Our lives unfold effortlessly to the degree we choose alignment with the natural flow of Life. Conversely, our lives are endlessly riddled with strife and struggle, proportionate to our choices contradicting Life’s natural flow.
Life adds unto Life, sustaining Itself. One need only observe nature to witness the organic fluidity of Life and Its self-sustenance. A stream nourishes all within and along its flow.
Choosing to live contrary to the natural order of Life results in conflict, despair and suffering. It is a contrived approach of improper thinking, believing, and being, requiring continual coercion and manipulation.
As coercion and manipulation are at the expense of Life in one way or another, it is forever in opposition to the natural flow of Life adding unto Life. We need only look at the inorganically contrived economic system for example. As a contrived approach, it requires continual manipulation and coercion which takes from the Life of someone or some-thing for its perpetuation, thereby negating the natural flow of Life unto all.
Aligning With the Flow of Life
“Life fills from within, overflowing throughout.”
Life adds unto Life, always. For harmony within our lives, we may choose to align with the natural flow of Life.
Choosing to add unto Life, aligns us with Life’s natural flow of true receiving.
Every moment, consciously or unconsciously, we make choices which either add unto Life, or take away from Life. With every thought, feeling, idea, belief, word or action, we either affirm Life, or negate Life.
We may see this clearly in our relationships.
The Mirror of Relationships
“In our relationships is found the reflection of our relationship with ourselves. Our relationship with ourselves mirrors our relationship with Life.”
Imagine meeting someone, both feeling an excitement in each others company. The excitement wells-up from within, naturally overflowing unto each other and the life of the relationship.
If at some point one shifts to dependence upon the other for happiness or fulfillment, one now takes away from the Life of the other. One draws from the other for some form of sustenance, rather than both adding unto each other. Ultimately, if left uncorrected, the Life of the relationship is drained as the natural flow of Life is negated.
Relationships are not limited between you and another person. We are immersed in ever-present interactions inclusive of everyone and everything around us.
“Our separation from each other is an optical illusion of consciousness.” ~Albert Einstein
The Internal Fountain of Life
The naturally self-sustaining flow of Life fills from within, overflowing unto all Life. When we add unto Life around us, we naturally align with the renewing flow of the Internal Fountain of Life.
“You are a chalice which can never quite be filled from external sources, yet overflows the brim from within.”
In seeking externally for sustenance, we effectively restrict our receiving from the inner-spring of Life. In a sense, we turn our back to Life.
Our true sustenance fills from within as we add Life unto Life, for it is the natural flow of Life, Itself.
The irony is; while one may struggle in efforts outwardly for inner-fulfillment, all the outer attributes of fulfillment manifest naturally as we attune inwardly with Life.
“Just as a seed carries the flower we’ve yet to see, within you is the divine pattern you are birthed to be.”
Experiential Knowledge of Truth
Life experiences Itself through Its expression. Truth refers to Life’s pure expression, and therefore must be lived to be realized.
“The truth is lived, not taught.” ~Hermann Hesse
In this way, our experiences are akin to initiations.
Many who came before us have offered glimpses into the beauty and promise of our true Birthright. Though their insights are warm and profound, familiarity with their words is not the ’seed’ from which we harvest such unfolding for ourselves.
Knowledge borrowed from another has no foundation within us, it merely points the way. We must do as those who came before us did, and delve within to unveil the truth birthed of direct-experience.
“If you take in my words but do not digest them, you’ll have to color every truth with your own imaginings.” ~Rumi
We may resonate as true, the words or actions of another. We may read, memorize, and quote what another imparts. Yet, without direct-experience we can only form judgments and beliefs of which we have no true-knowing. Without the initiation of living-experience, we only ‘think’ we know of truth, but we do not truly know.
“Not one thought you hold is wholly true.” ~ACIM
No one can give us our truth, enlighten, nor awaken us from the dreams of our own illusions.
No one can grant or develop our inherent attributes, qualities, or abilities for us.
No one outside ourselves can provide us with our life-answers, save us from our choices, or fix the ailed circumstances resultant from our previous choices.
We ourselves must choose to follow-through with our inner-work. It is our own responsibility. Our Birthright awaits our own discovery, nurturing and expressed fulfillment.
“Work in the invisible world at least as hard as you do in the visible.” ~Rumi
We ourselves must dive into the fertile soil of experience, surrendering preconceived ideas in exchange for unfolding Life’s true expression through us.
There is no cheating or shortcuts. We may gain slight understandings which satisfy our mind, yet we gain not the experience of which to embody and express purely.
There are no secrets, only that which we have yet applied ourselves to unveil and experience in our own unique way.
“No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path.” ~ Buddha
We can justify and convince ourselves of anything, yet it is only playing a game. Only when we stop buying-into our own contrived stories, do we allow for the unfolding of our Birthright.
The Power of Choice
We are solely responsible for our choices. Every choice we make has an effect upon ourselves and others. Whether we are conscious or unconscious of our choices is also a choice. Even to withhold making a choice is still to have made one.
“For as long as we defer the power of our choices to others, shall mockery be made of our irresponsibility.”
We are, every moment, choosing alignment with Life or opposition to Life. We need only look at the circumstances of our lives to determine which predominates.
Outer circumstances do not define us; rather, they reflect how we are defining ourselves. The circumstances in our lives mirror our choices, individually and collectively.
If you would reclaim the sovereignty of your true Birthright… if you would choose to unveil the beauty and fullness of Life which you exist to experience… commit yourself to acceptance of your responsibilities and attune with Life.
Personal Experience
Through various exercises, my Sister of heart and spirit, Shaman of the tribe that adopted me, would plant ’seeds’ which were my responsibility to nurture, mature and harvest.
The purpose of an exercise is akin to a seed being planted. Performance of the exercise nurtures the seed within the fertile soil of experience. Through direct-experience one may reap what is sown. Our commitment is solely our own responsibility.
The following is a simple exercise. If applied, you shall experience for yourself that; giving naturally allows for true receiving; and, the outer world of circumstances is a reflection of our choices.
I have shared with you two harvests derived from this exercise. On their own they carry the potential to affect life-affirming changes in your life. Still, even grander harvests await you. These you may unveil if you apply yourself to the exercise.
Exercise:
For one week, verbalize only that which affirms Life.
That is to say, let no word exit your lips unless those words affirm or add Life unto Life in some way. Ensure that every word you speak adds beauty, joy, grace or Love unto yourself, everyone, and everything around you.
“Do not speak unless it improves on silence.” – Buddha
For example; before engaging in gossip, small-talk, or humor, ask yourself if what you are about to verbalize adds Life unto all concerned, or if it is at the expense of Life to any?
Or…
Imagine you are running late for work; it is raining and as you rush to your car you notice a tire is flat. We can imagine quite a few ‘choice’ words of expression with such a circumstance.
Before you express yourself, consider if what you are about to say is life-affirming, or life-negating. What possibilities might exist? Perhaps the delay allows you to miss involvement in an accident. Perhaps there is a cheerful response.
Or…
Imagine you are driving a busy road; someone suddenly pulls out in front of you, requiring you to slam on the breaks to avoid hitting them. We can imagine our body’s response; the shock we may feel or the gasp we might make. We can imagine the potential for ‘choice’ words to be expressed.
Will your words add unto Life or negate Life? Consider the possibilities.
Perhaps they were preoccupied and serve as a reminder for us to be fully present. Maybe we were preoccupied and their action brought us fully present. Perhaps they are upset from the loss of a loved one. We do not know the battles another fights within themselves.
For just one week, one moment at-a-time, be fully conscious of your words. Speak only that which adds Life unto Life around you, and takes Life away from none.
Please note:
This exercise is not limited to your interactions with others. It’s applicable to self-talk and verbalization directed towards objects.
Think what you may, yet if you curse the door upon which you stump your toe, you still take away from Life, if only your own. Any remark which is diminishing or condemning to yourself, anyone, or any-thing, is choosing to take away from Life.
Every expression reflects our relationship with ourselves, thus our relationship with Life. All expressions birth consequences in our lives moving forward.
You might simply look to the sky after a big “Ouch!” and with a giggle exclaim “Good joke, Grandfather! I’ll pay attention from now on.” Perhaps you might smile broadly and exclaim, ‘Joy to this glorious day, I am now Awake to enjoy it!’
Perhaps you may offer a blessing of Love and peace unto the driver who pulled out in front of you, or thank them for bringing you fully into the present moment. Perhaps you shall thank the flat tire with gratitude that it went flat before you were driving down the road, or left stranded roadside. 
The point is, have fun with the exercise, be creative. Don’t take things so seriously. Life need not be one drama after another. It is not intended to be a drama at all; it is but our choices which make it seem so.
Although this exercise may seem overly-simplistic, I can assure you it has profound implications. Yet, don’t take my word for it. Commit to this simple exercise and harvest what unfolds for yourself.
Have fun, and please do return to share what insights you garner and harvests you reap.
Remember…
With all thy heart let gratitude be your song & dance, for everything around you is Life’s returning glance.
Blessings and Love always, in all ways.
En’ Lakésh (I am another you)
~Marc
Copyright © 2010 - GreatOwlsPerch.com
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Marc ~
Thank for giving me things to ponder.
Gayle
Hi Gayle,
Thank *you* for visiting and sharing of your presence!
Blessings and Love,
Marc
Dear Marc,
Thank you for this posting. I am very grateful our paths crossed via Twitter. The exercise will be very good for me as lately I have thought and let slip a few “choice words” in relation to non-compliant computer applications. I have also noticed & “corrected” myself right away. However, I can be more mindful. Your mentioning of relationship is very timely for me. I’ll let you know what happens.
Thank you for YOUR presence & practice.
Many blessings & always Love, Dori
Hi Dori,
Yet it facilitates such a depth of sharing amongst so many around the world. This exercise is but one in a series my Sister requested of me, each building upon the other, yet it was instrumental in a major shift for me and I still benefit from its application… we are in relationship with all of Life every moment, hence, Mitakuye Oyasin (All My Relations). Thank you for visiting and *your* presence.
Ah yes, I can *so* relate with you regarding technology!
Blessings and Love,
Marc
Welcome back Marc!
It feels funny to say that. In a sense you never left, and yet you’ve been in retreat and, in respect of your retreat experience, not too available. As you process this I am curious of what you touched & brought back, so to speak.
As you can see, it is 3/7. I’ve been doing this exercise for almost a month. It is amazing, especially when coupled with seeing the other person as me. Stating in my mind: “This is another me. This person is me. I am another your self.” And, when using those statements, thinking them slowly, very slowly. The feeling of them creates an opening, an expansion within my heart center and solar plexus that is difficult to describe, then an incredible feeling of love emanates.
Thank you and your Sister for this practice.
Love
Dori
Hi Dori, and thank you!
As you mention there is much to ‘process.’ What I can say is we have such grand opportunity of expansion.
It feels I’m still not quite back yet
It is very good you put this exercise into practice. It is so easy to overlook that which on the surface seems too simple to be important. While I offered this exercise for a week, I’ve personally returned to it repeatedly for nearly 20-years, and can attest to its profound implications.
I wish not to ‘give-away’ the many treasures which may be harvested, yet I will say that we can only speak aloud that which we are first mindful of. In other words, we must first align our minds to look for the life-affirming gift in every event, circumstance and interaction, before we can verbalize life-affirmingly.
Other aspects of this have been hinted at in previous posts, all of which lay a foundation for things to come. What we garner is proportionate to our application, and what you share of your experience thus far attests to this. Ahhh… to feel love emanate within our interactions is truly worthy of celebration, is it not?
Blessings and Love to you,
Marc
Thanks, Marc! Beautiful post, quotes, thoughts, suggestions. Blessings, Dear One~*~Much Love
Thank *you* Antonia! So grateful for your radiant presence!
Blessings and Love to you *¨☼`*
Thank you Marc <3
Ahhh, ’tis Love which is the bestower and recipient of all blessings.
Blessings and love to you dear Jen <3