St. Michael Defeats the Devil

Really nice picture...and thanks Jim for encouragement and reminder.

Personally, in a difficult situations I usually remember about it better than in "fun situations" because they create an illusion that because I have fun, everything is ok and psychological work is not needed.

Thanks Jim! :)

Thanks Jim. Great words of encouragement. As you have said, “It's easy to think our situation is different, that it is unique from the sufferings the Masters have gone through…” it is easy to see ourselves as different in some way, that we are somehow starting from a different point, maybe disadvantaged in some way. A little like the way we somehow see the inner work as something that is off in the distance. It’s so important to remember how real and hear-and-now it really is. And that awakened beings were once human just like us. As the Master told us at a retreat in Australia a couple of years ago, if it wasn’t possible to awaken we wouldn’t have been given the opportunity. It’s real, it’s now, and as you have also said, “we have to do it”. It’s our inner work, and it’s up to us whether we move forward or not. Reminders like the one you have given us are very powerful, and very much appreciated. The constant helping each other to remember what we need to remember about the work and about ourselves is an important part of the brotherhood we all benefit from so much. Thanks also for the great picture.

Vadim, yes I find the same thing myself. If it’s a painful situation I tend to remember more readily. I guess we generally try to avoid pain if we can. It makes us realise how all the more sinister the “good” egos are and how dangerous for our inner work the fun and enjoyable situation can be. If we’re having an enjoyable time we’re far less likely to want to avoid it than if it’s unpleasant. We really need to find triggers that work so we remember to be on guard all the time, not just when we’re in pain.

Thanks guys for your posts. All the very best of strength.

Tony

Just this morning I was browsing the Inspirational Art section in the Public Forum looking for recommended art and saved the above picture and was going to print it out and hang it in my living room as a reminder to do the death all the time.
I too forget to do the death when everything is fine.
I am also guilty of complaining and whining to my Father of how diffcult the path is.
Thanks Jim! for your inspirational blogs.
Regards
Merita

Hello Jim,

I think that the death of these interruptions to our awareness most assuredly needs to occur as often as possible.  However, I also think that their importance should be heightened in us to display the urgency of their nature.

I had sought the Path a few years ago but I had gotten sidetracked by my own desires out of life, or those that had been imposed on me.

However, having gone through some transformation, I am able to see the importance of the investment of the inner being with its nurturing.

Please show me more . . . me

Oh my gosh. Thank you so much Jim...really. I'm having a hard time with some things right now, and you're right...it's easy to get devoured...sucked in...and forget about the fight. But if we are thankful for our difficult situations and use them to progress we can only win.
Your words are encouraging.
Thank you!

very inspiring Jim, thanks for sharing and reminding us that everyday is a constant battle not with the people around us, not with our friends and neighbors but our very own Selves... I just hope that many more people across the globe find Gnosis just like we do :-)

Cheers!

Beautiful picture as always. Insightful message.

Thanks, Jim.

Mike

Thank you Jim.

Great image and real fire in the belly words. Much appreciated.