Spirit-Centered Living

How do you feel about the news these days? Have you gotten to a point where it is simply too depressing to try and keep up with what is being spewed forth on the web, in newspapers and magazines, TV and talk radio? There is a line in the movie “Network,” which has become a mantra for being fed up: “We’re mad as hell and we aren’t going to take it anymore.”
I believe there is a moment when we just cannot stand the horror, negativity, and obscene sensationalism that passes for “news” today, and we feel a hunger for “news” that is more healing, nourishing and sustaining: Spirit-centered news.
I believe there is a point in time where our soul says “Enough!” There are many ethical, quality sources for world, national and local news, and more than ever it makes sense to seek out these channels. We do not have to be at the mercy of a daily onslaught of “news” that will only depress and disturb us. We do not need to live in a constant state of shock. We do not need to willingly and knowingly place ourselves in harm’s way, and be manipulated by the fear mongering that goes on all around us.
(Take a look at Author Naomi Klein’s website: www.naomiklein.org. Ms. Klein’s latest book provides an important key to understanding how today’s “news” and “news events” are stage-managed to provide specific responses in populations: The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism.)
We do not have to open our homes to thugs who would rob and physically assault us. Similarly, we do not have to open our minds to a daily diet of darkness, depravity, negativity and brutality. We are at choice as to how we get our news, and what we decide to accept and construct as our personal “reality.”
Edward de Bono reminds us that “If you do not take control of the design of your future, others will design it for you.” Who is designing your future and your news? Are "they" committed to supporting your highest spiritual purpose? Or are "they" just out to keep you in a state of emotional turmoil and make a profit on your confusion and distress?
The good news is that there are ways to stay current with quality analysis of what is going on around us, but we should maintain a positive attitude and stay with those sources of news that provide balanced reporting and thoughtful solutions to the ongoing crises of contemporary life.
Put another way, if the “news” that you take into your consciousness keeps you in a constant state of fear, anxiety and depression, you need a channel change. You need to develop discernment and discrimination about your news sources, and then balance what you are hearing with a strong spiritual practice, maybe in a ratio of one part “news” to nine parts spiritual study. That seems about right for keeping one’s mind clear and upbeat. You need to put “First things first.”
Scriptures and sacred texts have lasted thousands of years because they are based on good news. We feel good when we read Lao Tsu, or Zen stories, or the words of saints, sages and mystics such as Sri Aurobindo, Rabinandrath Tagore and Rumi. We are inspired by the words and works of Jesus and his students. We are comforted by the Psalms of David.
For years, I thought that I had to “keep up” with the news, and so I read widely and spent much too much time taking in “news” that only made me feel uneasy and unhappy. My soul suffered, and my ability to be of genuine help to others was diminished.
Today, I believe we need all the good news we can get, and the best news of all comes directly from our chosen spiritual study and Spirit-centered learning about the nature of God and God’s great love for us. This is the real news. This is the news that will help us bring the Divine into our daily lives, experience miracles, manifest abundance, and change the world around us into a better place.
If you are ready to make a positive change in your news gathering habits, do a Google search on the phrase “Good News.” You will be amazed, as I have been, to see that there are a wealth of sources for stories that are positive and uplifting. Or start reading The Economist, or the multiple award winning Christian Science Monitor. (www.economist.com www.csmonitor.com )
The very good news is that we can each make a choice as to who and what we allow into our house of consciousness. And we can start making that choice today.
Our lives, the lives of those around us, and the world will be better for it.

“Seek ye first the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. Fear not, little flock; for it is the Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”

Alex Noble


Copyright C 2007 by Alex Noble. All rights reserved in all media.