Reading From a Different Perspective

I have a confession to make.  I'm a Stephen King fan.  When he puts out a new book, all the books around me get pushed to the side while I read his latest creation.  People ask, "how can you read Stephen King? You - the owner of the Higher Self Bookstore? He writes horror!"  "He's a genius," I say.  I do admire his genius and imagination.  Over the years I've come to believe his writing is "guided." 

For the past several months I've had to urge to re-read his Dark Tower series.  It took him 20 years to write, the last published in 2006.  I did give in to the "push" and began the series over again.  I have about 50 pages left to read of book seven.

It's like reading a whole different story.  I think it's because my perceptions about a lot of things have changed over the years, and because I know more, have learned more, and have changed my beliefs about - oh, so much!  Like what?  Well, about time, time overlapping, other worlds, intuition, good and bad, good and evil, spiritual quests, creating our own reality, writing our own scripts, living in the illusion of our creation and allowance, perception and judgment, portals, magic.  It's all in there - and more.

This is a story about good vs. evil, but a lot of what occurs just is what it is.  It's Stephen King's story, as well as the story of the characters in it. At one point, the characters even had to go into Stephen King's world to save his life so that he could continue writing the story and they could go on to save the world(s).  They knew they existed because Mr. King created them.  It didn't change their mission or their quest. Well, aren't we writing our own stories, creating our own reality, and placing characters in it?  Of course we are!  

If you put me in your story (and I am if you are reading this), do I know if I am a villain or a hero in your story?  Maybe, maybe not.  Does it change how I live my life in the story I am creating with you in it?  Maybe, maybe not. In other words, if you cast me as the enemy in your life (reality), you will write my part (perceive me) doing evil things. In my story, I may not be writing my part (perceive me) as evil whatsoever.  If I realized you perceive me as the enemy, will I change my story so that you think better of me somehow?  Well, I guess that depends on how important a character I have cast you in my story.  I suppose I could do a re-write if I "want" to.

I am not advising you go read works by Stephen King.  I don't sell Stephen King at the Higher Self.  I have many books to enlighten, educate, and awaken that I can point you to. My point is how my perception of the story changed once I had acquired more knowledge, had become open to other possibilities, and have given up the desire to label everything right or wrong, good or evil, black or white.  It makes me curious about re-reading other books with my "new" viewpoint. 

God is in everything - so I've been told and choose to believe.  God is in Stephen King, his books, in you, in the dark as well as the light; if we have eyes to see.  Do you have eyes to see?  Can you read with an openness, from a place of possibilities?  Do not condemn that which you do not understand.  Can you be with it all and come out on the other side enriched, expanded, and empowered?

Truth, or Wannabe?

I was reading through some of my older articles (before blogging) and ran across Truth, or Wannabe? It was written, obviously, not long after 9/11. As I read, it occurred to me that 2012 could easily replace 9/11 in the article. 2012 is a hot topic and much has been written and much is currently being discussed, well, everywhere!

Give it a try and see what you think:

There has been a plethora (I love that word!) of articles and books written since 9/11. They offer advise on how to go on, how to grieve, how to face your fears, how to cope, how to change the world, and even some proclaiming the end of the world. In my opinion, some were written from the heart, while others were written to make a buck. Some reinforce religious dogma, and some would have us building bomb shelters. Some are meant to exalt, and some are meant to tear down.

Like anything you read or intend to read, you’ll know the truth when you read it. The trick is knowing what is true for you, and what is merely evidence of what your ego wants you to believe.

For example, if you are holding a belief, or wanting to believe, that extraterrestrials are our only salvation, I’m sure that you could find written material that will support that. I call it “gathering evidence.” If a certain religion must be blamed for the world’s woes, I’m sure you can find evidence for that as well. In fact, for several weeks after 9/11, an acquaintance filled my email box with attachments of “you need to know!” propaganda against Islam. He doesn’t know me very well.

When I’m reading something new, I first tap into my good ol’ common sense. If I can’t make sense of it, I go to step two – what am I resisting here? What do I believe that blocks my understanding? If I come up with something, great! This is my opportunity to look at what’s up with me, what do I believe, and does it serve or limit me. If it is not working for me, I get rid of it. Now I’m more open to new ideas, new truth for myself.

If I come up with nothing, I pass on it. I know my truth, and this isn’t it. Or, I’ll search for further explanation of the text.

I trust myself to know the truth when it is presented. How do I know truth? It is an “Aha” moment, an excitement in my body, or a warm feeling of confirmation, a flash of light in my mind and heart, and a desire to be the messenger of truth.

How do I know what’s not true? A “no” whispers, sometimes shouts, throughout my being. I feel sad and heavy. And I want to be the messenger of what is NOT true.

If I feel anger, I go directly to step two, because anger is a clear signal to me that fear and self-righteousness are present.

These steps do not always work for me the first time. A previously dismissed truth will re-present itself to me repeatedly until I “get it.”

You may recognize yourself taking these same steps, consciously or unconsciously. I hope this is so, because there is a “plethora” of soul-feeding, peace-creating literature out there.

I’ve talked a lot about my truth, and your truth. The truth is, we are all one, each one of us is “we”. When one of “we” gets right down to it, right into the heart-afire, glory be, connected-in-love truth of it, we will all get it. If what I believe separates me in any way from you, it is not the truth. If what you believe separates me from you or you from me in any way, it is not the truth.

Some tips on what to read post-9/11: If it ain’t about love, it’s about fear – skip it. If it ain’t about unity, it’s about separation – save your money. If it ain’t about peace, it’s about war – read it only if you’re looking to justify and collect evidence pro-killing. If it’s a very, very old book written by old men – just know you may also need a library of other books offering definitions, explanations, interpretations, expansions and modernizations.

And guess what? This is not the truth! It’s my truth, what I believe, and you must find your own truth. You and your Higher Self.