Read an Excerpt
The Power of Ten
Ten Diverse Human Attributes, Ten Unique Spiritual Opportunities, Ten Transformative Powers.
By R. F. Licari Balboa Press
Copyright © 2015 R. F. Licari
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-5043-4636-8
CHAPTER 1
Power One:
Appreciation
Power Affirmation
To appreciate each and every aspect of living is to be grateful for an abundant life.
Power Quote
When you practice gratefulness, there is a sense of respect towards others. — Dalai Lama
Purely and simply, the Power of Appreciation is Love! When looking at this power as a form of thanks- giving and gratitude-sharing, we can see how basic expressions of it take place in our families, in our communities, in our livelihoods, and so much more. But what of appreciation that is emotionally personified (finite realized) and spiritually sanctioned (infinite opportunity)? To have the awareness that mortal life consists of some variable combination of the two is to understand that when we deeply appreciate, we are practicing to love purely. Thus, any show of appreciation is a joint human and spiritual expression of love ... no matter to what degree!
The catalyst of all good things mortal must be grounded in the living of a contented and appreciative life – but how? Imagine having the willful ability to look at the world with the wonder and innocence of an inquisitive child. This curious child-being is us at any age, and at any point during our human travels. A young child can genuinely demonstrate appreciation because outside judgments have yet to influence the mind and generational stigmas have yet to be taught. So as we age and if we are open, forks in our road (transformational turning points) build experience that in turn pave the way to strongly appreciate the more subtle aspects of life.
To invite the remembrance of our long-ago childlike innocence is to return to a place when we were closest to our Creator!
The process of rediscovering our innocence is the practice of us awakening into this space-time reality with the realization that deep appreciation was a previously learned attribute. The sooner this realization occurs, the more likely such a persona will enjoy happiness all the days of their mortal life. Such a positive and lighthearted soul knows something more and is equipped with a sort of multi-dimensional awareness. Therefore, a student in one dimensional reality then becomes a teacher in another! Such a unique being would possess the spiritual consciousness that this physical life is a gift of abundant opportunities fed by the living of deep appreciation ... and this amazing existence then becomes an example of God's love via another power, the Power of Circulation!
Although all of the Ten Powers are uniquely dynamic, the Power of Appreciation may serve as the foundation to unlocking the other powers. For example, let us visualize that the Ten Powers are via points on some pseudo-spiritual map. Just one itinerary (out of 10,000,000,000 possible power paths) could be as follows: the Power of Appreciation paves the way to Visualize opportunity while navigating the Law of Attraction, master Mindfulness, practice strong Conviction, possess the precision of Positive Thinking, live the cycle of Circulation, feel the sensation that Inspiration is a spiritual gateway, have the ability to quiet this dimension, thus freeing ourselves through Meditation, and allow our inherent Intuitive nature to meld with our Transforming soul while living in the present moment. This all begins with being a grateful person and finally culminates in the true acceptance of any necessary Transformation(s).
Therefore, with the Power of Appreciation as our foundation, any power that we invite within becomes enhanced throughout. Appreciation feeds and nourishes our soul, but when any gratitude is given to or observed by others, it also feeds and nourishes another's soul.
Imagine living in some finite reality where there exists a populace of self-aware beings who are appreciative of all things, especially each other! Wouldn't such a cooperative interconnectedness invite the possibility, summon the energy, and create the opportunity for a mutually abundant life experience? YES!
Appreciation for all things can therefore be like taking the first step of intention onto the labyrinth path of mortal life.
When a person is living an appreciative life, they have the ability to reserve judgment and are less sensitive to being judged. Such a soul knows that the universe doesn't keep score, only the ego does! It would seem that our spiritual self is really okay with all aspects of living, it is only our mortal self that makes limitations and suffers sensitivities.
When more and more of life's moments are experienced with complete appreciation, these ever- increasing previous moments of positive experiences become etched into our expanding spirituality. So it would be safe to say that a progressing spiritual plan is continually actualized. We could also reason that as we transcend physical and spiritual opportunities while being appreciative of all things, the continuing result would be to forever have a fantastic NOW!
How does one translate current events into appreciative moments? This is assuredly different for each personality. Personally for me, I awake each day constantly mindful that each new moment is an opportunity waiting. It has become mostly automatic to awaken with good thoughts and purposeful intentions (reference the Power of Positive Thinking). By appreciatively transcending into a wakeful state of being, I can objectively observe the current theatre of my life. My spouse, the pets, the home, the sky, the sounds, the smells, the tastes, etc., all become many opportunities to engage my surroundings with mindful gratitude.
Know Appreciation, Know Peace. No Appreciation, No Peace!
Can we learn appreciation from a previous event? It would seem that the mortal introspection of past events is mostly futile, unless it involves some conscious or subconscious aspect of our spiritual plan. For example, the following is a suggestion to possibly find out if the Power of Appreciation can reveal a more objective perception of any former experience.
Preferably in a meditative state, go back in time to an event that you thought as significant during the course of any 24-hour period.
Tip:If you journal, reference a recorded period of time.
As you recall the event, try to consciously slip into the now of then, the then-felt emotions of a formerly perceived reality. Using sincere mindfulness, prayerfully reflect and objectively interpret your selected event from a greater scope – a detached but albeit, appreciative view. Do this through a blending of conscious and subconscious visualization. Imagine that you are stepping back and above yourself. You now have the ability to objectively look at this chosen occurrence as if you were someone else. Does this allow your perception to change? Now, with this unique viewpoint, look deep within the event for any learning opportunities you possibly missed. Whether this event was positive or negative, do you possess a fuller and deeper perspective of this incident during that nearly forgotten moment? By recalling this experience with the view of an objective mind's eye you are creating a chance to realize a possible learning purpose, and maybe pick up on a missed transformative opportunity! Now take that illustration and use the same practice during any real-time event. By stepping back and looking objectively, wouldn't it become possible to grow through appreciation in any given present moment? The Power of Appreciation is strength toward this end. The knowing and understanding of this power will open insight into what is really transpiring in your current now.
Having true appreciation is comparable to taking off our human mask to reveal our spiritual beauty. As the "likeness of God," which is our inner spiritual beauty shining forth, an interconnectedness with people, places, and things become unquestionably expanded ... and the Power of Appreciation becomes actualized.
It is through gratitude for the present moment that the spiritual dimension of life opens up. — Eckhart Tolle
When we find ourselves in any situation during this mortal experience, we can always choose to appreciate the learning that comes from such an event. Even a perceived bad situation can be appreciated through objectivity and thus become a gateway to genuine learning, subsequent teaching, and transformational opportunity. It is in this realization that we can begin to first observe, and then understand how each transformation reveals the secrets of our spiritual plan.
As the Power of Appreciation is regularly practiced, the conscious attraction (invitation) and subconscious circulation (give/receive) of the other powers will certainly become a continuous aspect of our mortal existence.
Appreciation is Love!
The Power of Appreciation and the Power of Transformation are bookend chapters, both in this book and in life because of their importance to our current dimensional reality. Why? Appreciation begins our journey to know our interconnectedness while nullifying conflict; transformation then becomes the actualization of life's lessons learned. It is through these two powers that we can become ever closer to the awareness of our truest self.
Judgment, fear, and separation all have the ultimate result of conflict because these perceptions of illusion counter a positive life. Real appreciation cannot exist during these random and negatively perceived life moments.
It is hard to resist and block the controversial conversations the sleeping have, but we must if this awesome power is to facilitate our spiritual purpose and invite our true awakening.
From the book, Mindfulness for Dummies author Shamash Alidina offers two ways to mindfully maximize appreciation in our life. One is writing a gratitude journal, suggesting a daily log of things in life that we are grateful for. Not only can this boost our wellbeing, but research has found that levels of gratitude increase and we feel happier.
The other way is conducting a gratitude visit. Alidina suggests that you think of someone who made a big difference in your life but you have yet to thank them. First write a letter expressing your gratitude and then arrange a visit to read aloud the tribute to this honored person. People who express their gratitude in this way feel happier and less depressed.
CHAPTER 2
Power Two:
Positive Thinking
Power Affirmation
Positive Thinking is the footing of enhanced mental health, the framework of an enlightened soul, and the canopy of an enchanted life.
Power Quote
Believe that your life is worth living and your belief will create the fact. — William James
The Power of Positive Thinking has driven optimistic opportunities since the miracle of mind married body and became indwelt with spirit.
Throughout the history of this particular material reality there have been many examples of positive thinkers who have influenced our temporal life conditions. One of these influential people was Dr. Norman Vincent Peale. His optimistic writings came from a place of clear conviction and was a gift of awareness through the publication of his classic 1952 book, The Power of Positive Thinking.
From this book's Introduction, Dr. Peale offers perspective guidance:
[T]o suggest techniques and to give examples which demonstrate that you do not need to be defeated by anything, that you can have peace of mind, improved health, and a never- ceasing flow of energy. In short, that your life can be full of joy and satisfaction.
Even in his encouraging grasp of living in the present moment he writes:
I certainly do not ignore or minimize the hardships and tragedies of the world, but neither do I allow them to dominate.
Through the objective introspection of my more recent transformative opportunities, I have been able to reflect on my very full life and recognize that the Power of Positive Thinking has been a constant backdrop. It is very clear that without this power, I would have missed many essential learning opportunities and it is assured that my life would be on a very different path.
Most certainly there have been various incidences of setbacks that most of us seem to face: obstacles such as bullying, relationship dramas, job layoffs, divorce, unscrupulous employers, questionable friendships, lost loves, anxiety, self-esteem issues, and more. However, recent transformations have empowered me to mindfully pull from a long-forgotten inner strength. This awareness has given me the ability to transcend and put to rest these long-ago obstacles. An overall optimistic outlook has seen me through some difficult times, so much so that many in my inner circle have heard me say of any personal adversity, "I am confident that everything will be okay because things have always turned out better in the long run." And they always have! I realize not everyone can have this particular attitude given the many various ways hardship can affect any given life, but for me it has been a consistent aftereffect.
The successful teaming of objective introspection with positive thinking will undoubtedly afford the recall of many negative moments that turned into positive opportunities.
Several years ago my best friend was witness to me suffering from moderate anxiety; she suggested a book that she hoped would help put things into perspective. This book was Don't Sweat the Small Stuff ... and It's All Small Stuff by Richard Carlson. I was impressed by the simplicity of this book, which was a testament to the title. The 100 short examples of how to take life in stride helped me immensely. This best friend is now my loving spouse.
Needless to say, it's impossible to feel peaceful with your head full of concerns and annoyances. — Richard Carlson, Ph.D.
The Power of Appreciation becomes an important ally to the Power of Positive Thinking. Instead of looking at a perceived bad situation from an egotistical why me viewpoint, try to view the given circumstance as an appreciative opportunity for learning. Of course it would take a very resilient person to be able to react in a given current moment and recognize it as a transformative opportunity, but this is where pure appreciation coupled with positive thinking comes in. Knowing that there is a learning opportunity in bad situations, appreciation is the attribute that can assist in knowing the opportunity, while positive thinking is the attribute for transcending the difficulty.
Tip:Before you read the next two paragraphs, find a quiet place where you can sit comfortably and undisturbed.
* * *
In this very moment and as you read these words, mindfully visualize a peaceful calm that envelops you. You slowly begin to see yourself more as spiritual light and less as mortal body. You become encircled in a tranquil state of being as you relax comfortably with spirit while basking in a blissful knowing that is grace. Dancing around and through you is a combination of spiritual confidence and mortal vulnerability as you begin to awaken within. As you ease into this peaceful state of being, you are physically alone and yet spiritually connected. A personal understanding of your inner self has a confidante as you open your mind to receive the opportunities necessary to awaken to your spiritual purpose. This confidante is the Power of Positive Thinking.
(Continues...)
Excerpted from The Power of Ten by R. F. Licari. Copyright © 2015 R. F. Licari. Excerpted by permission of Balboa Press.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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