just something to uplift this monday---good night or good morning

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKji0oK1bmg

Good and Bad

"Remember that, as I said, the right direction leads not only to peace but to knowledge. When a man is getting better he understands more and more clearly the evil that is still left in him. When a man is getting worse he understands his own badness less and less. A moderately bad man knows he is not very good: a thoroughly bad man thinks he is all right. This is common sense, really. You understand sleep when you are awake, not while you are sleeping. You can see mistakes in arithmetic when your mind is working properly: while you are making them you cannot see them. You can understand the nature of drunkenness when you are sober, not when you are drunk. Good people know about both good and evil: bad people do not know about either." - C. S. Lewis

- C. S.  Lewis wrote more than thirty books, allowing him to reach a vast audience, and his works continue to attract thousands of new readers every year. C. S. Lewis’s most distinguished and popular accomplishments include Mere Christianity, Out of the Silent Planet, The Great Divorce, The Screwtape Letters, and the universally acknowledged classics in The Chronicles of Narnia. To date, the Narnia books have sold over 100 million copies and been transformed into three major motion pictures.

Grow wiser, not just older

Some people just grow older, without growing wiser. Then there are those who use their years to grow wiser as they grow older. Like this woman, who is blind, but still sees the light.

This 92-year-old, petite, well-poised and proud lady, who is fully dressed each morning by eight o’clock, with her hair fashionably coiffed and makeup perfectly applied, even though she is legally blind, moved to a nursing home yesterday. Her husband of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary.

After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, she smiled sweetly when told her room was ready. As she maneuvered her walker to the elevator, I provided a visual description of her tiny room, including the eyelet sheets that had been hung on her window. “I love it,” she stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old having just been presented with a new puppy.
“Mrs. Jones, you haven’t seen the room …. just wait.”

“That doesn’t have anything to do with it,” she replied. “Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time. Whether I like my room or not doesn’t depend on how the furniture is arranged, it’s how I arrange my mind. I already decided to love it. It’s a decision I make every morning when I wake up. I have a choice;

I can spend the day in bed recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer work, or get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do. Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open I’ll focus on the new day and all the happy memories I’ve stored away, just for this time in my life.”

She went on to explain, “Old age is like a bank account, you withdraw from what you’ve put in. So, my advice to you would be to deposit a lot of happiness in the bank account of memories Thank you for your part in filling my Memory bank. I am still depositing.”

And with a smile, she said: “Remember the five simple rules to be happy:

1. Free your heart from hatred.
2. Free your mind from worries.
3. Live simply.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less, & enjoy every moment.

Photograph by Karsten Thormaehlen

A Post from the Past

This was first posted in 2011"

COPING WITH FEAR

Fear is the greatest weapon of control. Just look at history--both your own and the world's--to see that this is true. Fear is a dark force that has nothing to do with your true nature. Your true nature is light. Dark attracts dark. Fear attracts fear. This is the nature of fear.

In spite of the fear being broadcast into the world today, you can align with your higher nature which is light. You can go within yourself to find out what is true for you. You are not compelled to blindly believe everything you hear on the news, from the media, religious, or political leaders. News today is not meant to enlighten, but to enslave with fear. Fear is addictive. When the media or government can "excite" you with fear, they know they have you hooked and you will continue to come back for more and more, giving away more and more of your power to them. Have you noticed how the news plays the same horrifying images for days reliving horrifying events from the past?

NOTICE WHEN FEAR TAKES YOU OVER

• Notice when you are feeling afraid.
• Do your best to identify what it is you are afraid of.
• Ask yourself if you have any control over what you fear (whether it is an earthquake, a war, terrorists, dying, being left alone, not getting something you want).
• Acknowledge to yourself what you have no power over. There is great empowerment in acknowledging what you are powerless over.
• Consciously offer your fear to your higher power.
• Do your best to bring yourself to the here and now.

SUGGESTIONS FOR HELPING YOUR MIND COPE WITH FEAR

Your first lesson asked you to be aware of the questions you ask. Ask yourself the following questions. Spontaneous writing can help you find answers and understand your fear. Having a non-judgmental person to read your writing to is also helpful.

• Is the thing I fear happening right now?

• Do I have any control over the thing I fear?

• What purpose does this fear serve?

•What do I get from having this fear?

• Does the fear have a useful message for me?

• Can I learn something from this fear?

• Where do I experience fear in my body?

• What thoughts are connected with this fear?

• Am I safe right now?

• Do I know for sure this fearful thing will manifest?

• What (who) am I believing in when I believe this fear?

• What (who) am I trusting when I trust this fear?

• Is this fear trustworthy?

• Are my thoughts in the past or present?

• Am I in the present moment?

• What am I afraid would happen if I stopped being afraid?

SUGGESTIONS FOR HELPING YOUR BODY COPE WITH FEAR

Play your favorite music if you like, or just sit silently. Notice where fear is held in your body. Close your eyes and bring your complete attention to this place. This helps the frightened place within you understand that it is not alone. Breathe into the fear. Notice any tension, tightness, or stress in your body. Roll your shoulders. Do this until you feel tension easing from your shoulders.

Let your head move in soft gentle circles. Inhale deep peace as your head rolls back. Exhale a long sigh of tension as your head drops forward. Do this until you feel tension easing from your neck and shoulders.

Consciously breathe deep into your abdomen, letting it expand and fill with air like a balloon. Let breath move into to your solar plexus. Continue inhaling and fill your lungs, letting your chest and heart open and expand. Let this expansion naturally lift and stretch your arms. Continue to inhale until you feel the need to exhale.

Now inhale and let the stretch move through your spine. Let the stretch relax and expand your entire body. Let your body intuitively stretch, move, or even dance in any way that feels good to you. Observe your body without trying to control its movements. Let the natural intelligence of breath move your body. Feel your body responding with love and gratitude for the care you are giving it.

When your movement naturally stops, let yourself sit or stand quietly for awhile, imbibing the wonderful healing energy you have created for yourself. Re-enter the world refreshed and rejuvenated, with your focus upon the Love and Truth in your heart.

SUGGESTIONS FOR COPING WITH FEAR THROUGH AWARENESS

Simply go about your day with awareness. Notice from moment to moment what you are thinking, feeling, and doing. Perform each task completely. Give your complete attention to each task. Do not multitask. Do one thing completely at a time. Perform each task with reverence, as if it were a sacred (not scared) duty, as if you are serving God. Imagine that a host of angels surrounds you, gazing  upon you with unconditional love and acceptance. When you find that you have traveled away, into the past or future, gently bring yourself back to the task at hand. Remind yourself that there is nothing more important than your serenity now in this moment.

AFFIRMATIONS OF TRUTH

The following are not merely positive affirmations: they are affirmations of Truth that you may repeat to help recondition your mind. Media and society are intent upon repeating negative, seemingly authoritative, pronouncements of negativity that only ingrain us more deeply in fear. You must apply yourself diligently if you are to rise above the ignorant world.

Ask God for more light. The more light you have, the better you can see while walking through the dark.

• I am safe.
• Courage flows abundantly into every cell of my body.
• Courage flows endlessly into my heart.
• Courage fills my mind.
• There is enough.
• I am enough.
• The universe provides for me abundantly.
• Grace flows freely to me.
• My cup runneth over! 
• I am open and receptive to the gifts that come to me.
• I am safe.

You might also read this very positive affirming passage from the Bible. You can always substitute the name of your own higher power or change any words to suit yourself. Our school is never about religion; it is about spirituality; and we honor spirituality in all its forms, so please never allow yourself to be offended when I mention different sacred texts and names for God. I can only mention the ones I know, so if I leave something out, you can always let me know!

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

C.S. Lewis Quote

12 September 1960: Living in the Present Moment:
The whole lesson of my life has been that no ‘methods of stimulation’ are of any lasting use. They are indeed like drugs—a stronger dose is needed each time and soon no possible dose is effective. We must not bother about thrills at all. Do the present duty—bear the present pain—enjoy the present pleasure—and leave emotions and ‘experiences’ to look after themselves
The whole lesson of my life has been that no ‘methods of stimulation’ are of any lasting use. They are indeed like drugs—a stronger dose is needed each time and soon no possible dose is effective. We must not bother about thrills at all. Do the present duty—bear the present pain—enjoy the present pleasure—and leave emotions and ‘experiences’ to look after themselves.

Take heed!

"You get for yourself exactly what you wish for others — what you _ really _ wish for others, not what you say you wish. It can be no other way. It is a law of spiritual science. Work with that opening." --Vernon Howard

Hello Classmates, 

I like these words from my last lesson, so I am writing them here. I am on Lesson 105.  (and yes, I know these words have been posted before, but their message is always valuable to me.).

"Wake up, Beloved! Wake up! Come home. Come home to Consciousness. Thoughts come. Thoughts go. Emotions flow. Emotions go. Bodies come. Bodies grow. Bodies go. Wake up! Life is but a dream. Life is but a stream of consciousness. There is only Consciousness. Wake up, Beloved! Be loved."

Love, Kevin

Your Lessons

How are you keeping up with your lessons and homework? Please don’t worry if you seem to be falling behind. You can set the pace at which you read your lessons and do your homework. Unlike a regular school, where a teacher dictates everything you must do, Your School trusts the innate wisdom within you, which knows what you need. Your School simply helps you access this divine wisdom.


SHOWING UP FOR YOURSELF

Although you can set your own pace—if you need more time on a particular lesson, or are away for awhile—you cannot make progress if you do not show up at all. Even when you are on holiday, you can remember your lessons. You can apply yourself to your homework, most of which can be done in your everyday life. You will find that it is your commitment and receptivity that results in the greatest progress.


Love

Love is the great healer, the great revealer of both lies and truth. Love rejects nothing. Love accepts everything. Love is the ocean that holds the reflection of the moon within itself.  Love holds the sting of the jellyfish, yet is itself not stung.

Remember!

The ego cannot cure the ego!

 

Beloved

"Please know that you are beloved. Not by me. Not by any person. Though you may be. That is not our concern. The concern of the angels is your soul. It is God. You are beloved by God. And angels. You are the beloved of God. And God is your Beloved. Whether you know this or not."

From Lesson "Michael Row Your Boat Ashore, Hallelujah"

 

This is from our lesson,  "Michael, Row the Boat Ashore" and I love the words so much, that I am posting them here. I hope you don't mind, Indira! And greetings to all my Beloved Classmates. I am so glad to share this path with you, even when I never see you. We are all here, together as One. -Kevin

Be kind

"All the worst pleasures are purely spiritual: the pleasure of putting other people in the wrong, of bossing and patronising and spoiling sport, and back-biting, the pleasures of power, of hatred." --C.S. Lewis

Lesson 104

I just love the new lesson (#104) that I received yesterday. Thank you so much Indira for your service! The lesson is filled with tremendous energy, just as you say. And it follows so completely from the last lesson -- from all the lessons. Each lesson opens my heart even more. And now I have a new "tool" -- I can sing this song, Michael row the boat ashore -- when I need help, when I am trapped in negative thoughts and feelings that threaten to overwhelm me. I can ask the angels for help. I can ask the angel Michael. I can sing my way out of the depths of hostile angry emotions, out of jealousy, out of conflict with others. Why not just sing a song, sing my way free!!!
The angels are great singers, so I have always heard. I dig the idea that I can join them in song, that I can ask for the angels to row my boat when my arms are too tired, when the oars are too heavy. Something higher -- as the lesson before said -- something higher can row my boat for me when I cannot row it myself.
For a long time I have been learning in the lessons that I must row my own boat, not try to row someone elses. That has been so meaningful and helpful to me. Otherwise, if there is no one to row my boat, it can crash on the rocks. Now, this is taken to another level. Yes, first I must learn to row my own boat. I must stop my unhealthy codependent relationships with other people where I try to take care of them when I should be taking of myself. That is the first lesson. I have to stay in my boat. And now I am ready for this new and wonderful lesson -- to allow God and the angels to row my boat for me. This seems so easy now. I don't think I could have heard it before. I have had to move gradually through each lesson to get this lesson. I am very happy to share all of this. I am glad for the space of the open classroom that allows me to share. Love, Kevin

Your New Lessons

Dear Students and Classmates, I am sending out lessons today and tomorrow. Some of you have already received yours. I like reading the lessons again and sending them to each of you. I gain so much with each reading. Something I missed hits home. Or I understand in a new way. As the angels say, Truth is always new ... and eternal!

Be happy for this moment.
This moment is your life. 

-Omar Khayyam

Connecting

Dear Classmates, I want to share my email here in case any of you ever want to write and share your experience of the lessons, to talk about Truth, and what you are learning here in our School. I am interested in sharing my spiritual journey, but not idle chitchat. If you are too, you may write to me here: kevsranch@gmail.com Love, Kevin P.S. and I do think it is most beneficial when we can have a discussion and sharing here in our Classroom where everyone can benefit, though I understand some of you are too shy for that.

Hi Kevin, 
I wantet to write back to you, but your mail and adress disappeared miraculasly from my computer. If you like you may write to my adress: info@praxis-lebensbegleitung.de
 I will write to you then.
All the best to you
Monika

Correction

 Some of the recent blog posts were somehow being published under the wrong names. Sorry about that. Technology! Anyway, that problem should be fixed now. Please do let me know if you experience anymore problems. Also, some posts were mistakenly deleted, but I don't know how to get them back, so they are gone wherever disappearing posts go. Post heaven maybe.

Love & Relationships

I have been reading C. S. Lewis, who wrote many things, including 'Alice in Wonderland,' and other children's stories which were deep and profound. He was also a spiritual writer, though his later thought was based in Christianity -- though I think, not what Christianity has become to so many people, but a more pure form. So many 'religions' have become politicized, warped, made into something dark and ugly, which gives people reason to hate and even kill. But there is a pure form of religion, which is more spiritual. People's actual 'beliefs' may differ -- one person may 'believe' in Jesus, another in Allah -- those are not really important -- but there can be a deep inner core, where all spiritual paths meet. We have that deep inner core here -- just find the thread that leads to it and follow it. You will end up in your Heart.

Here is some writing by C.S. Lewis that I find very deep and helpful. Perhaps you will to, especially if you are in, or considering being in, a relationship:

"The idea that ‘being in love’ is the only reason for remaining married really leaves no room for marriage as a contract or promise at all. If love is the whole thing, then the promise can add nothing; and if it adds nothing, then it should not be made. The curious thing is that lovers themselves, while they remain really in love, know this better than those who talk about love. As Chesterton pointed out, those who are in love have a natural inclination to bind themselves by promises. Love songs all over the world are full of vows of eternal constancy. The Christian law is not forcing upon the passion of love something which is foreign to that passion’s own nature: it is demanding that lovers should take seriously something which their passion of itself impels them to do.

And, of course, the promise, made when I am in love and because I am in love, to be true to the beloved as long as I live, commits me to being true even if I cease to be in love. A promise must be about things that I can do, about actions: no one can promise to go on feeling in a certain way. He might as well promise never to have a headache or always to feel hungry."
From Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis

Gratitude

Just a cheery Good Morning, Classmates! And to let you know I am glad to be sharing this journey with you. I do feel connected to and a part of something greater than myself, knowing there are angels, knowing there are all of you. I don't see angels anymore than I see any of you, but that does not make you any less real, as it does not make angels any less real. I am deeply touched when I visit this classroom, by all that is available to me here, by knowing I share this with others who are also deeply committed to their path. So Thank You. Cheers, Kevin

Your Open Classroom

This is a different kind of classroom. This is where you learn from yourself. You are the teacher and you are the student. You are both.

"Before you speak, let your words pass through three gates: Is it true? Is it necessary? Is it kind?"
-some people think Buddha said this, and maybe he did, since Truth is said in many ways, by many people. But as far as I can tell, it came from Socrates. Who also said...

"It is better to change an opinion than to persist in a wrong one."