Dangling on the Precipice

Is that you? Are you dangling on the precipice? Do you say, “I want to make that leap of faith but I just can’t bring myself to take that first step.” Are you standing there looking down at that gaping chasm and fearing death if you jump and don’t make it? Well, welcome to the human race. From our early education as children we are taught the facts of how to live our lives. We learn about being burned, taking too many risks and being too confident. Our brains become programmed with self-preservation so much that we create giant walls around us. But are these walls real? To us they are. These are the walls that we filter our perceptions through in order to maintain a level of safety. Not just physical safety, but emotional safety. Does a sane person purposefully put themselves in harm’s way physically or emotionally? Hardly.

But what about risk takers? People who purposefully push the envelope to stretch human potential. Are they insane or are they reaching for something we cannot see? Are their perception filters less dense than ours? Are they closer to reality than us? Perhaps. But that’s not the point. Each one of us can benefit from others’ experiences by paying attention to their observations and how they handle their experiences. We appear to be islands in the human race but in reality we are all connected. We can share our observations, experiences and methods of handling those experiences. We can teach each other ways of becoming the best we can be.

Throughout history many great teachers have given us methods, sayings and parables to learn about our reality and how to make it work for us and not against us. But do we pay attention? In the picture above we are dangling on the precipice of the Holy Land and looking down at Nazareth. Jesus taught those who listened from this place. His wisdom and insight into our relationship with God laid a groundwork for human potential beyond the time before his birth. In fact, since his teachings we have grown in our awareness as co-creators with God. God has given us the power to be, do and have more of life than was ever experienced before. The only thing that’s required is that we take that leap of faith. Jesus told us that God would be with us always. If that is true, then why are we afraid to leap?

Whatever teacher gives you the wisdom of God and His universe, it is all pointing to the same God. Religions argue with each other about who and what God is because of how He appears to them. Their perception of God is what they think God is and they do not embrace what He truly is. The creator, giver and manifester of all life. He created us, the stage, the props and the dialogue. We have to immerse ourselves in the play of life and act out the desires God has given us. When we come to edge of the cliff we need not fear. God is with us. When we are overwhelmed by people, our jobs and our finances, God is with us. He is transcendent and imminent. When we take the leap of faith and we don’t believe in His promises, we will fall. But fret not. He will catch us. We are His prized creation. We have the ability to carry out His promises and manifest our desires. But we have to take that leap of faith! If we don’t do what desires He has planted in our hearts it’s like telling God that He didn’t know what He was doing when He created us. I for one don’t want to tell the creator of this universe He didn’t know what He was doing when He created me. That’s not my place. My place is to be thankful for His wisdom.

Move forward in your life by basing it on the promises of God. What are those promises? Come back tomorrow and read the warranty!

For more info: Download my free Wilmington Spirituality Examiner toolbar. “Life is a gift. Be thankful for it and it will be replete with abundance. Encourage others to express creativity, release negativity and embrace pro-activity." Dean A. Banks, MCIWD, DD can be reached at webproducer@hotmail.com or banksnet.com. Download my free eBook on Articles 1-10 here.

The Power of Expectancy

Expectancy is defined as the quality or state of anticipating something based on a belief or desire. Achieving the goals and desires of your heart is a two step process. First you have to believe you can achieve those goals and desires and then you have to expect them. Most people stop when it gets to the second step in the process. Why? Is it because their belief wasn’t strong enough? Is it because they got distracted from their goal? Or is it simply that they didn’t do the spiritual legwork that is required to manifest goals and desires into reality. The saying “a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step” applies here. You may need or want to get to your destination. You may desire it immensely. But you will never get there until you expect to get there by taking that first step. That first step comes from what is known as faithing. Putting your desires into action. Expecting the manifestation of your goals and desires.

In a previous article I talked about the Chip Away Theory; what I call CAT. It is a process of doing a little bit each day to move toward the completion of your goals and desires. It develops and nurtures a state of expectancy in your being that resonates your spirit with confidence. It takes the trying out of things and creates the manifesting of things. When you methodically take steps toward your goals and desires you generate an energy of expectancy. Remember, everything is energy. Matter is energy that vibrates at a slower rate. The mental energy we expend comes from chemical interactions in our brains. This energy is manifested from matter and vibrates faster than matter. Slower vibratory matter generates faster vibratory energy. How can this be? Faster vibratory energy from the Sun enters all life on our planet and affects the growth and development of all life. When we generate thoughts we are create a feedback into our environment. If we respond negatively to situations we are simply creating more of the same! If we respond positively to situations we are altering our feedback and generating a new mental energy that is broadcast from our being. Energy cannot be created or destroyed. It simply changes form.

So what does this have to do with expectancy? If we keep our desires and goals within us and don’t mentally broadcast them into our environment than how can we ever expect to manifest our goals and desires? Someone once said, “let go and let God.” There is power in this statement. God is in control of this vast universe. It is His clock. It ticks with a rhythm that is beyond our sensual comprehension. By broadcasting our desires into this clock we set manifestations of this clock into motion. We receive the results of our desires by letting them go and expecting them to come to us. Unwavering faith is a state where we think, know and feel a positive outcome of our expectancy. It is a declaration to the universe that this is what we need, want, desire and expect to happen. It is actualizing our potential as a co-creator in the universe.

Are you creating joy, abundance and prosperity in your life? Are you satisfied with your day to day existence? Is something missing in your life and you can’t figure out what it is? If you want answers to these questions then do the research. Make the time every day to get to know you. Find out what makes YOU tick. What excites you. What stimulates you. What you truly want out of life. Then create and environmental feedback that declares the manifestation of what you truly desire. Let it go and expect it to come. It will!

For more info: Download my free Wilmington Spirituality Examiner toolbar. “Life is a gift. Be thankful for it and it will be replete with abundance. Encourage others to express creativity, release negativity and embrace pro-activity." Dean A. Banks, MCIWD, DD can be reached at webproducer@hotmail.com or banksnet.com. Download my free eBook on Articles 1-10 here.

Focus on a desired outcome

Dogged determination. What does that mean? In most cases it is an unwavering focus on a desired outcome. It doesn’t mean that you sometimes don’t have any doubts and feel like throwing in the towel; it means that when you do you still “press on” toward your goal. It means that you still hear the negative chatter in your head but you take a stance and reject the perceived outcomes it reveals. Bias begins within each one of us. It is something that we are taught and sometimes accept as true without even knowing why, or worse, caring why. The story of Vivien Thomas comes to mind. I saw an HBO film about him in 2004 and shared it my fiancé last Saturday. Amidst the feelings of anger and a hope for fairness and recognition, we ended up with tears in our eyes by the end of the movie.

Vivien Thomas was a person who was a skilled craftsman. He was recognized as such but was let go at his job. He took on a job at a medical research facility in Nashville, TN tending the dogs that were used in the experiments. He applied his skills as a carpenter to help the doctor with surgeries on the dogs. His hands were steady and his mind was focused. The doctor recognized his skill as a perfectionist. This is where Vivien learned how to feel his way through the body during surgery. He would often close his eyes so he could feel better. Later on, this technique would astound other surgeons.

After Vivien lost his life savings in the bank crash in 1930, he paralleled his own career along with Doctor Blalock’s career. He accompanied Dr. Blalock to Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD. He was classified as a “Lab Technician” but was only paid the same rate as the janitors. His anger brewed as he saw his research and discoveries being recognized as the work of Dr. Blalock. He channeled his anger inward and used it to become more determined to create the tools that would be needed to help in the surgeries of blue babies. At one point, Vivien left Dr. Blalock because he accepted full credit for the discoveries, acknowledging the “white” doctors without giving any credit to Vivien. Vivien then hawked antacids for a while until he realized that it was more important for him to complete the work he started with Dr. Blalock than to succumb to his desire for recognition and equal pay. He made the goal of helping others more important than his goals.

Vivien chose to “press on”, even though the prejudice against him seemed insurmountable. During the first surgery on a blue baby, Dr. Blalock stopped the surgery and sent for Vivien to help guide him through the procedure. Another doctor told Vivien to “attend to his duties” and Dr. Blalock told the other doctor that he was “attending to his duties.” The pompous, arrogant and prejudicial attitude of others didn’t stop Vivien from performing his duties. He assisted and trained Dr. Blalock and other surgeons and he never attended medical school. He had talent, genius and educated himself. All of that wasn’t enough to elevate his social status. Vivien was eventually recognized for his work after Dr. Blalock died. He was given an honorary doctorate from Johns Hopkins and his likeness now hangs in the entrance hall next to Dr. Blalock’s. His dogged determination is why. I suggest your rent the movie “Something the Lord Made.” It’s very inspirational.

Vivien faced prejudice, rejection and the negative attitudes of those less talented than him and channeled his emotions toward the ultimate goal of saving lives. He was determined to be the best he could be amidst his rise from a carpenter in the old south to a surgeon that pioneered a procedure that saved the lives of many children. That is dogged determination. It is the spirit of God within each one of us that knows the gifts and blessings that God has given us and refuses to let others tell us what we can or cannot do with our lives. Listen to that spirit. It is your guide to the life of your dreams.

For more info: Download my free Wilmington Spirituality Examiner toolbar. “Life is a gift. Be thankful for it and it will be replete with abundance. Encourage others to express creativity, release negativity and embrace pro-activity." Dean A. Banks, MCIWD, DD can be reached at webproducer@hotmail.com or banksnet.com. Download my free eBook on Articles 1-10 here.

Persistence and determination

In the last article I ended with Calvin Coolidge’s conclusion that “Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.” Why? Let’s examine why he made this statement. Inspirational quotes come from an observable recurrent theme in someone’s life. The individual not only pays attention to this recurrent theme, but synthesizes it into a simple to understand statement that seems obvious to the reader. Calvin Coolidge had an interesting life of growth, prosperity and recognition. He had a reputation in politics as a small-government conservative. A proponent of the middle class, he understood the needs of those who work their way up to the top of business and government. He believed in a laissez-faire style of government where the government doesn’t get involved in business or the free market. He was focused on individual initiative and observed his environment with tenacity and fortitude.

After his graduation from college, he opted to apprentice at a law firm and became a lawyer by a process then known as reading law. Just before the turn of the 20th century, Coolidge was admitted to the bar as a country lawyer in Massachusetts. He was exposed to many middle class people and their problems and struggles. Businesses and banks began to hire him due to his reputation as a hard working and diligent attorney. He knew his strengths and weaknesses and preferred to operate outside of the courtroom. He traversed the journey from city councilman, to legislator and was elected Mayor of Northampton, Massachusetts. From Lt. Governor to Governor to Vice President, he eventually became our 30th President. What a journey for a quiet and apparently simple man who understood the needs of the middle class! His awareness of the power of the spoken word was evident in his statement, "The words of a President have an enormous weight and ought not to be used indiscriminately." He believed that the chief business of the American people is business. The function of buying and selling, investing and prospering in the world.

His persistence and determination to be the best he could be influenced many of his followers. Coolidge signed a bill granting the Native Americans full U.S. Citizenship. After all, they were here first. It took our leaders many years to recognize that settlers took over their land and they deserved the same rights that all citizens should have. He was the first President to have his inauguration broadcast on radio, address congress on radio and deliver a political speech on radio. He was aware of his function in the world at that time and understood how to interact with it. He was also the first President to appear in a sound film in 1924 and the only President to appear on a coin in his lifetime. He knew how to reach the people because he was an observer, a person who studied people and their ways and a person who worked diligently to get to the top of government. His statement about persistence and determination came from his own personal experience.

Calvin Coolidge made many strides in his life and dedicated his life to public service. When he made the following statement, he made it with authority because he lived it. “Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan "press on" has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.” Press on with persistence and determination and you will attain your dreams and goals. Calvin Coolidge knew this. Many people since knew this. Embrace the wisdom in his statement and achieve what your spirit drives you to achieve. Remember, it is not talent, genius or education, but dogged determination that gets you to the top!

For more info: Download my free Wilmington Spirituality Examiner toolbar. “Life is a gift. Be thankful for it and it will be replete with abundance. Encourage others to express creativity, release negativity and embrace pro-activity." Dean A. Banks, MCIWD, DD can be reached at webproducer@hotmail.com or banksnet.com. Download my free eBook on Articles 1-10 here.

Faith

I’m sure some of you have seen this email circulating on the internet. My dear friend, blues guitar master Gary Cogdell of St. Georges, DE. forwarded this email to me this morning. The magic of this message prompted me to share it with you…

“This is 'Faith'. This dog was born on Christmas Eve in the year 2002. He was born with 3 legs - 2 healthy hind legs and 1 abnormal front leg which had to be amputated. He of course could not walk when he was born. Even his mother did not want him. His first owner also did not think that he could survive and he was thinking of 'putting him to sleep'. But then, his present owner, Jude Stringfellow, met him and wanted to take care of him. She became determined to teach and train this little dog to walk by himself. She named him 'Faith'. In the beginning, she put Faith on a surfboard to let him feel the movement. Later she used peanut butter on a spoon as a lure and reward for him for standing up and jumping around. Even the other dog at home encouraged him to walk. Amazingly, only after 6 months, like a miracle, Faith learned to balance on his hind legs and to jump to move forward. After further training in the snow, he could now walk like a human being. Faith loves to walk around now. No matter where he goes, he attracts people to him. He is fast becoming famous on the international scene and has appeared on various newspapers and TV shows. There is now a book entitled 'With a Little Faith' being published about him. He was even considered to appear in one of Harry Potter movies. His present owner Jude Stringfellow has given up her teaching post and plans to take him around the world to preach that “even without a perfect body, one can have a perfect soul." In life there are always undesirable things, so in order to feel better you just need to look at life from another direction. I hope this message will bring fresh new ways of thinking to everyone and that everyone will appreciate and be thankful for each beautiful day. Faith is the continual demonstration of the strength and wonder of life.”

Sometimes we give up before we get to where we are going. We cannot see that our progress is 99% complete and the physical manifestation of our goal is right around the corner. We are human beings that possess a prefrontal cortex. This gives us the ability to reason about what we have learned from our environment. We don’t just instinctually react, we think about what our next actions are and in what sequence they will occur. We can mentally manipulate time and create imagined scenarios. God has given us the power to co-create our world! Yet, Faith doesn’t have a prefrontal cortex and was not born with the understanding that objects which are not being actively perceived still remain in existence. Technically this is referred to as object permanence. Amidst this inability to have active cognition that recognizes the permanence of objects, Faith learned to walk on two legs. Unlike Faith, we humans sometimes listen too much to those who tell us we cannot do what we dream about or have what we want. Our belief in what others say and do determines the course of our lives. Faith’s owner took baby steps with Faith. She didn’t overwhelm Faith with too much learning too quickly. She started with the skateboard and peanut butter lure and used what Faith desired to motivate the dog to get up on it’s hind legs and walk upright. To make sure Faith would continue to walk she challenged the dog even further by teaching it to walk in the snow. She didn’t give up on Faith; she reinforced a positive by overcoming a negative.

If a dog can walk on two legs, why can’t we achieve our goals when we have the ability to think and reason? Make a date with yourself each day to empty the garbage and stress of the world out of your mind and clear your thoughts through meditation. Use your prefrontal cortex to visualize the end result of your goals through prayer. Feel the joy of accomplishing those goals by giving the best service you can. Calvin Coolidge once said, “Nothing in the world can take the place of Persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan 'Press On' has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.” Faith has proven this!

For more info: Download my free Wilmington Spirituality Examiner toolbar. “Life is a gift. Be thankful for it and it will be replete with abundance. Encourage others to express creativity, release negativity and embrace pro-activity." Dean A. Banks, MCIWD, DD can be reached at webproducer@hotmail.com or banksnet.com. Download my free eBook on Articles 1-10 here.

Originality

Lately I’ve been hearing a great deal about originality in the creative arts. What is originality? The dictionary defines originality as the ability to think or express oneself in an independent and individual manner; an expression of a creative ability that is fresh or novel in an idea, method or performance. Throughout the course of history many people from all over the world have had original ideas, new ways of doing things, or new ways of expressing concepts. The source material of ideas have always been there; then someone comes along with a new way of looking at something, a new way of going about something or a new way of explaining the world around us. Societies, religions and governments have all had to modify their rules, mores and laws in order to accommodate newer ways of thought. Most have been notoriously resistant to change, and that is why the human growth process takes many years of development, trial and error and finally acceptance. It has been said that everything has been done before and it will be done again; sometimes with a different twist. Is that what constitutes being original?

Dante Shepherd, on his site “Surviving the World”, explains the varying degrees of originality. His site is enlightening, irreverent and humorous. First he lists about one-eighth of his pie chart on originality as “Completely new original concepts.” These are the ideas that haven’t been utilized before. They come from the realm of the subconscious minds of the deepest of thinkers; Einstein, Hawking and Tesla are good examples. Next are “New variations on concepts already used” that take up about a quarter of the pie. These are the ideas that take work and concepts from the deepest of thinkers and modify how they are implemented into our world; whether through application, instruction or formulation. Following are “New concepts developed by combining concepts already used.” These take up about a quarter of the pie as well and deal with advancements such as those associated with medical science. Next are “Blatant direct rip-offs of concepts already used” (about a quarter of the pie), such as is evidenced by the endless widgets hawked on TV day after day. Now we get to the humorous stuff in the final eighth of the pie; “Completely original concepts lost forever because the hallucinogens have worn off.” Many great ideas have come from altered states of mind; whether drug induced or in deep states of meditation.

When one is deep in meditation the experience is one of connection to the source of all original ideas; whether new, variations, combinations, “ripped off” or simply forgotten due to altered states. Have you ever had an idea and failed to manifest it and then months or weeks later someone else has invented it? All original ideas come from the source of all thought; God! It is up to you to do something about it. Jesus told the parable about the 3 servants, the master and the talents which explains this well. Each servant was given a portion of talents equal to his ability by their master. The master left and eventually returned and called in his servants to see what they had done with their “talents.” The first servant was given 5 talents and presented the master with ten while the second servant was given 2 talents and presented the master with four. The master then gave more responsibilities to the two servants in proportion to their abilities, even though both doubled his investment. When the third servant was called in he produced the single “talent” that was given to him by his master. When asked why he still had just the one talent he told the master that he buried it because he was afraid of losing it. The master scolded him and said he could have at least put the talent in the bank and made interest on it! The master had the talent taken from the third servant, cast him out and gave it to the first servant who had doubled his investment; not the second one who’s ability was second best. Those who have been given talents and put them to work (invest) will be given more and have abundance. Why? Because they know how to take an original idea, whatever degree of originality, and make it into something profitable for all!

As we have witnessed, there are many varying degrees of originality. One former partner of mine taught me that there is originality in arranging other people’s original ideas. He would take other people’s creations and put his own spin on it. Yes, the original ideas weren’t his, but he put them together in his own original way. Just like an arranger can change the instrumentation of someone else’s composition and make it sound like a completely different tune. There is value in creativity, originality and manifestation. It creates a channel of original ideas that can bring about prosperity for each and every one of us. Don’t bury that talent or that original idea. Play with it. Give it life. The life you give to it will give life back to you.

For more info: Download my free Wilmington Spirituality Examiner toolbar. “Life is a gift. Be thankful for it and it will be replete with abundance. Encourage others to express creativity, release negativity and embrace pro-activity." Dean A. Banks, MCIWD, DD can be reached at webproducer@hotmail.com or banksnet.com. Download my free eBook on Articles 1-10 here.

The CAT

In a past article (Needs, Wants, Desires and Expectations; April 16, 2009), I described how an understanding and application of your emotional levels can help you bring about desired results. In my Mastermind Group, I have had several people tell me that they just don’t get the Law of Attraction. They are trying to apply its principles, but they aren’t getting the results they seek. After careful examination of their questions and descriptions of their behavior, I have come to the following conclusions:

It’s not very difficult for most people to understand what their needs are. Sometimes it’s difficult for people to differentiate between their needs and wants. A want is something that you perceive you need to feel happy, but it is not a need. A need is something that you require to sustain your life. That new car you want isn’t very important if you can’t breathe. Desires are wants that align with who you really are. You have an inner sense of excitation when you desire something. Your emotions well up and your focus is like a laser beam. Most people move up and down on this emotional scale but very few make the leap of faith to get to the realm of expectation. Receiving the manifestation of a desire just once gives you the emotional feedback you need to get to the realm of expectation.

The chasm between desire and expectation is vast and few make the jump. Waking up every day and expecting the day to go in your favor in order to manifest your desires takes focus, dedication and faith. Sometimes the tasks of the day seem enormous and most people either just deal with it or run from it. However, if you break down your day into manageable “chunks”, it can appear to be more palatable. I call it the “CAT”. The CAT stands for “Chip Away Theory.” This is a theory I have applied every day of my life and it works for me, as well as many others. Instead of tackling an entire situation, like generating your innermost desires, master it one “chunk” at a time. You can divide each and every day of your life into chunks. Your morning routine is a chunk. Your drive to work is a chunk. Each chunk can be maximized by proclaiming your intention to do your best. If you set an intention to do your best and you don’t, don’t feel guilty or that you cannot do your best and give up. You simply did not use the right approach. Go back to the drawing board and try another approach. When you successfully manifest your intentions, use the joyful emotion that you experience to springboard you into the realm of expectation. Traverse that deep chasm with focus, dedication and faith. It takes courage to expect the best results in your life every day. Stop listening to your friends, family and the media about how life is. Choose to make your life better and develop a plan to get there!

For example, if you spent an hour a day relaxing, visualizing and expecting the results you desire, the universe begins to operate “the big clock” in your favor. If you invest time in self-edification, expectation of positive and uplifting results becomes easy. If you invest your time in nay-saying, complaining about why things are happening the way they are for you now or just asking ”Why me?,” then the universe will respond according to the Law of Attraction with more circumstances to support your lack of faith in the expectation of the fulfillment of your desires. So what if you take the leap of faith and land in a cow patty? You get yourself up, brush of the dust and do and move in a positive direction. Jesus said that those who pray and seek the attention of men already have their reward. The reward for people who pray and worship in silence is directly from God. God sees you as a brilliant and beautiful creation that has the power to create anything in life. Choose to use that power to create beauty by investing in YOU every day. Chip away at the monolithic task of bettering yourself and in almost no time at all, you will begin to see the results of your desires and expect them to continue to come your way each and every day of your life. Live blessed!

For more info: Download my free Wilmington Spirituality Examiner toolbar. “Life is a gift. Be thankful for it and it will be replete with abundance. Encourage others to express creativity, release negativity and embrace pro-activity." Dean A. Banks, MCIWD, DD can be reached at webproducer@hotmail.com or banksnet.com. Download my free eBook on Articles 1-10 here.

Are you a leader?

After my harrowing experience last Sunday, I have been taking it easy. I have been in a great deal of physical pain as a result of being bounced around in my car during the accident. I finally made the time to see the new Star Trek movie and reflected on all the years of being a Star Trek fan. I’ve always enjoyed the technology and future humanitarianism portrayed in the Star Trek franchise. After watching the movie I came to realize what I liked the most about the various shows in the startrekverse. It was the presence of leaders. People who dared to go beyond their perceived limitations. Beyond reason and beyond logic. When things seemed insurmountable, something welled up in the human spirit to go beyond the predominate perception of defeat.

What is a leader? The dictionary definition states: a person that guides in direction, course, action or opinion. A leader is a person who has mapped out different scenarios in his head and has projected an appropriate outcome for all concerned. Not just for himself; but all concerned. A leader guides others down a path that he has already perceived in his mind toward the outcome that he has projected. Perhaps we can better understand a leader by what a leader is not. One would think that a leader is not a follower. The definition of a follower is a person that follows another in regard to his or her ideas or belief. A follower is a disciple or adherent who models the behavior of the leader. It is also a person who imitates, copies, or makes a leader as a role model or ideal to follow. The precursor to becoming a leader is to be a good follower. A good follower recognizes the conclusions of the leader and accepts the conclusions that the leader draws. That’s why he follows him.

By setting a good example, a great leader inspires followers to dream big dreams, learn as much as they can about themselves and their world, step out in action and become the best that they can be. The costs involved with this are immeasurable. Yet, many “religious organizations” place a price on this knowledge and after you have committed the time and receive a certificate, you are deemed a leader. Wrong! A leader is born out of action moving in a negative direction and in response to this the leader takes the reins and guides the followers toward a beneficial solution for all. A phrase comes to mind; “The buck stops here.” There is no getting past a true leader because a true leader has mastered the art of being a great follower. What is the art of being a great follower? The ability to listen, reason, contemplate and take action by following a great leader. It is recognizing a chain of command that begins with an understanding that the leader has a mental lock on a desired outcome and his way is the best way for you to achieve your desired results.

The transition from a follower to a leader comes when those around you are in disarray, disjointed or totally confused about the correct path to take. A leader steps up to the plate and recognizes his responsibility to lead. He grabs the reins, takes command and LEADS! He forges ahead amidst all of the difficulties, perceptions of insurmountable obstacles and nay-sayers. Are you a leader? Are you a follower? Or are you so entrenched in mediocrity that you wallow in indecision and can’t even choose to be a leader or follower? It’s time to stop riding the fence. When you jump off the fence you might land in grass or a cow patty. That’s the chance you take. Nothing in life is guaranteed except the fact that if you stay on the fence, you’ll never know where you’ll land. Be a leader and take that leap!

For more info: Download my free Wilmington Spirituality Examiner toolbar. “Life is a gift. Be thankful for it and it will be replete with abundance. Encourage others to express creativity, release negativity and embrace pro-activity." Dean A. Banks, MCIWD, DD can be reached at webproducer@hotmail.com or banksnet.com. Download my free eBook on Articles 1-10 here.

A brush with death...

In this article I would like to get a little personal. This past Sunday I had a brush with death that was enlightening. Each time I get in my car I set my intention to drive safely and to avoid those who don’t. I had just completed a meeting in downtown Wilmington and my daughter called me from Paoli, PA. She needed a ride home to Newark after spending the weekend with her friend. I drove out to her friend’s home and picked her up. I had a nice chat with her friend’s parents who have a beautiful farm near Paoli. We started our drive home singing silly songs with each other as we often do.

We came to a stop light in Concordville, PA. on Route 202 just north of Route 1. We were laughing about some of the silly lyrics we had made up for a popular song when BAM!!!; we were hit from behind by a car traveling in excess of 45 miles an hour. The car lurched forward and after we struck the vehicle ahead of us the air bags deployed. We both had our seatbelts on yet my daughter soared over her airbag and struck the side of her head on the windshield. The smell of gunpowder from the airbags was choking and I noticed a fuel leak under the dashboard in the engine compartment. We were bounced around the vehicle due to the multiple collisions and were a bit dazed. The only thing that came to mind for me was to get my daughter out of the car. Her door was jammed so I got out and came around to help her out but she had gotten the door open by herself and we moved to the side of the road. I looked for the driver that had hit us, and someone came over and said they had driven off.

Just then a Mr. Mulch truck sped from the scene and several people thought that it was he who hit me. We later found out it was the driver of the Mr. Mulch truck who pursued the hit and run driver. His vehicle was too slow to catch him so he returned to the scene. I thanked him for his bravery and willingness to help. It was then that Pennsylvania State Trooper Greene arrived and found the license plate and bumper of the car that had fled, lodged into my rear bumper and called it in. Later another trooper found the car with open containers inside and figured that the driver had run off into the woods. The police dispatched the dogs to find him, but to no avail. A gentleman visiting from Ohio was there and advised me what to do. He was quite helpful and I thanked him for his humanitarianism. The fire department arrived and covered the fuel with a retardant as the paramedics checked out my daughter and me. A young fire fighter was exceptionally helpful to my daughter who was in shock and his bedside manner for his age was superior. I wanted to thank him again for his help but the ambulance arrived and we were taken to Riddle Memorial Hospital.

We arrived at the hospital and the emergency staff began checking us out. Dr. Kate stayed with me while I was in X-Ray to make sure my neck was immobilized. The nurses and technicians were friendly and had a great sense of humor. Later, Dr. Grossman came on shift and was very diligent in making sure my neck and back were not compromised. My brother in law and fiancé came up and brought my daughter and me home around 2 AM. On the ride home I kept replaying the scene of the accident in my mind and even though it happened very quickly, I could only see it in slow motion. I would like to offer my sincerest thanks to all of the people on the scene who helped. From the civilians, to the firefighters, to PA. State Trooper Greene, to the doctors and hospital staff; all of you were consummate professionals who did your jobs with awareness and caring. This is no doubt due to your personalities and the training you have received. You took a negative situation and turned into a positive one. The next day I sent thank you notes to all and my fiancé sent a letter to Pontiac for constructing such a safe car. The Bonneville was crushed in like an accordion in the rear and front, yet we survived. Our brush with death was terrifying and we lost our car, but our lives were spared.

Even though I set my intention for safety, we were struck by something that we never expected. Life is a process of handling unexpected occurrences and using your experiences from these occurrences to prepare you for unexpected bumps ahead. Remember, how you react to situations in life are how they affect you. My reaction to this negative experience is one of thanks. With the circumstances in this accident we could have been killed. Yet, we survived due to an awareness of safety and the help of kind and well trained people who jumped in and helped us. They didn’t say, “I don’t want to get involved.” They said “If there is an emergency, I’m going to help.” Again, I just want to say thanks to all of the heroes who step up to the plate and help those in need each and every day of their lives. Their reward is not in the paycheck they receive, it is the service they offer. May God bless all of you!

For more info: Download my free Wilmington Spirituality Examiner toolbar. “Life is a gift. Be thankful for it and it will be replete with abundance. Encourage others to express creativity, release negativity and embrace pro-activity." Dean A. Banks, MCIWD, DD can be reached at webproducer@hotmail.com or banksnet.com. Download my free eBook on Articles 1-10 here.

The pen is mightier than the sword

As we have witnessed in the previous article, complex concepts can be weaved into simple stories and made believable by the eloquence and contemplation of the author. Our history as human beings has been influenced more by the words of authors than it has by our ability to fight among ourselves. Actions are a result of psychological impressions we hold true. These impressions are either a result of what we have heard, seen or felt. According to Mr. Hubbard, traumatic experiences in our lives create negative “engrams” in our brains. These engrams are traces of memory that have been programmed into our brains as a result of painful occurrences and force us to react in a specific way. Engrams are below the surface of the conscious mind and we cannot normally access them (unless you pay Scientologists to show you how). He labels what is commonly referred to as the unconscious mind as the “reactive” mind. This part of our mind reacts to our thoughts or stored programs (traumatic events) and creates ailments both mental and physical. In Dianetics, Hubbard further claims that most ailments are psychosomatic; "What can it do? It can give a man arthritis, bursitis, asthma, allergies, sinusitis, coronary trouble, high blood pressure and so on, down the whole catalog of psychosomatic ills, adding a few more which were never specifically classified as psychosomatic, such as the common cold.”

On the surface this seems logical and it makes sense. In his writings, Mr. Hubbard speaks with authority and conviction and presents a convincing argument. It is believable. It resounds with truth, but is it valid? Remember, validity requires that we test and retest a concept and that similar results are yielded every time. Are Mr. Hubbard’s observations based on a 360 degree view? No! We live in a universe of polarity. Ask your local quantum physicist. They’ll tell you. We receive programming into engrams from not just negative traumatic events, but positive ones as well. Remember that special gift that someone gave you when you were a child? Do you remember how you felt? When you think of this event do you rehear the music or smell the smells again? Why does this occur? Your memory is a result of emotionalized events whether traumatic or joyful. Every thought in your mind is a result of chemical interactions in your brain. Whether you react or pro-act, it is a result of an emotionalized action that is either fight or flight. We are not separate from our environment. We are immersed in it and either react or pro-act to it. It is just not one-sided as Mr. Hubbard proposes.

Mr. Hubbard is correct in his statement above concerning the initiation of psychosomatic problems. What we think about we create. But only after many successive years of non-productive thinking and emotionalizing of negative reactions. Your immune system is chemically based just like your thoughts are. Year after year of generating chemicals that are not supportive of health don’t strengthen your immune system, they weaken it! We can turn our immune systems around by generating thoughts that are productive and life-giving; and we don’t need to pay an expert to show us how. By making the time everyday to relax and let go of the stresses of the outer world, we can jump start programming our brains for health and balance.

A good salesman identifies a problem to the prospect and then offers him the solution; for a price. A warrior attacks the enemy because he reacts to what he perceives the enemy has done to him. A wise man pro-acts by accepting the way things are, and using his brain to better his life. Words can be weapons more than physical things. They can give life or take it away. What are you reading? A murder-mystery novel, a self-help book, a cooking book? Whatever it may be recognize that the concepts presented can affect your brain when you emotionalize what you believe to be true. Don’t forget; always test the validity of what you believe. It is the only way to truly program your brain to create chemical interactions that are based on facts and not half-truths. Mr. Hubbard’s engram theory is a half-truth. It only takes negative results into account. His pen was mightier than the sword because Scientologists believed what he wrote and followed what he said as gospel truth. The statement “the blind leading the blind comes to mind.” His writings influenced many people even though his concepts were not completely tested for validity. All people must eventually come to the realization that a 360 degree viewpoint on life is necessary in order to observe facts, seek the truth and test validity.

For more info: Download my free Wilmington Spirituality Examiner toolbar. “Life is a gift. Be thankful for it and it will be replete with abundance. Encourage others to express creativity, release negativity and embrace pro-activity." Dean A. Banks, MCIWD, DD can be reached at webproducer@hotmail.com or banksnet.com. Download my free eBook on Articles 1-10 here.

Telling a great story

In order to weave a complex story into a relatable story that the masses will believe, you must understand how storytellers sell their wares. Successful songwriters and authors innately use this process to convince readers of their story’s truth and validity. L. Ron Hubbard was a master at this. In his book “Dianetics”, he weaves a masterpiece a half-truths and convincing arguments based on his believable storytelling.

Our history as human beings revolves around the ancient art of storytelling. We all have an innate ability to relay our observations to others through a synopsis of our experiences. Following is a standard outline that helps writers organize their thoughts in order to relay a story that people will remember. First, mapping out your observations graphically (like the brain works) and then logically inserting aspects of their story into the following outline, allows them to create a believable story. Writer's block occurs when they try to logically fit their ideas into the outline without allowing their brains to contemplate those ideas first. By thinking about as many aspects of their stories as possible before they begin to plug these aspects into the outline, allows them to view their stories from a 360 degree viewpoint. This outline is the same that is taught in speech and writing classes in colleges worldwide. Mr. Hubbard uses this in his writings and tells memorable stories in “Dianetics”!

I. Introduction- Grab the reader’s (listener’s) attention and give them a hint about what you are talking about.

A. Attention-Getter- A one sentence hook that grabs the reader’s (listener’s) attention to follow the story you are about to tell; e.g. “Have you ever wondered why people buy squiggly widgets?”

B. Preview- A one paragraph explanation of the topic you are going to cover with one sentence per aspect of the story (preferably raising questions that you will answer in the main body or discussion).

1. A question or sentence about the first aspect of your story.

2. A question or sentence about the second aspect of your story.

3. A question or sentence about the third aspect of your story.

4. A question or sentence about the fourth aspect of your story.

II. Discussion (Main Body) - This is where you expand on each aspect of your story; answer questions and raise new questions as well.

A. Main Point #1 (Aspect #1) - e.g. color of an object.

B. Main Point #2 (Aspect #2) - e.g. weight of an object.

C. Main Point #3 (Aspect #3) - e.g. size of an object.

D. Main Point #4 (Aspect #4) - e.g. longevity of an object.

III. Conclusion- This is where, after you’ve laid out your facts and raised critical questions, you culminate your thoughts and draw conclusions from all the aspects of your discussion (main body).

A. Review- Repeat each aspect in a sentence and draw your conclusion for each aspect. Delineate why you have reached these conclusions based on the facts you have presented.

B. Memorable Statement- As you have grabbed their attention in the beginning, you need to leave the reader (listener) with a reason to further investigate and understand the presentation you have made; e.g. “Squiggly widgets come in many shapes and sizes and you can pick and choose any one you want by looking in the right place. Where are you going to look?”

Telling a relatable and memorable story is easy when you contemplate your observations and allow your brain to flow with ideas. Trying to place ideas into a box (outline) too soon can constrict the flow of telling a great story. Mr. Hubbard was an observer, a thinker and a great storyteller! Remember, “Dianetics” is HIS view of the “facts” that he observed. Others adopted his views later and developed the Church of Scientology into what it is today; a juggernaut money-making machine that operates as a business under the moniker of a “religion.”

For more info: Download my free Wilmington Spirituality Examiner toolbar. “Life is a gift. Be thankful for it and it will be replete with abundance. Encourage others to express creativity, release negativity and embrace pro-activity." Dean A. Banks, MCIWD, DD can be reached at webproducer@hotmail.com or banksnet.com. Download my free eBook on Articles 1-10 here.

Inane or Insane?

After further study of L. Ron, a question came to mind. Inane or insane? Yes, many things that Mr. Hubbard said seemed inane on the surface, but what motivated him to make some ridiculous claims? Was it just his ego? Was it the enormous amount of money that his carnival sideshow pulled in? Or was it something else. When his wife divorced him she revealed his diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia, a mental disease characterized by delusions of grandeur. If you have ever entered a Scientology venue you see paintings, busts and sayings of the “great” L. Ron Hubbard. Again this reminds me of the magician who baits your attention with one hand to recognize his greatness, while the other hand is switching the truth to another location. A location where you are fooled by his claims while he empties your wallet. I am again reminded of a line from a song of one of my favorite songwriters, Kerry Livgren of Kansas. In his song “Carry On My Wayward Son”, one verse states, ”Masquerading as a man with a reason, my charade is the event of the season, and if I claim to be a wise man, it surely means that I don't know.”

Ah, the old bait and switch routine. Claim to have something of value. Get people to come and buy your wares. Tell them it no longer is available, but you have something better. Just sign up and over the course of the next few years more and more will be revealed to you. It keeps you guessing and wanting more. In the meantime, as your wallet is emptied, you become more convinced that Scientology is the answer. Remember; don’t pay attention to the man behind the curtain. Just ignore “The Wizard of Oz”.

In a statement made by Judge Breckenridge of the Los Angeles Superior Court, the following is revealed: "[The court record is] replete with evidence [that Scientology] is nothing in reality but a vast enterprise to extract the maximum amount of money from its adepts by pseudo scientific theories... and to exercise a kind of blackmail against persons who do not wish to continue with their sect.... The organization clearly is schizophrenic and paranoid, and this bizarre combination seems to be a reflection of its founder, L. Ron Hubbard." In the article The Art of Deception - Part II by Arnie Lerma (1999), Mr. Lerma lays out a detailed argument against Scientology and Mr. Hubbard. You won’t find any punches pulled here. Mr. Lerma backs up what he argues with facts, sources and transcripts. Thank God for the Internet! Yes, it can be a cesspool at times, but if you know where to look and who to pay attention to, you can uncover the B.S. of companies and people.

I am NOT on a vendetta to get Scientology. I am seeking the TRUTH in what they have to offer. If you follow half-truths, then you will get half-baked results. If you believe that something works, then it will. That’s the Law of Attraction, not educational programming from an invented church. The Law of Attraction works whether you believe it or not. A reader responded to my first article for the Examiner entitled “The Law of Repulsion” with a one word comment; “Voodoo”. This shows his beliefs, values and mindset. Anyone who can reduce years of observation and conclusion into a tainted description based on his lack of research and lack of obtained knowledge has his own reward. Just like those who blindly follow the right hand while the left hand manipulates the object of their attention. Don’t be fooled by statues, fast hands and organized recipes. Trust in the good sense of observation, deduction and induction that God has given you.

For more info: Download my free Wilmington Spirituality Examiner toolbar. “Life is a gift. Be thankful for it and it will be replete with abundance. Encourage others to express creativity, release negativity and embrace pro-activity." Dean A. Banks, MCIWD, DD can be reached at webproducer@hotmail.com or banksnet.com. Download my free eBook on Articles 1-10 here.

Charge me to rent space in my head!

I don’t think so. If you have something of value to offer me, allow me to explore it myself. Please don’t tell me that my path to enlightenment is through you or you will be in for an earful. Even worse, don’t tell me that I have to take class after class and course after course to become “clear.” I surely won’t allow you to rent space in my head with all of your “techniques” and “practices” and then send me a bill. Get real! The universe and its laws are free for the giving and free for the receiving. Don’t taunt me with a certificate that basically brags to the world that I am clear. I don’t care how you package it; it’s still a bag of tricks to lighten my wallet.

Let’s take L. Ron Hubbard for example. A frustrated science fiction writer who was seeking a way to enrich his life, he wrote a masterpiece of fiction called Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health. A year before I was born, L. Ron incorporated The Church of Scientology in New Jersey (1953). I don’t, and won’t claim to have firsthand knowledge of this man and his practices. All of my viewpoints on him are based on my research and interaction with Scientologists. Scientologists look at people as having forgotten their true, spiritual nature. In order for one to return to a recognition that we are spirits, one has to be audited. Perhaps by someone greater who already recognizes that he is a spirit in a body? Classes and courses to “recognize” this fact are available to their constituency by “donations” from the membership. Many other “religions” offer similar methods to learn “their way” to enlightenment.

If you have ever attended evangelical churches you would know that Bible Studies are frequent events the church provides and they never charge you for them. You are encouraged to tithe 10% of your gross income to obey the word of God, but you usually aren’t charged for studying the Bible. What does that tell you? Are they out to “save” your soul or empty you wallet? Scientology hits your wallet first and then goes after your soul. They especially love professionals like doctors, dentists, chiropractors or basically, any business that will utilize the “business practices” of L. Ron Hubbard. What are those business practices? Hubbard wrote the OEC (Organization Executive Course) as a way to make sure that his vision for the church and the businesses they controlled was clear; no pun intended. In the 80’s Hubbard created WISE, an organization controlled by Sea Org. In effect, Sea Org is the Gestapo wing of the Church of Scientology. Who watches the watchers? Sea Org does. Ask those who have tried to leave Scientology and the pressure they felt for leaving. After all, if you leave you will no longer be feeding the beast.

Many things have been written about Mr. Hubbard and his henchmen. There are tales of drug running, teenage slavery and basic mind control. The self-appointed “Commodore” accomplished many things in his life but his legacy of Scientology has been the most detrimental, in my opinion. As I said in a previous article; any organization that elevates their needs above their constituents is not out for the good of their people. When the survival and continuation of any church becomes more important than the needs of its constituency, something is drastically wrong. Does one run east chasing a sunset? As for Sea Org, the Scientology website makes the following statement: “The Sea Organization derives its name from its beginnings in 1967 when Mr. Hubbard, having retired from his position as Executive Director International, set to sea with a handful of veteran Scientologists to continue his research into the upper levels of spiritual awareness and ability.” In my opinion, the intensive training of a goon squad to keep its members in line. Can I prove this? Probably not. But most times Sherlock Holmes’ conclusion about the lady and the burning cigarette is dead on the money; no pun intended.

For more info: Download my free Wilmington Spirituality Examiner toolbar. “Life is a gift. Be thankful for it and it will be replete with abundance. Encourage others to express creativity, release negativity and embrace pro-activity." Dean A. Banks, MCIWD, DD can be reached at webproducer@hotmail.com or banksnet.com. Download my free eBook on Articles 1-10 here.

Sleight of Hand

In my previous article I stated that a wise person is one who has the power of discernment, proper judgment and discretion. I gave an example of both deductive and inductive logic and how they are used to test not only the truth of something, but the validity as well. In the deductive logic example, Sherlock Holmes concludes that a woman was recently in the room because of the burning cigarette with lipstick on it. But what if a gentleman recently lit a cigarette that previously had lipstick on it and set it there to fool Mr. Holmes? His conclusion would be true and valid, but his logic would be faulty because he did not test his conclusions. Advertisers know this and that is why they continue to sell products to the masses because they invent, re-introduce or re-evaluate a problem and then offer their product or service as a solution to that problem. Religions do the same. If it isn’t salvation, fear of being left out or simply, “I want more in my life”, it is all about getting something that you perceive you currently don’t have. The solution is offered in the best light possible and you either buy their wares or not.

In evaluating the truth and validity of a religion, we must use a critical eye. This begins by considering the source of the religion. Is it truly from God? Is it valid enough to provide common everyday solutions to my problems? Who founded this religion and why? What were their motivations in starting this religion? Was there a need or an apparent problem with their previous religion? By considering who founded a religion we can begin to see why the religion was formed and what its ultimate goals were. In our first example we are considering the founder of the Church of Scientology, L. Ron Hubbard. Many things, both good and bad have been said about this man. But let’s examine the man with a critical eye. Visit the Scientology website and view their version of his accomplishments. In subsequent articles we will examine his revelations in his book “Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health.” Many of the research and findings Mr. Hubbard revealed were true based on his observations, but were they valid? For some they were because they BELIEVED in his principles and conclusions. However, without belief in his principles their validity falters.

What was L. Ron Hubbard’s purpose in founding Scientology? In a previous article I stated how he once repeated and modified the Orwellian statement of “You don’t get rich writing science fiction. If you want to get rich, start a religion. I was slammed with emails from Scientologists claiming that I needed to get my facts straight. My facts are straight. Witnesses heard Hubbard making this statement and he had also written it in a letter. Let’s look at the demeanor of Mr. Hubbard. When he spoke he did so with confidence. A knowing that is either based on a true revelation from God or just sheer arrogance. Again, I invite debate on this subject because the conclusions I will draw will be based on observation and not subjective malarkey.

In my previous article I mentioned I was taken aback by his pseudo-science and hypnosis of his followers. A magician performs tricks called the sleight of hand because he gets you to focus on one thing while he does another. You are minimally hypnotized (susceptible to suggestion with diminished peripheral awareness) by the magician who directs your awareness by the motions of his hands. After reading a great deal about Scientology it appears to me to have all the buzz words associated with the Law of Attraction but not the substance. You are attracted to the principles they suggest that they embody, but their ultimate goal is to rent a great deal of space in your head. Any organization that elevates their needs above their constituents is not out for the good of their people. More to come…

For more info: Download my free Wilmington Spirituality Examiner toolbar. “Life is a gift. Be thankful for it and it will be replete with abundance. Encourage others to express creativity, release negativity and embrace pro-activity." Dean A. Banks, MCIWD, DD can be reached at webproducer@hotmail.com or banksnet.com. Download my free eBook on Articles 1-10 here.

Fools rush in where angels fear to tread

The title of this article is a line by Edmund Burke in his intellectual attack against the French Revolution in 1790. It reflects an observational position that was addressed in a previous article I wrote on how the second rat gets the cheese. Sometimes things appear alright, but after careful inspection and just your gut feelings, things begin to become much clearer. What is a fool? A person who lacks common sense and judgment in evaluating events, situations or people. A fool pursues an opportunity based on the demands of his ego and not necessarily on what his feelings are telling him. He chooses to ignore his gut feelings and rushes in to stake his claim disregarding any thoughts about the consequences. Sometimes it works and most times it doesn’t. If you pursue an idea where angels fear to tread the implication is that you are taking a big risk. A wise person is one who has the power of discernment, proper judgment and discretion. He looks before he leaps, reflects on his experience or simply creates a reverie in his mind where he views the possible results of his actions. Then he makes an informed decision.

How many times does something in your life have to happen before you accept it as true? Once, twice, three times? It might be true but is it valid? Validity requires replication of something that is true time and time again. According to logic you can test the validity of something based on a syllogism. A syllogism is an argument in which the conclusion is supported by its premises. A premise is a proposition or statement made in order to draw a conclusion. In its simplest form deductive logic allows two general premises to deduce a specific conclusion. For example, in one of Sherlock Holmes’ cases he knew a lady was recently present in the room because there was a burning cigarette with lipstick on it when he arrived. Knowing that the cigarette burning indicated the recent presence of someone and that the lipstick indicated a woman, he deduced that she wasn’t far away.

Following is a deductive logic syllogism:

Premise #1: The sun is shining.

Premise # 2: It is warm.

Conclusion: It is warm because the sun is shining.

First, you observe the sun is shining. When you exit the shade you feel warmer. You re-enter the shade and you feel cooler. The obvious conclusion is that you feel warmer when you step into the sunlight. Therefore it is warm because the sun is shining. Is this true? Yes, based on your observation. Is it valid? Yes; validity requires that it produces a desired result. Each and every time you step out of the shade into the sunlight you get warmer. But this is this only half of your analysis. The second half requires you to test and re-test your conclusions to view their validity. You need to induce or establish results based on the facts. In its simplest form, inductive logic allows multiple specific premises to induce a general conclusion.

Following is an inductive logic syllogism:

Premise #1: Giraffe number 1 is silent.

Premise #2: Giraffe number 2 is silent.

Premise #3: Giraffe number 3 is silent.

Conclusion: All giraffes are silent.

Is this statement true? Yes. Is it valid? No! Why? Because you have only tested 3 giraffes! If there are 50,000 giraffes in the world and you only tested (sampled) 3 giraffes, your validity is weak at best. Now if you test 25,000 giraffes and they are all silent, then your conclusion is more valid than when you tested only 3 giraffes. There are many truths in life but are they valid? Only when these truths are subject to repeated tests and experimentation and arrive at similar results, then one can truly claim that these truths are valid. Science uses logic to test the facts. If they can be repeated under the same experimental circumstances and yield similar results each and every time, then they are truly valid.

What does this have to do with religions that control and manipulate their constituents? It is the basis on which we will analyze and reveal their validity based on their supposed truths. Yes, many people have found truths in religions like Scientology. But are they valid? My job as a Spirituality Examiner is to look at the facts under a microscope with a strong light source, good magnification and clear lenses. I invite all of my readers to submit comments on their experiences with Scientology. I would like to thank those who previously submitted a wealth of information both pro and con on the results obtained from Scientology. Let the debate begin!

For more info: Download my free Wilmington Spirituality Examiner toolbar. “Life is a gift. Be thankful for it and it will be replete with abundance. Encourage others to express creativity, release negativity and embrace pro-activity." Dean A. Banks, MCIWD, DD can be reached at webproducer@hotmail.com or banksnet.com. Download my free eBook on Articles 1-10 here.

Victor or Victim?

I don’t know about you, but this has been a rainy and busy week for me. My week started off with a last minute call Sunday night from my friend, Nancy Lopez of delawarehispanic.com and WILM radio. I packed up my video camera early Monday morning and ended up at the Groundbreaking Ceremony of the Wilmington Amtrak Railroad Station. After much waiting and security checkpoints we were escorted to the press area and experienced more waiting. Finally the ceremony began. Mayor James Baker, Congressman Mike Castle, Senator Tom Carper, Senator Ted Kaufman, Governor Jack Markell and our new Vice President Joe Biden each took turns at the microphone. What a show! With a backdrop of the rain pouring down and leaking through the roof, it seemed apropos that renovation was beginning soon.

After I left I began to think about the adversity that our Vice President had experienced early in his career. With the tragedy of the loss of his wife and daughter and the task of continuing in Congress and raising his sons as a single dad, he had chosen to be a victor and not a victim. What a class act. Not only has he overcome all of the apparent obstacles in his life, he has ascended to the position of the second most powerful man in the world. Would a victim traverse this journey? Hardly. Only a person who has mastered his destiny and overcome obstacle after obstacle could have reached the final destination of accomplishing their goals. Joe Biden is a role model for all of us. He has demonstrated that being real and being who you are is the most important aspect of reaching your goals. Remember, God created you to be who you are. Who are we to question this? Our knowledge of life is limited at best, whereas God can see the whole picture.

This week I will begin focusing on a new series of articles involving being a victim or being a victor. I can already see the ruffled feathers that will result from my discussions. And I mean discussions. As always, I invite comments and criticisms. I believe that respectful debate is a great process to unveil the truth. Please engage in a dialogue with me for we all will get closer to a clearer definition of being a victim or being a victor. A victim is a person that succumbs to situations, events, people and circumstances. They don’t believe that they have any control of these things in their life. Stuff happens and they ask what Tony Robbins calls and endless loop question of “Why me?” A victor is a person who, no matter what befalls them, has an attitude of gratitude and accepts the challenge of turning things around. Stuff happens because our thoughts and emotions attract those circumstances. Being a victor is being a master of your thoughts and emotions.

I will begin examining various religions and belief systems and attempt to get at the core of their beliefs. By subjecting these beliefs to the critical eye of the truth microscope we can all make an informed decision as to their validity. Why am I doing this? Because I have a tremendous respect for the truths that are revealed in many religions; religions that have served their people with hope and support. I will expose any religion that is “made-up” and contributes to the victim mentality of their constituents. It is time for these belief-rape religions to be exposed. Why? Because any group of people that manipulate and take advantage of their constituency needs to be exposed. The most precious freedom we have is the freedom to worship and believe as we choose. When religious groups begin to control and manipulate our every action, they are beyond the charge that God has given them. I will begin my series with Scientology. My extensive research and some of my readers have given me a charge to expose this “made-up” religion. A “religion” that involves itself in every aspect of their constituents lives. I hope this forthcoming debate will answer the question if Scientology is truly a religion or a business. Let’s get to the truth!

For more info: Download my free Wilmington Spirituality Examiner toolbar. “Life is a gift. Be thankful for it and it will be replete with abundance. Encourage others to express creativity, release negativity and embrace pro-activity." Dean A. Banks, MCIWD, DD can be reached at webproducer@hotmail.com or banksnet.com. Download my free eBook on Articles 1-10 here.

The Early Bird

Now that you have found your role models and their methods in life mastery, it’s time to take the ideas you have been fine tuning and begin to apply effective principles to manifest those ideas. Map out the methods that your role models have used that appeal to your sense of value and formulate a plan to implement your best idea. It doesn’t always pay to be first in something. It does pay to be observant and deliver the best quality product or service. Following is a quote that illustrates this thought:

"The early bird might get the worm, but the second rat gets the cheese." Unknown Author

On the surface this quote is obvious. The first rat goes after the cheese and gets killed by the trap. Since the trap is already sprung and imposes no threat, the second rat walks up and gets the cheese. The second rat isn't aware of the threat of the trap, but simply gains his bounty by being at the right place at the right time.

This idea carries much wisdom. It is better to look before you leap. If you have a great idea, don't assume that because you have it that it is original only to you. Others might have the same idea but don't possess the resources to implement that idea. Before you put your idea into action, research who else might be using the same idea. Observe how they are doing it and think about how you might do it better, differently or with a twist.

Look around your environment. Just because the cheese is there, don't assume it is safe to snag it. There might be some hidden traps that you can't see. Go to some internet chat rooms and forums and search for others that might have similar ideas. Read the threads and see if there are some things about your idea that you haven't considered. Research and observe before you act. Become the second rat through research and observation. Learn the pitfalls and snags that might surround making your idea a success. Others might jump in before you, but the hammer will come down on them and not you. It doesn't always pay to be first, but it always pays to be observant.

As with any trap, it only works depending on the approach. If the first rat had simply approached the trap from the other side and tripped the rap without being in it, it wouldn't have paid the price. Make sure your approach is based on 360 degree observation. Put out feelers about your idea without revealing it. Again, go to the chat rooms and forums and ask questions about the need you are trying to fill. This way you will spring the trap without you being in it.

You need a plan to bring your idea to fruition on the road to success. Use the ROAD acronym. Research, Observe, Act, and Deliver. If you use this method with every good idea that comes to you, you will be one step ahead of the first rat. Get the cheese without the hammer coming down on you! Following are some basic steps to actualize your idea:

What to do with your great idea...
1. Write it down.
2. Play around with it by placing it in several different scenarios in your mind.
3. Look at it from every conceivable angle.
4. Research the need for the idea.
5. Observe the reactions to the need.
6. Act upon your idea by making a plan and sticking to it.
7. Deliver the idea after you have thoroughly protected your idea.

For more info: Download my free Wilmington Spirituality Examiner toolbar. “Life is a gift. Be thankful for it and it will be replete with abundance. Encourage others to express creativity, release negativity and embrace pro-activity." Dean A. Banks, MCIWD, DD can be reached at webproducer@hotmail.com or banksnet.com. Download my free eBook on Articles 1-10 here.

What's in it for me?

The more I observe my immediate world and view network corporate news the more I see an underlying theme. What’s in it for me? While this is a valid question, it shows more about the person asking it than it is able to give an answer to that person. As was said in an episode of “Kung Fu” I once saw, “Seek not the answer, but seek to understand the question” seems to apply here. If you understand why you are asking the question, it will reveal what your values are. If you are only concerned about yourself, your ego is in command. Remember, ego is Edging God Out. If you look at life from a God-like perspective, you take others into account. You temper your actions based on what is good for others as well as yourself. As Spock from Star Trek once said, “The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few; or the one.”

Asking yourself the right questions of is of prime importance. Look at what currently exists in your life and ask, “Is this all there is?” Is this what I truly want? What can I do to make the life that I deeply desire? Ask the right questions. Socrates answered questions with questions. It is known in philosophy as the Socratic Dialectic. Students would approach him with well thought out questions expecting sage answers and were posed even deeper questions by Socrates. Socrates knew that in order to get to the root of the question, one has to dig deeper. The only way to dig deeper is to keep asking quality questions. Do you ask yourself quality questions? Do you ask yourself any questions at all? If you don’t, then you are on the path to mediocrity. Mediocrity is the state where you are barely adequate, or we could say inferior. There is on old saying, “How can a fool make another wise.” If you are operating from an inferior state of being, how can you hope to get to a superior state of being without questioning the results you now experience? Asking yourself quality questions is the doorway to a better life for you and those around you.

We are not islands. We are social animals that need interaction, growth and a sense of accomplishment. Without these superior qualities we will stagnate, get depressed, and suffer inaction. What is it that you could do differently right now that could make a major positive change in your life? Are you willing to do this in order to traverse the pathway from inferiority to superiority? As the saying goes, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” What steps are you choosing? Are you on a pathway toward the light or away from the light? It is so easy for all of us to slip into mediocrity. It takes the willingness to become a better person in order to ask the tough questions.

And what about change? Do we really march toward change? Most people don’t really change. They rearrange people, places and things in their lives to accommodate their values. True change requires a mindset of truth. Being honest with yourself and knowing yourself is the first step toward true change. If your environment doesn’t reflect the state you desire to be in then you need to pro-act true change! How do you do this? By asking the hard questions you reveal your true values. Once you arrive at a knowing of your true values, acting on behalf of those values becomes much easier. Find a coach, get motivational CD’s, or seek out biographies on role models. See what they had to do to actualize their potential. The pathway is much easier to travel when you know where you are going. Have a great trip!!!

For more info: Download my free Wilmington Spirituality Examiner toolbar. “Life is a gift. Be thankful for it and it will be replete with abundance. Encourage others to express creativity, release negativity and embrace pro-activity." Dean A. Banks, MCIWD, DD can be reached at webproducer@hotmail.com or banksnet.com. Download my free eBook on Articles 1-10 here.