Non-Doing can arise within action, as well, as in stillness.  The inward stillness of the doer merges with the outward activity to such an extent that the action does itself.  Effortless activity.  Nothing is forced.  There is no exertion of the will, no small-minded "I" or "me" or "mine" to lay claim to a result, yet nothing is left undone.  Non-doing is a cornerstone of mastery in any realm of activity.

- Wherever You Go, There you are ,  Jon Kabat-Zinn

There is a wise Zen saying that says you cannot stop birds from flying around your head but you can prevent them from making nests in your hair.  As you begin to mature spiritually,  you discover that  although you cannot stop the world's chatter about lack and limitation from whirling around you, you can prevent it from lodging in your consciousness. How?  Through meditation and affirmative prayer the compass of your awareness develops the habit of continuously turning in the direction of the Spirit for intuitive guidance,  wisdom, joy, peace, and love.

Now I'm not suggesting that you should deny that the noisy birds of limitation sometimes fly around in your experience begging you to throw them some crumbs of your attention.  What I am saying is that by staying your attention on the changeless reality of your Authentic Self, you will experience an inner freedom from things that distract you from your awakened nature. 

There is a tendency in human nature to look to the external world for fulfillment that can only be found within.  That which is merely external is powerless to satisfy the  inner spirit.  By reversing the search light of your senses and focusing your attention on that which is Real, you will undergo a permanent shift in consciousness which will re-qualify your entire experience. 

This day set your intention to silently converse with the Spirit in the language of your heart.  If it is peace that you seek, look first to its source residing on the altar within. If it is sense of safety and inner security you want, practice affirmative prayer about your true nature of immortality and wholeness.  Then,  at the end of the day, you will see how you have met the needs of each moment with God in consciousness.  You will be free from the intrusive clamor or mediocrity going on around you and at last taste the freedom from which you yearn.

- 40 Day Mind Fast  Soul Feast  - Michael Bernard Beckwith

Today's Word from Joel and Victoria - Set Your Thoughts 6.19.08

Faith is simply seeing what God sees. It’s choosing God’s way, even when things look differently in the natural. When you set your thoughts on higher things, you are looking at life through your eyes of faith and seeing what God sees. For example, you may have a financial need today, but when you look higher, you see God’s promise to supply all your needs according to His riches in glory. You may have sickness in your body today, but when you look higher, you see that Jesus paid for your sickness and diseases. You may feel lonely today, but when you look higher, you see that God has promised to never leave you nor forsake you. As you study the Word of God, you are setting your thoughts on higher things. As you set your thoughts on higher things, your faith will become stronger, and you will begin to see those things become reality in your life. You’ll see God’s hand of blessing, and you will live the abundant life He has prepared for you.