How do I get un-stuck spiritually?

[Guest guest]

This is a common stage in spiritual growth (clarity). We have simply

reached a stage where we thought we knew the truth by so much

reading, study and practice. We know the words but haven't realized

yet this one basic truth – there is nothing to know but to feel the

Reality of NOW as eternal, timeless and oneness itself.

We become so use to the words used that we are not hearing them

anymore. Instead, start listening with innocence and ask, " what-is… "

to oneness, love, now and so on until we start feeling their true

depth and meaning. We start breaking free from this stalemate by

acknowledging that we really don't know and start listening to the

place that " only I and God exist " : Within my own heart.

I get stuck in my spiritual life, to the point; I can't seem to get

anywhere. The growth stops. Things that normally make me passionate

suddenly bore me or leave me exhausted. I can't seem to find the

energy to knock me out of my ruts and my slow spiritual rot. I catch

myself no longer pursuing spiritual trips or investing myself in

spiritual resources and spiritual disciplines. Sooner or later, I

realize that I am stuck!

How do I get un-stuck spiritually? I do just what I my spirit is

calling me to do: get a flight home.

I do what I know I have to do ... even when it doesn't seem to be

getting me anywhere. Some of us just don't know what to do next to

grow closer to God. Getting un-stuck is hard and you have to keep

working at those key things that help you grow. Tremendous growth

occurs in this time of committed faithfulness whether we can see

progress or not.

I trust that some kind folks will help me along the way. While many

travelers are cranky, most folks were incredibly kind and patient.

Without their help and kindness, I would still be wallowing in self

doubt and waiting on something to happen instead of making something

happen. When I'm spiritually stuck, I need the help of caring

brothers and sisters in Christ — their encouragement, prayers, and

partnership will help me get " un-stuck. " Faith without works is dead.

A great way to do this is help others and pray with (not for) others.

I try to encourage others past their frustrations and help them out

with their needs. Along the way, I helped older folks with an

encouraging word, explained to a couple of young moms with children

the gift of gratitude, thanked those who worked with us for their

patience and kindness, and asked folks about their families. All of

this reminded me that the travel problems to find who I am

spiritually. When I'm spiritually stuck, helping others gets me away

from constantly thinking just about " my " stuff.

Finally, I give thanks for those facing far greater challenges with

good grace and at great risk. It reminds me to be loving and not act

mean or cranky toward others who are looking at me as if I have lost

my mind. In all truth I temporarily have because I have lost the

perception of what I really am. I am that, I AM. I am a Child of God;

created by love, in love, with love and for love. My time of

separation from others is forgotten when I help someone…I make a

choice to be an expression of Love and see the good spirits, kind,

friendly, loving nature of others. In my spiritual walk, I realize

that many others have faced bigger challenges and deeper valleys, yet

they kept on keeping on. I give thanks for their tenacity and try to

follow their example. Because they made it through the challenges, I

know that with the Holy Spirit's help, I can also!

Just for today:

Connect eye to eye with another while expressing

Gratitude. This opens a direct channel between each heart

through the eyes, allowing truth to flow easily between you,

charging energetic pathways with current possibilities ~ and

creating a sacred moment as each recognizes,

reflects and returns flowing expressions of Love

and Gratitude.

To experience yet another level, let go of saying words.

Simply direct your energy, projecting Gratitude as

light-in-action, through your gaze, body gestures,

and emotions.

Be fully present to note and appreciate how others receive

and return this silently spoken message of Love and

Gratitude. Pay special attention to how this feels to you.

Remember: Conversations/possibilities/opportunities

may arise and surprise as you gaze-a-way in Gratitude.

Keep what's worth keeping and return the rest to Love.

Pay special attention to children when practicing this

activity. You will find delighted amazement and brightened

faces as you grace these young hearts with your Love and

Gratitude gazes.

When you are grateful, your heart is open -- open towards

others, open for surprise. In the days since the Wake-up Call

we have seen remarkable examples of this openness:

strangers helping strangers often in heroic ways. Others

turn away, isolate themselves, dare even less than at other

times to look at each other. Violence begins with isolation.

Break this pattern. Make contact with people whom you

normally ignore -- eye-contact at least -- with the agent at

the toll booth, the parking lot attendant, someone on the

elevator.

Look a stranger in the eyes today and realize that

there are no strangers.

You can feel either grateful or alienated, but never both at

the same time. Gratefulness drives out alienation; there is

not room for both in the same heart. When you are grateful

you know that you belong to a network of give-and-take

and you say " yes " to that belonging. This " yes " is the essence

of love. You need no words to express it; a smile will do to

put your " yes " into action. Don't let it matter to you whether

or not the other one smiles back. Give someone an

unexpected smile today and so contribute your

share to peace on earth.