How Pushing a Car can Raise Social Awareness. Do you still care?

The other day on my way home there was a older Toyota Camry blocking the right-side of the road, unable to move. The driver, a young black man, was sitting in the car.  Unhesitatingly, my immediate response was to pull into the Walgreens parking lot in front of the stranded vehicle.  I hopped out and jogged over to the stranded car, asking if I may be of assistance. I could see that he was mildly confused as to what to do, as numerous impatient drivers were leaning on their horns. I asked him if he would mind steering his car into the Walgreens as I pushed it. He agreed, putting the car in neutral.  So I began pushing the car.  It slowly moved but he failed to turn the vehicle into the parking lot. So, I clarified that it would be best to get the car off the road as quickly as possible. So I pushed the car back to where we started so we would be able to turn into the parking lot. By this time, I was a little winded. Yet I pushed, getting as much speed as possible to get it up the slightly steep incline of the driveway.  No such luck. It was clear I needed his help to push it up the incline. So we both pushed but the incline was too great. HERE IS WHAT AMAZED ME...
Not only could dozens of drivers see we were struggling, but also two pedestrians passed by separately- one a young black man and the other a white woman. We asked the young black man if he would help us. Strangely, he seemed to ignore our request.  Both walked past us unconcerned even though they were about 15 feet from us.  The driver and myself tried for ten minutes with all our might to push the car up the incline, without success. At no point did anyone else attempt to help us. We left the vehicle on the inclined driveway, only a foot or so away from the road and traffic.   

This being said, where has people's concern, care, and sense of community gone? Does it matter that both of us struggling to push the car were brown skinned? Is it easy to assume that we had the strength to accomplish the task, even though the looks on our faces expressed the strain and difficulty? You decide.
   Rather than getting angry, I realized that I felt sad that society may be losing its sense of community, brotherhood, and genuine care for our fellow men.  What are your thoughts?? Please share!

You Are a Spiritual Being! Part 4

Which came first? The radio, the signal, or the power? Does it make sense that the radio would be invented/created before there was evidence of a source of power, as well as a signal that could be received? After all, the radio cannot operate without power and cannot fulfill its purpose without capturing a signal of music, of voice, or message. Consider now that the signal is like the soul and the power source is the spirit. As I contemplate this metaphor, I am surprised by the many expressions or idioms we have in English that almost reflect an innate knowing. Perhaps they are wonderful coincidences, you decide. For example, when we're listening to music that really moves us, we often say, “this music has soul!” What does this expression mean to you?

Relating to our spirit being like our source of power, we have expressions such as [when] “the spirit moves you” or “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Also, what is a common expression when someone is going to be taken off of life support? “Pull the plug.” Lastly, some Christians frequently share the verse, “the flesh profiteth nothing, it is the spirit that gives life.” It is certainly curious the number of expressions we use which can so conveniently support this metaphor-the spirit being like a power source, the soul being like the radio signals, and the brain/body being like the radio. Hopefully you're still tuning in.

Remember, you are a spiritual being. Your essence is not physical. Your creator and source of power is greater than we can fully comprehend, just as the essence of the signal and the electricity have a mysterious reality beyond the existence of the radio. It is estimated that at any given moment each of us has thousands of different radio waves that pass around and through us simultaneously. Yet without a radio or electronic device we remain oblivious to them. With this in mind, how can anyone confidently deny the likelihood that our essence is something we are unable to clearly detect and comprehend? However, with enough determination and patience, we can finely tune ourselves to capture the unique signal(s) which enable us to express the music or message and therefore manifest our innate purpose or calling.

Have you ever used an 'old fashioned' radio? You know- the ones that took the utmost patience tuning and adjusting the antenna? Learning to tune into the signal of your soul and purpose can be very much a similar process. You may first question if there are any stations to tune into and when you do find one, it doesn't seem very clear- certainly not compared to the ease and clarity of current radio tuners. This being said, truly recognizing our higher essence beyond the physical can be a trying experience, one which many people never attempt or give up too soon on.

It is my hope that this book as a whole will strengthen this awareness of your essence, guide you with ways to tune into it, to find your purpose, and inspire you to stay tuned to the signal of your personal calling-a calling which is the master-key to your prosperity and life-long joy!

I'll conclude this entry with a related passage by the Universal House of Justice...

"You must always remember, no matter how much you or others may be afflicted with mental troubles . . . that your spirit is healthy, near to our Beloved, and will in the next world enjoy a happy and normal state of soul."

Reference info...

1. http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/9708/31/diana.8pm.update/
2. If you really are curious about how radios work, visit http://www.howstuffworks.com/radio.htm for a fascinating explanation and history.

Your Are a Spiritual Being! Part 3

With the previous concepts in mind, consider the following metaphor.

Do you have a radio? What is its purpose or function? To listen to music, news, sports, or notifications, right? Now the next question is, where does the music come from? Are you thinking radio station or radio tower? Good. Knowing about the radio station makes it easier to answer this next question. Does the music come from the radio or through the radio? If you said through then your ability to think abstractly is good enough for this metaphor! If you said from, then take a week to research how radios work. Just kidding! You too can grasp the wonderful symbolism unfolded in radio technology. [2] Recognizing that the radio is a receptor for radio waves is important to understanding this metaphor. As a receptor, the radio is able to receive the signals transmitted or sent from the radio station. Without the ability to receive and project [via speakers] the signals coming from the station, the radio becomes virtually useless and unable to fulfill its basic purpose.

So how does this metaphor connect with being a spiritual being? Firstly, consider for a moment that the radio in this metaphor represents the human body or brain. Next, consider that in order for a fully functional radio to fulfill its purpose, it needs both a source of power (electricity) as well as a clear signal(s) it can receive from a station or stations. In the case of our metaphor we can consider a lot of possible ways we can power the radio of our body and mind. Certainly food, water, and love come to mind quickly. What else?

As for the signal coming from the station, which gives the radio purpose, it might take us a little longer to identify the possibilities. Considering the purpose of the radio, what do you feel the purpose of the human body is? Is it more than just the functioning of the organs, is it to accumulate wealth, to pursue pleasure, is it to demonstrate physical strenght, or to die as a grand parent, or is it a vehicle or temporary reciever for something more grand? To this last point, I invite you to consider that the purpose of the body is to temporarily manifest and develop the eternal reality of the soul, just as the radio manifests the ever-present radio waves coming from the station! Now, please stay tuned and ponder the following in Part 4!

You Are a Spiritual Being! Part 2

So before we go any further, let us look at why it is important to know that you are an eternal spiritual being having a temporary physical experience? Perhaps your true identity, your greatest happiness, your most vivid imagination, your highest success, and your deepest source of peace may depend on this knowing. In a moment, I'll present a simple yet facinating metaphor which may help us understand how it is possible that we are in fact spiritual beings. But first, consider the following benefits of this realization that your essence is spiritual.

Here are a few I brainstormed.

Knowing your essence is spiritual, not material, can...

*Help you to understand that life's tests and tragedies can benefit the soul.

*Enable you to consider death as a messenger of joy.

*Promote greater emotional balance; harmony between beliefs and emotional responses.

*Remind us that the grieving process need not be feared or lengthy.

*Help us consider that we eventually take on a form that best reflects your spiritual development. *Encourage us to ponder the purpose of this life in preparation for infinite realms to come. *Support a realization that no love in this world is ever lost.

*Help us detachment from the things of this world more easily.

*Invite us to consider how this is the Earth School, a training ground; spiritual bootcamp!

*Assist us in understanding how the discoveries and advances of this world are made possible by the influence of other realms.

You Are a Spiritual Being! Part 1

You Are a Spiritual Being

Here is an excerpt from the book I'm currently writing. 

Do you know who you are? Take a moment to ask yourself, “who am I?” Take a moment to listen to the answers you get beyond just hearing your name and a description of your age and body, your ethnicity and roles you currently fill. Do you hear any answers beyond the obvious outer form of you? Keep listening. Be still. An answer which may not have occurred to you is that your true reality is not physical. You've probably heard this before but I invite you to experience for yourself the essence of you as an eternal spiritual being. This can be done perhaps in many ways, through either meditation, reflection, prayer, or even in serving others. If you are wondering how knowing that you are a spiritual being is important, read on.

Consider for a moment that you are not your body, for in dreams you live fully. You are not your thoughts as thoughts are prone to error and fooled by illusion. Ahhh, perhaps we are our brain, the generator of our experiences and perceptions. When we look at the brain we are challenged to discover the “I”, a singular pilot or source of consciousness, the seat of intention, the whereabouts of essence. Granted, we have more clearly identified specific functions for many of the different parts or organs of the brain. Perhaps you are satisfied considering that one or a few of these parts of the brain is the essence of who you really are. Some may argue that our essence is the whole of our many parts including body, thoughts, experiences, roles, etc. That is certainly valid.

If you are not satisfied with all or part of the brain being our essence, consider the following common practice. If you have ever watched a royal funeral on T.V., for example that of President Ronald Reagan or Princess Diana, you may have noticed that we seem to make a distinction between the person and their body. Ponder this CNN report on August 31, 1997, the day of Princess Diana's fatal car crash:

Prince Charles brought the body of the beautiful woman he once took as his princess bride back to London Sunday night, as the nation and the world mourned her death.[1]

In this one report the journalist made at least five references to 'the body' or 'Diana's body' such as “The body of Diana, Princess of Wales, was taken to a private mortuary...” [1]

Interestingly, even before she passed away, the report stated "Diana's body arrived [at the Salpetriere Hospital] in a condition of ...” [1]

While this tradition is certainly a dignified and reverent approach, it may speak of a deeper knowing or hope that our body is not who we are but rather a temporary vehicle we use. Again, I invite you to consider that you are an eternal spiritual being having a temporary physical experience. As you will not doubt realize one day, you are an ethereal being. Looking at this word ethereal I quickly saw e the real... or perhaps ...eternal the real). You decide what the e could stand for. Ok, back to earth!

The Power of Spirit...the Influence of Childhood!

Hi everybody,

This is my blogging debut. My name is Bryan Blakeny. I am originally from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. I consider myself a world citizen and am passionate about the condition of the world.

I am a masters-level social worker in the counseling field specializing in success coaching, breakthrough counseling and character development.  The value of the insights I plan to share on this blog are priceless. I hope you'll follow regularly!

Many of my views and insights stem from a series of profound experiences that began at the age of 10, starting with a 100 day trip to five countries in 1986. One of the countries was Israel.  My travels throughout Israel, visiting the holy sites of four of the great religions was monumental to my early development.
As you probably know, about 96% of the world believes in a Higher Power.  I too believe in a Higher Power... and influenced greatly by my experience at age 10, I believe that each of the great religions are actually a part of ONE unfolding Truth, each renewing the teachings before it.

Interestingly, most of the world's great religions are awaiting a promised redeamer as well as a great unification and harmonizing of humanity.  I believe world peace is inevitable...yet I don't believe it will happen in a flash or in a form resembling a Hollywood production in the sky. Instead, I believe it will be created gradually with human volition, love, and service, guided by Divine blueprints. Many believe 'Thy Kingdom come...' yet how many know that the Kingdom is also 'within'.  I believe that one of the greatest obstacles to creating a better world is apathy.

I hope this blog will create in you a passion for TRUTH and curiosity for the Universe within you!

I welcome your feedback.