"...who you truly are...

"When you know who you truly are, there is an abiding alive sense of peace. You could call it joy because that's what joy is; vibrantly alive peace. It is the joy of knowing yourself as the very life essence before life takes form. That is the joy of Being - of being who you really are."


 
~ Eckhart Tolle ...Stillness Speaks, p.57

Is there an "appropriate reponse to Memorial Day?"

I received the following response to an request for others to share a topic they wish me to write about while doing my daily writing exercises:

“Also, for your email question, I would like to know the appropriate response to Memorial Day.  I realize these people made the ultimate sacrifice, but on the other hand they were on a fool's errand, and honoring them perpetuates the entire set-up that enriches the military-industrial complex.  They sacrificed, but it was a wasted sacrifice.  And in the end, our honor of this sacrifice may lead to many lives destroyed by war, and eventually our extinction.”

I struggle with some of the same issues. I think the appropriate response is what a person believes in his or her heart. I hope we can always empathize with families who have lost loved ones. We all have experienced loss through someone’s passing. Many service men and women have the intent of serving their country and are willing to make that “ultimate sacrifice.” It is beyond my pay grade and knowledge to know what is in another person’s heart and soul...

We can question the policies of the government and think war is not the answer to international issues. We can work for peace and humanitarian alternatives to conflict and differences. The intent of those who served their country has little to do with the intent of those who make decisions about war and peace.

We remember those on Memorial Day who lost their lives in the service of their country.

There are many who have researched and written about the various ways we have entered wars in the past. There can be arguments made that wars were begun to protect the assets of bankers and corporations more than safe-guarding the people of the United States. These investigations usually do not get much air time on the media or in the history books since countries seem to be bent of spinning history a certain way and assume readers will buy it without question.

We know there are many veterans who have seen the realities of war and now disagree with policies of their government. I think I remember reading that we are free to dissent and disagree with our government and all can do so, even if it seems like the “military-industrial complex” continues to get its way and continues to grow more powerful.

Patriotism also can involve critical thinking which honors the fallen men and women of our families and neighbors… and also honors honest discussion and disagreements about the path our government should take in the affairs of the world. It is impossible for us to pronounce that any loss of life is “a wasted sacrifice.” It may seem that way as we "think" about the issues and results from afar....and we may choose to see it that way of course. Yet we honor the lives of those who have died, for having lived and done the best they could in the circumstances in which they found themselves or in which they were placed by their "superior officers."

I was in the military during the Vietnam era and we all know how much turmoil the conflicts about that war created throughout the United States and around the world. I was a much younger man and in many ways more innocent and trusting of our government in those days.

For the most part, that has changed dramatically.

I found myself on a summer’s day in the mid-nineties driving across the country... and stopped for a time in a national cemetery. I stood there amidst the graves of many who had died whiling “serving their country.” I was overcome with emotions of many colors… grief and loss at their passing as I read how young many of them were… grateful and guilty that somehow I made it through those service years without ever being shot at… It was a day of thankfulness and of memorializing those men and women who had passed... honoring their stories and lives as well as my own.  Of course it was after I had grown and knew the futility of the war games our world plays, along with the back door operations that go on to please bankers and the wealthy. I had learned that in the light of the world there is also much darkness and deceit. Yet it did not stop me for honoring those who got caught in the games that too often are played by little boys wearing grown-up disguises.

I understand the danger in glorifying war and its "heroes." And I honor all lives lived in integrity, honor, and with the intent to serve others. I hope we make Memorial Day a time of reflection that goes deep into the heart and also deeply into critical thinking about these issues of life and death.

John Hutchinson - May 27, 2014
john@sunhutch.com

Sundance Center for Conscious Living
www.sunhutch.com

From Feeling Upset to Being Peace

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4U2Q2puCtqQ

Essence of Peace - Monday Evening Meditation

Monday Evening Meditation - Peace Energy [The Angel of Peace]

The following meditation is based upon the Essenes' teachings... the daily meditations or communions are designed to be used morning and evening in addition to the noon practice called the Sevenfold Peace. At the beginning of each meditation, the following prologue is recited:

"I enter the spaciousness of this timeless and infinite Garden with reverence to the Source and Energy of Life, to the Earth and all its fullness, to the spiritual teachers of all traditions, to the liberating purity of truth, and with reverence to all who courageously walk the Path of Spirit..."

You are encouraged to spend time sitting with the following statement before continuing to read.

"Peace, Peace, Peace, Spirit of Peace, Be All-ways everywhere."

***********

My soul finds rest only in the Living and Loving Source of Peace...

The calm waters restores my balance... the silence amid the hustle and bustle sooths my soul...

Dear Spirit of Peace, you provide openness to my Life that only the Source of all Life can bring to my soul...

In Oneness, we sit in the center of it All...

***********

This meditation with the "Angel of Peace" is dedicated to our deep inner intuition of peace within oneself and within the infinite universe. In the Essene concept peace is one of the most valuable treasures of humanity and, unless we realize its true meaning, we cannot have spiritual serenity, without which our life can have less meaning. It was held that an individual's most immediate duty is to create peace within ourselves and with everything around us; and that the work of peace begins within... acceptance of 'what is' in this present moment provides the space for change...

The Essenes utilized all sources of peace in the universe and transmitted them to the world, one manifestation of which was in their universal greeting, "Peace be with you."

"Peace... Peace... Peace... Spirit of Peace, Be All-ways Everywhere."

Peace be with you!

The Spiritual Dimension - Saturday Noon Meditation

Saturday Noon Meditation - The Spiritual Dimension

The noon practice of the Essenes called the Sevenfold Peace is designed to take the expanding consciousness of the morning and evening communions and apply them to areas of everyday living in practical ways.

"Source of Life, who is everywhere, send to all your Spirit of Peace; to all beings, our Life's Source, Your Spirit of Eternal Presence..."

***********

Lost in a maze of thoughts, wandering blindfolded along the path...

Lift me above the maze to visit this present moment...

Remove the blindfold so I may see what is... accepting the moment...

Lift me to new places so I may be more fully in this place...

Life summons to embrace all... the world of many colors... and the world of infinite rainbows ... the place of Peace...

"Source of Life, who is everywhere, send to all your Spirit of Peace; to all beings, our Life's Source, send Your Spirit of Eternal Presence..."

Peace be with you!

Power of Mind - Thursday Noon Meditation

Thursday Noon Meditation - Mind Power

The noon practice of the Essenes called the Sevenfold Peace is designed to take the expanding consciousness of the morning and evening communions and apply them to areas of everyday living in practical ways.

"Source of Life, who is everywhere, send to all your Spirit of Peace; to our mind, the Essence of true Power..."

There is mind... and then there is Mind... open and ever-expanding...

There is the thinking aspect of mind that helps us plan and do our daily tasks... and in our time, we often get lost in the gyrations, meanderings and associations of the analytical mental processes... can we be too mental?

There is the mind that is aware of feelings, thoughts, and sensations in our body... we might call this the observing aspect of mind... can we identify as the 'observer'?

There is the mind that receives and observes hunches, 'pops,' and intuitions 'out of the blue'....  Can we be open to the intuitive aspect of mind?

There is Mind that is pure awareness without contents of consciousness... just presence... as happens during meditation and being in the 'zone' of the present moment during activities ... Can we find Peace in the Present Moment?

Let us be grateful for every aspect of Mind... perhaps the greatest and most peaceful Power of Mind comes in the stillness of simply Being Here Now... in this moment...

"Source of Life, who is everywhere, send to all your Spirit of Peace; to our mind, the Essence of Present Power..."

Peace be with you!

Wednesday Noon Meditation - Family Focus

The noon practice of the Essenes called the Sevenfold Peace is designed to take the expanding consciousness of the morning and evening communions and apply them to areas of everyday living in practical ways.

"Source of Life, who is everywhere, send to all your Spirit of Peace; to our family and friends, the positive flow of Love..."

***********

The joy of the tribe...the family...the kindred spirits along the path...

Love moves through us to others, not because of this or that, not due to likes and wants... Source Love moves through us to family and friends because we open to its force and power in our own lives... to ourselves... and choose to let it flow right on through...

In interactions of daily life we sometimes sense conflict, stress, and normal differences between ourselves and others in our circle of family and friends... or see stress and unease between others.

May love transform moments of difference into expanding consciousness, lessons, compromise, cooperation, acceptance, forgiveness, and of peace.

"Source of Life, who is everywhere, send to All your Spirit of Peace... and to our family and friends, the positive flow of Love..."

Peace be with you!

Powerful Cosmic Currents - Tuesday PM

Cosmic Currents - Tuesday Evening Meditation

"Flame of Power, descend upon my Acting Body and direct all my decisions."

In the power of the present, allow me to see what is and accept it as what is...

In the power of the present, help me to discern what my actions will be...

In the power of the present, guide me to know what I can impact in a positive way and what I have little or no control over...

In acceptance of what is, Peace finds a home in my soul...

Modern science along with ancient wisdom provides us with more insight into how the universe is made up of various forms and densities of energy... there are currents and patterns that are so intricately connected and all things are in motion and transformation...

This year has been predicted to have some fairly significant energy shifts in the physical universe... and in the fields of consciousness. It has begun...

And there continue to be deep currents of life producing novelty, even as the currents of the ocean contain active power... even as the flame of earth's core and our sun-star continue to radiate ever changing energy bursts.

There are the actions also of the human community... some of us choose to emit Love Power in our attitudes and actions... a small number continue to emit negative and fear-based energies as they strive to control and solidify their false power. Sometimes it seems that the power hungry have enslaved us in their schemes and systems, and I am confident that Love will emerge the ultimate choice.

Let us remain true to the deep currents of Spiritual Power that runs in the deepest currents of our personal and collective being.

Be aware, remain awake, and choose the positive power of Love and Peace rather than succumbing to the illusions of fear. There may be more events that will be reported in the media that will be designed to generate more fear...

Let us be reminded often, greater is the Power of Love and Source Energy within us and the universe, than the powers and people who try to control us and the world out of misguided self-interest, greed, and negative creative energies.

Source of Love and Flame of Power, recharge and fill my Acting Body and guide all my decisions in alignment with Love's deepest currents.

Connecting to Source-Love [Relationshipping Series - Part III]

"Connecting to Source-Love"
[Relationshipping - Part III]

It is my sense and also my experience that the primary key to any and all positive and enduring "Relationshipping" is how consciously aware and connected to "Source" we are at any particular moment. Most spiritual teachings will offer a mode or method of connection and in reality we are connected at all times or we would not be reading this...or breathing for that matter. The question is not so much if we are connected, but perhaps how consciously aware we are of this connection? ... And how is this connection most useful in our daily relationships and actions?

A long time ago... some 'now' before this 'now'... before this day... I had a powerful dream in which I was asked the question by a messenger of Melchizedek, "Whose Life is it anyway?"

It is now apparent in my experience that there is only One Life... and the fact is that Life itself is a miracle... Life is living itself through this being and form called "John"... or 'Jane'... or 'Suzy' or whatever name we have been given... and we are all "miracles of participation" in the great Singular Miracle and Mystery called "Life." I recall reading an article and when Eleanor Roosevelt was asked if she 'believed' in reincarnation, she answered, "Reincarnation is no more improbable than the fact that life exists at all." [jh paraphrase]...  Life itself is an improbable mystery and miracle... and we are witnesses and participants in the miracle! We are mostly so immersed in the soup of daily living; we take Life for granted... We forget to be Grateful at times for Life and for Source-Love that holds it all together...

 What is "Source" and how are we connected?

"Source" is referring to that nameless Mystery of Oneness... Source of Life Energy... of Sacred Spirit... Great Spirit... Some call the Mystery "God"... I prefer the term "Source" since the term "God" has too many concepts and institutional doctrines attached to the term.

If we are to truly find a center of stability, harmony, and integrity for individual growth and action, and likewise in Relationshipping, we must also connect in awareness and daily living to the "miracle of participation" with Source energy... It seems preferable that partners equally share this awareness and practical open connection to Source Energy... of Spirit... of the Essence of unconditioned Love... a conscious practical and daily involvement with our true Essence...

When we feel love for another being, even if through the needs and desires of personality dynamics, we also sense the timelessness of Source energy...  Love feels like "forever" due to its timeless quality. In actuality, and almost as a default due to the miracle of our participation, you and I are at One with Source... we are One with Unconditioned Love... we are the divine mystery... even though we are so often lost in varying aspects of personality dynamics, the tasks of the day, and the drama of the moment.

Entering the sacred space of Source there will be varying energies felt or sensed. It seems the essence of Source is Oneness... an all-inclusive cohesion of Love... in the stillness of Love we embrace its Peace... in the flow of Love's energy, we feel the current of Joy... in the knowing that Love relates, we find true wisdom...

The Source and re-Sourcing of Love is the most important aspect, in my opinion, that leads to right action, satisfying living, and evolving relating. While we are all all-ways connected and connecting to "Source," the question remains how do we re-Source our conscious awareness to the positive energies of Source-Love?

You may already have your favorite "method" through meditation, contemplation, visualization, prayer, dance, singing, music, art, etc...

Before looking at methods, it is important that we state our intention. This can be done directly by addressing Source with a prayer or affirmation such as:

"My intention is to connect as fully as possible to Source-Love and Life Energy. I ask that I may be assisted in any way possible to allow Source-Love to flow to and through this vehicle called [state name] for the highest good of all."

Here are several brief imagery exercises that may help you consciously be reconnecting with who you are, followed by a video from YouTube that will lead you through a guided imagery to consciously bring the frequency of love and light into our body...

Imagery 1:

1. Find a quiet place to sit with your feet flat on the floor, perhaps with soft instrumental music playing;
2. Breathe and relax your body, emotions and mind for a few minutes, releasing any tension or stress you sense;
3. Imagine you have climbed to the top of a mountain on a bright and beautiful day;
4. Allow the gentle breezes and warmth of the sun to flow to and through your entire body and to every cell;
5. Imagine a special sunbeam coming through the top of your head, cleansing and energizing every cell from you head to your feet... and imagine the sunbeam continues into the earth and goes the whole way to the center of the earth...
6. At the center of the earth there is also a ball of fiery transforming energy that purifies all  negative or toxic waste that has been washed from your being;
7. Now see this beam of light continue and as it exits the fireball of energy it is actually coming right out of the sun again and back down through the top of your head.
8. Repeat this imagery of transforming energy for as long as you choose;
9. Now, with the fullness of the energy from Source filling your every cell, see your life this day and imagine taking this Source-Love energy into the situations that await you.
10. Repeat this exercise, modified in any way that seems right for you, each day to consciously connect to Source-Love...

Imagery 2:

1. Find a quiet place to sit with your feet flat on the floor, perhaps with soft instrumental music playing;
2. Breathe and relax your body, emotions and mind for a few minutes, releasing any tension or stress you sense;
3. Imagine you are comfortable seated with a blank screen in front of you;
4. Ask your deepest and highest aspects of your unconscious mind to show you an image of "Unconditional Love" from Life's Source.
5. Allow an image to come and use the first image that emerges. The conscious mind often likes to censor or judge the image... simply go with the image that appears;
6. Allow the image to become 3 dimensional on the stage in front of you... notice the qualities and feel the energy from this image of unconditional love...
7. Become the image...simply imagine you are now one with the image... and a solar spotlight shines upon you and the image as one... the light helps to intensify the merging energetic qualities of unconditional Love... I'm not sure what has change or if the image has changed since you merged with it, but you can no look out on anyone and any situation in your life from this energy of Unconditional Love and notice how they or it may have changed in your observation...
8. Return your awareness to room you are in and to the present moment bringing with you all the qualities and energies you wish to retain...
9. Note: when a spontaneous image is called for, it is often in the presence of a guide who is available to assist in the process. If for any reason you try this and get to a point where you are not sure what to do or have questions, please feel free to contact me and we can discuss it or go back to the image...

Video: If you google "connecting to Source" you will get hundreds of millions of responses in less than a second. There are many who are trying to help us in this process. The following is a video from YouTube which allows you to simply follow along without having to read or even watch... with credit to Caroline Cory:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=M4bo3yKO1IA

Blessings and Love on your journey's Path,

John

Don't you just love corporate greed?

I hope not.

The heart and collective soul of the modern world has become as hardened and cold as the concrete and steel of our modern cities. Economic and business practices are structured to produce wealth while ignoring the interconnected web of our Mother Earth.

How can so many justify stripping the land and forests and poisoning the waters and atmosphere with toxic chemicals in the name of a better economy. What kind of thinking would direct the destruction of the intricately entwined systems of life support that may eventually kill the 'dominators' themselves?

There is anger and sadness. The earth mother will survive. But it is wrong to abuse the land and stricken her children through uncommon nonsensical business practices designed by greed and justified by saying it brings money to an area and its people. This is unethical and immoral 'bullshit' promulgated by politicians and corporations that are blind, deaf, and dumb to the crumbling world around us all.

Love demands us to stand in the way of slaughter. If someone has lost control and commits harm against other people, there are laws that guide us to take action. Since the Supreme Court has decided that corporations are people too, does it not follow that business decisions and practices that destroy and abuse the life system of the earth and its inhabitant should receive equal justice and policing.

"Oh, but it will cost too much money if we have regulations and enforcement in place," the 'business leaders' and politicians tell us. "It is not in the interests of good business," they say. They assure us, "we can police ourselves." And how is that working out?  Yes, I know, business leaders and politicians are people too. But if actions of the insane are harming others and the planet, then someone has to stand up and say "ENOUGH"!!! The problem is there are not large enough asylums or enough money to buy the politicians 'will' to do anything about it. And most politicians seem just as insane or unconscious as the nameless 'people' who are corporations... at lest it seems that way.

But most of us are lost in the maze of other interests and feel helpless to effect change. Our system of government seems broken. Even when someone wants to effect change, it is near impossible with some many so-called "legislators" in the pocket and agreeing with the moneyed interests of Big business, Big bankers, and their Lobbyists who always seem to know how to spin things.

It baffles me how so many religious folks can preach 'love' and then continually vote for Big business interests over the welfare of our planet and her people. It is as if they have been separated from their soul as creatures of the Great Mother. Yes, I know that is not a very "christian" term... how about protecting the 'Creator's handiwork.'

I know all religious people do not agree with destroying the earth to make a buck. But enough voters are self-centered enough that they want individual rights over the protection of the planet. And somehow the Big Money Spinners have subtly or otherwise brainwashed many of the religious 'right' to think that unbridled greed and uncaring actions are the same as good business practices...and that individual rights equals "free market capitalism" ...That is like saying to an individual, you can go and do whatever you want to do to get whatever you want.

It may be too late for many structures and life forms in the modern world, but for those who dare to love, we must continue the work of standing up for the protection of the earth and her inhabitants in any peaceful way we can. To do harm would be to escalate the war games of corporate America along with the global multinational web of economic conspirators. For me and a few friends, action with the energies of Peace and Love remain the answer.

'Tis the Season...

'Tis the Season...

Beyond the purchasing of stuff...gifts to shower on one another... there are a few other things of which I'm reminded...

The presents... I am grateful that people have money and the where-with-all to purchase presents... although I am guessing that much of it goes on credit lines that ensure ties to the economic 'wheel of fortune'...or is it the economic wheel of 'karma'? The movement of spending and giving and getting adds to the playfulness of the monopoly game... And yet the 'presents' reminds me also of "Presence"...

Presence takes us beyond the activities of giving and getting... it brings us back to the present moment of Awareness... Of course we love our family members and friends to one degree or another... the social ties are precious and so important in our journey... Presence can take us to a place of pure awareness where we can notice what is going on within us and around us and the interplay of old and new dynamics... just being aware of the energies that exist... without being pulled or swayed at each change or motion...

And in the Presence, I am reminded that I am more and less than the body's sensations, movements of feelings, thoughts that flit here and there... I am more and less than the flurry of activity in the world around me... and yet a part of all that is...

The flute music fills the air in my living space on this day... and I am grateful that the artist has spent time to become one with his [in this case] instrument....and to use his breath and life energy to create such soothing vibrations... this process occurred over 'time... and yet the fullness of it soothes and serenades in this moment of Presence....of awareness...

It brings a special Presence of Peace... and I am reminded again that in 'this Season' I am grateful for all those who have come before who have reminded us of the spiritual truth of Presence... that we are more than the contents of consciousness and giving and getting...

We are one with Being... the Essence of Life....of Mystery... of "No-Thing"... of All-That-Is... Thanks to all the spiritual teachers and guides that continue to remind us of our deepest nature... In this season of doing and getting and giving, I am grateful for the Essence of Love, Peace, and Joy that is transcendent and lives within all that is...

'Tis the Season... if I could pass out "Presence," I certainly would be doing so....

Expect a miracle...

Today we can expect a miracle...
.
.

Indeed, Life itself is a miracle...

The unexpected slips into our lives everyday...

Let us be open to the new that appears in the ordinary...

Without wanting, embracing the gifts of this day.

Peace, Joy, and Love while you're Holidazing ... John

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Fixing others Pain

[[In response to some questions or concerns from friends and readers, I have taken the opportunity to see what words might come regarding these inquiries and the results are what follow... Your thoughts and comments are invited... you may write them by clicking the 'Comment' link at the end of the blog article or send them directly to: john@sunhutch.com.]

How do I empathize with others pain (stories) without wanting to fix them?

This question is chock-full of sub-topics, so I will initially offer a few questions to contemplate:

• How does one fix pain?
• Whose pain are you trying to fix?
• Is it physical pain, a recurring replay of something from the 'past,' or a current moment situation?
• Why is the person telling you the "story" and what do they want from you? What do they expect from you?
• What does "empathize" mean to you? What would empathizing actually look like?
• Does listening to someone else describe events that were painful to them make you uncomfortable?
• How do you deal with your own "pain"?

The best thing we can ever do is be present in the moment.

Sometimes people become identified as victims and so are most comfortable drawing in others by repeating the 'victim' events, replaying and recreating past moments that are really only trips away from the reality of the present.

Sometimes we have had a traumatic event that has occurred and it is healing to share it with someone. If this is the case, your present attention can be a part of that healing moment.

Eventually some form of acceptance needs to take place... it may be in the form of forgiveness... it may take the form of letting go... No matter what form it takes, in order to find the Peace of this present moment, we let go of both the past and also let go of fantasies about the future.  This can help to create a spaciousness in the stream of thoughts and feelings so be become aware of the Being we are in this moment.

Finding space in our awareness apart from the stories in our head brings us once again back Home to the timeless Now... the present moment of LIFE.... From which all things have their form and existence... It is only here and now where we experience the Peace that passes all understanding.

[Note: There is always more we can say about each element in this question or any question. The real answers come from within to have transformative effects which last. -  jh]

______________________________________________________

John Hutchinson
http://www.sundancewellnesscenter.com/ - [latest post to blog]
http://www.sunhutch.com/ - [blog intro page]
Lancaster, PA