Experience the joy

Life is a wonderful mystery that we are all a part of. Everything, everyone is connected. We are even connected to the God, Ground of All Being, Source of All Life and Love that is behind the whole thing and within the whole and every part of it. If only we could see and feel this connection, how much more secure, happy and confident we would be. Too many persons have such a limited view of life. It's not all their fault.

Rather than being born in original sin, we are born in original blessing. We come into life as wonderful radiant beings. Then we learn about lack. We learn we are not good enough, not deserving, not acceptable, etc., etc.. We are taught by our family, friends, school, society, etc. who we are supposed to be. We forget who we are. We buy into the lie. Wake up! Remember your original self. Remember who you were before you were born. Remember who you are. Let the nightmare end and a beautiful life begin.

God loves you,
Steve

Free your mind

The seasons change and so do I. Life is a constant process of change. It never stays the same unless we're stuck and blind to what's going on around us. Every day is new, fresh and fragrant. We can enjoy the beauty of the sun shimmering on the leaves of the tree outside our window or the refreshing rain pouring down. Life is a miracle to be lived fully. Live life large; not some puny life that someone else has mapped out for you. It's your choice.

I read that sharks are a popular aquarium fish. They adjust to the size of the tank they are raised in only growing to a small size. To grow to its full size, a shark needs to swim in the ocean and be free. It's the same with us. Our consciousness only grows to the size of the limits we set for ourselves. Free your mind. Swim in the vast ocean of life and realize your full potential. You'll be amazed at what you can do.

Have a great life,
Steve

Up-grade your life!

Well, I've been consumed the past couple of days with the task of buying a new computer system. Therefore, I haven't blogged. I crashed my printer last week and had to buy a new one, and in the process discovered how really old my computer was (5 years). I decided to upgrade to a notebook (which I've wanted for quite a while), a multi-function machine and some great new software that will allow me to do the things I need to do more efficiently and creatively.

It's like wow! I could see that I was really pushing the old computer to the limit and getting frustrated with the problems I had to deal with. As much as I liked the old system, I could see it was time for a change. Of course, I had to shop around, do web research, talk to my wife and sleep on it. I made my decision, arranged the financing and made the purchase. I still don't have a printer. They had to special order it, and I'll get it Wednesday. The new notebook is really great, and I'll still be able to use the old desktop. Of course, I've had to spend hours setting up the notebook and transferring files and there's still hours more to do in this regard. I think it's worth it in the long run.

Life is like that. It's easy to get stuck in a bad situation and be reluctant to move out of it. That's one thing coaches like me do. We help persons up-grade their life. It's a lot easier to move on with support and encouragement just like it was easier for me to up-grade with my wife's support and encouragement. If your life is out-moded and you need an up-grade, I can help. Get in touch to set up a free introductory session.

Move on,
Steve

Compromise

How often we have to compromise between what we want and what is attainable. For example, I really like Dennis Kucinich's positions on issues like defense, trade, etc.. He is who I would like to see elected president because he would do the things I'd like to see happen. Yet the media says he's unelectable, and if they say it often enough and enough people believe it, he will be, especially considering the scared, conservative mind-set of the electorate. To find out about him first hand, check out Dennis Kucinich for President Campaign, 2004 - Official Website

Wes Clark is more of a centrist Democrat and has a better chance of getting elected, especially with his military background. His positions on issues are OK. He would be much better than Bush, and that is the main thing. Check out his website Clark for President Official Campaign Web site

What if we had a Clark-Kucinich ticket? I'd be very happy with that, but it's not likely. We'll probably wind up with Clark and Dean, and that would be OK.

I hope that in your personal life you have more control and have to compromise less.

Blessings,
Steve

Part and Whole

As I understand it, we are one with God. We have the same qualities as God, but in different quantity. God is infinite. We are infinitesimal. God is the whole. We are the part. The part is meant to serve the whole. When we are in union with God, God's energy can flow through us and empower us to do wonderful things. We are to be vessels or instruments of God's love and grace. Yet the part should never become confused and think it is the whole. That's where a little humility comes in. Besides, who wants all that responsibility?

Peace,
Steve

Balance

Learning to maintain balance in life is one of the most important things. Stay cool, calm and collected. Sure, it's OK to get excited when something goes well and the emotions well up. Sure, it's OK to get bummed out when things go poorly and that sinking feeling comes along. The trick is to maintain a centered baseline and return there ASAP. It's a matter of training the mind.

Of course, that centered baseline should be very good feeling, peaceful, loving, joyous, in touch with your higher self which is always above the fray. Learn detachment from the ups and downs of life because they're only temporary. Our spiritual nature is eternal. That's where our real well-being lies.

Learn to enjoy the ride of life. Know that our bodies will surely die, but we'll go on eternally. Once you can accept that, what else is there to worry about?

Enjoy,
Steve

Another crucifixion

Well, I just returned from the crucifixion of another good pastor. Rev. Mary Martin, of Wallin Congregational United Church of Christ in Grand Rapids, Michigan was just dismissed by a congregational vote after months of conflict including legal actions and a lock-out. The meeting could not even be held at the church but was held at a firehouse and a Michigan Peacekeeper team was present to help avoid violence which almost broke out.

What was Mary guilty of? Being a black woman who preached the gospel and led a Spirit filled life. Of not being under the control of the old guard who want to avoid change. Of bringing many new members into the church, a number of whom are gay and lesbian and allowing them to assume leadership positions including one who is now in seminary. Of being a force for positive change in the church and community.

As a pastor friend of mine said, "Today, a pastor has to choose between integrity and job security." Mary chose integrity. She will carry on in ministry with those who support her.

The saddest part is that in the United Church of Christ there is no protection for pastors who minister faithfully but invoke the ire of a few disgruntled, closed minded members. Christ have mercy.

Steve

Be

Life unfolds mysteriously around us every day. How aware are we of life's deeper mysteries? Do we take the time to experience the joy of just being or are we too caught up in our doings? When one takes the time to meditate, to stop the endless chatter of the mind, to be in the present, a whole new level of experience opens up. The mundane becomes sublime. The taste of life becomes sweet. Strivings cease and one just is. Ahhhhhh.

Om Shanti,
Steve

Hope for the future

I feel really happy and optimistic about the future of the US for the first time in a long time. Wes Clark's entry into the presidential race is a source of real encouragement. I like some of the other Democratic contenders like Dean and Kusinich, but I think Clark has a real chance of winning. He brings a new stature to the campaign that is needed in these times of war and fear on the part of the average American. He is a real "white knight" that the people can look to for protection and security, not a jackass pseudo hero like Bush. Put the two of them side by side and there is no comparison.

Clark is extremely intelligent, knows economics, is not afraid to say he is a liberal, has spoken against Bush's handling of Iraq from the beginning, has the support of Bill Clinton and Michael Moore, is good on the issues, and among other things is able to speak well on TV. This is a man who can win, and that's what we need to do now more than ever.

I hope you'll support Wes Clark so that we can take back this country and get it on the right track again. Check out his website America For Clark.

In solidarity,
Steve

Why Your Life Sucks

Last July, I resigned as pastor of a church I served for three years. I was a United Church of Christ pastor for eleven years at three churches. I got tired of serving persons who were stuck and didn't want to grow and change. Shortly after resigning, I was browsing in a bookstore when a book with the title Why Your Life Sucks and what you can do about it by Alan H. Cohen caught my eye. I purchased it and read it. It had quite a positive effect on my life, and I highly recommend it to persons who are interested in a better life.

Now, over a year later, my life is much better and does not suck. However, I am rereading the book as there is always room for improvement and I am in the business of helping other persons to have lives that don't suck.

A line caught my attention this morning, "You can live from choice rather than default." I think this is one of the most important principles that I teach. Most persons blindly go about their life on automatic pilot living a life they were programmed to live. I help persons wake-up to who they really are, make conscious choices about what they want their life to be and develop strategies for how to live that life. Check out my website for more information.

Excel,
Steve

What shall I call myself?

I wish there were a simple thing I could call myself. "I'm a ...." However, at this time in my life, I haven't been able to find that. So, I say I am an eclectic spiritual guide, minister and life coach. I draw upon the best teachings and traditions both ancient and modern along with my own self-realization which allows me to separate the wheat from the chaff and combine different streams into a very exciting mix.

I have no dogma or systematic theology that I adhere to. It is primarily a state of consciousness in which I empty myself of the mundane ego and devote my life to the selfless devotional service of the Supreme. I am a vessel of God's love and grace which I allow to flow through me for the benefit of all.

I cannot apply the old standard designations because they carry too much baggage which I have rejected. I stand in no one tradition, but many flow through me. Ultimately, all I have to offer is myself and the distilled wisdom and realization I have accumulated in my lifetimes. I am a well available for those who wish to drink deeply of the spiritual essence.

May peace be with you,
Steve

Spirituality vs. Religion

So I went to the Pagan Pride Day yesterday and had a good time over-all. I was invited to give talks at two other places. I must admit I was uncomfortable at the interfaith roundtable. The president of the Interfaith Dialogue Association is a friend of mine and a Hindu. He invited me to be part of this roundtable. I've done other panel discussions with this group in the past. However, then I was a progressive Christian minister and would represent a Christian perspective. I can no longer do that. In the past year, I have become much more irreligious, iconoclastic and untraditional.

I feel turned off by religion and say so. I have seen it so misused and destructive. I have gained much from my practice of various religious traditions, but I have also left much behind. I make a distinction between religion and spirituality and prefer spirituality. I consider myself to be in the mystical wisdom tradition and see an essential kernel in the various faiths. I am only interested in that sweet kernel and reject the dry husk and hull.

I hold a weekly eclectic spiritual meeting at my house on Sunday evenings called The Gathering. Tonight's topic is "Spirituality vs. Religion." I hope you will come some time.

Peace,
Steve

Common Ground

Tomorrow I'm going down to Kzoo to hang with the pagans. It's Pagan Pride Day there with a big festival in the park. I'll give a seminar in the morning on "Walking In the Light" and in the afternoon I'll be part of an interfaith roundtable discussing our similarities. The rest of the day will be networking and enjoying the happenings with my wife. They're predictiing rain, but hopefully it won't be too bad. I'm really looking forward to the day. The next Saturday I'll be at Pagan Pride Day in Grand Rapids. It's interesting that in this conservative Christian area of SW Michigan there are two Pagan Pride celebrations.

I'm an eclectic spiritual guide and minister. I enjoy being able to bridge the gaps between Christian, new age, pagan, Hindu, Sufi and other groups. It seems they all have a piece of the truth, some more than others, and that there is a spiritual, mystical, wisdom tradition that weaves through them all and is the connecting link. If only we could get beyond narrow sectarian views that divide us and see the common Ground of All Being that unites us.

ShalOm,
Steve

9/11

This is the second anniversary of when we had the shit scarred out of us and we agreed to trade our freedom for security. Two years into the war on terror, wars in two countries that we have focused on and how many that have gone under the radar. Are we any safer? Are we less free? To me, it seems the terrorists have won. Many Americans are still terrified and willing to give up what ever it takes to be "safe."

How safe are we ever? We're all going to die. What about all the persons who die from auto accidents, cancer, heart attacks, murder, AIDS and all the other causes of death? We're in such denial about the temporary nature of existence in this world. We think we can live here forever. It would be better if we learned to live here in peace and love and accepted that the body is temporary but the soul is eternal. Once we accept death as a given, but realize we will go on, life becomes much more simple and enjoyable. Give it a try. Look out for your real self-interest, not what the propaganda machine is telling you to worry about.

Peace,
Steve

Rape!

Well, I've just been listening to "N.Y. Times" op-ed columnist and economist Paul Krugman describing the rape of America on NPR's "Fresh Air". He makes a powerful case about how the Bush administration is engaged in a huge give-away to the rich while gutting the government and its ability to provide services for the poor and middle class. He points out that Bush probably doesn't really understand what he's doing as the diabolical puppet masters who pull his strings do. Also criticized is the lack of clear reporting in the news media about what is happening to this nation. I also add my criticism of the Democrats for not being a stronger voice of opposition. As Al Sharpton pointed out last night, Democrats have been going to the dance with the blacks and then going to bed with the right wing. This has to stop!

Many thought there was no difference between Gore and Bush and so threw their vote away with Nader or didn't bother to vote. Many thought "how much damage can he do in four years?" I think we're seeing how much damage he is doing, and if we don't do something to stop him soon, the damage will be practically irreversible. The knowledge is out there. We know what's going on. It's time to say "Enough!"

Power to the people!
Steve

Religion. What a scourge on the earth. Taking people's spiritual longings and fosilizing them. It's been said that going to church on Sunday is a good innoculation against a real spiritual experience. The spirit is wild and free yet people want to domesticate it. We're asked to remember the spiritual experiences someone had long ago and live vicariously through them. What about our own experiences!

We're so beaten down and taught not to appreciate ourselves and our own experiences--not only spiritual, but also creative, career, political, artistic, musical, etc.. Don't think for yourself. Listen to the experts. Follow the leader. Do as you're told. The problem is people are so bombarded by this kind of crap from family, friends, school, boss, media, etc. that they are totally out of touch with who they really are. Therefore we need help climbing out of the muck.

This is the tricky part. It's very difficult to do anything today without organization. Yet as soon as you organize, you run the risk of organized religion and politics. There will always be persons who are power tripping and want to use the organization for their own benefit. Yet the risk must be taken to try and keep the experience and the teachings fresh for a while at least. It's like persons are drowning in the ocean of material existence, and we need to organize a major rescue effort to save them. There must be an organized alternative to counteract the din of consumerism, greed, corruption, exploitation, war, poverty, distrust and brainwashing. We need a strong movement to help persons realise their full potential, live life abundantly and love extravagantly. Let us join together.

Peace and solidarity,
Steve

Abundance is everywhere around us and within us. God has created this world with everything we need to live life abundantly. Our hearts are overflowing with love, kindness, generousity, joy and peace--unless we have hardened them and cut ourselves off from the source of all life and love. The world is overflowing with all the good things we need to live a happy and healthy life--good food, water, clothing and shelter--except for the fact that the distribution system is so screwed up due to some hoarding too much while others have too little.

It's such a shame that we are spending billions of dollars occupying and fighting people who don't want us in their countries. What would happen if we just gave them billions of dollars to rebuild their lives and left them alone? Do you think they would still hate us? And with the billions we would have left over, we could rebuild our own country which has also been descimated. Rebuild the health and education systems. Provide jobs for people. Give people hope again. Give people a decent life here and now. Put our money to good use for constructive things rather than oppressing and destroying the world.

Peace,
Steve

Late summer day. Sun shining beautifully on the trees. Dead cardinal lying on my deck. Flowers in bloom. Some plants beginning to fade. Grass needs mowing. Life happens all around us, in us. We are part of the endless cycle of life and death. Our fate is connected to the fate of every other creature on this planet. But no other creature has a greater impact on the planet than we do. How carelessly we live and destroy the environment and its creatures. Don't we know that we are destroying ourselves? Let us learn to live as loving caretakers of all creation. Living in peace and harmony with all. Then we will be truly human.

Om shanti Om,
Steve

Now!

How does one live life? One day at a time. The past is over and gone. The future is not yet. Here we are in the present. It's really all we ever have. Yet so many people squander the present by lamenting over the past, reminising about the glory days, worrying about what's going to happen or hoping for a better future. Yet here we are in the present. Now. Now. Now. Now is all we have. Don't waste it. Be here now and make it the best possible now it can be. If you live each moment fully, savoring it, being in pure consciousness of the awesome reality the we are, that exists in each of us and all around us, Wow! If you are not having those kind of experiences, perhaps you should consider making some changes. Hey, I'm not suggesting that we live in some kind of polyanna world where everything is just wonderful, but that we are able to experience the wonder even in the midst of the struggles of life. Connect with the divine in you and all creation. Be a vehicle for positive energy. Work for real change, but remember, usually the most important changes need to take place within you.

Peace,
Steve

How does one crying in the wilderness get heard today? By blogging and maintaining a website? Being a voice of dissent, iconoclastic views and alternative realities does not make one real popular. Does one sell out, conform and try to fit in or live with integrity? At this point in my life, I think it's too late to do anything but be me. Part of what I do is help others be themselves. Want to give it a try? Check it out.

Go for it!
Steve

Just be your self. Be natural. Whoa! Who knows how to do that? We're so condititioned from childhood that we forget who we really are. Many go to their grave not knowing who they are. Are you seeking? Are you trying to realize who you really are? You should be.

Don't allow yourself to be defined by others. Dig down deep inside. You are really there. Uncover your true self. Realize the beautiful, loving, eternal being that you are. See the transitory nature of this body. Realize your oneness with the Ground of All Being. Don't be a second class citizen. Be a part and parcel of God. Go for it. Don't be beaten down into submission. Be radiant. Be you. Now and forever you.

Peace,
Steve

Labor Day, USA, 2003, what a joke. What a pity. Millions out of work. Pension plans plundered and decimated. Opportunities for education and a promising careers diminishing. Opportunities to go to prison increasing. Illegal immigrants doing unwanted jobs. Persons with college degrees doing unwanted jobs. Downsizing, merging, watching the bottom line. Global economy, jobs going overseas. Now we have to compete with slave labor in China for jobs. Over 40, an older worker? They'll look for a way to get rid of you, demote you and not give you a decent job when you go looking. A twenty something can do your job for half the pay. And don't think about retiring or getting welfare or getting a job you are well suited for. We love our senior citizens when they bag our groceries and serve our burgers.

Workers of the world unite! (blue collar and white collar) Who do you think you're working for? Do you think they have your interests in mind or are you just another expendable? How long will you keep buying the bill of goods government and big business (one and the same) keep selling you. Wake up! Stand up for your rights before you have none left.

Happy holiday.
Steve