“There is no greater trouble for thee than thine own self, for when thou art occupied with thyself, thou remainest away from God.”
– Abu Sa’id
Source: https://www.bmcm.org/inspiration/thought-day/there-is-no-greater-trouble-for-thee-tha/
“There is no greater trouble for thee than thine own self, for when thou art occupied with thyself, thou remainest away from God.”
– Abu Sa’id
Source: https://www.bmcm.org/inspiration/thought-day/there-is-no-greater-trouble-for-thee-tha/
In seeking God in your life, be true to yourself and never be afraid to seek the truth wherever you may find it. Always follow the leadings of your own spirit and let God’s love light the way. If something doesn’t make sense to you, pray to God to help show you the truth. Share your joy and your experiences of God with others. Build them up as they will build you up, so that together, with God, we all can experience a true heaven of love and unity.
— Excerpted from The Truth as I See It: A Collection of Spiritual Writings by Adam Soto (p. 52)
Living the spiritual life is more than just proclaiming a set of beliefs; it is a declaration of commitment to live as God lives. It takes great effort and hard work—a very transformation in the way we live and think, our philosophies and attitudes, in all things that keep us separated from God and those around us.
Like from a caterpillar to a butterfly, we too can break away from our selfish ways of living and learn to spread our wings and fly.
Love is the air that will keep us afloat.
— Excerpted from The Truth as I See It: A Collection of Spiritual Writings by Adam Soto (p. 52)
“The soul is made of love and must ever strive to return to love. Therefore, it can never find rest nor happiness in other things. It must lose itself in love. By its very nature it must seek God, who is love.”
– Mechthild of Magdeburg
Source: https://www.bmcm.org/inspiration/thought-day/the-soul-is-made-of-love-and-must-ever-s/
In planning for the future, remember that there’s nothing wrong with asking God to help guide and lead you along the way. In any situation, anything you do, invite God to be with you. You don’t have to go alone.
— Excerpted from The Truth as I See It: A Collection of Spiritual Writings by Adam Soto (p. 52)
Question: What is prayer? Can you describe different forms of prayer? What power does prayer have, if any? How can prayer help the world and all of its inhabitants, today, here and now?
Answer: I see prayer as a way of aligning our soul/mind with the spirit/mind of God. It’s a way for us to center our energy on God (and others).
I’m not sure that I can describe different forms of prayer. For me personally, I have a running dialogue with God throughout the day. I mostly offer short gratitudes for whatever good things I feel blessed with in my daily life. I also have a time once a day where I go through a list of things that I’m thankful for. I don’t think that God needs this from us, to satisfy some sort of egotistical God-complex … but I like to practice it as a way of always keeping my energy aligned with God’s.
I think that there could be more to prayer, though I don’t have any concrete ideas or experiences in any ways other than personal. I believe that the energy of a group prayer could help in healing … I acknowledge the possibility of it, for sure. But I don’t have much to say about it, being that it’s outside of my experience.
I don’t believe that any souls need our prayers. My experience of God is that God loves us completely and unconditionally. “God is not a torturer.” “All is mercy.” (These two lines are from a move entitled, “Diary of a Country Priest,” and I believe them wholeheartedly.) But to remember people in our prayers I think is a good practice. And since God’s love (in my opinion) is unconditional, our intercession isn’t necessary or required.
Maybe I’m right, maybe I’m wrong, but that’s The Truth as I See It.
One Buddhist monk leaned over to another and quietly asked, “Are you not thinking what I’m not thinking?”
Source: http://www.enlightened-spirituality.org/Spiritual_Humor.html
To a disciple who was forever complaining about others, the Master said, “If it is peace you want, seek to change yourself, not other people. It is easier to protect your feet with slippers than to carpet the whole of the earth.”
– Anthony de Mello, One Minute Wisdom
Always try to be as understanding as possible with those you meet along your journey. We all have our faults, our negative points, our addictions.
When someone you know or encounter treats you unfairly, try to picture them as someone you love immensely, someone you would never speak to in a harsh or unloving way. Be always ready to forgive. Life is too short and the time we have too precious to waste brooding away at someone.
Forgiveness is a gift that never stops giving. Sometimes we give it, sometimes we get it, but whenever it’s present, there’s always great joy.
— Excerpted from The Truth as I See It: A Collection of Spiritual Writings by Adam Soto (p. 51)
Don’t be surprised if some people don’t believe you when you talk about God. Some may say that you can’t have any knowledge of God because of your age—you may be too young or too old. Others because of your education or lack thereof: “If you didn’t go to seminary, how could you know anything about God?” Your lifestyle: “You’re not perfect—how can you talk about God?” Perceived human limitations: “Humans can’t possibly grasp a being as grand as God—how arrogant!” The many different portrayals of God: “Everyone has a different perception of God; therefore, no one can know the truth.” Or that we can’t possibly know the truth now: “We won’t find out until we’re dead.” But believe none of them. Let no one define your limits for you, and let no one define the limits of God. If God wants to share a revelation with you, who is anyone else to say that that’s impossible?
Stay true to God, and have a faith without limits.
— Excerpted from The Truth as I See It: A Collection of Spiritual Writings by Adam Soto (p. 51)