Balanced Living

There are three states of consciousness:

Overthinking – Underthinking – Thinking

We move through all three states throughout the day.

When we first wake up, we’re often in a balanced state. We go through our morning routine almost automatically. We know what to do and we do it without much thought.

Common routines:
• Tpoilet, shower, shave (for men)
• Powder, primp, preen (for women)

Then we head to work, and we often flip into overthinking:
• Why is traffic so slow?
• Why is that guy driving like that?
• Where on earth is a parking spot?

If we stay home, the details shift but the pattern is similar:
• Laundry
• Cleaning
• Changing the baby
• Shopping

These are all routines too—but are they what you really want to be doing? Really, really want?

Two Worlds, Two Inner Tools

We live in two worlds at the same time:
the Material world and the Spiritual world.

And we have two spiritual tools: Thoughts and Feelings.

• Feelings are what we truly want.

• Thoughts are how we move toward what we want.

Everything else is emotion—our reactions to these two worlds.

Examples:
• “That SOB took my parking spot—again.” — Material
• “I wonder what I’ll have for dinner tonight.” — Material
• “I’m afraid to give that speech. What will people think?” — Material

Feelings are me minding my own business.
Thoughts are the details about that business: the who, what, where, when, why, and how.

And what is my business?
My business is understanding what I want. It is discerning the facts of my feelings so I can be of service to myself first, and then to others.

This is being a Wayshower.
If I am not of service to myself first, I won’t have anything real to offer anyone else.

Teaching the Symbols

In the Orientation Lecture of New Horizons, leaders traditionally present the symbols on the chart for about an hour and a half, and then take questions.

But if a leader explains just one or two symbols and asks a participant, “Are you familiar with the idea that you are a soul with a body, not a body with a soul?” most people will say, “Yes, I know that already.”

So instead of lecturing needlessly, it’s often far more valuable to encourage participants to share how they relate to the symbols—through their experiences.

This is especially helpful when teaching about Science, Religion, and Society, and how society defines our “rights” and “wrongs.”

The Man and the Universe Chart

On the chart, the left side represents the material world—the world we live in because we have a physical body.

The right side represents our spiritual world—timeless, infinite, and not at all like the universe we see with our eyes.

We often imagine that “out in the universe” is our true home, but really the universe is only a symbol of the all, the absolute.

When we release the body, we become light. It can look like a night sky full of stars, but the truth is: there is no universe in the spiritual world. There is only energy—light of different frequencies, brightnesses, and qualities. We don’t see color without eyes, but we can still discern it.

The universe is limitless and timeless.

Planet Earth, on the other hand, gives us limitation.
We came here for those limitations—the narrowing of perception, the details.

The details such as:
• the taste of ice cream
• a cool breeze on a hot day
• hot dogs
• baseball

Earth is rich with details, and it’s easy to get lost in them. We often do.

Getting Lost in Details

It’s easy to mistake details for purpose:

• I need new clothes.
• I need another drink.
• I’m going on a camping trip.
• Once this divorce is final, then I’ll be happy.

But all of these are just details.

What do we truly, truly want?
Peace.

The peace to enjoy our lives without being swept away by turbulence.

Not outer peace—but inner peace.
The peace that “passes all understanding.”
Or the peace that comes when we have clear understanding.

Understanding the purpose of both the Material and Spiritual worlds—this brings peace.

If you’re still searching, it’s because your understanding isn’t complete yet. When it becomes clear, you can relax and do your service. You can “run your business.”

Discipline, Focus, and the Wayshower

Some people try to manage their business through strict discipline. But real discipline is simply staying focused on your service to yourself.

Try this: every hour or so, regroup. Ask yourself:
“How was I of service to myself this past hour?”

You won’t remember every hour—and that’s fine. But when you do remember—maybe while sitting at a red light—ask:
“How have I served myself this morning? Today? This week?”

Checking in becomes a new habit.
A habit of making yourself your first priority.
A habit of being a Wayshower.

The Busyness of Life

Then go about your busy-ness. Get on with your day—caught in details, have-tos, shoulds. This is what Earth life is made of.

The busyness of life is the fuel for your growth. Just see it for what it is. Don’t make the details more important than they are.

How expensive your car is, how many bedrooms your house has—these are details. Enjoy them, but don’t get lost in them.

Do them while you’re doing your Business.

Tomas Burke
www.spiritual-pilgrim.com