet experienced.

We are told over and over that every relationship involves a certain amount of compromise. And, it's true. There is very little value in arguing over whose movie gets chosen every single time. There's a logical place to compromise. The problem is that many folks live with constant feelings of giving in, giving over and have simply given up. And, there are cures!

Unfortunately, there is no magic, though. Relationship begins with you, not the other person. If I had a hundred dollars for each couple who say they want to improve their relationship and have come into my office or to a coaching call with this attitude, I'd be delighted:

"If only you could teach her/him ______________, our relationship would be great."

Now, those couples seldom say that out loud. They really believe that if I could just fix their partners all problems would disappear. They come in hoping that I'll simply take the back off their partner, make a few adjustments, and all will be heavenly. Those unspoken agendas and secret fantasies need great consideration...because you may them and never even make it to my office or telephone. You simply delude yourself with the idea that it's your partner's issues that make the relationship difficult.

Relationship starts with knowing who you are, AND, who you are in relationship. Examining that and how it came to be true is an essential beginning point. In the four-week Soul-Driven Love* class, we work on ourselves in new ways for the first two weeks. Big surprise to many folks, cuz they came to find out the secrets of fixing their partner!!

Compromise is only one of five major ways to manage conflict. And, conflict is not a four-letter word. It simply means a difference of opinion, style or point-of-view. Learning how to manage conflict effectively and productively is key for everyone, in every relationship. It goes hand-in-hand with also learning to communicate and negotiate skillfully--both also learned skills.

Where did you learn to manage conflict? If you are like most people, it was learned by watching others. That spectrum runs between screaming, yelling and serving up ultimatums to acquiesing, backing down and avoiding confrontation at all costs. None of those strategies are wise or productive. You've likely noticed that.

If you find yourself compromising more than is comfortable, take the time to ask yourself why you do that. If you think you're just seeking peace, examine that. Peace is great, but, if it begins to be accompanied by resentment, you need another strategy.

You need to know who you are and what you value, believe, and desire. Peace at all cost is not likely it. That will lead you to over-compromising. That is simply under-valuing yourself. If this is a description of your relationship, you are not headed towards Soul-Driven Love.

Soul-Driven Love begins in Soul Solitude**. When we wrote that book, we gave you guidelines, reasons and principles for taking time for your soul to catch up. That's the starting point to have the most glorious life possible. You deserve it. Overcome over-compromise now.

I wish you well.
Rhoberta

Rhoberta Shaler, PhD
Counselor. Consultant. Coach. Catalyst.
Helping Businesses Prosper & People Flourish
www.SowPeace.com
www.Rhoberta.com
www.OptimizeInstitute.com
www.SpiritualLivingNetwork.com


Dr. Shaler is the author of nine books and is the Founder of www.SowPeace.com

** Soul Solitude: Taking Time for Our Souls to Catch Up is available at www.SoulSolitude.com or order it from your local bookstore or Amazon.

Consciousness is Causative

God is the Creative Principle, infinite, eternal, omnipresent, without beginning and without ending. Personally, I find it difficult to think about God AND a universe. To me, it is all one. In that same way, cause and effect are one. Just one. Amazingly, one. God, then, as the creative principle, is the cause and effect. The problem and the answer are one.

Without consciousness, we have no awareness, no knowledge. You'll remember that Descartes said: "I think, therefore, I am." Without consciousness, we would be unaware that we exist!
Understanding God as consciousness allows us to understand this universe as consciousness formed. Once we have that understanding--God as the causative principle of our universe--we can know that universal consciosuness is ever producing and reproducing. It's just like orange trees, continuously producing and reproducing oranges. It's what it does!

It is not creating, but unfolding. Years ago in seminars, I would say:

"If you don't like the movie that is playing, don't attack the screen. Change the reel."

People were constantly ready to attack what they did not like in their lives and assign causes to their misery or misfortune. They particularly like to play the "If only..." game:

If only I had money...
If only I had an education..
If only I had a relationship...
If only I caught a break in this life...
If only my parents were ....

They yelled, cried, screamed and flailed at life, often putting the face of some person on it which seemed to make it more focused to them.

"It is unfair, wrong, awful! I have been mistreated. I don't deserve this."

Did that stance help them? Of course not. They didn't like the movie of their life, so, they attacked the screen. Our "life projector" can only project what's on the reel--our consciousness. It was the reel that needs changing.

One of my favorite spiritual teachers, Joel Goldsmith, wrote:

"Consciousness is always unfolding itself and disclosing itself to us in infinite form, in infinite ways, in infinite varieties. ...Today our consciousness is unfolding and disclosing itself in every new way, in every new form, and always increasing abundantly."

Consciousness is awareness. It's not thinking, not mental activity, not holding thoughts. It is awareness, it is as Ernest Holmes wrote:

"We should take the highest thought we have, and attempt to enlarge on this consciousness until it embraces a more vital concept of Reality. Consciousness in this sense means an inner embodiment of ideas. If one wishes to demonstrate prosperity, he must first have a consciousness of prosperity; if he wishes health, he must embody the idea of health. This is more than faith; it is the knowledge that we dealing with Law. While a certain consciousness may be mechanically induced, of course, the more spontaneity put into the mechanical word, the more power the word must have. ...Each maintains a stream of consciousness in the One Mind, and anyone contacting this stream may objectify it....the individual stream of consciousness is always omnipresent..."

Consciousness is causative. It is our consciousness that contains the entire universe. It becomes the law unto our world. The moment we can consciously feel and realize the presence of God, we have the quality of being that removes all belief of erroneous conditions in our lives. This changes everything!

Many blessings,
Rhoberta

Rhoberta Shaler, PhD
www.SoulDrivenLiving.com
Co-author, SOUL SOLITUDE: Taking Time for Our Souls to Catch Up
www.SoulSolitude.com

Join in. It's free! www.SpiritualLivingNetwork.com Social networking for the spiritually-minded.

Can you REALLY "let go?"

Would the world stop turning if I gave up my illusion of control?

That's a big question with two important parts: my illusion and my control. Do I actually believe that I am in control of all that goes on here called my life? I think of the many goal-setting workshops I gave in the 80's, so clear that there was a process that could regulate my behavior. Even then, I only paid it lip service in my own life because it did not seem right. Now, I laugh when I think of it. Intuitively, I think I knew that all my planning was simply time-consuming behavior the outcome of which I could not be attached to. But, it gave me the illusion of doing something, at least!

You might have had that experience, too. Please understand that I have no issue with myself or others having goals. I simply consider them to be what I think might be next or best. Not rules. Not formulae. Not "must-haves." And, able to be let go of in an instant!

I've been in seminars and workshops where the supposed sage on the stage demanded that crystal clear goals be created with objectives, action plans and tasks, separated and at the ready as an arsenal for blasting through anything unlike achievement. In fact, it was suggested that you might just be choosing failure if that arsenal was not intact! Perhaps you have experienced something similar.

In our book, SOUL SOLITUDE: Taking Time for Our Souls to Catch Up, we say that surrender is one of the four most important steps in a soul-driven life. That's not a sometimes kind of surrender. It's a bigtime, all-the-time kind of surrender. Are you willing to live surrendered in God? What do you understand by that question? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Many blessings,
Rhoberta

Rhoberta Shaler, PhD
Counselor. Consultant. Coach. Catalyst.
Helping Businesses Prosper & People Flourish
www.SowPeace.com
www.Rhoberta.com
www.OptimizeInstitute.com
www.SpiritualLivingNetwork.com


Dr. Shaler is the author of nine books and is the Founder of www.SowPeace.com

Soul-Driven or Ego-Driven? That is the Question.

I think a very important part of the discussion around creating a Soul-Driven Life is in determining the difference between Ego and Soul.

There are some writers who would have us get rid of the Ego as quickly as possible, which, in our way of thinking in Soul Solitude, would mean a quick end to earthly life. We think the Ego is an important part that needs to be acknowledged and recognized for what it does for us. What we want to avoid is an Ego-Driven Life.

The Ego is a necessary part of us and definitely a part that we are wise to embrace. When it is in the driver's seat, however, in a relationship, that tenderness, availability, sensitivity and willingness is over-shadowed by the Ego needs.

We talk a lot about the Ego in Soul Solitude because we believe it is quite misunderstood. There are many who suggest that we must "kill the Ego" if we are to live spiritual lives. We say, "Not so." The Soul does not matter to the Ego, however, so the Ego truly resists our achieving Soul Solitude. The Ego is outwardly focused on acquiring, doing, keeping, having. The Ego thinks sitting is Soul Solitude is a waste of the precious time it believes is so limited!

The Ego leads us into interesting places...to say the least! Then, it is up to us to apply spiritual principles to where we find ourselves. That is the shift from Ego-Driven to Soul-Driven.

What are your thoughts on the matter?

Many blessings,
Rhoberta

Founder, Spiritual Living Network, www.SpiritualLivingNetwork.com
Co-Author, Soul Solitude: Taking Time for Our Souls to Catch Up, www.SoulSolitude.com

Do you have a soul? Are you a soul? Are you part of a Soul?

There is no end of inquiry on the spiritual path. I'm sure you've noticed that.

As I am writing Soul-Driven Living, I am having to pay great attention to the clarity I can bring to my thinking before I can actually write the book. That seems imperative. So, the questions: Do you have a soul? Are you a soul? Are you part of a Soul?

What do you think? I'd love to hear your comments and thinking on the subject.

When we wrote SOUL SOLITUDE: Taking Time for Our Souls to Catch Up, we wrote it for a general audience and very consciously chose to say 'our souls". In that book, we discussed the soul as the Authentic Self. We offer the Webster's dictionary definition of soul:

• "the immaterial essence, animating principle or actuating cause of an individual life; the spiritual principle embodied in human beings; all rational and spiritual beings of the universe; an actual or essential part; a moving spirit; man's moral or ethicalnature; that quality that arouses emotion and sentiment."

And, we offer a definition from Dr. Dennis Merritt-Jones:

• "The truth is there is only one Soul and it is the Soul of the Universe. Individual man's soul is simply that point within him where the Universe (or God) personalizes Itself. We believe that the soul is man's creative medium and is therefore subjective (or subject) to his conscious thought. The soul is that perfect part of our being which accepts us and our actions, never judging us as right or wrong, always ready to "assist" us in achieving whatever we choose to do when we believe we can do it.
  
  The soul has been referred to as the "mirror of mind" because it reflects the forms of thought which are given it. WE choose the thoughts it reflects or, in other words, brings into experience."

These two definitions offer our readers a point of departure for understanding the concept of soul.

What are your thoughts?

Many blessings,
Rhoberta

What is Your Concept of God?

In my opinion, there are three words to consider when embarking on a spiritual way of life. We each have to surmount the difficulties inherent in these three words if we are to remain on a spiritual path. We have to be willing and able to rise above the limitations of these three words to find ease, joy and prosperity.

The first word is God. We must examine the situation where we accepted our current concept of God. Was it from a church, our parents, our reading or our own experiences of life? No matter where we got it and no matter what it is, one thing we need to recognize now is that the concept is not God. There is nothing we can know about God that is God. There is no idea we can entertain that actually is God. That is all only a concept, an idea. It is not God. God is an experience!

We love to talk about God, write about God, study about God, theorize about God--all good things--yet, it is only when we have the experience of God that we have God in our lives. And, no group can give us the experience of God. It is an individual experience, which might take place in a group, however, the individual will have the experience, not the group.

Statements of truth and learning are necessary steps in our progress as we build our consciousness. It is the experience of God that makes all the difference.

What has been your experience of God? Do you have a daily experience of God, the presence of God, in your life? I'd love to have you join the discussion here, so, please add your comments.

I'll write about the other two words we can consider in the next entries.

Until then, enjoy love, peace, beauty and prosperity.

Many blessings,
Rhoberta

Rhoberta Shaler, PhD
Author of Soul-Driven Living coming in Fall, 2008.
Founder, Spiritual Living Network

To help others move towards having that experience of God--and to remind us to do the same daily--we wrote Soul Solitude: Taking Time for Our Souls to Catch Up. During our years and years of teaching and learning, we recognized that it is so important to make the distinction between learning about God and experiencing God. We found that following the guidelines of Soul Solitude allows for that shift from knowing about to experiencing. If you'd like to read the book, click on the title above.

What's Our Soul?

What's our Soul? That's a big question that many spiritual teachers and mystics have endlessly written about. When I decided to create Soul Driven Living, I knew I had to find a simple, clear definition. Books and books have been written about our souls, so distilling all that is an ongoing task. And, then, sharing my thoughts is another.

I was delighted to find that Webster's dictionary was a help. It clearly supports the spiritual essence:

Soul

• the immaterial essence, animating principle or actuating cause of an individual life
• the spiritual principle embodied in human beings
• a person's total self

Those are the first three definitions. What a great start!

So, for today, I'll leave you with this question:

Would there be anything better than to have a life driven by the animating principle or actuating cause of life, living through the spiritual principle embodied in us, and, being whole and complete?

That would be Soul-Driven Living, wouldn't it?

Stay tuned. There's more...much more.

Many blessings,
Rhoberta

Rhoberta Shaler, PhD
Founder, Spiritual Living Network
www.SpiritualLivingNetwork.com

Co-Author, SOUL SOLITUDE: Taking Time for Our Souls to Catch Up
www.SoulSolitude.com