Em on Spirituality

Eloquence by Guacha, 2009 A.T. Thru-hiker

noreply@blogger.com (Em Stecker) — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 23:53:00 +0000

It's that time of year, when a couple thousand people don backpacks and start hiking the Appalachian Trail at its southern terminus on Springer Mountain in northern Georgia.

Most of them are thru-hikers, who intend to hike the entire length of the A.T., finishing 2175 miles north at Mt. Katahdin in central Maine. For many of us who are non-hikers or past-hikers, it's the time of year to start watching for journal updates from this year's hikers.

This week, I ran across the blog of one of this year's hikers, Guacha. Her April 16th entry is quite an eloquent description of the spiritual aspect of long-distance hiking. It is especially insightful for someone who is just 100 miles into the journey, when a person could still be adjusting to the significant shift from street life to trail life.

I won't attempt to paraphrase, except to say that what she writes is just as applicable to street life, where it may be more difficult but still possible to pull some attention away from "survival thoughts" and notice the glorious gifts of the Universe.

Blessed be!

Does the Planet Really Need Saving?

noreply@blogger.com (Em Stecker) — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 23:16:00 +0000

Today is Earth Day!

It's a day to appreciate and celebrate all of the rich blessings Mother Earth offers us. It's also a day to reaffirm our intention to treat her well.

What caught my eye this week are three simple words, words I've seen a hundred times, but never really thought about before.

Save The Planet

It's a nice marketing slogan, and perhaps I should leave it at that.

But, does the planet really need saving? If we do nothing to reduce greenhouse gases, to use renewable energy sources, to put fewer toxins into our soils and waters, to put fewer plastics in landfills, etc., is it the planet that is facing peril?

No, I believe Mother Earth will be just fine. Polar caps may melt, land masses may change shape, species may go extinct. But the Planet, She will survive.

I suppose what is really meant by the slogan is Save Our Hides. Because that is what is at stake--human life as we know it.

Even still, unless all land masses are submerged and nobody builds an ark in time, there will be some humans left. And, those folks will certainly reduce greenhouse gases, use renewable energy sources, put fewer toxins into our soils and waters, and put fewer plastics in landfills. Most certainly.

And all will be well. The Planet will be Saved.

Eckhart Tolle Is Dangerous???

noreply@blogger.com (Em Stecker) — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 14:31:00 +0000

I *love* Eckhart Tolle. I discovered him years ago when I rented The Power of Now on audiobook. I bought the reprise, A New Earth, when it came out. Then, in 2007, I was thrilled to see Oprah share Eckhart and his ideas with millions of people around the world.

So, I'm a fan. A BIG fan. Thanks to Kathy Dannel Vitcak's blog post, I found out that ABC's "Nightline" did a profile piece about him last week (15Feb09). The video is available online here.

On the whole, I think it was a good interview, representing him well in the time allotted.

The part that has me surprised, bemused, confused, and even a bit angry, is Nightline's assertion that "some Christians say Tolle is dangerous."

This is the first I've heard that Eckhart Tolle is a threat to anyone. And I can't fathom how someone could truly feel threatened.

In the profile, the journalist claims, "Some Christians say his teachings are not compatible with the Bible. That he, aided and abetted by Oprah, is promoting the doctrines of demons." Huh???

Maybe this is just today's media trying to create a buzz for their story. Who are the "some Christians"; nobody specific was named or interviewed. And how many is "some"-- is it 3, 100, 1000, what? An image of a newspaper column with a demon-related headline was flashed on the screen, but what paper and who's claim is not clear.

See, Eckhart promotes no particular doctrines, those of demons or of any religion. He recognizes the truth at the core of all religions.

And, his teachings are not compatible with the Bible? With which passages of the Bible? People eating shellfish or pork are not compatible with the Bible either, but it's a generally accepted practice, even among Christians.

It's not true that Eckhart's ideas are incompatible with any of Christ's teachings, and to imply such with a broad comment about the Bible is simply sensationalism. Statements about "some Christians," "incompatible with the Bible," and "doctrines of demons" are attention-grabbing but journalistically very thin. I'm disappointed that Eckhart's profile included them.

If there really are people who believe his teachings are dangerous, I can imagine only that it has to do with keeping members of congregations in darkness and fear so that they will stay in the pews and keep feeding the church coffers.

Nothing else makes sense.

The Joy of a Daffodil

noreply@blogger.com (Em Stecker) — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 19:30:00 +0000

It catches me by surprise every year. All of a sudden, bright green leaves stand tall above the surrounding groundcover. Soon thereafter, but just as suddenly, cheerful yellow flowers appear atop the leaves.

Every year I see the leaves as though with peripheral vision. I notice the bright green as a sign of spring, and my heart smiles. But I don't remember that they are daffodil leaves, with flowers on the way. The day I notice the flowers, my heart not only smiles but dances.

It's not even a dance for joy in anticipation of the arrival of spring, with its warmer temperatures and longer days. Rather, it's a dance for joy in celebration and appreciation of the beautiful gifts that Nature bestows upon us.

I write today about this, as I realize that I am not alone in my daffodil joy. On two occasions this week, I have heard people sharing their excitement about the arrival of daffodils. I couldn't help but to smile with them.

And, apparently, the joy is not restricted to humankind. Mikasi, when let out into a whole yard full of sunshine, finds a napping space among the daffodils, time after time.

May the joy of a daffodil touch you and invite your heart to dance!

Appreciating Comments by Doreen Virtue

noreply@blogger.com (Em Stecker) — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 19:44:00 +0000

I just received Doreen Virtue's Angel Therapy(R) Monthly Newsletter for February 2009. It is available free at www.angeltherapy.com.

I can't agree more with her main article, "On Giving, Receiving, and Healing the Economy by Doreen Virtue." I encourage you to get the newsletter and read the article in full.

Ms. Virtue suggests that we each have power to heal the economy by acting with confidence and courage. She says, "The economy appears to be stalled, because there’s a fear of the security in the future. Yet, by holding back on spending or giving, we create a self-fulfilling prophecy and a bottle-neck effect."

I say YES! to this. I believe that money is just one form of energy. Consider electricity: if the circuit is broken, the energy doesn't flow. So, too, with money; stopping the flow at my hand stops it from flowing to me. To receive more, I must keep it flowing through my hand.

Of course, there is opportunity for discernment as we each decide the direction to send our money. I heartily agree with her encouragement to buy goods at locally-owned stores.

Ms. Virtue also urges us to continue giving "with joy and courage," and being generous with those in need. Every day, find an opportunity to give somebody "a smile, a hug, words of encouragement, a ride, a meal, or money."

I say another YES! The act of giving, especially without expectation of getting something in return, is an expression of abundance and gratitude. I believe that when we give, no matter the form of the energy--love, time, labor, kindness, goods, money, etc.--we are effectively saying to the Universe, "I am grateful that I have enough of this to share, and I trust that I will have enough to share in the future." What a powerful statement!

Finally, I appreciate that Ms. Virtue offers actions that we can take to reduce our fears and increase our faith. Of her five suggestions, these are my two favorites:

"Write your worries or concerns and put them in a special box (I call it a God Box) as a physical demonstration of "letting go and letting God" help you with the issues."

"Keep asking yourself: "What is the blessing within this situation?" There’s always a silver lining to every seeming problem."

For the full text of her remarks, including the other three actions you can take, request her newsletter at her website: http://www.angeltherapy.com.

Thank you, Doreen Virtue!

Amen, and Blessed be!

Spiritual Integrity

noreply@blogger.com (Em Stecker) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 21:02:00 +0000

How would the world be different if we each "walked our talk?" What if our everyday actions were more aligned with our closest-held values and spiritual beliefs?

While waiting at a left-turn red light the other day, I heard a car blow its horn as it passed on my right. I looked in my mirror to find that a Jeep was blocking the through lane next to me, as its driver apparently decided to turn left too late to get in the turn lane properly. There was still an open lane on her right, but it created a traffic hazard as people didn't expect a stopped car in the through lane and had to change lanes to get around her.

The next car to move around her was a man in an SUV, who gave her a middle-finger salute as he passed. I was amused to notice the only bumper sticker on his car, which was actually placed higher than the bumper, perhaps for greater visibility. I couldn't read it because he was speeding away and the print was too small. But I did recognize the symbol on it to be the familiar logo of a popular brand of Christianity (name omitted because it's irrelevant).

Obviously this driver momentarily forgot not only that he was advertising his religion on his car, but also that his spiritual beliefs don't include impatience, selfishness, and rude gestures. (I recognize that I am making an assumption that the driver's beliefs match those professed by the religion his car advertised. Who knows--maybe it was his wife's car.)

Scenes like this happen in all of our lives. Sometimes we're driving the SUV, and sometimes the Jeep. When they do happen, we can give them no more thought once the incident ends. Or, we can reflect on them with honesty. What did I do, say, and think during that scene, and did my actions, words, and thoughts reflect what I profess to be my values and spiritual beliefs?

Such awareness gives us an opportunity not only to measure our spiritual integrity but also to choose greater alignment in the future. Blessed be!

It's All Good

noreply@blogger.com (Em Stecker) — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 23:32:00 +0000

In multiple sources this week, I have seen people saying "good riddance" to 2008. Using those exact words, in fact. While I understand that many in 2008 found challenges on their doorsteps, I refuse to join the "good riddance" chorus.

From the standpoint of a realist, we do reap what we sow, don't we? Didn't we all know that we've been living in a house of credit cards that was bound to collapse beneath us? We, as individuals, families, cities, and the nation, have been deficit spending for so long that it has become the standard mode of operating. So, why are we acting so surprised when our harvest is nil?

But let's take a spiritual perspective. What if, instead of resenting the challenges that come our way, we thanked them? What if we practiced finding the silver lining, seeing the opportunities for growth, and feeling grateful for the blessings our challenging circumstances provide? We have that choice, each one of us.

Yes, it's easier said than done. But some are doing it. At the same time that I was hearing "good riddance 2008" from some, I was also reading others' expressions of gratitude for the people around them who enrich their lives. Now we're talkin'!

Let's create a counter-chorus, one of heartfelt joy and gratitude. As we reflect on 2008, let's choose to see the challenges as opportunities. And let's notice the countless blessings we enjoyed every day of the year.

Let's be grateful for the arrival of 2009, but not because it closes the door on an unhappy 2008. Rather, because it is full of potential for more opportunities and blessings.

Truly, it's all part of the Journey.

And, it's all Good.

I should meditate...

noreply@blogger.com (Em Stecker) — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 18:27:00 +0000

It's been over 20 years since I was first told that I should meditate. See, in the Catholic tradition, I learned to pray, but nobody ever suggested that I sit still, quiet my mind, and listen. Nobody ever suggested there's anything inside me to listen to. Or maybe they did and I just didn't hear them. In any case, the first suggestion I remember came when I was about 20.

"You should meditate!" I heard it in the same way that I heard "You should floss, " or "You should exercise!" And my internal response was similar, too. I felt, "I can see that it would be good for me. I suppose I should do that." I'm sure my outward response was simply, "Okay." But it wouldn't happen.

Not surprising, really, as lots of "shoulds" don't happen. Even if I'm telling myself "I should," it's an external voice in my head, not my own true inner voice. "Shoulds" are about fear, shame, guilt, disappointment--nothing good. My responses to "shoulds" are typically defiance, sometimes passive-aggressiveness. I might do the thing once or twice, but it's not whole-hearted effort, I don't find the promised benefit, and I don't develop a habit.

But "shoulds" can shift to "want tos," as I've discovered with flossing. Permit me an aside for a moment... For several years, I flossed daily for the three weeks prior to my appointment to get my teeth cleaned. I started this practice when I discovered that it made my gums bleed less, which reduced the "you should floss" lecture I would get from the dentist or hygienist. Finally, two years ago, after 35+ years of going to the dentist regularly, a fabulous hygienist explained why flossing is important. I'd thought it was to get the food out from between my teeth. Yes, that's the reason given to a 3rd grader. (Well, not to me when I was in 3rd grade; back then, we learned that brushing is important, but if we couldn't brush, it was okay to just "swish and swallow." I still remember that lesson, given by a classmate's father who was a dentist. There was no mention of flossing.) The adult-level reason is that sliding a string between each tooth and gums disrupts the colonies of three types of bacteria that grow there and that cause tooth decay and gum disease. It doesn't matter whether there's food there or not; the bacteria are hiding out and prospering there until they're shown the door by the string of floss. What an "Aha!" moment that was! Since then, flossing hasn't been a "should." Rather, it's a "want to," as I want to have healthy teeth, and I want to avoid serious dental work, and I want to avoid the other diseases that can be caused by gum disease. I don't floss every day, but I do it about three times a week, which sure beats three weeks twice a year. And I feel great about it!

So, back to meditation. This fall I have been told by at least four different sources that I should meditate. I want to do it, really. More than I've wanted to in the past, on all those occasions when I said I would start a meditation practice, and then didn't last more than once or twice. But, I can't say that I have shifted it to a true "want to" yet, just that I've taken a step or two in that direction.

To be a true "want to," I have to have head and heart engaged in the wanting. I have to understand the benefit to be gained and I have to feel the inspiration from within.

I just spent two months engaged in a teleseminar program that was a spiritual journey of sorts. In the program, we were asked to meditate, and a guided meditation was offered, in case we wanted to use it. I found my meditations to be not only useful but also enjoyable--this is new, and refreshing! It lets me know that I'm on the path to "want to."

Now I just have to keep the commitment to continue meditating, so I continue to find its benefits and feel the enjoyment. I'm looking forward to a meditation practice that is as routine as flossing. :-)

Back to Blogging

noreply@blogger.com (Em Stecker) — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 17:24:00 +0000

My last post was in the middle of summer, and here it is almost winter. Since then I've taken care of a lot of things on the physical plane, but also done some meditation and introspection on the spiritual plane. Before it becomes en vogue to make resolutions, I'm making one to keep my blogs more current... Stay tuned to see how well I do with that!

Abundance

noreply@blogger.com (Em Stecker) — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 21:03:00 +0000

I believe in abundance. That there is plenty to go around. That everything is energy, and energy must flow.

I live this belief every day. I feel grateful for everything in my life--little, big, and in between. I freely give to others - love, time, energy, money, and material things - without expectation. And, I don't worry--most of the time. This week I'm being chased by the worry monster more than usual.

A friend once said, "It's easy to believe in abundance when you have it." Now that I have spent most of my cash while living the unemployed life for 18 months, I am feeling the truth of my friend's comment. I'd like to think I have faith enough that it wouldn't be true, and I do have a strong faith. But it's harder this week.

But I know that money is just one form of energy. I do have abundance in every other form--more blessings than I could enumerate. And I am grateful!

I walk in the faith that all my financial needs are met.

It's all a journey,
Em

Em on Spirituality

noreply@blogger.com (Em Stecker) — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 18:51:00 +0000

In this blog, I'd like to share my thoughts about spirituality.

I have a strong belief system, one that I've been developing for at least 20 years. It's eclectic, woven with colorful threads from a variety of religious traditions. And it's practical.

On a given day, I might like to share about a component of my belief system, about how it's working in my daily life, or about my understanding (and sometimes challenges with) other perspectives.

It's all a journey,
Em