The Information Channel Felist.Com -*-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Unity Way October 23, 2005 ------------------------------------------------------ Progressive Movement by Andrei Yashurin We gain new understanding of our life experiences when we realize that movement along with life is always a progressive movement. Listening to the Spirit within and obeying to its urges, we will never fail in manifesting of our divine potential. Even if it looks that sometimes we are going backward, let us not jump into conclusions. We need to rediscover the meaning of true greatness. In truth, the best answer to a life challenge is not always in becoming bigger and stronger. In many cases, progress means unfolding of a new quality of life. A caterpillar might have an idea that its success is to become larger and heavier. However, the divine idea is different. In due course of its development, a caterpillar becomes a butterfly. It loses weight, but gains wings to fly. It discovers new freedom, a new dimension where it now lives, moves, and has its being. Sometimes, our apparent strength is not strength, and our apparent weakness is not weakness. "When people are born they are gentle and soft. At death they are hard and stiff. When plants are alive they are soft and delicate. When they die, they wither and dry up. Therefore the hard and stiff are followers of death. The gentle and soft are the followers of life. Thus, if you are aggressive and stiff, you won't win. When a tree is hard enough, it is cut. Therefore The hard and big are lesser, The gentle and soft are greater." There was a time when dinosaurs ruled the world, and it looked like there will be no end to their reign. But mammals came along. Mammals were smaller and weaker compared to dinosaurs, they seemingly had no chances against them. But mammals were more adaptable to changing circumstances, and as the result they outlived dinosaurs. We will learn the same lesson from studying history of empires of the past, and some of human organizations. Often they failed not because of their weakness, but because of their uncontrolled and abusive power. "If you are aggressive and stiff, you won't win", declares Tao Te Ching. It helps us to understand the importance of non-resistance. Jesus said, in essence: "Do not resist evil in your mind. Don't cultivate feelings of hatred and resentment. Don't even think that they are justified. Don't plan revenge. The law of divine compensation will work both in your life and your offender's life. You will receive that which is due. All blessings which are yours by the divine right cannot be taken away from you - this is the law". Embracing of such mental attitude may look like a step from power to weakness, from self-confidence to powerless resignation. But if we don't take it superficially, it will prove to be a step of greater awareness and greater wisdom. It will give us deep satisfaction and peace. It is good to be strong and confident. However, our strength may easily betray us if we don't align ourselves with universal principles. Progressive movement from good to greater is not linear. Spiritual life is full of paradoxes. But everyone who steps on its path will prove to oneself that there is the great Reality which supports each traveller. ------------------------------------------------------ To be unsubscribed, click the link at the bottom of this message, do not write to the author. ------------------------------------------------------ http://unityway.net ~ Unity Way http://www.livejournal.com/users/unityman ~ Talks on Truth Blog Andrei Yashurin: yashurin@gmail.com If you like our list, please recommend it to others. All messages (c) 2005 by Andrei Yashurin -*-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Unsubscribe: http://felist.com/member/unsub?grp=lit.unityway&email= http://felist.com/ mailto:ask@felist.com