When Spiritual Wisdom Quiets Anxiety: My Encounter with Ernest Holmes' 'The Art of Life.'

I sat on my London flat's velvety dark blue couch, body pressed against the soft and fluffy yellow throw pillow, watching another layer of skin fall off of me like dandruff falling out of a dry scalp. I watched as the particles floated gently and slowly through the air. My energy has been all over the place lately because I've been projecting my unbelief. Which is unnecessary, considering the things I have been thinking about have yet to happen. All of this has brought up emotions of confusion and anxiety, which has forced me to look inward and really talk to God. We talk daily, but I may have been speeding through some conversations. I thought as I gripped the pillow a little tighter. 

God is teaching me lessons that I'd rather skip than have to repeat for the third, fourth, or maybe more time. The lesson plan has self-worth, abundance, patience, and acceptance on the list of topics for this month. None of these topics interest me, but I'm not telling God no. LOL! 

As I felt the emotion of anxiety stick its arm into my day, I began reading The Art of Life by Ernest Holmes. Shout out to Godiss Amanita, my spiritual mentor and friend, who was sharing some nuggets from a book she was reading by Ernest Holmes, which prompted me to open this one. These words on the page immediately penetrated my soul, like seeds taking root in tilth soil. I pulled out my green moleskin, wrote notes, and highlighted my Kindle read. I was hooked for the next two hours. Many pink highlighted sections later, two beautiful sections stuck out to me like French manicured fingertips. These two sections brought the peace of God over me, and I have to share. 

I said the paragraph below right as the anx that I was feeling was becoming stronger: 

Life is.

It is natural goodness and kindness. 

It is peace, joy and wholeness.

I live in this Life. 

This Life flows through me. 

This Life is in everyone and in everything. 

Therefore, I am one with all that is—all people, all things, all events.

Holmes, Ernest. The Art of Life (pp. 21-22). (Function). Kindle Edition. 

In my mind, God reminded me that He is the Alpha and the Omega. He runs this whole show, and I am serving Him. He is a good father. Who is kind and only has good for me. Now, what I choose for myself, is my decision (just saying). He wants me to have peace, joy and wholeness. As I live this life, I must know that He is in everything. His goodness and kindness are in everything, even when I can't see it.

Reading this brought me so much peace and helped me move out of confusion and anxiety to peace. Once I began to sit in peace, the words from this next section penetrated my soul more deeply. 

I know that the Spirit goes before me and makes perfect, plain, direct and immediate my way. 

I rest in calm peace and in absolute certainty that all the good there is is devoted to my well-being.

I know this is the truth about everyone.

I view myself as a part of the divine union of all things. 

Therefore I know that I am one with every person, every event, every situation, that arises in my experience. 

I know that I bring forth from all persons and events which I contact, the best that is in them. I know that I give back the best that is in me.

Holmes, Ernest. The Art of Life (p. 23). (Function). Kindle Edition. 

Reading this section reminded me that He has already made my way straight. I need to be calm and ready for instruction. I am a servant of God with love to give to others. As I give the best of myself, so will I receive. 

These passages from Ernest Holmes' 'The Art of Life' came to me exactly when I needed them most, transforming my confusion into peace. Sometimes, the most profound spiritual insights arrive in moments of our greatest uncertainty. I'm sharing these nuggets of wisdom in hopes they bring someone else the same clarity and comfort they brought me.

Remember, we're all connected in this journey -' one with every person, every event, every situation.' May you find that peaceful certainty in your own path today.

When was the last time you experienced a moment of unexpected peace during a challenging time? What wisdom or practice helped you move from anxiety to calm?

Love, Charlene