Reflections

April 2007

Renewal - Regenerating from WIthin

Renewal - Regenerating from Within

By Rev. LeRoy E. Zemke
Pastor, Temple of the Living God

“Remember, you are here on earth for only a little while, but you are God’s child for eternity. Don’t rally with the forces of ignorance. First get to know God. Whatever He tells you to do then is all right, whether it is fighting for your country, or being a businessman, an artist, or a spiritual teacher. When you will truly know Him, you be guided aright in life. That is why the scripture says, ‘Seek ye first the kingdom of God….’”
The Divine Romance
Paramahansa Yogananda

Each of us has an opportunity, each day, to change what does not work in our life and replace it with what does. And while this may seem overly simplistic, and perhaps a tad too easy, it is the mantra affirmed by the great teachers across the centuries: Jesus, Buddha, Socrates, Hippocrates (founder of what is called modern medicine) and scores of men and women (ancient and modern alike), that we can change what is outworn, unacceptable, no longer useful, purposeful or valuable.

For many people this possibility is a huge challenge, an incredibly valuable, but somehow difficult opportunity because of the way we each internally perceive it. And an internal perception is the golden key, if not the major key to change.

Psychologists, social scientists, biologists and a host of business schools, universities and professional research organizations that focus upon and uncover the essential reasons people are motivated to change a habit - such as purchasing product A over product B - originates in our thoughts about it. Or more importantly how we perceive something to be rather than how it is.

I illustrate by using some examples.

(1) Store “A” and store “B” offer the same product, produced by the same manufacturer at the same time (so the quality is the same). If we like store “A” better because we say it’s their location, décor, atmosphere, parking, friendliness of employees, etc., research shows it is our perception of that store and its environment that matters to us in purchasing the product.

Store “B” may also have a great location, ease of access, ample parking, good decor, pleasant atmosphere and friendly staff. The product we desire is identical in size, shape, function, usefulness and cost. Research shows we act on how we each internally perceive the differences between store “A” and store “B”. (Remember, the product is the same.)

(2) Doctor “A” informs us that we need to change our diet, increase exercise, and lose weight. Somehow we think that doctor “A” is not diagnosing our body’s condition accurately. We go to doctor “B” and get the same diagnosis, practically word for word. So we decide to go to a third doctor “C”. A complete repeat of diagnosis and information regarding how we may need to change.

Rather than to agree with any of the three doctors, we perceive (rightly or inaccurately) that none of the doctors have diagnosed our body’s state of health correctly and we decide to ignore all of the recommendations.

Of course, we can quite easily understand that our fears may be “up,” various difficult memories of previous negative experiences may be surfacing plus, plain and simple, the unwillingness to do what the various doctors may have suggested.

My point remains, how we perceive (and thus interpret) the information is tantamount to any positive response or action.

Renewing ourselves, then, is dependant upon our very personal, intimate perception that it is even possible. If we decide that it is not possible, all the proof offered by the finest minds, skilled presenters, teachers or informed persons would not matter one iota. We decide, consciously or unconsciously, second by second what we will and will not permit into our life determined by how we perceive it will influence us.

Some examples:
* We decide to accept the invitation to date a certain man/woman, of whatever age, based upon our internal perception of that person at the time.

* As a business opportunity offer is presented to us, we perceive it to be either negative or positive depending upon how the details are outlined to support the “deal.”

* A social event is planned. We are invited. We may receive a few details about who, what, when, where, etc. As the invitation is extended we perceive that it will be a fun, pleasurable event promising good exchanges with other known or even unknown guests. We accept or decline based upon an internal view or perception; that is, with no actual experience of the event itself other than our interpretation of the data offered by a known or unknown host.

I genuinely believe renewal/regeneration is possible from within us as we open to perceive the actual value to our lives in improved stamina (energy) or overall general health, a meaningful shift in a relationship, a new job or an improved work environment. The task is to admit that we each have a profound influence on the end result.

Suppose we say we wish for a new job, a better job with higher salary increments, or more fulfilling creative challenges. We plan, plot and program ourselves for all the positive things we can think of: an improved work environment (one’s own work space for example), more money, bonuses, more creative responsibilities, etc. Yet, our internal voice and thus our perception is that we do not deserve it, or that someone else is more qualified, better trained, younger, has more ability, or a host of other thoughts all equally negative. Overwhelmingly the research tends to show that we will not get the job. Our very deepest internal perception subtly influences the end result. Thus it becomes increasingly important that we examine ourselves, to observe our own process in the way and manner we do effect and affect change.

Renewing ourselves, then, is about being open to the Source of all that is at the deepest levels within and allowing it to regenerate us. Simply stated, we choose to be open and receptive to the pulse of Spirit.

If we are impressed to change an attitude from being negative or critical to being positive and supportive, we ask Spirit to support us move in a positive manner toward a positive outcome.

We often want to see an improvement in our health (and we have tried to do all the known approaches; i.e., exercise, diet shifts, joining groups or clubs to support us) only to discover that we do not remain consistent in the follow through needed. The work is to examine our deepest levels of perceptions of the end result.

I truly suspect that if we fear the change we seek (too big, too difficult, too much effort, or that we’ll never accomplish it owing to failures of past efforts we have made), the work again is to surrender our judgment of the past efforts and as simply as possible seek the support of the indwelling Spirit.

And how do we accomplish this? Prayer works amazingly well. So also does meditation. “Let go and let God.” Any spiritual practice such as Hatha yoga, t’ai chi ch’aun will serve to focus within. All such practices help us to align our outer mind and thus our ego with the living wellspring of the Presence within.

Once the inner “connection” is made or occurs, we lose our sense of struggle for an outcome. We become open to something we call the activity of God and allow its sway, its influence to direct us in an infinitely more profound way than we may have thought possible. This is the beginning of renewal or regeneration from within

Good thoughts bear good fruit, bad thoughts bad fruit.
A man will find that as he alters his thoughts towards things and other people, things and other people will alter towards him . . . Let a man radically alter his thoughts, and he will be astonished at the rapid transformation it will effect in the material conditions of his life. Men do not attract that which they want, but that which they are . . . The divinity that shapes our ends is in ourselves. It is our very self.
As a Man Thinketh
James Allen

Copyright©2002 Temple of the Living God of St. Petersburg, Inc.