Tag: spiritual awakening

Prayer of liberation

Published on by lindseybiggsLeave a comment

Jesus prayers were “… deep and conscientious protests of Truth, — of man’s likeness to God and of man’s unity with Truth and Love.”*

Recently, I’ve been thinking about prayer as being a “protest of Truth” — a recognition of who and what God is and our oneness with God as the spiritual image and likeness. How do we make this deeply practical?

To me, this means acknowledging God as infinite Love, and each of us as the spiritual image and likeness of Love. That means we can’t have anything that isn’t derived from Spirit, God. We reflect the peace, love, and joy that proceed from God. This is the law of our being. When our prayers goes from wishing to see more of God in our experience to a recognition of the underlying facts of our being, this prayer results in awakening and healing. We awaken to who we really are as spiritual children of God, and we experience more health and greater freedom from limitation.

Isn’t this what Jesus really embodied? The liberation of humanity from sickness, lack, inequality — a false bondage that didn’t have any authority from the Father? Didn’t he embody the reality of divine Love so that everyone who he came in contact with felt the effect and power of that Love? The people he came in contact with were healed, transformed, revitalized, and shared the good they experienced with others.

There have been many people throughout the centuries who have embodied that spirit of liberation, –Nelson Mandela, Mary Baker Eddy, Martin Luther King, Jr., and others, — that resulted in greater peace and freedom for others. They have protested mentally and physically to a greater possibility that wasn’t yet visible to others. They discerned the integrity and worth of each child of God regardless of physical circumstances.

Each of our prayers can be a “protest of Truth” to this greater, deeper reality that Jesus saw beyond the physical. He understood our unity with Truth and Love and the spiritual rights we each have as the image and likeness of God. He demonstrated that the Father’s will for each of us is goodness, health, love, and worthiness. He proved that the breaking down of physical, social, and emotional limitations is for each one of us — and it is really the breaking down of every mental imposition which says “you can’t”, “you are less than others”, or “God doesn’t know or love you”. By standing up to these negative inner and outer voices, we can demonstrate the establishment of God’s will here and now. We can usher in the goodness of His presence and our completeness, wholeness, and exemption from anything that doesn’t proceed from our Father, God.

Prayerful protests keep us awake to who and what we are, so that we don’t drift along with materialistic thoughts. They keep us active and alert to the inner divine power that governs us. This spiritual power loves, embraces, and keeps us mentally and physically secure. We can have confidence in the power of good that lives within us.

Live your freedom today! Praying with a powerful protest of Truth and Love brings freedom to mind and body, and shines a bright light in the world!

*Mary Baker Eddy, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 12)

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Image by taf78 from Pixabay

See yourself through God’s eyes

Published on by lindseybiggs1 Comment

How do you see yourself? As the spiritual image and likeness of infinite Spirit? As unlimited, beautiful, flawless, and perfect? If you see yourself as anything less, than take a look at yourself through God’s eyes!

You are of purer eyes than to behold evil…Habakkuk 1:13

When we start with our Creator — infinite, spiritual, and perfect — then it is natural for us to express God’s likeness.

We don’t need to allow ourselves to see anything less than the whole, talented, valuable, beloved, and free child of God.

When we start with our Source, we find a direct route to knowing our spiritual identity.

So what do we do with those negative messages coming to us? The Bible tells us of the supreme power and authority of good in our consciousness.

…those [thoughts] who strive against you shall be as nothing and shall perish. You shall seek those [thoughts] who contend with you,but you shall not find them; those [thoughts] who war against you shall be as nothing at all. Isaiah 41:11,12

When we think of this passage in terms of thoughts, we see that any self-doubt, insecurity, fear, or lack — will be as nothing. We do not have to accept the negative messages coming to our consciousness. We can stand “porter at the door of thought”1 and allow only goodness to be manifested in our human consciousness and experience. When we awaken to our spiritually identity, moment by moment, it is like turning on a light and the darkness flees.

Do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand…For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Do not fear, I will help you.” Isaiah 41:10, 13

God is helping us to know the truth about ourselves. With God on our side, it doesn’t have to be hard. We can shut out the unhealthy and negative thoughts because they do not have validity or authority in God’s kingdom.

You don’t have to believe the negative voices in your head. They will NEVER be true. You are the loved and blessed child of a good, God. You will never be anything less. Put that limited picture of you behind you. See yourself through God’s eyes today.

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1 Mary Baker Eddy, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 392

Asceticism and spiritual practice

Published on by lindseybiggs2 Comments

Asceticism is a spiritual discipline that has been practiced throughout history as way to deny the self and feel closer to the Divine.

For early Christians, the ascetic practices were as diverse as their understanding of Jesus Christ. For some, it was living in monasteries with a strict spiritual discipline, for others it was living on tall pillars in the midst of a community, and for some others it was imitating Christ through martyrdom.

Today a spiritual practice often has to do with a desire to feel connected. Feeling connected to nature, to people, or to God.

For some, spiritual practice may include prayer or fasting, for others it might be yoga and mindfulness, for others it might be community and social justice. Perhaps ones spiritual practice may include elements of all of these things.

I find a consistent spiritual practice and discipline that allows me to become more aware of my thinking, what is happening in my consciousness, to be essential. Am I entertaining doubts or fears? Am I buying into materialism or commercialism? Am I having God-centered thinking? Maintaining balanced thinking is essential to keeping us healthy, happy, and purposeful.

A spiritual practice can help one discipline thought by becoming more conscious of the Mind of Christ or divine inspiration. This divine Mind is always communicating that we are blessed, we are spiritual, we are healthy, we are whole, we are loved. God sees and knows who we absolutely are. God is holding you in spiritual peace and divine perfection right now. Seeing beyond matter to the deeper spiritual sense of things helps us see and know a concrete being that is spiritual, perfect, and harmonious.

This is a metanoia experience, a change in consciousness, a healing. It satisfies and has healthy side effects (such as better relationships, improved self esteem, a greater connection to the Divine, and discernment of the Holy Spirit).

Developing a spiritual practice that enables one to be mindful and aware of God, keeping watch over our own consciousness is a great protection to us; it maintains our bodies (since our bodies are inextricably linked to our consciousness); and gives us spiritual renewal and freshness to keep up with the daily demands whether they be parenting, working, or volunteering.

At the end of the day, I like to wrap up the day with gratitude. Being grateful for every little thing — the sunlight. The wind in the trees. The smile of a family member. A feeling that God is with me. Whatever it may be. Wrapping up our day in gratitude shuts down the mental cycle of to-do lists. It stills and quiets thought.

Forgiveness is key, too. Practicing forgiveness for any slights you may have felt that day. These can be subtle (or overt) and we don’t want to let them build up. So simply letting go of any hurts or things that may have rubbed you the wrong way. Getting ready to start the new day with freshness.

A spiritual practice is a wonderful thing to cultivate. It is a gift. It is the perfect way to care for yourself and, thereby, to bless others. It will give you the insight, freedom, love, and joy you need to feel sustained throughout the day and the years.