In An Instant Everything Changed

 A few years ago, as I thought about how our values are our rules that lead our lives, I had a sudden inspiration. We have 40 Genuine Values instilled in us, in our souls. The problem is that on earth we have challenges, wounds, losses, suffering, and such, and shift to impostor values. The list came tumbling out of me into my computer. " "Values Remembered," a book, a set of cards, and a workshop were born. I taught it in many places. It was impactful.

The situation is that with the betrayal and loss earlier this year, I no longer have copies. This morning I awoke with a jolt. You have the list. Put it on your blog, and discuss each one, one a day for 40 days.

So below you will find the 40 pairs. Look over them and begin to consider which are your 7 key values, the ones resonating deep in your soul.

Tell your friends to join us for this 40 day adventure.

“Values Remembered”

A Values program by Rev. Dr. Marlene Oaks

There are 40 pairs of values. It is helpful to discover or decide which 7 Genuine Values are your key or most important values to you, so that you live a life true to your Higher yourself. So first please consider all 40 and put a star or highlight your 7

Also, we dance the dance of these pairs of opposites. Which way we dance our lives determines our experiences. It takes a lot of courage to turn one’s feet in the direction of the Genuine Values and dance out of the mist into the clarity of authenticity. The important thing is that it can be done, and being aware of it makes it not that difficult after all

Knowing that words have no meaning, but people have meaning that use words, I looked up the 80 words in the Thesaurus and wrote the synonyms. Focus your study and implementation of this program into the essence of it, not wasting time quibbling with the words. By looking at the main word and the sub-words, you can discover just how I am using the word in this program. Listen to your heart as to how they apply to you.

value n. - The social principles, goals, or standards held or accepted by an individual, class, society, etc.

value vt. - To place a certain estimate of worth on a scale of values.

values - The inner rules by which one runs one’s life.

Introduce Yourself To The Values

See where you are in the dance between the pairs of opposites and discover or decide what are your core values anyway, the rules you wish to run your life by?

These may not be all of the values there are, but these are a great start. I think if you succeed in living on the side of the Genuine Values listed here, whatever else will become clear and self-evident to you. If these 40 were lived by a majority of the people of our earth, what kind of a place do you think earth would be? I think it would be a really terrific place to be, even more terrific than it is now. I think we could solve our own problems and our planetary problems.

Just look this list over. Notice where you are with each pair. Maybe make a couple of dots to indicate where you are between the pairs of opposites at this moment and also in general in your life. Then set a goal for each Genuine Value. Between 1 and 10 how important is it for me to fully express this value with my life? Let this number be your initial goal for each value. This is important to do before we go on with the rest of this program together. Take a couple of hours to sincerely consider this list and its relationship to your life.

Genuine Values                                                     Impostor Values

Achievement                            (Goal Number:         )            Stagnation

accomplishing, producing, fulfill, conclude             inertia, laziness, apathy, failure, undone

Advancement                           (Goal Number:         )            Retreat

improving, progressing, promotion, uplift                worsen, deteriorate, waste, regress, decay, languish

Adventure       (Goal Number:         )            Unwillingness

pioneering, excitement, daring, quest, mission                      resistant, guarded, over cautious, wary, play it safe

Aesthetics      (Goal Number:         )            Vulgarity

artistic,  beautiful, good taste,  decorous, pleasing                 coarse, discordant, unrefined, low, disrespect for the                                                                                                                                                   lovely                                              

Affection          (Goal Number:         )            Violence

liking, caring, kindness, fondness, favor                                hate, heartlessness, hostility, ruthlessness, savagery

Affiliation        (Goal Number:         )            Separation

community, involvement, bonding, companionship                withdrawal, aloofness, standoffishness, unsocialbleness

Commitment    (Goal Number:         )            Apathy

adopt, action,  consecration, dedication, diligence                 indifference, passive, wait, dawdle, lethargy, resignation

Compassion     (Goal Number:         )            Insensibility   

considerateness, benevolence, mercy, kindness, goodwill                                  unfeeling, unperceptive, unkind, heartless, unsympathetic

Cooperation     (Goal Number:         )            Opposition

teamwork, supportive, consensus, reciprocity, alignment                              self-serving, alone, protest, contradict, clash, friction

Creativity         (Goal Number:         )            Imitation

.inspiration, innovation, originality, authenticity, freshness                              impostor, drivel, inanity, mimicry, copy, repeat       

Discipline         (Goal Number:         )            Pandemonium            

self-control, self-command,  aplomb, practice, apprenticeship                       out of control, disorder, confusion, muddle, slipshod

Faith     (Goal Number:         )                             Fear

rust, reliance, conviction, expectation, optimism, hope                              anxiety concern, dread, doubt, agitation, worry,                                           \                                                                                                            nervousness, faith in what is unwanted   

Famly (Goal Number:         )                               Outsider

kindred, tribespeople, related,  lineage, ancestry, community                             alien, stranger, foreigner, intruder, misfit, blacksheep, other

Forgiveness      (Goal Number:         )            Resentment

patience, pardon, magnanimous, generous                          discontent, bitterness, anger, fury, acrimony

Freedom           (Goal Number:         )            Confinement

liberation, spontaneity, choice, individualism, independence                              imprisonment, rigidity, restriction, isolation, restrain]

Friendship        (Goal Number:         )            Estrangement

intimacy, trust, harmony, devotion, amicable, respect                              alienation, hostility, distrust, hard feelings, tension

Generosity       (Goal Number:         )            Miserliness

unselfishness, bountiful, bigness, fullness, sufficiency                              pinching, scrimping, tightwad, cheapskate, stingy, withhold

Gratitude         (Goal Number:         )            Ingratitude

appreciation, thanks, praise, indebtedness, bless                  nonacknowledgment, denial, unthankful, curse

Health  (Goal Number:         )                        Unhealthfulness

robust, optimum, vitality, spark, fitness, hale, hearty                              dysfunctional, drab, toxic, unwholesome, polluted

Inner Harmony            (Goal Number:         )           Inner conflict

peace with oneself, accord, oneness, love, acceptance                              at odds with oneself, turmoil, antagonism, opposition

Integrity           (Goal Number:         )            Depravity

congruence, honesty, sincerity, upright, decency, honor                              incongruence, dishonesty insincerity, corruption

Intuition           (Goal Number:         )          Close mindedness

honoring and listening within, insight, revelation                    biased, intolerant, prejudiced, dishonoring insight

Justice  (Goal Number:         )                    Injustice

fairness, impartiality, rightness, balance, right reason                              unfairness, wrongness, biased, one-sidedness, dirt

Learning           (Goal Number:         )            Ignorance

enlightenment, scholarship, intellect, aware                          crass, uninformed, superficial, unaware          

Love    (Goal Number:         )                Hate   

tender, caring, accepting, regard, devotion                            abhor, spite, contempt, detest, loathe, enmity

 oyalty             (Goal Number:         )            Betrayal

allegiance, trust, fidelity, treason, corruption, infidelity                              treason, corruption, infidelity

Order    (Goal Number:         )         Disarray           

organization, stability, current                               inconsistency, restlessness, behind

Peace            (Goal Number:         )           Combat

serenity, calmness, nonviolence, nonaggression, tolerance                              offensive, attack, assault, quarrelsome, violent

Pleasure           (Goal Number:         ) Pain

hhumor, enjoyment, fun, comfort, ease, happiness, joyfulness               weariness, complaint, sorrow, discomfort, annoyance

Power  (Goal Number:         ) Impotence

effectiveness, potency, vigor, competency, able, virility                              helpless incompetent, victim, powerless, ineffectual

Prosperity        (Goal Number:         )            Adversity

well-being, successful, winner,  triumph, good fortune, affluence hardship, failure, hard fortune, unsuccessful, loser, tragic

Quality             (Goal Number:         )            Common

excellence, first class, valuable                                            low, base, vile, shabby below par

Responsibility              (Goal Number:         )           Evasion

respond appropriately, stand, sponsor                                  neglect, escape, indolence, ignore, hide from

Security            (Goal Number:         )            Calamity

trustworthiness, safety, reliable, surety,  assurance                humiliation, hardship, ruination, disastrous, uncertain

Self-respect      (Goal Number:         ) Self-hate

trust of self, personal identity, connection, self esteem, dignity                    deprecation, disconnection, detached, deflating, shame

Service             (Goal Number:         )            Disservice      

beneficial, blessing, boon, help                                            damage,  harm, injurious, curse, hurtful

Spirituality       (Goal Number:         )            Irreverence     

closeness to God, faith, inspiration                                       separation, sanctimony, impiety wicked

Variety             (Goal Number:         )            Uniformity

openness to newness, diversity, inclusivity                           closed, homogenous, conformity

Virtue  (Goal Number:         ) Vice

goodness, purity, spotlessness, innocent                              weakness, fault, wickedness, degradation

Wisdom           (Goal Number:         ) Folly

clear thinking, keen, good sense, comprehension                 foolish, dull, frivolous, drivel, weak

 

 

Are You a Throne of God?

 She democratizes God when she says, “Every faithful soul is a throne of God, if it reverences God wisely.” We are all “cosmic centers,” or thrones of God.  -- "Hildegard of Bingen, A Saint for Our Times" 

 Oh what a picture forms in my head. I may have to try to paint this. Let's unpack this a bit, remembering that with Hildegard there are layers of meaning. 

I agree with all parts of her statement. I have long taught that everyone is sacred, a one of a kind masterpiece of God. Her image of God being a throne in each of our souls is a visual image of that. 

She adds a but, an if. First the modifier, faithful. Are we faithful so that we can even be aware of who we are in Reality?  Or are we shallow and easily distracted?

Then the if, if we reverence God. Are we in awe, in love, filled with gratitude? Or do we just take life for granted or take all credit for ourselves, living from ego?

Then the modifier, wisely. Are we quietly reverencing, deep within, humbly? Or are we boasting and loud? Are we sincere, or are we just fanatical? Does the way we live teach the Reality of God to those paying attention, or do we say "Look at me, look at me!" Or do we teach the opposite as we cheat, lie, gossip, judge, and exhibit the opposite of "the fruits of the Spirit"?

So are we awake to being a "Cosmic Center" with our souls being the "Throne of God"? Are we even willing? What changes would we need to make? Would it be a good thing for us, for the world? How would the world be different if all, or at least many of us, heeded Hildegard's words?

Please think on these things. 

Movin gOn

 This weekend my life opens to a new adventure. I move into my own apartment in a senior apartment complex. It will be different than anything I've lived before, yet the same as all people are at the core human children of God. 

So many hands and feet and hearts and prayers have led me through the valley of betrayal. God's Love  has enfolded me. Spirit has guided and inspired me every single moment. 

Now I will have new experiences, make more friends, and have the comfort of my own place.  I will meet people who I likely never would have met if I hadn't moved there.  It makes me think of Frost's "Two roads diverged in a yellow wood and I, I took the one less travelled by..." It will be a place without any trace of Gilbert and the horrifying memories. None of my treasures are mine anymore. All is new courtesy of my wonderful church community. It is a fresh start and up to me to embrace it and celebrate it. 

At 85 I begin a new life. I launch into the unknown every day, and I recognize this a larger unknown than the typical day. It is reassuring to know that as always, God will be there with me. 

May you too remember that wherever you go God is there with you. 

Beware - Think

 I met a man yesterday, a highly educated man by the current standards. But even in the University he was "taught" only one side. It was apparent that he listened only to one side of the news. Our conversation was terrifying and enlightening. 

Terrifying because it was apparent that he had not received education but propaganda and that he thought he was educated, plus he held a powerful job.

Enlightening be cause I was given a glimpse into the bring down America campaign's inner workings. It was subtle at first, then more and more emboldened. 

My mind sent back to my education.  At least 5 professors had  Eric Hoffer's "True Believer" as required reading. Also I took a class entitled "Social Control." I learned the way of mass movements and propaganda. I read Saul Alinsky's "Rules For Radicals" later. These and more added up to both a warning and a recipe of how to strike at the heart of our freedoms, most of all free speech and critical thinking.  I see it in action right now. So we are back to terrifying.

Can de-programming be done for so many? Can we somehow present all sides so the programmed can hear them and not just shout them down, not just hear but also consider, weigh, and really think ?  

It's hard at so many levels and in so many ways.For example, television and smart devices are hypnotic, direct access to the subconscious mind.  But we can't just say, "On the count of three, when I snap my fingers, you'll be wide awake."

Einstein

Einstein says, “In the face of creation I feel very humble. It is as if a spirit is manifest infinitely superior to man’s spirit. Through my pursuit in science I have known cosmic religious feelings. But I don’t care to be called a mystic.”

 It seems to me that many great scientists are led to the cosmic spiritual point of view by their science. Awe is a door into the Infinite, as told by the great scriptures and writings of the mystics in every religion. Delving into the vast universes as well as the micro universes of atoms and quarks lead to a sense of awe. Delving into life sciences lead to awe, as we discover how wonderfully made all of life is. 

How magnificently made is creation.  How amazing are the principles that guide creation. 

Going through the door of awe,  wonder, gratitude, and delight can lead us to experience The Presence. There are incredible principles, yet that is not all. There is the earth shattering experience of the Presence of God, sometimes multiple such extraordinary experiences.  Then we KNOW the ineffable.  Doubt vanishes. We realize fully, totally, Oneness. The great truths also known by spiritually awakened ones, come alive in us. 

Jesus told us those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be filled. I see a deep spiritual hunger on earth.  Let us open to awe, wonder, gratitude, and delight and begin to end the spiritual famine. 

Stuck In a Boxed in Trench

 It fascinates me that some people label themselves as this or that, and dig a trench within those  limits, making it deeper and deeper until they are so entrenched in it they cannot peer over the edge to see beyond.

This happens in every area, across history. 

It happens with tribes, nations, religions, politics and on and on. People often see anyone not in their trench not only as wrong, but as evil, the extreme other.

Heated arguments, loud name calling, distortions/lies, violence, wars ensue. 

We can find a myriad of examples in history, some seem humorous to us here in their future. But it seems more difficult to see our own trenches, our biases, those things we say "of course it is...."

I like John Weekly's thought:

Do all the good you can, / by all the means you can, / in all the ways you can, / in all the places you can, / at all the times you can, / to all the people you can, / as long as ever you can".

 But, in a deep trench, the definition of what is good differs, and there is resistance to listening to other ways to look at something.

At the risk of upsetting you,  I'm going to offer two hot button examples. 

1) The discussion of trans people in girl's sports. One side says they have rights to identify as whatever sex to which they feel affinity without discrimination. The other side says girls who have been training for years are losing medals and scholarships to biological males. Testosterone based bodies have an unfair advantage. Plus, it is upsetting to girls seeing naked men in their locker room and showers 

What is the higher good?  It needs to be so both sides win. How about a Trans Athletic Association? Or some other solution not thought of yet. 

2) The discussion over immigration. One side says let anyone who comes in, give them services and perks, don't screen them. It is racist to keep them out or send them back, even the criminals. The other side says we cannot afford unlimited immigration. We have laws about how to do it. People who don't follow the rule of law are not good candidates to become American. Let them leave or return them to their country, and then let them apply for visas and return legally.  

What is the higher good? It needs to be good for all concerned as far as possible. How about sponsor programs in poor countries to teach skills so the people can prosper surrounded by their friends and family? Or some other solution not yet thought of.

Let's stop shouting at each other and seek meaningful solutions for our problems. 

The Other

 “Man cannot long separate himself from nature without withering as a cut rose in a vase. One of the deceptive aspects of mind in man is to give him the illusion of being distinct from and over against but not a part of nature. It is but a single leap thus to regard nature as being so completely other than himself that he may exploit it, plunder it, and rape it with impunity.” --- Howard Thurnan

 As we deepen spiritually, we come to know that The Divine (whatever name we use for God) is everywhere, in all, beyond all, immanent and transcendent, yes both. The old cliche is true - there is no spot where God is not. 

In this quote above, he is primarily talking about our relationship to earth. But I think it is not useful to compartmentalize,  Unfortunately we often treat our earth as other. I agree.  But we also treat each other and life in general as other. 

There seems to be an epidemic of exploitation, plundering, and rape going on. And its not just toward nature. There is a darkness, as if a dark fog spreading from dark places on the web and elsewhere. There is increasing violent behavior and murder.  There are humans selling children. There are massive cartels and  conglomerates selling addictive and killing drugs . There are politicians and professors selling communism. There are journalists telling things they know to be untrue. I could go on and on, but I'll stop with these examples. 

I suggest that it is partially due to labelling "other" and then anything is fair game. 

We have time to turn it around, I hope and pray. We need  not only to be against the darkness, but we also need to be for and with the Light. We need the courage and vision to stand up for what we know to be good and holy. We need to awaken and remember there is no other. Ultimately we are one, and we are in this earth adventure together.