Radical EssaysMetaphysical Mind #93Dear Friend, This radical essays issue of Metaphysical Mind seeks to transform your paradigm of two of your innate, transformative, metaphysical powers; forgiveness and prayer. The following material is reprinted from a wonderful book titled "Radical Essays on This Thing Called God" by Richard Held. I am reprinting two of the one hundred simple insights printed in this powerful book. I am sure you will enjoy them as much as I have! The link to purchase this book can be found here: http://radicalessays.com/ Radical Essay on Forgiveness Forgiveness is not the act of condoning hurtful behaviors. Forgiveness is not the act of pardoning others from a throne of masochistic righteousness. Forgiveness does not boast, forgiveness does not manipulate, forgiveness does not dictate that we maintain relationships, forgiveness doesn’t even dictate that we be nice. After all, sometimes the only way to heal a relationship is to end a relationship but that’s an entirely different essay. Lastly, it deserves to be written that forgiveness most certainly does not forget. However, forgiveness does change how we remember. So if these time-honored definitions fail to represent true forgiveness, what is true forgiveness? Forgiveness is the art of remembering your past experiences in such a way that your current energy remains intact. Forgiveness is the art of remembering your ex-husband, your mistakes, your boss, your body, in such a way that your current energy remains intact. Forgiveness is a gift from the self, to the self. When properly practiced, forgiveness has nothing to do with anything else or anyone else, even though its outer effects are measureless. Forgiveness is an inside job.
Radical Essay on Creative Prayer If you’re like me, you learned rudimentary concepts of prayer. If you’re like me, prayer was your crisis management tool, your ongoing Christmas list or some combination or mutation thereof. But if you’re like me, you’ve outgrown such concepts. If you’re like me, you’ve developed a thirst to understand the principles behind this thing called prayer and to use it effectively. So, what is this thing called prayer? Prayer, as it is outlined in this essay, is the process by which we position our minds to engage spiritual resources. You see, prayer doesn’t change God. Prayer changes us. Our first step in effective prayer is to understand that there exists a fundamental creative substance of the universe (God) - without limit and without opposition. So our first step in effective prayer is to understand that there exists a staggering power beyond our personal power. Our second step in effective prayer is to understand that this fundamental creative substance of the universe (God) - without limit and without opposition, is available to us in every moment, without exception or prejudice. So our second step in effective prayer is to understand that we have full access to this staggering power. Our third step in effective prayer is to declare a truth. “In God exists limitless abundance so in me exists limitless abundance.” “In God exists perfect health so in me exists perfect health.” “In God exists clear wisdom so in me exists clear wisdom.” And so on. It’s worthwhile to note that this practice of declaring a truth - to accept that your abundance is really God’s abundance, that your health is really God’s health, that your wisdom is really God’s wisdom - is not boastful, it is humble. It is not powerless, it is powerful. Our fourth step is to express gratitude. Gratitude, used in this fashion, acts to alter consciousness and thereby to facilitate outer change. And our fifth step is to release this prayer without stipulation or condition to the staggering power which will return it to you in unimaginable ways. Repeat as necessary. ©2010 Richard Held Richard Held is a spiritualist, philosopher, businessman, musician and published author. You can buy his book here: Radical Essays
Jason PS I highly recommend you come back to these two radical essays in the future as there is much to be gained from understanding this material. |