Grace Of Divine Force

Mind & Spirit : NST Life & Times 09/11/2010

http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/MIND_SPIRIT_Graceofdivineforce/Article

BY CHIM LI YEN

I HAVE faith in a greater power — the energy or grace that animates our intimately interconnected universe.

We receive infusions of grace regularly but we sometimes miss its subtle power when we are busy in our day-to-day life. Grace holds together our entire life and all of life collectively. It watches over us and comes to our aid when we ask.

God works anonymously and invisibly through the powers of faith, love and grace. Sometimes, we receive divine grace through human angels who perform random acts of kindness. Though difficult to express its full nature in words, grace is unmistakable when experienced. Grace is a noun and verb. It is a state and an action, an energy that flows between two individuals. Grace is given as a gift. It is divine fire — a cosmic power that runs through your being, soothing your body, inspiring your thoughts, keeping you safe from harm and guiding your inner journey.

In theology, grace is defined as divine assistance, an aid given to help us regenerate our spirits and lives. The concept of grace exists around the world.

Kings, who used to be regarded as representatives of divine power on Earth in ancient times, granted mercy or grace to their subjects. In Greek mythology, the Three Graces were sister goddesses, daughters of Zeus who bestowed joy, charm and beauty on mortals. We are blessed to be both generators and receivers of grace. Grace has a spiritual quality as it is energy saturated with a divine force. It usually arrives "out of the blue" and fills us up with a luminous awareness that is different from our usual consciousness. It makes us come alive with vision, determination and the courage to act. Grace is also the force behind "coincidences" which are those synchronistic experiences in our lives that occur magically and in perfect timing.

Grace illuminates our path by moving through our intuition to influence the choices that we make. When left to our own devices, we often choose to do things that reflect our shadow side — the fears and uncertainties. However, we always have a gut instinct or an awareness about what we could have think, say or do. Grace guides our actions in the direction that does the most good for everyone involved.

Most people who perform extraordinary acts of service get nourishment only from faith. The grace received during spiritual experiences keep them functioning where others would have collapsed from exhaustion or insanity. Their examples of fortitude in the face of suffering, enduring bleak conditions, illness, poverty and isolation inspire us.

If a mystic could suffer so much and yet have the generosity of spirit to help others, set up spiritual communities, write beautiful literature and uplifting music and become a conduit for miracles, surely there is a divine presence.

Once we open ourselves to God, once God shines a direct light within our soul, our lives becomes a journey of faith. Mysteries will appear but faith and prayer will help us face both the known and unknown. Faith is an active force — an invisible power, like love. It is not simply a belief in goodness, it is a belief put into action in the present moment. Join me now and take a deep breath. As you exhale, release all the thoughts in your head. Just let them fall away with the breath. As you breathe in, open your heart to this moment. Know that now is unique, unpredictable and miraculous.

As you breathe, let go of the person you thought you were. Let go of all experiences you have brought with you. Just be in your absolute pure self. This is presence which has no beginning or end. It exists always and everywhere. Feel that holy presence in your heart.

Each moment is fresh and we are called to dance with it. If we attempt to direct the cosmic dance, we are bound to be frustrated. We cannot even direct ourselves, never mind direct the will of creation. Let us be humble and allow ourselves to be swept up by the current of life than to try to engineer its direction or rate of flow. Let us trust the greater forces at work here.

As we develop a rich, interior spiritual life by shedding our fears and starting to heed our inner voice, we will live in a field of grace. Life is a sequence of endless experiences that lead us deeper into our soul.

Here are suggestions on how you can channel grace in your life:

1. Make prayer a priority in your daily life. The length of time is not an issue but daily devotion is required. Prayer works beyond the grasp of reason. You just need to experience the transformational power of grace yourself.

2. Develop a practice of inner reflection through the practice of journaling. At the end of every day, review situations which have caused you to feel strong emotions: both positive and negative.

3. Be of service to others. Share your lunch with someone who is hungry, spend your day off in a nursing home or orphanage, say something kind to your colleague at work, smile and greet the cleaning woman in your office, help an elderly woman carry her groceries to her car or perform any selfless act of service regularly.

The writer is co-founder of The Violet Flame Therapy Centre in Bangsar. Check out www.thevioletflame.com.my for details.