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Protecting Our Spiritual Sapling
by Robert Elias Najemy
In the same way we need to protect our newborn spiritual self from drying up because of a lack of spiritual sustenance. We can do this by keeping company with spiritually oriented persons through seminars and group gatherings for such purposes. We can also water our inner spiritual sapling through daily prayer, meditation and reading of spiritual texts.
Another danger is that passing goats might eat it. Thus we must erect a temporary fence around the sapling, preventing the goats from eating its tender leaves and shoots.
Eventually, however, when the tree has grown larger and its leaves have risen above the level which the goats can reach, we can remove the fence without fear of there being any harm to the tree.
Now the tree is not only no longer vulnerable, but it can offer protection to the goats from the hot sun or the rain or snow. The goats now benefit from the tree.
In the same way we must, in the beginning of our spiritual growth process, protect ourselves from company and contacts with people who are not spiritually oriented, so that we can have the opportunity to develop our inner faith and discipline.
(This does not include, of course, our immediate family, whom we have incarnated to serve and love. Nor does it include people who need our help. It does include superficial social and professional contacts).
By avoiding those who are negative towards spiritual values, and keeping company with those who embrace those values, we gradually strengthen our spiritual sapling into a full-grown tree, which no longer needs any such protection.
Now, we can have contact with all types of negative influences without loosing our center. Now, like the large tree, we can offer comfort, love and wisdom even to those who previously would have caused us to loose our spiritual center.
We need to determine whether we are saplings or trees and act accordingly.
(Adapted from the forthcoming "Contemporary Parables" by Robert Elias Najemy. His book "The Psychology of Happiness" (ISBN 0-9710116-0-5.
This book is available at www.amazon.com and http://www.HolisticHarmony.com. where you can view and download FREE articles and e-books)
http://www.resources.theinspirationplace.com/articles/mind-body-spirit/Protecting-Our-Spiritual-Sapling.php
SUPPLEMENT:
Avoiding Negative Vibrations
Taking On The Energy Of Others
There are times when you may find that being around certain individuals or groups of people leaves you with feelings of discomfort. It may be that spending time with a particular friend feels draining or that dealing with a specific coworker exhausts you. Being around toxic or angry people is also draining. And you may even find that being surrounded by a crowd of people lowers your energy levels rather than perks you up. This is not that unusual. Each of us radiates energy and is capable of being influenced by the energy of other people. It is important to learn how to shield yourself, so you don't unknowingly take on someone else's energy. While some people know how to instinctively protect themselves from being adversely affected by energy, most of us need to discover and practice the technique that works best.
There are a number of ways to avoid being affected by people's energy. Shielding is one preventative technique you can use. Center yourself and envision being enveloped in a cocoon of loving and protective light. This protective layer should allow you to consciously regulate the energy around you. The intent to shield oneself is all you need for this technique to work. You can even create a trigger word to assist you in quickly creating a shield. Say this word each time you create a new shield, until the word and the shield become automatically associated in your mind. If you run into a person whose energy you find draining, you may want to cleanse your own energy field after your encounter. Sage, cold showers, singing, mineral water baths, spending time in nature, and a simple break to recharge are all ways to accomplish this.
While it is important to know how to shield yourself from energy, there are those energies that you may not want to shut out. The energy of laughter from a newborn baby, the feeling of joy radiating from someone in love, and the frequency of calm emanating from an enlightened teacher are just some of the energies coming from others that you may want to have around you
http://www.dailyomcom/articles/2005/647.html
by Robert Elias Najemy
In the same way we need to protect our newborn spiritual self from drying up because of a lack of spiritual sustenance. We can do this by keeping company with spiritually oriented persons through seminars and group gatherings for such purposes. We can also water our inner spiritual sapling through daily prayer, meditation and reading of spiritual texts.
Another danger is that passing goats might eat it. Thus we must erect a temporary fence around the sapling, preventing the goats from eating its tender leaves and shoots.
Eventually, however, when the tree has grown larger and its leaves have risen above the level which the goats can reach, we can remove the fence without fear of there being any harm to the tree.
Now the tree is not only no longer vulnerable, but it can offer protection to the goats from the hot sun or the rain or snow. The goats now benefit from the tree.
In the same way we must, in the beginning of our spiritual growth process, protect ourselves from company and contacts with people who are not spiritually oriented, so that we can have the opportunity to develop our inner faith and discipline.
(This does not include, of course, our immediate family, whom we have incarnated to serve and love. Nor does it include people who need our help. It does include superficial social and professional contacts).
By avoiding those who are negative towards spiritual values, and keeping company with those who embrace those values, we gradually strengthen our spiritual sapling into a full-grown tree, which no longer needs any such protection.
Now, we can have contact with all types of negative influences without loosing our center. Now, like the large tree, we can offer comfort, love and wisdom even to those who previously would have caused us to loose our spiritual center.
We need to determine whether we are saplings or trees and act accordingly.
(Adapted from the forthcoming "Contemporary Parables" by Robert Elias Najemy. His book "The Psychology of Happiness" (ISBN 0-9710116-0-5.
This book is available at www.amazon.com and http://www.HolisticHarmony.com. where you can view and download FREE articles and e-books)
http://www.resources.theinspirationplace.com/articles/mind-body-spirit/Protecting-Our-Spiritual-Sapling.php
SUPPLEMENT:
Avoiding Negative Vibrations
Taking On The Energy Of Others
There are times when you may find that being around certain individuals or groups of people leaves you with feelings of discomfort. It may be that spending time with a particular friend feels draining or that dealing with a specific coworker exhausts you. Being around toxic or angry people is also draining. And you may even find that being surrounded by a crowd of people lowers your energy levels rather than perks you up. This is not that unusual. Each of us radiates energy and is capable of being influenced by the energy of other people. It is important to learn how to shield yourself, so you don't unknowingly take on someone else's energy. While some people know how to instinctively protect themselves from being adversely affected by energy, most of us need to discover and practice the technique that works best.
There are a number of ways to avoid being affected by people's energy. Shielding is one preventative technique you can use. Center yourself and envision being enveloped in a cocoon of loving and protective light. This protective layer should allow you to consciously regulate the energy around you. The intent to shield oneself is all you need for this technique to work. You can even create a trigger word to assist you in quickly creating a shield. Say this word each time you create a new shield, until the word and the shield become automatically associated in your mind. If you run into a person whose energy you find draining, you may want to cleanse your own energy field after your encounter. Sage, cold showers, singing, mineral water baths, spending time in nature, and a simple break to recharge are all ways to accomplish this.
While it is important to know how to shield yourself from energy, there are those energies that you may not want to shut out. The energy of laughter from a newborn baby, the feeling of joy radiating from someone in love, and the frequency of calm emanating from an enlightened teacher are just some of the energies coming from others that you may want to have around you
http://www.dailyomcom/articles/2005/647.html
