Becoming a luminous warrior is committing to growing the heart and soul as a creative being. Rise above doubt and uncertainty by using the power of love.
[00:00:00] Welcome, this is Josh Rees with Mile Hi Church in Lakewood, Colorado. Thank you for tuning in to our podcast today for more information about our church. Please visit our website, MileHiChurch.org. My title today is Rise Up, to be able to rise up and becoming a luminous warrior.
[00:00:26] That's what I'm referring to this today, a luminous warrior, is being committed to growing the heart and the soul and becoming a creative being. It is a call to awaken to our true nature and embrace the fullness of life.
[00:00:42] It's an invitation to step into our power and create a reality that reflects our highest aspirations. A luminous warrior. And with the Olympic side, that first night when the, I guess it was a president over there in France, he spoke.
[00:01:03] I really picked up when he said that we all belong to 166 countries gathered together and he said we all belong. And there's a sense of belonging, there's a sense of the capability of greatness when we come together.
[00:01:22] And as I mentioned in the beginning of the service, this is an incredible lighthouse where we do all belong. So a warrior is a being of spiritual light. Now let me just define warrior because when we hear the word warrior, you know, we get ready to fight.
[00:01:41] And the word war has come from the French and what it has meant, a warrior's estate of armed conflict between different national groups. And I recognize that we're in a position right now in the United States of a lot of uncertainties, the world, a lot of uncertainties.
[00:02:04] And that word war is very, very scary. But to be able to recognize that in fact I want to just pause here anyone that has served in the military, anyone who has served in conflict in war, please know that I honor you and I honor your service.
[00:02:24] But what I'm talking about is alluminous warriors of truth, warriors of light. And I feel very strongly that this is a time in history in our day this day to recognize that there's a light that shines within us.
[00:02:42] I want to quote a great native American chief, sitting bull. I said this, warriors are not of what you think of as warriors. The warriors are not someone who fights. The warrior for us is the one who sacrifice themselves for the good of others.
[00:03:02] They take care of the elderly, the defenseless ones. Those who cannot provide for themselves and above all the children and the truth of humanity. So, a luminous is referring to radiance. It's referring to light.
[00:03:21] And I know each one of us no matter what our path has been, that light has never gone out, nor will it ever go out within us. And so, that radiance brings forth hope.
[00:03:36] A lot of times when we use the word hope people go, well can I just have the expansiveness of faith instead of just a little bit? That it just a little bit of hope. But I feel that hope is a stepping stone.
[00:03:49] Upon our path, despite the doubts and the gloom that are around us often we step forward. Step forward, sensing the light that has always been present. So to be in that place of hope is a great stepping stone for each one of us.
[00:04:07] I have up on the screen a quote from the great Greek philosopher, Pontinus. He said, I do not argue. I contemplate. And as I contemplate, I let fall the seeds of thought into the mind, into the mirror of mind, which then becomes the matter of matter.
[00:04:29] The way of the world is unpeasful, unwise warriors. The wise warrior is already anchored in peace and love and in place. They are focused on what needs to happen without needing to fight, without needing to fight. But unfortunately, many are not anchored in peace and place.
[00:04:55] And I know it's not you, it's probably your neighbor or someone down the block, not you. But a lot of people are not anchored in that peace and that place. And I once had a great teacher of mine say that conflict is a choice not to love.
[00:05:14] Conflict is a choice not to love. So I'm not talking about the government right now, I'm talking about us as individuals. Conflict is a choice not to love. But so many times anger rules.
[00:05:32] It sneaks in. It comes in with big boots, not at times those boots are muddy. But not in a storm. And he feels those barbs of anger, a great teacher of mine, Dr. Thomas Horah, of existential metasynchia, long-term but a great course.
[00:05:53] He said that anger means wanting or not wanting. And I often think about little kids, you know, they have a big ball in their plane and all said, No, I wanted. So it's kind of a push and pull energy anger is. And that takes place inside of us.
[00:06:21] And it takes us out of that special place of heartfulness where the light resides, where the light resides. Now is there a way that we can overcome when anger comes to us? I believe there is. And Dr. Horah talks about a term called Transcendent Observer.
[00:06:42] To become a transcendent observer, is to be able to just pause on the path and sometimes that's the biggest piece. To pause on the path, I do it a lot with my breath, just taking a deep breath. Just pause for a few moments.
[00:07:00] And being able to transcend or lift to a higher place of seeing. And many times that that metaphor, lift to a higher place of seeing is being able to lift our energy from the conditions and all the effects
[00:07:17] and be able to be in a place of greater peace. Sometimes I'll say, peace be with you. Sometimes I'll just repeat over and over again. Peace, peace, peace, peace, peace. So whatever it is that works for you when you get into those places.
[00:07:40] And I'm making a bigger assumption that you get into those places at times. Just to be able to one simple thing. To be able to raise in your consciousness. And your consciousness is that field of awakening, that field of knowing.
[00:07:58] So next fall, which is not far away, I'm going to be teaching that course called Angerless Living Transcendent regardless. And I've taught it before, people have loved it. And I just figured it was a good time in our world to offer that course.
[00:08:17] So I hope you consider perhaps signing up for that one. We have a lot of wonderful courses. So Aluminus Warrior knows to set down the sword. To be able to set down the sword and pick up the staff. To set down the sword many times even in Taoism.
[00:08:37] That's a word phrase that they'll use. Sit down that sword and pick up the staff. The staff of life, which is the power of love. So sitting down that sword and picking up the staff. That staff is the peace.
[00:08:58] This is the assurance it's a gratitude in the love of life itself. So I believe very strongly. Now I'm going to say this to the whole wide world. If we have enough love, we can melt all the guns.
[00:09:14] If we have enough love, we can melt all the guns. The guns of war. We can set them aside. Many times when I think that or I've said that before people look at me like, You know, that could never happen.
[00:09:33] Well perhaps it might not happen in my lifetime. But maybe in the lifetime of my grandkids or a great grandkids. But for us, as people that live and breathe in this beautiful lighthouse of religious sciences, dome of consciousness, consciousness of field of being aware,
[00:09:55] that spirit is not far off. Spirit is right here within us. And it is that beautiful, beautiful staff of life, the staff of life. So that's another phrase we can use. If we all have said we're looking at TV or somewhere or talking to someone
[00:10:15] and there's any kind of anger going on, it's like just go to your heart space. Take a deep breath because you're holding the staff. You're holding that staff of peace. William Shakespeare, he said, Go to your bosom, knock fair and ask your heart what it does know.
[00:10:34] Ask the heart what it does know. For love holds us together. I feel that love is a glue. Many years ago I had the great gift of being able to serve a woman in hospice. And we became fairly close.
[00:10:53] She couldn't talk anymore, but just being together in presence was a great gift. But before she had kind of melted into that place where she couldn't speak, she used to share a lot about her grandson by the name of Jamie.
[00:11:09] And I thought, wow, I love to meet this Jamie kid. He was just a little guy. Well after she passed, they asked me to do the service. I went to her house to be with her daughter and her family. And there was Jamie. Jamie took control.
[00:11:27] Jamie came to the kitchen table and he sat down. And this is what the kid said. And I shared this story many years ago. And as I finished sharing the story out in the lobby, Jamie came up to me. He said, I'm Jamie.
[00:11:43] But this is what Jamie said. He said, my grandma and I, we have a formula for love. So all my attention was with this kid, because he took control. I said, Jamie, what is that formula? He said it's popsicle sticks, stars, and macaroni.
[00:12:07] That was their formula for love. And I never forgot that. And of course, I did speak about that at our service. But to have that formula of love, because it's a glue. And for Jamie and his grandma was a glue. Charles sticks in the road.
[00:12:26] A loving heart is the truth's wisdom of all. The truth's wisdom of all. So we speak about wisdom. And wisdom is golden. Wisdom is light. You know, we say, well, you're in the years of wisdom. We're all in the year of wisdom.
[00:12:47] Because it is that beam of light. And so they say, look for wise people on the path. Look for warriors of light. And I'm affirming today as I speak, that each one of us, we are warriors of light, were warriors of peace. And so that wisdom of light,
[00:13:10] we could even say it is the Christ energy in our light. We could say it is the Buddha energy in our light. Any of the great mystics that have gone before us. They knew of that wisdom, and they knew of that light.
[00:13:23] And I feel very strongly that we are in such a incredible space upon our planet, energetically, on all levels. I love to communicate with grandmother Earth. We had a beautiful Native American in E.B. Sweat Lodge at our house yesterday.
[00:13:41] And it was so good to sit upon the ground. It was so good to feel the warmth of the heat, or the hotness of the heat. But it was good to sit there as the rain was overhead
[00:13:53] and lightening overhead to be in that place of the belly of grandmother Earth. So the energy, especially in nature, and has written on the great Sufi master, he said the great scripture ever written is nature. So to be able to find time in nature,
[00:14:16] especially in these times, to ground back in, and realize that you are shining for light. And as we do that collectively, things have a way of changing. So we know that love opens doors. It opens doors. The door we have heart to be loving opens doors.
[00:14:41] It doesn't slam them. It opens those doors. And so be a voomuous warrior of spiritual light, using the power of love to conquer fear and doubt to conquer it. Because that crazy fear is just false, evidence appearing real, false evidence appearing real.
[00:15:03] And so doubt kind of hangs out behind fear. And it just hangs in the background and it feels uncertain about things. So it's a drag, isn't it? To be with a lot of fear. Of course, perhaps I'm not speaking to the right congregation.
[00:15:22] You probably have never had any fear. Maybe I've probably been the only one. But to be able to recognize, once again, that fear cannot consume us. I've heard a lot of people recently talk about, wow, we're in fearful times.
[00:15:41] What if we could say we are in the most powerful time of light that has been on this planet for centuries upon centuries? Powerful time of light. You walk into the forest and you see the tall trees. And you see the blue sky.
[00:15:58] Thank God we have blue sky, not the smoke. But we have the blue sky in the sun rays. Let it remind us of who we are as spiritual beings. So it's important that in a time of chaos, and many times chaos is when we're stirring the soup.
[00:16:17] In our lives we have what we call a flow that's taking place. And then we have a staccato where we're moving with it. And then we have chaos and chaos is when we're stirring the soup.
[00:16:31] And perhaps we're stirring the soup right now to come into a greater place of flow, a greater place of knowing who we are as a world, who we are as nations and a nation and who we are as beings.
[00:16:50] So we turn to love instead of fear, love instead of fear, that we channel strength from the deep down within ourselves, instead of fear and doubt. So that fear falls to evidence appearing real. So a warrior of light, a warrior of light, a being of light,
[00:17:14] can be defined as a person or a character who embodies the qualities of courage, of honesty and rightful thinking. Or we could say righteous thinking, righteous thinking is rightful thinking. And that right thinking is recognizing that spiritual essence,
[00:17:36] that self with a capital S, that spiritual self, that's rightful thinking. There's a little phrase in that a psychiatrist that says, take no thought for what should be or should not be, but Siky first to know the good of God which already is.
[00:17:54] So this is embracing the spiritual light, take no thought for what should or should not be, but Siky first to know the good of God which already is. Now these principles that we behold in religious science and other incredible philosophies that are woven into what we believe.
[00:18:15] They're not just for people that are going to walk around with blinders on. There are for all of us who have taken off blinders and we're walking around with the light shining brightly, so brightly. So Ernest Holmes, he once said,
[00:18:34] we shall take the highest thought we have and attempt to enlarge on the consciousness until it embraces a vital concept of reality. So what is reality? What is really real? I feel what is really real just how the word real is spirit.
[00:18:53] God, whatever you call it, the light, the wisdom. That's what's really real. Many, many years ago now, my husband and I look we moved to the mountaineer because I think 2008 when there was a lot of those funky loans
[00:19:09] and I knew that we went up there on a funky loan to be able to get there and I knew that eventually had to get out of that and get it or solid loan, which we have. But in that process at that time it was crazy making
[00:19:24] and the loan offers said that we had bulletproof credit and how come this wasn't coming through? How come this wasn't coming through? Well, yes, I would, we would get discouraged but what I did, it sounded kind of crazy but it meant a lot in it opened doors
[00:19:42] was on little post-tums. I placed what is really real? So it helped me focus on the reality on spirit instead of all the conditions. I put them in my cupboard doors. It was in my Jeep. It was everywhere I could see it. What is really real?
[00:20:01] And after a few attempts through Wall Street and everything, all of a sudden we got a phone call for a gentleman from Minnesota. I want to buy that loan. I said thank you. Also sent him a big bouquet of flowers. He wrote back a notice.
[00:20:21] I've never had anyone send me a bouquet of flowers before because I'm so grateful because I recognize what really is and thank you God. So it works. Let me tell you how it works. So rise up above challenges with our faith and our belief in our perseverance.
[00:20:42] The true test of a warrior of light is how you stance. What is your stance hold up after any circumstances? Meaning even after the stormy as weather, a true warrior will still reflect the brilliant light. I'm thinking about the Olympics, the Lady Bethany Hamilton, a surfer.
[00:21:05] At the age of 13, nationally ranked surfer, lost her arm in a shark attack. Within weeks she returned to surfing. I'm thinking today of who? Get emotional here as some own bials. Her theme is rise up. And I didn't realize that when I picked that topic
[00:21:30] along time ago, but that's her theme. Rise up. And she has done that through therapy for her situations that she had way back when that caused problems in her confidence. Rise up. And that's what she's doing today. So overcoming obstacles, overcoming challenges,
[00:21:54] obstacles are a natural part of the journey. However, they do not define us instead they provide opportunities for our growth and our learning. And when we encounter difficulties, we make the choice that they're stepping stones, rather than stumbling blocks. Going above conditions,
[00:22:20] and I think we have a slide of Jackson, leaping through there, and a lot of times we have to do that. We just have to leap over the conditions and the effects. I remember when Jack was just a little guy.
[00:22:38] And we had gone to New Mexico as a family with Jack. He was running in a race in New Mexico. He was wintertime. And it was freezing cold. I mean, it was really cold. It was icy. You know, it's stowing in everything, but there's still having the race.
[00:22:55] So we kept the little guy in the car as long as we could to keep him warm. And so he went out and he ran the race, and I just prayed for all these young kids that were out there in the cold. And afterwards I said to Jackson,
[00:23:10] Jack, what takes place for you when you out there like that? And this is what he said. He said, Grandma, I go above my head. I go above my head. And I have thought about that a lot with Jack, and he goes above the conditions.
[00:23:32] Even as a little guy, he went above the cold. And so a lot of us, we have to remember that. And Jack wrote this. He said, what if everyone adopted the mentality of a distant runner? Or we could say today, Olympic participant. Believe.
[00:24:00] I'm placing it in your heart. Running with your heart and conquering your mind. Push through. Love holds all together. Take one step at a time. Have a personal sense of having to have done your best. Step up and move forward. Running makes you feel grateful. A wise,
[00:24:27] a luminous warrior is always anchored, always anchored in golden awareness of peace and peace. I was so grateful that I was able to be there at that famous Hayward Field to watch the athletes. Wasn't just being there for Jack, but to watch all the athletes. And their focus,
[00:24:51] they're a commitment. Well, maybe that's not for us. It's certainly not for me. I'm not going to go out and run 14 miles a day to train. Probably not even going to walk through far. But to recognize that it's such an inspiration
[00:25:08] for each one of us to recognize the gift of focus. To get above conditions when situations are challenging. When situations are challenging. And to rise up and support not lift ourselves. And I saw that with Jack. It was an incredible experience of being at the trials
[00:25:35] and he was so honored that he was there. He's fairly young and he was there with a lot of older guys that were really good, really good. But one of the older guys came up to put his arm around him and said,
[00:25:49] Jackson, I'll see you back here next year at the World Geaves. Jack said, you will. So no matter utilizing Jack in the Olympics today because it's perfect that the Olympics are on and probably a lot of these people are home watching the Olympics God Blessing.
[00:26:10] But to recognize that it's for each one of us. We cannot adopt those messages to never give up to always do your best. And at a Hayward Field he said, Grandma, I did my best as I know you did. So the questions I raised up supporting
[00:26:37] with my community with love and kindness would are ways daily that we rise to enlightenment, transcend and raise spiritual knowledge. Ways we weave the wisdom. I'm asking you that question. And to be a luminous warrior is to discover the power of fearlessness.
[00:26:59] Our job is to ask love to vanish the opposite. So do you see yourself as a torch bearer of truth? Someone who never resorts to the seat and reminds yourself always of your steadfastness and that your path is a path of honesty, honesty, to self.
[00:27:23] So what I affirm is that this is a community up with my community, my family and friends of love. So I bring in prayer, and I recognize that we have practitioners that will be present down front for prayer. Prayer is another important part.
[00:27:45] It's a ladder we climb to realize that a luminous light within. So in conclusion, all to rise up, all to awaken to our true nature as an imitation to step into our power and to create. And as we leave this gathering here this morning,
[00:28:10] let us take the message in our hearts and our minds, knowing that we have the power and the presence within to rise and transform our lives. So sit down the sword and pick up the staff, a piece, assurance, gratitude, and love.
[00:28:37] So I want to read this before I offer prayer. In the hearts, sacred chamber of lantern softly glows, a beacon in the darkness where the river and the spirit flow. It's not a light that's kindled, nor a flames that ever dies,
[00:28:54] it's the eternal sunrise, the Christ within that lies. This light is not broad from the sun or the moon above. It is a radiance, interbillions from the sun and the moon above. It's a radiant, interbillions born of divine love.
[00:29:16] It is the light of understanding, of compassion and of grace. A testimony of the divine in every heart it has a place. The Christ's light is the compass, and guides us through the night through storms of life. It leads us to shores of love and light.
[00:29:38] It's the star in our existence, the core of all that's right. The echo of God's whisper, the inner spiritual light. So let me just offer a prayer right now as I move into prayer. Oh, just giving thanks for that light above, above, low and in and through.
[00:30:00] There's nowhere where that divine light is not nowhere. And so just recognize in that. I know that it is the holy truth of each one present, and all of those who are not present, but yet they are the consciousness of this great light house.
[00:30:18] Oh, and I just give thanks. I give thanks for the gathering, each of us gathering as a luminous beads of light. So may your day and the rest of this week may you sense the brilliant sparkles of your light. Now and forever more, and so it is.
[00:30:46] Thanks for listening to The Mile High Church Podcast. This podcast is made possible by the generous contributions from listeners like you, to make a donation. Please visit Milehigh Church.org.