Spiritual Portal

Recently I’ve given a thought to the fact that at times some of us -including me - may be giving too much importance to what we consider to be significant ‘signs’ totems and numbers around us. It is only an observation at this point and not a conclusion. I’ve just been looking at the use of my time and wondering how much of it should be allocated to meditation and spiritual activities and how much for various ‘phenomena’ experienced and observed from such practices. Haven’t really figured that out, because it is clear to me that various reinforcements from spiritual practice are more or less necessary to maintain a high amount of stimulation and incentive for practicing.

I think it's all relevant. If you have a moment of deep appreciation and introspection, the importance is what it is. If you feel, there is nothing special about this moment, then the importance has been automatically adjusted. In the case of your post above, it seems some times you experience the latter. The trick is recognizing the magic.

The question as to why one would find such a moment important is of equal value- maybe someone is trying to understand a mysterious phenomenon, a not-so-ordinary level of communication... One that, if ventured, brings miracles.

A desire for miracles is admirable, and the attention should always be Godward.

What matters is whether or not the moment is causing you to look within- as spiritual seekers, we dig deep within to live and discover Paradise. These special moments of communication are Faith-building, and allow us the opportunity to share Love within ourselves and others around us.

Thanks for the reply Eric, it is a good reply. I suppose to some extent the answer is dependent on individual preferences and a need to concurrently deal with very mundane day to day tasks.

For instance recently you have found there is only so much time you have to spend on political matters when there may be much more important matters to discuss and focus on in our spiritual life.

I think every moment that happens in my life is causing me to look within. The concern is to what extent? I believe from your influence …. my understanding and interest in multifaceted events out side of my SELF have made me recognize the importance of their affect within my growing awareness, and also how attitudes we have towards exterior phenomena may affect our inner spiritual life. We can often look back in retrospect and see how the influence of environment, friends and people have changed our lives enhancing it or at other times not helping us anymore or we are unable to help them also, which is just as important sometimes.

For me personally the political environment has gotten so toxic in the U.S. that I’ve actually considered moving out of this country. I remember at one time my father told me “if you don’t like this country; leave it”. To which I responded; ‘Instead of leaving, why not change it’? But I often wonder how much truth there was to my father’s words? It’s just a question I’ve been reevaluating now a lot more. Since I couldn’t change my father and I’m not changing any one’s views here. Maybe there is a better place than to be for instance in the heart of the Midwest, here in the United Clones where my views are not always well received.

I recognize that we bring our happiness or discontent where ever we go. Yet there have been times in my life that a simple move to a different location has brought much more joy and meaning into my life. So I do not think that we can say that everything is dependent on our inner state of mind. Outer circumstances and people do provide different kinds of opportunities and deterrences to our happiness and well being.


Yet Eric you yourself have for instance changed outer jobs and people in your life. So my question is; at what point do we recognize we need to make certain changes outwardly speaking; and will those changes be beneficial or detrimental?

I can see myself being in another country and not being so concerned about Fuhrer Trump being president. But being here his policies have definitely affected me personally. If I was somewhere else maybe that would not be such an important factor. Look at someone like Nivalny or Assuage. They could have avoided some of the painstaking repercussions of their views if they decided to not speak of them or in the case of Navalny- not return to his homeland. It is difficult to know what actions to take against tyranny but this was an issue I feel was part of my last life experiences also. So one would wonder how much it has to do with our inner transformation and how much it has to do with building up courage to face outer challenges to our perceived truth on the matters.

First, Steve, I can not answer questions *for you.*

I can only provide my thoughts, as I understand them- which are limited and biased.

As best as I know, with regards to what is *external*
"Change is the only constant"

And as far as what is *internal*
Is unchangeable.

I love the quote of Anandamayi Ma:
(https://www.azquotes.com/picture-quotes/quote-ever-afterward-though-the-dance-of-creation-change-around-me-in-the-hall-of-eternity-anandamayi-ma-70-90-47.jpg)

We are so often, and so naively, identifying with all the change that it takes *effort* to understand the unchanged nature of the Soul. I believe Yogananda descried the Soul best as, "ever-new Bliss."
It's quite a paradox, all things considering. But how much of a better place would this world be if we were all Self-Realized? If we understood our true identity?

With regards to my job, I was forced to get a new one due to circumstance. It's circumstantial with my relationships too. But none of that change is bad. . . How often do we realize God provides us with exactly what we need? ...Did I mention how much effort it takes to keep our awareness nestled in self Realization?

"
You do not have to struggle to reach God,
    but you do have to struggle to tear away
       the self-created veil that hides him from you."
~Paramahansa Yogananda

By meditative practice we cultivate awareness and learn to turn the lens of judgment within. That is not to say do not judge. Naturally we judge. It is to say that by this practice of self awareness we realize we too are imperfect and are having to work towards some end. Do we have spiritual amnesia and forget what that end is? Only near the end of their earthly demise, do the majority begin to prioritize what really matters in life. And some are graced with the realization that God was always with them providing exactly what they needed. Beautiful tears of gratitude are shed in humbling surrender as we make peace with our earthly incarnation.

I believe at this time the majority are yearning for Union. Re-Union. And all of these struggles are providing us the experiential wisdom and tools to liberate ourselves from what many mistakenly call a prison planet. In you, is another me. In me, another you. And God is all there is.

I actually came back here to reply to something entirely different. I initially replied to this thread while at work. When I got home, I saw the most majestic bird in my Sufi tree. I've lived in this house my entire life and have never seen a black bird so large taking refuge in my tree. I grew up with this tree, this is the same tree from my, "I am Sufi" dream. It's cloudy and dark out, and the leaves have all fallen. To see this magnificent bird in the night sky in contrast to the rainy weather with the occasional flash of lightning. Wow... It definitely caused me to stop in my tracks. It's slightly above me outside my bedroom but I couldn't get a good angle with my phone. The picture doesn't do it justice. This bird is still keeping me company, just outside these walls.
(https://i.ibb.co/Qr1nyjw/bird1.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/s6R9NtT/bird2.jpg)

I wanted to come back and say, I hope the magic in you never dies. I mean, this kind of sighting rarely happens... And it happens in the middle of our fellowship! If you have the impetus to leave the country- it's all fine and dandy. I used to have a manager that would say, "the sky is the same color no matter where you go." In other words, your problems won't disappear just because you go somewhere else.

Gurunath would say, "Self Peace for Earth Peace." If we try to attain this attitude, we can really catapult ourselves into the ultimate desire for Union/Re-Union and maybe liberate ourselves from the "prison." This mass shift is happening within the individual. One person at a time.

I believe the hawk represents higher knowledge. For me, it is very pertinent to the conversation. I'm not obsessing to the point I am unable to fulfill my duty, I'm just recognizing a Divine Moment and deciding- by my will, to use this moment as a stepping stone towards Liberation.

And... If this wasn't long-winded enough(sorry)... I'll just say... Sometimes you *don't know* but you take a step forward anyway. That's where the real magic happens.

Peace Brother Steve.

I think it is so wonderful that you can find solace in such a large dark being clothed in feathers.

Even darkness has its place
in changing us and helping us grow,
as it unfurls its wings and let’s us go.

I have also inundated myself with hopeful and uplifting messages as well as adages that are lifelong memories that occasionally play back in my mind from those who spoke them, and they take me out of the dark clouds of discouraging moods.

Though the changes are taking place around us, in the sea of eternity I can see that Anandamayi  Ma had her being surrounded in bliss.