40 Rules of Love Series – Easter Monday

40 Rules o f Love

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

IN CONCLUSION

Today, I looked at my journey of the past 40 days. I looked at some of the posts I created and shared and saw my ups and downs. I feel so much compassion and gratitude. I feel compassion towards parts of me who was challenged, who was in pain, who shed tears, and who was angry and upset at times. I am grateful that I was encouraged to walk the journey of release and embrace. I am in awe of that part of me who was willing to show up day after day for 40 days to read the booklet, create a post, and share her journey. I am grateful for those who read the posts and responded to them by sharing their own journey with me.

THANK YOU!

GRATITUDE

Today, I invite YOU to look at your Lenten Journey with Loving eyes and see the amazing work YOU have done. See that in your commitment to creating a closer relationship with the Divine and the Loving that is so impalpable in this word, you have become a representative of God. YOU walk as an ambassador of the Light spreading Loving Kindness and Peace in the world wherever you go. God Bless You!

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

We have walked this journey together!

THANK YOU for having joined me and read  the daily blogposts I created – SEE THEM HERE (CLICK) – I hope you have joined the UNITY CONNECTED FACEBOOK GROUP where I also shared about the contemplative questions.  (click on the buttons below to join)

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40 Rules of Love Series – Easter Sunday

40 Rules o f Love

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

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.

*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

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

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.

*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

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)

40 Days – Day 39

40 Days of Lent – From Release to Embrace

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.

*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

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)

40 Days – Day 38

40 Days of Lent – From Release to Embrace

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.

*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

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)

Filter

We see God or the Divine Presence through our own being, our own Mind.

RULE No1

“How we see God is a direct reflection of how we see ourselves; we don’t see things as they are, we see them as we are. If God brings to mind mostly fear and blame, it means there is too much fear and blames welled inside us. If we see God as full of Love and compassion, so are we.”*

Listen to the rule:

My mother does not see God. She does not see herself either. All she says: I don’t know. Do you? What to answer? I wish I could show her God’s wonderful garden of colourful existence. But she cannot see much of it. Her mind tells her that the world is a horrible place, she is threatened and there is no one to help her. God is a distant, unlikely figure, an old guy who does not care about her.

I pray every day that she could have a glimpse of the breathtaking palette of wonders surrounding her every day. I also pray for me to be able to accept that what my mum perceives is also God’s world, only a limited version of it. And that’s OK, too. 

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