Transcending Labels (and other things too)

We’ve all identified people, places, things and ourselves with labels (which for the purpose of common communication) are used to define who, what, where, how, what we/they/it does, etc about whatever the subject is. We need these labels like we need any other word for the sake of common communication; but we must be careful that we do not become attached to labels (or anything else in this realm and/or incarnated existence) because as some traditions teach; attachment leads to suffering whereas detachment leads to true freedom. Attachment is one of the tools used by the egoic mind, which is constantly living in a state of past and future, but never the present moment. The egoic mind uses this tool for its own self-survival instinct which suppresses our true self from shining through. It keeps us in self-bondage, and we are both the one bound and the one doing the binding of our true self. The egoic mind is like an errant child, untamed and unfiltered, out of control; but we can control it. Observe it. Minimize it. When we become the observer, we are detached from this egoic mind and we are silent within. This quieting of the mind lets the soul feel and hear our connection to The Source and All That Is. We are always connected, we’re just not always aware of it. At times, there will be an “Ah Ha!!” moment which will break through the egoic mind, but it quickly grasps hold again and shakes us back into its submission. We have a taste of freedom, but we never realize what it is until we escape the egoic mind’s control enough to become the observer.

To become the observer and detach from the egoic mind, we must minimize the effect the egoic mind has on us. To do that, we must detach ourselves from the people, places and things within this incarnated existence / realm in which we walk. This isn’t to say that we don’t care about people, places and things, but rather that we lessen our personal vestment in them and our rigid polarization to them. We don’t let labels with emotional attachment, but only as a mere tool of communication. To see an example of this, talk about toasters with someone. I doubt they are going to rant and rave or show much personal vestment or polarization to one toaster vs another; but now talk about politics, sex, religion, sports, the economy, abortion, or any one of the other big hot button topics, and you’ll soon see these emotional attachments, personal vestments and polarizations in people. These are part of the egoic mind and have been the cause of much suffering for All. I admit, in the past, I too was like that. I too was guilty of falling prey to the tricks of the egoic mind; but now I can discuss any subject without attachment to it. Sure these things matter, limited as they may be, because they only really matter within the context of the game, this incarnated life, the great dream, the Maya illusion. Owning Board Walk matters too within the context of the game of Monopoly too; but does it REALLY matter in the larger picture of your life? No. Not really. The same is true with these other subjects of politics, sports, sex, religion, or anything else that you or others may be personally vested and polarized to. When you move beyond the veil to the other side, will it matter? Does it really matter to your true self? YOU, the real YOU, is not your body, nor is it even the human persona within it. YOU are not your egoic mind either. YOU are so much more than that.

It’s nice to have things, people, places, labels saying that “I am this” or “I do that”; but realize that these are merely all part of the illusion of this realm. In short, as the old saying goes… “Don’t sweat the small stuff. It’s all small stuff.” You enter this realm with nothing, speaking of material wealth, friends, etc. You will hopefully leave this realm’s incarnated life with everything that matters… love. That’s all that matters is Love and Life (not the incarnated life, but the much larger Life that you are.) If you must have an attachment to something; then let it be an attachment to Love and that larger Life which we are.

Remember…. Don’t sweat the small stuff.

Copyright © 2010 Rev. Ron Schreiner All Rights Reserved

Manifesting Prosperity

What is prosperity? I believe one possible answer to that question is: "wealth."
This isn't a simple answer, because some answers inevitably lead to more questions. In this case, the answer of "wealth" causes the next question to be asked: "What is wealth?" It is from my perspective that prosperity and wealth go hand in hand; therefore I must address both questions to truly answer: "What is prosperity?"
This is no one true answer or single perspective to the questions of "What is prosperity?" or "What is wealth?" Everyone has his or her own uniquely subjective viewpoint on what these terms mean.
I don't view prosperity and wealth from the mundane, materialistic definitions of them, as material things are only temporary and may be lost as easily as they are gained. I see them from a spiritual viewpoint.
Material things are important only in the way in which we use them while we are in this realm of existence; which is finite and temporary at best. Material resources may make you rich from a mundane world perspective, but they have nothing to do with spiritual wealth, which comes from within -- it's who you are, not what you have. It is through our own intent and actions that our true wealth is either increased or decreased.
Do you leave a legacy of love?
Did you make the world a better or worse place for you having been in it?
Did you grow or stagnate as an individual?
Did you expand your knowledge?
Did you expand your love?
Did you move out of your comfort zone(s) in some way?
Did you take more than you gave or vice versa?
Who are YOU?
I've met a lot of materially rich people who aren't wealthy at all. Whether they earned it, were born into it or however they acquired material riches, in the end, they are just like anyone else, for they too will transition past the thin veil, leaving it all behind. When he passes, will people say, "Yeah, he had a Mercedes and paid his bills on time, had a ton of cash in the bank?" Or will they say she "was a wonderful soul who was so blessed and gave so freely of herself to others" and be remembered for who she was? True wealth comes from within, and it is from here that true giving and receiving takes place. The more we truly give of ourselves, the more we get back and the wealthier we become within.
As for prosperity, the more inner wealth we have, the more prosperous we'll be as we give freely of ourselves. Giving of ourselves is the most valuable asset we have; and the effects will be felt by everyone around us -- family, friends, co-workers and all the various lives we touch. Indeed, we'll be very prosperous.
Self-assessment is a key lifelong practice that's part of the path to inner wealth. We must know our own true intent, for it is the beginning of all we think, say, do -- and it affects All That Is. You must make your own way on your own path, and intent is the beginning.
We enter this world with nothing, but we leave with everything of who we are. Do not value the weight of your wallet. Instead, value the weight of your soul.
Copyright © 2007 Ron Schreiner. All Rights Reserved

The Fire God

In China, there’s a man by the name of He Tieheng (nicknamed "The Fire God") who says he uses a technique called Qigong to channel his brainwaves to cook food in his hands. He has performed these demonstrations in front of as many as 7,000 people before; and according to one witness, Mei Lee, (who was at once such demonstration in Guangzhou, China), Mei Lee said that “Afterwards he had black soot on his hands where the fish was singed.”

He Tieheng has stated that “The power of the mind is able to conquer natural forces”; and he seems rather adept at demonstrating it to thousands of people at a time. I believe that I agree with He that the mind is able to conquer natural forces because thought is energy and learning to focus that energy will allow you to be able to work with it better than you could work with it without such focus. While Qigong is merely the system he uses to help him focus his energy, it’s certainly not the only method that one may use to move massive amounts of focused energy; but it’s the one that works for him. I think it’s wonderful that He can provide such inspiration for others and to show them such possibilities; but it’s also my hope that He uses his ability responsibly in other ways as well to benefit humankind.

To access such abilities, to have such focus and be able to move energy in ways that most people do not, these are all wonderful things; but we all move energy every second of every day. Are we doing so responsibly? What energies are we sending out to others and receiving ourselves? What realities are we creating and manifesting, (albeit unknowingly so by most people) each and every day? If we are to act responsibility, we must also think responsibly and act responsibly in all of our thoughts, actions and deeds. We may not be cooking fish with our bare hands such as He is, but are we frying our own lives and the lives of others by the energies we project and receive? Are we acting in the best interest of our perceived individual selves or are we acting in the best interest of the All, the whole of everyone and everything with what type of energy we are sending and receiving? That’s some food for thought.

Copyright © 2009 Rev. Ron Schreiner All Rights Reserved