{"id":3126,"date":"2019-08-29T11:00:02","date_gmt":"2019-08-29T18:00:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.msia.org\/newdayherald\/?p=3126"},"modified":"2021-02-24T15:31:23","modified_gmt":"2021-02-24T23:31:23","slug":"courage-moving-forward-from-the-heart","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.msia.org\/newdayherald\/archives\/3126-courage-moving-forward-from-the-heart","title":{"rendered":"Courage: Moving Forward from the Heart"},"content":{"rendered":" \u00a0 \n

When you\u2019re about to cross the bridge to your Soul, that\u2019s when your fears and resistance may be the most intense. However, fear doesn\u2019t make it into the Soul. What does make it? \u00a0Love. \u00a0So when what you fear comes upon you, love it. <\/em> – John Morton<\/p>\n

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This article by John Morton was first published in the New Day Herald in May of 2012.<\/strong><\/p>\n

When a person is fully in touch with their courage, their heart energy, it overpowers the senses and perceptions. Although your perceptions may say, \u201cFear! Fight or flight!\u201d the heart can say, \u201cThis is the right thing to do.” \u00a0With courage, you can walk into the lion\u2019s den. You can walk into fire. Courage is what moves a mother or father to go into the burning house to get their child. How could a parent go into the fire? Their heart ruled their actions. \u00a0They overcame any fear and moved forward with the courage of the heart.<\/p>\n

The first part of the word courage, comes from the French coeurs<\/em> or from the Latin cor <\/em>which means the heart. \u00a0In Spanish, corazon<\/em> translates to the heart. \u00a0The latter part of the word courage refers to the action or the state of being of the heart. \u00a0Courage is then the energy and action of the heart.<\/p>\n

In MSIA, we refer to\u00a0Soul Awareness Discourses as the teachings of the spiritual heart. So we\u2019re going after the highest heart we can get a hold of and put that part of us in charge of our life. When we do, we realize our courage and can overcome our fears.<\/p>\n

Learning from Our Fears<\/strong><\/p>\n

We don\u2019t have to throw away our fears. We can use fear as part of how we act, like elements in our repertoire. \u00a0If necessary, fear can be used for fight or flight. Fear can also be transformed into courage and strength to move forward, loving it all and using every experience for our Soul\u2019s learning and growth.<\/p>\n

Sometimes people can have fear of themselves, especially when it comes to self-realizations and sharing about themselves in a deep way. \u00a0Having the courage to encounter yourself and to face yourself in the mirror allows you to look at yourself in all of your being and all of your existence, which actually is all right here and now. \u00a0You may realize you haven\u2019t known everything about yourself. There\u2019s more to learn and experience about who you are.<\/p>\n

Consider that you know a vast amount about yourself because of your life experiences. On one side are those things that you like about yourself. \u00a0On the other side are those things you don\u2019t like about yourself. \u00a0Perhaps you remember times you were loving and joyful. \u00a0Perhaps you remember times you were being dishonest or deceitful. \u00a0You can discover new things about yourself, positive as well as negative. \u00a0At some point you may wonder, \u201cWhat am I really like deep inside? Am I truly good? Or perhaps I\u2019m truly bad, and I\u2019m just doing a good job of covering up?\u201d<\/p>\n

If that sort of thinking feels familiar, the fear might be, \u201cI don\u2019t want to go too far in getting to know myself because I might find out I\u2019m a bad person. \u00a0It\u2019s better not to know than find out I\u2019m a bad person.\u201d \u00a0If you\u2019re thinking about yourself in that way, you may stay away from allowing yourself to know who you are more fully. \u00a0The process of self-awareness takes great courage, and it starts with accepting and loving yourself unconditionally.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re afraid to reveal yourself to other people because you\u2019ve become accomplished at the cover up, you may keep yourself hidden. You may think, \u201cThey\u2019ll treat me nicer if they don\u2019t really know me, rather than if I let them see my bad side.\u201d Maybe you worry that if you reveal yourself, you\u2019ll be rejected, banished, tarred and feathered, imprisoned, killed, or the like.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s consider that we do have prior lifetimes and that this life isn\u2019t the total of our existence. What we carry forward from those past lifetimes might be called primordial memory. \u00a0You might also refer to it as karma. \u00a0However we refer to our past existence, most of it is unconscious and not in our immediate awareness.<\/p>\n

Levels of Awareness<\/strong><\/p>\n

One way to look at self-awareness is as if we\u2019re standing on the surface of a lake. The surface is the level that we\u2019re on here in this world right now. \u00a0So the awareness we have may seem like just one millimeter. \u00a0That\u2019s the level where we are consciously aware of ourselves. \u00a0Yet, we know there are many levels. \u00a0Just as a lake has far deeper levels than we can see from the surface, our existence goes much deeper than our conscious awareness, perhaps more than twenty thousand kilometers when we compare to what we can see at the surface.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s tremendous depth to our consciousness because we are a result of our entire existence. We are a culmination of all we have experienced and learned. \u00a0We may still be influenced by our past because we have things yet to complete or resolve in this lifetime.<\/p>\n

In the Bible, there\u2019s a reference to Paul saying, \u201cI could die daily\u201d [I Corinthians 15:31]. \u00a0Let\u2019s say that message has something to do with when you go to sleep, it\u2019s like you \u201cdie\u201d that day, and it\u2019s over. Then the next day you\u2019re born again. You start a new day. \u00a0Consider how many days in your life you went to sleep with things left unresolved and incomplete. \u00a0Consider that we don’t remember most all of our existence and yet we are influenced by all of it.<\/p>\n

Consider that your lifetimes are like days in your existence. \u00a0Just like the days that have been incomplete in this life, you\u2019ve also had lifetimes that were incomplete. \u00a0You\u2019ve carried all that forward. \u00a0So what does that have to do with encountering yourself?<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s consider that in all of your existence, in all of your lifetimes, you did things that brought you unnecessary and painful experiences. \u00a0An unconscious part of you records those experiences, and that part still influences you. \u00a0The underlying message you hear might then be, \u201cDon\u2019t get caught! If you get caught, they\u2019ll punish you!\u201d<\/p>\n

Such a fear might play out with your process of self-revelation including your willingness to look at all of the parts — positive and negative. \u00a0So if there\u2019s a strong fearful influence inside of you that says, \u201cDon\u2019t get caught!\u201d then it\u2019s going to resist you revealing yourself because it thinks you\u2019re going to be punished or even executed for revealing the negative aspects. \u00a0That part of you that fears and resists, which has to do with your survival, often expresses through the basic self, which expresses through the subconscious and unconscious levels.<\/p>\n

In\u00a0Fulfilling Your Spiritual Promise, John-Roger explains that the basic self is that aspect of ourselves that has responsibility for our bodily functions and the psychic centers of the physical body. \u00a0You could relate to it as an animal instinct or to the areas of habits, memories and emotions. \u00a0The basic self resides in the unconscious level and has access to all of the other levels, including the conscious self and high self. So the basic self is aware of all its prior existence. It\u2019s also assigned a very important responsibility to do everything to preserve the body and make sure you survive. \u00a0 When you have unconscious fear, your basic self is probably going to put up some resistance in your process of self-revelation which you may experience as fear or trepidation.<\/p>\n

The Value of Soul Transcendence<\/strong><\/p>\n

In MSIA and\u00a0Soul Transcendence, we\u2019re going after the Soul. The Soul is your true self, the perfect nature within you. There\u2019s nothing flawed or handicapped about your true self. Not only that, when you become conscious of your Soul, it\u2019s a magnificent, beautiful experience with no exceptions. Soul Transcendence is worth everything you do to get to it. You\u2019ll be grateful for whatever happens along the way in order to have the experience of your Soul.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s great value when even one of us is directing our energy towards the Soul. There\u2019s an even greater value when more than one of us is doing that. If all of us are doing it, it becomes miraculous as a transcendent experience entirely of the nature of the Soul. \u00a0So we get together in workshops, seminars, retreats and informal gatherings remembering that, \u201cWhere two or three gather in my name, there am I with them\u201d [Matthew, 18:20].<\/p>\n

If you have apprehensions or anxieties about your process of self-revelation, that would be ordinary as you become attuned to what is taking place within. Your consciousness is aware that you are on a journey into your Soul. It\u2019s also aware you\u2019re on a journey of self-revelation, and the part of your consciousness that is subject to illusion may be anxious about what could happen that is difficult and painful. \u00a0You might then be aware of some fears, doubts, judgments or resistance– whatever that level of consciousness might do to stop you from revealing yourself.<\/p>\n

We look to lift that resistant consciousness with love and Light. \u00a0We are all going to be the ones that lift ourselves in our experience. However, God is the power that\u2019s doing the lifting. \u00a0How much power does God have? \u00a0All the power needed. \u00a0 You decide how high you want to go through your faith and trust in God. \u00a0And you find out what you can handle as God does not give you anything you cannot handle.<\/p>\n

When we come together as a group, each one of us influences and is influenced by the entire group. So we\u2019re part of the overall lifting of this consciousness. If everyone is cooperating in this focus, then everyone makes a contribution to the lifting of the energy. Even if you don\u2019t do it for yourself, be open and willing to do it with the group. \u00a0In truth, you\u2019ll still be doing it for yourself because that\u2019s how it works. \u00a0You help yourself and you help others.<\/p>\n

Power and Strength of Your Soul<\/strong><\/p>\n

Who you are is more than anything you\u2019ve done or created. \u00a0As human beings, we all deal with self-doubts, which become energized by looking at things that we\u2019ve done or have happened to us in the past which we experienced as painful and difficult. Based on those things we\u2019ve done or experienced, we may make a decision that we\u2019re not good enough. We\u2019re not capable. We\u2019ll be rejected. We\u2019ll be abandoned or left behind. \u00a0But that\u2019s the message of the false self, not the true self which is who you are as a Soul.<\/p>\n

The strength inside of you, the power of your Soul, is more than whatever you\u2019ve done or has happened to you in your prior existence. \u00a0John-Roger has taught that, \u201cNot one Soul will be lost.\u201d \u00a0Does that include you? \u00a0Yes! \u00a0In your heart you know that truth but not necessarily in your mind. \u00a0So have the courage to remind yourself, and move forward from that inner knowing of your eternal nature.<\/p>\n

In encountering yourself, you may run across things that seem scary. \u00a0Consider nightmares or an inner experience that was scary — something that was scary not from out here in the world but directly inside of you. \u00a0Parts of your consciousness are just like nightmares. They may not be easy to face because they bring up fears.<\/p>\n

Do you remember how you\u2019ve responded when you had a nightmare? You were probably very thankful to wake up and not be in the reality of that nightmare. It\u2019s possible that you\u2019ll face a nightmare. However, you know that you\u2019ll be okay if you encounter a nightmare. You know you\u2019ll survive. \u00a0Our life can be like an adventure film, where we have to encounter beasts and monsters to get to the treasure. \u00a0That precious treasure is your Soul. The journey of your Soul may seem in some ways to be precarious. \u00a0Yet the Soul is worth whatever we encounter along the way. \u00a0We\u2019re not having experiences in order to encounter nightmares. \u00a0We\u2019re having experiences in order to encounter the Soul. The Soul is the most precious thing that you could possibly experience. \u00a0So would you be willing to go through a nightmare to get to it?<\/p>\n

Crossing the Bridge to the Soul<\/strong><\/p>\n

Imagine being in dense jungle mountains, where there\u2019s a narrow wooden foot bridge suspended by rope. You notice how the rope is old and a few boards are missing. Yet we\u2019re all going to cross that bridge. \u00a0We\u2019ve all done it many times. \u00a0So you\u2019re with friends who are guiding and supporting you along the way.<\/p>\n

You might say, \u201cI\u2019ve never been across this bridge before. I don\u2019t want to fall. Maybe I\u2019d rather stay at this side of the river.”<\/p>\n

I say, \u201cCome on! This process of Soul Transcendence is about crossing the bridge. We\u2019re in this together, and we have instructions for you along the way.\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s important to pay attention to the instructions in your Soul\u2019s journey, as if your life depended on it. \u00a0Those instructions include ground rules identified by John-Roger:<\/p>\n

Take care of yourself so you can help take care of others. \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t hurt yourself and don\u2019t hurt others. \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Use everything for your learning, upliftment and growth.<\/em><\/p>\n

Is this process of encountering your Soul fatal? \u00a0No, but life in this world is fatal, and your fatality is between you and God. \u00a0In MSIA, we don\u2019t do anything to quicken your fatality. \u00a0If anything, our focus is to do things that will enhance your stay here in this world. \u00a0So remember to take care of yourself first. \u00a0By always taking care of yourself, you will help maximize the experience of your Soul.<\/p>\n

In looking inwardly, there is nothing spiritually dangerous. \u00a0However, survival in the world does require your utmost focus and attention. Like crossing a bridge that can swing and shift, if you\u2019re not hanging onto the side ropes or you aren\u2019t tied to those in front and behind you, you may slip through the boards. So that means pay attention and follow the guidance that is provided for you. If you do, you\u2019ll cross the bridge, and not just one bridge but many bridges.<\/p>\n

In the practice of Soul Transcendence, we\u2019re crossing bridges every day. \u00a0In moments throughout the day, you may be doing things that could be considered precarious and require your close attention. \u00a0The result is you\u2019re going to move higher, eventually to the top. That\u2019s where we\u2019re all going — to the best experiences that we can possibly have as a Soul in this world.<\/p>\n

If you have resistance to following the ground rules, perhaps that relates to fears about revealing yourself. You may have had experiences that when you gave over your trust to others and revealed yourself, they demonstrated they weren\u2019t worthy of your trust. \u00a0So you may have a sense of mistrust or resistance to revealing yourself again.<\/p>\n

Perhaps you haven\u2019t had enough experience yet to be willing to take the risk to reveal yourself. \u00a0If you choose to follow the ground rules and dedicate yourself to Soul Transcendence, the actual risk you may experience is in losing your fears, doubts, and self-judgments which is in your favor. \u00a0Clearing and letting go of negativity allows you to move closer and more fully into your true self.<\/p>\n

When you\u2019re about to cross the bridge to your Soul, that\u2019s when your fears and resistance may be the most intense. However, fear doesn\u2019t make it into the Soul. What does make it? \u00a0Love. \u00a0So when what you fear comes upon you, love it. \u00a0The amazing thing is when we use love as a way to overcome our fears, we discover that love is the way and it\u2019s pervasive. The true identity of everything and everyone is love.<\/p>\n

In the Bible it says, \u201cGod is love, and he who dwells in God dwells in love, and God in him\u201d [I John 4:16]. \u00a0So choose to move forward in your faith and trust in God. \u00a0You will find your courage. \u00a0You can say to yourself, \u201cI see the fears and the resistance because I\u2019m about to cross that bridge. Yes, I\u2019m going to cross that bridge, and I\u2019m going to do it with my courage. My courage will make one foot go in front of the other.”<\/p>\n

Choosing Your Soul<\/strong><\/p>\n

Your Soul is not your physical body. Your Soul is not your mind, your emotions or your personality. Your Soul is eternal. It doesn\u2019t die. It doesn\u2019t even get hurt. So looking at who you are from that level, there\u2019s no risk. You\u2019ve got it made. Not only that, you\u2019re already there.<\/p>\n

In MSIA, we say \u201cbaruch bashan” which means the blessings already are. That means the blessings already are existing. They are present. It is done. God\u2019s will is done. We\u2019re just waking up to that truth.<\/p>\n

You may be just realizing\u00a0 the blessings already are. \u00a0Your spiritual awakening is a process to assist you in realizing that the blessings already are present and available for choosing. \u00a0However, in this world, there are distractions, and they are part of everyday life. In other words, you have a choice to focus your consciousness directly in the Soul. You can also choose to go into distractions, illusions and all sorts of negativity.<\/p>\n

I encourage you to leave distractions behind. Allow yourself the time and the place to minimize the distractions and go inside. \u00a0Set up your inner and outer environment so you can worship and do spiritual exercises. \u00a0It may take some discipline. There\u2019s great value in holding the focus, being present here and now, and tuning in to your true self, your Soul, as though your life depended on it.<\/p>\n

John-Roger has said, \u201cIf you made your Soul as important as your next breath, you\u2019d be in Soul consciousness right now.\u201d \u00a0We all understand that our breath is very important to our life. \u00a0 If you\u2019ve had an experience where you weren\u2019t sure you would get your next breath, where someone had your head under water or was smothering you or there wasn\u2019t a lot of air, you probably experienced great power in your physical strength. You realized there is a great power that comes present when your life depends on it. It\u2019s a wonderful experience to know that power within.<\/p>\n

Rarely, if ever, in your daily life is the full power of who you are necessary. However, it is possible to experience the full power of who you are right now in this moment. \u00a0That\u2019s what we\u2019re going after in Soul Transcendence — to experience the full power of who we are as a Soul right here and now. \u00a0Then we move forward with the courage in our heart.<\/p>\n

Treat your process of Soul Transcendence as vital as your next breath. \u00a0Move forward in your life from the energy and action of your spiritual heart, taking care of yourself and others, letting go of fears and judgments as distractions and nothing more. \u00a0Embrace all of your Soul\u2019s adventures with love, not hurt, knowing each experience on this journey is for your learning, upliftment and growth. \u00a0You will then come to know more fully your courage as the energy and power of your loving heart.<\/p>\n

Baruch Bashan<\/p>\n

WATCH A BLESSING WITH JOHN MORTON<\/strong>
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