Enlightenment!!!

When you are enlightened...you will have tasted the powers of the world to come!

Hebrews 6:4-5

The Difference Between Religion and “Spirituality”

(This is a guest posting from Joe Martino.)

To start, the reason why “spirituality” is in quotations is because there truly is no label for what I am trying to convey in this article. Also, there has been so much identification and many beliefs created within what some call “spirituality” that have really beaten the word to a new meaning. So as I continue, when I speak of “spirituality,” all I am really referring to is that beyond what we see in front of us, that which is our true essence. I am not referring to any belief system or set of beliefs within any structure.

Generally, we can come to a conclusion on something through a set of thoughts experienced within the mind, which is really nothing more than reading something or being told something and taking it as absolute truth based on that set of thoughts. This is a belief system – Religion. Or we can cease to make our thoughts our identity and remain much closer to our true essence, where we can see without blinders (the mind or set of thoughts) what we are experiencing.

Being religious is essentially an identity the ego grasps onto in order to keep itself fulfilled in a role it is choosing to play. Essentially, the ego now thinks that through thought, which is very limiting, it has found and experienced an absolute truth and in order to keep its identity alive, the very nature of “absolute,” will not allow it to “die.” Since the ego’s main goal is survival, it achieves this very easily by attaching to religion. (thinking, believing a set of thoughts)

It comes down to being locked up in the mind (thought and belief) vs. allowing the ego to not have an identity, not allowing the ego to strive to find a role it can latch onto. There is a general fear that we must BE something or know who we are and what we are about – “we” do not, only our ego does. When you recognize the awareness behind the labels and beliefs you have, you have found the consciousness or SELF behind the ego, showing you “spirituality” – that which lies beyond the false sense of self.

Now, I understand this is a touchy subject for where we are all collectively playing right now, but remember conflict will only come as a result of defense triggered in our minds (ego/reptilian) as it fights for survival because the information just presented was challenging. Use this experience and whatever emotions this article brings as a point of observation. Are you agreeing with it and feeling superior to others? Are you getting mad? Are you feeling some truth to it but are not quite there?

In any case, allow the feelings to be and don’t allow them to charge you. Take observation as to what presented for you. Are you limiting your experience by latching onto thought as absolute truth?

I wish to end this with a quote that came to mind that might spark something. It comes from a very fitting movie:

“Unfortunately, no one can be told what The Matrix is. You have to see it for yourself.” -The Matrix

Peace and love,

Joe Martino

www.collective-evolution.com

Discerning Good and Evil

Those who are spiritually mature...exercise their senses...they have trained themselves to see what is good and what is evil. Hebrews 5:14

I would like to define the words in this scripture by using the original Greek so you will know there true meaning....

The first few words of this scripture mean; "Those who have found the perfect state of all things."

This is a level of consciousness where you see everything in the big picture....you see the unity...the harmony of all that is. You know what the scripture means when it says, "All things work together for the good of them that love God, to them who are called according to his purposes. Rom 8: 28

How are you able to do this? You exercise your senses. The word "exercise" means a regular work out as an athlete would do to stay fit or prepare for a competition. The word "senses" means the minds ability to perceive, understand and discern "what is." It is your awareness.

The word "trained" means to make it a habit or practice to see meaning, to understand or distinguish the difference...

The meaning of the word "good" is beautiful, excellent, useful.

The word "evil" means destructive or troublesome.

Therefore this means if you are spiritually mature...you will posses a higher levels of consciousness...you will know how to discern what is Light and what is Darkness...what is Healthy and what is Unhealthy. This is all done without passing judgement or condemning the darkness...instead you use wisdom and the love of God.

Steve Hart

Healing Prayer for the Gulf of Mexico

I send the energy of love and gratitude to the
water and all

the living creatures in the
Gulf of Mexico and its surroundings.

To the whales, dolphins, pelicans,
fish, shellfish, plankton,

coral, algae,
and all living creatures.

I am sorry.
Please forgive me.
Thank you.
I love you.

Distractions!

Have you ever been distracted and missed something important? I know I have. It’s easy to get distracted when you don’t know what to stay focused upon.

As a magician and I know the art of creating distractions…yet I can still be fooled when watching other magicians if I don’t focused upon what I know to look for. Hey I am just like the other guy…I enjoy experiencing the magic…so I allow myself to be distracted.

But when I get distracted and I don’t stay focused upon things in life that are really important then I am not happy. Today’s world is full of distraction and it is getting worse.

Everything from the economy, earthquakes, volcanoes, the weather, news media, oil spills, politics, the government, and wars...they are all a distraction to what is really important.

Your spiritual growth...your awakening are the most important thing in this moment and it always will be. It important that you discover and fulfill your purpose here and now.

You say, “But this is the world I live in...how can I NOT be distracted by these things?”

I say, “If you stay focused upon your physical world then you never understand what is going on in the spiritual world.”

Jesus spoke that in the last days there will be wars and rumors of war, killings, betrayal, false prophets, famines, pestilences and earthquakes in diverse places, most importantly that the love of many would grow cold. Matt. 24:12

Jesus said when you see these things know the end of this world was near, verse 33…therefore it is important that we focus upon the spiritual...NOT the physical happenings.

It is so easy to get distracted by appearance of chaos and fear...but Jesus gave warning so you would stay focused upon “Who you are” and not react to the events as they unfold. Instead hold on to your love, peace and joy for that is the Kingdom of God.

You focus must be upon your “Being” not the “Doing.” So don’t get all caught up in trying to fix things or worry about what will happen next...I know this sound crazy...it may sound ill-responsible. But if you get caught up in all the distractions you will not be spiritually responsible as Jesus revealed in the parable of the Ten Virgins, Matt. 25:1-13.

Your focus is to be upon your purpose and how you can best serve others using your gifts and strengths. Note what Jesus said in the parable of the talents: Matt. 25:15, the master gave talents…”each according to his own ability.” What is your ability? Don’t hide it…put it to use, bless others and be blessed.


Steve Hart

Time & Place, Consciousness

This video explains why I have taken such an interest in the Mayan Calendar...

I am not saying I agree with everything you may have heard about the date 2012 and make note the movie was just a one person's idea...it was just a movie.

But I do encourage you to do your own research on the Mayan Calendar as you raise your consciousness to "What is" and what is to come. John 16:13

The world is on course...for you will see major changes within the next few years. If you have eyes to see you will already know what I am saying is true. Those of us who are awakened to the Spirit of God will experience the glory of what is to come....those who sleep will suffer greatly. Awake to righteousness and turn from sin...1 Cor. 15:34

Embrace the love of God and allow it to remove all fear. For God said, "Fear not for I am always with you..." Isaiah 41:10

Steve Hart

The Persistence of FEAR

I have found....FEAR often shows up in our "relationships" with one another.

Fear is an illusion, a very persistent one...but it does not have to be your reality.

"There is no fear in love...perfect love casts out fear...." 1 John 4:18


Steve Hart