THE ART OF LOOKING WITHIN
By; Karin J. Pekarcik

We are surrounded, more like bombarded, with outside stimuli constantly.  This is part of our life in the electronics age.  Everywhere we look, advertising is pointing its finger at us, subtly calling us to buy a certain product or service, or point of view.  Everyone is after the piece of pie or prosperity and materiality.  Is that all there is?  What about the inner values in our life?  What about our basic beliefs and understanding?  What is our role in this fast-paced environment of instantaneous communication?
Why don't we take a few minutes out of our busy stress-filled day to stop and listen to what our "inner voice" is saying to us?  If we are forever surrounded by other's thoughts, ideas, and suggestions, when do we have time to think our thoughts, and develop our inner creativity?  There is just too much "stuff" going around in our head to even get a clear picture of what it is we are thinking.  It is not our original thinking, but someone else's thoughts imposing themselves upon us.
This is where the cultivation and development of THE ART OF LOOKING WITHIN comes into play.  What does this mean?  We have the natural ability to answer all our questions, because these questions are coming to our mind in response to our inner prompting. Why else would we be asking them?  They are our personal questions.  Why go to an outside source for the answers, when they are right there for us to find within?  Yet it seems so much easier to seek out our favorite author, our latest guru, or the mass media presentation (Television, radio, newspapers, magazines, etc.) to find our answers.
THE ART OF LOOKING WITHIN begins in that quiet place within ourselves.  Take a moment to find that peaceful and serene place within.  RELAX. Close the eyes, take a deep breath, and then just be.  Can we stop all those thoughts racing around in our head?  Leave those thoughts for a few moments (they will surely find us again.)  See if we can feel the inner peace which comes once those thoughts thoughts are quieted down.
Next, see in our mind's eye a crystal clear blue lake.  It looks like glass.  There are no ripples upon its surface.  Feel the serenity of the lake.  When a thought intrudes itself upon us, see it as a ripple upon the lake.  Before it has an opportunity to carry us into its wake, stop that thought.  Break it immediately.  Return to the clear reflective lake.  Take a few moments to feel the beauty and serenity of the lake.  Feel it wash away our fear, anxiety, and frustrations of the day.  Feel it refresh our spirit.  Take a few more deep breaths, and with each breath release a little more of those thoughts of separation and insecurity.  Know we are divine beings.  Actually feel the divinity starting to stir within.  Feel the little cells start coming alive, revived and refreshed.
In this place of quiet, ask the question which we are seeking an answer.  Ask, and then wait for an answer.  It may not come immediately.  It may not even come during our quiet time.  continue to watch for the answer during the day, or evening.  When we ask, it will come.  Remember the statement in the movie A FIELD OF DREAMS: "Build it and they will come."  There is much truth to this statement.  When we start to develop the process of asking the question we begin drawing the answers to us.  The answer may come in the form of a fleeting thought, an "ah huh" response, even a word from a friend may hit the mark, or a book suddenly finds its way into our hands giving insight into our question.  Maybe even a dream will provide clarification on our idea.  Look for it, and it will surely come.

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