Before you pray - Become - Shirvington Hannays

I have discovered and come to realize that effective prayer requires a State of Mind and Being filled with the PEACE that passeth Human understanding.

My quest for a better understanding of what life was all about started when as I child, I felt that my entire family and I, were all going to hell because God didn’t like us. This conclusion at that time was arrived at because it was clear he didn’t answer any of our many prayers we offered to him daily on our knees, eyes closed and face upward to heaven.

Praying and the need to pray was drilled into my head daily to be done before I went to sleep at night, when I woke in the morning, before I ate anything, before leaving the house and yes even at school before classes started for the day. More than twenty years later, I can safely say after more than ten years of conscious and consistent exploration, I have extended my concept of prayers and praying or acts of worship.

I now no longer pray for anything with words but continuously try to maintain a state of Mind and Being of gratitude for every experience or event I experience. This is in no way always easy or the ready response in every situation as I go about my daily practical living or when my ego and intellect demand a excess dose of attention.

This way of living and state of Being is becoming easier because of the conscious awareness and alertness that continuously fill me with renew gratitude. Which results in longer periods of complete acceptance of whatever maybe happening in my life. This also makes me more at peace with the concept now than when it was first introduced to me some twelve years ago.

I am now totally at peace with the notion that there is never ANYTHING to pray for hence I do not offer up any prayer to something or someone outside my Being. I may say THANKS or THANK YOU from time to time when the sense and feeling of gratitude is so intense that I may automatically verbalise my gratitude as a reminder to my self to consciously look around and observe more of the present moment. This continues to strengthen me to be more consistent in my willingness to be open and receptive to give up any previously held concept in place of new response in any given moment. Which then usually fosters harmony with whatever IS in the NOW moment.

This is what I now understand and know to be "be still and know...." and it is truly “the Peace that passeth Human understanding...” - Shirvington Hannays (http://www.smahoo.com/)

As we embrace Podcast and Vodcast.

Monthly audio podcasts are now available at http://smahoo.mypodcast.com to be followed shortly with the launch of an on-demand online motivational WebTV via www.smahotv.com.

Regards to you in your continued exploration of your INNER Self for a more wholesome understanding of yourself in relation to everything else in the physical and invisible realms of the Universe.

"If you can dare yourself to dream big, infact VERY big and not be afraid to be seen as different, the seemingly impossible becomes possible." – Shirvington Hannays (11-05-2008)

CHOICE for CHANGE

The United States of America has elected a new President on 11-04-2008.  His mixed racial identity makes the occasion historic, as he is refered to as African American.  He has done himself, family and supporters proud.  History will show that it was his willingness to embrace all of who he is without seeing himself as a victim of his heritage that enable him to make history.  It is now up to those who prayed for a moment like this, to embrace it and do something with it INDIVIDUALLY.  Since in the fullness of WHAT is REAL, SPIRITUALLY, "this too shall soon pass."  -- Shirvington Hannays

Modern day mental slavery

Many theories and belief about our relation to the invisible and physical realms of the Universe, continue to hold many, in mental bondage. If consciously explored, many may discover that a large part of their Belief system is based on theories that were arrived at based on very limited evidences and assumptions.

For example, there are many, whom still hold the belief, that NIGHT and DAY were created, even in light of evidences which show that day and night are the effects of the earth spinning on its axis.

Further evidences support the fact that the Earth is ROUND; not FLAT and have been for over 70 million years. Yes, intellectually, it is now accepted and embraced that the earth is round and goes without saying. It is the roundness of the earth that results in the events we label Day and Night. However as recent as 2000 to 500 years ago most held the view that the earth was FLAT. Therefore the assumption was still upheld that Day and Night had to have been CREATED by that which created everything.

To revisit this belief would REQUIRE that other beliefs central to this belief be revisited. It goes without saying that any revisiting will shake the foundation of what is put forward in direct support of some creation stories or even the flood that destroyed everything except for an ARK.

"This too shall soon pass" - the same image on either sides of the same coin. - Shirvington Hannays

When in the mist of a judged or labeled "bad, difficult, painful or challenging situation or experience", the phase "this too shall soon pass" can be one of the most comforting re-assurances you can receive, reflect on or embrace.

Especially if you allow yourself to acknowledge that, the statement has proven true countless times before. In reality, this statement is also true for those situations or periods in our lives that we may judge or label "good, easy going, painless, peaceful or without challenge."

If and when you embrace this statement fully or even partially, it could be said that, you have become awaken to a very simple but yet one of the most powerful Spiritual principles. A principle that has the potential to return your mind, body and soul to the state of wholeness.

The state you were a nano-second before your soul accepted the invitation from your parents and you were conceived. I am nowhere near being totally at peace with this statement, but I am humbled in the understanding of the principle, an understanding that could truly bring to my Human experience the peace that passeth Human understanding.

As I continue to daily acknowledge and embrace this awareness, I am strenghten to snap out of most states of depression, resentment, anger and the blame game faster when seemingly good and pleasant experiences fade away and "soon pass". - Shirvington Hannays

The road less Traveled. -- SMAHO

Being Human means being willing to daily face all of Life's experiences, knowing that you will continue to experience pain, hurt and emotional bruises in many different ways for as long as you are in this physical universe. Especially emotional bruises even after you have consciously or unconsciously CHOSEN to take the road less traveled to live your life. On the road where you will consciously make the CHOICE to always be authentic to the NOW moment. Always being naked with your TRUTHS, honest with your INTENTION and committed to your CHOICE.

However even as an enligthen person consciously seeking to be authentic in the moment with your every CHOICES, it may come as a surprise to you when you find yourself overcome by deep pain or hurt. Which can then easily give way as usual to anger or resentment toward yourself and the projected source of the pain or hurt. It is usually in these times that you will be called on to BE still and know that the peace that passes all human understanding is readily available to get you to YOUR next fullness in time, in the NOW.

For this understanding and knowledge I give thanks and I am truly THANKFUL. -- Shirvington Hannays

The Power of Choice - SMAHOO

I always have the choice to stay silent or to Voice an opinion. There is significant power in either choice. - Shirvington Hannays

"It is all meant for your next moment in TIME - whether good and Bad" - Shirvington Hannays

"I have always been a firm believer that nothing happens to us by chance, but by the grand design layed out for our lives and at the appointed time or as it were 'the fullness of time'. What we do with these exeperiences shape our destiny and our journey or learning in this life. If we embrace life's experiences good and bad, we can shape our own character and prepare ourself for even greater challenges and ready ourself for even deeper enjoyment of life."  - Justin Hardy (Tue, Sep 2, 2008 at 3:28 PM)

The talk of Peace is LIMITED - SMAHOO

Be that which you seek. That is the ultimate form of PRAYER. - Shirvington Hannays

Time really has no really importance in the realm of the invisible.  -  Shirvington Hannays

Some people have an impact on our lives, even if only for a moment.  And we are not the same anymore.  time has no importance, but certain moments have some forever.  -  Fern Bork