About Rituals

I often advise my friends who are seeking closer communion with God to light candles of intent, and to set up personal altars containing receptacles for written prayers and aspirations, and perhaps, incense burners and other personal items that bring hope and inspiration. I believe these altars serve a useful purpose in advancing our soul's purpose, and that they are honored by our celestial guides. I have found, since establishing this place within my home, that uplifting vibrations now inhabit the area around my altar. And the scent of the incense that I burn, particularly lavendar, which I have everywhere in my home, reminds me of my prayers and the loving consciousness that pervades these thoughts. The presence of my altar can be felt the moment I arrive home, reminding me that I am not alone, never have been, and never will be. Its presence also invites me to serve others through the promotion of loving thoughts, and to invite the love from others into my own heart.

It is important to remember, however, that altars are only tools and no attachment should exist. The loving thoughts they help to create have purpose and meaning, but our true temples of God reside within our bodies where our spiritual life force is housed. Holy communion--what the Hindus call yoga and what Jesus called The God Within--that place where we feel our eternal life force (our chakra centers) join with the Divine Source--is the true path to enlightenment. And the more we seek, the more that is given. We will never be given more than we can hold, as each of us is guided and lovingly supported by higher entities who know us well. So in truth, we carry our altar around everywhere we go. Regardless of which method we choose--praying at a physical altar at church or at home, or through deep yoga meditation--it is the sincerity of the seeking that is most important.

I do not hold strictly to ritual. That is, I do not believe that we should become a slave to time schedules or fret over the physical manifestations of Godly communication. We are far better off listening to our stillness and peaceful inner guidance, which is always on time and always appropriate. Blind ritual without purpose and without meaning is not the way. The intuitive creative power of our higher selves lights our path. We should strive for a kind of walking meditation. And for that, we must surrender our will completely to God.

Symbols to Guide Us

The lotus flower is a powerful symbol. It has tremendous meaning for me because of my personal experience with it. It brought me into a new phase of soul development without my conscious knowledge of this. When I think back on how far I've come since I first saw the lotus, it astounds me.

Some time during the latter part of 2003 and into 2004, I began seeing a white lotus in my mind's eye. It would just slowly materialize out of nowhere, glowing softly, like an old projector turned on by an unknown source. Whether walking across a room or quietly relaxing in my bedroom, the white lotus would just appear. I knew it had some association with eastern traditions, but I had no intimate knowledge of its spiritual meaning or eastern traditions, in general. Being the creative individual that I am and subject to all kinds of inspiration, I assumed I was responding to some sudden awareness of its beauty. "Wouldn't it be nice to have a lotus poster for my bedroom," I kept saying to everyone around me. "Do you think I should get one?" I never bought the poster.

Of course, it had nothing to do with my creative work, although, one might argue that because I am a creative, the vision came as it did. No, I believe it heralded the arrival of Buddhism and other eastern religions into my life three years later. It announced a growing interest in meditation and the heart transformation that was to follow. A major shift in consciousness was coming. My third eye was opening. But I had no idea at the time.

Now, I show the lotus everywhere. I love this symbol and I love its message. As hard as it is to live, I am dedicated to harmonizing the spiritual with the physical in my own life. In fact, I must. I am not a practicing Buddhist. I don't practice any religion. I study them all. But as I continue to grow in spiritual awareness--my telepathic energy increasing, becoming attuned to the collective awakening--I remember how the white lotus glowed as a magnificent beacon behind my third eye, pointing the way to higher consciousness.

Embrace the symbols in your life. They have meaning and purpose. While they have no real power unto themselves, they do communicate and they do inspire.

Blind Faith

I am one who must know the future at all times. This is, of course, against God's plan for our lives. But repeated reminders through meditation and my talks with God do not keep me from seeking. After all, stubbornness is one of my key virtues. Sometimes--often, in fact--things are revealed to me through symbols in my dreams and in waking visions. It is encouraging to interpret these symbols and I have seen these prophetic images come true. But always, I am told to be patient and learn my lessons like a good girl. Certain things must remain covered, I am told.

Lately, I have been going through a series of difficult twists and turns in my faith walk. My economic security hangs in the balance. The last time this happened, I had a dream in which I found myself tied to a rope and hanging by my feet high above a hard concrete floor. Dangling and in a state of panic, I called for help from those closest to me. No one was able to assist. And then, the tension eased completely and I was lowered gently to the floor, feet first--stocking feet. I slid across the smooth surface of the polished concrete like a ballerina, released with so much warmth of love and protection. The message was clear: "I have you. Why do you fear?" And He did.

So here I am again, dangling from the rope. Last week, the tension was huge, and I awoke one morning and the next, meeting my day in absolute submission, overcome by love and in a state of consciousness which I recognize now as my "awakened self." And God the Father, as I call this voice that speaks to me, was drawing ever so near. I lit my meditation candle and immediately covered my eyes, both mornings, instinctively, obediently. (I have since learned that this is a self-healing method in Reiki, the laying on of hands.) Again, the message was clear. I will not be allowed to see everything. "Be patient," I was told. "I see the way ahead and I have made a way for you. Where should your attention be? I have freed you from worry. Be at peace." I have never known such faithfulness. I have never been so loved.