| Information |
Overcoming Fear of Terrorism
This week I did a radical thing. I bought a newspaper. I bought it to read about the events happening in London. I lived there for many years and have friends I love there. It has a very special place in my heart. We now live in a world where small numbers of people can cause havoc and create fear within the hearts of so many. This is now particularly true of people living in major cities of the world. Individually, we might wonder what the world is coming to. Individually, we may think that there is little or nothing we can do. There are those in the world who will tell you that the present situation is a prelude to Armageddon. These are those who are caught in the illusion that the only reality is that of time and space. They will tell you that there is to be a wonderful rapturous moment when the world will end on a day called "Judgement Day." Then God will make it all OK by punishing the bad guys and gals. This is not going to happen. This denies the responsibility we each have to wake up. Without accepting individual responsibility we fail to see, as the beautiful Julian of Norwich reminds us, "that all is well and all manner of things shall be well." This is the seeing of the one who knows. Do not despair of terror in its many forms. It is a symptom of our degree of separateness from the real world. The outer world is a manifestation of how much we have lost contact with our inner world. Yet there is much beauty in the world if we will choose to see it moment to moment. I am not one who thinks there is little or nothing that can be done to stem the tide of violence. I know how much any one of us can do. To think we can do nothing means we create exactly that. Each of us can do so much to change the present situation. Each of us has the responsibility to change the present situation. I use the word responsibility in its real sense. This is "the ability to respond." This ability is often frozen by fear and anxiety about the future. We are beings of light. We are beings of knowing and beings of eternity. Our real work in this world of time and space is to make matter conscious. It is to bring the experience of heaven to earth now. It is to realise the experience of heaven within. This does not mean that we all learn to be "nice" people. It does not mean we walk around being like Miss Goody Two Shoes. It means we have the courage to know and feel who we are in essence this very moment. When you know and feel who you are "nice" goes out the window. You transcend ideas of duality. You realise that you are simply graced the blessing of being love in action. You become surrendered to the will of the Beloved. You become totally responsible and able to respond to the world. You do not despair although you will be pained by the suffering that human beings visit upon themselves and each other. The real wound that is in this world of time and space is the sense that we are separate from love. This is not the sentimental attachment often sung in songs or written about in romantic novels. This is the experience of love as spoken about by the mystics of all religious traditions and none. To glimpse this world of mystery is to see through the glass brightly. As the wonderful mystic Ralph Waldo Trine reminds me "If you would find the highest, the fullest and the richest life that not only this world but that any world can know, then do away with the sense of separateness of your life from the life of God." Use whatever word for God that you feel comfortable with. I use the word "Love" or the word "Beloved." The later reminds me that it is an instruction. I am instructed to "BE-LOVE-D." I take this instruction sincerely. It reminds me that this is our true nature. It reminds me that despite all appearances there is one thing that will not change. This is the reality that Love is eternally now. What needs to change is our individual knowing of this experience. This experience of knowing is not the same as belief. This knowing is beyond belief because it is so radically transformational. When you know there is no need for belief. This week remember in your hearts all those who suffer outrage at the hands of others in whatever form. Remember that those who perpetrate these outrages are lost in the mist of separateness from love. Love has its own laws. These do not operate solely in the sphere of time and space. The law of love operates in the realm of the timeless. Anyone who transgresses this law must pay the price. This is not because they are judged "good" or "bad" but because this is the law. This is the real law and no individual overrides it. Those who are outraged may change the nature of the world in this realm of time and space. They cannot, however, change that which is eternal. They cannot change the reality that God is LOVE. They can change the form of energy but they can never destroy it. I want to leave you with the beauty of Islam. I lived in England during what were known as "the troubles." As someone from Northern Ireland there were times I felt isolated and alone. This was because following bomb outrages in English cities all Irish and Northern Irish people were suspected terrorists This is the power of labelling. It is important at this time that we are vigilant in how we judge others of different nationality, religion or any other way that increases our illusion of separateness from each other. On my altar at home I keep the poetry of Jelaluddin Rumi (1207-1273). He is my favourite mystic. His is the true Islam. He is the surrendered one. This is from the wonderful book translated by Coleman Barks entitled "Birdsong." I love the fact that this is the top selling poetry book in the U.S.A. "Love lit a fire in my chestand anything that wasn't loveleft: intellectual subtly, philosophy,books, school. All I want now to doOr hear is poetry." Rumi. In this poem Rumi use the word "poetry" as the metaphor for the experience of non-separateness from love. This week in which outlaws from love have chosen to express their outrage on others remember that the Blessing is already here. You are it if only you take courage and would know. Please feel free to share this article in anyway you wish. It is important that each of us do not succumb to fear. In this world of time and space we have the blessing of free choice. We act from fear or we act from love. It is for each of us to learn how to respond and accept the total responsibility of love in action. This is why we are incarnated here on this beautiful planet. When we learn this lesson we see beyond the mist of illusion. We get to glimpse the wonder of being here now. This is forever enough. Know that this transcends anything that will ever be perpetrated through terror. © Tony Cuckson 2005 Tony Cuckson is a writer, storyteller and Anamcara. This Celtic term means "Soul Friend." He specializes in providing insight for the spiritual journey, Blessings for YOU, words of wisdom and finding inner peace. Visitors to Irish Blessings Matter website and Tony's Blog get the opportunity to develop a purpose driven life through articles, newsletters and other programs. Get your free report called "7 ways to it's a wonderful life" at http://www.irishblessingsmatter.com/, or go to Tony`s Blog at http://www.irishblessingsmatter.info/
Latest News:Site: Yahoo! News Search Results for news News Corp exec becomes chief of Germany's Premiere (Reuters via Yahoo! News) News Corp's chief financial officer for Europe and Asia has been named chief executive of German pay television group Premiere, following the resignation of Michael Boernicke, Premiere said on Wednesday. News Corporation to redevelop London Wapping site (Reuters via Yahoo! News) Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation is to redevelop its Wapping site in London, moving all its UK businesses, including News International, Harper Collins, MySpace and Dow Jones, under one roof. UPI NewsTrack Entertainment News (UPI) Chesney nominated for 7 CMAs ... Hoffman: I'm not playing Penguin ... 'RocknRolla' No. 1 at U.K. box office ... Jessica Simpson stops song on 'GMA' ... News from United Press International. DailyMe: News tailored to your individual tastes (The Christian Science Monitor) Column: Custom news websites come and go, but this one gets it right. Sarah Palin docu wins record ratings for Fox News (Reuters via Yahoo! News) In a week of records surrounding the Republican National Convention, Fox News Channel earned another one with its weekend documentary on vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin. MySpace ad business ahead of target: News Corp (Reuters via Yahoo! News) News Corp's (NWSa.N) MySpace advertising business is operating ahead of expectations and its digital ad business is performing better than the marketplace, the company's chief operating officer said on Tuesday. STOCKS NEWS EUROPE-Erdemir shares fall on iron ore prices (Reuters via Yahoo! Malaysia News) STOCKS NEWS Reuters Results diary News Buzz: Recreating the Big Bang, Gates Urges Slow Iraq Drawdown, Ike Gains Strength (US News & World Report) Top news from the Associated Press For consumers, good news down the line (Sun-Sentinel) Whether you buy a new iPod or not, there may be good news for you in Apple's release of new iPods on Tuesday . Fox News Vaults To Top Of Primetime Ratings (MultiChannel News) Who says no one watches political conventions? Fox News Channel?s coverage of GOP Presidential nominee John McCain?s Sept. 4 acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention drew 9.2 million viewers, topping all other basic cable shows last week, according to Nielsen Media Research data. Site: news - Google News News Analysis A Difficult Road Awaits Panetta at the CIA - New York Times
MORE RESOURCES: Site: Yahoo! News Search Results for inspirational Inspirational Experts in Fashion, Cuisine and Lifestyle to Share Tips and Trends at Orange County Head to Toe Women's ... (PRWeb) Southern California's premiere women's consumer show, the Head to Toe Women's Expo returns to OC Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa, Calif., October 10, 11 and 12, 2008. Presented by Ralphs Grocery, the Head to Toe Women's Expo gives mothers, daughters, and girlfriends a chance to reconnect during a weekend of shopping, pampering, makeovers and inspirational speakers. Several experts, ... http://firepit-plans.com Introduces "The Fire Pit Planner Guide" a Comprehensive Inspirational Guide to Building ... (PRWeb via Yahoo! News) http://firepit-plans.com is a new site that offers a unique do-it-yourself inspirational plan to building fire pits, the guide offers tips and advice on operating and constructing fire pits in the outdoors, house garden or backyard. Reporter's Notebook (Dallas Morning News) Certain parts of Irving City Hall will soon be getting makeovers. Residents and visitors can expect to see inspirational quotes on walls and prominent displays of the city?s mission statement within a couple of months. Bob Walter: Iraq hero gets moving tribute in Elk Grove Park (The Sacramento Bee) For a hero: As if anybody could forget Joe Nurre of Wilton, a fitting and permanent memorial to the inspirational Elk Grove High School football captain is attracting plenty of attention in Elk Grove Park. Joe Nurre A plaque dedicates an Elk Grove barbecue area to Joe Nurre. MCC Honors 9/11 Victims and Families (R News) Monroe Community College hosted a special 9/11 commemorative ceremony at the Remembrance Walk on the Brighton campus. The hour long event included music, inspirational speeches, a moment of silence and flowers placed at the base of the 9/11 monument there. Local review: 'Bill W. and Dr. Bob' entertaining, educational (The Pantagraph) For a gripping evening of theater as educational as it is inspirational, ?Bill W. and Dr. Bob? at Heartland Theatre Company, can?t be beat. Steve Amerson to Sing at the Congressional Medal of Honor Society's Convention (Christian News Wire) DENVER, Sept. 11 / Christian Newswire / -- Steve Amerson, well-known Inspirational music artist will be singing at the Congressional Medal of Honor Society's Annual Convention, A Celebration of Honor, in Denver, Colorado at the "Patriots Award Gala" on Friday, September 19, 2008. Radio pirate suspect arrested in Wilton Manors apartment (Sun-Sentinel) When you tune into FM 103.9 in Broward County , you're supposed to hear a sermon by Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale Pastor Bob Coy or inspirational music from the likes of Mercy Me and Steven Curtis Chapman. Randolph Reads kicks off with celebration (Asheboro Courier-Tribune) ASHEBORO ? A Randolph County initiative to unite the community in reading and discussing an inspirational non-fiction book about a nearby town?s struggles with change is under way. Honor Text Helps Americans to Remember (WCAV Charlottesville) The clock strikes 9:11am and your phone beeps, but it?s not your average text message. Instead, it?s an Honor Text, a brief inspirational message about some of America?s service men and women. Site: inspirational - Google News » Inspirational drama anything but 'Broken' - Chicago Daily Herald
|
RELATED ARTICLES
The Most Powerful Question Ever Asked? What if every experience in your life is sent to you so you can understand who you are and what your life is all about?Just for a moment consider the possibilities within that question.What if it were true, would you be prepared to pay more attention to the events in your life and the meaning behind them? If you're not satisfied with your situation in life and have an issue or two you'd rather not handle then please read on - humour me, the author of a thriller, a public speaker and the writer of personal development books and newsletters. Turning Your Life Over To God and Trusting Him To Lead You Is Like . . . . . . . Stand Up! One of the most undervalued blessings is God's will to make every individual a unique creation. It takes all kinds of people to do the great work of the Lord's kingdom, and it's a good thing that each of us has special talents, callings, and gifts to serve this purpose. Patience - The Antidote for Stress Why is it so difficult to hold steadfast to a commitment to the very thing we desire? I'm sure you've had the experience of challenging your client with something to do, or to be, in service of moving them closer to their heart's desire. As you reconvene again and again, you note that the client can't seem to stay committed to the steps that will realize their dreams. Your James Bond Fantasies Become Real The problem with this is that fantasies usually don't come by chance. You have to plan them yourself. Is Transformation Worth the Effort? Soaring 700 feet above the forest floor is a granite dome two miles long and a mile wide. Stone Mountain, 16 miles east of Atlanta, Georgia, was the ideal site for a memorial to General Robert E. Alone But Not Lonely In today's fast paced society, we've become accustomed to filling the eeriness of silence with fluff. We turn to many distractions as a means of escaping feelings of idleness or boredom. Do You Suffer From The Chef Personality? As a chef I have a unique perspective on anger.In my time I have worked with the greatest in the finest kitchens of Europe. The Art of Giving In the pursuit of the life we dream of, this journey we are on forsuccessful living, the focus is usually on figuring out what it is exactlythat we want and then setting ourselves on course for going and getting it.This is very important: Know what you want to get for your life and thenpursue it. Summertime - Take Time To Smell The Roses I AM SO GRATEFUL for the time to smell the roses.Lying in a hammock between two shade treesOr wandering through a multicolodred rose garden,Sitting quietly and communing with natureBeholding something beautiful in each person I meet. War, Disasters and All is Well It is not very often that I have an issue with writing an article or even a book for that matter. There are so many things to write about, the world is a goldmine of information and stories. Garbage In Its Place There is nothing worse than seeing garbage blowing down the street of your neighborhood, or finding broken shards of glass at the local swimming hole where children play. Wildlife is just as vulnerable to garbage and many have lost their lives after becoming tangled in waste or mistaking garbage for food. Taking Life Head On "We are built to conquer environment, solve problems, achieve goals and we find no real satisfaction or happiness in life without obstacles to conquer and goals to achieve." - Maxwell Maltz in Psycho-Cybernetics (1960)I have always taken life head on because I had no choice. Reach Your Dreams About fifteen years ago I was rummaging through some old boxes in my basement when I discovered a stack of poems that I had written during my childhood. As I began reading, I discovered a long-forgotten world - one that sang with romance, adventure, and mystery. Words That Can Leave You Powerless The lines below come from this weeks mind treatment, written by Rev. Angelica Jayne who is a regular weekly contributor to this site. Nurture Your Heart Pregnant with her first child, Jill could barely contain her excitement over the dreams and hopes she cherished for her unborn baby, whom she had already named Mara (she was so sure it was a girl). She practiced the lullabies she would sing as she nursed Mara close to her breast. A New Strategy Direct Answers - Column for the week of November 3, 2003My mother-in-law drives me crazy! She is an antisocial, critical, know-it-all who can't find anything decent to say about anyone but herself. Every time she comes to visit it puts such a damper on my relationship with my wife, it takes us days to recover. Honesty Those who pride themselves on their honesty should also concern themselves with this principle: The effectiveness of honesty depends on a person's willingness to face the truth, which may conflict with this person's desires and provoke denial.In such a case, how can one promote this willingness, despite this conflict? The answer to this question could prove useful to anyone who seeks to be effectively honest with people in denial. Live After 40 "For man, as a specie, and unlike other inhabitants of the globe, does not just ravage mindlessly the planet of its bounties in order to survive. He endeavours to leave behind legacies of the application of his mind. What Inspires You? Have you ever thought? What inspires YOU? What is it that drives you day in and day out? What is it that inspires you?We think of creative people as being inspired and ask about their work. What inspired you to paint, draw, produce this piece of work? What inspired you to make this? Usually the answer is: a book, poem, film, experience, person, a place or in Cole Porter's case the 'phone call from the director'. |
| Home | Site Map | Resource Links |