Sieg Hiel, Corporate America!

It never ceases to amaze me how the lack of intelligence and bullheadedness of conservative right wing intellectual terrorists will defend the very thing that is hurting them the most: corporate america. And what is an intellectual terrorist? A person that keeps battering you with distraction and nonsense long enough for you not to observe and THINK about what is REALLY happening. The expression the blind leading the blind comes to mind, but however, that is not what is happening. Most of these average American citizens are hard-working, family-oriented and want the best in their lives. Yet Corporate America daily dangles the carrot of that better life without hope for them to ever get it.

Many years ago the banks orchestrated the Federal Reserve creation in order to run rampant on the average citizen with interest rates and low monthly payments to keep them in debt forever. The government imposed an income tax on citizens and the IRS took that, according to their code (and NOT the law), to tax your wages. Income tax is legal and wage tax isn’t. There IS a difference! Every ounce of sweat you give into your job earns you money and gives you stress. Stress is the major source of all illnesses because it weakens your immune system. The only way a wage tax would be fair is if the government offered the supporters health care. But do they? Not currently except for the poor and the elderly.

Yet every time a conservative right wing regime is in power in this country, health care reform is passed over. Do you see a pattern here? Corporate America is in the pockets of both Republican and Democratic representatives who proclaim that their stance against health care is for the betterment of America’s citizens. They wave the flag and decry socialism. They try to distract all of us from the truth. Corporate America worships only one God; and that is THE BOTTOM LINE! Their deacons and ministers are the numerous bean counters who daily tally up that “take” and advise them what needs to be done to keep increasing the bottom line. And what’s wrong with that a healthy capitalist might say? Nothing, except when it steps on the freedoms and rights of American citizens. Physical slavery was abolished over 100 years ago and look how long it took for an African-American president to be elected. It is time that people ignore the distraction and nonsense of misguided individuals who support Corporate American rapists and put a STOP to financial slavery.

Stop worshipping at the altar of a false god. What do you think the Hebrews did when Moses didn’t return when they thought he should? They made idols of golden calves (money?) and began worshipping them. God and Moses didn’t take kindly to that, did they. But yet, these same people who bang the Bible in town hall meetings are the same people who turn a blind eye to what Corporate America is doing everyday and cry, “I want my America back.” Why don’t they just call a spade a spade and admit that they are racists. They can’t believe that the best person for the job of leading us out of the mess created by the neo-cons is an African-American. What better person than Barack Obama, who had to grow up with bi-cultural assets in a separatist world, could understand the plight of the average person who is being raped by Corporate America.

People, wake up. Don’t bang the Bible professing it is truth. Read the truth that is in it and realize that Corporate America is your enemy, not your friend. Bring down the regime that has forcibly put you into financial slavery by supporting the real people who are fighting for your individual rights. Don’t just pray for them, get off your tush and do something about it. Show up to town hall meetings to discuss the issues, not distract the discussions from the issues. Truly be an American; one who fights for religious freedom and says no to taxation without representation. Write your congressman, go to town hall meetings, make your voice known. John the Baptist was a lone voice crying in the wilderness; yet his cry announced the Son of Man and the blessings that God has bestowed on us. Wake up and smell the stench of the lies of those who wish to control, dominate and manipulate your every action! Don’t listen to Sieg Heil!

For more info: Download my free Wilmington Spirituality Examiner toolbar. “Life is a gift. Be thankful for it and it will be replete with abundance. Encourage others to express creativity, release negativity and embrace pro-activity." ©2009 Dean A. Banks. All Rights Reserved. Dean A. Banks, MCIWD, DD can be reached at webproducer@hotmail.com or banksnet.com. Download my free eBook on Articles 1-10 here.

Relay your thoughts

What does that mean? One commenter on my article Ask and it is given stated “All good gifts come from God, not from some imagined human ability to 'create'. Duh.” And what does any human capacity of creativity have to do with the gifts from God? Everything!!! Duh! If one cannot see the glory, majesty and blessings that God has given us then they need to turn on the windshield wipers. I have repeatedly referred to this statement, and I will refer to it again; “Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done (Matthew 21:21). God’s greatest gift to us is the power of creativity. But how does this come about? Are our brains truly thought generators that reach out and move mountains and worlds? Hardly. Or are our brains directors of energies that move mountains and worlds? The symbology here is critical.

From about 1973 to 1993 I was a practicing Astrologer. I did charts on many types of people and the results were startling. I researched the energies involved between the Earth, the Moon and the Sun, as well as the planets. I designed a computer program to track the gravitational relationships and energies transmitted and received only to realize that there are miniscule effects at best. Yes, the Moon affects the tides and because our bodies are between 88% to 92% water it does affect us. Without the life giving energy of the Sun we couldn’t survive on this planet. These are all facts I struggled with but just couldn’t resolve whether or not physical interactions genuinely existed or were at least, influential to our human existence. The Bible does state that Astrology is for signs and the seasons, yet, primarily due to misunderstood translations, the Christian community tends to ignore them as being valid or relegates them to being evil. They seem to forget the 3 wise men who used these signs to locate and provide finances to Jesus for his ministry. They forget that Joseph and Mary weren’t rich and the gifts from the Magi provided them with the necessary capital they needed to keep Jesus alive.

In 1981 I read a book by Dane Rudhyar, a transcendental astrologer entitled “The Astrology of Transformation.” He proposed that Astrology was a language of symbology and not an interactive energy measuring device. When we were born on this planet at a certain time of day, a certain day of the year, the reference of the planets in their houses and signs provided an analysis of our tendencies, not a predetermined stance or posture of a person’s entire life. Wow! Just like what the Bible said. A language for signs and for seasons. Not an evil method to steer one away from God. Hmmm! I can hear the tapping of the commenter’s keys right now. Here comes judgment rearing its ugly head. However, I won’t focus on that image since I don’t want to create it.

One scientist that was interviewed by Larry King on CNN stated that our minds do not generate enough energy to rearrange matter as is proposed in the movie, “The Secret.” Technically, he is right. The Law of Attraction is beyond science’s ability to measure, qualify and quantify. Why? Because they are opening the front door of the barn looking for the horse while the horse has already left by the back door. Read the criticism section under the above LOA link. Years ago I worked for Amtrak at the Wilmington shops as an Electronics Inspector. We spent most of our days cleaning off electrical devices called relays. Relays are basically switching devices that use a safe lower voltage to change direction of a not-so-safe higher voltage. Without relays, human beings could be fried to death with the high voltages required to run locomotives. Yet, with these ingenious devices, we have mastered the power of the electron and made it safe for us to harness it. Our thoughts are generated from our brains at a lower voltage. God has freely given us the gift to choose what thoughts we focus on. Could it be that the thoughts we generate harness the greater energies present in the universe that move worlds? I believe that this is the case. Just like Dane Rudhyar stated about Astrology being a language of symbology I propose that our thoughts create symbols and archetypes that relay our thoughts to the universe, and through the Law of Attraction, create the circumstances in our lives.

The Law of Attraction obeys the symbols, archetypes, pictures and verbal proclamations, whether we believe this or not. The Law of Attraction precisely responds to what you envision, state and hold true about yourself and your world. If you offer a vibration of confusion and disharmony, it will respond with more of the same. Conversely, if you offer lucidity and focus, it will relay your thoughts to God’s clock (the Universe) and the powers that are already there will obey. This is what Jesus meant when he said that the mountain will move.

God has given us the gift of creativity and the ability to harness the powers of the universe simply by focusing, maintaining and relaying our thoughts on a consistent basis. Which thoughts will you choose? Will you focus on lack and limitation or will you focus on abundance and prosperity? Will you seek to help others or further your own selfish causes? It is your choice. Act responsibly!

For more info: Download my free Wilmington Spirituality Examiner toolbar. “Life is a gift. Be thankful for it and it will be replete with abundance. Encourage others to express creativity, release negativity and embrace pro-activity." ©2009 Dean A. Banks. All Rights Reserved. Dean A. Banks, MCIWD, DD can be reached at webproducer@hotmail.com or banksnet.com. Download my free eBook on Articles 1-10 here.

Posturing

If any of you have been following the recent articles and posted comments over the past couple of weeks you have witnessed some heated exchanges. None more so than my exchange with Gary Davis, a writer with Associated Content. Pot shots were taken by both of us and posturing came into play. However, ultimately, the spirit of truth made itself apparent. His initial article, “Dean Banks Suggests Apostle Paul Possible Apostate” was in reaction to my article, ”Paul: apostle or apostate.” His subsequent article, “Of Friends, Foes and Dean Banks” was written after we exchanged some comments about the disagreements and the way we both handled them. Mr. Davis stepped up to the plate and initiated peace and I am humbled by his forthrightness and professionalism. Because of that, I have a new friend, whom I might not always agree with, but one for whom I significantly respect. This man is not only a musician/keyboard player like myself, but fought in Viet Nam. I thanked him for his service to this country and for the sacrifice of putting his life on the line for all of us. Whether we agree with any of the wars our country has been involved in or not, we still owe respect and support to the men and women who served.

Posturing is defined as developing a policy or stance for yourself, a group or your country. It is based on adopting an attitude or position on a particular subject and not moving. It implies rigidity. As much as we all sometimes try to be understanding of the other guy, we can dig down deep and take root into posturing. For example, the recent town hall meetings and the ill-informed participants who scream out their position. Sometimes in the heat of an argument, both sides may believe similar things, but the ego creeps in and keeps the focus on “me” being right. The ego, or what has been commonly referred to as Edging God Out, is a necessary component of human behavior because it maintains our survival mechanism. Jesus always pointed to the Father. Even when Jesus trashed the merchants tables at the synagogue (And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables – John 2:15), it wasn’t his ego that was enraged. It was his tolerance. He had had it with people disrespecting God and he was wise enough to talk in the only language that those people would understand. Do you think if he used another approach it would have been as effective? Possibly, “Oh please stop making money in the temple because it offends God.” Would that have worked? Hardly.

Speaking in the language that other people understand can sometimes be very difficult. Would you speak your native language in a foreign country and expect to be fully understood? Even if the people you were speaking to understood your language, would they understand your geographic idioms and dialect, language nuances or the vocabulary from the educational level in which you spoke? Most magazines today print their stories at a 7th grade reading level because they don’t want to alienate their readers with bombastic expressions that would go over their head. We must all learn to talk at a level of comprehension that is mutual in order for us to understand one another. We must find common ground.

Yes, I got angry with Gary Davis, but I learned something about him and myself after I cooled down. He intrigued me enough to read some of his articles and I saw beyond my anger and came to respect him as a writer and now, new friend. We met on common ground and came to understand one another. Out of this microcosm of writing, commenting and posturing came a new environment of respect and understanding. We both have learned and grown from this exchange and I hope that the result that we have embraced, can not only be a lesson to both of us, but to our readers as well. Gary is now 60 years old and I am 55. Who said you can’t teach an old dog new tricks? It all goes back to the article I wrote on perspective (Altering your perspective). All of us can learn from one another if we get beyond ourselves and don’t posture. If you squeeze your hand on the truth too hard it will slip through your fingers.

For more info: Download my free Wilmington Spirituality Examiner toolbar. “Life is a gift. Be thankful for it and it will be replete with abundance. Encourage others to express creativity, release negativity and embrace pro-activity." ©2009 Dean A. Banks. All Rights Reserved. Dean A. Banks, MCIWD, DD can be reached at webproducer@hotmail.com or banksnet.com. Download my free eBook on Articles 1-10 here.

Hook, Line and Sinker

Let’s examine a metaphor concerning our dear friends the Bible beaters. A metaphor is a phrase that is used to parallel similar behavior concerning a different action. It represents that action with commonly understood terms. Hook, line and sinker is a fishing term that implies that when the fish takes the bait, he takes the whole rig. Not just the bait but the actual mechanism that snares him. The hook grabs you and doesn’t let go; the line is the connection to “string puller” and the sinker is the device that puts the hook just at the right depth where the fish are feeding. The metaphor generally refers to a gullible person who only requires a taste of the facts to believe the whole wad, without scrutinizing the idea or thought presented. It means that this person does not think their way through by examining all of the facts. Like in the story of Adam and Eve, one bite of the apple was just as dangerous as eating the entire apple.

This being said, I would like to evaluate my recent commenter’s (Daniel, Ron and Gary) attacks on me concerning my ‘interpretation” of the Word. True Christians are known by their fruits. Each one of us operates at a level of awareness. As my philosophy professor once said, “Most people don’t think, they emotionally react.” We’ve all been there at one time or another. Generally speaking, if someone is dumb they are lacking intelligence or good judgment. This doesn’t mean that they are a bad person; they might just be acting badly. The converse of this is a bright person who is quick-witted and clever. A stupid person is one who lacks the ordinary quickness and keenness of mind; a person that doesn’t completely recognize, is foolish or senseless about what’s going on in his immediate environment. Again, they might just be acting badly. The converse of this is a smart person who recognizes the facts in his environment and uses quick intelligence and mental capability to engage and respond to his environment. An ignorant person is one who is uninformed, unaware or simply lacking in knowledge or training about a certain subject. The converse is an educated person, whether formally schooled or not, who has taken the time to educate himself/herself enough to display qualities of culture and learning. This education is based on information and/or experience. Knowledge requires an understanding of information learned and wisdom requires an understanding of the knowledge one has obtained.

A person’s mental acuity is not the only aspect or area of development that a human being embraces. There are physical, emotional, mental and spiritual aspects to take into consideration when a person makes a statement or interpretation. For example, some people may be very developed in some areas and not so developed in others. Again this doesn’t mean that they are bad; it could just be that they are acting badly. If they emotionally react instead of thinking things through to a logical conclusion, it reveals a quality of discernment. Discernment is directly tied to judgment. Judgment is the considered evaluation of evidence in the formation of making a decision. Evidence is weighed or adjudicated based on the facts and/or eyewitness testimony. According to some passages of the Bible, people will receive their reward (heaven) or punishment (hell) as a result of God’s reflection, study and resolving of your performance in this life.

In my articles I have mentioned several times the metaphor, “don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.” It basically means to take caution when throwing out things that you think you don’t need or that are unnecessary, because you might throw out something that is important as well. Originating from a 15th century German satire, this saying was used by Martin Luther, the founder of the Protestant movement. One of the tenets of Protestantism is the infallibility of the Bible as it stands. Remember what kind of man Martin Luther was. Other faculties are necessary when understanding the Word. Throwing out logic and imagination can lead to a complete misunderstanding of the Word.

As for Daniel, he keeps badgering me with his Britannica definition of the word apostasy. I responded to him with the source that I used and yet, that wasn’t good enough. An apostate is one who forsakes his religion or cause and takes up one that he believes is true. My point about Paul and his teachings. Ron battled me over the verses about homosexuality, failing to see my point. Finally, Gary completely dismissed my interpretation as one that came from complete ignorance. Instead of going and doing the research that I did, they chose to attack my position with forthrightness and attitude. So be it. I responded to them, and yes, sometimes harshly. Why? Because the only way the truth is revealed is through conscientious debate and not posturing. Opening one’s mind to the possibilities that what you have been repeatedly taught might not be true can be harrowing at times. I understand their frustration; that’s why I read the red. However, from where I stand I choose to question anyone who contradicts what Jesus said. What he said and what Paul said are PART of the Bible as it now stands. If one chooses to believe everything in it and believe it hook, line and sinker, then please, please, don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater. Pray for guidance and understanding before you ridicule and posture your viewpoint as the only correct one. In my writings I offer what I believe to be true. Not once have I ever said that it is an absolute truth. If you don’t like what I say then go about your merry way and read what you want to believe; hook, line and sinker.

For more info: Download my free Wilmington Spirituality Examiner toolbar. “Life is a gift. Be thankful for it and it will be replete with abundance. Encourage others to express creativity, release negativity and embrace pro-activity." ©2009 Dean A. Banks, MCIWD, DD can be reached at webproducer@hotmail.com or banksnet.com. Download my free eBook on Articles 1-10 here.

Is Jesus a figurehead?

For the past few weeks I have been locked in mortal combat with some evangelical Christians abut the Gospel of Jesus. The word gospel means “good news”, yet some Christians get quite irate and nasty when anyone challenges the word of Paul. For example, a pretentious Bible studies doctoral student, Gary Davis, took such offense with my article “Paul: Apostle or Apostate”, that he ranted about how my reasoning wasn’t sound and that my years of religious studies and Bible reading were invalid. Yet, his understanding of the Bible somehow supersedes mine. Arrogance at its best! Why is it that some Christians take offense to any challenge about Paul? Is it because what he says justifies their sense of power over others? That their way is the only way?

One reader, Daniel, argues that my choice of Apostate was wrong about Paul. He suggests that I perhaps should have used heretic. Then, he proceeds to insult one of the most God respecting men I know. He doesn’t even know this man, yet he has a strong opinion of him. This is where judgment rears its ugly head. Paul taught a gospel based on his own bias. As Saul his behaviors could have been likened to the Nazi Gestapo. Yet, after his conversion and blinding he miraculously began preaching more of his own gospel with Jesus as a figurehead. The Roman Catholics just loved his books because it gave them control over the masses. Why do you think they were canonized? I suggested to Daniel that he study history and logic before he so obviously sticks his foot in his mouth. As for the homophobic Gary Davis, his impressive list of articles primarily focusing on human maladies reveals his own particular skew on life. He continues to quote the same old gay bashing Leviticus 18:22, without the proper Aramaic translations cited. His readership seems to be what I call Conscious Christians; those who only use Literary Authoritarianism as there source of knowledge about life. Did Jesus just use the Torah? Not by a long shot. He also used common sense. Something some of my commenters seem totally devoid of, even though they proclaim some superior knowledge.

This is what happens when someone takes the written word literally. Christ said to the Pharisees that the spirit of the law is what is important. Paul’s teachings seem to point to the letter of the law more than the spirit. For example, when referring to Jesus’ brother James and his teaching about Christ, Paul says the following: “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ”. “For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him” (2 Corinthians 11:3-4). How arrogant Paul is! He is basically saying that if his version of the gospel of Jesus is not believed, then we are not receiving the true gospel. This arrogance is very similar to the commenters' arrogance regarding Paul’s apostatic revelations. And what about James who directly contradicts Paul’s assertions about faith and works? (Jam 2:17: “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.”; Paul in Galatians 2:16: “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified”).

Through a study of history, one can see an interesting parallel between Pauline Christianity and the story of the Sumerian god Tammuz. Paul struggled tirelessly to promote his version of the gospel to the Hellenists and gentiles. Jesus made it clear that the HIS gospel was for all men. Why can’t some people see this? They would much rather propagate division and acrimony than to love their brother. Visit this site for more information on how Paul made Jesus a figurehead. I don’t necessarily agree with everything that the author claims, but he does raise some interesting points about Paul. More to come...

For more info: Download my free Wilmington Spirituality Examiner toolbar. “Life is a gift. Be thankful for it and it will be replete with abundance. Encourage others to express creativity, release negativity and embrace pro-activity." Dean A. Banks, MCIWD, DD can be reached at webproducer@hotmail.com or banksnet.com. Download my free eBook on Articles 1-10 here.

Light of Love Unlimited - Soul Food Cafe

In this article I would like to feature one of the great spiritual teachers we have in quad-state area. I had the privilege of attending a “Wealth Consciousness” class led by Pankaj Sharma in 2007. His leadership and ability to engage his students was most refreshing. From the moment I came within five feet of him I could feel his extraordinary energy and focus. His guided meditations led me to depths I hadn’t experienced in a long time. The confidence and sheer focus of this teacher was transferred into my spirit and I experienced a peace and understanding that allowed me to relax completely. His insight into the abundance of the universe and the blessings of prosperity that we all have innately, reminded me of my years of study in the field of developing wealth. Wealth is a term meaning well-being; with your body, mind, soul, social interactions and financial prosperity. Yes, you can have it all if you allow yourself to have it.

Pankaj Sharma leads the temple called Hari Aum Mandir located at 348 E Boot Road, Downingtown, PA. 19335. You can get directions here. According to his website, Pankaj Sharma is a spiritual teacher that synthesizes Eastern & Western traditions presenting them in a practical, contemporary way that provides rich results. He loves to travel the globe, sharing the wisdom & spiritual technologies he's gathered in this lifetime as well as previous ones. He currently lives in Chester County, PA. with his lovely wife Ruby and two boys. Some of the major trainings he's attended are: Angel Therapy Training with Doreen Virtue, Sound Healing Training with Tom Kenyon, Pranic Healing & Arhatic Yoga with Grandmaster Choa Kok Sui, Yoga of Sound with Russill Paul, Amrit Yoga Teacher Training with Amrit Yoga Institute, Transformational Breath Facilitator & Teacher Training with Judith Kravitz, Agape International Spiritual Center Licensed Practitioner class of 2001 Culver City, CA. and is an Ordained Minister & Spiritual Healer with Divine Light Ministries.

Pankaj conducts two Consciousness gatherings in Breath and Yoga. His Breath Consciousness gathering is described as follows: “The art and science of conscious connected breathing is a powerful key for well being, transformation & spiritual awakening. Breath is life and many cultures have seen breath as a portal to the Soul. The yogis of India have taught that breath is not only the link between the body and the mind, it is the link to our Soul.” His Yoga Consciousness gathering is based on the following: “This is what the Yoga of Consciousness is about; Awakening to our Divinity, connecting to the Source within and being freed from our self-imposed limitations.” He conducts a weekly Saturday morning Yoga gathering at Hari Aum Mandir in Downingtown.

On August 16, 2009, Pankaj will be featuring a “Soul Food Cafe” at Hari Aum Mandir. He describes the event as follows: The Soul Food Café is a space for creating community and nourishing all levels of our being (Body, Mind & Soul). We will have an inspirational speaker, music, meditation, prayer and more. Elizabeth May Sutor will be performing her New Thought music at the event. The first hour and fifteen minutes is devoted to serving up spiritual food that nourishes our Soul and inspires our Mind. Afterwards we will gather to break bread and share fellowship; nourishing our Body while forming deeper connections with each other. Please come and experience a loving, wholesome energy co-created by us all. The schedule for the day is as follows: Time: 4:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Spiritual Gathering: 4:00 p.m. - 5:15 p.m, Dinner & Fellowship: 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. A Monthly Gathering of this event will occur on the third Sunday of each month from August-November in 2009. The Gathering Dates in 2009 are: Aug 16, Sept 20, Oct 18, Nov 15. Do your soul a favor and don’t miss these events.

For more info: Download my free Wilmington Spirituality Examiner toolbar. “Life is a gift. Be thankful for it and it will be replete with abundance. Encourage others to express creativity, release negativity and embrace pro-activity." Dean A. Banks, MCIWD, DD can be reached at webproducer@hotmail.com or banksnet.com. Download my free eBook on Articles 1-10 here.

Ask and it is given

In honor of my 50th article for the Examiner I would like to write about my favorite saying of Jesus. Ask and It Is Given is the title of the current book I am reading by Esther (Abraham) and Jerry Hicks. A fascinating pre-cursor to their book The Law of Attraction in which I couldn’t put the book down! I suggest voraciously reading both books as they are a complete owner’s manual to the Law of Attraction. Jesus said in Matthew 7:7 of the King James Version of the Bible, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” Let’s examine this statement phrase by phrase.

Ask, and it shall be given you – This is the starting point for the Law of Attraction, or That which is like unto itself is drawn. By asking for what we want, we are accepting and believing that something beyond us can give it. The desires of our heart are placed there by God for us to fulfill and actualize them. How many people go through their entire lives never becoming what they were created to be simply because they never asked for what they wanted. They either didn’t know how to ask, never believed they should have asked, or couldn’t bring themselves to a state where they were humbled by the presence of God. Asking turns over the control of self from the ego (edging God out) to the divine. The divine responds with whatever thoughts you predominately think about and emotionally charge according to the next phrase, Seek, and ye shall find. Like the genie (the Universe) says in the movie The Secret, “Your wish is my command.” Asking is a form of prayer to God for the things, circumstances and people you desire to have in your life.

Seek, and ye shall find – God doesn’t hand anyone things on a silver platter. You have to earn them. Esther (Abraham) and Jerry Hicks state this next phrase as The Science of Deliberate Creation or That which I give thought to and that which I believe or expect – is. This is where you get what you predominantly think about, whether you want it or not. If you don’t apply these phrases or laws to the benefits of yourself and others, they still operate by default. If you think bounty, you will reap bounty. If you think lack, you will reap lack. Seeking is a form of meditation because it allows you to let go of the outer world of distraction and focus on what you truly desire. You must first know what you desire, make a plan to achieve that desire and expect it to happen. This can only come as a result of inner focus and not outer distraction.

Knock, and it shall be opened unto you – Once you know where you are going, you must take the steps to get there. Many have said it is hard and few have said it is easy. Whomever you choose to believe sitting around and dreaming of your desires without expecting them is a mind game. You must implement your plan by providing a service to mankind. This is based on the Hicks’ third law of The Art of Allowing which says I am that which I am, and I am willing to allow all others to be that which they are. This means to serve others by not judging them. It means to accept them as they are and love them for who they are. When you allow you cannot resist. If you resist the flow of life, everything that annoys you will persist. It’s like the story of the barnacle who wondered what it was like downstream away from the turbulent waters. All of the other barnacles told him that if he let go of the rock he would be swept downstream and be bashed on the rocks. He would surely die! One day he let go of his hold on the rock and was swept downstream being bashed from rock to rock. However, he didn’t die as the other barnacles told him. He ended up in a peaceful pool and thoroughly enjoyed the rest of his life. Allow others to be who they are, even if they don’t allow you to be you. Don’t invite others to rent space in your head with their troubles and circumstances. Allow the universe to work as it does and your reward will be the joyous freedom of being able to create your own life experience exactly as you want it to be according to the Hicks. Set your daily intention to deliberately create your own life experience. Jesus followed in Matthew 7:8 with "For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” What a promise!

For more info: Download my free Wilmington Spirituality Examiner toolbar. “Life is a gift. Be thankful for it and it will be replete with abundance. Encourage others to express creativity, release negativity and embrace pro-activity." Dean A. Banks, MCIWD, DD can be reached at webproducer@hotmail.com or banksnet.com. Download my free eBook on Articles 1-10 here.