In his 1989 book, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People”, Dr. Stephen R. Covey outlines personal habits that allow us to realize a ‘paradigm shift’ in our abilities to become effective in manifesting whom and what we were created to be. I have had this book with me since that time and refer to it as my ‘secular Bible’. It has a very straightforward approach to ‘turning around’ challenges and perceived ‘problems’ into proactive steps toward the manifestation of your Divine purpose.
In the first habit, ‘Be Proactive’, Covey outlines ‘Principles of Personal Vision’. He suggests that we listen to what language we use in our daily lives to help convert us from being ‘reactive’ into being ’proactive’. How we use our language determines what course of action we take. A reactive person, when confronted with a problem, might say, “There’s nothing I can do.” The language of a proactive person would be to the same problem, “Let’s look at our alternatives.” Instead of throwing your arms up in the air and resolving yourself to a perceived fate or being helpless in manifesting a desired outcome, one ‘chooses’ to influence their environment with a proactive response that sets the tone for subsequent manifestations. Instead of saying, “That’s the way I am”; say “I can choose a different approach.”
He emphasizes taking responsibility for your thoughts, feelings, beliefs, words, actions and behaviors. Instead of reacting to someone else’s behavior by saying, “He makes me so mad”, say to yourself, “I can control my own feelings.” Do not give your personal power away to others by giving up before you’ve even started. Don’t say, “They won’t allow that”; say “I can create and effective presentation.” Instead of saying, “I have to do that”, say “I will choose an appropriate response.” He further states that accepting responsibility for what you say is from a basic paradigm of determinism. Say, “I choose” instead of “I can’t”; “I prefer”, instead of “I must”; and “I will” instead of “If only.”
We all make individual choices based on the ‘perceived consequences’ of challenges or problems we encounter. Reactive language becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy, Dr. Covey states. “People become reinforced in the paradigm that they are determined, and they produce evidence to support the belief. They feel increasingly victimized and out of control, not in charge of their life or their destiny. They blame outside forces---other people, circumstances, even the stars---for their own situation”, Dr. Covey states. To start being more proactive and less reactive, we must become more and more aware of what ‘commands’ we speak into our environments.
I highly recommend that all of you pick up a copy of this book. It will definitely give you finite principles to ‘turn things around’ in the manifestation of your Divine purpose in Divine order. May you speak love and beautiful co-creation into your world each and every day of your life! ~Dean A. Banks, D.D.
Elizabeth and I would like to invite you all to our site ‘Service In Prayer’. For many months we have been led to offer a way for our online friends to have a forum to share our prayer needs with each other.
The purpose of this website is to connect with one another and share our needs for healing in whatever areas we feel we need. Please visit the website or go to the Facebook forum to post any public prayers on the Wall or PM us for private prayers.
We will pray for you or help you to find Prayer Partners to assist you in healing and realization of your Divine purpose and the unfolding of it in Divine order.
Thank you all for your support, kindness and for blessing us with your ongoing friendship. Peace and blessings to all of you and your families! ~Dean A. Banks, D.D.
OUR PAST ISSUES
Did you miss any of the issues of The Spirituality Post Daily? If so, following are the links to each and every day for you to peruse. Please visit our advertisers and help us to keep going in our service to the spiritual community of souls who long for a greater spiritual perspective on life. God bless you and your families! ~Dean A. Banks, D.D.
What is the Spirituality Guidance Channel? SGC is a video portal designed to introduce spiritually inclined individuals to be exposed to spiritual videos, radio, teachers, music, art, books, resources and links from a selected group of teachers and requests from viewers. Each featured coach/teacher will have their own page highlighting any videos, audios, websites or printed material they have produced. This portal will be regularly promoted on the Internet through social networking and targeted marketing channels. Please visit the website at the following address:http://www.spiritualityguidance.com and email me at webproducer@hotmail.com with any suggestions, links or materials. Thank you for your most courteous participation in this project. I welcome your input. ~Dean A. Banks, D.D.
What is the Spirituality Guidance Channel? SGC is a video portal designed to introduce spiritually inclined individuals to be exposed to spiritual videos, radio, teachers, music, art, books, resources and links from a selected group of teachers and requests from viewers. Each featured coach/teacher will have their own page highlighting any videos, audios, websites or printed material they have produced. This portal will be regularly promoted on the Internet through social networking and targeted marketing channels. Please visit the website at the following address:
http://www.spiritualityguidance.com and email me at webproducer@hotmail.com with any suggestions, links or materials. Thank you for your most courteous participation in this project. I welcome your input. ~Dean A. Banks, D.D.
Early in our mutual existence, humankind used hands and feet as simple tools. What is a simple tool? As simple tool is “a ‘simple machine’; which is a non-motorized device that changes the direction or magnitude of a force. In general, a simple machine can be defined as one of the simplest mechanisms that provide mechanical advantage; a.k.a. leverage [Wikipedia.com].” When the forces opposing the hands and feet were greater than our limb extensions could handle, we invented simple machines to extend the force of our limb extensions. “Six classical simple machines which were defined by Renaissance scientists: Lever, Wheel and axle, Pulley, Inclined plane, Wedge, and Screw [Wikipedia.com].” These tools increase the physical force applied to objects from our hands and feet allowing us to move objects that we couldn’t move on our own. We have used these tools to take advantage of the force of ‘leverage’.
What is leverage? It means several different things: It is “the mechanical advantage or power gained by using a lever; power or ability to act or to influence people, events, decisions by advantage, strength, weight, clout or pull; the use of a small initial investment, credit, or borrowed funds to gain a very high return in relation to one's investment, to control a much larger investment, or to reduce one's own liability for any loss; to use (a quality or advantage) to obtain a desired effect or result; to provide with leverage over something else; to invest or arrange using leverage; to exert power or influence on something outside of oneself [dictionary.com].” As you can see, leverage can mean a host of possibilities all in relation to using something small to move something else that ‘appears’ to be larger or unmovable.
Do we have an internal simple tool or machine that can move omniversal forces that appear to be ‘unmovable’? It turns out that we do. We have the ability to ‘visualize’ an end result that fulfills our desires and brings us joy. By feeling that joy we are using Divine love to bring peace and understanding. The larger energies and matter of the cosmos are determined by the ‘lesser’ or ‘darker’ energies and matter that exist ‘beyond’ our senses. As with an electronic relay, a smaller electrical force moves a ‘switch’ that affects a larger electrical force by using opposing forces that ‘naturally’ exist. Divine order affects natural order when we know we are pursuing that for which we were created to fulfill. It moves the natural ‘darker’ or ‘lesser’ forces to affect the larger and more apparent forces that we perceive in our minds.
The secret to utilizing our built in ‘omniversal relay’ is to keep the channel of fulfillment open between our hearts and minds. Divine love flows from our hearts to affect our minds to co-create the beauty that we seek. When we meditate daily we keep that channel open to live in peace, understanding, joy and Divine love. It ‘affects’ that inner simple tool to leverage the forces of nature to create that which we desire. It does this when we EXPECT the fulfillment of what we visualize by feeling the joy of its creation. It’s not about believing it will happen; it’s about knowing that it will because you are fulfilling your Divine purpose in Divine order. Prayer energizes the relay; meditation allows the energy to flow through the relay; and service to others by sharing your talents, skills and abilities flips the relay to bring about the Divine desires implanted in your heart.
Too simple? Perhaps. However, it’s simpler than you think and more complex than you feel. Focus on the end result of your desires and expect their fulfillment in Divine order. Watch the simple omniversal machine create that which you KNOW you were created to fulfill. Never let anyone tell you otherwise. Their relays are clouded with doubt, worry and fear fueled by their ego’s desire to protect what they ‘believe’ is real more than what they ‘know’ is real. Be ye therefore simply complex! ~Dean A. Banks, D.D.
WEBSITE HOSTING
CD/DVD
EBOOKS
STOP THE VIOLENCE!
How many lives must be lost before we say, “Stop the violence!” Our children are taught that violence is the answer when we know that’s not right. Yet, we live our lives and allow it to proliferate all around us. We go to movies filled with violence and allow our children to go and see it. We fight each other at every turn and say that it’s OK. And then we are shocked when some whacko kills people in a theater, and elementary school and a sporting event?
Can’t we see that what we allow to exist around us is what is going to happen? How many children will have their lives cut short before we say “No” to guns and explosives? Anytime someone has the power over life and death and doesn’t have the brains to act responsibly we are all to blame. We allow it to happen and it is up to us to put a stop to it.
Anyone who owns a gun or purchases explosives must have training in how to use them and needs a psychological examination to prove they are responsible enough to own them. Without that, we are all subject to the whims of a maniac on a mission for his 15 minutes of fame. If you give a water pistol to a 4 year old he will shoot everything in site because he doesn’t have the consciousness to know any better. The same occurs with people who are unstable and can legally purchase guns and explosives.
Only God has power over life and death and until we enact laws to stop the legal purchase of guns and explosives without the appropriate background checks we will keep seeing the result of egomaniacal judges and juries.
Call your representatives and DEMAND the protection of all of us. What good is Homeland Security when we go to a movie, an elementary school or a sporting event and some nut case who could legally purchase a gun or the substances for explosives kills our children in cold blood? Stop the violence! ~Dean A. Banks, D.D.
Currently Bobby Hinkle, Elizabeth
May Sutor and Dean A. Banks, D.D. have uploaded podcasts. Robert Yarbrough will be added soon. Just click on the podcasters placards below and click on the Podcast title. Currently there are five podcasts on Bobby Hinkle's page, one on Elizabeth Sutor's page and nine on Dean A. Banks, D.D.'s page. Stay tuned for more! Thank you for choosing us!
What is the Spirituality Guidance Channel? SGC is a video portal designed to introduce spiritually inclined individuals to be exposed to spiritual videos, radio, teachers, music, art, books, resources and links from a selected group of teachers and requests from viewers. Each featured coach/teacher will have their own page highlighting any videos, audios, websites or printed material they have produced. This portal will be regularly promoted on the Internet through social networking and targeted marketing channels. Please visit the website at the following address:
http://www.spiritualityguidance.com and email me at webproducer@hotmail.com with any suggestions, links or materials. Thank you for your most courteous participation in this project. I welcome your input. ~Dean A. Banks, D.D.
Welcome to our new Sunday Morning Service by Dr. Dean A. Banks, D.D.
Every week Dr. Dean will be engaging subjects that are pertinent to your growth and expansion into recognition of; respect to; and communication with your inner spirit.
Please feel free to comment or suggest topics for review. May the Divine always bless you and your families! ~Dean A. Banks, D.D.
Are you waking up every day and speaking life into your day? Or are you giving up on your dreams and simply existing as the walking dead? Do you claim that everything is an illusion and that it doesn’t matter what you do or don’t do to share the gifts that God has bestowed on you? Or is your self-speak activated with the love of God to serve all of existence with joy and sharing?
In Romans 4:17 the author states, “…the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.” Does your life reflect a picture of doom, gloom and death? God creates life by taking things that are not and speaking life into them. Just as the story of the creation of Adam reveals that God took the dead and motionless earth and breathed life into it you too can breathe life into your existence.
“But how do I do this?” you might say. Speak with the authority of the Spirit of God that is within you and repeat “I am healthy”, “I am wealthy”, “I am prosperous” and “I am abundant” throughout your day. Don’t just say it, feel it and believe it. It is the truth and you have to identify with the truth in order to receive it.
Joel 3:10 states, “…let the weak say, I am strong.” If the picture in your outer world is not what you want in life than begin changing that picture on the inside to reflect health, wealth, prosperity and abundance. Speak your words from those pictures and not from the expectation of infirmity, loss, lack and limitation.
Stop seeing things as they are as being how they will always be. It is in your faith in the Spirit of God that you co-create the life that you desire. Expect the promises of God who races to meet you on your return just like in the story of the prodigal son. Think, speak and act beauty into your life no matter what ‘appears’ to be on the outside.
Transcend the limitation of self by embracing the abundance of SELF. It is your destiny when you ‘allow’ the promises to occur by getting out of your own way and speaking with the authority of the Most High God! ~Dean A. Banks, D.D.
EBOOKS
SPIRITUAL GROWTH:
ARTICLES OF EXPECTATION
Spiritual Growth: Articles of Expectation is a book that contains a series of articles by one of the most controversial authors in the field of Spirituality, Dean A. Banks takes on some of the most debated issues in regards to Spirituality today. Included in this book is an online debate between the author and Scott Lively of Abiding Truth Ministries who are directly linked to Anti-Gay Legislation in Uganda based on their own ‘Christian’ doctrine. His main focus is on the growth and expansion of the human condition, what to look out for in spiritual leaders and how to scientifically discover your own truth. A must read for any truth seeker!
This enlightening book by Dean A. Banks, D.D. presents spiritual topics in an easy to understand format based on sound scientific principles. Dr. Banks focuses on exactly what spiritual teachers are saying and what it truly means. If any teacher is not contributing to the growth and expansion of the environment as a whole, then there message is dubious at best. This book is based the principles of Spirituality Guidance as introduced by Dr. Banks.
Spirituality Guidance is the art of leading individuals to observe, collate and evaluate the facts. It frees the individual from judgment and allows your spirit to truly be free. By utilizing facts and not opinions, an individual can become one with the desires of their heart. The ultimate goal is to actualize these desires through prayer, meditation and service.
Dean A. Banks earned his D.D. degree in Theology from UCS in 1985. Dean appeared on the Los Angeles market (Channel 9) television show “There Is A Way” and performed at the Shrine Auditorium in L.A in 1982 to promote the single release of his song “People Are Wanting Your Love.” Dean blogs about the current state of politics, our religious beliefs and ways to enhance our personal development. He refers to himself as a Spirituality Guide and has some interesting spiritual commentaries that will inspire people to achieve the greatness they seek. Dean produces marketing campaigns and websites for banksnet.com. He has created the Spirituality Guidance channel and writes for several online blogs.
Is your ego stacking the deck in your favor? Do you repeatedly look to benefitting yourself at every turn in order to justify your existence? Are you allowing others to take advantage of those who don’t know any better or are oblivious to obvious manipulation of their opinions? If so, then you are NOT living from the Spirit of God.
Living in the spirit means that share Divine love with all by being truthful, encouraging them to become the best that they can be and by serving humankind with Divine love. If you continually steer events, occurrences, situations, circumstances and the behavior of others to justify your behaviors then you are fooling and deluding yourself with your blind ego. You are ignoring the rights of others to experience their own edification in spirit by taking the credit for their well-being.
True teachers of spirituality point the way for others to traverse but NEVER take credit for their pointing; they know it is the spirit within that is doing the pointing and NOT their ego. The spirit moves through each and every one of us in a unique way that defines whom and what we are. Realizations are different but are from the same source. It is meant to be that way for diversity to realize itself in unity. If our egos take credit for what the spirit is guiding us to do we are not being honest with ourselves AND others! We are thinking more of ‘me’ than ‘we’.
Be careful and watchful of the ego’s quest for self-recognition. It is subtle and illusory. Always allow the spirit to flow Divine love from your being and give credit to the Spirit of God. That spirit IS the source of all Divine love. Honor and respect that by giving credit where credit is due. Be ye therefore perfect! ~Dean A. Banks, D.D.
STAND YOUR GROUND
When logic and reason are not recognized, what do you do? Try to convince someone of something when they are so rooted in their belief system that they won’t question reality? Or do you simply smile and go on your way? What is the decent and loving thing to do? Stand your ground and allow others to believe their lies and continue your experience of life? Only if what THEY do has no effect on your life!
When politicians and ardent followers refuse to see the truth it is up to you to not allow their ‘truth’ to compromise your ‘truth’. No matter they say or do stand up for the helpless like Christ did; say no to they who profess him and behave in a way that hurts other people. Don’t allow their 18th Century pseudo-ethic warp your viewpoint of the truth.
There is NO honor in becoming filthy rich off of the backs of others while you are paying them next to nothing. That’s why we have unions; to tell the corporations and government that they will NOT get labor for next to nothing. Weekends, child labor, health care all came about from the unions. Yes, they ‘forced’ the corporations to have to consistently raise prices but so be it. Corporations raise prices anyway!
Why do you think that they ship jobs overseas? It costs less, even with shipping, to manufacture goods from cheap labor they are taking advantage of in Asia. They are what have caused the loss of jobs in this country and they are doing it to get rid of the labor unions so they can manipulate the market with impunity. They don’t want regulation. They want more profit. They want to control your life so that you buy from them or one of the several diversified companies they own. It’s a win-win-win scenario for them and a lose-lose-lose scenario for any worker that doesn’t share in the profits from their labors.
Greed begets greed and absolute financial power corrupts individuals to think only of themselves and their families. It is ego out of control. The ONLY thing that thwarts this behavior is monitored government regulation. Remove that, and the greed will run rampant. We need to progress into the future by not removing the regulatory paradigm, but reinforcing it.
Send the message to all of the egos that their agenda for selfishness and power will no longer be tolerated. Be true to your families, your neighbors and your communities. Stand up for mutual growth and expansion of all; not just a select few. ~Dean A. Banks, D.D.
ALLOWING OTHERS TO
STEAL YOUR JOY
Are you permitting others to steal your joy? Are you feeling great and someone else tries to make you feel guilty because you feel good? Are they saying that you are being selfish because you choose to experience joy while others are suffering?
In everything that happens to us we have choices to make. Do we internalize our experiences and create emotions that drive us to either worry about what ‘might’ happen or be confident in what we know ‘will’ happen!
In other words, are we in command of our feelings or are our feelings in command of us? Do we operate from faith in the Divine by trusting completely or do we operate from fear by doubting in ourselves enough to let the imposed guilt of others stifle our progress?
When we accept and believe in the guilt that others impose on us we are allowing them to steal our joy. What right do we have to be joyous when the rest of the world appears to be suffering? Who do we think we are, anyway? Do we think we are better than others? Or is it that we simply KNOW that we have everything to be thankful and joyous for because we understand just whom and what we are in the grand scheme of things?
When others try to convince you that you have no right to be joyous just thank them graciously, pray for their understanding and move on. The truth is that it is THEY who have no right to impose their limited, subjective and personal viewpoint on you simply because you are experiencing joy. They want you to be ‘like them’ for them to feel secure in their viewpoint of the world. It is a selfish act and you should have nothing whatsoever to do with them and their ego trying to control, dominate and manipulate who and what you are.
Never let anyone steal your joy; it isn’t worth it. It is more important to be truthful than polite, in control rather than being controlled and joyous for your blessings rather than worrying about ‘what if’. When you take the ‘what if’, let it go and follow Divine guidance you are being true to yourself AND others. Be ye therefore perfect! ~Dean A. Banks, D.D.
STRAPPED TO THE TOP
Have you heard about the Mormon millionaire, Willard Mitt Romney, who ran for POTUS? Years ago he put his dog in a ‘kennel’ and strapped it to the roof of his car and drove with his family in the car. He claimed that it was OK for the dog and he loved it.
Now, how would he truly know that? Was he inside of the kennel traveling at high rates of speed with the wind drowning his breath? Was the dog able to see outside of the kennel while the wind was rushing by? Did he have enough water and food in the kennel to sustain him? What about the dog’s fears of being strapped to the roof of the car and moving at high speeds? Did Willard have any empathy for the dog? Hardly.
He stated that the dog loved it without experiencing the ride from the dog’s perspective. Much like when he said he didn’t care about the poor. He said they have a safety net to sustain them. What about the dog’s safety net? Did he have a choice to ride on the roof of the car putting his life in danger or ride inside with the kids? Hardly.
This behavior clearly demonstrates a man out of touch with the reality of other peoples’ (and animals’) experiences. Yes, he might have been so smart with numbers to take advantage of financial ‘opportunities’ but when it comes to decency, compassion and understanding he CLEARLY flunks out.
What would you say to a neighbor who strapped his dog in a kennel to the top of the car? Wouldn’t you call Animal Regulation and point out his blatant ignorance? Or would you simply say ‘live and let live’? Be wary of those who claim to have your best interests at heart. They are trying to pull the wool over your eyes with their ‘practiced’ graciousness. In reality, they are wolves in sheep’s clothing saying and doing what you want to hear and observe to gain your support.
Don’t allow Willard to strap you to the top of his car and drive you to wherever HE thinks you need to be. He has already proven that he has NO clue to what the rest of have to experience by working, paying rising bills and finding the time to spend with our families.
The term silver spoon comes to mind. He made a fortune but he had the money to start making his fortune. Is that a self-made millionaire? Yes and no. Why don’t we just make some waffles for breakfast, Willard? ~Dean A. Banks, D.D.
TAKING A BACK SEAT
It’s in your private moments with the Divine that you consciously align yourself with Divine order; those still, silent and precious moments when your ego takes a back seat to Divine presence. It is then that you understand why love is here, what you need to do with it and how you should express it.
When your awareness is focused on the center of your being and the pulse it expresses, the Divine bathes your being with the clear and pure energy of molding and shaping natural order to fulfill your Divine purpose in Divine order. As you observe and traverse through the perceived illusion of ‘reality’, you affect your environment by how you feel about the circumstances you have created.
Think the thoughts of “I am” and feel the impetus of “I have manifested” and bring the future result into the moment. Moving our feelings through time co-creates the actions necessary to make it so. Anchor yourself in the possibilities and swim into the probabilities.
Set the tone, color and contrast in your life and your convicted feelings will traverse through time to make it happen. ~Dean A. Banks, D.D.
OUR SERVICES IN
DELAWARE
Please visit our websites and send them to anyone you think would need our services. If you are out of our area (Northern Delaware) and know someone in our area, please forward these links onto them.
We are available for work over the next few months, so please let us know as soon as possible. ~Liz & Dean
Do you believe that God is guiding your steps? Do you believe that God will reward you for ‘good’ behavior? Or that He will punish you for ‘bad’ behavior? Do you keep ‘petitioning’ God with prayer to make things happen the way you want them to instead of how they should be for your growth and expansion? Do you believe that God is on ‘the throne’ dispensing rewards for being meek and humble while inflicting punishment for the ‘sins’ of humankind? If you do, it’s about time for you to grow up.
Recent scientific studies have revealed that a baby in the womb comes into an awareness of their own consciousness at about 6 months during gestation. Although they become aware of themselves as being in a warm and comfortable environment, the trauma of birth ’changes’ their perspective of warmth and security and most babies cry after they are removed from that warmth and security. The placenta actually filters the mother’s DNA to the baby AND vice versa! In other words, both the mother AND baby benefit from generational programming during gestation.
But when does a child become self-aware? When do they realize a sense of responsibility for their actions? Recent studies have shown that for most children it is around the age of five years old. They begin to see the differences between right and wrong and come to know that, in some way, they are responsible for their behaviors. Soon after that age, most children begin their ‘formal’ education into the ways of society. Each and every day they are bombarded with systems of rewards and punishment; did they win the race in Phys Ed? Did they get an ‘A’ on the final exam? Did they make the ‘Honor Roll’?
Some go to church and learn the warped emotional version of the Bible, Koran or whatever book of Literary Authoritarianism that their parents subject them to in order for them to perpetuate their children living in fear. God is the greatest, most powerful and glorious ‘being’ in the omniverse and should be feared!
But why are we all subjected to this onslaught of living in fear of being punished for aberrance and being rewarded for conformity? It is nothing more than ego games of control, domination and manipulation to ‘mold’ our behaviors into conforming to the status quo. It is NOT God! Many religions know that God is LOVE! God is NOT a being on a throne dispensing reward and punishment yet they teach their constituents that ‘He’ is. They make God into a male figure that should be feared in order to make others conform to ‘His’ will. WTF???
If God is love, then why would ‘He’ do this? It is more like man has ‘attributed’ his characteristics to God in order to become middlepersons between God and humankind. They anthropomorphize the Divine in order to instill fear into believers instead of allowing Divine love to increase their ability to ‘know’ the truth.
Are you the only one who knows the right way? Are your conclusions to ‘how’ life is the be all and end all of truly ‘how’ it is? Do you pray for a specific outcome and get discouraged when it doesn’t manifest ‘your’ way? If so, you are NOT listening to Divine guidance. Praying is asking the Divine for favor or specific outcomes. Meditation is listening for Divine guidance. Service is following that guidance and manifesting it in your world.
Your Divine desires were planted in your heart for a purpose. When you expect them to happen you set motion into the omniverse for them to be created. Some say that expectation is wrong; just let it all go and things will ‘happen’. Nothing is further from the truth. Expectation of desire is the battery of the omniverse. What IS wrong is giving from your heart and expecting others to return what you have given; this is more ‘expectant reciprocation’ than true ‘giving’. Also, expecting ‘how’ things will manifest in a certain way is ‘expectant manifestation’. It is telling the Divine that this is ‘how’ you want to receive your bounty. All of this is the ego driving the car and NOT allowing the Divine to guide your steps.
When you truly trust in the Divine you ‘listen’ to what guidance you receive and you make the steps of Divine guidance. When you fight and resist what has been revealed is when you receive the perceptions of rewards and punishments. When you live in peace and allow things to unfold in Divine order your perceptions are tempered with Divine understanding and you continue to trust in a favorable outcome ‘without’ attempting to control ‘how’ things will manifest. In effect, you become a true co-creator with the Divine.
Truly allowing the Divine to guide your steps means that you don’t second guess every step along the way. It means that you allow the best to unfold for all without worrying about the outcome. Complete trust means that no matter what happens you are in peace with it. It means that just because it didn’t unfold the way you thought it should, that it will unfold the way it should in Divine order. It means that you turn over the steering wheel to the Divine and enjoy the ride. It means trusting; not doubting, worrying or living in fear.
When will we all grow up and decide to trust in the Divine? Will it be early in life or late in life? It all depends on when we realize that our consciousness knows what we need to do and that the only way we will be able to live in the true peace of Divine fulfillment is when we simply get out of our own way. ~Dean A. Banks, D.D.
STICK TO THE FACTS
Facts are observed information from events, occurrences, situations, circumstances and the behavior of ourselves, others and perceived objects in our environment. From the information that we perceive with our brains as being real to us, we derive our viewpoint, beliefs and opinions; which is the ego assuring that it interprets experiences for its self-survival at all costs.
‘Knowing’ the facts and what their repercussions are is more accurate and appropriate for all involved because it take others and our environment into account and not just ourselves. Strive for knowing what is going on in your environment in order to thrive and not just survive. Survival is a personal experience and thriving is an interactive and collective experience shared by all.
The most complex ‘object’ in the omniverse is the human brain. It is composed of billions of cells (neurons) and trillions of synapses (junctions for neurotransmitter electro-chemical communication). It is the result of all of the chaos of the omiverse congealing into an object that senses the reflections in the omniverse and projects the energy of self-awareness. Everything we ‘observe’ through our senses is converted by our brains into electro-chemical copies of our experiences. We then filter these experiences through our individual belief systems that are programmed into our subconscious minds.
Our beliefs ‘skew’ our observations as to whether they are threatening or not to our individual self-survival. How we interpret the facts always colors the raw information that we process in our brains. This is why it is essential that we go within everyday and commune with the Divine in deep meditation. We need that peace amid the external perceptions of ongoing and never ending chaos to ‘balance’ out our individual perspectives on just whom and what we are as well as what others and our environment truly represents.
Our 'perceptions' of the facts exist independent of and prior to our evaluation of the facts and are the electro-chemical copies that we store in our memory as images, words and feelings about those images and words. Every thought (image or word) that we think about, has a correspondent feeling ‘attached’ to it which triggers memories in our subconscious minds that we ‘compare’ to what we are experiencing in order to ‘run toward’ (fight) or ‘run away’ (flight) from what we are experiencing. It is an automatic process that nature has programmed into our physical beings to ensure self-survival.
Moving from individual self-survival into collective ‘thriving’ means that we need to see our Divine purpose projected on the omniversal stage of existence. It is where we know that whatever we ask of the Divine, we will receive. It is where we learn how to trust in the Divine to bring about what we have asked for by living in faith. It is where we allow what we have asked for to align with our beings; by dismissing chaotic negative thoughts and feelings and helping others to become whom and what they are; in other words, prayer, meditation and service. It is the ongoing practice of which IS Divine communication.
Be ye therefore perfect by allowing the Divine to guide your life completely. Anything else is allowing the ego to drive your car right over the cliff into emotional oblivion and ongoing frustration. ~Dean A. Banks, D.D.
STUCK IN A RUT?
Are you stuck in a rut? Do you feel that your options are limited? Are you acclimating yourself to your circumstances without knowing that you are connected to the source of everything? If you are, then you need to get out in nature and break up the patterns of experiences that brought you into a perception that you are in a rut.
Our experiences of the patterns of thoughts, feelings, beliefs, words, actions and behaviors forge virtual ‘walls’ around your life experience that block your awareness to the possibilities that are always present, but not fully recognized. When you ‘believe’ your choices are limited, they are. Conversely, when you believe they are unlimited, they are as well!
Your belief in being stuck in a rut is what is preventing you from removing the self-imposed walls that are blocking you from seeing the ever-present possibilities surrounding you. When you break up the pattern of belief that you are ‘stuck’ in, it is because you have become aware of your ‘variety’ of choices. Your perception of variety allows you to contemplate the possibilities available to you.
When you begin to contemplate your possibilities, you create preferences in which to choose from in order to get out of your rut. When you choose certain preferences you are, in effect, asking the Divine for the manifestation of these preferences. God always answers our prayers; for they are asking for certain preferences in the possibilities that we have contemplated. Only by paying attention to the way we ‘feel’ about certain preferences of the possibilities that we perceive are available to us, will we be able to deliberately choose to ‘feel good’ about those possibilities.
It is impossible for us to ‘feel good’ about something for awhile and it turn out badly; just like it is impossible for us to ‘feel bad’ about something for awhile and it turn out well. The rut you perceive you are in creates bad feelings, which in turn will not be able to make you ‘feel good’ and hence create a ‘good’ outcome. You must ‘feel good’ despite your feelings and beliefs that you are in a rut in order to tear down the walls of erroneous belief that you have accepted as true.
Beliefs of reality are what determine your behavior. Removing your erroneous beliefs is the only way for you to change your perception of the possibilities that are available to you. ‘Feel good’ about removing them and STOP owning them! You are NOT your beliefs! They are a by-product of how you feel about yourself and your present situation and the circumstances you feel you are experiencing.
Don’t allow your erroneous beliefs to create a ‘pity party’ in your heart and mind. Get rid of what is NOT serving your edification and advancement and live from Divine love. ‘Feel good’ about what you are becoming by being who and what you are; Divine love in action! ~Dean A. Banks, D.D.
Do you have a story to tell? Is that story uneventful and mediocre at best? Do you tell your story in a raconteuristic fashion or does it just barely explain why you are where you are right now? Is your story even worth telling? You’d be surprised.
Your story is a result of the choices you have made over the course of your life. It is the imprint of what you value and what you don’t. It reveals the roads you have taken, the steps you have climbed and the mountaintops you have ascended to in order to express your Divine purpose.
Do you currently perceive that you are in a rut? Retell your story, be it to yourself and/or others to again feel the joys and pains you have experienced in the story of your life. Count your setbacks and your blessings to know that where you stand now is a result of moving away from where you have been.
Continue to move toward where you want to be by discharging negative erroneous beliefs perpetrated by those who choose to not actualize their Divine potential. They are not you and they are not living your life. Allow them to express their opinions without letting them rent space in your head. What they express is a result of their journey and NOT yours.
Learn from them and their stories but continue to unfold your story in Divine order without their perceptions tainting yours. After all, you are the one who has to put one foot in front of another to walk your walk; tell your story and make sure it has a happy ending. ~Dean A. Banks, D.D.
IS YOUR EGO IN COMMAND?
In ‘The Power of Intention’ and ‘The Shift’, Wayne Dyer explains how we deactivate our Power of Intention that comes from the guidance of The Spirit of God when we allow our egos to separate us from God. How do we spot a predominate ego in ourselves and in others? What characteristics does someone display when their ego is in command?
First, the ego is always focused on acquiring; things, people, power over others. If people identify too much with their house, their car or their gun (possessions), their ego is in command.
Next, some people define themselves by what they have achieved. How many awards do they display on their walls, how many degrees have they earned or how much they have been recognized by others for their achievements. If this is the case, their ego is in command.
Next, some define whom and what they are by what others think of them; basically, their reputation. If what they have consistently displayed is more important than an individual issue, then their ego is in command.
When someone identifies with their body as their sole form of existence, then it is the ego that is separating itself from all of life. It does this in order to maintain control because when it is in complete control it can better manage self-survival.
When someone separates themselves from their desires by continually looking outside of themselves for fulfillment, then the ego is in command. The ego seeks not to expect Divine guidance and its bounty because it eliminates itself as the source. It fosters separation from God because if not, it existence will lose validation.
The ego’s message is clear; it is separate from God and does whatever it can to convince us that God’s assessment of whom and what we are determines our worthiness to God (sin). Since God created us in love, does He not love us? If He does, then why would He cast a shadow of sin upon us all?
It is in our ego’s illusion of our separation from God that it maintains control over us. We have been, always are and always will be One with God. It is our ego that ‘spins’ the illusion of separation from the Divine with a concept of sin and denial.
Christ showed us that we live by grace and that we are ALL children of the Most High God. He bridged the perceived gap that the ego projects to convince that we are all sinners and have come short of the glory of God. He transcended the lies of control, domination and manipulation of the ego to exist in a timeless place of eternal love.
The message this Easter should be to all that we are loved and because we are loved we should love all. We have been endowed with grace and greatness and it is up to us to follow the lead of Christ.
Tell your ego each and every day, “Those without sin, cast the first stone.” In love there is only support, kindness and contribution. Be the love that you were created to be. May God bless all of you with health, wealth, prosperity and abundance. ~Dean A. Banks, D.D.
THANK YOU, MAYA!
My meager attempt at honoring Dr. Maya Angelou. A poet and lover of life:
Love Is Not Love Unless It Is Shared
Where have I come from?
Where have I been?
Is it the way I look at things
Now and then?
The focus I have
Is on the spirit within
For in the moment
I strive to begin
Moving forward
I desire to serve
And from all angles
From attacks I swerve
For in the moment
You decide to live the truth
You have to learn to deal with the ramblings of the uncouth
People who live from their ego and belief
I go within to seek relief
When I enter the presence
I am bathed with Divine love
I soak it all in
From below to above
The peace that I feel
Gives me understanding and joy
The Divine love I live
Is not a ploy
To lead others astray
On their path to unity
It is to help others out
And serve their community
Love is not love
Unless it is shared
And life is not lived
Until it is declared
To be a gift from the Divine
An extension of SELF
To live in truth, beauty and love
Is to care for oneself
And so I say to all of you
On your pathway unfolding perfection
Listen to the still small voice of God
Always giving you direction!
~Dean A. Banks, D.D.
An Angel Among Us
An angel walked among us
With a flair for words
She touched all of our hearts
We flew like the birds
She gave us a gift
Of clarity and peace
And now she has left us
Her thoughts will never cease
To inspire generations
With the kiss from the Divine
The gentleness of spirit
Always giving us the rhyme
To move forward in unity
Towards the commonest of goals
Of living in peace, love and harmony
As her poems foretold
And now dearest Maya
You’ve returned to your home
Where angels sing in poetry
And listeners never roam
The gift of your words
Will ring in our hearts forever
To give us all hope
In everything we endeavor.
~Dean A. Banks, D.D.
Ode to Maya
Words of wonder
Graced our lives
Fear asunder
We realized
Hope is present
When we embrace our humanhood
Evil is diffused
Leaving only our good
What she taught us
Was how to grow
To love who we are
And to truly know
Her words will always linger
In the center of our hearts
To remove our finger
From the trigger that tarts
In her heart was no fear
Just resolve
In her mind was the truth
In which we were involved
She knew that somehow
One day we would expand and grow
That’s why she kept going
Shining her heavenly glow
We must always remember
How her words made us think
How they opened our feelings
To quench our thirst we must drink
From the Divine nectar
That flows from the center of our hearts
That the sum of each other
Is always greater than our parts.
~Dean A. Banks, D.D.
THANK YOU TO
ALL OF MY FRIENDS
Sixty-three years ago I entered this world and came to know what life is during the course of my ‘growing up’. I was very blessed to have hard-working middle-class parents who valued work, family and self-sufficiency. My mother was firm and loving. My father was brilliant and tenacious. My sister is friendly and loves animals and kids. My eldest brother, who is now deceased, used to come and take me flying kites. My next eldest brother did so much with his life while expressing his creativity; he was a police officer, a pilot, an interior decorator, TV show host and contractor. I was very blessed to have a family that supported my creative efforts.
I moved to Los Angeles in my early 20’s and again was blessed by working with such Motown greats as Antonio Newton, Marvin Gaye, The Coasters, The Platters and The Drifters. I enjoyed performing as a keyboardist with Iron Butterfly and Wild Cherry as well as working radio promotion for Frank Zappa. The Divine has blessed me time and time again with multitudinous opportunities to work with some of the best in the music industry. I have engineered many recording sessions for producers like Kim Fowley and Frankie Gaye. I have produced many albums over the course of my career and now I am a writer.
I love what I do and every day I reach out to many friends on Facebook all over the world. I have led such a blessed life with many ups and downs. I have been threatened, beaten and verbally abused by those who could not handle the truth. Yet every day I wake up with immense thanks and gratitude to the Divine for an eventful life. After two marriages I finally found the woman of my dreams and we are now married.
The Divine has blessed my life many, many times. It’s all in how you look at things and which feelings you choose to live from and allow their blessings to unfold. Every day I start my day with writing what I observe and feel about what is going on around me. It is so fulfilling to be blessed with the opportunity to serve others. My Divine purpose has been unfolding my whole life just as yours has; you only have to see its unfolding and feel what it has done to edify your life. Be blessed in knowing that the Divine is always there guiding and directing you to fulfill your Divine purpose in Divine order.
Don’t allow the opinions of others to dampen your spirit. Be tenacious in identifying with your spirit. It is who and what you truly are and no one else has the right or ability to influence your reality unless you allow them to. You are the enlightenment just like the Buddha said. Your realizations of your spirit are your connection to the truth in life. Don’t ever allow anyone to dampen your spirit. It has been the guiding factor in my life and it can be in yours as well.
Because I feel this way I have been attacked by many as being egotistical, insane, obviously drugged, outlandish, selfish, inconsiderate, psychotic, sociopathic and blasphemous. As I hear these accusations of my character I consider the source of these accusations as others lashing out at me because I have stepped on their precious belief systems that offer them their security in being mediocre. What they call me doesn’t matter; what truly matters is that I have reached out and shared what the Divine has given me. I have fulfilled my Divine purpose in Divine order and I am at peace with that.
I sincerely appreciate and give thanks to all of those who have wished me a Happy Birthday today and it touches my heart deeply to know that I have reached so many on the Internet. I am so blessed by each one of you and your support. May God bless you now and ever more! May you and your families live in the bounty of health, wealth, prosperity and abundance each and every day of your lives. May you experience beauty, peace, joy and love as a result. You are the Divine in action. Be ye therefore perfect; as your Father in Heaven is perfect. ~Dean A. Banks, D.D.
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