The Tao of Divine Order

The Tao of Divine Order

Change is one of the few constants in our physical world. As the Tao reminds us “the ten thousand things rise and fall without cease”. At the same time it says however that “Heaven and Earth last forever.”

How can this be?

Looking first at the natural world, moment by moment the waves ebb and flow, the breeze shifts, streams run, clouds float. Day becomes night, seasons come and seasons go and life goes on.

The circumstances are always unique, none lasting longer than a moment. Yet, the pattern is always perfectly predictable. While the waves ebb and flow, the ocean itself is permanent. While the sun is always moving across the sky (actually relative to the earth the sun is fairly constant- it is the earth that is rotating), we can predict exactly when the sun will rise. Spring will always follow winter and in the Northern Hemisphere spring days will generally warm and buds on trees will come out and the bulbs will become flowers and so forth and so on.

The same is true with technology and our personal world. First there were drums, bugles and banners, then smoke signals, then the break through of the telegraph and then upgrade to the universal home telephone and now personal cell phones. The only constant is that our technical world is always evolving.

In our private world as well, we are all the time, amidst change. Circumstances and conditions come and go surrounding jobs, health, friendships and a myriad of ten thousand other details. The only constant here is that we are eternal souls on an infinite journey of exploration.

In thinking about our prosperity consciousness from this perspective, we can see how we make the decisions that shape the details of our lives.

There are really only two ultimate world view choices. One can choose to live from a world view that rejects a higher power as an organizing and responsive force for our good. This world view is enmeshed in the details because there is nothing larger involved. Making choices based on circumstances is typically exhausting because we cannot adequately predict how the circumstances will alter and so we end up micromanaging our lives. We are living then in an unpredictable and/or chaotic world and from this mind set are typically thinking of self centered survival issues most of the time. The best we can do from this consciousness is to maximize our experience of our own preferences.

The other perspective available is a spiritual perspective that holds that while we are having an entirely human experience, we are actually spiritual beings and our lives are governed by spiritual laws. As we study and come to integrate our understanding of these universal principles then we can improve the quality of our life in generally predictable way. We may not be able to control all the short term circumstances, (other people do have free will after all) but we know that we are trudging a spiritual path that promises inner peace and a life of abundance.

There are examples of this phenomenon in quantum physics that seem very pertinent but I am not really able to explain it clearly. Scientists have run multiple repetitions of certain experiments to determine to a very fine accuracy which outcome of several possibilities is going to happen. They are able to predict how likely it is that each variable will occur, but they cannot know ahead of any specific test run which outcome is actually going to happen until it actually does happen. What I am describing here is not a chaotic environment, but one which is not certain.

Here is a example of a non chaotic but uncertain system from the natural world that I think I can use to illustrate this principle. Debbie and I just got back from Hawaii and we surfed for the first time. Surfers, whether in competition or for personal recreation are trying to catch a perfect wave. They know in any given day that there will be nearly an infinite number of waves. Some of these waves will be duds, some will be passable and a few will be nearly perfect.

The surfers know from common experience that ocean waves tend to come in sets, perhaps 3-8 waves in a series followed by a lull in the wave action and then the commencement of the next set. The surfers never know ahead of time if the next wave will be a dud or last wave of a set. They never know for sure until the wave begins to break if it will be a perfect wave. They are looking to pass on the duds, while seeking to catch a good wave before the onset of the next lull so they can surf and then paddle back out during the lull.

In spite of the appearance of a chaotic environment where no one can predict the quality of the next wave, many surfers will pass on wave after wave and then simultaneously a pair will jump up in unison to ride the next wave even though multiple riders on the same peak tends to diminish their own ride. How does this happen, that independent of each other several surfers will determine the next wave is the one to ride and not the one after that? They must develop some feel, some sixth sense that activates them to ride as the swell begins to form but before the wave actually breaks into a curl. They cannot know ahead of time so their environment is uncertain, but they know a good wave is going to come along sooner or later because every day there are literally hundreds of good waves.

This process of discerned thinking by surfers hopefully leads us to an understanding of the difference between a chaotic universe and one that is uncertain but predictable. As Einstein said, he believed that God did not play dice with the Universe. In other words, Einstein was convinced in his heart that the Universe was not random or chaotic, and he spent the entire balance of his life trying to find scientific proof of this conviction.

This perspective deeply impacts our prosperity thinking in how we deal with the changes in our life. If we assume the Universe is chaotic and random then we will have a gut reaction to each perceived threat. The gut reaction is activated in the lower chakras where the survival and power instincts are located. Gut reactions are often urgent and very strong adrenalin driven currents and tend to be, as their namesake indicates, reactive. They are noted for self centered and protective behavior. Protective behavior can be defensive or aggressive, is often focused on shifting blame and it is typically competitive or even hostile.

On the other hand, if our deepest belief is that the world is unfolding in response to our intentions in a rational but uncertain manner, then we can take the time to rely on our intuition to guide our decisions. Intuition arises within the higher chakras. These intuitive senses are integrated for the well-being of all concern. They tend to be gentle signals or subtle hints that take time to fully take shape and are most often expansive or generative in character.

Reactive energy and decisions made from a world view of chaos are less likely to lead to a sense of our goodness. It is focused on self centered survival- which is unlikely to help us thrive unless we are truly in a dire situation. On the other hand, a world view which encompasses a Higher Power and Divine Order lead to intuitive decision making and a calmer life. These decisions will be expansive rather than protective and will thus more likely to lead us towards prosperity and abundance. In the end, it is our choice of which world view to adopt, chaos or Divine Order.

Chaos Uncertinity and Divine Order

Chaos, Uncertainty and Divine Order

The science of economics indicates that people tend to be mostly rational about their choices around prosperity. In times of falling home prices, people wait to purchase a home to see if they can get a better deal, in times of raising gas prices, people tend to drive less. If Roma tomatoes are on sale this week, we might buy Roma tomatoes instead of cherry tomatoes. Each month we make millions of economic decisions that are based on the data uppermost in our mind

Coupled with these basically rational choices are a number of unstated assumptions which may or may not be useful. I like a certain brand of Blue Cheese dressing and do not like other brands of Blue Cheese dressing. (In fact I do not like any other type of dressing on my salad either). When the brand I like is on sale, I will buy two or three jars even if I only need one jar now. When it is not on sale, I will just buy one jar. My basic assumption is that the dressing will not be on sale every week, but it will be on sale sometime soon. Moreover, my basic assumption is that the store will be open each week.

These basic assumptions are woven into our thinking at such a deep level that we are not often aware of them and rarely examine them. They exist surrounding every area of our lives and become ingrained into our thinking. For example, when I lived in California there were many sunny days and so oftentimes I would think of taking a walk but wait till later in the afternoon because I had a few others things to do. This basic assumption collided with reality when I moved to Oregon where there is an occasional glimmer of sun for a short while but rarely an entire day that is sunny. I had to re evaluate my basic assumption about walks to adapt to Oregon weather patterns and now take my walk the moment I see the sunshine.

Our unconscious basic assumptions impact our ability to relate to a Higher Power in a profound way and are often determinative of our ability to thrive and prosper. If we have unconsciously embedded ideas from our childhood world view then our otherwise rational decision making process is entirely skewed.

One area for potent inquiry is the relationship of Divine Order to our experience of chaos and uncertainty. If we had a chaotic childhood with lots of seemingly irrational events occurring all the time, then examining our thinking about the role of a Higher Power in our prosperity consciousness my lead to a sense of well-being that would otherwise be missing.

Each personal spiritual journey is unique and so reactions to similar conditions might lead to very different basic assumptions so it is unwise to generalize too much. Prolonged exposure to chaos as a youngster might lead one child to an overly developed desire to control their world as an adult. It may be just as likely though that a child growing up a chaotic environment might adopt a chaotic lifestyle. It is vital not to judge the prior assumptions as bad or unhealthy. This just brings about more shame. Instead, the initial transformational opportunity here to use our free will and discernment to determine in a compassionate way the embedded assumptions which define the core of our thinking and gently see if these concepts support us to thrive now.

As noted in a prior chapter, I believe that the world is ordered and responsive. That means that there is a rational and soothing process by which I can interact with this Higher Intelligence to co create a better life. This Higher Intelligence is a benefactor to me and all humanity. There are, of course, times in my life when I am faced with uncertainty. So long as I can be present to the uncertainty with this underlying theology of Divine Order, I am usually able to remain calmly open. I trust that my good is inherently operational in every situation. I know that no matter how it looks in the moment that my experience is not chaotic and unpredictable. Instead, my world is responding to my most profound prayers and unfolding for my ultimate good.

It seems to me that some people say they believe in a Higher Power as a nurturing organizing force for good but on a deeper unconscious level hold the idea that the world is chaotic and unpredictable. Since all our actions are typically influenced from our most deeply held belief, people with this mind set will react to a change in circumstances from a world view of chaos and unpredictability no matter what they may say they believe about God. This means they are less likely to remain in open surrender to the changes and instead will react from their habitual resistance to chaos or unpredictability. They may become protective, defensive or combative.

In terms of pure prosperity consciousness, folks with this way of thinking then unconsciously resist the unfolding of their own good by reacting irrationally when things begin to feel out of our control. Change is happening all the time, but when our consciousness remains fixed, then the details of our life shift but our basic state remains the same. We get evicted from one relationship and fall into an equally dysfunctional one. We loose one job and find another that is just as unsatisfying. We clear up one health challenge and find other symptoms right around the corner. Pretty soon we begin to feel there are no good romantic partners out there. We sense that we are jinxed in our career. Our friends call us hypochondriacs.

Transformation arises when we are able to remain calmly aware of our deepest mind set in the middle of massive change. When we hold as the core truth of our existence a world view that there is a benevolent presence within us guiding and supporting our good, then we experience the uncertainty as an opening to a new way of living rather than something to be feared or managed.

Divine Order

Prosperity Thoughts: Divine Order

One of the very fundamental assumptions that each of us make is about the orderliness of the Universe. We may not consciously resolve this, but our assumption underlies every decision we make. I offer some observations that might stimulate you to become aware of your ideas on the nature of the Universe. Looking at the question dispassionately there are only a few possibilities. Here are some of the more obvious ones.

The Universe is rational and predictable and controlled by some sort of outside Higher Power. (Ordered).

The Universe is irrational and unpredictable. (Chaos).

The level of order in the Universe is changing randomly all the time- sometimes it is ordered and at other times it is not. (Undeterminable).

The level of order in the Universe is continually being reduced by power beyond our control. (Devolving).

The level of order in Universe is continually being increased by a power beyond our control. (Evolving).

The level of order in the Universe is rational and predictable and measurably impacted by our individual and collective consciousness. (Spiritual).

To my way of seeing this, each person can unconsciously cycle through these various world views many times per day depending on the circumstances of the moment. It is important to notice this because I think our mood shifts depending on which world view we have adopted at any moment.

For example, anyone in an airplane is operating under the idea that there is a high level of order and predictability in the world. Their flight may be delayed by unforeseen factors (such as bad weather) but these are predictable and so experienced winter travelers allow extra time to make connections. Their underlying assumption is that the pilot is well trained, the aircraft well maintained, the laws of aerodynamic flight are well understood and so forth. If they thought otherwise, they would not be flying. I think that an aware situational assessment of which world view to apply to any given situation is perhaps an example of a highly developed consciousness.

On the other hand, I have noticed after our recent election that many peoples answer to the question about if the Universe is evolving or devolving depends on if their preferred candidate won the election or not. It seems purely subjective, especially when the newly elected candidate adopts many of the policy choices of the former administrations. This is, to my way of seeing it, is letting circumstance dictate our world view rather than seeing the world through a particular paradigm. I think this is a relatively undeveloped way of being in the world.

I am convinced that many of our very early childhood experiences influence our world view in dramatic and unconscious ways. I think many unconsciously then project their childhood perspective of their caregivers onto God in some fashion. I think the idea behind this concept is fairly well understood but the actual mechanism in each individual is much more subtle.

On a generational level, I think that many that were born during the hardest times of “Great Depression” adopted a deep seeded sense of uncertainty about financial matters. Their world view was one of scarcity. I know from stories I have heard that many children wondered if they would have food in the house. Many children relied on adults who were very fearful about loosing their jobs due to mass layoffs that were made by executives far outside their control for reasons outside of their perception. Growing up in this environment might lead to a world view that suggests that the Universe is devolving due to forces beyond their control.

In the same economic climate another child in an immigrant family might have experienced both their parents working hard, struggling to learn English and stressing the need to get a good education. This parent is modeling a worldview that says the world is organized and predictable, what are needed for success are hard work and an education.

Someone who grew up in a family laced with addition and dysfunction might have experienced a childhood with times of great uproar and conflict as well as times of tenderness and stability. Sometimes daddy would come home on time, sober and happy and other times he would not come home and there was worry and angst. Perhaps mom would be upbeat and cheerfully responsive much of the time and other times morose and unwilling to make dinner. A youngster with this home life might then unconsciously adopt a view of the Universe that held it was unpredictable and irrationally chaotic.

I think it is very worthwhile to take the time to reflect on our basic assumptions about how the Universe operates and to notice where we might have adopted our cultural or family perspective on this question without being aware of the impact.

We teach as a foundational truth that the Universe is highly organized and that it is predictably responsive to our own thinking. This foundational principle explains how the laws of science allow us great predictability in our physical world, which when coupled with the impact of our consciousness leads to a certain appearance of uncertainty in our daily life. I will talk about this impact in the next segment.

Prosperity Thoughts Feb. 2009

Prosperity Thoughts Feb 2009

Early each year I tend to review the basic principles surrounding prosperity to bring them more deeply into my awareness. One principle I find vital to keep in mind is that my willingness to receive my good is absolutely dispositive to my experience of life's abundance. “Dispositive” means there is a 100% correlation- the flow of goodness into my life is unlimited and the only reason I am not flush with abundance is because of my own personal resistance.

Looking into the details of this begins with the idea that Spirit gives us life unconditionally. There is nothing that any of us had to do to earn being born; our life is a gift from our Creator. It is given unconditionally because we enjoy free will which allows us to choose how to expend our life energy. We can work, play, study, rest and so forth to our heart's content.

However, it is our deepest nature to be generous, compassionate and have the desire to serve life. A meaningful and fulfilling life is derived from our willingness to be a conscious blessing to others. We often refer to this as our Christ Consciousness or our Buddha nature.

Unfortunately, not all of us act consistently in accordance with our deepest nature and, instead of serving others, seek to be self-serving. There are a variety of reasons for this. Two of the more prevalent are that some of us suffer the consequences of our childhood experience and others are ensnared by the current collective social consciousness of material values. Because all enjoy free will, any one of us can choose to override our giving nature and instead become takers rather than givers. This does not often lead to happiness, but it can lead to riches or material success.

Trying to receive without giving does harden your heart. The ultimate Law of Karma cannot be circumvented. Eventually any pursuit that is not serving the highest and best for all concerned leads to suffering. St. Francis said, in his famous prayer "….For it is in giving that we receive…."

Jesus is quoted in Luke as teaching "Whoever tries to hang on to life will forfeit it, but whoever forfeits life will preserve it." Luke 17:33. Both of these great teachers contradict the typical material consciousness embedded in cultural norms. Following their teachings activates success through the spiritual principle that when we want something, we should give it freely to others.

In the material realm we typically invest our time, energy and talent in exchange for treasure. From this framework, obviously we cannot give that which we want to receive successfully because to all appearances we do not have enough of it (which is why we want to receive it). Instead we have to give up something else of value to get what we seek. This trade off is commonly called the "Rat Race."

When Jesus told his followers with money “not to lend it with interest, but instead give it to someone from whom you won’t get it back” (Thomas 95), he was urging them to stop thinking of money in terms of what you can get for it. He wanted them to move towards a spiritual awareness and knew their attachment to money would hinder this shift in consciousness. He was telling them they can never win the Rat Race.

In the spiritual realm (which we do inhabit to the extent we are moment by moment aware that we are spiritual beings) the Law of Circulation says that what we put out in the Universe comes back to us. Thus, we can give to others that which we want to receive. We are assured success by knowing that we cannot out-give our Creator, that has unconditionally given us life.

I know this seems like a paradox, so let me share an example. When I practiced law, fairly frequently I would get a phone call from someone who would blurt out one question seeking an answer over the phone. It seemed obvious to me that they wanted free advice over the phone and were calling randomly trying to get piecemeal answers to their question. I gave a free 20 minute consultation to anyone who came to my office, (where at least the last few minutes were taken up with a sales pitch to hire me) but these folks asking for free advice on the phone did not want to make an appointment.

Eventually, I began to ask them rudely, "What you want now is free advice over the phone?" Some would hang up immediately. Others would admit this and the discussion would terminate very quickly. In either case it seemed to be working.

However, one day I had a problem with my laser printer. I did not know if it was a simple problem that just needed a minor repair or a big problem which would require me to buy a new printer. I called up a local printer repair shop that I had never dealt with before. I began asking the technician questions over the phone; I was trying to determine if it would be worth my while to bring the printer into the shop, pay the diagnostics fee or instead save myself the trouble (the time and treasure) and go buy a new printer. The technician asked me… very calmly, much more calmly than I ever asked the question to people that called my law practice…"Oh, you want free advice over the phone?" I said "yes" with some shame in my voice. The technician then continued to offer me help, for free, over the phone.

In this case I ended up taking the printer in for an inspection and it turned out that the cost to repair it was unreasonably high, so I bought a reconditioned printer from that same store. On a practical level, I could see that giving free advice over the phone might lead to some good will and good business.

I also looked at this metaphysically. In this experience, I realized that I wanted to live in a world where I believed I would receive unlimited free support over the phone. To implement this into my experience, immediately after that interaction I began giving all the free legal advice I could to whomever asked for it. Not surprisingly, this did once in a while bring me some customers or referrals, but that was secondary. What it really did was move me from the concept that I had to trade knowledge for treasure to a worldview that allowed me to receive all the help I was willing to ask for because I was giving all the help I could. (Formerly I believed that people had to pay me for advice and that I had to pay others for good advice).

Now, I inhabit a world where there is abundant good advice available for me. I accomplished this by choosing to give that which I wanted to receive, knowing that the Law of Circulation means that when I serve life, life serves me.

Affirmation: When I serve others, life serves me.