The last chapter shows us that we are surrounded by miracles. Miracles are not the unusual; they are the natural course of events. When we don't see them, it's because our mind is clouded. The clouding comes in the form of fear, self-protection, guilt, worry, and other unnatural states of mind and emotions. As we proceeded to do the exercises in the last chapter, it may have become clear to you that the more you expect miracles, the more they appear. This is what we can loosely call the receiving end of miracles. To receive a miracle, we simply pay attention to what is going on around us. We open our minds and hearts to the blessing that the Voice for God presents to us.
The fact that these events themselves touch a joyful tone in our hearts is a demonstration of the universal nature of the Child of God within us all. The blessings that are miracles can put a smile on the face of people of all ages, of any origin or cultural affiliation, or of any background. When we hear a bird singing, we feel a sense of calm. We listen very closely to that song, as if we ourselves are the receiver. When we see the expression on a cat's face, our hearts melt, as if the cat were smiling and looking into our eyes in particular. All of these represent an infinite moment of moments where we allow ourselves to experience miracles.
The other side of miracles has to do with our claiming responsibility for the state of our own minds. We are also the creator of miracles. We take the energy of miracles and allow it to pass through us to others. We complete a process which not only brings joy and attentiveness to others with whom we encounter, but also multiplies God's blessings.
Together, miraculous thoughts fill our minds as we collectively share our miracle energy. To be able to give miracles requires no special effort. It is simply a matter of paying attention to what we have allowed into our minds, and then with faith in how they will be received, we spread the Good News that love's energy can be freely given and received. This can be done through words, gestures, kind mannerisms, or just thoughts of grace and gratitude. Miracles know no special media. What we fill our minds with will simply spread to others.
This is what is meant by the expression that what we give, we receive, and that giving and receiving are the same. Love freely given becomes very attractive in its expression. When we choose to give love's energy, we soon receive kindness, friendliness, and warmth either from the receiver or from places we did not expect. It is like a boomerang effect. What we give out will return. God will show us the way best for us.
The giving of miracle energy has a double benefit. It corrects the minds of those who are in receipt of the miracles and secondly we see the world of relationships in a much easier and less distorted fashion. When we expect miracles, the Child of God within jumps for joy at the anticipation of new folks to meet, to share candidly what is already around us, GodŐs blessings. As we have done the exercises in the last chapter, we have come to realize the abundance of miracles already around us. As we continue to do them, we will find greater and greater abundance. This helps balance our minds and place them in a greater sense of clarity. By the very nature of concentrating on miracles that we perceive around us, our minds spend more time in a corrected state. The conscious act of giving the energy we receive through our openness to miracles enhances this effect that much more.
Here is an example. Who amongst us has not run across an injured animal unexpectedly? Remember the automatic feeling of compassion which welled up inside of you. The pain that animal felt, you too may have felt in a small way. This is quite automatic. If you're like most folks, you had a desire to reduce the suffering of that animal. This may have very well been in the form of getting help for the animal, or at least making it more comfortable.
The giving of that aid to the animal, both in thought and in actions, become a state of mind that we can recall even at this moment. Our being present for that animal at just the right time and at just the right spot was a miracle. Even if we were not able to 'do' something to reduce this animal's suffering, our presence reduced the fear just a bit and allowed the animal to either be helped physically, or to move on in its journey.
What were those moments like in our mind? What made those moments to be both unique and a cause for pause from the rest of our daily plans? It was more than compassion. It was a moment of true joining with all life and all of its beautiful interconnectedness. We knew we could communicate beyond words to let that animal know that although we had never previously met, we have always known each other in the most spiritually intimate way. These are moments in time when we know that our being there with that animal, or that person, is the most noble thing we can do.
What other ways can you think to give miracles? What other ways can we find to multiply the feeling of peace and joy in our lives as we translate the miracles that we have received in our minds to express love for others? There are a variety of ways to do this, many of which we discover with practice, focus and interest. They seem to fall into a few categories.
First, we can fully take the joyous sensation of miracles, and ask the Holy Spirit to help us find opportunities to spread this light energy. We may spread this energy to whomever is shown to us, in whatever way is given us. We may pray for open mindedness and clarity of communication with the Voice for God in behalf of a particular person whose thoughts and experiences have come to us. We can also give from our own abundance in small physical and emotional ways. Any way we may join our minds through empathy, words, or physical kindness helps alleviate the suffering of the other person, bringing us to greater fulfillment of our purpose and theirs. These Miracle moments spread love energy to the whole.
A miracle given is a spiritual expression changing our focus away from physical or emotional suffering. Miracles can be given freely through general kindness. We can give a flower to a stranger, or to a loved one, to help symbolically communicate the blessing of love. This, I like to call the spreading of our awareness of Heaven on Earth. Whenever we are able to convey a general feeling of calm and serenity in a conversation, it is because we have attuned ourselves to the Child of God within us and within the others.
We can look beyond adult words and expressions and see only the children inside us all, asking to be loved. We can feel the same compassion as we see an injured animal, or when holding a baby child in our arms.
Our desire to join with the Holy Spirit within our hearts attunes us to the miracles of our relating as ever- present soul mates. Without saying anything in particular, or doing anything at all that can be physically seen, our inner peacefulness comes from seeing the miracle of the other personŐs holiness. That unconditional regard, with total absence of conflict is what we are seeking. It makes every relationship a holy encounter. Assuredly, our peacefulness spreads to others in any conversation, regardless of the topic. Peace is what we all want. In fact, it is our natural state of mind. Being 'right' does not in itself bring us peace, yet an atmosphere of peace will always draw out the right solution.
We begin to see just how great our spirit is through our giving of miracles. It is not only eternal and infinite, but it is energy far beyond quantification and far beyond physical expression. We are the Children of God.
WAKING MEDITATION
Upon completion of the morning breathing meditation at our altar, we ask the Holy Spirit to place in our minds on one or more relationships to focus upon during the day, that may be a recipient of our simple act of kindness. Ask the Holy Spirit what form that might take, whether it be a kind word, a gesture, a favor, or another form. When the form occurs to us we write it down in our pocket notebook. On our way to work, or wherever we meet this person, we think about the manner in which our kindness can be communicated. Our connection completes our commitment to doing and being a messenger of a miracle moment. We feel within our mind and our heart center an immediate connection that we establish with this person. We send this person our goodwill and love.
We savor this gift given and received. Whether we are with that person physically or not, we can tune into their mind and spirit through the Universal Mind consciousness that we call God. We have faith what we have done out of love will be well received, if not for the form of the gift, from the giving itself. We feel this moment of love and joy we both share without ego strings attached.
At first we may hesitate to give of ourselves, since we may not feel worthy to be a messenger of God. We take faith, we are much more precious than we may currently realize. Only by these acts of giving do we come to recognize just how easily we can bless the world whose arms are extended, waiting for our embrace. We find once we have reached out to our fellow human being in this manner, we immediately feel a heightened sense of awe and serenity, which is the presence of the Voice for God smiling within us.
We can do several of these each day. The short version of this waking meditation is to keep in mind, throughout the day, the desire to give miracles, and then, as we are shown these opportunities, we simply take them. Miracles need not be great and vast. They can be momentary thoughts and gestures inter-connected. And thereby, fear slips away. In a sense, miracles bring us to a point of timelessness. Although we appear to be separate, we have never really left each other or our creator.
GUIDED IMAGERY
Upon completion of your deep breathing morning meditation, see yourself sitting in an area such as a garden in which there are many beautiful sensations. Feel the joy of the rhythm of bright music in the background. See your image of God as you have drawn it, and see this image upon your altar.
See the little faces of angelic messengers hovering over and around you and coming to you by way of light, energy, warmth and love. See them emanating from the universal life force which we draw from readily. Let them fill your being, your heart, and your spirit.
Let the energy rise to your heart and swirl into your mind. Let your mind fill with a radiant glow of light. Feel the light; see the light in your mind. Feel the composite of an infinite number of faces which have come to you, and let the light shine from all corners of your mind upon these fellow children of God. Free yourself from concern of where this energy goes. Claim the assurance of love's infinity. Simply feel the power of the light of love coming effortlessly into you, rising and building within you, and radiating and glowing out from you.
Now simply ask these three significant questions:
JOURNAL ENTRIES
When you can, jot down in your pocket notebook, those moments when you are inspired to give miracles. Later, in the evening, as you dialogue with the Holy Spirit, relive the effect giving miracles has upon your mind and thoughts. Write down any changes you perceive. Then answer the three questions above without contemplation. Simply allow the Holy Spirit to answer with you in the light of miraculous opportunities you have created.
Affirmation to be said and thought as often as you are inspired:
'Today let me feel, Dear God, I am the light of love.'
WHEN IT'S TIME TO MOVE ON
Practice with concentrated effort, giving and receiving miracles daily, spontaneously directed by the Holy Spirit . When you feel this is becoming comfortable for you on a daily basis, you will have completed among others, the following tasks:
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