"Silence, Prayer, Meditation and Contemplation blend into each other harmoniously." –Flower A. Newhouse

Finding Your True North

The Armor of Spiritual Life - Lesson 11

The spear of our spiritual armor is found in the employment of spiritual techniques - Part II

Concerning our work we are advised, “Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father by Him.” (Col. 3:17)

Consecrate Each Moment to Christ

Our daily services would proceed much more happily and eventfully were we to utilize means of raising our activities to the level of action for love of Christ or God. Let us discover ways for consecrating our endeavors. One woman who bakes her own bread, always dedicates her labor to the Lord by making a sign of the cross on her loaves. She then repeats, "God increase it, and let be shared with strangers and the hungry." Do you realize what she does? She dedicates and consecrates her labor.

When Love begins to infiltrate the "dis-eased" consciousness - love for God, love for inclusive mankind, love for Truth - something wonderful happens. Love teaches us to be peaceful, tolerant, and patient. In a recent Christian publication an incident illustrating this point was mentioned. A young woman appealed to her minister for counsel as to how she should conduct herself in attitude and action in a very discordant home. Several weeks later the minister met this member on the street. He inquired as to whether her home conditions had improved. Her reply was brief but radiant with joy: "My home conditions have not only changed, but the situation is vastly improved because I have changed."

Altered attitudes always result in improvements in environment.

What are current ways that you consecrate the moments of your life to Christ? This lesson is about finding new and additional spiritual techniques to lift your daily activities to the level of action for love of Christ or God. As you explore the various techniques below, choose one to journal about. Make sure you include why you chose it as well as how you plan to make it active in your day.

Be Around Those Who Are Inspired

Placing ourselves within the radiation of individuals who are advanced in enlightenment exposes us to the Power surrounding them. Stimulus of this kind clarifies, purifies, and simplifies our own inward endeavors.

Stimulate Your Mind

To read a book on philosophy or spiritual science sets in motion forces which are quickened by our act. A simple thing like reading an informative lesson, is a conscious use of a technique for procuring essentials of Truth. Books have exerted tremendous effect over men's destinies. One man, with nothing else to do, read a spiritual textbook on a train which changed the whole nature and course of his life.

As a self-improvement technique, for one month a devotional person should dedicate himself to intellectual development. He should practice faithfully methods which will enable him to realize a better sense of discrimination, analysis, contrast, and integration. By slowly reading one intellectual type of book during this month, such as Human Destiny by Lecomte de Nouy, or The Fourth Dimension by Claude Bragdon, his mental processes will begin functioning in unaccustomed ways.

Thoughtfully Plan Each Day

Another rule for the month should be his planning each day's routine with a greater care and thought. Every task should be approached more thoughtfully and with the exercise of better discrimination and selectivity. Letters should be written with a new attitude - to relate wisely rather than merely to entertain.

Discover God Through Beauty

During another month when the devotee gives his attention to the arts, he should be Beauty-minded. Each day he should read something informative on the subjects of music, poetry, painting, literature, or the dance. Notes can be kept and to referred to from time to time. As his consciousness of Beauty increases he will feel a need to express his appreciation, even though that expression may only take the form of rearrangement or redecoration of his home.

Practice Practicality

A third month can be consecrated to the conquest of practicality. The sharpening of his intellectual powers will greatly help him to reorganize and govern his practical affairs with more wisdom. Financial matters and the execution of one’s daily tasks constitute a science which can be mastered even as mathematics and music are learned. The devotee will need to deepen his respect for good management. He can add to his understanding of the science of business by reading books and by interviewing qualified experts in this field. Such a month will bring many new adventures in self-denial and in wiser buying that the principles behind the good stewardship may be fully tried.

The Healing Energies of Water

Click to Listen to Flower speak on Healing with Water

Journal your responses.

Practice

R7 Find the card entitled Remembrance of the Lord Christ (R7). The more frequently you remember the Lord Christ and attune yourself to Him, the deeper will your relationship with Him become. This activity, for inspiration and healing, brings you into greater attunement with the energies and regenerative power of the Lord of All Religions of the World.

R1 Find the card entitled Recollection Throughout the Day (R1). One of the ways to come into God’s Presence is through your remembrance throughout the day that God comes first in your life. Make everything you do reflect God.

Heavenly releasements to you - opened, guarded treasures.

Questions and Answers

Questions and answers with Flower A. Newhouse (excerpted from Here Are Your Answers, Volumes I, II and III)

I seem to be drifting spiritually: what shall I do?

You, doubtless, feel like a ship traveling without a compass. You need the guiding compass of God’s Spirit. To feel God’s direction again, rededication and a strengthening of reverence are needed. Life without a high purpose is quite empty. There is no higher purpose than to strive humbly with intelligent interest for daily self-improvement and for the general upliftment and blessing of all mankind. Be determined to see constructive changes in yourself and your world through your untiring efforts and love. No man can be bored, indifferent, or self-satisfied who cultivates a will and enthusiasm for unceasing spiritual growth.