Placebo Effect — From a Spiritual Perspective

On a recent 60 Minutes segment, Lesley Stahl interviewed Harvard scientist Irving Kirsch, who says the drugs used to treat depression are effective, but for many, it’s not the active ingredient that’s making people feel better. It’s the placebo effect.

Obviously, this viewpoint is causing a lot of controversy. But traditional medicine has always recognized the power of Placebos as a healing agent, and the pharmaceutical industry uses placebos as the foundation of its multi-billion dollar drug industry. But the rise of alternative medicine and integrative medicine is changing the way the medical community is practicing medicine. And there’s one thing the medical community has always known about Placebos – they work!

But what about Spiritual Placebos? What about the power of believing? The Placebo Effect is essentially an inside-out process. We know that thoughts underwrite our reality. The power of the universe is localized in our consciousness.

Prayer, faith, positive affirmations, visualization, healing touch, meditation, and denying the power of outer appearances are all powerful Placebos. And they work because they are the out-picturing of our consciousness!

By the way, the word ‘placebo’ can be traced back to the 14^th C when it was used in vesper services. It derives from the Latin translation which was a mistranslation of Psalm 116:9, “Placebo domino in regione vivorum,” which means, “I will please the Lord in the land of the living.”

Metaphysically, ‘please’ means ‘to apply,’ and ‘Lord’ means ‘Mind’ and ‘the land of the living’ means ‘for the sake of the body.’ So, metaphysically interpreted, Psalm 116:9 reads: “I will apply  mind power for the sake of the body.

So, you see, we don’t have to please a God ‘out there.’ We are not separated from God at all. We are God expressing at the point of us. We are the architects of placebo power!

But wait — there’s more! There is also such a thing as the Nocebo Effect, which is the opposite of the Placebo Effect. Nocebos worsen symptoms and cause harm.

In 2001, researchers stumbled onto a striking finding: People who believed that they were prone to heart disease were nearly four times as likely to die from a heart attack or stroke as people with similar risk factors who didn’t hold such fatalistic views.

In other words, the higher risk of death had nothing to with the usual heart disease culprits — age, blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, excessive weight. Instead, it tracked closely with the power of belief. Think sick, be sick. Think a disease is fatal, and chances are it will be fatal.

“When people are convinced that something is going to go wrong, it usually becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy,” says Dr. Arthur Barsky, a psychiatrist at Boston’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital. He was inviting his peers to pay closer attention to the nocebo effect.

“Surgeons are wary of people who are convinced that they will die,” says Herbert Benson, a Harvard professor and president of Mind/Body Medical Institute in Boston. He goes on to say: “There are examples of studies done on people undergoing surgery who seem to prefer to die in order to re-contact a loved one. Close to 99 percent of people under those circumstances die.”

Placebos and Nocebos, it seems, are very definitely mind over molecules.

In fact, it’s our belief or non-belief in something, whatever that something is, that determines whether we do or don’t, heal or suffer, live or just exist, move on or stay stuck in the past.

And when we apply that truth to our human experience, it is the voltage of our faith (or the amperage of our lack of faith) which makes us or breaks us.

When it comes to the Placebo Power of faith, there are no unattainables. There are no incurables. Because faith has the voltage to move mountains.

When we are faith-full, we will no longer fear or fret about the circumstances in which we find ourselves, or doubt the power of the mind to heal, or doubt in our ability to manifest what we desire.

Why? Because the placebo power of faith moves mountains. And the size of those mountains doesn’t matter because they are no match for the placebo power of faith.

 

You can listen to a powerful message by Rev. Bil Holton entitled The Placebo Effect, by clicking here and scrolling to the podcast entitled The Placebo Effect.

 

About the authors: In addition to their work with The Metaphysical Website, Revs. Drs. Bil and Cher Holton are co-ministers of a growing church in Durham, NC. They are prolific authors, dynamic speakers, and master facilitators. Learn more by visiting them at www.TheMetaphysicalWebsite.com

 

 

Metaphysical Interpretation of Luke 6:27-36: Love is My Decision

Luke 6:27-36 comes from what is know as the Sermon on the Plain ~ which contains much of the same passages as found in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew. For those with historical interests, some scholars believe the Sermon on the Plain and the Sermon on the Mount are recordings of the same event, summarized through the perceptions of two different authors. But in comparing the underlying Greek, the consensus of must Biblical scholars is that these were two different events. Jesus just did what all professional speakers like to do – use the same basic content, different audiences!

No matter what the context, the message is very powerful ~ Let’s take a look at the literal version, with some metaphysical interpretation thrown in. Here’s the first part:

27 “But to you who are listening I say: [I love this phrase. Jesus knew not everyone was paying attention! After all, He was speaking outside; there were lots of people; children were running around; side conversations were occurring. He also knew this message wasn’t for everyone! He knew only some in the crowd were ready to hear it! Didn’t bother Him! He threw it out there because He understood the power of the message, and knew the impact it would have on those who followed it!]  

Love your enemies [I’m pretty sure some folks shut him off right then!], do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. ²⁹ If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. ³⁰ Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. [And now the big summary statement, what we call the Golden Rule]: 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.

Even from a literal point of view, this is a powerful teaching … and one not easily followed. I mean, love our enemies? Do good to those who hate us; bless those  who curse us; pray for those who mistreat us? Come on … really??  This is tough, because our human self loves to hold on to grudges and hurt feelings; we seem to find enjoyment in reliving the stories of past mistreatment, and find it difficult to let go of resentments and judgments. So we carry them like badges of honor – but these badges carry a heavy weight … and a heavy price.

Jesus actually acknowledges how difficult this is later in the chapter, when he says:

    32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. ³⁴ And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. ³⁵But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. ³⁶ Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

He’s saying (and I’m paraphrasing a little), “Hey, anyone can love someone who loves them! It’s a piece of cake to be nice to people who are good to you. Don’t get all proud-feeling about yourself for doing that! It’s no big deal! Here’s the tough challenge: Love those people who are unlovable – the ones who treat you badly; who cut you off in traffic; who steal your parking space; who take credit for your ideas at work; who shower you with verbal – and maybe even physical – abuse. Love these folks! That’s the deal! And by the way. Don’t expect anything in return. You do this because it is the highest and best thing for you to do, and you will have a great reward.

Tough enough to do, just from the literal. But we know that from a metaphysical level, this goes even deeper, because it is talking about what is going on within us! So from the New Metaphysical Version, we see that from a spiritual perspective, this passage is saying we will deepen our Truth walk if we extend unconditional love to every aspect of ourselves, including our ego-driven thoughts  that seek to deny our Divinity (enemies). When we have those error thoughts that give power to the world of appearance – when we experience doubt, fear, anger, or anything that is not a reflection of Truth, we need to just acknowledge them – say “Thank you for sharing!” – give them no power other than the power of unconditional love, which transforms them into positive energy.

And we must not give any power or energy to personal attacks, ridicule, false accusations, or slights against us, but instead simply bless those who are involved.

To “metaphysicalize” the Golden Rule, we must see the Christ in and as others, just the way we want others to see the Christ in and as us!

When we are serious students of Truth, we are able to share our “light” without expecting any form of material compensation, because we know true giving IS receiving.

Okay – these are big requests … asking us to make the decision of Love as the great harmonizer and healer. Sounds wonderful … but we all know from personal experience how truly difficult this can be. So, here are a couple of “adventures” to help you put this teaching into practice – from the literal and metaphysical levels!

How to Make Love Your Decision

There is overwhelming evidence that forgiveness has a positive impact on you psychologically, physiologically, emotionally, and even spiritually. An article published by the Mayo clinic states that: “Letting go of grudges and bitterness can make way for compassion, kindness and peace. Forgiveness can lead to:

• Healthier relationships
• Greater spiritual and psychological well-being
• Less anxiety, stress and hostility
• Lower blood pressure
• Fewer symptoms of depression
• Lower risk of alcohol and substance abuse”

Wow! Who wouldn’t want these things? Use this knowledge to inspire you to decide to forgive.

Adventure #1: Forgive & Release: Choose a person with whom you are currently feeling some anger, resentment, bitterness, or grudge … and you know you are hanging on to it. Maybe you are waiting for them to ask for forgiveness .. maybe it is so huge, you don’t feel capable of even thinking of forgiveness. I want to emphasize that this adventure is not for them. It is for YOU! It is an opportunity to get rid of the weight of this emotional baggage, and create a space for love in your heart. Take some time to go into a quiet state of being, and gently, lovingly explore your feelings. Breathe yourself through the process of asking yourself:

• What emotions am I feeling related to this situation?
• What specifically happened? I call this “Naming Your Heart Weight.” By describing it clearly, you make friends with it, so it can no longer take power over your consciousness. You are, in effect, loving the enemy of your error thoughts.
• Now comes the big question – take a deep breath – and ask yourself: How is holding on to these emotions serving me? What am I getting by continuing to harbor this grudge, tell this story, fuel this anger? You might be surprised by the answers that arise. You might get sympathy from others; or attention; or an opportunity to go into a self-inflicted period of rest (as you brood). Perhaps you enjoy the energy of talking about how mistreated you have been. There are lots of side benefits we fail to acknowledge that keep us hanging on to heavy weights.

Once you have answered these questions, it’s time to decide. Ask yourself this question: What if I let go of the weight of this burden? What if I could experience the freedom of forgiveness? Am I ready to let it go?

If you cannot say yes, then I would refer you back to the question: What am I getting from holding on? And then ask, what would I get by letting go?

Then, as you decide to make LOVE your decision, symbolically seal the decision in some way: a bowl burning; bury it; flush it; write a letter; create an affirmation; draw a forgiveness logo picture … do something that seals the deal.

Then Forgive and Release! Some say forgive and forget, which is totally unrealistic! We say forgive and release – let the hurt go. Now here’s my own experience. When it is something painful and deep – when you feel you have really been betrayed or violated – it doesn’t happen immediately. (Sometimes it can – but usually it takes a real commitment to the process.) This means that every time a thought about the person or incident arises in your mind, you:

• acknowledge it [Oh, hi! Are you back again? I thought I let you go!]
• affirm for each person involved that you have forgiven and released them
• affirm their highest and best, sending them a blessing
• recommit to your desire to forgive and release, and allow the energy of pure love to flow through your entire being, saturating you with the lightness of forgiveness. You refuse to pick that burden up and carry it again!

From a metaphysical perspective, forgiveness means to give up the false for the true. Forgiveness does not mean you condone what someone does; it does not mean you do not hold people accountable for their actions. Forgiveness means you no longer allow their actions to hold you hostage emotionally. It means you are able to see the Christ in and as them, and you are willing to free them to move on.

If you find yourself starting to tell the story, stop! Just reframe it, and say something like “I’m not giving energy to this anymore!”

 

And now—Adventure #2: Mirror Image: look at yourself in a mirror, and make Love your decision for yourself. Say (yes, out loud!) “I love you! I forgive you for anything you have said, thought, or done that is not the Truth of who you are. In this moment, I now see the Christ in and as you, and I love you, I accept you, just the way you are. You are worthy. You are divine. [Now make the switch to I AM] I am worthy! I am Divine! I am Love … I live from Love … I bring Love to every situation … I show up as harmony and peace. I am Love. Love is my Decision…

And in love, I walk the spiritual path on practical feet.

Spiritual Meaning of: You’ve Gotta Have Heart! Mark 11:23 Metaphysically Interpreted

You’ve Gotta Have Heart!

You’ve Gotta Have Heart! Anyone surprised at this title? For those who may not know, Rev. Bil Holton has just successfully gone through open heart surgery, for an aortic valve replacement and single bypass. It became very obvious to us these past two weeks how true the statement “You’ve Gotta Have Heart” is, from a literal sense! You’ve gotta have heart, and that heart has gotta be in good working order! And we are so grateful to all the surgeons, healthcare team, and medical ingenuity that has made it possible for Bil to “have heart!”

But there is so much more to that phrase, beyond the literal (just like scripture!). Consider the passage from Mark 11:23, which says: “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.”

This passage is powerful, because it is telling us that as we face the challenges of the world of appearance, it is easy to perceive them as insurmountable in our minds (mountains). But when we stand in our Truth and affirm that we are stronger than any issue or challenge we might face (says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’) and say it with conviction and belief, we can walk through it in faith with grace and overcome.

But let’s pay particular attention to six powerful little words – no word exceeds 5 letters, and each word is only one syllable. The six words are: “does not doubt in their heart.” This is the key to manifesting the Truth of who you are! This is the key to abundant living! This is the key to living from a place of total connection with your Christ Self. Do not doubt in your heart!

From a metaphysical perspective, heart is the visible expression of an invisible center of consciousness. It is the center from which the divine substance is poured forth. We like to call it the Domain of the Divine. When we are using our heart centers, we send forth loving energy — light — that affects and impacts everyone and everything around us.

So, how can we live from a “Gotta Have Heart” mentality? Just think HEART, and from that consciousness, notice how it affects how you feel, and how others react and respond to you. When you live from a “Gotta Have Heart” mentality, you:

Happily,

Enthusiastically,

Affirmatively

Resonate

Truth.

Let’s pull this acronym apart a little, starting with the verb: RESONATE. One definition of resonate means to have an effect or impact beyond that which is immediately apparent. This is what happens when we live from the Truth of who we are.

Let’s look at the formula for a minute, because it isn’t as simplistic as it sounds! Living from a “Gotta Have Heart” perspective is an intentional way of being … and it requires awareness and connection. It takes practice — but just like any activity improves with practice, so does “Gotta Have Heart” Living. There are three qualifiers to consider in the formula — and each qualifier offers you an adventure activity for the week:

Happily … this means that when you are doing something — ANYTHING — you come from a place of joy. You aren’t acting from an attitude of obligation or a sense of duty; you aren’t feeling like a martyr. You feel that reservoir of joy bubbling up from within you, and your entire being sends that joy out to others.

This week, as you find yourself facing responsibilities or duties that must be done, take a moment before you start. Breathe deeply, go to your heart center, and affirm: I go forth and do this with great joy! It seems like such a simple thing – but what you are doing is setting the intention; making the commitment. Then notice how that affects everything you do, as well as how others respond to you. When you live from a “Gotta Have Heart” attitude, you do what is yours to do Happily.

Enthusiastically — this means you are on the lookout for ways to let your light shine! You bring energy to what you do, and you allow the Divine Power of Zeal to underwrite your actions. I don’t mean you are bouncing off the walls! I mean you send out an energy of authenticity and passion, because you are using the gifts that are uniquely yours. Everything you do is accompanied by this powerful energy, because you only do what you are inspired to do, from your inner wisdom — that still small voice. Remember Charles Fillmore’s quote: I fairly sizzle with zeal and enthusiasm, and I spring forth with a mighty faith to do the things that need to be done by me.”

This week, take time to truly identify what is yours to do, what are your gifts and how can you share them with the world; then spring forth with faith as you sizzle with zeal and enthusiasm in your actions — and notice how that affects everything you do, as well as how others respond to you. When you live from a “Gotta Have Heart” attitude, you do what is yours to do Enthusiastically.

Affirmatively — this means you consciously keep your mind filled with positive affirmations of Truth, and refuse to give any power to error thinking or the world of appearance.

This week, be aware of your thoughts, because your thoughts lead to your words, and your words impact others more than you can ever know. Look for opportunities to speak affirmative words of faith, of health, of support to others — and notice how that affects everything you do, as well as how others respond to you. When you live from a “Gotta Have Heart” attitude, you do what is yours to do Affirmatively.

When you really focus on doing what you do Happily, Enthusiastically, and Affirmatively, it really does Resonate Truth — a Truth that passes all understanding, and all misunderstanding! A Truth that sends out a light that encompasses everyone in its path — a Truth that creates a ripple effect, and continues long after you are gone. When you live from a “Gotta Have Heart” perspective, you are never the same — and no one with whom you come in contact is ever the same again. Everyone is lifted to a new level of Consciousness. And that’s how you walk the spiritual path on practical, “Gotta Have Heart” Feet!

Metaphysical Interpretation of Luke 11:24-26: Spiritual Housecleaning

As we read Luke 11:24-26, we thought about the concept of strip mining. You may wonder what strip mining has to do with spirituality, but it really makes an interesting metaphor. Strip mining is a type of mining in which soil and rock on the surface are removed and the mineral deposits below are exposed. It is the opposite of underground mining, in which the overlying rock and soil are left in place, and the mineral removed through shafts or tunnels.

Unless the surface is restored, strip mining can leave behind large areas of infertile wasteland. What was once the underlying soil and rock becomes what the industry calls the new overburden. Nothing grows on it.

In terms of our spiritual growth, if we ‘strip mine’ self-defeating thoughts, attitudes, habits, and behaviors off the surface of our life to get at our underlying spiritual core, but neglect to fill our consciousness with truth principles and practices – we create a new overburden of worldly thoughts, attitudes and behaviors that soil our consciousness.

That’s what the story in Luke 11:24-26 means. Here’s the passage, from the New International Version:

²⁴ “When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ ²⁵ When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order. 

In other words, when we cleanse (strip mine) our house (our consciousness) of error, but fail to replace error with Truth principles or daily spiritual practices, we create a void in awareness (the house is swept clean).

²⁶ Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself (that is the 7 deadly sins), and they go in and live there. (That is, false beliefs and habits will return) And the final condition of that person is worse than before.” (Our bad habits become even more pronounced).

We want you to remember this story from Luke’s Gospel when you tackle this prescription, entitled Spiritual Junk Pile Management. Here’s how this prescription works. Write at the top of a postcard or Post It Note the following statement: The most demeaning, annoying, and humiliating self-imposed rules, personal habits, assumptions, inclinations, addictions, or beliefs I have allowed to block my greater good are …

Write ‘self-imposed rules’ at the top of a postcard or Post It Note, then write ‘personal habits’ at the top of another; and ‘assumptions’ at the top … (you get the picture).

Spend the next 30 to 45 minutes conducting a no-nonsense self-assessment by listing as many of those demeaning and humiliating annoyances as you can on each card. If you have to use a second card or Post It Note for each category.

At the end of the time you have allotted leave the postcards or Post It Notes on the table or desktop where you’ve been working. During the rest of the day add to the lists as you think of annoyances that fit the categories. The collection of demeaning and humiliating annoyances is your ‘junk pile.’

Allow the ‘junk pile’ to simmer over night. In the morning, after your second cup of coffee or tea, sit in front of your junk pile with a sheet of paper (one for each postcard or Post It Note) and ask yourself the following questions:

• What is it about these annoyances that has kept me attached to them for so long?
• How do they interfere with my spiritual growth and human happiness?
• How have they blocked my greater good?
• Why have I allowed myself to be held hostage by them?

Record your answers on the sheet of paper.

Select one demeaning or humiliating annoyance from each postcard or Post It Note. Do what you need to do to eliminate each of the initial set of annoyances. Once you’ve eliminated the initial set of annoyances select the second set of annoyances and repeat the process.

Continue to downsize the junk pile until you have eliminated all of the annoyances. (Yes, this is quite a process. So, you’ll want to get started as soon as possible).

Your spiritual growth and human happiness will rise exponentially every time you eliminate an annoyance. Each annoyance represents a layer of crust that keeps your inner light from shinning. It’s a manifestation of the negativity bias that needs to go.

Each time you lift a layer you will inch your way a little bit closer to aligning your human self with your Christ Self. The better you get at ‘junk pile’ management the clearer your path will be toward letting your Christ Light shine.

About the authors: In addition to their work with The Metaphysical Website, Revs. Drs. Bil and Cher Holton are co-ministers of a growing church in Durham, NC. They are prolific authors, dynamic speakers, and master facilitators. Learn more by visiting them at www.TheMetaphysicalWebsite.com

 

An Activity to Start Your New Year On Fire!

As we leave 2011 behind, we bring expectation and excitement into the entry into 2012. Spiritual enrichment and depth of understanding are at the top of our list, and if you are reading this blog, we imagine it is on yours as well. Here is a quick activity to get you started into 2012 in the right direction. It is great to do on New Year’s Eve — and a wonderful tool to generate powerful discussions! We’d be interested in hearing your experiences as you completed this activity.

Part 1: Looking Back 

Grab a pen and quickly jot down your first-impression answers to the following questions:

• What was the best decision I made in 2011?
• What was the one thing I would change about 2011 if I could?
• What was the most exciting and fun thing I did in 2011?
• What was the best lesson I learned in 2011?
• Who made the biggest impact on my life in 2011?
• What was the best book I read in 2011? Why?
• What was the best movie I saw in 2011? Why?
• What one change did I make that was worth the risk in 2011?
• What was the biggest change in my Spiritual practice in 2011?

Part 2: Looking Forward

Now jot down your first-impression answers to these questions:

• If I could capture my vision for 2012 in just ONE WORD, what would that word be?
• What is my biggest fear as I move into 2012?
• What idea keeps popping into my Consciousness that really excites me?
• What three changes would I like to make in my life experience during 2012?
• If I could make just one change in my personal Spiritual practice during 2012, what would it be?
• What can I use as my personal  motivator, to keep me moving forward when the world of appearance gets in my way?

Part 3: Reflection

Read over everything you have captured in your responses to the questions above. Then, go into the Silence and allow Spirit to reveal your plan for 2012. Be aware of the Divine Ideas that flow to you, and allow yourself to recognize your worthiness to receive the abundance that is ready to unfold before you this amazing year! Capture your thoughts and reflections in your journal, and use these notes to move you into the best year you have ever experienced … as you walk the spiritual path on practical feet!

Revs. Drs. Bil and Cher Holton are co-ministers of a growing church in Durham, NC. They are prolific authors, dynamic speakers, and master facilitators. Learn more by visiting them at www.TheMetaphysicalWebsite.com

Metaphysical Interpretation of Go Tell It On the Mountain (and Practical Tips to Do It!)

We thought we’d do something this Christmas that we’ve been wanting to do for several years: provide metaphysical interpretations of some popular Christmas songs. We know some of you love the traditional hymns and Christmas songs, but sometimes the words of those old favorites clash with our more elevated Consciousness.  So, we thought a ‘both/and’ Christmas carol approach would be in order.

We hope you enjoy our metaphysical treatments of some classic Christmas tunes. Let’s start with ‘Go Tell It on the Mountain.’

The lyrics from this week’s song begin with the verses:

Go tell it on the mountain. Over the hills and everywhere.

It’s metaphysical interpretation goes like this: We must cultivate (go tell) a high level of spiritual awareness (mountain) beyond traditional religious beliefs (over the hills) and general religious knowledge (everywhere).

That Jesus Christ is born.

So that we become consciously aware of the Christ Presence incarnating as us (Jesus Christ is born).

While shepherds watched their silent flocks by night.

Our innately attuned spiritual proclivities (shepherds) influence latent spiritual energies (watch over silent flocks) which are quickening but still dampened by an unenlightened ego (night).

Behold throughout the heavens there shown a holy light.

This inner awakening is possible (Behold) because the Christ Presence (holy light) permeates our conscious, subconscious, and super-conscious states of mind (heavens).

Shepherds feared and trembled when above the earth,

Our protective spiritual inclinations (shepherds) become electrified and expectant (fear and tremble) as our heightened awareness transcends the limitations of our worldly consciousness (earth).

Rang out the angel chorus that hailed our Savior’s birth.

We become joyfully receptive to the higher spiritual energies (the angel chorus) that confirm (hail) our conscious awareness that we are human expressions of Christ in physical form (the Savior’s birth).

Down in a lowly manger the humble Christ was born.

Our sense-coated instincts (lowly manger) are underwritten by our Christ Nature (the humble Christ is born).

God sent us salvation on that blessed Christmas morn.

Our ability to raise our thoughts, words, and actions to their highest spiritual octaves (salvation) allows us to become fully aware of our divinely inherited Christ nature (blessed Christmas morn).

We hope from this reading you can see why we prefer a metaphysical treatment over the literal interpretations of scripture and songs based on those literal interpretations. Literal interpretations do not bring the depth needed to understand universal truths. As serious Truth students, teachers, and practitioners, we want to help raise the spiritual consciousness of humankind one thought, one verse, one song at a time.

This week’s adventure of Advent is to be consciously aware of your sense of expectation …  so you can “Go Tell It On the Mountain” with everything you do! Here are a couple of ways to approach it:

Expect a Joyful Experience! Instead of dreading what you must do, expect it to be fun! Set yourself up to enjoy the moment by consciously setting that intention. Our family has an interesting little light-up decoration that plays a holiday carol. When we all get together, someone will turn it on, and we all exclaim, “The fun light is on!” We expect our time together to be joyful — and it is! As you enter this special season, be the one to turn the fun light on! Set out with the inner thought of Joy. (With everything you do, no matter what it is, begin with the affirmation “I do this with joy!”) Send out joy to others with a smile, a kind word, a thoughtful deed. And watch for the reaction!

Expect a Peaceful Experience, knowing you are God expressing. God is Peace ~ so YOU are peace! Now more than ever, when you are feeling the most rushed and frazzled, you must make quiet time for meditation and prayer. Go to headquarters, making time to be still and listen, expecting the answers to come! It may be you need to say “no” to a request; choose to keep things more simple; discover new ways to get things done more easily. Remember the metaphysical interpretation of go Tell It on the Mountain: We have the ability to raise our thoughts, words, and actions to their highest spiritual octaves! When we do that, we are peace, no matter what the world of appearance throws at us!

Expect an enriched Spiritual Experience. As we focus on the real meaning of Christmas, we realize we are Divine—we are worthy. We can come from the mountain of our highest, most elevated level of awareness, and use this time leading up to Christmas to prepare us for the holiest of celebrations. As we move into this season with Great Expectations (expecting a joyful experience; expecting a peaceful experience, and expecting an enriched Spiritual experience), we can “Go Tell It on the Mountain” that we claim our Oneness, knowing the Christ born in Jesus is the same Christ born in us.

Consider the following lyrics as a Spiritual version of the chorus to Go Tell It On the Mountain:

I’m raising my awareness

Moving beyond embedded thinking

I’m raising my awareness

The Christ is born in me. 

May you truly raise your awareness and Go Tell It On the Mountain … as you walk the spiritual path on practical, expectant feet.

GoTell It On The Mountain-Metaphysical Interpretation: Complimentary Download

 

II Corinthians 6:14-7:1 from a Spiritual Perspective

This is a scripture that is used quite often to justify only having relationships with others of the same religious persuasion, particularly marriage. It has created quite a bit of hurt and woundedness. However, when read from a spiritual, metaphysical perspective, it not only makes more sense … it is inspiring and healing!

First, let’s read it from a traditional version: The New American Standard Bible:

 ¹⁴Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?

 ¹⁵Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said,

 ¹⁶Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, ”I will dwell in them and walk among them; and I will be their god, and they shall be my people.

¹⁷“Therefore, Come out from their midst and be separate,” says the Lord. ”And do not touch what is unclean; And I will welcome you.

¹⁸“And I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me,”
Says the Lord Almighty.

Now for the Spiritual Perspective! Wait till you experience the difference!

Here is the metaphysical interpretation:

¹⁴ We must decide whether or not we want to be serious about our spiritual growth. If we want to take our Truth walks seriously we must refrain from filling our consciousness with error thoughts (unbelievers). It is easy to see that right thinking (righteousness) and wayward inclinations (lawlessness) are irreconcilable. The same thing goes for embracing our divinity (the light) and denying or neglecting it (darkness).

¹⁵ What possible connection is there between our innate Divinity (the Christ) and an anthropomorphic deifying of the abject denial of our divinity [the illusionary figure called Belial or the Adversary (Satan)]? What do polarities like spiritual aspirations (believers) and material ambitions (unbelievers) have in common?

 ¹⁶ Where is the compatibility between a Christed consciousness (temple of god) and one prone to self-aggrandizement (idols)? The truth is we are God expressing through the Christ as us! When the Christ [God in physicality] incarnated as us (dwelled in them) becoming enfleshed as us (be their god, our thoughts and inclinations will be absolutely positively divine (they shall be my people).

¹⁷ Therefore, we must keep our thoughts, emotions, and actions Christed instead of worldly (come out from their midst). We must refrain from (do not touch) baser materialistic instincts (what is unclean).

¹⁸ When we elevate our thinking we have conscious access to Divine Mind (I will be a father to you), and our thoughts (sons) and emotions (daughters) will be in alignment with our divine nature.

Chapter 7

¹ Even though we may have a powerful, compelling thought (man), it is best if we do not stay fixated on it (marry). We must keep an open mind if we expect to grow spiritually.

Revs. Drs. Bil and Cher Holton are co-ministers of a growing church in Durham, NC. They are prolific authors, dynamic speakers, and master facilitators. Learn more by visiting them at www.TheMetaphysicalWebsite.com