Complete contentment independant of circumstance or emotion. Complete is fullness and unlimited abundance. No holes, no fires, no termites, no thieves, no destruction or construction, no visitors. Just you and it connected…in the same “room”

The suggested exercise helps to clarify a pure want as opposed to a jaded one. Something in each of us wants that kind of contentment, that kind of union, but the seemingly more influential part of us says “impossible, no way”

Remember all those scriptures describing the human body as a temple? Most people miss out on the complete tour of the temple. The tour guide is ignored quickly as survival and those choosing to prioritize that one pointed focus ditch the tour. At that point the only options for focus are outwardly directed, the only inner tie highlighting the ‘in’stinct to survive.

That instinct isn’t nutured enough to facilitate remaining open to ALL of its capacity. The lack of nuturing is not done on purpose but is maintained in ignorance nonetheless.

I am not exxagerating when I tell you that dynamic is changeable and can happen quickly. Religious communities are and will be the last to consider though it is in the choice of individuals to touch that part of themselves that ‘wants’. That is not the area from where judgement originates. It is a reality that simply exists. Too simple for our complexity. And learning to become simple is not classroom oriented.

Assessment after the fact is much more revealing than guessing beforehand. cag, I do understand we all- me included, have (had) a hard time with that one. There is a gut instinct-feeling to want the ability to touch and determine, because that ability DOES exist.

So leave the laughing at the door. You will be able to pick it up on the way out if you want. Just enter with your own impartiality (for 30 seconds) and ask the question..

What exactly is complete contentment?

The ‘noise’ you (and we all) identify with, can be distinguished from this subtle sensation. You are not assessing-just noticing for those brief moments. Then assess. May take a few days to notice. No rush.

This is a peeling not a triggering exercise. Important to distinguish the 2.

Happy New Year!

What I would disagree with at this point because I think it can and will change, are the ungodly hunger and starvation scenarios that are present in our world. Approach this 2 ways.

God or no god people have free will. Those that are responsible or who usurp responsibility for economic oversight or regulation choose not to distribute plentiful amounts of food that are available for in their own minds sound stewardship. Fiscal responsibility. I call it murder. It is cheaper to let food supplies rot than to effectively retain their freshness and distribute them. It is strictly a business decision. And these same people are able to sleep at night.

In a conscious society God or not – sounds contradictory doesn’t it?… the value of human life itself is the utmost priority. It wlll rank above power and greed. It will be a compassionate society but one where other lesser human agendas are worked out, not fought over.

Without the current focus we have on money, medical decisions and care including preventative as well diet and food supplies and their safety will be top of the line. But there is only one problem…

Second point is where does the consciousness come from? We know what’ sbeen said about good intentions and once you hit 30 in the civilized world you understand the pitfalls of human nature. Without a source of clarity, a source of inspiration independant of human and universal parameters, mankind itself can never be conscious. Before you write this off as woo, consider the value of life as a priority. Where does that value begin?

In each one of us it’s obvious. So if the value of life is not present who is really to blame for the prevention of human atrocities? We are.

If that value exists and I am sure you would not suggest it doesn’t, where would that source, that determinent be found? Within each one of us. And that conclusion is as conscious as any great thinker non secular, non theologian has ever gotten. What is missing is the practical application; first being at least as intimate with that component as we are with our own sometimes clear and extraneous thoughts. but as a race we do not know how to do that! We can’t find the essence of the diamonds amidst all the coal. Once in awhile a diamond pops up. This essence, this ingrediant of pristine value exists in us as long as we live. We can pidgeonhole it but some we are unable to capture it. On their own no one EVER has.

But lets say we understand our responsibility first to ourselves and then our fellow human beings (and that is a stretch) to accept the value of life at least in theory, wouldn’t it make sense to accept a little help if it came our way? Trouble is we are not good at accepting this kind of help.We are a stubborn arrogant race that has rejected this help including alot farther back than 2000 years. ago.

So if there were a god and he knew (obviously) that we contain this component this essence that can turn out ‘diamond’ after diamond, would HE or SHE step in on our behalf and remove our free will and turn our world into utopia. No, that is our responsibility if we so choose, but what can we do if we don’t WANT to perceivably accept and learn (not read or believe) at least become acquainted with our greatest asset?

When that dilemma ends so will human atrocity. And that is only the gift wrapping. My take is each one of us needs to own up to that resposibility to ourselves. There is no one else to blame.

So find the wish and the conviction in you to WANT to know yourself. It is right there at that juncture where value takes on a whole new meaning.

If you believe that the earth was created before the sun and that the earth had light before the sun was created then you need more knowledge and less faith. The sun is more than 330,000 times the mass of the earth. The gravitational effects of the sun being created after the earth (the sun being placed in a firmament above the earth) would be fatal for the earth. You really should check out the contradictions in the bible to understand why some of us conclude that the bible is fiction.

Do you not find it curious that the feeding of the 5000 ((Matthew 14:13-21, Mark 6:31-44, Luke 9:10-17 and John 6:5-15) was never documented until decades after the event? Would not such an event be deemed newsworthy and documented at the time?

Do I believe all that? Yes I do. Do I think that scholars have written things in their own interpretations? Yeah, some things. An example of that would be homosexuality. I think gay people have the right to marry just as much as anyone else does. But that’s besides the point. I’m not going to preach and teach to you. That’ll do absolutely nothing besides annoy you. I’m not going to try to change your opinion, because I won’t. But I would like to share just a few reasons why I personally believe.

As a child, I was sexually, emotionally, and physically abused. My family didn’t believe me. I didn’t get the mental help I needed. It was just a mess. I’m sure you can see how upsetting the lack of support could be for me, and how the whole situation would obviously be traumatic, not to mention no family support. I was 15 when I came out about the abuse. No one was there. No one. Except God. He carried me through. He gave me strength. As far as healing and forgiveness…I am far beyond what I should be. I’ve healed sooo much and it’s all thanks to Him. The change in me is all the proof I need. I’m on my way to being a scientist, so no…I’m not ignorant when it comes to fact. But simply all the times that God has been there for me, not just during that…but during all times…science will never prove. The love that comes out of me the closer I get to Him…that’s all the proof I need. Please don’t get irritable and insult me again. Once more, I’m just expressing why I believe what I do. I understand why you don’t, and you are entitled to that opinion.

Cindy, religion never did a bit of good for anyone. Religion has caused wars, death, and judgement. An intimate relationship and religion are totally different. If you have Facebook you’ve probably seen it…but there’s a video called, “Why I hate religion, but love Jesus.” It’s a really good watch. I wish you the best.

Your noise to signal ratio is 1000 to 1.

The results of that quest within me have been fulfilling to say the least and has lead me in some free time to investigate the gaps in history that surgically removed the predominance of referance to this pursuit, simply stated, the quest for happiness.

Trouble is we don’t get much past face value in this arena and tend to rationalize this desire with behavioral parameters and what we glorify as ‘the mystery of faith’. It is far easier to settle for a process that is mutually agreed upon and handed down generationally to placate our fundamental desire…much like parking the car at the sign that says HEAVEN vs driving into the actual location.

Blind faith had its day as the be all for alot of good people. Obviously there have been hypocrites and opportunists that misuse the purpose and the trust that comes with that faith on a huge scale. Overall the majority of believers are generally decent people. What happened over the last 2000 years or so that pidgeonholed us into the be all state were huge issues of personal safety, the lack of fast and adequate communication and transportation…in a nutshell.

A caged person can decorate the cage with pictures of hope and affirmation of such even speculating that the door with heaven written on it is a sure bet. That doesn’t change the fact that the cage is still a cage and that person is still a prisoner. Throw in our busy-ness for order and survival with our handicapped creativity – are we really happy? Relatively sometimes, but no.

What if you could walk thru that door? What exists beyon the cage, possibly purpose, perhaps Fulfillment. And answers to the meaning of life..believe me we cannot fathom simple and unconditional contentment and all its implication.

We can however, wish for it sincerely within ourselves! Without a prove it to me stance (its discernment obvious without reason as it is immeasurable, timeless and unimagineable so we cannot use a ruler, a clock or voices in our head for instance, to discern) or flip curiosity we must find the part within each of us that wants to be truly content independent of circumstance.

Imagine having that desire filled, enjoying it everyday then living life instead of living for “it” and/or betting everything on a heavenly afterlife.

We are here now. There are no safety concerns, communication or burdensome travel challenges for the gift-giver or those interested in this pursuit. We each do have the possibility to exit the cage. First we each need to feel and understand the part of us that wants this and not be satisfied by our pictures and our signs. We need the real peace now; not the imagination, rationalization (whichever way) or procrastination of it any longer!

There is an interesting 14 minute video clip at bit.ly/practicepeace