Vincent Lee Jones

Revenge and Two Graves

When we take offense at every trifling thing in life, becoming angry and outraged at clerks, customer service reps, waiters and waitresses, thoughtless drivers, oblivious people on their cell phone or any of the other myriad daily annoyances we will encounter, we place ourselves in danger. Additionally, when we become angry or resentful when someone fails to live up to “our” expectations we place ourselves at risk.

The real question then is: At what price peace of mind? Is our serenity worth losing over slow service, feeling “disrespected” by some anonymous clerk, being put on hold, a poor lane change, parking ticket, an inconsequential bump, a blocked sidewalk, an unfulfilled expectation, our “hurt” feelings over anything, even a simple news report? Not long ago a man lost his life leaving a baseball game over a verbal slight on the ramp leading to the exit, a “trifle” in hindsight morphing into a tragedy for all concerned. Revenge, getting even, wishing to punish others, resentment and condemnation under any guise are all dangerous paths leading only to strife and suffering, blocking us from true peace of mind and heart.

So, we must become slow to anger, to ask if the cause is “just” in spiritual light. When we do this, we soon find the just causes of anger are truly very rare, especially considering the Spiritual price we pay when angry. If we are truly confronted with the rare “just cause” requiring action on our part, we must be willing to follow through, condemning the act but not the actor. Instead we pray for them and those affected by their act, seeking ways to be of service to all who suffer, liking or approving of them immaterial. This is the way of the Peaceful Warrior. For if we fail to seek God first, viewing everything and everyone through the prism of Divine Love, we can fall victim to “justified” anger, seeking to punish others, opening the door of revenge thinking and when seeking revenge, we always begin by first digging two graves.
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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

Redemption from Condemnation

You can have either your Spiritual demonstration or your indignation, but you cannot have both. We cannot condemn anyone and salute the spark of Divine simultaneously. We will never progress far on the path of Living on the Spiritual Basis if we harbor resentment and condemnation for any reason, real or imagined, toward anyone or anything. By whatever measure we limit or subjectively dismiss anything or anyone as being beyond healing or redemption, we distance ourselves from the freedom we crave.   To be able to see our brothers and sisters clearly, we must first address our own shortcomings and clean up our side of the street, only then can we truly be of service. Once we have done this, we see everything in a new light, the true light, the light of spiritual awakening.

  We all naturally have opinions and viewpoints on all manner things, additionally some people we will welcome into our lives, others not so much, and some for valid reasons will be kept at a distance. The key is the steadfast refusal to engage in self-righteousness and of becoming a spiritual imperialist, looking down on anyone from some self-constructed moral hilltop. Remaining ever vigilant, when self-righteousness creeps into our consciousness; and it will wearing a variety of masks, we gently turn to God in prayer thanking Him for our heightened awareness, asking the voice of the Miraculous in prayer and meditation to guide us on the path of patience, tolerance, kindness, and love, allowing us to remain right sized and right minded.

  Having strongly held opinions and viewpoints are never troublesome when filtered through Spiritual truth. The trouble arises when we fail to employ this filter, for this filter is the key to self-control, the bar against becoming self-righteous and manifesting deadly spiritual pride. Though the price may seem high, the choice is simple: God or indignation. Choose wisely. 
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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  

Metaphysics and Metallurgy

“God doesn’t choose the prepared, He prepares the Chosen” and in truth, all are Chosen, if they chose to be, but it requires work. Consider: tempering a piece of steel with heat improves not only the hardness but the elasticity of the metal and it has been said that God tempers His strongest instruments in the hottest fires. So, how does this spiritual tempering process work in our lives? Trouble comes, sometimes called by our actions, often however appearing at our door uninvited. Regardless, how we react is paramount. We all have known individuals who are or have been broken in spirit, perhaps you have seen their reflection in your mirror. To become one of the Chosen we must choose to walk the path of forgiveness over resentment and condemnation, condemning the transgression, not the transgressor, embracing Divine Love over the true adversary: Fear in all its many guises; placing ourselves in the forge of redemption.

In the hands of the master metallurgist all iron-based alloys can be tempered. It may require great effort, skill and much energy, but it can be done. Metaphysics is the metallurgy of the soul. No matter how weak or emotionally brittle we may feel, The Master Soul Metallurgist can transform anyone, regardless of past mistakes and transgressions. There is a requirement however that steel does not have to meet: willingness, for willingness is the key to freedom, and to be Chosen, first we must be willing to go to any lengths for our Spiritual awakening. 
Unlike steel where the process has an ending, Spiritual tempering continues throughout our lives. Often our heart will feel heavy, weighed down by the seeming inequities of the world, other times we will feel as though we have wings, as light as a feather, but this matters not. The Spiritual elasticity and strength we have gained allows us to bend, but not break, meeting calamity with serenity, weathering the storms about us with an even mind and quiet heart. A beacon to all who long to be free of the fear driven life.
https://miraclesofrecovery.com/


© 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

Flaws and Perfection

What is perfection? A child’s laugh, a bright spring day, the family gathered together for the holidays, a content cat, chocolate, all these things and infinitely more may be perfect but only in the most subjective of ways: i.e. in the “eye of the beholder.” Descartes held “existence itself is perfection,” which extrapolated could lead one down the path of “everything” being perfect. So clearly the concept of perfection can be often perfectly ambiguous.

So, what then is “Spiritual” perfection? And what flawed human could ever hope to attain it? No one among us has lived or is living life perfectly, mistakes commonplace, stumbling often. Spiritual perfection then is not living perfectly but holding to the perfection of Spirit. Living on the Spiritual Basis teaches us that all are connected in Spirit, the perfect eternal spark of the Divine existing in each of us regardless of station, belief, or circumstance, all equal in the eyes of the Miraculous, this Divine Love for us perfect; beyond the vagaries of time and flesh. So, by a wholehearted commitment, day by day, to grow in Spiritual understanding and service to our brothers and sisters we approach “perfection” for though this flesh will never be perfect our devotion, day by day, to Spiritual principles and our willingness to step out in faith, though often trembling, can be.
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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 Timetable

When we first begin our spiritual journey in earnest, embracing definite and consistent spiritual practices is an important fundamental. By choosing set times and forms this provides the foundation and the necessary discipline on which we build. In good time, as we become more adept, seasoned if you will, many of the simple guidelines and structure we began with will naturally fall away. Most importantly this happens with no thought or conscious effort on our part, when it is time for change it will happen organically. Think of it this way: when we plant a garden would we expect the plants to grow and mature to our timetable? Of course not, nor would we foolishly attempt to harvest our crop before it was ready. The application of water, sunlight, nutrients; coupled with our diligence in the quick removal of impediments to growth, all affect the health and stability of our garden and the size of its bounty.

Our spiritual growth is just like all other natural growth in that it is affected by numerous factors. So, we tend our spiritual garden diligently while refusing to concern ourselves with timing, focusing instead on the work before us this day. In time the fruits will present themselves at exactly the perfect moment of awakening.


What sets our Spiritual garden apart is it is eternal and will continue to give forth nourishment unabated as long as we keep our eyes on the Miraculous, the true source, avoiding the fear based temptation to pull our crop up prematurely to check the roots for signs of progress. Remaining diligent, but patient, soon we will find that our understanding and demonstration has reached new heights, our Spiritual garden blossoming as we cultivate still greater awakenings and paths of service, becoming closer, day by day in thought and deed to truly practicing Divine Love toward all, the true demonstration of our coming of age spiritually.
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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  

Spiritual Bureaucrats

Unfortunate stories appear regularly where someone has suffered untold grief from a simple clerical error. If you have ever dealt with a bureaucrat; someone who quotes the “code” but seems bereft of common sense; you know how hard it can be to rectify what appears to be a simple mistake, commonsense and civility trumped by the “letter” of the law.

Living on the Spiritual Basis we have learned that Spirit (our relationship with the Miraculous) is key, the law (formal forms of worship) merely tools utilized to help us build this all-important relationship. As we grow Spiritually the “law” and its application will change as our perceptions mature, our understanding broadening, for the realm of Spirit is roomy, all inclusive, never exclusive for any reason. Unfortunately, many individuals, out of fear, fail to enlarge their spiritual lives becoming “spiritual bureaucrats”, locking themselves into narrow and exclusive interpretations; all at the expense of the Spirit; assuming the negative self-actualizing moral high ground of self-righteousness, becoming tyrants wallowing in spiritual pride.

To avoid the bureaucrat’s trap we must keep our focus on Spirit, our demonstration of Divine Love and guidance, while utilizing formal forms and rituals as needed simply as aids to this end, never as a substitute. A simple prayer delivered from the heart has the power to move Heaven itself, whereas rituals performed by rote, sans any true spiritual engagement, are merely exercises in religious bureaucracy. To be vital our faith must be lively, fluid, unbounded by secular thinking and limits. Additionally, we must pray for the stultified spiritual bureaucrats of the world, for even though they trouble us, being children of the same Spirit, they are in dire need of our compassion, not condemnation.
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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 Expert Trap

The pitfall of self-righteousness has trapped and pulled down uncounted individuals. When someone reaches the “top” in secular life (politically, sports, financially, entertainment, etc.) they are naturally praised for their accomplishments. The just elected politician suddenly becoming an “expert” on all manner of issue, national and international, the sports star or celebrity using their fame to interject their opinions on how others should live, vote, diet, etc. are seen in full display daily. Now, worldly accomplishments should be noted of course and paid their due, however winning an election, a sports championship, an Oscar or accumulating (inheriting) great wealth means little if the individual fails to enlarge their spiritual life daily, and perhaps worst of all feel entitled to be heard because of these accomplishments. I think we can all drag out examples of individuals who have reached the “top” who have demonstrated they don’t walk the way they talk secularly, never mind spiritually.

But the greatest and most heartbreaking demonstrations are those who have garnered a sense of moral superiority from the genuine spiritual work they have done and begin to “look down” on others from a self-constructed pedestal of moral superiority, losing sight of their true role as messenger, not the message, their daily demonstration of spiritual principles the true message. Entitlement thinking may be the dubious luxury of the elected and the rich and famous, but spiritual entitlement thinking is deadly for all.

Living on the Spiritual Basis we demonstrate the spiritual precepts we have come to know and depend on in our life, but we cannot truly transmit that which we do not live ourselves. If we are attempting to teach a lesson we do not practice we fall victim to the dictum: “do as I say, not as I do” which is the golden gate of self-righteousness. We must stay vigilant and when spiritual entitlement thinking starts creeping into our consciousness; for it will since it is a cunning and patient adversary; we turn back to the Source of our awakening and thank the Miraculous for keeping us “right” sized, open minded, teachable and above all aware of this deadly trap before our Serenity is consumed by Spiritual Pride.
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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  

Proud, Angry and Preachy

“Never try to force anyone to accept spiritual truth.” No one, absolutely no one will permanently accept anything forced upon them. Long experience demonstrates they will go along for a time but as soon as the opportunity presents itself to escape, they will. Spiritual Pride clothed in self-righteousness has driven many to attempt to control others, for their own good of course, and it is a powerful aphrodisiac.

Remember, self-righteous is the opposite of being righteous before God. The righteous individual embodies humility, the self-righteous is holier-than-thou. The righteous, loving, caring, and considerate. The self-righteous, angry, preachy, self-satisfied and quite “proud” of themselves. As children of the Most High we strive to be righteous but stand guard over the issues of our Heart to avoid the alluring trap of becoming self-righteous spiritual tyrants. 

The sands of time are littered with those who began with right motives, who then fell victim to self-righteousness. They forgot the base reality that all are equal in the eyes of the Miraculous, the ultimate demonstration in truth our practice of Divine Love toward all, regardless of their station or how they may offend. So, we do not preach at anyone, but demonstrate humility, patience, tolerance and above all Love in our actions, standing ready to be of service while avoiding answering the unasked questions,becoming the embodiment of attraction rather than promotion.
https://miraclesofrecovery.com/ 

© 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 True Path: Attraction, not Promotion

Part of the progression in our spiritual growth is the rise in our natural or soul “luminescence” as we demonstrate over the issues of life. As we begin to Live on the Spiritual Basis, day by day, people will naturally become attracted. As our inner light shines ever brighter even complete strangers will be take notice, seeking something they cannot name but subconsciously know they need, feeling it, seeing it with their Spiritual inner sight.  
They won’t know exactly why they are attracted (and under no circumstance should we try to explain the attraction), but they have questions and you appeal to their higher consciousness as someone with answers. Share openly and honestly your path with them, your struggles and successes, but under no circumstance evangelize or talk down to them from a “spiritual hilltop.” Answer the asked questions only and resist the urge to steer the conversation. Remember: real growth and understanding must begin within and though you have naturally grown into a guiding light, we must let them grow and learn at their own rate just as you did. So, speak from the heart, for when the heart speaks, hearts listen.

Now the rub: many have become attractions from walking the path, only to then lose themselves in spiritual pride. This terrible trap has snared untold numbers over time. Remember: just as the light bulb is the focal point of the light, the demonstration, it is the invisible power, the electricity, that lights it. So always remember, we are the messenger, the shining light, and Divine Love; God as we understand Him; is the message, the true source that powers this inner light. So, to avoid the deadly trap of spiritual pride we keep this in the forefront of our minds: in the eyes of the Miraculous, no one stands above another, all equally loved and honored, each responsible for their demonstration, their path, for we all reap as we have sown.
https://miraclesofrecovery.com/

© 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

Living On The Spiritual Basis and The Salt of the Earth

Salt of the Earth, you don’t hear that expression used very often anymore. When I was a child and someone was referred to as being “the salt of the earth” (Matthew 5:13) it was always said with a tone of admiration and respect. Matthew 5:14 explains why: You are the light of the world. To be a light of the world, quite an honor. This teaching goes on to state that this light will be set on a hill so all may be illuminated by it. So, practically how is this accomplished? By Living on the Spiritual Basis. 

When we embrace this new way of life we begin striping away the layers of selfishness, pride, self-pity, resentment; all forms and manifestations of the true adversary to our Serenity and ultimate freedom from the bondage of self, fear; which has shut us off from the Sunlight of the Spirit. As we develop this way of living day by day, the truth of being becomes evident: that we are children of eternity, the spark of the Divine within lies beyond the strictures of time, space, and flesh; everything and everyone connected. By practicing the principles this new way of life embodies; honesty, patience, tolerance, kindness, and love among them; our inner light begins to erase the shadows of false belief and fear and in time we become, the salt of the earth. 

So be diligent in the issues of your heart, be consistent in Living on the Spiritual Basis, let no vicissitude sway you from the path and give freely of what you have found: for you have become a light of the world, there is no greater calling.
https://miraclesofrecovery.com/ 

© 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