Evidence of God

Excluding this from your life would kill you in three minutes. No one is exempt. And the funny thing is, you can't see it, taste it, touch it, hear it, or smell it. It is invisible. Know what I am talking about?

Air.   

Seriously, when was the last time you thought about air? It is the most basic, fundamental, essential component for your existence, yet it isn't detectable by any of your five senses. So why do you believe air exists?

Another example. Science claims black holes exist even though a black hole has never been seen. How does science make such a claim? Through observational (or indirect) evidence. That means they can see the EFFECT on the space (matter) around the black hole. They don't see "it," they see what effect "it" causes.

If this is a fair standard of scientific evidence for black holes, why isn't it a fair standard for God? Throughout this web site I have said "try it" (G-G-G) and see what happens. I know if you perceive life as a gift and you respond with gratitude, God will manifest. But what I know means nothing--that is my experience. What is important is what you know. And you will only know God if you have an experience (feel the effect) yourself.

So I think it fair to say we need not see, taste, touch, hear, or smell God, to claim He exists. We KNOW air exists and none of the criteria applies. And similar to a black hole, observing an effect is evidentiary to asserting a claim that it (whatever "it" is) exists. What is fair for the goose must be fair for the gander--or there is no fairness at all. That leaves us with the task of proving whether or not God causes an effect.

In the next post we will examine the definition of the word God. Only by understanding (defining) a thing can we come to know what it actually is. And how can we determine if a thing has an effect unless we define what that thing is?

Suggestion Box

On June 11th I posted Back to the Basics and started a series of posts designed to illustrate the dynamics of how our brain works and responds to sound. (language) I then offered three ways of reacting to events (breathe/acceptance/gratitude) that are the most accessible/effective methods available to us that enhance our well-being. I linked all my suggestions to scientific evidence. At our current level of scientific understanding everything I have presented is indisputable.

I also snuck in a post (We Are Alive--and isn't Marie Digby amazing?) that spoke directly to your attitude toward being "alive." I proposed that if astonishment (astonish: to fill with sudden wonder or great surprise) wasn't part of your outlook, you might consider a course correction. The fact is, there is no cognitive rationale for you even being here.

http://visual.ly/what-are-odds

The tacit message was life is a gift. Your inability or reluctance to experience it as such might be an insight as to what issues you need to address. Or not. You are always the determining factor. If you don't "buy in," nothing occurs. You continue with your life as it was. I would ask one question though; how is that working for you?

So, if you're still reading, I will presume that we have an agreement: you see life as a gift you can be grateful for. These last few days I will present what evidence I have for God being the final part of the equation.

As Good As It Gets

Well, Gwenn was busy over the weekend. She changed the header of the blog, enabling access in the future under WP Grogan (rather than Gift Gratitude God). What I do with it is moot. My intention is to bring it to a close--Gwenn's argument simply being access, and I have no problem with that. As I mentioned, the actual web site's domain name is not being renewed, so access to everything other than the blog ends July 3rd.

I do wish to explain the "goodness is great if you're good to yourself" quote on the header. It is from a "poem" (not sure it qualifies) in the About Me section. Written years ago as a post script to a friend, she responded favorably to the sentiment. It comes as close as anything else as a "motto" for what it is I promote. To save you time flipping to that section (and perhaps, a future visitor) I will include it here:

Goodness is great if you're good to yourself
And patience is fine if you give yourself time
Trust is must begin with yourself
Loving is due but don't forget about you.

I believe people sometimes get caught in the trap of being "nice." They do and say things they think others want or expect of them. Because the impulse is one of accommodation and not genuine service the ego will (eventually) demand compensation. The tendency then is toward resentment. Instead, the metaphor of a fruit tree illustrates the innate characteristic of "good works." Your nature is to give of yourself. It makes you feel good to do so.

http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2011/05/28/helping-others-is-good-for-your-health-an-interview-with-stephen-g-post-phd/

Understanding your impulse, my effort is to refine this instinct to include yourself. Until you learn to be good to yourself, any thought of authentic goodness toward others is flawed. It is conditional and perpetuated only by acknowledgement or validation--rather than a realization of mutual benefit. Including yourself in the equation of being "good" goes a long way in sustaining efforts that fulfill you spiritually. It is a gift you give to yourself.

ENLIGHTENMENT

A story told in pictures...

http://www.healingdao.com/js/openwysiwyg/uploads/BlackHole.Bridge.jpg

(This is the last in a series--there were 14 others)

Emphasis on an Echo

Sound is nothing more than vibrations. In Sound Off I tried to impart how sound affects us. I wish to make clear that language is simply sound units (or sequences) that are related to specific meanings.

http://www.sfgate.com/health/article/UCSF-study-shows-how-the-brain-sorts-sound-to-5190015.php

The importance of this is my use of the term, "resonate." A number of entries on this blog have recommended that you find that which you resonate with. Resonance is the tendency of a system to oscillate (vibrate) with greater amplitude at some frequencies than others. (amplitude is: the maximum extent of vibration measured from a position of equilibrium)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUFZznShv_c

Your internal dialogue is "heard" as well, and the point being emphasized today. When you go through your day that "little voice " in your head is exactly that--a VOICE that emits sound.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/263428.php

That being the case, it is crucial the frequency at which you vibrate is tuned to that which serves you best. You must be vigilant of what and how you think. What you think is the "dial" (vibration) that determines what "radio station" (frequency) you tune into. The radio station that provides the greatest amplitude is where we wish to reside (resonate). That station has the "call letters," G-G-G.

Gratitude is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all others. ~Cicero

http://happierhuman.com/benefits-of-gratitude/

We Are Alive

Shake off all of your sins and give them to me...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rccbhr56nMk

Whatever you've done that fell short of your true intent, acknowledge it. Where you can, atone for it. Life will present opportunities for you to do so. Speak your truth and accept the events that follow. Accountability and acceptance are blood brothers. That done, open yourself to what happens in your life as an Instruction Manuel. You are not a finished product. You will continue to be honed and refined throughout your life. This can be an exciting prospect--expansion is inherent in your DNA. Life's continuous expansion manifests in change. Be alert to the opportunities change offers.

One possible change you can weigh is your current approach. If it doesn't include astonishment that you are alive, experiencing the inexplicable reality of your own existence, you may want to ponder your direction.

Acceptance

You have to come to terms with how you operate. The simple fact is, through evolution, you have a built-in "negativity bias." Here is an article explaining it.

http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2013/06/14/overcoming-your-negativity-bias/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0

You have to start accepting Life on it's own terms. "It is what it is." People spend an inordinate amount of time resisting what is. How often do you hear or speak phrases like, "I don't believe it. Why did he/she/they DO that? This is bullshit." And you know what? You may be right. It is unbelievable, or inconceivable, or down right nonsense. But it is what it is--and you are going to have to come to grips with the reality of the moment. You must also realize you are going to have a predisposition to interpret it as bad or a threat. You brain is wired for just such a reaction.

The truth is, we honestly don't know that it is bad. And if you can bring yourself to accepting it as a gift of unknown potency, power, or possibility, you will have changed the dynamic. It is what it is...but not what it is going to be. Like a magician, you have the power to transform what it is, to what it is GOING to be.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpuDyGgIeh0

Carl Jung said, "what you resists, persists." I want you to fully understand that, and why acceptance is so important. If you deny the reality of the moment, you empower it. You dwell on it. You gnaw on it like a bone. You play and replay the unfairness, the betrayal, the selfishness, or the violence in your head, saying all the while--it cannot be. Yet, it has already taken place! The resulting pain, sadness,  disappointment, or heartache, will still be waiting at the end of your denial. Though we may not wish a  particular situation unfold, it is the emotions (reactions) to that event that create the components that determine how the next event in our life will be understood. If we can develop a technique where all life is seen as a gift, we rewire our neurons and create a self-sustaining "operating system."