Politics and Religion...Not so different!

It occurred to me today that politics and religion have a lot in common and one might even call someone's politics their religion.  Actually, religions typically have lots of politics in them and certainly follow ideologies.  There is even an old adage..."never discuss politics or religion at the dinner table."  I have made it a practice to discuss both any time I can because I feel that engaging in open, respectful, honoring dialogue about these two very personal ideologies is important in promoting Peace on Earth.

In Jan. 2016 while on a vision quest, I was inspired to create The Purple EVOLution Movement.  I began calling a person's politics their "political orientation" and having a prejudice towards another's politics as "political bigotry".  Since most of the people I am in contact with find it socially unacceptable to be prejudiced against another's race, sexual orientation or religion, I wanted to use terms that would bring politics into those arenas.

If we think about religion, it is a person's belief system around what is right and wrong, who they look up to, etc.  Political ideology is much the same.  Each side believes their politics are the best ways to run a society and each looks up to certain leaders from their side for guidance and srength.  The right loves to quote Reagan and Lincoln.  The left loves to quote JFK and Lincoln.  Lincoln is a wild card because he was a Republican and displayed liberal views and the parties shifted over time, but that's a whole 'nother story.

Anyway, I propose that we can be committed to our sexual orientation, religion and political ideologies without judging others whose orientation, religion or ideologies are different.  As an article I just found said....political bigotry is the most pervasive bigotry.  https://fee.org/articles/the-most-pervasive-bigotry-isnt-what-you-think/  As usual, your thoughts are invited and welcome.

Grieving Time Lost With A Child

I just turned 57 recently. For some reason, this has been my time to grieve all the lost time with my inner child and all the pain I have caused him through my thoughts, words and actions.  I know this is up for me because I am being called to make a deeper commitment to him/myself to devote my life to honoring his heart and innocence. He is extremely wounded.  I have felt bouts of panic and I realize that he has been screaming for my attention as uncovered wounding of the past has been brought to the surface, as a result of all the inner work I have done recently.

I apologize for all the times I was angry, disappointed and/or resentful of him.  I apologize for all the times I subjected him to people and situations that abused him. I apologize for being so focused upon the future that I missed out on time with him in the moment.  I apologize for making money, sex, validation, attention, work opportunities and people more important than him.  I recognize that he is my main priority and all he wants is to know, verified by my words, thoughts and actions, that he is my priority above all others.  I apologize for not recognizing his intuitive wisdom.  I realize that by honoring him, being present to him, listening to his requests for quiet time, play time and time in nature and, by reminding him how much I love, appreciate, adore, and respect him, I unlock the keys to a happy, peaceful, confident, secure, trusting, abundant, joyous, compassionate life.

I deeply commit to seeking first the kingdom of him and my higher self, and letting work, finances, external relationships and entertainment come after.  I deeply commit to "turning the other cheeks" with those that are unable and/or unwilling to treat him with kindness, support and respect. 

I forgive myself for all the pain I have caused him through my dysfunctional behavior.

I forgive myself for all the lost years with him.  I don't know how many I have left so I will make each year the most self-loving, peaceful, joyous, trusting, kind, present year possible. From that place I can't help but be a gift to Angelina, others, our career and the planet.  I welcome those of you who want to be a part of this journey with me.  For anyone that may want to share their resentment, anger or disappointment in me, I invite you to take your energy and words elsewhere.  You are no longer welcome in my child's world. 

If I Could Only Love Me to Way God Does

Have you ever noticed that it is easier to love others, God and Nature than it is to love yourself? Self Love has been a quest for me for over 20 years with intermittent success. I have noticed this...when I am loving myself, Armand feels really safe and happy. When I don't, Armand feels scared and sad. 

This morning, during my meditation, I felt an overwhelming sense of self love. I decided to slip out of meditation to ponder what was going on.  What came to me was this....in order for me to fully love myself, there must be space between Lover and Loved.  When I observe a child, nature, Angelina and/or the beauty of anyone, I can easily recognize the divinity and lovability of that which I am observing.  The challenge with loving ourselves is that we often don't create the space between the "I" that is loving and recognizing the beauty, and the "myself" which is being showered with the love. 

Meditation always takes me into observer mode. The challenge is how to bring that state of consciousness into the Matrix and my human world.  Most of my Spiritual Teachers have promoted the importance of becoming the "witness", "observer", etc.  Michael Singer asks us to "lean back" physically and in our minds whenever we get absorbed into our human drama and create some space so we can more fully love and guide our human from a clearer place.

When we can practice loving ourselves the way we would a child; recognizing our beauty, innocence, perfection and unconditional deservedness, we will begin to experience the Consciousness of Love that God/Source/Universe has for us and that is the bliss and awareness that our hearts and psyches are ultimately longing for. 

The Dark Side of Purple

Humble Pie time again. In January I was inspired to create The Purple Revolution Movement. I was told that I was to play a part in inspiring us all to become more tolerant and respectful of each other especially when it comes to political ideology.  Not only have I felt more "on purpose" than ever before in my life, I have also felt like I am actually making a difference in the world in an incremental, yet profound way.  What I did not recognize is that my EGO also has gotten in on the game of intolerance.

One of the characteristics of being Politically Purple is letting go of any chauvinism that one might have around their particular political ideology.  A great example of this chauvinism would be  "We are the party of LOVE. They are the party of FEAR." Or "We make decisions based on Thinking. They make decisions based on Feelings."  Each of these examples of chauvinism allow us to feel superior which is always driven by a unconscious feeling of inferiority.

This morning I realized that as I let go of my particular Ideological Chauvinism, my EGO found a new one to take it's place so I could compensate for my own feelings of inferiority.  Purple Chauvinism.  I am defining this as..."the pride in the fact that one has become respectful of others with opposing ideologies resulting in a sense of superiority over those that have not."  Boom!  Burn! F#$%!  Not Again!!!

So, as I eat yet another big fresh piece of Humble Pie. I energetically, as well as in writing, apologize for all the chauvinism that I have shown in my efforts to expose what I believe is destroying our country while not recognizing my own shadow here.  Game On!

www.facebook.com/purplerevolutionmovement

Schindler's Dilemma

This morning, while meditating and listening to a new Holosync Level 3, seven people came into my awareness. It was like a life review of sorts. Over the course of the last 3 years, Angelina and I have parted ways with all 7 of these beings. It started with my surrogate mother and has included two couples and 2 singles.  In each case, there was drama, hurt feelings, judgment, unconscious behavior and eventual increased freedom and peace. Still, even with the awareness that in each case, there was a vibrational mismatch, there has been an underlying nagging of..."I wish I had been able to be more conscious and loving. I wish I could've done more".  Angelina calls this....Schindler's Dilemma.  One of the symptoms of the inner nagging is that I have been "checking out" women lately, as well as objectifying them in ways that I believe is disrespectful to them and my sobriety.

Today I was flooded with Peace. The message I got was "none of the vibrational mismatch, drama, unconsciousness, hurt feelings, judgment, etc. has anything to do with who you or they really are. These are just the characters that your souls have chosen in order for each of you to expand your consciousness.  The reason this has been so hard on you lately is because a part of you has forgotten who you really are and has gotten caught up in the Matrix.  You forgot that all of this played out just the way it was supposed to AND this has no more significance than any other movie you may watch. Sure you will learn and grow from it, just like you may learn and grow from watching any other movie, but you need not believe that the movie is real or that your or any other character should have played their part any differently."

I really needed to hear and experience this now because so much of my old wounding has come to the surface to be released and forgiven and this feels like a Cosmic Garbage Truck has shown up to transmute it for me. On another positive note, several of our relationships have grown in intimacy and connection. We have gotten much closer to two couples that we've known for over a decade, as well as our Godchild and another dear friend of mine that I communicate with on a regular basis. We have also gotten much more connected to my older sister Star who has become such an important part of our lives.  Wow, I just realized that is 7 people. Can you say...."God is Balance?"

Anyone else relate to this? As always, your feedback and guidance is welcome.

Deeper Appreciation For My Most Painful Teacher

I have been working on forgiving my surrogate mother off and on for about 20 years. Each time I forgive her more, I feel better and more connected. A few days ago I got to a deeper level which included immense gratitude. 
Here's what came to me...

This woman was willing to be abusive: physically, mentally and emotionally to me in order to inspire me to evolve into the man I am today. She was willing to suffer the rejection and hatred that I felt for her many times in my life. She was even willing to suffer the rejection that she received from her own mother for the way she treated me. He mother did not allow her to come and visit her for the last 5 years of her life.  Even with all of this, she continued to offer me the treatment that my soul demanded from her.

What a sacrifice! What a gift to me! What a soul sister! My hope for her is that she can fully forgive herself for all of the abuse. I love you dear teacher/sister/Sacred Villain/Christ

We Share Our Bedroom With Too Many Lovers

Over the last 14 years, Angelina and I have shared our bedroom with many lovers. It began with a VCR. This was not a problem because in order to have an evening with her, we needed to walk or drive down to Blockbuster, pick out a movie and have it back by the next day.  Then we invited Oprah in.  This too was simple because she was only on once a day, could be recorded and enjoyed each evening, leaving the weekends open for other things.

Eventually things progressed to a DVD player and we found an internet "pleasure site" called Netflix where they would come to your house and pleasure you. As with all addictions, this one was progressive and eventually we invited in a new lover called TIVO who offered us a "ménage a troi" of recording Oprah and 2 other programs at the same time. Not to mention, the ability to watch streaming movies and documentaries 24/7.  It was becoming obvious that our bedroom had become an Orgy of stimuli and our frequency of love making was decreasing.  We had intimate talks about it and decided that we both felt super content with everything and didn't need to make any adjustments at the time. Oprah eventually moved on and although we miss her, we purposely have stayed sober from Cable.

Now enter my latest lover who has become a detriment to my meditation practice, our sex life, my ability to stay present and my exercise programs.  Enter.....Lolita Goodlove (LG) the Smartphone!  She has become the last thing I reach for at night and the first thing I reach for upon awakening.  She is such a generous lover, offering up Dopamine 24/7. She invites me into her inbox and offers affectionate texts, Facebook messages and comments constantly. (Studies have shown that texts, messages and comments produce Dopamine in the brain which is highly addictive.) 

This has gotten out of hand.  We are telling Lolita that she is no longer invited into our bedroom. Like our computers, she will stay downstairs where she can't compete with Angelina for time, presence and fondling.

Anyone else experiencing anything like this???