From the Physical to the Spiritual

This article discusses ways to help develop spiritually ... from the outside (limited) world to the inside (unlimited) one.

"Many Nobel Prize winning physicists recently have proven beyond doubt that the physical world is one large energy ocean that flashes into and out of being in a fraction of a second, over and over again. Nothing is solid. This is the world of Quantum Physics. They have proven that thoughts are what put together and hold together this ever-changing energy field into the 'objects' that we see." *

Often, when people decide to pursue their spiritual natures, they don't know where to start.

More often than not, they neglect to do some simple, basic things in the physical that can enhance their spiritual development.

You've heard that cleanliness is next to Godliness ... it's an old saw, and most old saws are tried and true ... that's how they became "old saws"!

So the first physical step you might take toward spiritual development is to clean up your person if it needs to be spruced up ... get rid of anything that might detract from a clean image ... tattoos, piercings, ragged looking hair, sloppy looking clothes, anything tattered and torn. If you cannot afford to clean up your act totally at this point, do so as soon as possible ... but at least make generous use of soap and water if you need to, and keep what you do have sparkling clean.

There really is something to that adage, "dress for success" ... not that you necessarily wish to pursue worldly success at this point, but you could and should command a certain amount of respect by just your appearance. And we're not talking expensive clothes here, just clean and neat and well kept. You'll feel better about yourself and will be more relaxed. And relaxation is one key to making spiritual headway.

But when we're talking physical stuff, we're also talking about your surroundings. Spiritual development is more amenable to progress when your surroundings are free from clutter. If you need help getting your things sorted out and organized, get that help. Don't just wallow in your mess. Take action, and get all your "ducks in a row." When your surroundings are organized and clean, you feel better about yourself and are more relaxed. And relaxation is one key to making spiritual progress.

Then, after you've done all you can for the outside of your person and your surroundings, you will need to take a close look at the inside of your person. Physically, this means cleaning up your eating habits, getting rid of the junk food that you put into your body, and, like your computer, G.I.G.O. ... garbage in, garbage out. Your body needs to be in tip-top shape. Just as you would never put the wrong fuel or other fluids into your car, you need to be even more particular with your God-given body!

You can get off to a fantastic start cleaning the inside of your body by fasting. Make up your mind to do it for one 24-hour period. If you weather that okay, try stretching it to three days. If you've never fasted before, keep it to three days. Others may wish to fast longer, and as long as you do it properly, great. (Properly means to eat mainly raw fruits and vegetables and fresh juices for a day or so before starting and then breaking the fast the same way; breaking a fast is the most important part of it, and if you don't do it right, you may as well not fast at all!)

Then resolve to stop eating and drinking junk. This universe is comprised of the vibrations of the sound of the Lord's Voice (as He spoke all things into existence), and when you take in junk, you are lowering your vibrations and impeding spiritual development. For example, eating the dead flesh of animals, especially when it is not fully cooked, lowers your vibrations to that of the animal! Again, when you do things right, you are more relaxed and ... that's right ... relaxation is a major key to spiritual progress.

Okay, so you've cleaned up the appearance of your ouside body, your surroundings, and the inside of your physical body. We're getting to the good part now . . . And mind you, this is just a "jumping off" point. There is much more to this than I have room to cover here.

After you have prepared yourself in the physical and are able to relax somewhat naturally, you have to realize that spiritual development is achieved more readily when you "let" it happen instead of when you try to "make" it happen. Let go and let God. What did He say? "Cast all your cares upon me, for I care for you."

Set aside a small block of time when you first get up and get yourself awake enough so that you don't fall back asleep. But not so much awake so that the cares of this world start to intrude. Pick up your Bible and read a passage or two from Psalms, Proverbs, or any other book of the Bible that appeals to you. Then close your eyes and be still and listen for that "still small voice" to come through. If you get something, fine; if not, after a little while open your eyes and start praising the Lord and thanking Him for all your blessings.

It helps sometimes to put on some beautiful instrumental hymns at this point. Just bask in the presence of the Lord. Then ask Him to help you have the mind of Christ and to be more like Him. Thank Him, pray more if you like, and then give everything to Him and let Him work things out for you.

If you will do this diligently, you will experience the personal presence of the Lord, and if you do this on a regular basis, your fears and problems and worries will melt away, and peace will reign in your life.

*This quote was taken from an article by David Cameron, C.E.O., ImagesOfOne.com, author of "Raising Humans" and "A Happy Pocket Full of Money." These and titles such as "Think and Grow Rich," "As A Man Thinketh," and more are available for download at http://www.ImagesOfOne.com.