This week we took a week to review and assess our steps on our journey in this class. Early in this class, we were introduced to the story of Golden Budda. A statue was covered in cement to cover up the golden statue underneath.

Cement can be seen to represent the events and situations in our lives that hemmed us in or made us feel stuck. In many cases, it was layered on over the years and we became comfortable with things being the way they are. Where do you go with that?

I decided last September to take that question on when I enrolled in the Master Key Experience. I was invited by a friend that I highly respect. When I started, I felt like I was in way over my head. I decided to do the work realizing that over the years, I had accumulated some cement. I was wondering what I was hanging on to and what would need to be chipped off?

As a woman of faith, I have realized that when the student is ready, the teacher appears. God has sent me the right people to lead me forward on numerous occasions. The choice is still mine. It is much like a Hero’s journey. Sometimes they say yes, sometimes they are reluctant and sometimes they say no. It can take digging deep to find the courage to take on the journey.

For me, this is very much a journey within, focusing on what is most important and that is to know, love and serve God.

I mentioned going within and in our Master Key Lesson 9, Haanel states:

We have found that the Universal substance is “All Health,” “All Substance “and “All Love” and that the mechanism of attachment whereby we can consciously connect with this Infinite supply is in our method of thinking. To think correctly is therefore to enter into the “Secret Place of the Most High.”

Charles Haanel, The Master Key System, 9:4

I am very much drawn to the “Secret Place of the Most High.” I find that in stillness and meditation. Our world is so noisy, so I am consciously turning down the volume. This leads me to another statement by Haanel where he gives us ideas to improve our thinking.

Man is the sum total of his own thoughts; so, the question is, how are we going to entertain only the good thoughts and reject the evil ones? At first, we can’t keep the evil thoughts from coming, but we can keep from entertaining them. The only way to do this is to forget them — which means, get something for them. This is where the ready-made affirmation comes into play.

Charles Haanel, The Master Key System, 9:27

When a thought of anger, jealousy, fear or worry creeps in, just start your affirmation going. The way to fight darkness is with light — the way to fight cold is with heat — the way to overcome evils is with good. For myself, I never could find any help in denials. Affirm the good, and the bad will vanish. – Frederick Elias Andrews

Charles Haanel, The Master Key System, 9:28

I encourage you to create affirmations to use – it can be a quick prayer, a special word, or a pleasant memory. Make a list of them to read regularly even when things are good. Then they will be easy to recall when you need them to fill you with light.

Here is one affirmation shared in this lesson. “I am whole, perfect, strong, powerful, loving, harmonious and happy.”

The choice to use a spiritual method is especially nice because it is “always” graciously available 24/7!

Till next week – Let your light shine!