Welcome to the Lake Tahoe Spiritual Living Center!

We are halfway through the Money, Metaphysics and the Meaning of Life class.  Can you believe it?  It seems like just yesterday that I was writing all about beginning metaphysics in preparation for the class: things like affirmations and visualizations.  I even got a very nice letter from a Unity minister who was concerned that I was sending the wrong message about our belief system by talking only beginning metaphysics in my posts.  But there is a method to my madness!

In the class, the students have learned that the bottom line is that it all starts within.  This is where  the meaning of life part of the title comes in:  everything comes from within.  ALL outside conditions begin within, and it is within where we must make the changes if we wish to change our outside.  This is what our teaching is all about.  And the key to changing our insides is changing our beliefs and changing the way we feel about things.  We’ve discussed this a bit in class.

Now, we are moving on to another bottom line in the class, and this is where we move a bit beyond beginning metaphysics.  It’s about giving.  For it is in the giving that we receive, just like all the ancient wisdom and traditions tell us.    But just like everything else, it is the feeling behind our giving that gives meaning to the action.  If we just give because we are told to do so and our sole motive is to receive, then we are defeating the purpose of the Law.  We are simply activating more of “what’s in it for me?” syndrome.

Giving is a profound spiritual way of living that truly does allow us to receive all the good that there is.  I’m not talking about simply giving money, or tithing.  I’m talking about giving of ourselves.  And I’m talking about giving because it gives us joy to do so, not with an ulterior motive in mind.  I’m talking about giving at work:  instead of showing up late and leaving early and thinking in terms of pay and benefits and what you can get out of your job, try showing up early and leaving a bit late and being fully present for the job and giving totally to it and being grateful for the work and thinking in terms of what you can contribute, not only to the job but to the team with which you work and the organization you work for.  (I realize that’s a run-on sentence, but if Thomas Troward can do it, so can I!)

I’m talking about giving fully in  your relationships.  Do you hold back a bit?  Not give totally of yourself to your loved one, whether from fear or from something else?  You will truly get what you give in a situation like this.

I’m talking about giving fully in your spiritual community.  I’m not talking about tithing here, although that is an important part but subject to a whole ‘nuther post on it’s own.  I’m talking about being a part of your community.  Not just showing up on Sundays and getting what you can out of the message and then leaving.  If that’s all you do, then that is all you will recieve.  I’m talking about being a part of a spiritual community, just like an extended family, and helping out in much the same way as you would help around the house at home.  You DO help around the house at home don’t you?

I’m talking about coming from an attitude of gratitude and givingness in ALL of your affairs, all the time.  When you do this, you will receive the Stars and the Moon.  You will experience all of life’s joys and treasures and abundance and every wonderful thing that is possible.

This is the true meaning of life.  The meaning comes from within us, and we can give that meaning whatever we wish:  either taking and resentment, or giving and love.  I prefer the latter, what about you?