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131st International Peace Meditation “Making the Right Connections”
“Making the Right Connections”
November 4, 2007 — The word “connections” has many connotations. In each case, the correct selection can have important repercussions.
In politics, making the right connections is essential to moving ahead one’s agenda. For example, those who want elected or appointed paid positions often begin by working in unpaid governmental positions. They are seen giving service and their names become familiar to those in power. Therefore, service in unpaid elected positions such as school boards, or legislatively appointed unpaid positions, helps one to gain visibility and credibility. Both are essential in gaining a reputation for a higher level of service.
Another way of making the right connections politically is to work on the campaign of a candidate who has views compatible with one’s own. This provides exposure as well as the opportunity to show that one is willing to work hard to attain important objectives. Viewed by others as a good person for a job, one has retained some opportunity to move in that direction, often by political appointment or by gaining important political support toward a goal.
Making the right connections in business is often achieved through networking. Social, religious, and business organizations offer pathways toward this achievement. Little can be achieved in business without conscious cultivation of relationships. Thus, once again, the best opportunities for business promotions are reliant upon making the right connections.
One’s spiritual growth and development also rely upon making the right connections. However, the pursuit of spiritual growth is generally cultivated in opposition to the rules governing moving up in business or politics. It is, perhaps, easier to understand if one sees this visibly. Therefore, a chart which follows may help distinguish the different paths and patterns required.
Making the right connections spiritually is done in private, rather than in socially established groups. The important people one needs to meet appear at the correct time on one’s path in life. It is essential for the spiritual sojourner to have adequate “inside” preparation in order to recognize these important relationships when they occur. Making the wrong connections can take the spiritual sojourner down the wrong path. Therefore, the one on a spiritual path must first learn how to develop “Knowledge”, profound intuition, in order to know which person to develop a relationship with, and which not to cultivate.
Knowing whom to follow is a most critical decision for one on a spiritual path. This is why you often see the spiritual sojourner examining many religious paths before determining the one that “rings true” to him or her. Often the person can accept some aspects of a religion, but find other aspects unacceptable or unbelievable. Not fitting into a “box” has caused many to move forward to find another way. These people often describe themselves as “spiritual” rather than “religious” as organized religion for them may be too confining. However, when moving away from organized religion, which is often the first step for the one on a spiritual path, one must be cautious about whom to follow. Recognizing a True Teacher can only be done by following Knowledge and by looking at how the Teacher lives his/her life. True Teaching will always manifest in empathy and caring toward others. It will not garner non-essential material wealth, as material wealth can be a distraction from spiritual wealth.
The one on a spiritual path will only take leadership roles that give service in an area that she/he values. Accepting positions that foster values such as deceit, which mislead others, will violate one’s own sense of truth. That is why you often find great leaders in near seclusion. They must not be distracted by unnecessary materialism that gives false notions of social acceptance. The true spiritual sojourner often travels lightly.
Lastly, wealth for the sake of social position increases political power. It gives the appearance of worldly success. Many who have attained great wealth now lead their countries, as the legislative process often requires great sums of money in order to participate. Thus the field of leadership is greatly diminished, and frequently the values are in opposition to the true needs of the citizens. The place of wealth to those on a spiritual path is to use that wealth to accomplish spiritual objectives.
Following a spiritual path is often characterized by activities and goals different from seeking success in conventional ways. The following is given to help clarify differences.
From the Traditional………………
To the Spiritual
Seeking wealth for power and prestige.
Seeking wealth to better serve others.
Relationships to enhance career.
Relationships to develop one’s spiritual path.
Networking for visibility and credibility.
Garnering support toward one’s spiritual goals.
Measuring success by materialism.
Measuring success by understanding and empathy.
Seeking to impress others.
Seeking to Know.
Valuing power.
Valuing spiritual empowerment.
Recognizing those who can assist one’s career.
Recognizing the vital and essential relationships that move one forward on one’s spiritual path.
Long range planning.
Taking the next step on the path.
Knowing the next political or business step.
Knowing one’s True Purpose.
Moving in order to move up.
Moving in order to be where one’s Purpose is to be fulfilled.
Knowing how to climb career ladders.
Knowing how to follow one’s spiritual path.
Following one’s spiritual path does not necessarily mean that one will not be successful in business or politics. It means that true spiritual development is essential for one to fulfill one’s Spiritual Purpose within the context of one’s chosen relationships.When Jesus told the wealthy man that in order to enter the kingdom of heaven he must first divest himself of his worldly wealth, He did not mean that materialism by itself is bad. He meant that if one first develops oneself spiritually, she or he would then use that material wealth in ways that fulfill Spiritual Purpose. Wealth, like other sources of power, is neither good nor bad. Its value resides in how it is used for Spiritual Purpose.
Seek first the Spiritual Path. All that is needed will be provided. If it is not provided, it was not needed.
Do not look to be lifted up and admired. Look to be humble, and true admiration will follow.
Look only for humble leaders who first follow their Spiritual Path. You will recognize them by their deep understanding, empathy, and humility.
This Meditation is dedicated to all who are about to leave the traditional values of the world in order to attain true Spiritual Purpose.
Sue Kidd Shipe, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Please join us in prayer/meditation during the 24 hours of Sunday, November 4, and again the first Sunday of every month. The International Institute for Human Empowerment, Inc. is completing 11 years of continuous International Peace Meditations. Forward our Meditation to all in your address book; make copies for your religious and spiritual brochures and bulletins.Important Dates to Remember:
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Sue Kidd Shipe, Executive Director
International Institute For Human Empowerment, Inc.
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Albany, New York 12203 USA
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sueshipe@www.humanempowerment.org
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