Enlightened?

“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God” (Matthew 5:9). In contemplation some years ago I began thinking on the “enlightened” teachers of the East and elsewhere. Initially I thought of how amazing it would be to be so enlightened, to attain such a level of awareness. Then, out of the stillness a question formed, “why”? It’s amazing how this three-letter word can raise the proverbial metaphysical devil.

“Why” opened the door to a series of meditations on the enlightened ones and the condition of today’s world in general. What has really changed in the last 2,000+ years? Technology, general health and hygiene, transportation, better and more efficient ways of killing one another have all made great strides, but what of the state of Mankind’s overall consciousness and the base, selfish manner much, if not most of world still acts in? Buddha, Jesus and other enlightened teacher’s messages of love, tolerance, how we are all connected in Spirit, of reaping and sowing have been with us, for millennia. However many, if not most, still act and think in much the same way Man always has, except now with smart phones, smart bombs, social media and smart TVs. How many “enlightened” ones have there been and how many students have come to sit at their feet and learn in the last 2000+ years and how has it fundamentally changed the world? An argument can be made that lacking their and their student’s meditations and prayers the world would be worse off than it is today, but I find that sentiment suspect, at best.

So, who are the real peacemakers? Look in the mirror. You would be hard pressed to find a Spiritual Path that doesn’t begin and end with us and our awakening in Spirit. The enlightened teachers have much to offer, but it is the raising of our consciousness by daily Living on the Spiritual Basis that will ultimately transform the world, and what sets this time apart from all that has transpired before is the ready instantaneous connection we have to one another. Being connected, raising our consciousness a day at a time, one person at a time, the world approaches a tipping point when it will metaphysically slap its self on the forehead and say “what were we thinking!” throwing off the childish limitation thinking that has handcuffed our collective growth, finally assuming our true place in Creation and the Universe, all mysteries revealed. So today, together, let us act,and Let there be peace, let there be love and let it begin with me.

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Only 10 Years

One of the more difficult tasks in life is refraining from answering unasked questions. I had been working with a young man for some years and though he sought answers and asked many of the right questions, he was unable (unwilling) to change his actions in one area. On the surface his life appeared well put together: successful provider, caring family man, giving attentive friend, of service to his community, friends, even strangers. His laugh quick and genuine, handshake firm, but he had a secret that in the end cost him nearly everything. I knew of his secret for many years, but had I broached the subject with him, unbidden, our conversation at first blush would have appeared positive but in reality would have marked the end of our relationship. How do I know? Bitter experience. 

So, I waited, answering only the questions asked, regularly biting back words, being circumspect to the best of my ability, praying regularly for him and his family, asking in meditation for direction, hopeful for the day when he would step from ship to shore. It took him ten years and the fulfillment of the lesson: the only instrument sharp enough to cut away the excess of self is pain to finally bring his “secret” into the light of day. I’m grateful it only took ten, for most unfortunately never disembark. What this man discovered is that he had the answers he needed all along, having asked the right questions along the way, all that was required was a commitment to follow through and truly do the work, thus transforming theory into action.  It has been said “we are only as sick (spiritually) as our secrets” so if there is any area in your life where you are not “walking the way you talk” throw open the shutters and be free of the fear driven life.  

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Unseen Ripples

Dropping a pebble into a still pond creates ripples traveling in all directions, which then rebound off the shore at oblique angles, eventually touching every aspect of the pond’s surface. But what of the unseen ripples? As our pebble slips from sight, falling to the pond’s bed, unseen waves reverberate, eventually touching every aspect and creature in and of the pond.

Living on the Spiritual Basis teaches us that everything and everyone is connected. Every choice, decision and action having significance, from the seemingly mundane to the monumental, and though mostly unseen, the reverberations touch the entire world.

Our consciousness, the I AM, is the “pebble” falling through an eternal, infinite pool, touching all and being touched by all the other “pebbles” making their journey, the pool nothing less than Creation itself, the mind of the Miraculous, this journey unbound by physical limitations or human concepts of time and space.  

From this new awareness we now “see God” in everything and everyone, our true connection in Spirit revealed, saluting the innate spirituality in everyone, regardless of station, circumstances or whether we “like” or agree with them. This raised awareness cleansing us, renewing us as we travel through eternity, grateful, hand in hand with our Father and all our brothers and sisters in Spirit.

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© Vincent Lee Jones All Rights Reserved Miracles Of Recovery, Overdose Death, Alcoholism, Wayne Dyer, Drug Addiction, Zen, Emmet Fox, Opioids, Heroin, Einstein, AA, Healing Path Recovery, Drug Rehab, #Drug Addiction, #Drug Rehab, #Healing Path Recovery, #Heroin, #Opioids

The Dragon’s Bite

Being merciful toward others is always laudable, but what of the mercy we fail to show ourselves? Do you mentally (or worse, out loud) chastise yourself when you make a mistake or when some negative or objectionable thought floats through your mind? Since we all make mistakes (regularly) and curious thoughts float up in everyone’s consciousness (regularly), we must put away the mental cat of nine tails and demonstrate mercy in our own house (consciousness). The Miraculous wants ALL of us to be happy, joyous and free. So we must stop berating ourselves and thank God, that by knowing Him better we can learn from our mistakes and when those curious negative thoughts seem to appear from nowhere we can turn to Him in prayer, ask if there is anything to be learned (sometimes there is, but not always, often a cloudy day is just a cloudy day) and move on. Under no pretense engage in a hunt for the cause of the thought, attempting to root out its location in the psyche is a fool’s errand. To do so only opens us to the deadly trap of morbid reflection and there be dragons. If there is something to be known or learned, God will make it abundantly clear, so ask Him in prayer and meditation; but don’t go looking for dragons, they bite.
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© Vincent Lee Jones All Rights Reserved Miracles Of Recovery, Overdose Death, Alcoholism, Wayne Dyer, Drug Addiction, Zen, Emmet Fox, Opioids, Heroin, Einstein, AA, Healing Path Recovery, Drug Rehab, #Drug Addiction, #Drug Rehab, #Healing Path Recovery, #Heroin, #Opioids

Secret Resentments

Demonstrating mercy toward those suffering is of course a quality to be cultivated. But how merciful are our “secret” thoughts toward others? It is in this secret place the Carpenter is really speaking too with the lesson: Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy (Matthew 7:1-5). To be merciful toward some while holding secret contempt/resentment toward others demonstrates a lack of Spiritual clarity and when we do, we are being of two minds which leads to spiritual instability and congestion, blocking us from ever fully experiencing the Sunlight of the Spirit. To be clear: Having embraced Living on the Spiritual Basis does not mean we ignore the contemptible acts of others, but we must not confuse the act with the actor. 

Spiritually we will all ultimately be held accountable for the acts of our lives, both positive and negative, for Divine sight sees all, knows all, and all eventually reap as they have sown. Whether we are ultimately aware of the scales balancing for someone who has committed contemptible acts is immaterial since Reaping and Sowing is a cosmic law for which there is no appeal (think Law of Gravity) and is always fully enforced. Our job is to loose from our heart and mind all contempt and resentment, for anger, regardless of justification, and serenity cannot exist in the same vessel, one will always cancel out the other. Remember this truth: Every prisoner must have a guard and are they not both in prison?

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© Vincent Lee Jones All Rights Reserved Miracles Of Recovery, Overdose Death, Alcoholism, Wayne Dyer, Drug Addiction, Zen, Emmet Fox, Opioids, Heroin, Einstein, AA, Healing Path Recovery, Drug Rehab, #Drug Addiction, #Drug Rehab, #Healing Path Recovery, #Heroin, #Opioids

Are You Righteous?

Righteous. This word has been married with “self” so often its true spiritual significance has become obscured, the true meaning clouded in much the same way as meek is spiritually misunderstood. Since placing our feet on the path; wholeheartedly committed to Living on the Spiritual Basis, to become a righteous person means we are not only living by right conduct but embracing right thinking. Right thinking, now there is a loaded term. Right thinking, spiritually, entails keeping an open mind, remaining teachable, refusing to accept negative thoughts or conditions as God’s will, to embrace and truly practice patience, tolerance, kindliness and love with everyone, in every area of our lives.

Being “righteous” requires us to view all as children of a loving Creator (however agreeable or disagreeable we may find them) saluting the Spark of the Divine within all without becoming servile or scraping. By walking this path, we avoid becoming “Self-righteous” and a holier than thou spiritual imperialist, the deadly trap of Spiritual Pride sidestepped. As such, our lives, the true demonstration of the path, will naturally attract inquiry from those seeking a better way of living but we must steer clear of argument and debate with those bent solely on confrontation, releasing them with love and compassion, while standing ready to witness to the truth we have come to embrace with tact and commonsense. The rule is: Never argue with a closed mind, let the light of your life be your testimony in faith, the only argument to which there truly is no reply.

To sum up: To be righteous means not only our conduct is right, but we maintain an open mind and heart, remaining teachable, while honestly sharing our heartfelt beliefs with tact, love and forbearance, whenever or wherever it will serve any good purpose. So being righteous is a highly desirous, glorious state of being, truly free of the concerns of self, serenity personified. 

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© Vincent Lee Jones All Rights Reserved Miracles Of Recovery, Overdose Death, Alcoholism, Wayne Dyer, Drug Addiction, Zen, Emmet Fox, Opioids, Heroin, Einstein, AA, Healing Path Recovery, Drug Rehab, #Drug Addiction, #Drug Rehab, #Healing Path Recovery, #Heroin, #Opioids

Meek and Moses

To be meek spiritually means we have abandoned our old ways of thinking and living and have placed our feet solidly on the path of enlightenment, no price too high to be free, embracing Living on the Spiritual Basis with all our heart. Now, having grown up with classic movies when I think of Moses I see Charlton Heston standing with arms raised, staff in hand, robes flowing, hair and beard blowing in the wind exhorting the Red Sea to part or staring down Pharaoh (Yul Brynner at his best) exhorting him to “let my people go!” Not exactly the secular definition of meek. Yet the biblical Moses was the epitome of Meek, spiritually, he was willing to go to any lengths, face any challenge to be about the work of the Miraculous and be free. In this light, to be “as meek as Moses” is a goal to strive for, and though we may stumble for fear in its many guises and faces is an unremitting foe, a day at a time we stand in the light, demonstrating faith over fear, parting our “red sea” to freedom from the bondage of self.


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© Vincent Lee Jones All Rights Reserved Miracles Of Recovery, Overdose Death, Alcoholism, Wayne Dyer, Drug Addiction, Zen, Emmet Fox, Opioids, Heroin, Einstein, AA, Healing Path Recovery, Drug Rehab, #Drug Addiction, #Drug Rehab, #Healing Path Recovery, #Heroin, #Opioids

The Targaryen’s shall inherit the Earth

Spiritually to be meek means to be so raised in consciousness that we are fully open to the Miraculous, demonstrating faith without reservation, convinced that His will for us is always joyous and positive, having ceased “outlining” how we think God should act in our lives. We have, in truth, completely placed our will and our lives in His hands, withholding nothing. Unfortunately, there really isn’t a word that accurately reflects this. Meek comes close, but I can’t help seeing a mouse in my mind’s eye as a representation of meek or Mr. Bean as the human analog. Perhaps we should change meek to Targaryen. Blessed are the Targaryen: for they shall inherit the earth. Or not, well, sleep on it. TARGARYEN’S OF THE WORLD UNITE! Sorry, couldn’t help myself.

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Inheriting the Earth

Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5) at first blush this seems to make little sense. We all know or have known “meek” individuals and blessed isn’t usually the first thing that comes to mind. So, once again, we face a spiritual conundrum. The statement is either true or it isn’t, and if it isn’t, what else is false and how in the world are we supposed to figure it out. In much the same way as “poor in spirit” is misunderstood, so is the term meek spiritually. Meek, before God, means simply to be humble and compliant to the path of Spiritual enlightenment, nothing more. When the Rich Young Man (who had great possessions) sought out the rabbi Jesus, Jesus did not berate or condemn him. He merely pointed out that he would have to leave his “possessions” (preconceived ideas and beliefs) behind if he were to grow spiritually, which he was unable to do, so he left sorrowful as the result. Upon placing our feet on the path of enlightenment we must “cease fighting everything and everyone” and strive to be “meek as Moses” to be successful. Simple but not easy, a price has to be paid and that price is the surrendering of self.

So now we have the key: Spiritually to be meek is to be wholly committed to Living on the Spiritual Basis. Through our actions we demonstrate the Love, power and guidance of God, His blessings in demonstration and our Spiritual inheritance is realized.

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© Vincent Lee Jones All Rights Reserved Miracles Of Recovery, Overdose Death, Alcoholism, Wayne Dyer, Drug Addiction, Zen, Emmet Fox, Opioids, Heroin, Einstein, AA, Healing Path Recovery, Drug Rehab, #Drug Addiction, #Drug Rehab, #Healing Path Recovery, #Heroin, #Opioids

Hidden Mourning

Mourning those who have passed beyond our sight is one thing, but what of the hidden things we mourn? Lamenting lost or missed opportunities, those “if I only would have” moments when we fantasize what our lives would have been like if we had acted or chosen differently. “If I were only (fill in the blank) years younger”, “If I didn’t have kids” (this doesn’t mean we don’t love our children or in any way wish they were gone, only fantasizing what life would/could have been like without that responsibility) there are many more. Those “What if” moments, we all have them, and they pave the way into reflecting morbidly which is spiritual poison. 

When they surface, and they will, our course is to let them pass with little notice, like a small wave lapping our feet at the water’s edge. We do not under any circumstance dwell on them or engage others in conversation regarding them for if we do, what may have begun as a seemingly benign chat or musing will quickly devolve into morbid reflection, pulling us out of the moment and into a destructive depressive contemplation of the past. To be clear: we can all profit from our experiences and “We do not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it” but we must avoid will all due diligence engaging in “what if” fantasy contemplations of the past for there is nothing beneficial to be found there.

So, when we find we have drifted into “what if” thinking, we pause, and thank the Miraculous for all we have learned, products of our long schooling, our scars well-earned and convicted in the knowledge that our life is exactly as it should be in this moment, by the choices and decisions we have made which prepare us for the life lessons to come, standing ready to assist all who wish to profit from our experience.
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© Vincent Lee Jones All Rights Reserved Miracles Of Recovery, Overdose Death, Alcoholism, Wayne Dyer, Drug Addiction, Zen, Emmet Fox, Opioids, Heroin, Einstein, AA, Healing Path Recovery, Drug Rehab, #Drug Addiction, #Drug Rehab, #Healing Path Recovery, #Heroin, #Opioids