Showing posts with label A Course in Miracles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label A Course in Miracles. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

How To Achieve Different Results, When the Same Problem Recurs

Have you ever found yourself saying, "Why does this keep happening over and over and over again?" Everyone has had this experience at one time or another in their lives.  We think we've dealt with something and then it pops up again.  It can be frustrating, at the least and anxiety-ridden at worst.

There IS a reason why these events keeping showing up, and we'll go into that in a minute.  But first, the solution!

First, take a deep breath and relax.

Make a point not to react the way you usually do.  Do you notice something significant about that word --re-ACT?  Acting again, the same way?  That's what we do, and that's where we get stuck, time and time again.


This may seem like a small thing, but trust me, it's not. Have you ever heard the expression, "Nothing changes, if nothing changes?"  It applies here.

Now, ask yourself a question.

Einstein said, "I think the most important question facing humanity is, is the Universe a friendly place? This is the first and most basic question all people must answer for themselves." Once we make the decision for ourselves, we will see the Universe conspire to prove us right.

If I have decided that the Universe is a friendly place, then it follows that I can assume that solutions and resources, and blessings and beautiful outcomes are forthcoming. I can then do all that I am capable of doing, while staying aligned with my decision that the Universe is a friendly place, and then surrender the rest to the Universe.  When we surrender to the Universe, we are tapping into an infinite number of possibilities.  We can ask for a specific outcome, using our imagination and senses to allow ourselves to experience that outcome in a moment in time.  Feel the feeling that you'll believe you'll feel when your desired outcome manifests.  Spend as much time there as you can, and then release it to the Universe, with the prayer, "This or something better." 

Our only other option is to rely solely on our limited material resources, which are typically a reflection of what is and what HAS been.  But that's not been working because you are here again!  If you feel anxious or fearful or worried, you are cutting yourself off from the unlimited potential that the Universe wants to give you.  A Course in Miracles says that the presence of fear is a sure sign that you are trusting in your own strength. There's nothing wrong with being self-reliant, but there are times when we don't have the ability to manage all the moving parts of an issue.

When I insist on managing all the details in an attempt to bring about a desired outcome to a situation (PROBLEM), I cause myself to feel fear and frustration and anxiety. There are details that are out of my control, that only the Universe can affect. I always have a choice in the moment -- to focus my attention on all that could prevent my desired outcome, i.e. 'go wrong,' or to focus my attention on my chosen belief, that the Universe is a friendly place and is always conspiring in my favor.

From Re-ACTing to Responding


When we are reACTing to a situation, we are in, our consciousness is in the fight or flight state.  There's no consideration or contemplation - we do what we've always done.  When we take a moment to breathe and recenter our focus, we move into the state of restful awareness, creating space in that moment for the solution to be available to us.  

This changes what comes next, from what's always been to what now can be.

Wherever there is a "problem," the solution is close by as well.

But we won't see that if we are engaging in the same reaction.  It is helpful to take a moment to examine what we are thinking in the moment.  What are you afraid of?  How do you feel when this problem shows up?  Are you projecting consequences in the future? What's going on inside you when this problem shows up?


Einstein said, "No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it." Our thoughts and fears are creative -- chances are, this situation reflects the way I typically (unconsciously?) think and behave. And those behaviors are almost always driven by beliefs and experiences that are buried deep in our subconscious.

Now we come to the part about "why" this keeps happening.

I hope that when you asked yourself the question about whether the Universe is friendly or not, that you decided that it is.  Because it is -- each of us is loved unconditionally and cherished without question.  Like any loving parent, the Universe wants us to thrive and grow and prosper, and it has set up a fail safe system to show us where we have blind spots -- blind spots are areas where we are unconscious about our belief in lack in all its many illusory forms.  Because we are created in the image of the Creator, we are imbued with its powers of creation, through thought and feeling.  We can be, do and have anything, but very few of us are brought up "knowing" -- most of us are raised "doubting." Experiencing the pain of lack-based thoughts gets our attention, eventually.  It's that pain that makes us finally stop and say, "There's got to be a better way."


When it continues to show up, there's a message there.

When we understand this, and embrace it as the loving help from the Universe that it is meant to be, we can choose to take a different tack and change the outcome. Eventually, the circumstances stop recurring because we allow the Universe to work WITH us by allowing it to work THROUGH us.
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I am a spiritual teacher, writer and speaker.  As a practical mystic and wisdom synthesizer, my passion is to articulate all that I have learned first-hand over the last 30 years, about the spiritual laws of our world, in my own personal and life-long search to better understand how it all works and how to live a happier, more peaceful, joyful and abundant life.

I welcome your comments, and I relish the opportunity to clarify the information that I offer, and answer any questions you may have. Email me at info@maryjobull.com.


Sunday, March 22, 2015

Answers To Life's Biggest Questions

I went for a walk this weekend, enjoying the beautiful spring weather, and the beautiful notes of the songs on Secret Garden's "White Stones" album on my iPod.  I chose that album specifically because of the feeling of sacredness and spirituality that is elicited in my body when I listen to it.  I dearly appreciate walking meditation and this music has a meditative effect on my mind and body.

That music was a very powerful trigger, as it happened.  A few minutes into my walk, my mind was flooded with decade-old memories of similar walking meditations in my former neighborhood -- sacred woodland park land just behind my home, populated with wildlife, a gurgling stream flowing parallel with the walking path.  In the late 90's and early 2000's, I was in my early 40's and going through what some might label 'a mid-life crisis.'  At the age of 43, I had reached a point where I was ready, and eager, to deal with issues that had been dogging me for years -- namely, why do I always have this nagging, low-grade feeling of worry in my stomach?  What IS this feeling?  Does anyone else feel this way? 

And, of course, the ultimate consideration:  Who am I and why am I here?


Soon into my walk, I had a sudden and delicious moment of awareness -- all the questions I'd been asking have been answered and here I am more than ten years later, happier and more peaceful.  And while there had been challenging times, the experience had been rich with deep insights, meaningful conversations, sacred relationships and wisdom won through perseverance, persistence and grace.

I understand now that these 10+ years brought out in me, talents and gifts and abilities that had lain dormant for most of my life -- and that would lead me to my life's purpose, which is assisting my Human brothers and sisters on the path to self-actualization.  I am one of those way showers who can truly say, "If my troubles and difficulties can help even one person to avoid that pain, it was well worth it."



Each of us is pure potential, and each of us has the ability to save the world.  "Many are called but few are chosen." Matthew 22:14

Do you find yourself asking those same questions?  Everyone does at some point in their life.  But do we pursue the answers?  Because, in my experience, those answers are worth pursuing -- they are not difficult to reach and those answers make all the difference in the quality of the life that we experience.



Do you find yourself in the same place?  Do you feel stuck and frustrated?  I can help you--I've been there and I know the path! 

If you have questions, or maybe you are looking for a spiritual mentor, I hope you will email me!  In the meantime, check back here each week for more information about our journey to self-actualization -- and join me on BlogTalk Radio starting Thursday, April 2.  This is a new program where you will have an opportunity to call in with your questions and situations, to get information, insight and practical tools to change your life and move forward with optimism and anticipation!

For a taste of the content of my past shows, I invite you to click here to listen.

I hope to have the opportunity to talk with you soon!