By Rev. Marla Sanderson
“As above, so below, as within, so without, as the universe, so the soul…”—Attributed to Hermes Trismegistus
In the past day or two, I’ve changed my mind several times about my subject this month. After a few false starts, I remembered to ask Divine Intelligence for clarity!
This morning I did some laundry, and somehow every t-shirt, sweater, and pair of shorts got turned inside out. I mean every one! There it was—the subject of my article.
From an early age, we learn that money, better toys, and lots of friends will make us happy, so naturally we judge our lives and ourselves based on our “stuff.” Until we find a deeper experience of life, we spend a lot of time searching for and acquiring “stuff” that we think will make us happy.
That said, many popular spiritual paths promise another way to get what you want, and emphasize manifestation and demonstration techniques to help you get it. This is fine – I’m all for it, as far as it goes.
It makes sense that a spiritual journey will enrich you in all sorts of ways. In an abundant universe, propelled by an Infinitely Creative Source, what could be spiritual about impoverishment? No, you are capable and worthy of boundless richness.
When you examine the wisdom found in the opening quotation, or in popular phrases like “what goes around comes around,” you’ll find a deeper meaning than just getting more “stuff.”
The outer world has often been compared to your reflection in a mirror. What you see around you is external evidence of your inner being—of what you think and believe. If you are positive, you see the world positively. If you are kind, you see opportunities to be kind. If you are fearful, you see things to fear.
Wherever you go, on Earth or beyond, you take your consciousness with you. When you leave this body (and you will!), you leave all that “stuff” behind. Then where will you be? Floating on a cloud? Taking harp lessons? Lost in space?
Consider this: Are you ahead of the game if you apply your spirituality toward a better earthly life or if you apply your earthly life toward a deeper experience of your spirituality?
Hang on now—this may seem like a bit of a sharp turn. (This is what I love about New Thought.)
In the world of Spirit, you are always whole, complete, and perfect.
Even when your body is scarred and scraped from experience, gets old and gray, and finally turns to dust, your Spirit is still indisputably alive, and One with the Divine. You can’t get away from that.
When you make a mistake or screw up royally, It doesn’t judge you. It doesn’t get Its feelings hurt. You are wholly loved and blessed by the Creator and Source of all, and there is nothing you can do to harm that relationship. It expects nothing of you, so It doesn’t know disappointment.
It is Love. It is peace. It is abundance and creativity. It pours Itself through you as joy in expression. It freely gives through you, and all the good in the world is reflected back TO you according to your Oneness with It.
That is the inward journey.
You discover your perfection as you realize your connection.
When the conditions in your world seem scary or harsh, release them and allow that connection and Its perfection to fill the empty spaces. If you have a question, ask within.
Release, release, release. Constantly let go of the importance you place on the outer and allow the inner Spirit to fill you with the infinite richness of life that’s only possible as an expression of the Divine.
The really weird thing is that then, everything else is added.
And now I still have to fold my laundry.
Rev. Marla Sanderson has been a student of spiritual practice for more than 35 years. She began as Assistant Director of The Next Step, a psychic and spiritual community in a New Mexico ghost town. She’s been a workshop leader, teacher, practitioner, and minister of Living Love, and the Science of Mind. She recently founded the New Thought Global Network, a virtual “church” that offers inspiration anytime, from anywhere. The site showcases many powerful Science of Mind and New Thought speakers and writers, and intends to expand these teachings to the world. Check it out at www.newthoughtglobal.org.
