Hi - I participate in this forum off and on and I read and re-read the SOGR off and on and have participated in the Practical Genuises course. I am still facing some challenges although I definitely have much to be grateful for. One concern I have is that the particular Unity church I attend stresses the importance of prayer for knowing God (Source/Spirit) first and before anything else. Our minister emphasizes Jesus' statement about seeking first the kingdom and "all these things will be added unto you." He says that when we visualize a goal or desire - that it may not be our highest path. And, that when we focus on having a direct, personal revelation of God, we can gain so much more than we could possibly have imagined and that might be much better suited to us. So, I vacillate between creating a CMI and focusing on it and then dropping it to just focus on knowing God. I haven't made much progress (or so it seems) on any front. Has anyone else encountered this school of thought - to seek the kingdom and then let "all these things" just come? I hope I am being clear. Can we reconcile this philosphy with creating a CMI?

Help!

LauraR
http://athomeyoga.typepad.com

Rebecca,

You're a gem! Your latest explanation of how you interpret Seeking First the Kingdom is so helpful to me! It really helps to clear the mist on all this. I know that our desires come from Source, from the Father, because we each have different desires, we each have our own unique path that beckons to us. For example, Michael Phelps has been drawn to being an Olympic swimmer, something that would never be an aspiration for me. I, however, have aspired for years to create my own business and have realized that I want to share empowering ideas, techniques, and stories through writing books and articles, presenting speeches (I get jazzed sharing ideas and connecting with an audience), and creating audio and video recordings. I have realized that this is my personal Divine inspiration. And, I think you zeroed in on the essence of the challenge - that when we get clear on our CMI, we just focus and relax and take inspired action and then the path is made clear, step by step. So, thank you Rebecca, for getting me back on track!!!

LauraR
http://athomeyoga.typepad.com

Ooh, this is an good one.

My own take on the issue of "seek ye first the kingdom" has been redefined by a number of different insights - or perhaps I became aware of this through studying them:

"Jesus said: 'Seek ye first the kingdom of heaven and all things will be added.' Heaven is a state of mind. Therefore, heaven is an orderly, disciplined, constructive way of thinking."

- Raymond Holliwell ("WORKING WITH THE LAW")


"Order is heaven's first law."

- more often than not credited to Alexander Pope; also quoted by Thomas Troward.


Chapter 17, verses 20 and 21 of the Gospel according to Luke (I have to credit Bob Proctor to pointing that one out.)

Works for me.

quote:

My point is that all of us suffer, and I think that to deny that is to deny reality (whatever that is). None of this precludes belief in Mr. Wattles, wealth attraction, cool benefits of wealth, or quantum physics (which is strikingly similar to much of Budhist belief). Suffering just is ...

Let's lighten up a little here.

Well, see, I'd have to disagree with that. Suffering is a CHOICE. Pain happens, but only resistance causes suffering. I do know of people who simply do NOT suffer. They are masters. I have met at least one of them. I am in awe of that person and my path now is to release resistance to that same point: zero resistance.

And that's about as "light" as light can get!

So maybe we should UN-hijack Laura's thread and get back to her topic if anyone has anything else to say about it ...?

This is a great topic! It's the first question I asked when I opened the book for the first time. I have enjoyed reading all your perspectives on it. I also have many thoughts, but writing them out would result in a very long post!

I will say this, though... Much to my astonishment, once I read SOGR for the first time, many topics referred to in scripture suddenly made sense for the first time. I thought I was reading a book about prosperity and wealth. But as I read, I discovered some insight about our relationship with God, and his will for our lives.


Kate

Thank you for the useful information, Rebecca, and I look forward to your technique on dealing with anxiety.

quote:

Originally posted by TerryF:
"He was saying, relax, trust." (Rebecca paraphrasing Jesus)

May I ask you to expand on the above, Rebecca, ie, the "trust" aspect. I know that it is not just me that gets anxious. Another post a while back from a single mother about to get evicted comes to memory, amongst other posts where anxiety is obvious. How do, or did, you, handle anixiety?

PS: it's not my intention to stray from the topic, but I do feel it is relevant.

Terry, I rarely feel anxiety anymore. And when I catch myself slipping into anything like that, I just stop and notice how it feels and then I let go of that feeling.

I do have a specific technique for doing that and I'll be sharing it shortly but while it's incredibly simple to DO it's not that simple to EXPLAIN in print.

Before I started doing this I used appreciation -- and still do. I mean I did what Mr. Wattles advises and looked for the good in everything. (Yes, it can be a bit tricky at first when it's not your habit or when if feels like everything is REALLY awful. But it's worth it.)

I would also talk with SUPPORTIVE friends, and by that I definitely do NOT mean people who will agree that everything is terrible but who understand these principles and know how essential it is to take our thoughts OFF the "bad" stuff and get them ON to the good.

Sometimes just distracting ourselves is useful -- get up and move, do something physical. That can help a LOT. Change your breathing. Some of us actually almost stop breathing altogether, so deep breathing is good. Physical activity is good because it breaks the trance we put ourselves in.

And when something unwanted is imminent -- like eviction -- it's useful to get as clear-minded as you can and then take action. Call the landlord and make arrangements, borrow the money, whatever is necessary. Getting our thinking doesn't mean just sitting around and doing nothing while hoping things will all just work out.

I'm not sure if this helps and I apologize that I can't be more specific about my technique just yet. I'll get it ready to share as quickly as I can.

quote:

Originally posted by Bluehawk:
There are two ways to assure yourself of suffering:
1. Not getting what you want.
2. Getting what you want.

Well, that's cute but I don't think it has any truth in it.

Suffering is just another word for resistance, IMHO.

quote:

(God takes care of his guys)

And that means God takes care of everyone. We just don't let it in as much as we could. We RESIST abundance, actually.

quote:

so far God has not returned my calls.

Want to bet? It's just that MOST of our "calls" are our thoughts of what we don't like, don't want, don't approve of, don't appreciate, are afraid of, worried about, etc.

So the "answers" we get are what we "ask" for -- more stuff of the same quality as our thinking.

quote:

After all, it is the LOVE of money which is the root of all evil.

A better translation than love would be the word worship, which offers a whole different meaning, I think.

"He was saying, relax, trust." (Rebecca paraphrasing Jesus)

May I ask you to expand on the above, Rebecca, ie, the "trust" aspect. I know that it is not just me that gets anxious. Another post a while back from a single mother about to get evicted comes to memory, amongst other posts where anxiety is obvious. How do, or did you or anyone else, handle anixiety?

Wow! Thanks so much, Angelo. You've captured what I was articulating! And, yes, my minister actually advocates not setting goals per se because we are already at one with our desires.

Enjoy your weekend and thank you so much!

Lauravr
http://athomeyoga.typepad.com

quote:

He views them more as a stepping stone to a higher path...My minister essentially advocates focusing on knowing God for the God, not for the purpose of healing or prospering or obtaining things which he says will come naturally when we truly know God.

Interesting. My take on all this would be that there is NO separation between the spiritual and the physical. They're simply two aspects of the same thing: one formless and one form. Everything that is physical IS spiritual, is the form made from the formless. And we get ourselves into trouble when we believe they ARE separate and opposing. I see them as entirely equal, and the spiritual is no "higher" as both are essential to us as long as we are here in this physical form.

Also, if you are created in the image of your creator, then you, too, are a creator. So create! And the way we do that is in our thoughts. How much better, then, to DIRECT our thoughts rather than just let them go where they will (and they'll go ANYWHERE).

Where is this kingdom you're seeking? Jesus said it's within you and it's here now. "Within you" is exactly where you create.

And you're doing it all the time anyway, with all your thoughts.

When Jesus said that (recorded in Matthew 6) about seeking first the kingdom and all these things shall be added to you, he was talking about not being anxious, not worrying, not trying to pile up a big bunch of money now so you'll feel secure. That sort of thing. He was saying, relax, trust.

The way I see it he was saying that when you really know your Source is infinite you'll stop worrying, being anxious, thinking you need to scoop up a lot now to make sure you have enough tomorrow. (Sort of like thinking you need to breathe in a whole lot of air right now so you won't suffocate tomorrow.) But the kingdom is infinite -- and it's IN YOU. It's already there.

He was talking about our THOUGHTS and how we so often tend to create/attract exactly what we do NOT want by focusing on and believing in lack instead of abundance.

When there is something you desire to be, do, or have, it's coming from ...? From within you. So why not sort of play with the idea and see how it makes you feel?

To me, God (by any name) is peace, joy, love. So when I am feeling those things, I know I am in harmony with God. When I contemplate an idea (a project I want to do, for example) and I feel THOSE things, I know I'm in harmony with "the kingdom." There's no taint of competitive mind, no feeling of needing to "make" it happen, no need for it to unfold in a particular order or way, no worry that it won't happen or won't be enough.

I get as clear as I can on my CMI ("clear mental image") and then I sort of think, "OK, here it is and right now this particular vision of it is the best I can imagine, but if you've got a bigger and better idea, bring it on. I'm willing."

And then, with no worry, struggle, stress, strain things just begin to show up and fall into place in the most delightful ways. Everything IS added.

Co-creating is delicious.

Of course, I'm no theologian nor do I ever wish to be one. I don't care if anyone else sees it this way or not, agrees or disagrees. And I'm not at all interested in promoting any particular religion. This is just how it works for me and I love it.

Thanks, Laura. That was fun to think about!

To CMI or not to CMI

This is a similar to something I thought of recently, we put work into a CMI and expect it to materialise (expect success), but what would happen if we brought presence into every moment so that there was nothing we wanted? And allowed/accepted life to be fine just as it is. Complete trust in life!

Or put in your ministers terms, trust in the kingdom of God.

For me, knowing the Kingdom (of God) is knowing my true nature (oneness with all), so when I don’t resist life, i.e. allow all to be fine, I align with my true nature, and so from there I don’t need to “get” anything because I’m one with it already.

I think that often the issues we create with CMI’s is that we see the things we want as separate to us and so we get into a state of “waiting” for it to show up. Laura, my interpretation of what your minister is saying is really no different to the SOGR principles, just that SOGR approaches it via being rich.

Wally says once we have a CMI, we need to let it go and trust that it will find the channel to come into existence. It all leads to the same thing, the present moment, where everything is as it is, if you struggle with it, life will mirror that struggle back.

I’ve heard Eckhart Tolle speak of life supporting us when we allow everything to be as it is and that circumstances become benign and I’ve experienced this.

Personally, I feel there’s nothing wrong with “wanting”, it’s just when we think that the things we want will add something to us that we don’t have that we go astray. There seems to be a line between being concerned about the CMI materialising and allowing the universe to be as it is and trusting that.

Cheers,
Angelo
http://www.studentisready.com

Thanks, Rebecca for your comments/insights. For me the kingdom of God means a personal revelation of God - feeling the bliss of God's presence, viewing life from the highest perspective, knowing and feeling that God is All. I have a number of Catherine Ponder's books - they were my introduction to Unity. My minister, however, (and I don't mean this to sound arrogant...please don't take it this way!), departs from many of her teachings. He views them more as a stepping stone to a higher path...My minister essentially advocates focusing on knowing God for the God, not for the purpose of healing or prospering or obtaining things which he says will come naturally when we truly know God. On the other hand, I have had a prosperity teacher who grew up with Christian Science (which emphasizes Spirit and not trying to make things happen) and she concluded that nothing much happens until one clarifies and specifies what one wants. Therein lies the source of my confusion!

Ultimately, I guess, we all have to listen to our own inner, still small voice.... Thanks again for your insights!

Best,

LauraR
http://athomeyoga.typepad.com

Well, Laura, it's always good first to define your terms. What do YOU mean when you say "the kingdom [of God]?"

Hint: Where did Jesus say that is?

BTW, the recommendation of Catherine Ponder's books is likely a very good one for you as she is a Unity minister herself. (Not that anyone needs any outside "authority" to tell them what to think. There are, however, some interesting and thought-provoking insights in her work for people who read the Bible.)

Hi Laura
At the end of all my visualization I finish with this phrse.
"Make this happen or better for the highest good of me and all concern"
For me this has solved any question I had.
Take care
BT

Thanks, everyone! You have given me much food for thought!

I will mull your ideas over and get back to you.

Blessings to all!

LauraR
http://athomeyoga.typepad.com

Hi Laura,

I too attend a church which has the same precept and principle, but see no conflict between that and SOGR, though on the face of it because of Wattles' wording at times it may appear that there is.

Wattles effectively says that getting rich should be your primary goal.

However to do so you must live a "Certain Way".

As I have studied both the Certain Way and scripture I find that the Certain Way is what I, and many others, would describe as living a Christlike life - aka seeking the Kingdom of God.

My making changes within us - like being grateful, forgiving, focussing on the good in our lives and people about us, by living without guile and manipulation and by trusting the "How" to God, are we not putting the Kingdom of God first - and then "all things shall be added to us" - our prayers are answered and our righteous desires, our CMIs become manifest.

Hope this helps.

Quote from the bible by Wallace Wattles in The Science of Getting Rich - "Do not hesitate to ask largely, it is your father's pleasure to give you the kingdom" Jesus Said

Now I know people have varying beliefs on God and whether Jesus was the son of God in the Christian sense but considering first seeking the kingdom in the SOGR sense makes me think of the man Wallace Wattles mentions who at first did not grasp that "All wealth was his", that he ahd not asked enough, starting only with a new rug and a fire for his rented house.

Are wee perhaps often trying to make good things come to us when we already have all the good in the universe at our command if we just align ourselves with it properly? Are we trying to get a bit of this and a bit of that and even in our CMIs thinking of how much we need or can practically use? My dream home CMI has 4 bedrooms but why not 10? Do I feel that 10 is too many? Perhaps greedy even?

Also why so we want what is in our CMIs? Is it for more life or for "living swinishly" as Wallace Wattles cautions against. Is it for lavish display? A manifestation of competitive though even if its unconscious.

I believe it was Bob Proctor who said recently that you can't take more than your fair share of infinity. Infinity is infinity and by definition has no bits and pieces to take here and there so if the universe is indeed infinite then we either take infinite abundance or no abundance at all in that sense. Once cannot cut out a piece of infinity and make it into a house, the house must remain part of infinity. If we don't take ownership of infinity are we able to shape it?

And that was me ranting while stone cold sober lol

quote:

He says that when we visualize a goal or desire - that it may not be our highest path. And, that when we focus on having a direct, personal revelation of God, we can gain so much more than we could possibly have imagined and that might be much better suited to us.

Hi, Laura, it is my experience that my CMI(s) occur gradually as I journey through life. My goals unfold, not necessarily exactly as I envisioned them, but a reasonable facsimile. Regarding "personal revelations," Jesus said, and I paraphrase, God dwells within. What that imparts to me, without venturing too far into the religeous, is that when we focus on our CMI we are invoking "personal revelation."