Intentions versus Goals

While we were discussing the “Universe of Possibilities,” (chapter 2 of the Art of Possibility  one member of our small group discussion insisted that we need concrete goals to achieve any kind of objective, not just have wishes and ideas and think of possibilities.  He pointed out that we need to get out of the “la-la” mentality and not only have good intentions.  Being an engineer, he is used to laying out plans clearly and realistic.

Not until a few days later I became aware of a good explanation how goals and possibility fit together.  Here we go:

For a goal to manifest we need a clear decision and a plan.  The intention is created in the NOW while goals are plans for the future.  A goal without the intention behind is an empty wish.  Although we know we can never truly be certain as to the exact outcome of any event, we can be certain about our intent.  The intention is the outcome you want to achieve.

An intention and a dream are two vastly different things. Watch as Cheryl Richardson explains the difference between a "soul goal" and a "head goal." Plus, find out what lesson Oprah learned about intentions.

Goal setting is warrior mentality – conquering and gaining step by step.  Goals take time and discipline to be accomplished.  It is easy to get discouraged and give up.

Intentions are dreams and passion coming from the gut and more spiritual in nature.  Children play-act their dreams and are absorbed by a world of phantasy which adults often don’t understand.

Goals are mechanic and realistic; intentions are creative and make goals possible.  The difference is in “HOW” – allowing the process be determined by the universe by surrendering the outcome.  We are not in control on how it should happen but BEING certain that it will happen.   Allow the magic of the universe to surprise us.  Create the definite intention for the outcome and surrender the process to the universe.  Intentions come from the heart, goals come from the head.

Dr.Wayne Dyer wrote a book “The Power of Intention:”

 

The “Power of Intention” is related to the “Law of Attraction.”  Dr. Dyer has pulled together the ancient spiritual principles in order to help us realize our unlimited potential and explore infinite possibilities.

“Inch by inch, life's a cinch. Yard by yard, life's hard.”

~ John Bytheway

In my own life I have made plans and have created goals which ended very often after a short time because I became discouraged or ‘somebody’ talked me out of it.  I know now that with a well-defined intention I can build up my way to achieve any goal. 

Let Us Celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus



Resurrection and springtime are very closely connected.  One may not believe in the resurrection of Jesus which is celebrated worldwide on Easter Sunday, but one cannot deny the magic of the reawakening of creation, especially after a long and hard winter as we had this year.

In this sense we are all reawakening during the months of April and May, rejoicing in the appearance of the green grass, the flowers, and blooming trees.  In spring it is easier to open ones heart to new and fresh ideas.  The creator has put a lot of effort into the process of the first season after winter.  The course from dormancy to new life is truly a miracle which we can experience in our personal life as well.  In this sense we can discover and look forward to something new and exciting.

Would you Recognize Jesus?

I was reading an article in the Whole Living Magazine Mar/April 2014 issue by Betsy Whitfill which posed the question “Would you recognize Jesus?” She talks about that every tradition, religious and non-religious, expects the return of their teacher with a new revelation: Christians expect the return of Christ, Jews the Messiah; Muslims await the Imam Mahdi, Hindus Sri Krishna; Buddhists await the 5^th Buddha, Maitreya. Certainly, the time we are living in could benefit from a heavenly messenger and show us how we could live more peacefully together. Ms. Whitfil emphasizes that it is crucial for us to recognize this herald if we want to determine humanity’s future in a positive way.

Discovering Who was Jesus – and Who is Jesus

Even for those of us who were raised in a Christian Church there are many things about Jesus which are not easily understood.  That’s why I appreciate an article I read on the “Real Easter.”  Some Christians believe that Jesus had to die for us so that we may experience resurrection.  As the Son of God he was able to forgive “sins” while he was on earth.  His main mission was to teach people about God, the heavenly Parent.  Going beyond the 10 commandments of the Old Testament Age, Jesus' message was condensed into two phrases: Love God, and love your fellow men.

“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”

~ Matthew 22:37-39

The Life and Mission of Jesus Christ

Rev. Sun Myung Moon, who met Jesus when he was only 16 years old, gives the deepest account of the life of Jesus Christ.   He had several personal opportunities of meeting Jesus and consulting on very profound events during Jesus’ life on earth in regards to his physical family, his relationship to John the Baptist, and why he had to go to the cross.  When we learn more about Jesus’ mission, we can certainly be better prepared for his return.

How do we Experience Resurrection?

Even though some people believe that Jesus resurrected physically, I believe that it was Jesus’ spirit that was raised.  For us to know the process of resurrection (Sect.II:1) is to learn about the heart of God which is equal to salvation or restoration.  For that to take place we need a physical body to do good deeds, we need the word or the truth, we need to go through a growing period, and finally we need the benefit of “Merit of the Age” which means to be born based on the groundwork of many saints and sages and righteous people who have broadened the foundation of heart. 

A few months ago I wrote a book review of “Proof of Heaven” by Dr. Eben Alexander who had a near-death-experience (NDE).  He is urging all of us to become aware of the fact the time has come for all people to know God and to feel that we are loved by this Heavenly Parent.

May you experience the joy and the peace of resurrection and renewal this Easter.  This spring season is perfect timing for not only believing in the resurrection but to experience it ourselves.

 

 

 

Celestial Phenomenon

I am not an astronomer, just a bit interested in cosmic events and certainly looking for a planetary show.  That’s why I am curious about this month’s full moon event.  We may not be able to see it in our hemisphere (Southwestern Ohio) because of a cloudy sky; none-the-less, it will take place this night and early morning of the 15^th of April.

The blood moon is certainly a rare phenomenon; Monday night will host a rare celestial event: a “blood moon,” which occurs when the earth spins between the sun and the moon.  The four up-coming blood moon (also known as the tetrad) will occur in roughly 6-month intervals on the following dates: April 15, 2014, October 8, 2014, April 4, 2015 and September 28, 2015.

 

What is a Lunar Eclipse?

A lunar eclipse can be watched with the naked eyes.  When the earth moves between the sun and the moon, the moon will be temporarily darkened and disappear from our watch.  This month’s “Blood Moon” gets its name from the reddish hue which surrounds the moon because of the indirect sunlight which will illuminate it.

 
Some people believe that the additional showing of the “Cardinal Grand Cross” is a significant astrological occurrence and gives deep importance to prophetic meaning.

 

 

The astronomical event co-insides with a rocket launch to Mars which marks a big space day.

 

Some other people consider the astronomical incident part of prophecies recorded in the Bible such as in Matthew 24:29:

“Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken.”

 

John Hagee, a TV and MegaChurch Pastor of Cornerstone Church in Texas, has preached sermons on the “Red Moon Prophecy” which he claims foreshadow “a world-shaking event.”

 

 
"There's a sense in the world that things are changing and God is trying to communicate with us in a supernatural way."

"I believe that in these next two years, we're going to see something dramatic happen in the Middle East involving Israel that will change the course of history in the Middle East and impact the whole world."

~ Rev. John Hagee to CBN News.
 

On the other side of the world Buddhist tradition observes eclipses as high holy days;  during those days believers offer special prayers and set new intentions.  The idea is that what we keep in our thoughts and declare our intention during these times reverberates throughout time, space and all dimensions.

Whatever our beliefs are, we can always benefits from positive intentions and reflect on ways we can materialize them.  With all the turmoil we hear of and may experience in our own lives, it will be helpful to take a reflective stand and be open for Divine intervention.

  

Every Path Leads Home

I have been part of the Religious Recovery Group for about a year now.  Having met Wayne Holmes years ago at a Toastmasters Club I thought that I knew something about him.  I knew that he was an aspiring author, a dedicated father and husband and a loyal citizen.  When I met him again as the founder of the Religious Recovery Program, I discovered his deep love for the Devine and his profound desire to help his fellow man who has been disappointed, discouraged and betrayed by their various religious experiences.

Wayne describes in Every Path Leads Home the different religions he has studied, and the many various disillusionments he has encountered.  Through all this he has strengthened his faith and is dedicated to serve his God the best he knows how to.

The Religious Recovery Program described in the book follows somewhat the 12-Step (in his case 13 steps) Program of Al-Anon.  These steps are complemented by 13 stones which provide a guideline to follow and challenge us to awaken to new possibilities of spirituality beyond religion.

The Religious Recovery Program encourages religious tolerance and to build relationships beyond traditional religious segregation.  Therefore, Every Path Leads Home goes further than doctrines and promotes forgiveness, reconciliation and acceptance.

Even though, I am very happy with my faith,  I am still working on an authentic way of life.  In the past forty something years of pursuing my spiritual journey I have dealt with plenty of criticism, rejection, persecution and misunderstanding both within the church and from the outside.  It is only natural when we look at human relationships that problems arise.  When men lost their connection to the Divine during the Fall of Man, we also lost our connection with each other.  Mankind is now like a big family of children who are fighting among each other because their parents have been absent.

Reading Wayne’s book Every Path Leads Home is one other step to bridge the gap between God and man.  The book is a resourceful testimony of finding the spiritual path rather than the religious.  Although religions have had their purpose throughout human history, their true purpose of bringing man back to God has often been distorted. None-the-less, the many various religions have become mainstreamed into Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism.   Rev. Sun Myung Moon speaks about the unification of all religions on the return of the “true man.”  Most major religious teachings are talking about the return of their leader/founder.  This Messiah/Savior concept has Jews expect the Jewish Messiah, the Christians wait for Christ’s return, the Muslims anticipate the Mahdi or Isa (Arabic name for Jesus), while the Buddhists believe in the arrival of the Maitreya, and the Hindus wait for the Kalki. 

During this time where we are all looking for connecting in a new way with the Divine, we often have a spiritual awakening where nothing of the past makes sense any more.  We may interpret it as disappointment or betrayal and wait for other bad things to happen.  Or we can also use it as an opportunity to reinvent ourselves to live a more authentic life.