Thankyou, Maggie. I agree LK, it is a matter of choice to be in the now and percieve who we are but also what our next step in this reality is going to be, the more we do so the quicker we "bloom". It is very important to realize this is something inside us and not wait on everyone else, so to speak, or look around waiting for someone else to do something. I do feel however that as our consciousness grows it affects how everyone else's grow. (so the universal consciousness is growing also as a result of ours growing. This is because of the universal energy flow between eveyone and everything and also as we become more connected to our higher consciuosness it changes our behavior which affects how everyone else acts around and toward us. This is another part of what I get from those two paragraphs.

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RevKathyV

http://www.myspace.com/divinelightinterfaith



www.divinelightinterfaithministry.com

Over time I've discovered that as our consciousness grows if affects everyone around us. A couple of years ago at Christmas time I was talking about energy and how, for me, it is just another word for God. I was talking about how our energy affects those around us and how our anger, for example, can cause those we are with at the time to feel dimished or how our happiness can also affect others. I used examples from our own lives so that my family could 'see' and 'hear' what I was saying.

Man, was I surprised when the very next day we had company and my husband started 'educating' them, using almost exactly the words I had used the day before. My kids have also, over time, used these examples as well to both help themselves cope better with their lives and also to help others.

I know that I make every attempt (and I'm usually pretty good at it, I've had a lot of practice ) to really be aware of what I'm saying because I have seen how it affects others. There are many, many times when I choose not to become angry about something. In the past when I've become upset about something so has my husband and often my kids as well. However, when I am able to stay neuteral about things, they too can do so. I have seen this happen time and time again, so I make a point to really watch my words.

I've learned to say, "Well, if this is the worst thing that ever happens, we're going to be just fine." I now hear my daughter saying this on occasion, so I know it's also helped her to deal with life's challenges in a more positive way.

Maggie

Maggie

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So much to learn and see and do

Yes, LK, I've had this happen with several people. One was a good friend who I just outgrew. We're still friends, but no longer close. She's still stuck in the fundamentalist mind-set and that makes it difficult to communicate.

The most challenging situation I face with this kind of situation is with my brother. I love him dearly but he is stuck in our childhood Anglican (Epicolpal) tradition. He thinks that God is found in church, ritual and tradition and just doesn't get that God is indwelling in us all. It is a challenge to listen to him sometimes. However, he's family and so I choose to accept that he's where he is and I have to let it go at that.

My sister and I have been distant for years and that's because she's stuck in victim mode and that's all she knows. Need I say more?

Maggie

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So much to learn and see and do

I've had the same experiences. I've also had family members become distant. Some people are very threatened by depth.

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Okay, great!!! Wonderful discussion! I think we have pretty much interpreted this to be refering to our consciousness on a personal level and as a whole. Now lets look at the next two paragrahs. What do you all think is meant by looking at flowers as the enlightenment of plants?

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RevKathyV

http://www.myspace.com/divinelightinterfaith



www.divinelightinterfaithministry.com

To me it's the fruit of our being.

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May your awareness be perfection

I think the flower means the plant has realized it's beauty, its true self, its purpose for being. It has become conscious of it's consciousness. The flower is the deepest expression of "Thy will be done."

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I read the book a couple of weeks ago....and i really need to get it out and brush up on it...but i was scrolling the posts here after dinner...and this post makes me go ...huh....i see this as the flower is of great beauty and comes into its own with out doing anything...kinda makes me think of Vivians no thought quotes....by just being...the flower comes to mature and is.....i could walk by this flower and love it...or walk by and hate it...this flower will yet blossom and be what it was ment to be....and we to are this beautiful if we see ourself as the flower...and just be..no judgemen...life around us will come to be as it should and we as we should...

now having said this..well..it was just there ....may be way off...or not.....it is just so wow to me how we all see things...a good wow...

Very good post, Sendy....I agree with all of you. It is also as Vivimis put it, the fruit of our being. That plant through growing and development has reached its potential and shown beauty. It had arrived at its purpose. Just as a plant flowers from fertilization and nutrients and such we grow to reach a connection with our higher consciousness (enlightenment) through proper care and nurturing. I love the way you stated it LK! I like Sendys point. It is something we all need to keep in mind that just as the flowers retain their beauty and grow regardless of those walking by we too can reach our connection with our higherself regardless of "who is walking by".

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RevKathyV

http://www.myspace.com/divinelightinterfaith



www.divinelightinterfaithministry.com

I'm enjoying everyone's posts. Can't wait to jump in after I go get the book (again). I've read it but gave it to someone last week. It's exciting that we're reviewing it together. Yea!