Author: Holger

  • Colossians 2:20

    Colossians 2:20

    Dear Yanika, rush or hush?

    The tendency of “me” seems to rush, to get things done, to seemingly get somewhere, to fulfill expectations, always busy being busy?

    Maybe this week we can meet in Colossians 2 (verse 20)?

    To meet as little children, willing to be with “I don’t know”, earnest in asking what do I really know first-hand, right now, that is not adulterated/manipulated/limited/rattled by my human thinking?

    “Speak Lord, your servant is listening.”

    Allowing inner space for the still small voice seems so hard?

    1 For I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me face to face, 2 that they may be encouraged in heart, knit together in love, and filled with the full riches of complete understanding, so that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

    4 I say this so that no one will deceive you by smooth rhetoric. 5 For although I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit, and I delight to see your orderly condition and firm faith in Christ.

    6 Therefore, just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him, established in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

    8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ. 9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity dwells in bodily form. 10 And you have been made complete in Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.

    11 In Him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of your sinful nature, with the circumcision performed by Christ and not by human hands. 12 And having been buried with Him in baptism, you were raised with Him through your faith in the power of God, who raised Him from the dead.

    13 When you were dead in your trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our trespasses, 14 having canceled the debt ascribed to us in the decrees that stood against us. He took it away, nailing it to the cross! 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

    16Therefore let no one judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a feast, a New Moon, or a Sabbath. 17 These are a shadow of the things to come, but the body that casts it belongs to Christ. 18 Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you with speculation about what he has seen. Such a person is puffed up without basis by his unspiritual mind. 19 He has lost connection to the head, from whom the whole body, supported and knit together by its joints and ligaments, grows as God causes it to grow.

    20 If you have died with Christ to the spiritual forces of the world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its regulations: 21 “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!”? 22 These will all perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. 23 Such restrictions indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-prescribed worship, their false humility, and their harsh treatment of the body; but they are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.

    Berean Standard Bible

    Joel Goldsmith used to say that for him the core of the Bible is

    To know Him aright is life eternal.

    “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent”

    John 17:3

  • Everything will become very obvious

    Everything will become very obvious

    “Let the mind calm down and the heart start to open.  Then everything will become very obvious.”

    Sri Sri Ravi Shankar (b. 1956)
    Indian Spiritual Teacher

    “At the heart of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s teachings is the idea that spirituality transcends religious and cultural boundaries and centers on human values—love, compassion, and enthusiasm. He advocates for direct experience over dogma, drawing connections between science and spirituality and encouraging seekers to explore questions like “Who am I?” as a means of spiritual inquiry. His vision includes the unity of all humanity, seeing the spiritual bond as more significant than labels that separate individuals.”
    Perplexity.ai

    “Be still, and know that I am”

    Psalm 46:10
    God/Reality/Universe

  • Psalm 91

    Psalm 91

    You Are My Refuge and My Fortress

    1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

    will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

    2 I will say to the LORD, “You are my refuge and my fortress,

    my God, in whom I trust.”

    3 Surely He will deliver you

    from the snare of the fowler,

    and from the deadly plague.

    4 He will cover you with His feathers;

    under His wings you will find refuge;

    His faithfulness is a shield and rampart.

    5 You will not fear the terror of the night,

    nor the arrow that flies by day,

    6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,

    nor the calamity that destroys at noon.

    7 Though a thousand may fall at your side,

    and ten thousand at your right hand,

    no harm will come near you.

    8 You will only see it with your eyes

    and witness the punishment of the wicked.

    9 Because you have made the LORD your dwelling—

    my refuge, the Most High—

    10 no evil will befall you,

    no plague will approach your tent.

    11 For He will command His angels concerning you

    to guard you in all your ways.

    12 They will lift you up in their hands,

    so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.b

    13 You will tread on the lion and cobra;

    you will trample the young lion and serpent.

    14 “Because he loves Me, I will deliver him;

    because he knows My name, I will protect him.

    15 When he calls out to Me,

    I will answer him;

    I will be with him in trouble.

    I will deliver him and honor him.

    16 With long life I will satisfy him

    and show him My salvation.”

    Scripture, practical, here and now!

    What does this mean for you:

    “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High.”

    It is easy to use scripture as a painkiller and overlook its clarity and significance here and now!

  • 2025-11-07

    2025-11-07

    In a world so torn apart by rivalry, anger and hatred, we have the privileged vocation to be living signs of a love that can bridge all divisions and heal all wounds.

    Henri Nouwen
    Dutch Priest

  • The purpose of spiritual life

    The purpose of spiritual life

    “Learning how to love is the purpose of spiritual life, not learning how to bow, chant, do yoga or even meditate.  Love is the truth.  Love is the light.”

    Surya Das (b. 1950)
    American Spiritual Educator

  • Blackbird (John Lennon, Paul McCartney)

    Blackbird (John Lennon, Paul McCartney)

    Kenny Rankin – Blackbird

    Thank you Ralph 🥰

    Ai Summary

    “Blackbird” is a poignant and metaphorical song by The Beatles, written primarily by Paul McCartney and released on their 1968 self-titled album (also known as the “White Album”). While I won’t reproduce the full lyrics, I can describe the song’s profound meaning and context.

    The song is widely interpreted as a powerful allegory for the Civil Rights Movement in the United States during the 1960s. McCartney has spoken about being inspired by the struggles of Black Americans fighting for equality and freedom during that tumultuous period. The “blackbird” is a metaphorical representation of African Americans seeking to overcome systemic oppression and racial discrimination.

    Musically, it’s a beautiful acoustic ballad featuring McCartney’s gentle fingerpicking guitar style. The song’s delicate melody contrasts with its deeply meaningful lyrics, which speak to themes of resilience, hope, and personal transformation. The imagery of a blackbird learning to fly despite broken wings symbolizes the human capacity to overcome adversity, rise above challenging circumstances, and find personal liberation.

    The song’s simple yet profound message resonates with listeners as a universal anthem of strength, courage, and the potential for personal and collective healing. It encourages listeners to persevere through darkness and find their own path to freedom and self-realization.

    Lyrics

    Blackbird singing in the dead of night
    Take these broken wings and learn to fly
    All your life
    You were only waiting for this moment to arise

    Blackbird singing in the dead of night
    Take these sunken eyes and learn to see
    All your life
    You were only waiting for this moment to be free

    Blackbird, fly
    Blackbird, fly
    Into the light of the dark black night

    Blackbird, fly
    Blackbird, fly
    Into the light of the dark black night

    Blackbird singing in the dead of night
    Take these broken wings and learn to fly
    All your life
    You were only waiting for this moment to arise

    You were only waiting for this moment to arise
    You were only waiting for this moment to arise

    Source: Musixmatch

    Songwriters: Paul Mccartney / John Lennon

    Blackbird lyrics © Sony/atv Tunes Llc, Mpl Communications Inc

  • Is love a state of being?

    Is love a state of being?

    H: Is love a state of being?

    Perplexity.ai: Yes, love is often described as a state of being rather than simply an emotion or feeling. This perspective on love emphasizes its fundamental nature as an ongoing, internal condition rather than a transient emotional response. Key aspects of love as a state of being include:

    1. Unconditional nature: Love is seen as an unconditional state that persists regardless of external circumstances or temporary emotions.
    2. Openness and readiness: It’s characterized by an openness towards life and a readiness for profound connections.
    3. Freedom from delusion: Love is described as a mind free of active delusions, resulting in clarity, wisdom, and groundedness in the present moment.
    4. Internal orientation: Rather than being centered on external objects or people, love as a state of being is centered within the individual.
    5. Constant presence: Unlike fleeting emotions, this state of love is considered to be ever-present, forming a baseline experience through which one moves through the world.
    6. Self-connection: A crucial aspect of love as a state of being is the relationship with oneself, emphasizing self-love and self-acceptance.

    This view of love aligns with spiritual and philosophical perspectives that see love as our natural state of being, transcending mere emotion and encompassing a way of existing in and perceiving the world.

  • State/Aspect of Being?

    State/Aspect of Being?

    H: From a nondual perspective, what is the difference between a state of being and an aspect of being?

        

    Perplexity.ai: From a nondual perspective, there is no fundamental difference between a state of being and an aspect of being. In nonduality, all distinctions and dichotomies dissolve, including the separation between states and aspects. The nondual experience is characterized by a sense of oneness and interconnectedness with all things, where subject-object duality disappears. In this context:

    1. States of being: Typically thought of as temporary conditions or modes of existence, such as happiness, sadness, or alertness.
    2. Aspects of being: Often considered more permanent or inherent qualities of existence, such as consciousness or awareness.

    However, in nondual realization:

    • Both states and aspects are seen as manifestations of the same underlying reality.
    • The perception of temporary states or permanent aspects is recognized as an illusion created by the mind’s tendency to categorize and separate.
    • There is no experiencer separate from the experience, so the distinction between a state one enters and an aspect one possesses becomes meaningless.

    Ultimately, from the nondual perspective, both states and aspects of being are simply expressions of the unified, undivided nature of reality, which transcends all conceptual distinctions.

  • What is Love?

    What is Love?

    Ai:

    Love is not a sentiment or feeling, but a true self and effortless being. It is considered to be the same as peace, freedom, and beauty. Love is the recognition of one reality and one consciousness.

    Here are some additional details about love from the sources:

    Love is a state of being. Love is described as an effortless presence and a silent stillness. It is the heart of silence and the aliveness of awareness. Love is causeless, not dependent on the body, mind, or relationships.

    Love is connected to understanding. Love is the understanding of the self and the understanding about what ‘I’ truly means. It is the understanding of one’s true nature and the understanding about the nature of being.

    Love is the absence of separation. Love is the recognition of oneself in others. It is the understanding that there is only one reality. In love, we are one.

    Love is a natural state. Love as the current that carries, nourishes, and feeds. It is a natural state of being that does not require effort. Love is a state of complete relaxation and resting in the unknown.

    Love is beyond the mind. Love is beyond words and mind. It is Presence that is not dependent on a body or mind. Love is discovered when the mind is quiet and still. Love is not a mental process or interpretation.

    Love is the true nature of reality. Love is the essence of the ocean, the sun, and gold. It is the essence of everything perceived. Love is also the source of all manifestation and is present in all forms.

    Love is available. Love is always available in the present moment. It is the space that embraces everything. Love is available through being open and vulnerable.

    Living in love. To live in love is to not be a person, but love itself expressing itself. It is about being kind, gentle, and contemplative. To live in love is to live in freedom from the illusion of separation and the me-belief.

    In summary, love is not just an emotion, but rather a state of being, a deep understanding, a recognition of oneness, and the true nature of reality. It is available in the present moment and is revealed through the absence of separation, effortlessness, and a quiet mind.

    50 Magdi Meditations 2024-11-24 to 06-15-2024

    H: thinking is a tool. When I mistake myself to be the tool, to be some-thing or some-one, I build my house on sand. My seeming safety, peace and fulfillment becomes dependent on circumstances.