For spiritual seekers, the path to understanding our true nature and connection to the Divine can be illuminated by many profound teachings. Two such powerful systems are A Course in Miracles (ACIM) and the "I AM" Discourses of the Ascended Masters. While distinct in their approach and terminology, both offer a radical re-visioning of reality and our place within it.

It is the coming up against our own unholy residue. It is the part of us/our consciousness that is still impure, often regarding a specific facet of life that still needs work, still needs looking at. It is God, our Highest Will and Aspect, saying this—here, still falls short of Me, of what I AM.

To be a follower of Christ, then, is not to join a religion, but to accept an invitation. It is an invitation to look past the dogma and see the demonstration. It is a call to stop worshipping Jesus as an exception and to start emulating him as the ultimate example.

Ultimately, the journey from lip service to true prayer is a journey from the head to the heart. It is the recognition that the Divine is not a distant entity to be placated with words, but a living, loving Presence to be experienced.

In the sacred gift of free will, God permits all of these adventures and meanderings through the darkness. This is not passive permission; it is a deep trust. God knows that only through this freedom can we truly and consciously choose to return to the light. The journey through addiction, while often excruciating, is not without purpose.

What is this "awareness" of which we speak? It is not merely the act of perceiving, but the very ground of all perception. It is the silent witness, the unchanging canvas upon which the vibrant tapestry of experience unfolds. Before thought, before emotion, before sensation, there is simply being.

Indeed, our physical vessel is a temple, and what we consume can certainly impact our energy, clarity, and overall well-being. However, the spiritual diet we're exploring today transcends mere macronutrients and calorie counts.

Spiritual discipline isn't about blindly following a set of external rules or adhering to rigid dogma; at its core, it's an inner commitment to purify the mind, align with higher truth, and consciously choose peace over conflict.

"Love above all else" is not an ethereal, passive concept. It's an active principle, a way of being in the world, and a lens through which we perceive reality.

The Laws of God are fundamentally laws of Love, designed to lead us to our inherent freedom, peace, and perfection. They call us to remember our divine origin, to consciously align with the Presence of God within us, and to extend love to all, knowing that what we give, we ultimately receive.

…both ancient wisdom and modern spiritual teachings converge on a profound truth: forgiveness is not merely an act of letting go, but the very pathway to genuine happiness and inner peace.