1. Spirituality and Daily Life

2. The International Academy for Interfaith Studies
Talk and Discussion
Sponsored by
The International Academy for Interfaith Studies

3. Review of Last Week -- 1 What we perceive as reality is our Maya
Maya – the illusion – seems very real and we need to treat it as real while knowing it is an illusion
Attempt always to witness consciousness – know that you are watching Maya while still participating with it
Know you and life (God) are a co-creators of your universe
Realize there are many faces of life and each is neither right or wrong but all are important

4. Review of Last Week -- 2
You live on the different levels of consciousness simultaneously
Realize that your waking state is filled with a rich tapestry of symbolism – enjoy it and learn from it
You cannot fully know your highest consciousness but you cannot escape it as you are your potential highest consciousness
Spirituality, at least many who believe in this manner, says that reincarnation exists

5. Review of the Last Week -- 3
People, who are spiritual, believe life has a purpose and it is to engage in spiritual growth -- meaning to experience positive soul evolution
Spiritual people see life as a school in which you are to grow spiritually and if you do not then you will repeat your life lessons until you get them (remember the movies Ground Hog Day?)
Each of our souls is at a different level of evolution and we are in many “school grade levels” at the same time

6. Review of the Last Week -- 4
A spiritual person believes that he or she was born to his or her circumstances because those were the circumstances he or she needed to experience for his or her soul evolution to occur
The challenging experiences of life are the forging process that hammers and shapes the evolving soul
With life lessons, it is the inner transformation and growth you experience by going through it that is purpose of the lessons

7. When your consciousness shifts, everything around you shifts, as well.

8. Spiritual Wisdom to Practice -- 1
Living in tune with your spiritual lessons
Understanding how power moves with you thoughts and feelings
Learning by discovering more wisdom that can and will guide your life
Appreciating the symbolic nature of life
Know the universe is remarkable but it is nevertheless an illusion at the same time

9. Spiritual Wisdom to Practice by -- 2
Be able to apply your lessons to specific life events
Take responsibility for your own spiritual growth and your actions
Realizing your own greatness and spiritual potential
Increasing your sense of peace, love, and surrender
Honor the best in everything and everyone

10. I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswomen, “Where’s the self-help section.” she said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose.
George Carlin

11. You ultimately become whatever you most focus on.
Therefore, become more vigilant about how much and where your consciousness is being spent.

12. How to FOCUS Your Consciousness
Be a focused miser: Pay as much attention to where you are spending your attention as to where you are spending your money.
Have discriminating taste. Feed your mind and heart with good quality thoughts by keeping the right company.
Do not think junk thoughts. Limit your thoughts concerning those subjects that have no nutritional value and avoid thoughts that can create physical, emotional, and mental dis-ease.

13. The more you learn, understand, and apply spiritual lessons, the more and greater achievements you will accomplish.

14. How to Strengthen Your Spiritual Efforts
Get rid of unresolved feelings of anger toward someone or something that you have not let go of
Let feelings of guilt and shame over things you have done or said in the past pass away
Drop your fears and paranoia
Overcome your feelings of hopelessness and depression
Drop any goals that are in conflict with each other or are in conflict with your highest goals

15. The consciousness that you bring to the table is most important in deciding how you will understand your experiences

16. How to Live More Consciously
Clear away the weights that hold your mind in old patterns
Try to be more present and aware in each moment of your life
Look deeper, seek archetypal meanings behind what is happening
Look for and read omens and signs

17. When you give something to another person, expect nothing in return but only feel grateful for having been of service to another.

18. The purpose of Life’s tests is to challenge a person to grow higher, greater, deeper, and stronger in spirituality and to do this you must be loving in your heart.

19. Tips
Although the divine (life) always fulfills your deepest needs even if you may not know them
However, realize that life’s list may be somewhat or even radically different than yours
You normally can grow your spirituality much more easily when you are watching someone else do it
The essence of compassion and non-jealousy is Oneness. Realize that good for anyone is good for all, as we are all reflections of one another

20. You Are Meant to Achieve Your Goal in Your Own Way.

21. Your understanding of how divine or life guidance works is not particularly important. What is important is how you relate to that guidance so that you can receive its benefits.

22. How to Relate -- 1
Need an attitude of receptivity, humility, trust, and love
Plus an attitude that brings a greater spirituality to your life and later a greater good to the whole universe with your greater spirituality
Those qualities draw guidance to you and with that guidance you gain opportunities
Trust your inner voice that speaks from love to all

23. How to Relate -- 2
You need to ask before you can receive – verbalize the asking
Be open and receptive to learning
Divine / life messages can come from anything but you must listen to hear

24. Spirituality Is Very Optimistic
People with spirituality believe that everything always happens for the best
However, the best is not necessarily for the short-term but it is for the ultimate and perhaps unknown BEST
Thus, spirituality if very optimistic and is a big plus in providing a fulfilling life

25. How To Be Optimistic Hope for the best Shoot for the best
Expect the best
Be perfectly content with whatever comes…. and go on

26. If you wish copies of this TALK and others go to the following web site:
Go to the bottom of the list of courses and look for the Sunday you wish

27. The End Time for Discussion
Next Week:
The Importance of Practicing Spirituality