Author: ildiko

40 Rules of Love Series – Easter Sunday

40 Rules o f Love

Find the videos of the 40 Rules of Love Series here:

read ALL the blogpostS here
INTRODUCTION TO THE SERRIES

Today, we are embracing our journey and God’s Love for us. 

Our Lent Booklet reminds us today that when we look at Jesus’ story we realize that the most important things was his message. Resurrection is a metaphor for renewal. Jesus was an enlightened rabbi who showed the way to abundant living. During our Lenten journey we walked the road to Enlightenment, we have transformed our lives.

We are reminded that we have the power every day to transform our live experiences and rose above the past and turn our challenges into opportunities. 

Today, I invite you to contemplate the quote below. Let me know how you have transformed you life over our Lenten Journey. 

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the
renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of
God—what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2

Today we affirm: I renew my mind with each new day.

download THE LENT BOOKLET

*Rules are from ’40 Rules of Love’ by Novel by Elif Shafak. See more about the book here (click)  

Let’s walk this journey together!

Join me by reading the daily blogposts I create – SEE THEM HERE (CLICK) – and joining the UNITY CONNECTED FACEBOOK GROUP where I invite you to share about the contemplative questions.  (click on the buttons below to join)

Picture Source Unsplash/ Featured Image: rachel-walker–unsplash

FACEBOOK GROUP
BLOGPOSTs
YOUTUBE

Contemplation – Day 40

“A life without Love is of no account. Don’t ask yourself what kind of love you should seek, spiritual or material, divine or mundane, Eastern or Western. Divisions only lead to more divisions. Love has no labels, no definitions. It is what it is, pure and simple. Love is the water of life. And a lover is a soul of fire! The universe turns differently when fire loves water.“

I let go and look ahead with hope.

Today was an interesting day. All I did today was Loving myself through layers of limitations that I have uncovered over the past 40 days. I spent time in Forgiveness – I was being serious about it! – and then it occurred to me that true forgiveness is acceptance and loving what is. Forgiveness does not mean that I can force myself believing in something or doing something differently as of now. In forgiveness I compassionately embrace me with all my flaws  Remember? “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34) In this famous Bible quote I see Jesus’ Love for the world regardless of its great shortcomings. So, I did the same. I counted my flaws and just Loved them with a passion (and a smile)!

Read: DAY40,  40 Rules of Love, form Release to Embrace (click)

40 Days – Day 40

40 Days of Lent – From Release to Embrace

introduction

Rule 40

“A life without Love is of no account. Don’t ask yourself what kind of love you should seek, spiritual or material, divine or mundane, Eastern or Western. Divisions only lead to more divisions. Love has no labels, no definitions. It is what it is, pure and simple. Love is the water of life. And a lover is a soul of fire! The universe turns differently when fire loves water.”* 

Listen to the Rule on Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Y6uYAdUJBIo

Today, we are  tuly releasing and letting go and embracing God’s Love for us. 

HOLY SATURDAY

Our Lent Booklet reminds us today that in Jesus’ death we observe the death of all old ideas and outdated beliefs. Like Mary and the disciples after Jesus’ demise, we feel lost not knowing what would happen next. It is a waiting and of uncertainty. 

We pause in stillness, we experience the void then let it go. In that we trust that the flame of home in our hearts will be rekindled.

Today, I invite you to contemplate on Rule No40 and the quote below. Let me know how practicing ‘truly releasing and letting go in the silence’ worked for you today. 

For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him. Psalm 62:5

Today we affirm: I let go and look ahead with hope.

download THE LENT BOOKLET

*Rules are from ’40 Rules of Love’ by Novel by Elif Shafak. See more about the book here (click)  

Let’s walk this journey together!

Join me by reading the daily blogposts I create – SEE THEM HERE (CLICK) – and joining the UNITY CONNECTED FACEBOOK GROUP where I invite you to share about the contemplative questions.  (click on the buttons below to join)

Picture Source Unsplash/ Featured Image: rachel-walker–unsplash

FACEBOOK GROUP
BLOGPOSTs
YOUTUBE

Contemplation – Day 39

“While the part change, the whole always remains the same. For every thief who departs this world, a new one is born. And every decent person who passes away is replaced by a new one. In this way, not only does nothing remain the same, but also nothing ever really changes. For every Sufi who dies, another is born somewhere.“

In acceptance and trust, I practice spiritual surrender.

Today, I was contemplating the cycle of change, balance and the ultimate surrender. Life seems to be like a series of ‘two steps ahead, one step back’s. Every time I need to step back, I find myself off balance and I need to find my way back. Today, I experienced one of those setbacks. Jesus’ story reminded me today of the ultimate surrender and acceptance – of death. I am only asked to release all my  attachments: all my great ideas, my solutions, my judgements and my opinions and hand them over … in practising spiritual surrender. 

Read: DAY39,  40 Rules of Love, form Release to Embrace (click)

The Essence of who I am

People around me, my life experiences, my successes and failures, the shape of my body or the colour of my hair do not define me.

I don’t know why I chose this life. Neither do I know why I chose these particular circumstances and experiences. They are mostly difficult, challenging and often lonely. And still, none of this changes the fact of who I am both as a Soul and as a person. Not even my flaws dim the essence of who I am: the fascinating and loving person that I am.

I grew up with deep seated fear and hatred around me. I learnt to believe that people are nasty and vicious because I did something wrong to hurt them. In return, naturally, they blamed me for feeling wretched. It took me 40 odd years to know that none of this has anything do with me.

I may live in (with) it but I am not of it. At all. I never have been. My experiences do not say anything about who I am, they just remind me of what I need to learn or let go of this lifetime.

In life, we are mostly judged by our appearances but I do not need to buy into that. What I am learning is that all of ‘this’ – the way the world sees me, experiences me, and reflects itself back to me – is irrelevant to who I truly am.

I spent most of my life proving myself and wanting the world to recognize me and see me for the wonderful and unique person that I am. I am now realizing that I chose the wrong crowd because my uniqueness is not of this world.

As an artist, my most precious audience is my source: the indwelling Divine power that supplies both the inspiration and the applause.

I chose a burdensome life but it does not mean that there is anything wrong with me. Actually, my life is teaching me to see what an absolute gem I am.

Featured image is by Kandinsky

This blogpost was originally published on 25 Dec 2021

40 Days – Day 39

40 Days of Lent – From Release to Embrace

introduction

Rule 39

“While the part change, the whole always remains the same. For every thief who departs this world, a new one is born. And every decent person who passes away is replaced by a new one. In this way, not only does nothing remain the same, but also nothing ever really changes. For every Sufi who dies, another is born somewhere.”* 

Listen to the Rule on Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/6hNwmWtsS5Y

Today, we are accepting our losses  and embracing God’s Love for us. 

GOOD FRIDAY

Our Lent Booklet reminds us today that when we experience a loss, there is no option other than to accept it. Ends are invitations to let go and behold a more enduring reality, the life beyond the death.  With God it’s never really the end. 

Today, I invite you to contemplate on Rule No39 and the quote below. Let me know how practicing acceptance worked for you today. 

Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” Luke 23:46

Today we affirm: In acceptance and trust, I practice spiritual surrender.

download THE LENT BOOKLET

*Rules are from ’40 Rules of Love’ by Novel by Elif Shafak. See more about the book here (click)  

Let’s walk this journey together!

Join me by reading the daily blogposts I create – SEE THEM HERE (CLICK) – and joining the UNITY CONNECTED FACEBOOK GROUP where I invite you to share about the contemplative questions.  (click on the buttons below to join)

Picture Source Unsplash/ Featured Image: rachel-walker–unsplash

FACEBOOK GROUP
BLOGPOSTs
YOUTUBE

Contemplation – Day 38

“It is never too late to ask yourself, “Am I ready to change the life I am living? Am I ready to change within?” Even if a single day in your life is the same as the day before, it surely is a pity. At every moment and with each new breath, one should be renewed and renewed again. There is only one way to be born into a new life: to die before death..“

I let go of worry.

Am I ready to change the life I am living? Am I ready to change within?

I have moved around a lot in my life. I lived in many countries. I have changed jobs and professions numerous times. Out there, my life is a ‘great change’ but have I changed inside?  I am sure I have but God, aren’t I ready to change what made me run the first place!

In my experience, there is always another layer of awareness, – it is like pealing an onion – that brings me to another bit of limitation to release. During the Lenten Season I have been diligently gaining insight of and releasing whatever hindrance showed up … because I am ready!

Read: DAY38,  40 Rules of Love, form Release to Embrace (click)

“We are enough!”

Unity Maidenhead Saturday workshop, on Zoom
May 20th, 10am – 5pm
Cost: By donation
Led by Rev Kimerie Mapletoft, Nancy Sandoval, Paul Mapletoft,
Beth O’Connell and Ildiko Kudlik

So often our underlying self talk is, I am not enough! Is this something you are aware of for yourself? Often unconscious, it drives our thoughts, feelings and actions, ultimately working against us rather than for us.

What if our underlying self talk can become – I am enough! For in the sight of God, we are. And from this inner experience of ‘enough-ness’ even more of our true Self can come forth, guiding us on our life journey.

Join us as we share Unity ideas and practices that help us know, we are enough.

READ MORE AND BOOK YOUR PLACE

40 Days – Day 38

40 Days of Lent – From Release to Embrace

introduction

Rule 38

“It is never too late to ask yourself, “Am I ready to change the life I am living? Am I ready to change within?” Even if a single day in your life is the same as the day before, it surely is a pity. At every moment and with each new breath, one should be renewed and renewed again. There is only one way to be born into a new life: to die before death.”* 

Listen to the Rule on Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Zrpw4fAIuBc

Today, we are releasing worry and embracing God’s Love for us. 

MOUNDY THURSDAY

Our Lent Booklet reminds us today that as we enter the ‘upper room’ in our prayer or meditation, we can release all worry. During Passover, Jesus shared a message of unconditional Love and the disciples sang songs of Gratitude and Deliverance. Christ Consciousness is the upper room. As we lift our consciousness higher we naturally move out of fear and worry into positive expectations of God’s promise.

Today, I invite you to contemplate on Rule No38 and the quote below. Let me know how practicing reaching the upper room into Christ Consciousness  worked for you today. 

Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. John 14:27

Today we affirm: This Maundy Thursday, I let go of worry.

download THE LENT BOOKLET

*Rules are from ’40 Rules of Love’ by Novel by Elif Shafak. See more about the book here (click)  

Let’s walk this journey together!

Join me by reading the daily blogposts I create – SEE THEM HERE (CLICK) – and joining the UNITY CONNECTED FACEBOOK GROUP where I invite you to share about the contemplative questions.  (click on the buttons below to join)

Picture Source Unsplash/ Featured Image: rachel-walker–unsplash

FACEBOOK GROUP
BLOGPOSTs
YOUTUBE

Contemplation – Day 37

“God is a meticulous dock maker. So precise is His order that everything on earth happens in its own time — neither a minute late nor a minute early. And for everyone without exception, the clock works accurately. For each, there is a time to love and a time to die.“

Embracing divine life, I willingly go with the flow.

Oh well … one of those rules that sounds so lovely but so hard to execute. Of course, I want to go with the flow! Of course, I want to submit myself to God’s perfect timing and embrace Divine Order! Of course, I understand from my own journey and ups-and-downs that there is perfection in the making!

STILL, in the human shell, not-knowing God’s timing is nerve-racking. We all want to feel safe, secure and assured; we all want to avoid being faced with the unknown because of our insecurities and lack of confidence; (secretly) we would all want to know how much time we have left; basically we want to know God’s timing beforehand so we can be prepared!

But God does not reveal Its secrets! And we are left with uncertainties and asked to trust that God’s timing is perfect!

Read: DAY37,  40 Rules of Love, form Release to Embrace (click)