Holy Quiet

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Grey misty morning
Swathed in holy quiet.
Thank You precious Ma.

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The Holy Mother’s heart is breaking for the suffering of Her children and with love in vanguard, if we agree, we are her warriors.

The Beloved does not send us unfortified into the battle din of the world. She will wrap us in Her holy quiet – She will fortify us with Her boundless love. 

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I took this photo as I walked the land in early morning. In the photo foreground: olive tree, toyon tree and Peruvian tobacco. A land rich with natural medicines. 

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May Thy love shine forever -
on the sanctuary of my devotion,
and may I be able -
to awaken Thy love in all hearts.

Paramahansa Yogananda 

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“Christ has no body now but yours. 

No hands, no feet on earth but yours. 

Yours are the eyes through which He looks 

compassion on this world. 

Yours are the feet with which 

He walks to do good.

Teresa of Ávila 

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How Can I Help?

I do not know the source of this photo for sure. I think it is: REUTERS/David Ryder

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Sincerely asking:
Lord, show me how to assist.
Time to roll up sleeves.
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In America those suffering insufficient food and shelter is increasing. In America drug addiction (prescription and street) is on the increase dramatically. In America addiction to the senses and sense pleasures is on the increase. It is past time for us to face these concerns head on and take responsibility. This is our family.
There are many places across the globe where these same issues have been present for much longer. This is also our family.
Even locally I see a sad diminishing of love, concern and interaction. The people in Santa Barbara used to talk with one another on the streets - say hello - chat a bit - - now - - it is rare to have eye contact - - it would be wonderful to return to FAMILY FRIENDLY. . Back in the day - we knew the homeless – and they were part of the SB family - we would buy them a cup of coffee - - we would buy them a meal. The local homeless were not generally aggressive and many tried to work a bit. I remember the man with the guitar always out there singing … the woman sitting on her blanket playing her keyboards … the man in wild clothes riding his bike laden with streamers of bright colors. There are more homeless now in Santa Barbara and across America. There is more suffering in the world. I am not sure what the answer is - however - addiction and concurrent hopelessness is rampant (in all strata of society). Let's find a way to be family again.
It is not someone else’s problem. This is a human dilemma. It behooves us to conduct ourselves as humans and seek solutions.
Consider the adage: ‘Put your own oxygen mask on before assisting the other’ - - this, so you have the level of consciousness needed to discern what real assistance is in each situation. I think perhaps our oxygen in this situation is prayer and meditation. 

Pray
Meditate
Serve

I do not have the answers - - you may not have the answers - - but - - let's begin by asking the right questions, such as: HOW CAN I HELP? Together we do have answers.

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Mark 14:7 For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will, ye may do them good . . . . .
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Let Go ... Let God

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The past / The future.
Sweeping fingers across chest -
Letting go, then step forward.
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I have found a tool that has been most helpful in getting through some of the roughest points in my life. It is a simple tool. However, it takes diligence and fortitude to utilize this tool. You have likely heard the advice before. What you may not have heard is a rationale for why this really works. As an empirical reasoner, rationale helps create compliance for me and then when rationale is in place, I am able to jump off into experiential / devotional.

Here is the advice:

💜 Let Go…💜 …and let God 💜 

Here is why it works for me:
Seeing in your mind’s eye the image of a person immobilized as his / her arms are chained on either side / stretched out so that the person cannot move. One arm is chained to the suffering, weighting down memories of the past. The other arm is chained to fear of the imagined future to come. Whether they recognize it or not, many live this image through their life. This overthinking and over rationalizing is too much to carry. This keeps you immobilized.
Releasing the chain of the past through forgiveness. You forgive yourself and others of imagined harm done to you.
Then releasing the chain of imagined futures, you become freed to move into the real future with fortitude.

So, consider the option of … 

💜 … Let Go… 💜 …and let God … 💜

… what have you got to lose?

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Matthew 6:26

Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

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"Whatever it is that you fear, take your mind away from it and leave it to God. Have faith in Him. Much suffering is due simply to worry. Why suffer now when the malady has not yet come? Since most of our ills come through fear, if you give up fear you will be free at once. The healing will be instant. Every night, before you sleep, affirm: “The Heavenly Father is with me; I am protected.” Mentally surround yourself with Spirit....You will feel His wonderful protection."

Paramahansa Yogananda 

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North Carolina Blue Ridge Parkway – photo by Dave Allen
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