What Do I Want?

[scott snedeker]

Originally Posted by Zerbie

What if we all choose to ignore and stop responding to posts/threads that are aggressive, provocative, laden with non-viable comparisons, veiled insults and accusations?

Abraham's law of attraction states that like vibrations attract. We all have within us disharmony, predjudice, anger, need, predatory instincts, self pity etc. These vibrations disconnect us from each other and disconnect us from our Source. You can tell by the negative emotion felt

Like vibrations attract and activate each other.

If you respond to negative emotion with a negative emotional vibration activated within you, then the negative vibration will escalate in the other. This is what leads to argumets, lost friends, enemies and war.

We also have within us love, affirmation, compassion, joy, light, passion, safety, trust, comfort, etc. These connect us to each other and Source, God, Christ, Gaia or what ever label you give to your spiritual connection.

Within everyone is Love. This is the beatiful miracle that Abraham teaches, that Christ felt more than any other being, that the spirit of the forest will tell you......if you listen.


The response to violence that Abraham teaches is creation of something beautiful, creation of something healing, ackowlegdement of entitlement to desire.

The first Agreement of Don miguel Ruiz is to be impeccable with your word. This means communicating genuine love so as to activate this in the person to whom you are speaking.

The message of Dan Millman is the time is now, where I am is here, what I am is this moment.


This leads me to a new set of Questions to help me live happier, more real, safer, and alive with love:

1. What do I want?

2. What is required to achieve it?

3. Am I willing to do what is necessary?

If you'll notice, the first question is not "What don't I want?" or What do others want me to do or be? or What do others or myself expect me to be or do? Or what do I expect others to be or do? Or what do others owe me?

It is "What do I want?" Not so simple if all your attention is on the other questions above!

The second question is no less difficult to answer sometimes.

The third question often requires painful honesty on many levels.

If the answer to the third question is "No", then my desire will either not manifest or not manifest for long because to do something unwillingly creates opposition internally.

If the answer is "yes" then I am enjoying the action required to attain my desire. There is no opposition and the desire will last.

So what do I want from soulforce?

Sanctuary, to provide and receive. Compassion, love, affirmation, humor, friendship, expansion of spiritual awareness, connection to others and spiritual energy.

What don't I want from Soulforce?----wrong question!

[Zerbie]

Ahh, sweet, Scotty.

For clarification, since it is apparently needed, my suggestion to ignore provocative statements, accusations, insults and aggression does not include ignoring entire topics of discussion. It was a suggestion to ignore the aggression, the provocation, the insults, and the accusations. NOT the subject matter.

Since many of us are reading certain postings AS aggression, accusation, etc., I suggest that those of us who perceive those postings and threads in this manner not respond to them.

[scott snedeker]

I did get your intended meaning sweetie!

That is why I posted a new thread. To illuminate the parallels in your message that I get from my spiritual guides. To show you my affirmation and the affirmation I see from Araham, Ruiz and Millman.

Read my post again with the knowledge that I got what you were saying and you will feel the affirmation I am giving you!

But I am taking my own message one step further, well, it's not mine originally but It needs to be said more:

PEACE

[antonyh]

Gotcha Zerbie. Now I understand what you're getting at. I won't mention the "w**" word or Keltic will shut us down

[Zerbie]

Originally Posted by antonyh

Gotcha Zerbie. Now I understand what you're getting at. I won't mention the "w**" word or Keltic will shut us down

Cool.

[Daniel]

Originally Posted by scott snedeker

This leads me to a new set of Questions to help me live happier, more real, safer, and alive with love:

1. What do I want?

2. What is required to achieve it?

3. Am I willing to do what is necessary?

If you'll notice, the first question is not "What don't I want?" or What do others want me to do or be? or What do others or myself expect me to be or do? Or what do I expect others to be or do? Or what do others owe me?

It is "What do I want?" Not so simple if all your attention is on the other questions above!

The second question is no less difficult to answer sometimes.

The third question often requires painful honesty on many levels.

If the answer to the third question is "No", then my desire will either not manifest or not manifest for long because to do something unwillingly creates opposition internally.

If the answer is "yes" then I am enjoying the action required to attain my desire. There is no opposition and the desire will last.

So what do I want from soulforce?

Sanctuary, to provide and receive. Compassion, love, affirmation, humor, friendship, expansion of spiritual awareness, connection to others and spiritual energy.

What don't I want from Soulforce?----wrong question!

Thank you Scotty for this thread!

So many thoughts come to mind, some of them quite practical in nature. Such as- I've been thinking recently about developing a business plan. I mean, let's face it, if you don't have an idea about where and what you want to be doing, nothing is going to happen, right?

What's you're saying seems very practical to me.

And there is another, more personal reason, why I find your perspective highly attractive. And it's this.

My experience with tinnitus has been a huge teacher for me. Has that been fun? No. But I've been learning (and am still learning) that to have a full and vibrant life, I have to- I should say for the sake of my sanity- MUST- focus on what I WANT in life. God knows, when you have a siren going off in your head you have to decide WHAT you are going to give your attention to. If you don't, you go freaking NUTS.

When my attention goes towards that which I want, and what helps others, what I am 'made' to do, the ringing receeds from my attention. The volume diminishes. And that's a very interesting thing. This tells me that the mind is a great deal more malleable than we might suppose. (My hope and prayer is that, with time and practice, my brain will learn to find less noisy highways to travel.)

And let's face it, we all have something we have to deal with, right?

I say use it. Whatever it is, let it teach us to become more open to love and light, to warmth and joy.

The Buddhist's call it Maitri.

Maitri: Kindness, benevolence, or goodwill, as in the disposition of a friend (Sanskrit, mitra). An important Buddhist virtue, maitri is to be cultivated towards all in a spirit of generosity which is free of attachment or thoughts of self-interest. As the first of the four Divine Abidings, maitri is practised as a meditational exercise by being directed first of all to oneself, then those close to one (such as friends and family), and then extended by stages to embrace all living beings.

The point here is to take what seems unbearable and to use it as a way to find compassion for one's self and for others.

It's a lot better than sitting around whining about being a victim. And what a bore that is, to hear and become.

I bow to the light within you!

[antonyh]

Originally Posted by Daniel

So many thoughts come to mind, some of them quite practical in nature. Such as- I've been thinking recently about developing a business plan. I mean, let's face it, if you don't have an idea about where and what you want to be doing, nothing is going to happen, right?

What are some of your business idea(s). Just interested. I think entrepreneurship is awesome.

My experience with tinnitus has been a huge teacher for me. Has that been fun? No. But I've been learning (and am still learning) that to have a full and vibrant life, I have to- I should say for the sake of my sanity- MUST- focus on what I WANT in life. God knows, when you have a siren going off in your head you have decide WHAT you are going to give your attention to. If you don't, you go freaking NUTS.

It can be difficult sometimes to simply give yourself permission to pursue what YOU WANT. I decided to try this philosophy after graduating recently and I start a non-profit job advocating for LGBT sacramental/civil rights in January. I'm so excited. I could make $15,000 more per year in the corporate world but I'll be happy at work for once...so who cares.

My next goal is to become ordained and enter the ministry (yeah, frightening I know ). How I am going to pull that one off as an out gay man in a committed relationship is yet to be seen.

Relentless focus on what YOU WANT

Scotty, I really admire your loving, care free approach to life.

[Zerbie]

Originally Posted by Daniel

When my attention goes towards that which I want, and what helps others, what I am 'made' to do, the ringing receeds from my attention. The volume diminishes. And that's a very interesting thing. This tells me that the mind is a great deal more malleable than we might suppose. (My hope and prayer is that, with time and practice, my brain will learn to find less noisy highways to travel.)

And let's face it, we all have something we have to deal with, right?

I say use it. Whatever it is, let it teach us to become more open to love and light, to warmth and joy.

The Buddhist's call it Maitri.



The point here is to take what seems unbearable and to use it as a way to find compassion for one's self and for others.

I's a lot better than sitting around whining about being a victim. And what a bore that is, to hear and become.

I bow to the light within you!

Danny, I love you so much!

[Zerbie]

Originally Posted by antonyh

It can be difficult sometimes to simply give yourself permission to pursue what YOU WANT. I decided to try this philosophy after graduating recently and I start a non-profit job advocating for LGBT sacramental/civil rights in January. I'm so excited. I could make $15,000 more per year in the corporate world but I'll be happy at work for once...so who cares.


: )
Antony that's WONDERFUL!! CONGRATULATIONS!!! I envision you a great success in such an endeavor. Oh what a wonderful thing to be doing. I am so happy and proud for you!

Sadly, I imagine this will mean you will have less time for us on the forum. But for a good reason.

Now, serious question, I am not joking: How can I get into a field like that? How did you? PM me if you're willing.





My next goal is to become ordained and enter the ministry (yeah, frightening I know ). How I am going to pull that one off as an out gay man in a committed relationship is yet to be seen.

Why doubt it? It can certainly happen. This also says you have all along been on the right road - the same road you started out on long ago, and this is when it really begins. I have every belief that if you choose ministry, it will absolutely work out. Might be some tussles on the way, but it will work out and you will end up in the right place. It's all too neatly packaged not to have been set up by the same wisdom that called you to ministry in the first place.

Scotty, I really admire your loving, care free approach to life. Sometimes I feel like a bull dog barking at the anti-gay boggie men. So it is good to be reminded about the peace, love, joy and freedom you have found in life.

We can learn to generate peace, love, joy, freedom within our spirits. It can be practiced. It is a skill. We can grow joyful, expansive energies in our own minds/spirits. We absolutely can do this.

Antony - your news and your goals are wonderful!!! I am bubbling over!!

[andrewlittle]

Originally Posted by antonyh

My next goal is to become ordained and enter the ministry (yeah, frightening I know ). How I am going to pull that one off as an out gay man in a committed relationship is yet to be seen.

Relentless focus on what YOU WANT

Scotty, I really admire your loving, care free approach to life.

Well, let's see - there's the MCC or UCC. But, it seems to me I remember you being Methodist - is that right? If so, you could check out Church Within a Church movement, since "extraordinary" ordinations in the Wesleyan/Methodist tradition are actually now on their radar screens.

www.cwac.us if you want to look a little deeper.

[Daniel]

Originally Posted by antonyh

What are some of your business idea(s). Just interested. I think entrepreneurship is awesome.

And somewhat terrifying!

My goal in broad terms is to:

Transition from my fulltime job (where my employer is paying my health insurance, pension etc) to full-time self-sufficient private teaching, while, simultaneously, publishing two books. For someone like me, who has found it easy to fit into a pre-scheduled environment (working in a threatre where everything is planned out for ya), the change to a self-motivated and self-initiated/accountable life has been a challenge. And while I have a fair amount of students, it's a whole other matter teaching privately full-time. Kinda like circus performing without a net.

I know that I have the skill to actualize my goal of teaching full-time, but it's all the other 'stuff' like organizing my finances, finding a publisher and creating a website etc that have made me realize one huge thing:

I need help!

We can't do anything of importance alone.

We have to have help. We have to reach out. And we have to let others help us. And for someone like me who thinks he doesn't need any help...well....that's been a big deal!

So- I've been in the process of finding my 'support system'. That means a writing coach (I took a series of classes in writing to get started) as well as a counselor. Another friend is helping me with money matters.

The truth is- this is all stuff that can be learned. But if you grew up, like I did, in a family where the real stuff of life and living (we won't even mention the whole gay factor) wasn't dealt with, it can be mighty stress inducing.

The answer? A plan (and I mean an actual written down plan) and taking things one step at a time.

Originally Posted by anthony

It can be difficult sometimes to simply give yourself permission to pursue what YOU WANT. I decided to try this philosophy after graduating recently and I start a non-profit job advocating for LGBT sacramental/civil rights in January. I'm so excited. I could make $15,000 more per year in the corporate world but I'll be happy at work for once...so who cares.

My next goal is to become ordained and enter the ministry (yeah, frightening I know ). How I am going to pull that one off as an out gay man in a committed relationship is yet to be seen.

Relentless focus on what YOU WANT

Andy has some great ideas! (God bless you buddy!) I certainly think that being an out gay man in a relationship and serving in a church can be done. Case in point: I don't know how the particulars came about, but my hubby's Rector serves at a parish in the Bronx with his Mr. Husband. There they are, both at the altar. Ain't that something? (Episcopal) They live in the Parish House together. Open and above board. Fr. Haller's blog is....

http://jintoku.blogspot.com/

I really believe that if we 'put it out there' the universe, or whatever it is, will respond. We will be presented with choices. But we have to be awake enough to know what's staring us in the face. It's all too easy to take the 'safe' road, right?

I don't think this is magical thinking. Far from it. I simply think that as the Wise One's have said: "When the student is ready, the teacher will show up." And the wisdom or word that we need to hear can come from the most unlikely place. Follow our nose's as it were.

We have to encourage ourselves and others to live up to our potential. Or at least die trying. You never know what tomorrow brings. So we might as well learn to risk a little bit. And then a bit more.

Hey....if I can do this (at nearly 50), anything is possible. What's the alternative? More of the same? Hell! I don't want to look back on my life and think about what I could have done.

And they call this a midlife crisis!

Originally Posted by Zerbie

Danny, I love you so much!

Right back at ya!

[scott snedeker]

Originally Posted by Daniel

(My hope and prayer is that, with time and practice, my brain will learn to find less noisy highways to travel.)

And let's face it, we all have something we have to deal with, right?

I say use it. Whatever it is, let it teach us to become more open to love and light, to warmth and joy.

The Buddhist's call it Maitri.

Maitri:

Kindness, benevolence, or goodwill, as in the disposition of a friend (Sanskrit, mitra). An important Buddhist virtue, maitri is to be cultivated towards all in a spirit of generosity which is free of attachment or thoughts of self-interest. As the first of the four Divine Abidings, maitri is practised as a meditational exercise by being directed first of all to oneself, then those close to one (such as friends and family), and then extended by stages to embrace all living beings.


The point here is to take what seems unbearable and to use it as a way to find compassion for one's self and for others.

I am enthralled by your inroduction of the Buddhist meditational exercise of Maitri. Is that pronounced "may tree" ? A discipline of love and harmony of self with the purpose of extension to others by ripples is beautiful! I can see a meld of this discipline with the others I have embraced! I will have to embrace more of this discipline!

You always come up with the best resources! Smart Guy!

Originally Posted by antonyh

It can be difficult sometimes to simply give yourself permission to pursue what YOU WANT. I decided to try this philosophy after graduating recently and I start a non-profit job advocating for LGBT sacramental/civil rights in January. I'm so excited. I could make $15,000 more per year in the corporate world but I'll be happy at work for once...so who cares!

My next goal is to become ordained and enter the ministry (yeah, frightening I know ). How I am going to pull that one off as an out gay man in a committed relationship is yet to be seen.

Relentless focus on what YOU WANT

Scotty, I really admire your loving, care free approach to life.

Thanks! I think you have a pretty goood idea of what you want! The wealth of your life is better measured by your capacity to let in joy! You sure seem to see that clearly!

[Gennee]

Affirmation and compassion is something we all desire. I look at what the person is really saying. are they afraid? are they seeking love and acceptance bu don't know how to get it? It could be a cry or help. I look at negative comments as an opportunity to encourage, to educate, to demonstrate the compassion and love that we desire for ourselves. This year, I will be more conscious of it.

Gennee

[antonyh]

Originally Posted by andrewlittle

Well, let's see - there's the MCC or UCC. But, it seems to me I remember you being Methodist - is that right? If so, you could check out Church Within a Church movement, since "extraordinary" ordinations in the Wesleyan/Methodist tradition are actually now on their radar screens.

www.cwac.us if you want to look a little deeper.

Hi Andrew. I'll be working for a Methodist ministry and I do attend a Methodist Church. Thank you for the link on the Church Within a Church Movement. I will do some research in that direction for sure.

[antonyh]

Originally Posted by Daniel

And somewhat terrifying!

My goal in broad terms is to:

Transition from my fulltime job (where my employer is paying my health insurance, pension etc) to full-time self-sufficient private teaching, while, simultaneously, publishing two books. For someone like me, who has found it easy to fit into a pre-scheduled environment (working in a threatre where everything is planned out for ya), the change to a self-motivated and self-initiated/accountable life has been a challenge. And while I have a fair amount of students, it's a whole other matter teaching privately full-time. Kinda like circus performing without a net.

I know that I have the skill to actualize my goal of teaching full-time, but it's all the other 'stuff' like organizing my finances, finding a publisher and creating a website etc that have made me realize one huge thing:

I need help!

We can't do anything of importance alone.

We have to have help. We have to reach out. And we have to let others help us. And for someone like me who thinks he doesn't need any help...well....that's been a big deal!

So- I've been in the process of finding my 'support system'. That means a writing coach (I took a series of classes in writing to get started) as well as a counselor. Another friend is helping me with money matters.

The truth is- this is all stuff that can be learned. But if you grew up, like I did, in a family where the real stuff of life and living (we won't even mention the whole gay factor) wasn't dealt with, it can be mighty stress inducing.

The answer? A plan (and I mean an actual written down plan) and taking things one step at a time.

Daniel you really inspire me. Good luck with all of that. I am sure you are going to do very well.