Forcing a spiritual awareness is mostly wasted effort

[gravity]

The universe is the primary revelation of the divine, the primary scripture, the primary focus of divine human communion.
~Thomas Berry~

In this program we learn about being receptive. A man in search of conscious contact with a Higher Power can simply stand still and open his eyes and ears to creation. Forcing a spiritual awareness is mostly wasted effort. Learning theology doesn't create a spiritual experience either. We only need to see and hear what is around us. This is a vast and marvelous universe, and it speaks for itself. It has always been there, and when we are ready to receive the message, we will.

It stirs our spirit to be at a meeting and hear another man describe the awakening of his spirituality. As we men become more receptive to the spiritual, we open a whole new realm in our lives.

May my growing ability to be a receptive man lead me to a deeper spiritual contact.

From Touchstones: A Book of Daily Meditations for Men

[gravity]

Just wanted to share my meditation from last night. After I read it and thought about it, I felt such peace and gratitude.

It can be so simple, connecting with a Higher Power but all too often, I try to force it.

[jimhere]

It is a gift. They don't call the presence of God a present for nothing.

I used to think that "working the program" is what brought about the consciousness of God. Now I know that the program just makes me open to it.
Jim

[Music]

One of the most telling experiences I've had is when I was attending a 12 step retreat which was lead by a recovering priest who'd been sober for some 30 years. He made the statement that with all the theological training he'd had as a priest coupled with the years of carrying the message of Christianity to his parishioners, he never realized a "personal" relationship with God until he came to AA. It took coming to grips with his alcoholism to turn the knowledge in his head, to a feeling in his heart.

[24hrsAday]

i found god as i do not understand god at my A.A. group (1989') he/she/it never left me or let me down.. even after i turned my back on 'em.. i even got another chance to die sober.. even though i don't deserve it. "your heavenly father will never let you down"

[Dean62]

"Loosen your hold on earth, its care, its worries, even its joys. Unclasp your hands, relax,.......Put aside all thought of the future, of the past. Relinquish all"

This was in todays reading from "God Calling" by Two Listeners edited by A.J.Russel (Oxford Group).

I did understand it's a gift and I have to learn to receive. I didn't realize the trick to receiving something new is to let go of what I am holding on to or that the steps are there to help me let go.

Thanks Don/Jim.

[Puddy]

I like what Sandy B said on a speaker tape: You don't let God in, you let God out.

The Great Reality is deep down within us, and has been from the beginning of our lives. We cover it up year after year with resentments, anger, self pity, worldly concerns, lust for power and money, sexual lust, and of course, alcoholism and other addictions. When alcoholism strikes, and we surrender, we can then work the steps which remove those things just mentioned that are blocking us from God, who is already there, just buried underneath.

When we're empty of all that crap, we can feel and intuitively hear God, and then we become a channel to let God flow out of us to our fellows.

I paraphrased most of this from Sandy B. But that's the idea. Amazing stuff.

[McGowdog]

I like this one;

"The evidence of knowing God is obeying God. -Eric Alexander