Our Vision Spa For You, Appreciation quotes, Freedom of religion in America, Put a little love in your heart, what is the meaning of love,Inspirational quotes poems, spiritual awakening, Holistic Wisdom

Are you looking for more PEACE LOVE AND HAPPINESS in all areas of your life?

"If someone thinks that love and peace is a cliche that must have been left behind in the sixties, that's his/her problem. Love and peace are eternal."
~~~ John Winston Ono Lennon

Spirituality is the process of being spiritual. This is how a person talks, listens and works together with the Creator or Higher Power or God.

Spirituality can simply be……PUT A LITTLE LOVE IN YOUR HEART. And give it to everyone that crosses your path.

Can it take a shape?
Does it have an essence?
Nameless -- Weightless -- Colourless --
The mist of tranquility
That wafts the fragrance of nobility, altruism, humanity

It carved into an idol-
It has an aura
Name -- Weight -- Motley --
The aroma of Divinity
That binds together mankind in the bond of devotion, asceticism, purity.

"What is love? If love means possessing someone or something then that is not real love; that is not pure love. If love means giving and becoming one with everything, with humanity and divinity, then that is real love." ~~ Sri Chinmoy

"How to love? If we love with a view of achieving something from others, then that love is no love. Love means constant self-offering on the strength of one's own inner aspiration." ~~ Sri Chinmoy

While on my own SPIRITUAL JOURNEY......I have had a very deep desire to study many different religions, I have finally come to realize that I have a strong appreciation for ALL faiths!

---- Mysticism. Comparative Religion. Islam. Sufism. Christianity. Buddhism. Gnostic. Hinduism. Kabbalah. Judaism. Zen. Bahai. Tao. and world religions, Integral Comparative Spirituality etc.

"The world would be a mighty boring place if we were not given the gift of free will to be able to choose what we need to believe in." ~ Tina Rizzitello

"When I do good, I feel good; When I do bad I feel bad. That's my religion." ~~ Abraham Lincoln

"There is no need for temples, no need for complicated philosophies. My brain and my heart are my temples; my philosophy is kindness". ~ Dalai Lama

"When you realize how perfect everything is you will tilt your head back and laugh at the sky".~ (Buddha)

"In ordinary human life we value love and treasure love precisely because we are afraid that the object of our love can be lost at any moment. In the spiritual life we value love because we feel that love is the only thing that can offer us abiding satisfaction. " Sri Chinmoy

"We can live without religion and meditation, but we cannot survive without human affection". ~Dalai Lama

“God is like a mirror. The mirror never changes, but everyone who looks at it sees a different face.” —Jewish teaching

“To those in whom love dwells, all the world is one family.” —Hindu teaching

“Religions are different roads converging to the same point. What does it matter that we take different roads as long as we reach the same goal. In reality there are as many different religions as there are individuals; that is how it should be.” —Mahatma Gandhi

To believe is to know that every day
is a new beginning.
It is to trust that miracles happen,
and dreams really do come true.
To believe is to see angels dancing among the clouds,
To know the wonder of a stardust sky
and the wisdom of the man in the moon.
To believe is to know the value of a nurturing heart,
The innocence of a child's eyes
and the beauty of an aging hand,
for it is through their teachings we learn to love.
To believe is to find the strength
and courage that lies within us.
When it is time to pick up the pieces and begin again.
To believe is to know we are not alone,
That life is a gift and this is our time to cherish it.
To believe is to know that wonderful surprises
are just waiting to happen,
And all our hopes and dreams are within reach.
If only we believe.

DANCING WITH GOD

When I meditated on the word GUIDANCE,
I kept seeing "dance" at the end of the word.
I remember that doing God's will is a lot like dancing.
When two people try to lead, nothing feels right.
The movement doesn't flow with the music,
and everything is quit uncomfortable and jerky.
When one person realizes that, and lets the other lead,
both bodies begin to flow with the music.
One gives gentle cues, perhaps a nudge to the back
or by pressing Lightly in one direction or another.
It's as if two become one body, moving beautifully.
The dance takes surrender, willingness,
and attentiveness from one person
and gentle guidance and skill from the other.
My eyes drew back to the word GUIDANCE.
When I saw "G: I thought of God, followed by "u" and "i".
"God. "u" and "i" dance."
God, you, and I dance.
As I lowered my head, I became willing to trust
that I would get guidance about mu life.
Once again, I became willing to let God lead.
My prayer for you today is that God's blessings
and mercies be upon you this day and everyday.
May you abide in God as God
abides in you.
Dance together with God, trusting God to lead
and to guide you through each season of your life.
This prayer is powerful and there is nothing attached.
If God has done anything for
you in your life,
please share this message with someone else,
for prayer is one of the best gifts we can receive.
There is no cost but a lot of rewards;
so lets continue to pray for one another.
AND I HOPE YOU DANCE!

~~~~~~~ Unknown

Again.....WHAT IS THE MEANING OF LOVE? What about 'Unconditional' love? (To love without condition)

I love you as you are, as you seek to find your own special way to relate to the world, or the way you feel that is right for you. It is important that you are the person you want to be and not someone that I or others think you should be."

Isn't this what most everyone wants from each other....being loved for who they are?

The basic principal of most all religions: “Do unto others as we would want others to do unto you"......

Could that the be the secret, the simple answer to how we can find that inner Peace Love and Happiness that we long for?

Could this be called an 'Unconditional HOLISTIC Love'.....and can possibly be the answer to all of lives challenges?

When we awaken to this awareness...... that our purpose in life is to learn what we can to love ourselves & others equally, when we can take the time to find the 'inner beauty' in every human being regardless of their outer appearances or behaviors...Completing acceptiing ourselves and others without judgment.....this is 'unconditional love' and it's highest form! This this what heals the world!

When we know deep in our heart that each individual is made of love..we will be getting along better with everyone in our lives, and also, we will know that we are created a new wonderful world for us to live in.

THE VOICE WITHIN- (Taken 2008)
The following excerpt is from Louise Hay's wonderful, "very up" book:

Body...Mind...SPIRIT
[How to connect with the Inner Voice.]

"I am progressing on my path
at the pace that is just right for me."

Trust Your Inner Wisdom

Deep at the center of our being there is an infinite well of love, an infinite well of joy, an infinite well of peace, and an infinite well of wisdom. This is true for each and every one of us. Yet how often do we get in touch with these treasures within us? Do we do it once a day? Once in a while? Or are we totally unaware that we have these inner treasures? Just for a moment, close your eyes and connect with that part of yourself.

It only takes a breath to go to your center. Go to that infinite well of love within you. Feel the love. Let it grow and expand. Go to that infinite well of joy within you. Feel the joy. Let it grow and expand. Now go to that infinite well of peace within you. Feel that peace. Let it grow and expand. Now go to that infinite well of wisdom within you, that part of you that is totally connected to all the wisdom in the universe—past, present, and future.

Trust that wisdom. Let it grow and expand. As you take another breath and come back to your space, keep the knowledge, keep the feeling. Many times today and many, many times tomorrow and each and every day of your life, remind yourself of the treasures that are always within you—and just a breath away.

These treasures are a part of your spiritual connection and are vital to your well-being. Body, mind, and spirit—we need to be balanced on all three levels. A healthy body, a happy mind, and a good, strong spiritual connection are all necessary for our overall balance and harmony.

One of the major benefits of a strong spiritual connection is that we can live wonderful, creative, fulfilling lives. And we will automatically release so many burdens that most people carry. We will no longer need to be fearful or carry shame and guilt.

As we feel our oneness with all of life, we will drop anger and hatred, prejudice, and the need to be judgmental. As we become one with the healing power of the Universe, we will no longer need illness. And, I believe we will be able to reverse the aging process. Burdens are what age us; they drag down our spirits.

If each one of us reading this book would practice getting in touch with the treasures within us on a daily basis, we could literally change the world. People living the truth change the world. For the truth of our being is that we are filled with unconditional love. We are filled with incredible joy. We are filled with serene peace. We are connected to infinite wisdom.

What we need to do is to know it and live it! Today we are mentally preparing for tomorrow. The thoughts we think, the words we speak, the beliefs we accept, shape our tomorrows. Every morning, stand in front of a mirror and affirm to yourself:

"I AM FILLED WITH UNCONDITIONAL LOVE, AND I EXPRESS IT TODAY. I AM FILLED WITH JOY, AND I EXPRESS IT TODAY. I AM FILLED WITH PEACE, AND I SHARE IT TODAY. I AM FILLED WITH INFINITE WISDOM, AND I PRACTICE IT TODAY. AND THIS IS THE TRUTH ABOUT ME."

Now that is a powerful way to start your day! You can do it.

Remember, our spiritual connection does not need a middle man such as a church, a guru, or even a religion. We can pray and meditate quite easily by ourselves. Churches and gurus and religions are nice if they are supportive of the individual. Yet, it is important that we know that we all have a direct connection to the source of all of life. When we are consciously connected to this source, our life flows in wondrous ways.

So how do we become connected, or re-connected—for we were all well connected when we first came to this world. Perhaps our parents had lost their own connection and taught us that we were alone and lost in life. Perhaps our parents' parents had chosen a religion that gave power to the priesthood and not to the people.

There are several religions that tell us: "We are born sinners and lower than the worms of the dust." There are also religions that denigrate women and/or certain classes or groups of people. These are some of the ways we forget who we really are—divine, magnificent expressions of Life.

Yet our souls are always seeking greater growth and integration, an opportunity to heal and express all that we are. Sometimes it is very difficult to understand the methods our souls use to promote our growth. Our personalities, the part of us we assume in order to participate on the Earth plane, have certain expectations and needs.

We become afraid, resistant, and sometimes angry when our expectations, such as material advancements, aren't immediately met. It is in these moments, more than any other, that we must hold fast to our faith that there is a higher power working in our lives and that if we are open and willing to grow and change, that things will work out for our highest good.

Often our most painful moments, the times that stretch our personality the furthest, are the moments that provide us with the greatest opportunity for growth. These become an occasion for you to develop greater self-love and greater self-trust. It may or may not comfort you to know that many people are seemingly experiencing setbacks in their lives as well.

We are at a place of accelerated growth on this planet. Now more than ever is the time to be extra loving and patient with yourself. Do not resist any opportunity for growth. In times of difficulty, it is important to practice gratitude and blessings as much as you are able.

I have just returned from a month long pilgrimage to the ashram of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, Avatar, Holy Man of Miracles, in Puttaparthi, India. My 13-year old daughter and I participated in a music program presented by over 400 devotees from the Southeast Region of the United States.This 40 minute “musical bouquet” consisting of 22 songs and medleys praising God‘s glory, had been lovingly performed at the feet of Sathya Sai Baba.

This was, to say the least, a life-transforming experience. To bask in the spiritually-charged atmosphere of this most Holy place, the ashram called Prashanti Nilayam, which means ”Abode of Heavenly Peace”, proved that heaven can exist on earth. Here people from all over the world, from all different cultures, religions and social status’, joined together in love to celebrate Love, Peace, Truth, Right Action and Non-Violence, which Sai Baba calls “The Five Human Values”. Sai Baba teaches that if we adhere to these Values in all we do, we can purify and transform ourselves. We can thus evolve to a higher state of being; expressions of the Divine spark that we truly are within. Sai Baba says that we do not need to change our religion to do this, rather, these are the fundamental truths of all religions. He says that whatever is one’s religion of choice, be that, just be a better one. In other words, if a Christian, be a better Christian, if a Jew, be a better Jew, if Muslim, be a better Muslim, or Buddhist, Zoroastrian, etc. Sai Baba teaches that God wears the “cloak of nature”; that all spiritual truths can be found by observing nature. He points out that all rivers flow to the one Ocean. He points to the tree which gives shade to all, with prejudice towards none. Thus is Sathya Sai Baba’s universal appeal.

To dine in any one of the ashram’s 3 canteens (which all serve organic, lovingly-prepared, healthful and delicious vegetarian fare at low cost), is to see service and brotherhood in action. One can hear a plethora of languages spoken in conversations at elbows length and across the long cafeteria-type tables, and observe all modes of modest ethnic dress. Yet, cultural and language differences proved no barrier here. We all spoke the “language of love” as we cheerfully interacted, “conversed” and volunteered our time and energy in preparing and serving the food as well as cleaning up.

One unifying factor at Prashanti Nilayam was (the optional, but encouraged) practice of gathering together for bhajan singing. Bhajans are group singing of songs praising God. This practice is usually done on a weekly basis by Baba devotees all over the world, but at Prashanti Nilayam they are held twice daily, attended by between 10,000 to 15,000 people at a time in Sai Kulwant Hall, located on the ashram. Here, many of the songs are sung in Hindi and Telugu, but there are bhajans in all languages, by and for people of all religious and cultural persuasions. Bhajans are encouraged to be sung out loud, full-throated, with joy, no matter the level of one’s musical skill. It is the loving, joyful intention from the heart that counts. This group singing serves to put all “on the same page” vibrationally, like being “in sync” with God and each other. As one might imagine, bhajan singing, especially at Prashanti Nilayam, is a most powerful and blissful experience.

Whether bhajans are sung in a group of 2 people or 10,000, it is the intention of Spiritual Love and Gratitude that gives this experience its power. To “power up” any creative endeavor, one can ask oneself, “Is the intention of this creation in alignment with the values of Love, Truth, Peace, Right Action and Non-Violence? Am I using my creative gifts in the spirit of gratitude to the Ultimate Creator? If not, what can I do to make it so?” This question, along with the subsequent appropriate modifications during the creative process, will serve to purify that endeavor. Whether it be writing a song, a book, a poem or a script, creating a dance, a painting or a sculpture, or even starting/expanding a business, to be “in sync” with the Ultimate Creator, to be an instrument of God, what more can one strive for in this lifetime? No matter what the outcome of that particular creative process, no matter if the endeavor bears fruit this time around or not, it will most assuredly be a success in the long run where it really counts. A focus on the Five Human Values in all areas of one’s life serves to develop good qualities in one’s own character, thus one’s life becomes a creative, spiritual work of art capable of encouraging and inspiring those around us.

With Love and Blessings,

Barbara Joy Mullen

What is Holistic Spirituality? -HOLISTIC WISDOM ~Freedom of Religion in America

--Promoting freedom of Religion. (Acceptance to others beliefs!)
--Each individual is totally unique, and must be true to their own calling.
--No judgement or criticism will be made, for what anyone believes, in or does not believe in.
--Like a neutral zone....a meeting of the minds, where we can all come together without
having to justify why we believe what we do.
--A place for association of the hearts, minds and spirits
--Being true to your own truths...that which excites, invites and attracts you.

Understanding the connection to spirituality and health: (Also click-) HOLISTIC WISDOM - health and well being.

Spirituality is recognized as a factor that contributes to health in many persons. The concept of spirituality is found in all cultures and societies. It is expressed in an individual’s search for ultimate meaning through participation in religion and/or belief in God, family, naturalism, rationalism, humanism and the arts. All these factors can influence how patients and health care professionals perceive health and illness and how they interact with one another.

APPRECIATION QUOTES:

~ Appreciation can make a day - even change a life. Your willingness to put it into words is all that is necessary. ~      Margaret Cousins

~ The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated. ~      William James

~ Next to excellence is the appreciation of it ~      William Makepeace Thackeray

~ The roots of all goodness lie in the soil of appreciation for goodness. ~      Dalai Lama

~ Life can be seen through your eyes but it is not fully appreciated until it is seen through your heart. ~      Mary Xavier

~ I consider my ability to arouse enthusiasm among men the greatest asset I possess. The way to develop the best that is in a man is by appreciation and encouragement. ~      Charles Schwab

~ By appreciation we make excellence in others our own property. ~      Voltaire

~ Knowing how things work is the basis for appreciation, and is thus a source of civilized delight ~      William Safire

~~ Appreciation is a wonderful thing: It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well. ~      Voltaire

~ The aim of life is appreciation; there is no sense in not appreciating things; and there is no sense in having more of them if you have less appreciation of them. ~      Gilbert Keith Chesterton

~ All charming people have something to conceal, usually their total dependence on the appreciation of others. ~      Cyril Connolly

~ Always remember, everyone is hungry for praise and starving for honest appreciation. ~      David Berg

~~ There is more hunger for love and appreciation in this world than for bread.
                                               ~~~ Mother Teresa

~~I have learnt silence from the talkative, toleration from the intolerant, and kindness from the unkind; yet strange, I am ungrateful to these teachers.     ~~Kahlil Gibran

~~The word "appreciation" means to be thankful and express admiration, approval, or gratitude. It also means to grow or appreciate in value. As you appreciate life, you become more valuable—both to yourself and others.
Sara Paddison, Hidden Power of the Heart

~~Flattery is from the teeth out. Sincere appreciation is from the heart out/   ~~~ Dale Carnegie

"Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and
realize they were the big things."
                                   ~~Author Unknown

("The poetry of Jalal ad-din Muhammad Rumi speaks the universal language of love, faith, and tolerance & compassion.)

Love is an important part of all religions. Rumi's poems seem to break down the idea of organized religion and say that God is bigger than all that.

Only Breath

Not Christian or Jew or Muslim, not Hindu

Buddhist, sufi, or zen.

Not any religion or cultural system.

I am not from the East

or the West, not out of the ocean or up

from the ground, not natural or ethereal, not

composed of elements at all.

I do not exist,

am not an entity in this world or in the next,

did not descend from Adam and Eve or any origin story.

My place is placeless, a trace

of the traceless. Neither body or soul.

I belong to the beloved, have seen the two

worlds as one and that one call to and know,

first, last, outer, inner, only that

breath breathing human being.

From Essential Rumi

by Coleman Barks