I was reading a note the other day about a spiritual man who has recently died. In the note, someone referred to his friends and associates as "his disciples". I knew the man, and thought highly of him. But did that make me one of his "disciples"?

I've always associated the word 'disciple' with Jesus and the Christian faith, so to hear of someone being a 'disciple' of a modern-day minister was, to be honest, a bit unnerving. Still, I could feel the love coming from the person who said this, and I wanted to honor her grief, so I looked up the meaning of 'disciple'.

The word 'disciple' simply means "a learner" - not to be confused with the word "apostle" (messenger). So, I guess the term 'disciple' was accurate if this person felt that this minister was her teacher and she learned from him.

So, I began to look at my life with the question, am I someone's disciple? While I understand that the word, at its core, means 'learner' - and I have learned a great deal from many people - I would still have to answer "no". For me, the idea of being a disciple brings with it the idea of following ONE teacher, to the exclusion of others, and to the exclusion of your own guidance and wisdom.

So, as much as I appreciate the wisdom of the many teachers I have met, and as much as I enjoy assisting some of them in their efforts to spread light and knowledge, I would not consider myself to be a 'disciple' or 'follower' of any of them. Why? Because that would limit me to their particular set of beliefs.

As I clear out old programs and beliefs, I become more and more open to everything. Rather than searching through books or tapes or seminars for answers, I toss everything aside and say "Yo! God! Take care of it." When I open my mind and ask God for clarity, I "hear", sense, and feel the answers that I have been seeking.

I think my teachers would be happy with me. After all, the point of all of these teachings has been to bring me closer to 'God' (whatever you define that as) and to make that thing that we call 'God' part of my daily life - not as something to be worshipped; not as something that is separate from me; but as an integral part of my being just waiting to be recognized.

So, enjoy the books, and the teachings, and the people that you connect with at seminars, or church, or wherever. Share what wisdom you have gained, and accept the words of others that resonate with your heart. Shine your light and share your love. Be a disciple, be an apostle, but most of all - be you.

Namaste!
Susan



"Control"

Who likes to be controlled? I sure don't. Just as I don't like to be controlled, I also don't like to control others. That is often easier said than done.

When I was raising my son, the line between parenting or guiding a young child, and controlling a child, often got blurry. Now that he is an adult, it is a lot easier for me. I offer guidance with no attachment to the outcome.

The same approach works in my relationship with Susan. I share my feelings, thoughts, and emotions with her. She listens without judgment (which can't always be easy). Then as life unfolds, we deal with what presents next.

By not controlling each other, or the world around us, life is pretty simple. We both know our boundaries of what we will or will not accept and the universe provides for us. We call it "living in the flow". This flow is larger than humanly controllable, even though many have tried.

I find that the less I resist what is, and the less I control; the easier and more fun life is to me. No attachment to the destination, just enjoying the ride.

Life is good.

Lots of love,
Wolfgang