EVERYDAY TOOLS OF THE SPIRITUAL TRADE

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CONNECTIONS ARE SPECIFIC ASSOCIATIONS WE'RE ALREADY AFFILATED WITH

Spirituality is not a religion, it simply connects us with the world around us while adding meaning to our existence. There are multiple forces attempting to govern our existence. Being aware of these energies and following a spiritual path assists in making us complete. Staying in touch with our spiritual side decreases depression, stress and anxiety at its spiritual source. Spirits connect with us through our feelings about things and our emotions manifest that connection. Life is a manifestation of where and how we invest our energy. We are holistic beings and when we put energy (ch'i) into improving any part of ourselves, all other aspects of our lives benefit from it. It’s well known that both our mental and physical health can improve when we take time to address our spirituality. Most of us view meditation as an extra-curricular activity, but it is actually occurring as an ongoing function in our brain. We meditate (think) constantly, most of the time without focusing on resting the mind. Anything that we allow ourselves to worry about can disturb our balance and equilibrium. When we redirect and order our thoughts even to the point of emptying many of them from our minds we can transcend our present state of being and experience a higher sense of peace. This directly relates to how well and how long we sleep especially at night. ​Our failure to control the meditations of our hearts and minds can lead to alcohol, drug or food (substance) abuse. Substance abuse offers some piece of temporary relief that always transcends that present state of mind. This is how many people tranquilize the stress and numb the pain within the soul, the seat of our consciousness. The Psalmist wrote "Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in thy sight." Both speech and thought are so linked together that it is impossible to address one without affecting the other. Yes, we are in a spiritual battle. Too few of us realize where the major fighting is taking place. The battlefield is so vast that we must be on guard everywhere and at all times. Everything from our sanity to our soul is at stake. Spirits can intrude into our territory though our minds. This is where we keep our tools and store our weapons. The battle always begins in our minds and spreads throughout our members. As free moral agents we get to choose who or what we obey and serve.

Tools are for building and weapons are for battles.

Tools can be weaponized but they were intended to be used as tools. "The weapons of our warfare are not carnal." This is a quote from the Bible, but spiritual people already know that we cannot battle ghosts with bullets. "Wherefore put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil," is another quote from the Bible, that describes how to strategically fight spiritually. However spiritual people already know that they are in a war zone. This post is not about weapons or armor but about tools. Many times when it comes to struggles within the spiritual arena we tend to focus on forces and factors from external attacks. This post focuses on our internal struggles and the spiritual tools we can use to better ourselves. The purpose of weapons are for an edge in combat to defeat an enemy. However, many of our battles are personal and over time we are forced to face the formidable adversary of self. Rather then destroy or wound our own being, we can acknowledge our iniquities and work on them. Just like any house or car it is necessary to inspect and maintain our body, mind and spirit. Our spirits are indestructible but have the capacity to grow and change as we mold them. Shaping, molding and controlling our minds and the thoughts we process begins as children. The main purpose behind a parents training is to teach children self discipline. The work of parenting began our tooling process and as we grew the responsibility shifted from them to us. Keep in mind that the mechanisms listed here are everyday experiences and techniques in the form of spiritual tools used to fight the enemy we call self.

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WE RESPOND TO CHANGES AND DELIBERATELY SHIFT FOR TRANSFORMATION

Change and Transformation are competing cousins. Change is inevitable. Everything ages and gradually changes over time. Change is never in a rush and as a matter of fact although some people and things seem as if they never change they do. Many people tend to resist the energy of change. The changes we are addressing here refer directly to changes in practices not changes in principles. The power of change can be instantaneous or slowly trans-formative as a process of change. The process of transformation like metamorphosis requires time and effort. The word "change" has more of a permanent aspect to it while the word "transformation" suggests an ability to revert back to an original state or on to other states. Spiritual transformation is a step by step process that progresses from doing to being. The things we do along our trans-formative journey are eventually what we become. Most transformations involve improving some aspect or area in life. Change usually involves an adjustment in behavior. Transformation always demands a change in both thinking and behavior. (spirit and truth)

TO MEASURE CHANGE OR TEST ENDURANCE WE NEED TIME

Time is said to heal wounds, but time is not a healer. Time regulates and allows us to manage energy. We use time to factor in perspectives, make decisions and ponder our existence. Time is a tool of our journey. We can plant but must wait to see things grow. Even our plans can only take shape over time. Taking advantage of time allows us to administer the appropriate actions in a timely manner. Failing to grasp the significance of time by procrastinating can foster irrevocable effects as we now face with global warming. Time is impartial and answers to no man. We don't have time, make time, take time, waste time or loose time. Time neither sits still nor marches on, but it allows us to measure change. Time is a tool.

Difficulties are something every living thing experiences. Our struggles allow us to build up energy for strength, stamina and endurance. A great tool of the spiritual trade is learning to view hardship in the light of eternity. Nothing in the tangible world lasts forever and "even trouble don't last always." Despite of the difficulties, the hope of the slaves was freedom. "The Underground Railroad" was not a train, it was a dangerous and difficult journey to liberty. Every difficulty we overcome works as encouragement for us and others who see or partake of it with us. Difficulties keep us grounded and allow us to humble ourselves. The essence of sorrow through crying and tears have authored some of our greatest hymns, songs, poems, and movies. The motivation of grief, whether it's ours or from someone else, can serve as a catalyst to overcome any situation rather then allowing that difficulty to overcome us.

Being thankful is one of the simplest methods of applying invisible energy to any situation. Many people express thankfulness through prayer and praise. Thankfulness can be declared in many manners. The full power of being thankful is best expressed and shared in the spirit (behavior) of emotion. The true spirit of thankfulness functions best externally. Thankfulness is a state of mind regardless of our physical circumstances. Genuine thankfulness is reflected in spirit and truth. The phrase spirit and truth speaks not only to the "what" but also the "why."  Describing spirit only in terms of behavior is insufficient. The spirit of something not only reflects its action but also the motivation behind that action. The true motivation behind being thankful illustrates this. Our failure to demonstrate thankfulness doesn't necessarily make us "feel" unthankful. Our behavior in spirit may not align with what we really "feel" inside. These "emotional" contradictions allow us to "feel" one way but act in a completely opposite manner. Being thankful is at the "feeling" level. Thankfulness is at the "doing /expressing" level.

It is the "Spirit" of purpose that
births the power of our 
passions

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Forgiveness is among the most powerful tools we have. In the realm of spiritual engagements it is a mandatory tool that must be voluntarily used. Forgiveness is not something we do, it is a release of energy we grant to ourselves and others. Forgiveness is love's opportunity to flourish, help and heal. When we forgive we force the universe to channel destructive energy into constructive manifestations. The strength to forgive taps into the supernatural and delivers that power to us in the physical world. Whether we forgive ourselves or others there are certain barriers and strongholds that can only be toppled or broken by and through forgiveness. Remember that one of Jesus' last miracles was his saying "Father forgive them." The topic of forgiveness has a previous post dedicated specifically to it.

Prayer is an invisible extension of energy that we can focus on or towards anything. Understanding what prayer is and how it works is not essential. Prayer is an act that concentrates spiritual energy which manifests into the natural realm. It always has results even if we are unaware of them. It is practiced by just about every religion, race, nationality and culture. Prayer is a natural response to things out of our reach or control. Some may define prayer as a method of affecting the natural through the supernatural, however the prayer itself requires no supernatural abilities on the part of those who pray. Prayer has no prerequisites such as a particular belief or condition. In fact the more difficult the conditions are the more effective the prayer can be. Although most prayers are addressed to or directed towards God, prayer focuses on intervention in human events. It stands to reason that all prayers are heard and answered. There may be delays and obstacles that hinder the petitioner from hearing or receiving the answer, but we believe God ALWAYS answers prayer!(Daniel 10: 12 - 14) If we know anything about God we know that God is faithful. Prayer, whether requested or personally performed works across the universe. Prayer has no limitations in its reach. Prayer works everywhere!

Fasting is a power-tool strategy employed when there is a necessity for urgency. Sometimes as a last resort "targeted" fasting is second to none in effectiveness. Fasting adds more punching power to prayer. The discomfort to our flesh during a fast impacts our bodies, minds and spirit because they all require our daily energy to function in their normal capacity. By voluntarily imposing restrictions to their common source of power they are forced to operate in a way that limits their activity as they all rely on an ever shrinking pool of energy. The bodies involuntary systems are very stingy with the resources they need to function and are programmed not to shut down. They will maintain functionality at the expense of the less vital activities that our willful nature expresses through our mind and spirit. Think about it, when we're hungry most other priorities become secondary. Thinking takes energy too! When we impose a fast upon our members we are forcing them to streamline their consumption while simplifying their resolutions. Hunger, the constant reminder of why we are fasting reverberates through our bodies and the meditations of our minds during the discomfort of a fast.

Humor is a tool, that if used correctly works in many situations. Humor is not a fools tool. The ironies of life appear funny when viewed from a lighthearted perspective. Difficulties become tolerable and even manageable when we laugh at them. There is a restorative quality to laughing that sometimes defies reasoning. Happiness and humor are brothers. There are so many things that can baffle and leave us perplexed that's better to giggle at than get. If we don't "get it" a joke is not funny. Even during the darkest of times the perspective gained through humor can see us through it. Humor is medicine for the soul and stimulus to the body. Babies are generally happy until they need or want something, and when they get it they go back to being happy again. It's humorous to tickle and bounce our babies and watch them smile and laugh. Humor and laughter are as contagious as a yarn. Humor can make light of the gravest circumstances and defy the reasoning of logic. The humor of laughter can strengthen and lift our spirits in tragedy. Laughing at ourselves show resiliency and the chuckle of humor radiates hope and positivity. Life is a series of ups and downs, humor can make the downs "feel" like ups.

Affirmations and confessions are components of faith. Faith must be conceived, convinced and confessed to have its full effect. Sharing our experiences through conversation offers an exchange of faith through our testimonies of victory over adversity. When a fighter enters the ring in doubt it is very likely he will not win. The "hype" is almost as important as the practice or training. Affirmations, the "tool of talk" used by Winston Churchill, Muhammad Ali and Donald Trump proves this. Using affirmations at any point along the road of life can be effective. Confession is not for the proud or the weak. The gate of confession lets weaknesses out while allowing strength to enter in. These actions open the possibilities of prayer and asking for prayer is a powerful form of confession. This sense of empowerment also stimulates our resolve. By enrolling the involvement of others able to cheer and encourage us on our road to victory words become spirit. Talk is not cheap! Only we can devalue what we say by our actions. It is our actions that have the final say and as such our action can speak louder then words.

By having the tools to change and transform over time; even with difficulties we can remain thankful. Exercising forgiveness will become easier with prayer and fasting by using humor to temper our affirmations and confessions.

The troubles of life can make us strong
they help us see where we belong.
The way to struggle and really win
is from how we wage the war within.

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