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March 2008
Tools for Conscious Living
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Tools for Conscious Living
By Rev. LeRoy E. Zemke
Pastor, Temple of the Living God
"A good tree does not produce bad fruit, nor
does a bad tree produce good fruit. Each tree is known by its own fruit."
Luke 6:43,44
"To get at the core of God at His greatest,
one must first get into the core of himself at his least, for no one
can
know God who has not first
known himself. Go to the depths of the soul, the secret places of the
most High, to the roots, to the heights; for all that God can do is focused
there."
Meister Eckhart
Within the awakening journey of our lives, we are called upon, each one,
to prove that the qualities that we say are “the fruits of the spirit,” are
indeed a part of our every day consciousness lives. There are those who would
say we are challenged to “walk our talk.” I suggest and submit
that life invites us to demonstrate any claims we may profess of inner powers
or abilities and/or internal states of awareness.
To become conscious implies a relationship with oneself that enables and empowers
the person at the human level, perhaps even on a daily basis. To discover what
is necessary to become connected at the conscious level, so whatever degree
that may be possible individually, requires the use of tools, aids, guides,
etcetera, that can truly support our inner and outer journey. Let’s examine
a few of these guidelines (guides) to clarify such awareness.
1. Prayer/Meditation practices. Almost all spiritual traditions embrace the
use of these tools (practices) for one to deepen into their spiritual life.
Both practices support the process of opening an internal doorway that permits
an access to one’s sacred self. Once we discover this doorway and the
inner spiritual power that it reveals within us, we are forever changed!
At that moment - as we open up to allow this power, or as we create a state
of beingness that permits this power to flow through us - we are changed! That
is, we become conscious of the real nature of spiritual power. It is no longer
something hoped for, wished for, or dreamed about. From that vantage point
we can see the futility of those who beg, plead, or attempt to make an internal
connection through mental control, the use of will power or emotional force.
As we become more and more consistently conscious of our connection to inner
spiritual power - meaning, as we find it available to us at the outer level
of our lives, we are enriched and empowered far beyond what we previously knew
or believed to be true.
2. Crystals, Cards and Counselors. At some point on their metaphysical journey,
most awakening aspirants are introduced to various special tools (systems)
such as Astrology and Numerology. Natural crystals which offer positive energies
of varying kinds and degrees are made available; as are the Rune Stones and
the I Ching, both of which may be “consulted” to gain a sense of
direction in a given situation or in a broader manner. A plethora of divinatory
cards may come to their attention: Angel, Medicine, Tarot, Inner Child, Shustah,
etc. These may bring a variety of information to the seeker for inner guidance
and outer direction as well.
Psychological counselors, intuitive (psychic) counselors, ministers and other
assorted self help consultants ... those with impeccable training and certification
... may be approached for their varying levels of skills, talents and assistance. “How,” you
may ask, “does consulting such oracles aid a person to live consciously?”
Wherever we are on our journey, we must, I think, come to recognize God as
the originator of our person, our being. We must come to acknowledge God (whatever
we perceive That to be) as the All Knowing Source or Power of our being. When
God is first and foremost in our life, in our consciousness, in our every thought,
word, deed and action, we can then begin to relate to the personal elements
in our journey with more clarity and assurance.
There comes a point in each soul’s awakening journey, whether in this
incarnation or in the future, that each person must discover his/her unique
relationship to the Divine.
Now or maybe never, you may be drawn to use a crystal. No one says
you must. The purpose of the tool is not to depend on the crystal as
a crutch to get us through a difficult situation or circumstance in our
lives, but rather, a crystal may serve as a point of focus and concentration
to discover that we can learn to be patient, calm, caring, centered.
The natural innate energies of a crystal may indeed soothe or help us
to feel calm. But the real message of the learning here is to discover
where the crystal, the cards, the tools may lead us.
If the tools for conscious living lead us to the Presence of God, the
Power and Love of the Christ, the Light of the Buddha, then they do
work. And in that process, they serve us well.
Jesus performed miracles throughout his lifetime. He is reported in
scripture to have turned water into wine, for example. Why? Certainly
not to support drunkenness (by increasing the wine supply). Rather,
it was to use a tool - the miracle of changing energies or transforming
water into wine - as a way of demonstrating and drawing out the inner
realization for those who witnessed the feat that there are powers
in the universe available to each of us and that they can be tapped
when our consciousness is in “correct” alignment.
Tools such as Tarot card readings, psychic consultations, and other
forms of esoteric process offer doorways to the unconscious material
of our lives. The tools help to provide access to parts of the unseen
or unknown aspects of our nature that may help us to move on, to go
forward, to make wiser decisions and generally get on with the work
of living our lives effectively.
Tools are not intended to be answers in and of themselves. They are,
taken as a whole, guides/guidelines for deepening insight, for inner
psychological and emotional exploration, when used appropriately and
when offered by properly trained and skilled individuals. Only then
are they useful tools on the path of one’s inner journey.
The value of tools in the awakening journey helps people to become
aware of parts of themselves they do not see. Once seen, it becomes
our responsibility to process, heal and deepen in the work of spiritual
growth. Obviously the task is a step by step effort. And it will prove
valuable only if we are willing to do our part.
To live consciously is not only a spiritual process, engaged in as
the result of some inner “breakthrough”. It is the choice
we make as we “take on” the physical-emotional-mental-spiritual
journey of our lives and thus learn how to deal with all the elements
of what it means to be human ... fully!
It is a magical yet uncertain discovery filled with all the necessary
pulls and configurations needed for our incarnational work. Only as
we begin to live and breathe and have some deep, inner sense that God
is really the core of our experience and existence will we find purpose
and meaning in the journey we call Life.
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