The Way: A Simple Message

a-path-from-nidministries(1)
“I had a good chance to meet a yogi who was so spiritual and happy all the time. I wondered how he managed his thinking and I learned a lot from him. I saw him and I thought, ‘This is the way.’ You believe in a God, but not in a religious way. We human beings like to give him names, whether that is Jesus or whatever else.
But my view is that God is ONE, whether it is Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, almost anything, and that he is everywhere. He (or she) has (no gender), colour, no religion, no race, nothing. It’s incredible how close he is to you and to everybody. You just call him (her/It) and he’s there. That’s it, simple.
And this is the reality we so often forget.”
 

Balbir Singh goes on…

“In the Western world, and especially here in F1, the people are more material, because there is a lot of money floating about. people who live in high society don’t want to go down. That is natural and understandable, but i always say that it doesn’t matter how rich someone is, as long as he doesn’t lose his human side and respect for other people as human beings. Sometimes when people get very high up the ladder of society, it isn’t easy to be like that, because they forget. Some rich people think they can buy everything, but the truth is there are a few things you can’t buy in life. You can’t buy a good, true friend. You can’t buy love. You can’t buy your health. That’s impossible. We live in a world that is based so much on material things, but whether you are a millionaire or you are poor, everyone knows we all end up the same way. People try to forget, no one likes thinking about it and some try and deny it, but everyone will ending up needing a place two metres down some day. Nobody can buy their way out of that final destination

http://www.godandformula1.wordpress.com

Wise words… and that’s my reason for sharing in this “spirit”

“So this is the reality of life and you have to take care of all these things. The most important thing is to stay a human being and respect people. The spiritual way is to open your heart and love Of course, that “love” doesn’t mean the narrow definition of love between a (the) man and the woman. It’s the love of brothers, the love of parents and friends. There is so much love in every human heat that if you are open you can love everybody. This is my motto. I open my heart and I love everyone. When people come to me, they know I will be welcoming. Sharing your love with another human being is a wonderful thing.”

from  Godspeed (Chapter Ten pg 167)

Well said, Balbir!
Published here with permission from the fascinating book Overdrive: Formula1 in the Zone by Clyde Brolin
published by Vatersay Books, London, UK 2010

Great sentiments loving everybody, Balbir. Something to aim at.

Thanks for sharing , Balbir… and I in turn am passing on your wisdom in this “little” book
You said you wanted to write a book… and I have taken that “liberty” on your behalf.

– champion Sri Lankan batsman (cricket and recently retired) Kumar Sangakkara
Well said!

from https://sportforpeace.wordpress.com/category/breaking-down-barriers-walls/page/2/

“Whilst we can (and should) celebrate our differences (unique), let not our varying beliefs divide us, but let the Spirit of our shared humanity be what defines and unites us all as common citizens of our planet.”

from http://www.craigsquotes.wordpress.com and http://www.breakdownwalls.wordpress.com

“Instead of the limits of borders (of countries and of our minds) let us and our leaders expand our sense of possibility… and together let’s look at building bridges to distant horizons, far and great. Lord, help us all lift our eyes a little higher.”

picture from https://craigsrainbowbooks.wordpress.com/

http://www.totheendoftherainbow.wordpress.com

https://touchingtherainbows.wordpress.com/tag/books-by-craig-lock/

TOGETHER, one mind, one heart, one soul, one small step at a time, we can make some difference towards a better world, a brighter tomorrow

Share your love with the world!

“SHARE, ENCOURAGE and SPREAD, HOPE, LOVE and LIGHT

20

PPS

Best wishes from the First City to see the light each new day

light

Sharing some Spiritual Thoughts and Principles from Neale Donald Walsh’s book ‘Conversations with God’ (Part One)

http://sharefaith.wordpress.com/2013/01/07/sharing-some-spiritual-thoughts-and-principles-from-neale-donald-walshs-book-conversations-with-god-part-one-3/

Thoughts of Neale Donald Walsch on Jesus: Posts Tagged ‘Neale Donald Walsch’

from https://sharefaith.wordpress.com/tag/neale-donald-walsch/

“Whilst we can (and should) cherish and celebrate our ‘unique’ differences, let not our different beliefs divide us, but let the Spirit of our shared humanity be what defines and unites us as common inhabitants of our planet.”
– c

“Instead of the limits of borders (of countries and of our minds) let us and our leaders expand our sense of possibility… and together let’s look at building bridges to distant horizons, far and great. Lord, help us all lift our eyes a little higher.”
– craig

from http://buildbridgesofunderstanding.wordpress.com/

Sharing Some Information on Some Major Religions of the World

Image

Article Title: Sharing Some Information on Some Major Religions of the World
Submitter: Craig Lock
Category (key words): R
eligion, religions, religious tolerance, religious unity, faith, beliefs, spirituality, spiritual unity, unity of religion(s)

Web sites: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=la_B005GGMAW4_sr?rh=i%3Abooks&field-author=Craig+Lockhttp://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005GGMAW4 http://goo.gl/vTpjk

The submitter’s blogs (with extracts from his various writings: articles, books and new manuscripts) are at

www.peacepursuit.wordpress.com

www.sharefaith.wordpress.com

www.breakdownwalls.wordpress.com

www.breakdownbarriers.wordpress.com

Other Articles are available at: http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/user/15565 and http://www.ideamarketers.com/library/profile.cfm?writerid=981
(Personal growth, self help, writing, internet marketing, spiritual, ‘spiritual writings’ (how ‘airey-fairey’), words of inspiration and money management, how boring now, craig )
Publishing Guidelines:
These writings (as with all my articles) may be freely published, electronically or in print.

“We share what we know, so that we all may grow.”

#

SHARING SOME INFORMATION ON SOME OF THE MAJOR RELIGIONS OF THE WORLD

INTRODUCTION: Craig is studying the teachings of different religions (to find ‘common ground’/principles) and as he learns from his research, is sharing these notes in an attempt to ‘enlighten’ (himself and perhaps others). Hope this piece may be of interest to you too.

HINDUISM

The Four Holy Truths: There is pain and suffering in the world – like birth, death, sickness, old age. Root cause of suffering is DESIRE. Karma is conscious action that has spiritual results. Karma consists of a persons acts and their ethical consequences + universal justice, a kind of natural moral law, rather than through a system of divine judgement. The struggle and suffering decreases as the individual acquires merit and wisdom during their life. Release from suffering. Nirvana is a complete detachment from desires and final nirvana is attained at death. Hindus renounce worldly desires. (Release = moksha)

The 8-fold path:
right
· views
· resolve
· speech
· behaviour
· occupation
· effort
· contemplation and
·
meditation.
People attain a state of perfection. Through self effort one can attain the state of
peace and eternal peace called Nirvana. Buddha ignored the worship of Gods, but did not deny their existence. What was important to Buddha was not the worship of Gods or of himself, but the following of his teachings. Nirvana is not a place like heaven, but a state of being. It’s eternal – the end of suffering – no desires and individual consciousness comes to an end. It’s more of a moral philosophy, an ethical way of life.
#
BAHAI

The nature of God is completely unknowable – he/she/it is transcendent to the point of total inaccessibility. Prophets are teachers – not saviours. God cannot incarnate himself and reveal himself to man. Therefore Jesus cannot be God. Jesus is seen as one of God’s manifestations sent to human beings to assist in our spiritual evolution. The raising of the body of Jesus was actually the coming to life of Christ’s teachings in the disciples, the restoration of their beliefs and conviction.

BAHAI work for world peace and believe in freedom of expression.

#
MORMONS:
Definition of the Trinity as 3 separate individuals, God the Father and Jesus Christ being physical persons united in purpose; also a belief that human beings, can, if they live the commandments of God to the full, attain the status of godhood in future aeons.

#*

JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES

The main purpose of Jesus coming to earth was to let it be known that he is supreme and exercises sovereignty over the universe. Salvation is only for those who believe in Jesus.
#
MUSLIMS (ISLAM)

Muslims regard the Koran as the speech of God to Mohammed, mediated by Gabriel, the Angel of Revelation. They believe that God himself, not Mohammed, is the author and therefore that the Koran is infallible. Collection of passages revealed in his prophetic life – 610-632. 114 chapters. Earliest teachings – one transcendent and personal God. Last Judgement and social and personal justice. God, he asserted, had sent prophets to other nations throughout history; but having failed to reform, these nations had been destroyed. Mohamed was the last prophet. Monotheistic. Well ordered, harmonious whole – everything has its proper place and limitations. God presides over and governs the universe, which with its orderly functioning, is the primary sign and proof of God and His unity. Mohammed’s miracle is the Koran, the like of which no human can produce. Last Judgement:

The “successful ones” will go to the Garden (heaven) and the “losers” (the evil) will go to hell; although God is merciful and will forgive those who deserve forgiveness. Besides the last judgment, which will be on individuals, the Koran recognizes another kind of divine judgement, which is meted out in history to nations, peoples and communities. Nations, like individuals, may be corrupted by wealth, power and pride, and, unless they reform, these nations are punished by being destroyed or subjugated by more virtuous nations. Islamic Beliefs: ONE God. Thus it’s a monotheistic religion. Muhammad proclaimed that Allah alone is God and that other idols were not to be worshipped. Muslims believe that the faith of Christianity has been corrupted and reject the Christian concept of the Trinity. They believe in angels, who are sinless. God’s messages were brought directly to Muhammad by Gabriel. God is believed to be too exalted to speak directly with men. Belief in God’s prohets: Adam, Noah, Abraham, etc. The Koran is believed to be the exact revelation of God to humanity. Koran is believed to have taken the place of all previous revelations of God’s will – only the Koran is considered binding. A trumpet sounds – the dead will be raised and judged for their deeds – going to paradise or hell. Only those who die as martyrs slain in the battle for Islam are considered to be granted immediate access to paradise.* (see Christianity below). Prosperous and evil nations will ultimately be destroyed by God. “Islam” means surrender or submission to the will of God. Muhammad was closest to God, so his example is to be followed. Muslims believe in and honour many of the prophets of the Old Testament. But they also say that the Bible must have been corrupted; because it points out the errant behaviour of these prophets, and since no prophet of God would ever err, the Bible must be wrong. Muslims have high respect for Jesus, but the view that Jesus is divine or the son of God is, to them, the highest blasphemy. The Koran says that God is not a man, therefore he cannot have a son. He would never stoop to enter our world. Story of Christ’s death reinforces their belief that the Bible has been corrupted over the years.

Basic tenets – the 5 pillars of Islam:
· Confession of
faith
· Ritual prayer
* Obligatory alms – ‘zakat’ to help those less fortune
· The holy fast of Ramadan: a time where there is no smoking, drinking, swearing, anger, sex – use month of fasting to draw closer to God and renew their spiritual strength.
· Pilgrimage to Mecca, the “Hajj”. Every Muslim who is not sick and can afford must complete. It is a time when all are deemed equal before God, regardless of social or financial position. As part of their purification process, participation heightens their social status.

Mohamed was a prophet, yet he never performed a miracle. He was not a mystic; he had no formal schooling, consequently Mohamed had no gift with words. In addition, he did not begin his mission till he was age 40. The impetus for the rise and raid spread of Islam was three-fold: Based upon the power of words, the efficacy of prayer and man’s kinship with God.
Mohamed observed the decline of
Christianity into warring sects (it’s the same today!). The archangel Gabriel appeared to him and said that he was to be the Messenger for God. Mohamed had invited the Jews and Christians to join him, for he was not building a new religion – Mohamed was calling all who believed in ONE GOD to join in a single faith….
but that vision never materialised, as the Jews and Christians did not want to pursue that path.

Mohamed’s legacy is that of persistence. Because after he had been preaching for ten years, he had nothing to show for it: but banishment, poverty and ridicule. Yet before another ten years had passed, he headed the rise of a new religion out of the Arabian desert, a faith spreading rapidly westwards, a flame which would not be extinguished.
Persistence changes the course of history

From ‘The Last Great Prophet’
Reviewed by Thomas Sugrue (as published in ‘Think and Grow Rich’ by Napoleon Hill)
#
CHRISTIANITY

Christianity and Islam are missionary religions. Both faiths believe they have a monopoly over the truth. Both want to share their version of truth with others and both compete in seeking converts. However, there is a fundamental doctrinal incompatibility between the major faiths of Islam and Christianity. Together with the Jews, they worship the God of Abraham. These three religions have many prophets in common and consequently have “shared values” that have shaped societies over the past two millenia.

Most “informed” Christians, however, do not believe the Koran is the un-intermediated word of God. Simply put, the faith of Christianity exists solely on the basis that Jesus Christ is the ‘son of God’*; whereas the faith of Islam exists purely on the basis that God dictated his laws to Mohammed and that the Koran contains God’s actual words.
* (And Christians may take this literally or “metaphorically”, symbolically, depending on their interpretation).

The concept of salvation (instant) coming purely through faith in Christ and not because of one’s life works is unique to Christianity (because there is no guarantee of salvation with Islam…unless one dies as a martyr). It’s the notion of the Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit), which Islam and rationalists find to be the most implausible aspect of Christianity.

This debate of religions is really a battle of ideas, a ‘clash of ideologies and civilisations between east and west’. Catholic Cardinal Ratzinberger once said: “Islam simply does not have the separation of the political and religious spheres which Christianity had from the very beginning. The Koran… insists that the whole order of life be Islamic. One must understand that Islam is not simply a denomination that can be included in the free realm of a pluralistic society.” True Muslims cannot accept either the separation of powers or the freedom under the law which are the hallmarks of Western civilisation. *

* From an article in ‘The Independent’ by Dominic Lawson.

*
A few personal thoughts to end off..

Everybody’s truth is different, because our experiences, our environments, our cultures, our life paths are different. So every person’s faith is different (even the state of having NO faith). Finally, perhaps no religion can ever represent the Absolute Truth (because ‘Absolute Truth’ has a degree of subjectivity – at least I believe so!). Rather, religions can be different paths to the same Truth, with God, Infinite Spirit, the Grand Designer, the Essence of Life at the centre. (Like spokes leading to the hub, the Ultimate Source of Life). It’s up to YOU to CHOOSE your set of beliefs, those which fit best with YOUR truth, your being.

I am motivated to share these sets of beliefs, these “eternal truths” with others, so people may benefit and enhance their lives in a meaningful way…if they so CHOOSE. I hope that this information may be of interest to you… and that’s my reason for sharing.

With UNDERSTANDING comes TOLERANCE
and
with TOLERANCE comes UNDERSTANDING.

Shared by Craig Lock (“Information and Inspiration Distributer, Incorrigible Encourager and People-builder… and a ‘passionate moderate’ for religious tolerance”)

“There is neither east nor west, tribe nor ethnicity, male or female, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist. Christian nor Jew. There is only a God-filled humanity.”

“Let each one of us build bridges rather than barriers, openness rather than walls.
Let us look at distant horizons together in a spirit of acceptance, helpfulness, co-operation and peace.
Let our leaders look at the future with a vision – to see things not as they are,
but what they could one day become.”
– craig

“Someday, after we have mastered the winds, the waves, the tide and gravity, we shall harness for God the energies of love. Then, for the second time in the history of the world, man will have discovered fire.”
– Teilhard De Chardin

“”God’s greatest gift to us is allowing us to find, then choose to follow our own truths.”

“When people’s hearts are filled with love, the world is full of hope”

– craig

About the submitter:
In his various writings Craig strives in some small way to break down and economic, social, cultural and religious barriers. Craig believes that whilst we should celebrate our differences, what we share in the form of our common humanity is way more important than what divides us.
The various books that Craig “felt inspired to write” are available at

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=la_B005GGMAW4_sr?rh=i%3Abooks&field-author=Craig+Lock

http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005GGMAW4 http://goo.gl/vTpjk

The submitter’s blogs (with extracts from his various writings: articles, books and new manuscripts) are at

www.peacepursuit.wordpress.com

www.sharefaith.wordpress.com

www.breakdownwalls.wordpress.com

www.breakdownbarriers.wordpress.com

www.buildbridgesofunity.wordpress.com

www.buildbridgesofunderstanding.wordpress.com

http://religiousunity.wordpress.com

http://craigsblogs.wordpress.com + so many others I can’t keep track (obsessive or WHAT!)

“Whilst we can (and should) celebrate our differences, our unique cultures, let not our different beliefs set us apart as human beings, but rather let our shared humanity be what defines and unites us as common citizens of our planet.”

– me

This piece may be freely published, electronically or in print

PS

“Instead of the limits of borders (of countries and of our minds) let us and our leaders expand our sense of possibility… and together let’s look at building bridges to distant horizons, far and great. Lord, help us all lift our eyes a little higher.”

Together, one mind, one heart, one life, one small step at a time, let’s plant the seeds, the hope of a better and brighter future.

Image

What Do Muslims Believe about Jesus? (from ‘Basic Principles of Islam’)

Image

Article Title: What Do Muslims Believe about Jesus? (from ‘Basic Principles of Islam’)
Author: Mohammed F Thompson
Submitted (with permission) by: Craig Lock
Category (key words): religion, Islam, Jesus, faith, beliefs, peace, spiritual,
spiritual growth, spiritual unity, unity of religion (religions)
Web site:
www.voiceofislamtv.com

Submitter’s web sites: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=la_B005GGMAW4_sr?rh=i%3Abooks&field-author=Craig+Lock

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007IX0MNWhttp://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005GGMAW4 and http://goo.gl/vTpjk

The submitter’s blogs (with extracts from his various writings: articles, books and new manuscripts) are at

www.peacepursuit.wordpress.com

www.sharefaith.wordpress.com

www.breakdownwalls.wordpress.com

www.breakdownbarriers.wordpress.com

Other Articles by Craig are available at: http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/user/15565 and http://www.ideamarketers.com/library/profile.cfm?writerid=981
(Personal growth, self help, writing, internet marketing, spiritual, ‘spiritual writings’ (how ‘airey-fairey’), words of inspiration and money management, how boring now, craig

“We share what we know, so that we all may grow.”

WHAT DO MUSLIMS BELIEVE ABOUT JESUS? (from BASIC PRINCIPLES OF ISLAM)

Introduction:

Craig is studying the teachings of different religions (to find ‘common ground’/principles/ for his novel ‘A New Dawn: Let the Journey Begin’. And as he learns from his research, is sharing these notes in an attempt to ‘enlighten’ (himself and perhaps others) regarding ‘eternal and universal truths.’ And as I share these basic principles regarding the Islamic faith, I learn too. Hope this piece may be of interest to you.

*

The Miracle of the Holy Quran, the Spirit of Truth.

# Islam is a Complete Way of Life: A Muslim’s whole purpose in life is to worship Allah (God). The concept of Allah in Islam is that there is only one Allah for ALL of mankind. He is the Allah for Christians, the Jews, the Muslims, the Buddhists, the Hindus, the atheists and all human beings, whether they believe in Him or not.

# Islam rejects the idea of a chosen people

# Prayer is the foundation of Islam, which literally means “submission”

The nearest to Muslims are the Christians.
*
CHRIST IN ISLAM

Muslims believe in Jesus. The Muslim belief in Jesus Christ (pbuh) as a prophet of Allah is a fundamental article of faith in Islam. Muslims accept Jesus as one the most distinguished apostles of Allah. A Muslim believes that the greatness of Jesus (pbuh) arises from the fact that he was chosen by Allah and honoured with His word. Then he was entrusted with the revelations of Allah and commissioned to teach His message.

The Qu’ran Affirms the 2nd Coming of Jesus. It has been revealed in the Qu’ran that Jesus Christ (pbuh) will be returning to this world before the day of resurrection.

All Muslims believe, that Jesus (pbuh):

* Was one of the mightiest messengers of Allah.

* That he was the Messiah

* That he was conceived miraculously

* That he gave life to the dead with His (Allah’s) permission

* That he healed those born blind and the lepers by His (Allah’s) permission

In fact, no Muslim is a true Muslim, if he or she does not believe in prophet Jesus, his works, his teachings and his miracles.

* *

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MUSLIM AND CHRISTIAN BELIEF?

The oneness of Allah: In Islam the greatest sin is to associate partners with Allah. It is forbidden for a Muslim to adolize any person or thing, like movie stars, singers, saints or any created beings (living or dead). This is why a Muslim cannot accept either that Jesus (pbuh) could be the son of Allah, or the notion of trinity.

The rejection of trinity: “Christ Jesus, the son of Mary was (no more than) a Messenger of Allah.”

Jesus was NOT crucified. Holy Qur’an: An-Nisa (4) Ayah:157-158 157. That they said (in boast), “We killed Christ Jesus, the son of Mary, the Messenger of Allah.” “But they killed him not, nor crucified him; but it was made to appear to them, and those who differ therein are full of doubts. They have no (certain) knowledge, they follow nothing but conjecture. For surely they killed him not.” 158: But Allah raised him up to Himself. And Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise.”

However, Jesus (pbuh) is NOT Allah. A Muslim is not considered a Muslim, if he does not believe in Jesus (pbuh); but we believe in him as a Prophet, not as a God or the only begotten son of Allah and so on. The acceptance of Jesus Christ by Muslims is a fundamental article of faith in Islam. Muslims accept Jesus as one of the most distinguished apostles of Allah.

Islam is the way of ‘Unity’. Any relationship with Allah is direct and personal, without the mediation of a priest or Imam (learned Islam scholar). Only Allah can forgive sins.

INFORMATION SOURCED (directly with permission) from a booklet BASIC PRINCIPLES OF ISLAM by Mohammed F Thompson

(Published by Voice of Islam. Copyright C 2005
website:
www.voiceofislamtv.com
* *

QUALITIES OF CHRIST IN THE QU’RAN

Sura 2.87 He is endowed with the Holy Spirit.

Surah 3:45 He is the Messiah, the Christ.

Surah 3.45-46 He is the Mediator.

Surah 3.49 He healed the sick and raised the dead.

Surah 4.158 He ascended to God.

Surah 4.171 He is a messenger of God (Allah), the Word.

Surah 5.49, 110, 111

In Surah 5.49, it says about Jesus:

‘Confirming that which came before him in the Torah, we sent him the Gospel.

He brought the gospel of guidance and light.

Surah 6.85 He is Righteous.

Surah 19.19. He is Pure and Holy.

When the angel announced to Mary the ‘gift of a holy son’ in Surah 19.19, it meant that he would be faultless, without sin.

Surah 43.61 He is coming before the hour of Judgment.

And in the Bible St Paul declares that it was actually Jesus who brought this gospel to the world.

As Paul writes in Romans 1.

16: ‘I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ; because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

and

17: For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written,

‘The just shall live by faith.”‘

website: www.voiceofislamtv.com

*

ISLAMIC WEB SITES

Listed below are some useful web sites (for you to browse), if you are interested to know more about Islam and Muslims

www.sultan.org

www.islemtoday.com

www.islamway.com

www.islamonline.net

www.islamhouse.com

* *

I hope that this information may be of interest to you…and perhaps get you thinking about these “deep and serious subjects”… and that’s my reason for sharing.

Religion divides; whereas truth unites.”

“The way we live is far more important than what we believe.”

“Those of us who long for moderation will continue to hope for understanding of complex issues with reasoned dialogue and a spirit of understanding between different faiths.”

Humanity has far more in common than our differences, what separates us.

So isn’t WHAT UNITES US IS FAR MORE IMPORTANT THAN WHAT DIVIDES US?

With UNDERSTANDING comes TOLERANCE and with TOLERANCE comes UNDERSTANDING.

Walk your OWN path to Highest Truth and be happy

Shared (with permission) by craig

Former Archbishop of Cape Town, South Africa Desmond Tutu once said these wise and inspiring words: “We have come to a time in the history of the world, where we need to rediscover the path to peace, and the path to peace can never be war. This pathway is lined with the concept of co-existence and co-inhabitance of the world.”

“A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends and when the soul of a nation, long supressed, finds utterance.”
– Jahrulal Nehru, first Prime Minister of India

“It is time for people of good will from every faith, culture and nation to recognise that a terrible danger threatens humanity. We must set aside the partisan bickering between nations and join together to confront the danger that lies before us. Let us seek common ground between peoples around the globe… because what unites us is far more important than what divides us.”

“There is neither east nor west, tribe nor ethnicity, male or female, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist. Christian nor Jew. There is only a God-filled humanity.”

“Let each one of us build bridges rather than barriers, openness rather than walls. Let us look at distant horizons together in a spirit of acceptance, helpfulness, co-operation and peace. Let our leaders look at the future with a vision – to see things not as they are, but what they could one day become.”

Let us build bridges rather than barriers, openness rather than walls. Rather than borders, let us look at distant horizons together…in the common spirit of the value and dignity of a shared personhood – our common humanity as citizens of planet earth.”

– craig

“When people’s hearts are full of love, the world is filled with hope.”

“With passion and purpose in our individual lives we can touch others and in so doing illuminate the hearts and minds of humanity to make a better world (through helping raise the ‘collective consciousness’). Let us encourage our leaders towards an alternate vision for the world to embrace: one that banishes the fanatical ideology of intolerance and hatred to the darkness from which it emerged. Each one of us in our own little ways can offer (and most importantly, LIVE) this compelling new horizon: a bright future of justness and justice, tolerance, respect for other traditions and values. Especially a vision of hope and thoughts of peace fuelled by the eternal flame of love, which can light the darkest night… always “
– me

“God, The Essence of Life, the Ground of All Being, is leading us to the light. What we learn in the darkness, we are to share in the eternal light.”

“Nothing that I can do will change the structure of the universe. But maybe, by raising my voice I can help the greatest of all cause – goodwill among men and peace on earth.”

– Albert Einstein

“What we believe is not nearly as important as how we relate, interact with each other… and how we live. Only when we can say, ‘I am first and foremost a human being, and second a Jew, Muslim, Shi’ite, a Sunni, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, or a Sikh …’ will we progress and break down barriers between peoples, nations and cultures, east and west. Let not our beliefs , but our shared humanity (ALL of us) define who we really are.”

– craig

“Whilst we can (and should) celebrate our differences, our unique cultures, let not our different beliefs set us apart as human beings, but rather let the Spirit of our shared humanity be what defines and unites us as common citizens of our planet.”

About the submitter:

In his various writings, little by little, one mind, one soul, one life at a time, Craig strives to break down social, cultural, religious and economic barriers through sharing information and “planting, then watering uplifting ideas and seeds of hope”. He truly believes that whilst we should celebrate our differences, what we share as ‘human beans’ is way more important than what divides us.

Craig’s new manuscript, ‘A New Dawn’ is set in the Middle East: In it he attempts to find ‘common ground’/principles between different religions and cultures and to try to make some difference in building bridges in an ever more dangerous, turbulent and uncertain world. A passionate story of inspiration: hope, faith, peace and especially love.

The various books that craig “felt inspired to write” (including A New Dawn’ ) are available at:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=la_B005GGMAW4_sr?rh=i%3Abooks&field-author=Craig+Lock

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007IX0MNWhttp://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005GGMAW4 and http://goo.gl/vTpjk

The submitter’s blogs (with extracts from his various writings: articles, books and new manuscripts) are at

www.peacepursuit.wordpress.com

www.sharefaith.wordpress.com

www.breakdownwalls.wordpress.com

www.breakdownbarriers.wordpress.com

“Together, one mind, one heart, one life at a time, today let’s plant the seeds, the hope of a better and brighter future (for tomorrow)”

“God is a mystery, the ‘mystery of life’, a Creative Presence, Who/That allows me to be who I really want to be and become.”

“God, the Essence of Life, is the great mystery in the vast unknown; yet He(??) is understandable.”

“God, The Essence of Life, the Ground of All Being, is leading us to the light.

These writings may be freely published with acknowledgment to the source (Mohammed F Thompson), thanks

What we learn in the darkness, we are to share in the eternal light.

“Instead of the limits of borders (of countries and of our minds) let us and our leaders expand our sense of possibility… and together let’s look at building bridges to distant horizons, far and great. Lord, help us all lift our eyes a little higher.”
– craig

 

May the Grace of our loving Creator care for and watch over you all … always

Sharing some Spiritual Thoughts and Principles from Neale Donald Walsh’s book ‘Conversations with God’ (Part One)

Image

Article Title: Sharing some Spiritual Thoughts and Principles from Neale Donald Walsh’s book ‘Conversations with God’ (Part One)
Submitted by Craig Lock
Category (key words): Spiritual growth, Neale Donald Walsch, books, Jesus, Jesus Christ, faith, beliefs, spirituality, ‘Conversations with God’, thoughts on God

Web Sites: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005Z6BFX0

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=la_B005GGMAW4_sr?rh=i%3Abooks&field-author=Craig+Lock

http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005GGMAW4 and http://goo.gl/vTpjk

Other Articles are available at: http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/user/15565 and http://www.ideamarketers.com/library/profile.cfm?writerid=981
(Personal growth, self help, writing, internet marketing, spiritual, ‘spiritual writings’ (how ‘airey-fairey’), words of inspiration and money management, how boring now, craig)

Publishing Guidelines:

This article (as with all my articles) may be freely published, electronically or in print.

“We share what we know, so that we all may grow.”
#

Sharing some Spiritual Thoughts and Principles from Neale Donald Walsh’s ‘Conversations with God’ (Part One)

We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.
– Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

Submitters’s Note:
This article (in point form) was largely based upon notes I’ve taken from Neale Donald Walsh’s series of
books ‘Conversations with God’, whilst studying the link between the human mind and spirituality. Whilst I may not agree with all of Walsch’s views and beliefs on the concept of a “Higher Power’, I’m sharing this piece to hopefully stimulate thinking and discussion on these concepts from Walsh’s personal ideas and beliefs on the ‘spiritual journey’.

Enjoy…
*

Life is not a process of discovery – it’s a process of CREATION.
Await nothing; but inspiringly create everything you choose and desire in life. I see God as co-Creator and observer of our lives (like a “sleeping partner”). God does the watching without judgement. We keep waiting for God to tell us, show us, and God keeps waiting for us to show Him/Her/It. We’re waiting for the One who waits for us.

Nothing has meaning, except the meaning we give it.
You create your own reality – always go with your own deepest feelings, your deepest truth.

Feelings are the ‘language of the soul’. A thing has no purpose in itself. Every purpose for any thing is given to it by you and me.

When you don’t know what to do, or what course to take? Just let go and let it be right…
for now that you don’t have the answer. Create the space for the answer to occur to you.
We determine our fate by the thoughts we entertain collectively. Our collective consciousness creates a great deal of our individual reality. All the time we are creating.

Jesus believed in the value and worth of every human being and his life showed the world a God of love. He died and rose again, so that we know the truth about him, and hence about us. His act was meant as a demonstration of Who We Really Are: ie. living out who he really was, what he saw as his ‘divine purpose’ – acting out and living his life mission, what he was called to do and BE with total commitment and integrity…and especially love. Jesus was a divine master, who possessed absolute understanding of the truth – the truth about himself and about God. He wished to share the truth with all the world. Thus he said, “I and the Father are one”. We are brothers. We were all made in the image and likeness of God and Jesus kept trying to tell us so…but few people believed him.
We can think we are in a living hell, and then we can change our perception about it… and the entire perception changes for us.

You are not “supposed” to do anything. Eg. tithing.
You have no purpose, until you assign it one. It’s a CHOICE we make. We are waiting for God to show us our purpose, and God is waiting for us to show Him our purpose.
There is only one reason to do anything: to announce and declare, express and experience, fulfil and become Who You Really Are.

All people come to the truth when they are ready. Just watch and wait.

(My comment: But first you have to ASK God to give you deepest truths and then Infinite Source will deliver (through the subconscious mind or “God-gate”, as my micro-biologist friend, Andy calls it): “Knock and He will answer the door and invite you in.”)

Things can always be made better. The dream never ends and the mission is never truly accomplished (Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King). God’s dream is that we will all one day be completely realised – to be our “real selves”. To achieve happiness, serenity and a feeling of peace about life, when we become detached from results ( In my case I’m just writing about ‘God and Formula One’ and don’t think much about the outcome, ie. selling books (or what people may think – crazy!), but really enjoying the writing process).

Just do and more importantly, BE.

“Be the very best person YOU can be with “loads of” FUN along the journey of life.

“When I let go of who (and what) I think I am, then I become all that I am capable of being. Enjoy just being YOU, as you ride the rapids, er sorry, water-falls of life.”

Shared by Craig Lock (“Information and Inspiration Distributor, Incorrigible Encourager and People-builder“)

LOVE is the greatest and most powerful force in the world;
so shine your own unique bright light on an often darkened world …in a spirit of living at the highest level of humanity.

“When the world is filled with love, people’s hearts are overflowing with hope.”
– craig

“YOU be the change you wish to see in others.
Then in changing YOUR world you help change THE world… for the better”

About the submitter:
Craig likes (no, rather loves) to share knowledge and insights from his life experiences to try and help others in ‘every little way’ he can… without being too much of a “Mr goody goody boring two shoes” (as he’s lost the other one!). He has been studying the human mind, ‘the last unexplored frontier’ for much of his life. His mission is in his own small way, to try to help people live happier, more fulfilling and successful lives. He is currently “working” on a book ‘God and Formula One: Beyond the Zone’ available at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005Z6BFX0 )

www.craiglockbooks.com

Craig’s other new book ‘The Spirit of a True Champion: A Look into the Mind of Jesus Christ’ is available at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007E2WXW0


The various books* that Craig “felt inspired to write” are available at:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=la_B005GGMAW4_sr?rh=i%3Abooks&field-author=Craig+Lock

http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005GGMAW4 and http://goo.gl/vTpjk


The submitter’s blogs (with extracts from his various writings: articles, books and new manuscripts) are at www.anewdawnbook.wordpress.com

“Change YOUR world and you help change THE world…for the better

“Together, one mind, one soul at a time, let’s see how many people we can impact, enrich, empower, encourage… and perhaps even inspire to reach their fullest potentials.”

THIS PIECE MAY BE FREELY PUBLISHED

PPS

“I had a good chance to meet a yogi who was so spiritual and happy all the time. I wondered how he managed his thinking and I learned a lot from him. I saw him and I thought, ‘This is the way.’ You believe in a God, but not in a religious way. We human beings like to give him names, whether that is Jesus or whatever else. But my view is that God is ONE, whether it is Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, almost anything, and that he is everywhere. He (or she*) has (no gender*), colour, no religion, no race, nothing. It’s incredible how close he is to you and to everybody. You just call him (her/It) and he’s there. That’s it, simple.
This is the reality we so often forget.”
– Balbir Singh, former physio-therapist to Michael Schumacher and student of psychology (with my little additional few words in brackets)
– Clyde Brolin sharing his interview with Balbir Singh in his great book Overdrive; Formula One in the Zone’, that I’m currently reading and researching for my book God and Formula One

Craig’s other new book ‘The Spirit of a True Champion: A Look into the Mind of Jesus Christ’ is already available at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007E2WXW0


Sharing some Spiritual Thoughts and Principles from Neale Donald Walsh’s ‘Conversations with God’ (Part Three)

Image

Article Title: Sharing some Spiritual Thoughts and Principles from Neale Donald Walsh’s ‘Conversations with God’ (Part Three)
Submitted by Craig Lock
Category (key words): Spiritual growth, Neale Donald Walsch, books, Jesus, Jesus Christ, faith, beliefs, spirituality, the spiritual journey, ‘Conversations with God’, thoughts on God

Web Sites: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=la_B005GGMAW4_sr?rh=i%3Abooks&field-author=Craig+Lock

http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005GGMAW4 and

For his books on “the spiritual journey” also see https://beyondthezonespirit.wordpress.com/2014/07/18/the-awakened-spirit/
size:medium;”>http://goo.gl/vTpjk

The submitter’s blogs (with extracts from his various writings: articles, books and new manuscripts) are at www.sharefaith.wordpress.com and http://craigsblogs.wordpress.com

Other Articles are available at:
http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/user/15565 and http://www.ideamarketers.com/library/profile.cfm?writerid=981
(Personal growth, self help, writing, internet marketing, spiritual, ‘spiritual writings’ (how ‘airey-fairey’), words of inspiration and money management, how boring now, craig)

Publishing Guidelines:

This article (as with all my articles) may be freely published, electronically or in print.

“We share what we know, so that we all may grow.”
#
Sharing some Spiritual Thoughts and Principles from Neale Donald Walsh’s ‘Conversations with God’ (Part Three)

“We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.”
– Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

Religion is for those who fear going to hell;
whilst spirituality is for those who’ve already been there.”
– anon

Submitters’s Note:
This article (in point form) was largely based upon notes I’ve taken from Neale Donald Walsh’s series of
books ‘Conversations with God’, whilst studying the link between the human mind and spirituality. (Whilst I may not agree with all of Walsch’s views and beliefs on the concept of God, a “Higher Power’, I’ve added a few personal thoughts from my experiences of life – in brackets). I’m sharing this piece to hopefully stimulate thinking and discussion on these concepts from Walsh’s personal ideas and beliefs on the ‘airey-fairey spiritual journey’ (which I do ‘try to test’, further explore and apply these principles in ‘real life’). Hope this may be of interest to you. Enjoy…

*
To continue from Part Two…

“To …
Who not only taught me God exists,
but opened my mind to the wondrous truth
that God is my best friend.
You have gifted me far more
than I ever gifted you .
This and you are a work in progress.”

The Process of NATURAL LAW

Life can be a process of CREATION or REACTION.
The soul creates, whilst the mind reacts;
the soul understands what the mind cannot conceive.

Your feelings are your truth. What is best for you is what is true for you. Thoughts are not feelings.
Once you know your truth, LIVE it.

“I am with you always – I live in you.
“I am with you”
Exodus 3:12
“I AM WHO I AM”
Exodus 3:14

Most people believe they have no power to change their circumstances; so they ask for Jesus to change things for them.
Yet Jesus (who perfectly understood the human condition) said: “Why are you so amazed? These things, and more, shall you also do.” (John 14:12). Yet the people of his time could not believe it…and many to this day also do not!

You all imagine you are unworthy. You’ll use anybody’s name, but your own!

(My comment: In spite of the above statement, I suppose asking for something in the name of Jesus keeps a person more humble, less egotistical; yet it comes down to personal choice.)

Now on re-reading John 14:12 (New King James version) I see Jesus’s actual words were:
“He who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do…If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.”

and here are similar words from the New International Version…

“I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these…
You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.”
Yet I tell you this…


“Ask and you shall receive. Seek and ye shall find. Knock and it shall be opened unto you.”

(This statement is totally in alignment with psychological principles – based on the concept of BELIEF(the magic power of believing). So the key is having FAITH and we need a focus for it, our deepest desires and aspirations – something on which to pin our faith. And the greater our expectation(s), as well as the bigger (higher) our faith, the greater the ‘miracles‘ that happen in our lives!)

BELIEVE it before you see it (rather than see it, then believe it)!

We can never go higher than our thoughts.

KNOW who you are and create Who you wish to be. This is the purpose of all of life. Life is an on-going never-ending process of re-creation. You keep recreating yourselves in the image of the next highest idea about yourselves.
The greatest challenge of human beings is to Be Here NOW.

The soul speaks to you in feelings. Listen to your feelings. Follow your feelings, honour your feelings.
A life lived by choice is a life of conscious action.
A life lived by chance is a life of unconscious reaction.

NB: The soul creates, whilst the mind reacts.

Success is repetition over time.
Life is an on-going process of creation. You are creating your reality every minute. Keep focussed, stay centred, single-minded.

Your desires are My desires. Your Will is MY will ???
(That’s another heavy, deep spiritual question for consideration.in another article)

Clarity is the first step to mastery.

We and God are ONE.

Submitter’s Note:

(I need to think more and more deeply about that one. On reflection, I’m not so sure about that statement, Neale. I guess we can only aim to be in union with God, The Father, as Jesus’s unique relationship) was “the ultimate”). I guess the key here is your own concept of God and how you view Ultimate Source, Ground of All Being. Also getting your will totally in harmony with God’s will

end of my interjection and enough of your personal thoughts, now, craig…

God is not apart from us, ever, and we only think we are apart from God. God is in each one of us. You must stop seeing God as separate from you and you as separate from each other. As my good friend Lindsay, ‘the prophet and prayer-warrior’ says: “When a person goes to church, you take God TO church with you.”

Everything happens in perfect order????
(IS IT?)

(“Your challenge is to reconcile your belief of God as higher power with the concept of god as the essence of everything with no control, interest, personality; just spaciousness or Being.”

I’ll ponder that ‘heavy’ statement; but thanks for your input, ‘lynnie bear’) ^

* (Later… on reflection…I CHOOSE to think that God (or god) cares deeply about me as a ‘special creation’ and what’s best for me and my life. It’s a DECISION (most important) we make about our spiritual beliefs, I guess! That is my CONSCIOUSNESS.

“Whilst we can (and should) celebrate our differences (unique), let not our varying beliefs divide us, but let the Spirit of our shared humanity be what defines and unites us all as common citizens of our planet.”

from http://www.craigsquotes.wordpress.com


To continue with Neale Donald Walsch’s beliefs after that little diversion from me…

You can BE just what you wish to be, CHOOSE what you wish to experience. Express and experience that aspect of you which pleases you to express and experience.

Life moves in cycles – everything is cyclical.
Use your Now Moment for the Highest Purpose – the creation and expression of Who You Really Are. Decide Who You are – Who you want to be – and then do everything in your power to be that person.

BE and decide who you really are; to choose and to create who you really are; to experience and to fulfil your current idea about yourself. It’s an eternal moment of Self Creation and Self fulfillment through the process of SELF EXPRESSSION. Fashion the grandest version of the greatest vision you ever had about yourself. This process of creation and recreation is on-going, never-ending.

You may want the world to change; but first change your own world.
Fired with emotion and
passion, in our own little ways and in our own little spheres of influence, we can all raise, then ignite the public consciousness. So it’s up to each ONE of us to do just what one person can do to make a difference, a better world.

Elevate your thinking to the highest level of consciousness and be the change you wish to see in the world today. In so doing you will live at the highest level of humanity and be an example…for the benefit of all mankind.

Fashion the grandest version of the greatest vision you ever had about yourself. Then once you know your truth, embrace it and LIVE it.
“If it’s to be, it’s up to me.”

Be the very best person YOU can be with “loads of” FUN along the journey of life.

“Let your light so shine that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
(Matt 5:16)

“You are the light of the world; a city cannot be hidden, if it is built on a mountain top. A lamp is not lighted to be put away under a bushel measure; it is put on the lamp stand, to give light to all the people of the house; and your light must shine so brightly before men”
(Matt 5,14-16. Knox).

If there is light in the Soul,
There will be light in the person.
If there is
beauty in the person,
There will be harmony in the house.
If there is harmony in the house,
There will be order in the nation.
If there is order in the nation,
There will be
peace
in the world.”
– Chinese proverb

“There is a rich tapestry of talent in every human soul, that
flows through (and from), the Source of our Being, the Spirit
of God, Life. So don’t spend your days stringing and tuning
your instrument; start making and playing your unique tunes
of music right now.”

“When I let go of who (and what) I think I am, then I become all that I am capable of being. Enjoy just being YOU, as you ride the rapids, er sorry, fall down the water-falls of life.”

“Let the light of your BEING shine brightly; so revealing Who
You Really Are. Be a Bringer of the Light, which emanates
from our soul, God, our Creator, the Source, the Essence of Life
(and Ground of our very Being).
Therefore, it can do more than illuminate
your own path.YOUR spirit will help makes the lives of
others easier by illuminating others paths. For this light
is our humanity, the spirit of God, truth, wisdom,
beauty
and
especially love…and it lies within each one of us. Through
your actions and your being, let your light, YOUR spirit
truly shine brightly on the world, like the radiance emitted
by a candle at midnight.”
– craig (as adapted from Neale Donald Walsh in ‘Conversations with God Book 3′).

Shared by craig (“Information and Inspiration Distributor, Incorrigible Encourager and People-builder”)

“When the world is filled with love, people’s hearts are overflowing with hope.”

“When love endures, hope inevitably follows.”

– c

from http://www.craigsquotes.wordpress.com

About the submitter:
Craig likes (no, rather loves) to share knowledge and insights from his life experiences to try and help others in ‘every little way’ he can… without being too much of a “Mr goody goody boring two shoes” (as he’s lost the other one!). He has been studying the human mind, ‘the last unexplored frontier’ for much of his life. His mission is in his own small way, to try to help people live happier, more fulfilling and successful lives. He is currently “working” on a book ‘God and Formula One: Beyond the Zone’ is available at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005Z6BFX0 )

Craig’s other new book ‘The Spirit of a True Champion: A Look into the Mind of Jesus Christ’ is already available at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007E2WXW0

www.craiglockbooks.com

The various books that Craig “felt inspired to write” are available at: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=la_B005GGMAW4_sr?rh=i%3Abooks&field-author=Craig+Lock

http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005GGMAW4 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005Z6BFX0 and craig’s various books on Jesus and the spiritual; journey are available at http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=la_B005GGMAW4_sr?rh=i%3Abooks&field-author=Craig+Lock&sort=relevance&ie=UTF8&qid=1374375740

For his books on “the spiritual journey” also see https://beyondthezonespirit.wordpress.com/2014/07/18/the-awakened-spirit/


Craig’s blogs (with extracts from his various writings: articles, books and new manuscripts) are at https://craigsblogs.wordpress.com/2011/09/09/craigs-list-of-blogs-updated-sept-2011/ 

and www.sharefaith.wordpress.com 

“”Together, one mind, one soul at a time, let’s see how many people we can impact, enrich, empower, encourage… and perhaps even inspire to reach their fullest potentials.

“Change YOUR world and you help change THE world…for the better.”

THIS PIECE MAY BE FREELY PUBLISHED

PPS
In case you may be interested, my “Conversations with God” are at
https://beyondthezonespirit.wordpress.com/2014/07/20/my-conversations-with-god/

https://beyondthezonespirit.wordpress.com/conversations-with-god/

and http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/an-interview-with-jesus-on-the-state-of-the-world-today-my-conversations-with-god-0

Now just time to get ready packing my bag and wait for some little men in white coats come to take me away, haha!

Sharing some Spiritual Thoughts and Principles from Neale Donald Walsh’s ‘Conversations with God’ (Part Three)

AAsunset (red)

Article Title: Sharing some Spiritual Thoughts and Principles from Neale Donald Walsh’s ‘Conversations with God’ (Part Three)
Submitted by Craig Lock
Category (key words): Spiritual growth, Neale Donald Walsch, books, Jesus, Jesus Christ, faith, beliefs, spirituality, ‘Conversations with God’, God, thoughts on God

Web Sites: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005Z6BFX0 and http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005GGMAW4

The submitter’s blogs (with extracts from his various writings: articles, books and new manuscripts) are at www.sharefaith.wordpress.com and http://craigsblogs.wordpress.com

Other Articles are available at:
http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/user/15565 and http://www.ideamarketers.com/library/profile.cfm?writerid=981
(Personal growth, self help, writing, internet marketing, spiritual, ‘spiritual writings’ (how ‘airey-fairey’), words of inspiration and money management, how boring now, craig)

Publishing Guidelines:

This article (as with all my articles) may be freely published, electronically or in print.

“We share what we know, so that we all may grow.”
#
Sharing some Spiritual Thoughts and Principles from Neale Donald Walsh’s ‘Conversations with God’ (Part Three)

“We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.”
– Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

Religion is for those who fear going to hell;
whilst spirituality is for those who’ve already been there.”
– anon

Submitters’s Note:
This article (in point form) was largely based upon notes I’ve taken from Neale Donald Walsh’s series of
books ‘Conversations with God’, whilst studying the link between the human mind and spirituality. (Whilst I may not agree with all of Walsch’s views and beliefs on the concept of God, a “Higher Power’, I’ve added a few personal thoughts from my experiences of life – in brackets). I’m sharing this piece to hopefully stimulate thinking and discussion on these concepts from Walsh’s personal ideas and beliefs on the ‘airey-fairey spiritual journey’ (which I do ‘try to test’, further explore and apply these principles in ‘real life’). Hope this may be of interest to you. Enjoy…

*
To continue from Part Two…

“To …
Who not only taught me God exists,
but opened my mind to the wondrous truth
that God is my best friend.
You have gifted me far more
than I ever gifted you .
This and you are a work in progress.”

The Process of NATURAL LAW

Life can be a process of CREATION or REACTION.
The soul creates, whilst the mind reacts;
the soul understands what the mind cannot conceive.

Your feelings are your truth. What is best for you is what is true for you. Thoughts are not feelings.
Once you know your truth, LIVE it.

I am with you always – I live in you.
“I am with you”
Exodus 3:12
“I AM WHO I AM”
Exodus 3:14

Most people believe they have no power to change their circumstances; so they ask for Jesus to change things for them.
Yet Jesus (who perfectly understood the human condition) said: “Why are you so amazed? These things, and more, shall you also do.” (John 14:12). Yet the people of his time could not believe it…and many to this day also do not!

You all imagine you are unworthy. You’ll use anybody’s name, but your own!

(My comment: In spite of the above statement, I suppose asking for something in the name of Jesus keeps a person more humble, less egotistical; yet it comes down to personal choice.)

Now on re-reading John 14:12 (New King James version) I see Jesus’s actual words were:
“He who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do…If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.”

and here are similar words from the New International Version…

“I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these…
You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.”
Yet I tell you this…
“Ask and you shall receive. Seek and ye shall find. Knock and it shall be opened unto you.”

(This statement is totally in alignment with psychological principles – based on the concept of BELIEF(the magic power of believing). So the key is having FAITH and we need a focus for it, our deepest desires and aspirations – something on which to pin our faith. And the greater our expectation(s), as well as the bigger (higher) our faith, the greater the ‘miracles‘ that happen in our lives!)

BELIEVE it before you see it (rather than see it, then believe it)!

We can never go higher than our thoughts.

KNOW who you are and create Who you wish to be. This is the purpose of all of life. Life is an on-going never-ending process of re-creation. You keep recreating yourselves in the image of the next highest idea about yourselves.
The greatest challenge of human beings is to Be Here NOW.

The soul speaks to you in feelings. Listen to your feelings. Follow your feelings, honour your feelings.
A life lived by choice is a life of conscious action.
A life lived by chance is a life of unconscious reaction.

NB: The soul creates, whilst the mind reacts.

Success is repetition over time.
Life is an on-going process of creation. You are creating your reality every minute. Keep focussed, stay centred, single-minded.

Your desires are My desires. Your Will is MY will ???
(That’s another heavy, deep spiritual question for consideration.in another article)

Clarity is the first step to mastery.

We and God are ONE. God is not apart from us, ever, and we only think we are apart from God. God is in each one of us. You must stop seeing God as separate from you and you as separate from each other. As my good friend Lindsay, ‘the prophet and prayer-warrior’ says: “When a person goes to church, you take God TO church with you.”

Everything happens in perfect order????
(IS IT?)

(“Your challenge is to reconcile your belief of God as higher power with the concept of god as the essence of everything with no control, interest, personality; just spaciousness or Being.”

I’ll ponder that ‘heavy’ statement; but thanks for your input, ‘lynnie bear’) ^

* (Later… on reflection…I CHOOSE to think that God (or god) cares deeply about me as a ‘special creation’ and what’s best for me and my life. It’s a DECISION (most important) we make about our spiritual beliefs, I guess! That is my CONSCIOUSNESS.

To continue with Neale Donald Walsch’s beliefs after that little diversion from me…

You can BE just what you wish to be, CHOOSE what you wish to experience. Express and experience that aspect of you which pleases you to express and experience.

Life moves in cycles – everything is cyclical.
Use your Now Moment for the Highest Purpose – the creation and expression of Who You Really Are. Decide Who You are – Who you want to be – and then do everything in your power to be that person.

BE and decide who you really are; to choose and to create who you really are; to experience and to fulfil your current idea about yourself. It’s an eternal moment of Self Creation and Self fulfillment through the process of SELF EXPRESSSION. Fashion the grandest version of the greatest vision you ever had about yourself. This process of creation and recreation is on-going, never-ending.

You may want the world to change; but first change your own world.
Fired with emotion and
passion, in our own little ways and in our own little spheres of influence, we can all raise, then ignite the public consciousness. So it’s up to each ONE of us to do just what one person can do to make a difference, a better world.

Elevate your thinking to the highest level of consciousness and be the change you wish to see in the world today. In so doing you will live at the highest level of humanity and be an example…for the benefit of all mankind.

Fashion the grandest version of the greatest vision you ever had about yourself. Then once you know your truth, embrace it and LIVE it.
“If it’s to be, it’s up to me.”

Be the very best person YOU can be with “loads of” FUN along the journey of life.

“Let your light so shine that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
(Matt 5:16)

“You are the light of the world; a city cannot be hidden, if it is built on a mountain top. A lamp is not lighted to be put away under a bushel measure; it is put on the lamp stand, to give light to all the people of the house; and your light must shine so brightly before men”
(Matt 5,14-16. Knox).

“If there is light in the Soul,
There will be light in the person.
If there is
beauty in the person,
There will be harmony in the house.
If there is harmony in the house,
There will be order in the nation.
If there is order in the nation,
There will be
peace in the world.”
– Chinese proverb

“There is a rich tapestry of talent in every human soul, that
flows through (and from), the Source of our Being, the Spirit
of God, Life. So don’t spend your days stringing and tuning
your instrument; start making and playing your unique tunes
of music right now.”

“When I let go of who (and what) I think I am, then I become all that I am capable of being. Enjoy just being YOU, as you ride the rapids, er sorry, fall down the water-falls of life.”

“Let the light of your BEING shine brightly; so revealing Who
You Really Are. Be a Bringer of the Light, which emanates
from our soul, God, our Creator, the Source, the Essence of Life
(and Ground of our very Being).
Therefore, it can do more than illuminate
your own path.YOUR spirit will help makes the lives of
others easier by illuminating others paths. For this light
is our humanity, the spirit of God, truth, wisdom,
beauty and
especially love…and it lies within each one of us. Through
your actions and your being, let your light, YOUR spirit
truly shine brightly on the world, like the radiance emitted
by a candle at midnight.”
– craig (as adapted from Neale Donald Walsh in ‘Conversations with God Book 3′).

Shared by craig (“Information and Inspiration Distributor, Incorrigible Encourager and People-builder”)

“When the world is filled with love, people’s hearts are overflowing with hope.”

“When love endures, hope inevitably follows.”

– craig

About the submitter:
Craig likes (no, rather loves) to share knowledge and insights from his life experiences to try and help others in ‘every little way’ he can… without being too much of a “Mr goody goody boring two shoes” (as he’s lost the other one!). He has been studying the human mind, ‘the last unexplored frontier’ for much of his life. His mission is in his own small way, to try to help people live happier, more fulfilling and successful lives. He is currently “working” on a book ‘God and Formula One: Beyond the Zone’ is available at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005Z6BFX0 )

Craig’s other new book ‘The Spirit of a True Champion: A Look into the Mind of Jesus Christ’ is already available at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007E2WXW0

www.craiglockbooks.com

The various books that Craig “felt inspired to write” are available at: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005GGMAW4http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005Z6BFX0and craig’s various books on Jesus and the spiritual; journey are available at http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=la_B005GGMAW4_sr?rh=i%3Abooks&field-author=Craig+Lock&sort=relevance&ie=UTF8&qid=1374375740


Craig’s blogs (with extracts from his various writings: articles, books and new manuscripts) are at www.sharefaith.wordpress.com and http://craigsblogs.wordpress.com

“Change YOUR world and you help change THE world…for the better

“Together, one mind, one soul at a time, let’s see how many people we can impact, enrich, empower, encourage… and perhaps even inspire to reach their fullest potentials.”

THIS PIECE MAY BE FREELY PUBLISHED

Sharing some Spiritual Thoughts and Principles from Neale Donald Walsh’s book ‘Conversations with God’ (Part One)

rainbow (from photobuck)

Picture from http://www.photobuck.com

Article Title: Sharing some Spiritual Thoughts and Principles from Neale Donald Walsh’s book ‘Conversations with God’ (Part One)
Submitted by Craig Lock
Category (key words): Spiritual growth, Neale Donald Walsch, books, Jesus, Jesus Christ, faith, beliefs, spirituality, ‘Conversations with God’, God

Web Sites: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005GGMAW4 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005Z6BFX0 and craig’s various books on Jesus and the spiritual; journey are available at http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=la_B005GGMAW4_sr?rh=i%3Abooks&field-author=Craig+Lock&sort=relevance&ie=UTF8&qid=1374375740

The submitter’s blogs (with extracts from his various writings: articles, books and new manuscripts) are at www.sharefaith.wordpress.com and http://craigsblogs.wordpress.com

Other Articles are available at: http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/user/15565 and http://www.ideamarketers.com/library/profile.cfm?writerid=981
(Personal growth, self help, writing, internet marketing, spiritual, ‘spiritual writings’ (how ‘airey-fairey’), words of inspiration and money management, how boring now, craig)

Publishing Guidelines:

This article (as with all my articles) may be freely published, electronically or in print.

“We share what we know, so that we all may grow.”
#

Sharing some Spiritual Thoughts and Principles from Neale Donald Walsh’s ‘Conversations with God’ (Part One)

We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.
– Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

Submitters’s Note:
This article (in point form) was largely based upon notes I’ve taken from Neale Donald Walsh’s series of
books ‘Conversations with God’, whilst studying the link between the human mind and spirituality. Whilst I may not agree with all of Walsch’s views and beliefs on the concept of a “Higher Power’, I’m sharing this piece to hopefully stimulate thinking and discussion on these concepts from Walsh’s personal ideas and beliefs on the ‘spiritual journey’.

Enjoy…
*

Life is not a process of discovery – it’s a process of CREATION.
Await nothing; but inspiringly create everything you choose and desire in life. I see God as co-Creator and observer of our lives (like a “sleeping partner”). God does the watching without judgement. We keep waiting for God to tell us, show us, and God keeps waiting for us to show Him/Her/It. We’re waiting for the One who waits for us.

Nothing has meaning, except the meaning we give it.
You create your own reality – always go with your own deepest feelings, your deepest truth.

Feelings are the ‘language of the soul’. A thing has no purpose in itself. Every purpose for any thing is given to it by you and me.

When you don’t know what to do, or what course to take? Just let go and let it be right…
for now that you don’t have the answer. Create the space for the answer to occur to you.
We determine our fate by the thoughts we entertain collectively. Our collective consciousness creates a great deal of our individual reality. All the time we are creating.

Jesus believed in the value and worth of every human being and his life showed the world a God of love. He died and rose again, so that we know the truth about him, and hence about us. His act was meant as a demonstration of Who We Really Are: ie. living out who he really was, what he saw as his ‘divine purpose’ – acting out and living his life mission, what he was called to do and BE with total commitment and integrity…and especially love. Jesus was a divine master, who possessed absolute understanding of the truth – the truth about himself and about God. He wished to share the truth with all the world. Thus he said, “I and the Father are one”. We are brothers. We were all made in the image and likeness of God and Jesus kept trying to tell us so…but few people believed him.
We can think we are in a living hell, and then we can change our perception about it… and the entire perception changes for us.

You are not “supposed” to do anything. Eg. tithing.
You have no purpose, until you assign it one. It’s a CHOICE we make. We are waiting for God to show us our purpose, and God is waiting for us to show Him our purpose.
There is only one reason to do anything: to announce and declare, express and experience, fulfil and become Who You Really Are.

All people come to the truth when they are ready. Just watch and wait.

(My comment: But first you have to ASK God to give you deepest truths and then Infinite Source will deliver (through the subconscious mind or “God-gate”, as my micro-biologist friend, Andy calls it): “Knock and He will answer the door and invite you in.”)

Things can always be made better. The dream never ends and the mission is never truly accomplished (Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King). God’s dream is that we will all one day be completely realised – to be our “real selves”. To achieve happiness, serenity and a feeling of peace about life, when we become detached from results ( In my case I’m just writing about ‘God and Formula One’ and don’t think much about the outcome, ie. selling books (or what people may think – crazy!), but really enjoying the writing process).

Just do and more importantly, BE.

“Be the very best person YOU can be with “loads of” FUN along the journey of life.

“When I let go of who (and what) I think I am, then I become all that I am capable of being. Enjoy just being YOU, as you ride the rapids, er sorry, water-falls of life.”

Shared by Craig Lock (“Information and Inspiration Distributor, Incorrigible Encourager and People-builder“)

LOVE is the greatest and most powerful force in the world;
so shine your own unique bright light on an often darkened world …in a spirit of living at the highest level of humanity.

“When the world is filled with love, people’s hearts are overflowing with hope.”
– craig

“YOU be the change you wish to see in others.
Then in changing YOUR world you help change THE world… for the better”

About the submitter:
Craig likes (no, rather loves) to share knowledge and insights from his life experiences to try and help others in ‘every little way’ he can… without being too much of a “Mr goody goody boring two shoes” (as he’s lost the other one!). He has been studying the human mind, ‘the last unexplored frontier’ for much of his life. His mission is in his own small way, to try to help people live happier, more fulfilling and successful lives. He is currently “working” on a book ‘God and Formula One: Beyond the Zone’ available at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005Z6BFX0 )

Craig’s other new book ‘The Spirit of a True Champion: A Look into the Mind of Jesus Christ’ is available at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007E2WXW0


www.craiglockbooks.com

The various books that Craig “felt inspired to write” are available at: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005GGMAW4http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005Z6BFX0and craig’s various books on Jesus and the spiritual; journey are available at http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=la_B005GGMAW4_sr?rh=i%3Abooks&field-author=Craig+Lock&sort=relevance&ie=UTF8&qid=1374375740


Craig’s blogs (with extracts from his various writings: articles, books and new manuscripts) are at http://craigsblogs.wordpress.com

“Change YOUR world and you help change THE world…for the better

“Together, one mind, one soul at a time, let’s see how many people we can impact, enrich, empower, encourage… and perhaps even inspire to reach their fullest potentials.”

THIS PIECE MAY BE FREELY PUBLISHED

PPS

“I had a good chance to meet a yogi who was so spiritual and happy all the time. I wondered how he managed his thinking and I learned a lot from him. I saw him and I thought, ‘This is the way.’ You believe in a God, but not in a religious way. We human beings like to give him names, whether that is Jesus or whatever else. But my view is that God is ONE, whether it is Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, almost anything, and that he is everywhere. He (or she*) has (no gender*), colour, no religion, no race, nothing. It’s incredible how close he is to you and to everybody. You just call him (her/It) and he’s there. That’s it, simple.
This is the reality we so often forget.”
– Balbir Singh, former physio-therapist to Michael Schumacher and student of psychology (with my little additional few words in brackets)
– Clyde Brolin sharing his interview with Balbir Singh in his great book Overdrive; Formula One in the Zone’, that I’m currently reading and researching for my book God and Formula One

Craig’s other new book ‘The Spirit of a True Champion: A Look into the Mind of Jesus Christ’ is already available at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007E2WXW0

rAINBOW (touch)
from http://www.flickr.com and Craig’s brand new e-book Touching the Rainbow