Gu-ruse

How many ways can "the secret of the universe" be sold? When i downloaded my emails this morning, I was overwhelmed by offers wanting to show me how to use the "law of attraction"to finally fulfill every dream I ever had about what a happy life looks like. My (small "s") self had to scroll through 16 pages of very large, colorful print and lots of exclamation points loosely describing, so as not to give away too much too soon, yet another "unique" process/book/course/audiotape/dvd/workshop that would teach me how to find my (large "S") Self and, consequently, be able to manifest all things.

I'm sure it was eventually disclosed how much this would cost me - but only after being directed to a website, signing up for the newsletter and then comforted by another page describing a special price only available for the next 24 hours, but, no worries, with 90-day money back guarantee so that I was assured never to lose a thing (except, of course, the 2 hours of my time getting to their point). But, alas, I could never get that far. Maybe had I persevered, and not had to go to the bathroom, or not had to reincarnate, I would have eventually succumbed and been talked out of my credit card number. Perhaps with the added lure of a bonus set of ice tea forks.

Alright, seriously, I understand that human brains do perceive and process information differently. And it does take different words for different people to understand the identical concept. And, for something to have a profound impact, i.e., giving one an "experience" of something, rather than mere "knowledge" of something, it also takes a number of repetitions. But, having said that, all of it is just a choice among spiritual diet plans.

Personally? I'm feeling a little bulimic.

God and the Dentist

I don't know if you can come up with more of a contrast between stress and serenity than a chat with God in a dentist's chair. This morning, while enjoying a root canal, my mind split in two. One part engaged in a conversation with the observer and the other with the experiencer. I had become a cartoon: a gigantic rapidly beating heart with hands and feet. I suddenly realized that I was smiling. OK, perhaps only on the inside, as the outside was a numb, puffy cavity crammed full of myriad unidentifiable sadistic looking instruments making sucking and hissing and buzzing sounds, none of which should have been comforting in any way.

In the midst of this angst ridden event, I asked God to help me discover my purpose for this life. The first thought that came up, was to write the book I had always wanted to write but didn't because of my belief that what I have to say has been said many times in many ways. But then God said, "but not YOUR way."

Well, God, I said. Are you serious? And God said, "no", and that's the point. Maybe the world would enjoy hearing from me. I think God was telling me that enlightenment has become entirely too serious. Just tell your story about your personal journey from your point of view.

So, although I don't know where this is going exactly, I'm going to listen to God. I figure God knows what s/he is talking about and who am I to disagree.