We now become ready to invite all relationships to enter our holy state of mind where God resides. Now, we are concentrating on taking a stand to see the holiness in others as the seat of our own salvation. Again, this may not be easy, since we all have the continual habit of judging others, an unfortunate justification of our differences Let us place in our minds thoughts of greatest intention to see beneath judgments. Our goal is to see only the childlike qualities underneath the rhetoric and outside appearances of others. We now open the door to welcome that part of our minds that can only see the request for loving attention on the part of our fellow travelers in this world. As we do so, we call upon the Holy Spirit to show us our perfect selves as well.
Our Child of God within is as simple and innocent as a newborn baby. There are no grudges, no illusion of despair, no left over anger. The Child of God within, our spiritual essence, resides in a place of knowing, our symbolic altar. The Child of God within is always willing to seek and receive loving kindness right now. Beyond the ego reticence, we invite this part of ourselves into our awareness daily. We invite our Child of God within to go beyond preoccupations and self-conscious attachments of the way we look, the way we sound, and the way we dress. We see these melting away before our very eyes. It is in this simple and innocent context that the Voice for God, the Holy Spirit, can reach within us to give the simple answers to life's mysteries.
Through One-minded intention, thoughts of anger, and struggle previously perceived to be so real merely slip away from our interest, and even from our consciousness. We find it much easier to place a framework of forgiveness upon the world, and to see only requests for peace from every Child of God within. As we see the Child of God within each other, we begin to see our mind gravitating beyond past overlays, future insecurities, and focusing itself only on the current request for love. As we behold the glory of our fellow human being, as we see the Child within, we remember how learning becomes a very simple task. The only question involved is 'how might I be of help?' or put another way, 'how might I be a teacher of love in this particular moment?'
The Child of God within is guiltless. All intentions have ultimately led us to exactly where we are today. At no time has God ever withheld everlasting and complete acceptance and unconditional regard even as we believed we were walking a path of suffering. God's faith in us is our model. Our faith in ourselves is what creates faith in others. That faith is undying. When we are tempted to berate ourselves for some perceived past wrong-doing or omission, we only need to remember the unqualified love which God has for us, and we will be reminded of our innocence. Recognizing our own guiltlessness, we approach our fellow human beings in a like-minded manner, seeing them guiltless as well. Our minds' surrender to peace becomes a total belief in spiritual lessons flowing from seeming errors. The ultimate lesson is always recognizing where our home is and where our greatest resource for companionship lies.
Simplicity itself sets the stage for us to allow the joy of the Child of God within to arise. In simplicity, we need not protect ourselves from what comes before us on life's path. As we take a moment extra to tap into that place of knowing, our Child of God within can look upon each event as an opportunity that leads only to the next, and therefore eventually down a path which is always in our own best interest. Our path is filled with the greatest abundance, given us simply for the asking. Each step fully taken in this light fills us with the love of God.
Our Child of God within can be easily ignored through the ego's idolatry. We can cloud the bright star of the Child of God within through our own self-limiting thoughts of separation based on seemingly physical differences and through fear of death in its many forms. Therefore, we ask to continuously converse with the Child of God within.
Our triad team of spiritual communication leading to our own salvation is: God, the Holy Spirit, and the Child of God. We become fully aware that the Voice for God, the Holy Spirit, which we experience to be our intuitive guidance and direction, only speaks in simple terms, most readily understood by the Child of God within. We invite the Child of God within into our awareness, as we consciously simplify our thoughts so that they may be expressions of pure love.
At first we use the simplest of words, and later we search beneath words. Once we place the Child of God within the center of all communication with each other, our encounter becomes a holy one. As time goes on, we see only the face of innocence, the face of friendship, the face of love in each person we see and hear. Each face that we see shows us the way in which we can communicate love with that integral and sacred part of our Selves (God).
It is through our dialogue with the Child of God within that forgiveness becomes a natural frame of mind in relating to each other and towards our selves. We unblock our minds from its' only purpose, the illumination of God's love. As we tune into the Child of God within, we shine away from ego thoughts that would hamper us with fearŐs illusions. Instead, we see readily through the Child of God within opportunities for joining, relating, and truly empathizing.
The Child of God within sees only the commonality within our souls. We see, through consistent meditative practice, our feelings of endearment to ourselves and others intensify. The Child of God within shows us the World of Heaven, a place where there is no separation between us. As we tap into the Child of God within, we come to that place of knowing that only the thoughts of shared joy have meaning.
WAKING MEDITATION
Upon completion of our morning deep breathing meditation, ask the Holy Spirit, the Voice for God, for an opportunity to practice giving miracles of unconditional love and affection. As we give, we receive, so of course this is an exercise in self-love as well.
To begin, let yourself manifest a project, object or living creature and/or activity that you choose to hold in your affection and love. The object of our affection may be a plant, a hobby, a form of service rendered, or a pet, among others. Ideally, this focus should inspire you to use as many of your senses as possible, including the senses of smell and touch.
One example that comes to mind is a young kitten. As you give yourself several minutes to bestow unconditional affection upon the kitten, you will merge with its kindred spirit. Look deeply into its eyes and pet it. Feel an exchange of comfort and love, which you are able to convey back and forth to each other. Sense the slowing of the animalŐs heartbeat as it relaxes and lets itself fall into your embrace. Loose yourself in the interchange.
As you do so, you will find that you will take great pleasure in giving pleasure. As you impart loving affection to this animal you may notice, all other things in your mind fade away. In your moments of giving, you will find that the world feels increasingly simple. This is the experience of the Child of God within, the pure and simple joy of being.
In the next step of this waking meditation, place yourself in the position of receiver, within your mind's eye. All gifts given are also given to ourselves. Let's continue to use the example of the kitten. As you continue to stroke your pet, lose your separate self and actually become the kitten, the object of your affection. Let yourself receive your own gifts. Feel worthy of your own perfection.
Notice the shift in your mind, lightness in thought, and an ease in which joy rises within your spirit. Notice how right receiving love feels. Let your heart sink into the heart of love. Let your mind fully accept your loving glory as a Child of God. Let your mind awaken to the love which is forever present for us from our Father/Mother/God. We only need remember these peaceful and joyful moments of love's presence for our mind's expansiveness to grow.
And when you feel ready to face the day, take with you a piece of these emotions. Let them stay in the forefront of your mind, regardless of other thoughts, physical pain, or other forms of upset that your ego would bring to your attention. You will notice these other discomforts will not totally disappear from your awareness, yet will reduce in significance.
SHORT WAKING MEDITATION
During the course of the day, whenever you come across an upsetting event, relive that moment in your mind and then step back. Choose for the love of God, unconditionally, and actively converse about this event with the Holy Spirit and with the Child of God within. The issues involved will simplify considerably into one overall decision. Do we concentrate on a call for love or on a call for fear interpretation.
Envision the faces of those who are involved. See them as little children. Superimpose upon them the face of the Child of God within. Ask only, 'in what form are they calling for my love?' Notice any shift in your thinking and outlook on this matter. Jot these occurrences down in your notebook, and in the evening, reflect on them as you dialogue with the Voice for God, the Holy Spirit.
GUIDED IMAGERY
Upon completion of your daily deep breathing meditation, in your mindŐs eye, approach your altar and see laid upon it a young infant wrapped in the simplest of comfortable blankets. Look deeply into the child's face. See all the details of that face. Look deeply into the child's eyes. That child is yourself, not only the child that you were, but that you still are. Pick up the child and hold the child as you continue to look deep into its soul. See the slightest nuances of mannerisms and expressions the child will show you. Feel the child's heartbeat inside of you.
And now, let yourself ask this child a mature adult-like complicated question that is bothering you. Notice, the child will understand the question only as an infant would. The child will reduce that question to the very basic one of whether it senses from you love or fear. Let yourself feel the simple joy and humor in this encounter, and allow yourself to pare down that question. Bring it down to its greatest simplicity. Then ask yourself, do I wish to approach this question out of fear, or out of love? Upon opening your eyes, jot down a few words about the comparison which you have recognized between the responses of your ego-centered mind and of that part of your mind which is the Child of God.
In the evening, reflect back on your notebook phrases as you dialogue with the Holy Spirit. Let yourself be shown again, the endless wisdom of simplicity. Allow yourself to apply these lessons in your waking life wherever you find they are useful to you. Continue to keep an open dialogue with the Child of God within, who is most able to hear the Voice for God, the Holy Spirit.
JOURNAL ENTRIES
Write down your very active involvement as you exchange moments of loving as in our first meditation above. Let the Holy Spirit encourage your discovery as a Child of God. Review your entries on how you were able to capture moments during the day to teach love. Describe the faces of the 'children' calling for love during your day. Use your guided imagery meditation to reduce seemingly complicated involvements into their most basic simplifications. Write down examples and dialogue with the Holy Spirit.
Each moment that we translate a seeming misunderstanding or challenge into a lesson of love, we sense in our minds a greater opening to focus on our ability to teach love. We have then walked another step towards our own freedom. To teach love, be love.
AFFIRMATION
to be said and thought as often as you are inspired:
'I will place the Child of God upon the altar within my mind.'
When it is time to move on:
Continue with these daily meditations along with those of our previous steps as you are directed. Feel increasing peace as you:
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