The Starry Night - Vincent Van Gogh
by Christina Pivarnik and Sanford Baran
Christina Pivarnik: It’s always a joy to gather together and to share the precious things of spirit. Sanford and I are delighted to offer a focus for today’s considerations.
Today is Father’s Day in at least a dozen countries, a day we honor the fathers and grandfathers who have raised children and continue to do so—even when the kids are adults—who not only show up, but love whole-heartedly, mentoring and nurturing. Some of you may not have offspring of your own, maybe you’re a stepfather, a dog dad or cat dad, or a father of gardens, farms and all living things of the natural world.
We honor the fathers of invention, innovation and leading-edge thinking, leaders of leaders, the extraordinary men, role models for many, making the choice day by day, moment by moment to provide clarity of spirit, truth through words and actions as powerful examples, representing the Father within to all with eyes to see.
As wives, spouses, daughters and sons, mothers and grandmothers, we are privileged to see you in action and to support you, to complement your true manhood with our feminine essences. And so, to you phenomenal fathers (of all types), with deepest appreciation for all that you do and who you are, we wish you a very Happy Father’s Day!
Today is also Juneteenth, a newly recognized American holiday celebrating the freedom of enslaved people in the US at the end of the Civil War. It’s also known as Jubilee Day, Emancipation Day, Freedom Day and Black Independence Day. It’s been celebrated since the late 1800s. For many, it’s a day of joy and rejoicing for freedom and liberty—so much of what America stands for. We understand the truth that freedom is known in spirit through living our lives with integrity and kindness to everyone; love permeates everything.
Diversity, equity and inclusion are words used in business, government and various organizations across the country these days, many having written policies to be sure their Human Resources departments are in compliance, as are all their employees. I find it a great joy that angels who’ve incarnated in all walks of life with different skin colors, ethnic backgrounds, etc. are experiencing greater diversity, equity and inclusion.
I came across some words on the Internet about this, written by Aluna Yoy Yaxkin, a Star Elder, that I’d like to share with you. “We came here to enter a new era together, not stay in the past. We came here to bring Love, not judge all those that do not feel or see it like we do. We came to bring unity to the diversity, and not destroy those who we do not understand. The job now is to do what’s best and right in each moment. We can use our energy to anchor a higher vision.”
Those of us with a greater understanding of spirit are here to anchor a higher vision, to be beacons of light and love, bringing joy and reawakening a memory of the divine state.
Sanford Baran: We often say that it’s a joy to be together. I certainly feel that, gathered as we are this morning. But what do we mean exactly when we say joy? Often the words joy and happiness are conflated as if they mean the same thing. They really don’t, at least not in my experience. Happiness on the one hand tends to be about how I feel personally. “I’m in good spirits. I feel on top of the world. Life is going well for me.” But caution, happiness is an emotion, and as such is fleeting. Joy on the other hand is something altogether different. For me, joy is the state of being one with that singular all-encompassing power animating everything throughout the cosmos. Joy actually has very little to do with what one is feeling, but rather is a reflection of the quality and fineness of one’s own tonal expression. Joy rightly is not something fleeting but rather is present as I am present.
Regardless of what all is transpiring in the affairs of humankind, clearly our choice is to be present. And even though we can sort-of see what’s going on beneath the surface, our focus is rightly on the big picture, as we care for our worlds, standing on higher ground.
From this vantage point we can dispassionately observe with interest what’s going on around us. For instance, one global development which seems to be causing quite a bit of individual and collective distress lately is the economic condition known as inflation. I’m sure we can’t help but notice it as we do our shopping or put gas in our cars. Almost out of the blue everything now seems to be a lot more expensive. Another way to describe what’s going on is that money, that ersatz substance human beings use to run the world, is becoming less and less valuable.
But first let’s put things into proper perspective. It’s important to understand that I Am, the source of everything everywhere, never loses value. True source, or heaven as we’ve sometimes referred to what is back of the visible world, is in fact the ultimate benchmark of value. It’s rock solid and never fluctuates like the stock market, or a gallon of gasoline or the fickle whims and inclinations of human beings. The saying, “lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,” turns out to be some excellent advice. Heaven is the absolute best investment you could possibly make. Never goes down.
Furthermore, as we genuinely are one with the source of everything, we realize that we live in a place of tremendous abundance and possibility. It’s not a paycheck-to-paycheck, hand-to-mouth kind of existence. It’s bountiful, generous and always provides exactly what is needed. Unless of course human nature gets in the way.
So, back to inflation. Economists have lots of different ways of explaining what this is. One common explanation is that inflation is the result of an imbalance between supply and demand. If demand outstrips supply, prices go up. Seems logical.
And if you think about it, this supply and demand imbalance is a perfect description, or may be more accurately a perfect storm of how human nature operates. Take the demand side of the equation. One of the hallmarks of human nature is that it is constantly in a state of making demands one way or another. “I want this, I want that, I want it now. I want to be happy. I’m entitled to this. These are my rights.” No matter what the broader consequences of fulfilling such demands are, human nature does what it wants regardless. We can see, of course, that as there is an absence of knowing real value in one’s living, the resulting unbearable sense of emptiness breeds a frenetic attempt to fill this void with things that on their own have very little value: possessions, money, power, position, recognition, etc.
And then there is the supply side of the equation. Fortunately, there are some who in their day-to-day affairs are joyfully delivering the goods, expressing the finest quality of character in everything that they do; being a living breathing expression of what is originating in the heaven. I’m most appreciative for those who increasingly are doing this in all aspects of their lives. But alas, I suspect their numbers are few and far between. In economic terms this probably could be described as heavenly supply chain disruptions, pretty much all on the human being side of things.
So there you have it, human nature, forever making demands and hardly ever delivering the goods: a supply and demand imbalance if there ever was one! I think it’s quite clear that human nature itself is intrinsically inflationary and that this is the source of the problem. Is it any surprise then that inflation is now at our doorstep? The good news, however, is it doesn’t have to be this way; it’s something that could easily be turned around.
I’ve been in a playful mood lately and over the last few days have formulated what I’m calling the Baran Inflation Proposition, the BIP, for short. It’s comprised of two statements that distill the issue down to its fundamental essences. It’s kind of like an “everything you wanted to know about inflation in 10 seconds.” So here it is, the BIP.
-
- Inflation is the result of inflated human egos.
- As human egos recede, joy and abundance become known.
I think these statements point the way toward practical action that anyone can incorporate into their daily routines, not only to ease the scourge of inflation, but to also heal the many ills so prevalent in the human condition today.
Let go of the threadbare ego-driven imaginary self and make space in consciousness for that which is of heaven. Let what we cherish be of everlasting value.
In the world of joy and abundance, every day is a new day. And it matters how we greet each glorious new day on this jewel of a planet. As this is done with heavenly intent it sets up the exact right conditions in consciousness, so that we do deliver the goods, caring for what is on our plates throughout the course of each day.
The poet Diane Ackerman wrote a poem geared toward children which aims to guide their young open minds in the direction of what truly has value. It’s entitled School Prayer and it’s meant to be recited at the start of the school day. I find that it’s a wonderful devotional for adults as well. Christina and I would like to present this to you now.
School Prayer
In the name of daybreak
and the eyelids of morning
and the wayfaring moon
and the night when it departs,
I swear I will not dishonor
my soul with hatred
but offer myself humbly
as a guardian of nature,
as a healer of misery,
as a messenger of wonder
as an architect of peace.
In the name of the sun and its minors
and the day that embraces it
and the cloud veils drawn over it
and the uttermost night
and the male and the female
and the plants bursting with seed
and the crowning seasons of the firefly
and the apple, I will honor all life
—wherever and in whatever form
it may dwell—on Earth my home,
and in the mansions of the stars.
Christina Pivarnik: The mansions of the stars—I love this line! It’s so expansive and invites us into the vastness of the universe, all while acknowledging that the earth is my physical home. It makes me think of dancing in the sky and singing among the planets. The secrets of the universe are right here where we are, right here where I Am. We are made in the image and likeness of God with a call to awaken, to rise up, as we listen to the voice of the great one, the Father within.
For the past few weeks, I’ve had some intense situations arise in my world that have required a stillness and calmness as a dear friend, beloved dog, and a glorious forest that I’ve loved for years, have needed to be let go and pass on. It’s been a tender time. Emotions want to take over, but here where I Am, there’s no room for that. I liken it to high seas and waves crashing against an island. The island is literally a rock of steadiness in the center of the chaos while the ocean roils around it.
Sometimes cycles and circumstances pile up, needing our loving, enfolding attention. For me, this has brought new people into my life recently to encompass. Our wish is always that they’ve touched something clear, calm, pure and loving in us, perhaps even inspiring them to see tough situations in their own life in a new light. They rise up to meet us at a higher level, to offer a helping hand, a compassionate comment, and we acknowledge them with grace and graciousness.
Along this same line, I’d like to share a thought that relates to this. Back in the day, I worked for a golf clothing manufacturer, called Bobby Jones, named after the great American golfer who dominated the sport in the 1920s. In the process of working for the company, I learned a lot about the man. In addition to winning many major championships, he was known for his integrity, both on and off the course. One of my favorite quotes of his is, “Play the ball where it lies.” In other words, accept what’s happening exactly like it is, whatever the circumstance, regardless of what may be going on, whatever’s tugging on our heartstrings and emotions, there’s no need to change a thing, we play the ball where it lies and give it our all.
We each do this in our lives as our hearts and minds are pure and uncluttered. It’s our trust in the Creator that brings clarity and radiance into every situation without judgment, no matter the challenges that come our way. This is our birthright and we hold this sacred space for one another in the current of love for our Father within. What a rich blessing this is and so lovely to share it with each of you.
Sanford Baran: I too was struck by the ending line of the poem, “…and in the mansions of the stars.” Like Christina, this conjures in me a feeling of largeness, expansiveness, a place of almost unlimited possibility. I’m also reminded of the words, “In my father’s house are many mansions….” Indeed, there are many mansions already present right here, exactly where we are—no need to commute out to the far reaches of the cosmos. On this Father’s Day we have opportunity to honor our Father who art in heaven. What greater tribute than to choose to abide in his house, in his mansions, in other words to be one with him, and allow his spirit to be known because of the fineness of what is consistently expressed by each and every one.