Hi,
Last year in January I received this inner guidance: "You cannot go where you want to go, and stay where you are now." I was directed to this again this morning as I embark on another round of change.
Since early 2007 I have been in a period of spiritual growth that has entailed the letting go of thought and behavior habits that no longer serve me. A teaching from the Bible that has been helpful to me in regard to the importance of relinquishing particular habit patterns, is the one about wineskins:
"And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined." (Luke 5:37)
One morning as I was directed to that passage, I heard the Inner Voice say, "Sheryl, I cannot pour new power into you if you are unwilling to give up old habits, old attitudes and old thought patterns."
Aha! That's what the teaching means! I love it when Spirit uses my life experiences to teach me that the words in the spiritual books I read are not just words, but tools for transformation.
As I began to study NTI (The Holy Spirit's Interpretation of the New Testament), I was surprised to find the same interpretation on these teachings as I had received. wasn't surprised to find that these Biblical passages were interpretative as being about habits.
"Let go of old habits and old ways of thinking. They have not served you. To hold onto the old is to create a future like the past. That is not useful to you now. Listen to my word. Hear what I say. Practice it. Then you will know what to do." (NTI Matthew 9:14-17)
And from NTI Luke: "Old habits must be let go, for old habits will not usher in a new day. With old habits, all things remain the same. But with new habits, all things are possible. I have come to teach you new habits. You will learn these habits by practicing them as I ask. Remember Me, and practice. You will catch yourself practicing the old habits, for this has been your way until now. Slipping into old habits does not ruin the new ones. So when you find yourself doing this, forgive yourself..."
I have been directed to this guidance off and on and received greater insight on it. I'd like to point out how all great spiritual literature meets us where we are: When I was first directed to these passages I heard this: "When you find yourself slipping into old habits, forgive yourself." So for quite awhile I did practice forgiving myself for falling into my old thought and behavior habits.
Later, I was evidently ready to hear this: "So when you find yourself doing this, forgive yourself your attraction to the old by stepping away from the old and stepping into the new. Each time you do this, you help yourself to unlearn the old and learn the new. Take no old habits with you into the new, for the old habits must be left completely if the new habits are to result in new."
Through experience, I was able to see how Spirit meets us where we are. First, I was urged to forgive myself for my departures into the old. Later I was directed to forgive myself "by" stepping away from the old and into the new. In other words, I forgive myself by practicing!
This material has certainly spoken to me about behavioral habits, but on a deeper level, it speaks to letting go of the old habits of thinking that keep us stuck in behavior patterns that no longer serve us. All behavior comes from thought. Our practice involves bringing increasing awareness to our thoughts, especially in the life areas where we feel stuck or frustrated. When I become aware of self-defeating thoughts of lack, limitation or unworthiness, I can give them to Holy Spirit for the purpose of healing my mind.
Another practice that comes to mind in lieu of dietary and lifestyle changes, is the willingness to bring the Divine Presence in with you while you eat. When we are willing to let Love dine with us, the purpose changes from one of fear, guilt, judgment and attack, to one of love.
Spirit speaks:
Know that I am with you in all that you do.
Make Me the only purpose for all you do,
and you shall know Me in your life.
For I never turn away from you.
It is you have turned from Me.
I but rest with you in peace and confidence
awaiting your invitation,
that I may feed you with my miracles
until you are full, complete and healed.
(NTI Matthew 15:29-39)
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This audio was recorded to an internet audience on 2/1/11 and is 55 min.
Form a New Habit
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