Quiet Time

[caressa]

"Many of us have found that setting aside quiet time for ourselves is helpful in making conscious contact with our Higher Power."

Basic Text, p.92

It is so important to take that time. Sometimes it is just a moment of silence and the Serenity Prayer.

When I take that time, it is generally in the morning (my morning can be any time) to connect and ask for the good orderly direction that I need in today.

It is a good day when I remember to take Him with me. If I run into a rough patch during my day, it is often because I didn't take that time to connect. As the old saying goes, "I'm late, I'm late, for an important date..." I rush out the door and I am on my own. Me alone with me is generally bad company.

Sometimes that quiet time is just a time of comfort and serenity. Knowing that I am loved and that I am not alone.

[caressa]

Have needed to take several moments lately. I haven't had migraines since I quit smoking 11 years ago. Not sure if it is my anger, resentments, my medication, or the weather, probably all of the above.

I have no wjere to go tomorrow, so I think it will be some down time for me with me. Had no time for quiet time today. Worked until 4 p.m., went to the chiropractor's, the library and then to bridge. Didn't even get to post at all my usual sites.

[caressa]

They say a woman can change her mind. I decided to go and pick up a clear crystal quartz. I also picked up an piece of raw cluster amethyst and a point as well. I also got a bloodstone and a piece of jade.

Off duty for the rest of the day! No computer, no TV, and no telephone.

[caressa]

To be honest, I lied! No TV, but I was on the computer and posted on my regular sites.

I said quiet time! I made the decision to call my sponsor to see if she was back from California and we talked for an hour and a half. I started to lose my voice. I haven't done that much 'talk, talk" for a long time, as I reminded her, my fingers do my talking these days.

Didn't get the sleep that I hoped for so am going to call it a night, put the feet up and hopefully, will get some more sleep.

[caressa]

DAIL OM

Sacred Space

Everyone has a need to make the place where they live into a special one, one that is an extension of themselves. We want the various elements of our place to show different aspects of ourselves, and what we value or like. The deepest urge is always to make our place where we live into a place of spiritual relevance, one that reflects the soul or spirit within. Most people do not know that this is what they are trying to do, so they focus on various materialistic things that may or may not be satisfying. Our place needs to be the place where we experience the Universal Presence and can feel connected to the universe. Such a place has soul.

Different cultures sanctify their lands and places of living in different ways. Some peoples do it with churches and ringing bells to notify people of different times of day. Some do it with a call to prayer several times a day, or by placing certain ‘sacred’ objects.

There are different mythologies of sacred places. Today in the technological West we do not have such and find it impossible to find culturally agreed upon sacred places. But that is perhaps good in that we might come to that more inclusive realization that all places are holy and sacred.

Our bodies need also to be viewed as a sacred place, and treated accordingly, relating all bodily experiences to expressions of, or distortions of, spirit.

We still have a strongly sixth ray attitude to the sacred – namely, that it is not where we live, neither in our body nor on the physical plane. The incoming seventh ray tells us that all is holy, or at least potentially so. Attitude and intention can make it so.

Exercises:

1. What is your attitude toward what is sacred and what is not?

2. How do you relate to your world, where you live, and your body with regard to the sacred?

3. How do you, or can you, make your space more soulful – be it your home or workspace?


Release the masks, limitations and old beliefs to uncover the real you.

[caressa]

Received my Antestian Newsletter today and it talks about the quiet time and connecting to the God of your understandl

Used with permission:

The Divine Connection

By Lynn A. Robinson

http://lynnrobinson .com/images/ RobinsonPhoto5_ small.jpg

I got up early this morning to begin writing this article on creating a Divine connection. I felt stuck. What can I say that's relevant after all that's happened in the United States in the past several weeks? I began doing the diversionary stuff that all writers are familiar with. I listened to my voice mail. I got myself another cup of coffee. Ate a peach as I glanced at a couple of other authors' books on the topic. I called a friend to say "hi." I sat at my desk again. Hmmm... What to write? Ah! The ultimate diversion -- check my e-mail! I was successfully signed on for all of three
seconds when a message flashed on the screen, "YOU HAVE BEEN DISCONNECTED. "

Hah! Wouldn't it be great if our guidance was always so quick, accurate, and to-the-point! ?

The message I just received was that I wasn't checking in with my own inner guidance that would assist me in writing this newsletter. I was allowing myself to be distracted by everything and everyone around me. How often do you do that in your daily life? You might be searching the Help Wanted section of your local paper looking for a job, desperately trying to find a
new place to live after your lease ended on your apartment, or trying to figure out how to cope with a difficult co-worker. You can certainly choose to do it all on your own or you can remember to check in with the Universe and ask for some help and guidance. You are not alone. Help is always at hand.


We all know how important prayer and meditation is. Hopefully, you take at least a few moments every day to consciously commune with God, asking for guidance and insight, and resting in the abundance of love that surrounds and fills you. But what about your life between the prayers? Wh at do you do when you're full of doubt and fear? How do you find the answer to how you can be of service to others during this difficult time? Do you need to be in a constant state of prayer to have a successful life? In a word, "yes." I don't mean the kind of prayer where you're constantly on your knees beseeching God to grant your desires, nor do I mean to imply that you should sit in a yoga position for hours on end communing with Spirit. Saint Teresa of Avila wrote "Prayer is nothing else than being on terms of friendship
with God." When you are in touch with your Divine intuition you have a channel that's wide open for love, reassurance, inspiration, new ideas and direction.

The Universe communicates with us in so many ways. Your job is to keep the lines of transmission open by checking in with your inner guidance whenever you have a doubt, question or concern. In the film, Star Wars, Obi Wan Kenobi tells Luke Skywalker that, "The Force is an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us, it penetrates us, it binds galaxies together." He adds that the way to connect with The Force is to "follow your
feelings." He's speaking of one of the ways we access Divine Wisdom.

The answers are always there, ready for the taking. God is not something that can be turned on or off. The Love and Wisdom that is God is everywhere, all of the time. Just ask for direction and the answers will begin to flow. You stand at all times in a Universe full of abundance and love. Choose to embrace it and your life will begin to unfold in miraculous ways. May the
Force be with you.

INTUITION EXERCISE:

Following are some ways to connect with your Divine intuition when you're in the midst of a busy day and the time and circumstances aren't conducive to a lengthy meditation.

Ask yourself, "What would ________ do?" Fill in the blank with the name of someone you admire - Jesus, Buddha, Oprah or your Aunt Pat. It can be anyone who represents inner strength and wisdom to you. Glance heavenward and send a silent prayer to God, in essence saying, "Help me out here. I need your presence and I desire connection with you."

Close your eyes for just a moment and visualize the outcome you want. As you rehearse it in your mind, you are apt to receive information from your intuition as to how you can achieve your goal.

Feel your connection with the Universe in whatever way works for you and silently affirm, "I'm okay, God and I can handle this."

Author and minister Mary Manin Morrissey makes her connection with Spirit this way, "God, help me remember to turn to You for the strength I need, instead of trying to do everything on my own. Let me be willing to receive Your help through both the still, small voice of insight and the assistance of others."

Find a quiet place -- a bathroom, your car or an empty office and simply close your eyes and imagine inhaling love and peace. Feel your connection to the Divine. Imagine angels wrapping their wings around you to comfort, protect and guide you.

Often when we get caught up in fear and anxiety it's because we're dwelling on something that hasn't happened. "Will the bills get paid?" "Will I be fired?" Take a few minutes to look around you and focus on the present moment. Fill your thoughts with everything feel grateful for.

Placing your palms together as if in prayer is a very centering experience. It's a common gesture and doesn't usually get unduly noticed by anyone else. When I'm feeling stressed or anxious I do this symbolic gesture to remind myself to stay calm and connect to Spirit.

My friend Laura suggested this technique. She had a student in a class who was being angry and disruptive. She took a deep breath in, feeling her connection with God. As she exhaled, she looked directly at the angry student and imagined that all the love, compassion and healing she felt was being sent to and received by him. Things immediately calmed down and she was able to use the incident as a teaching point.

Most people at work take a coffee break. You can take a Spirit break. Take a few moments to go for a walk with the intention of connecting with the Universe in whatever way feels right to you. Simply getting out of the building and taking a few deep breaths of air or feeling the sun on your skin may be all it takes to keep you aware of your Spirit for the rest of the day.

---
Lynn A. Robinson has authored five books on the topic of intuition, including Divine Intuition: Your Guide to Creating a Life You Love (DK Books, 2001, which became a featured selection of One Spirit Book Club. Amazon.com named it a "Best of 2001" and ranked it among the top ten books of the year in the "Spirituality" category. She's also the author of Trust
Your Gut: How the Power of Intuition Can Grow Your Business (Kaplan 2006), Real Prosperity (Andrews McMeel, 2004) and Compass of the Soul: 52 Ways Intuition Can Guide You to the Life of Your Dreams (Andrews McMeel, April 2003.) Her books have been translated into over a dozen languages.
<http://www.lynnrobi nson.com/ index.htmln>
www.lynnrobi nson.com/ index.htmln

[DJgrrl]

I love the thought of making my palce a sacred one. I haven't done that. I very much dislike my aprtment. I don't know what to do to change it. I know what to do but I need help. Aslo I am very embarrased.
the carpet in my bedroom is disgusting. I am not a good housekeeper. I jsut don't get excited. I know when people are comign voer.. which is very rare...I clean up.
I think it comes from my mom and older sister being obsessed with their houses or places. My mom had 3 pieces of property at one time.
I'm really tired of looking after their places and not my own. Even goign there for dinners or celebrations or help in some way. I am also tired of not focusing on my paklce and making it a home
I really want to be rid of furniture here. it doens't fit. Also my walls are canvasses... very white. I've never painted before. I have some nice colours chosen and plan to buy the paint and material next month.
My sister and brother in law clean carpets. Actually it's about them not me. I wish i could rip the carpet up. It's the only room left with carpet. I think i'll rent a cleanr. I don't even have a vacuum anymore.
I've been too focused taking care of others and pleasing them. No more when it comes to my place. Paint is cheap. Iw ills tart with one wall...and then go from there.
Buy a vacuum at a yard sale and hmmm.. how can I do carpet cleaning cheap

[caressa]

((((DJgrrl))))! I can so identify with you. I eventually threw my carpet out because I didn't have a vacuum either. Mine had been my aunt's and the white in it didn't look white any more. I rented my from a grocery store but then this is Ontario, Canada and I don't know about your area.

My habits were learned in my youth. I think my mother had fibromyalgia too. It was all or nothng at all. She wouldn't do anything, then when she found the energy, she was go, go, go and do everything at once. I hated it and it has only been in recovery that I have had any kind of responsibility toward housework. Because of health issues, I now get Helping Hands to come in twice a month.

My sister has a big 4-bedroom house and I have a one bedroom apartment. I wouldn't trade places for anything. My space is mine. That in itself makes it sacred to me. It isn't always what you put into it but how you feel when you are in it. For me, all I need is my easy-boy chair, a small table, my tri-lite an I am good for whatever. What I need is a new computer chair and desk so that is on my agenda. That isn't necessary, that is a want. It is bonus. I lived for years without a computer. It was only through the gift of an ex-boyfriend that I have one. To me, it was a mini-miracle.