The Mirror, or Through a Looking Glass - Lightly or Darkly

The mirror can be our best friend. It can be our worst enemy. It can be our enemy if we look at it with eyes that are unclear or distorted—-eyes that generate vanity, arrogance, anxiety, worry, complaining, blame, doubt and more. It can be our best friend if we look at it with are eyes that do none of this—-eyes that are clear, humble, loving, forgiving, grateful, resolute and more. Kong Zi (Confucius) said, “yi ri san si”—-each day reflect three times. He meant with the latter kind of eyes, of course. The mirror is what we make it. What will you make your mirror? Love to all.

The Secret of Life (Part 1)

It's been way too long since I've posted, but now I'm committed to being a regular blogger. In my next few posts, I'd like to share my insights into the secret of reaching inner joy, happiness and peace, which we all want, right? In fact, you could say that I'd like to talk about the secret of life!

My insights are based on my studies as Master Sha’s student, on my own personal experience from applying those studies and on my entire life's experience. But, you know, Master Sha has already really revealed the secret of life in one sentence, and that sentence is very clear in his book, “The Power of Soul,” the third book in his Soul Power Series. He calls it the flagship or the "mother" book or authoritative book of his entire Soul Power Series. How can it be any less if it reveals the secret of life?

Well, hopefully I've whet your appetite. More soon!

My 'religion?'

Master Sha has always taught that he is not teaching religion. However, as his student and one of his certified master teachers, I realize that we share a deep and abiding belief in a highest spiritual entity. Call it the Divine, God, the universe, Emptiness, Nothingness, the Tao, Allah, the Source, Supreme Consciousness - whatever. In my view, these are simply different names for the same entity. "Religion" has become a somewhat loaded word. Too often, it has signified throughout history and to this day sectarianism, factionalism, rigid sets of organized structures, tightly held creeds, persecution and war. For this reason, many people identify themselves as "spiritual" but not "religious." I would like to rehabilitate and reclaim the word "religion." Its Latin origin is rooted in "moral rightness, obligation and worship." A religion is simply a belief system that addresses the soul or spirit and a higher entity. In these neutral terms, I realize that I do have a religion. My religion is unconditional love, unconditional forgiveness, unconditional universal service (the title of this blog) and total GOLD (gratitude, obedience, loyalty and devotion) to the Divine. My spiritual practice is my religious practice. My life is my spiritual practice.

What Is Service?

If I'm going to write a blog about unconditional universal service, I should share what this means to me. Hopefully, this will put us all on the same page - or, at least, you will understand what page I'm on!

Let me start by explaining "service." You all have an idea of what service is. In our world, there are service stations that offer services for your car (at least, they used to!). You have no doubt interacted with Customer Service personnel in many settings. You yourself may work in a customer service department or in a service industry. Many of you do volunteer service. According to the dictionary, the word "service" has its roots in the Latin servum, which means "slave," but of course this is not the meaning we have in mind. We're talking about the more evolved definition of "service," which is to "help or benefit" and to "contribute to the welfare of others."

Master Sha has recently flowed a major new book (to be published in January 2009) in which his teaching is even more simple than before. The most powerful soul secrets, wisdom, knowledge and practices that he reveals are concentrated in his "One-Sentence Secrets." Let me share the "one-sentence definition" of service that I just received:

Service is anything - any activity, behavior or thought - that increases love, forgiveness, peace, healing, blessing, harmony and/or light in oneself, in any other person or in any soul.

I hope this resonates with you - soul, heart, mind and body.

To be continued ...