When the “gold rush” hit America 200 years ago, thousands of people followed their dream of striking it rich, only to face a harsh climate, expensive “required” items, treacherous mountain passes, con artists, uncontrollable flooding created by the spring thaw, bacteria-laced drinking water in makeshift tent cities, and digging through granite-like permafrost at the rate of about a foot a day. Very few found enough gold to pay for their trips home.

In 1995 the Bre-X company, actually a group of Canadian companies, started a new “gold rush” in America. They claimed that there were veins of the precious metal in the hills of Busang, Indonesia. Money poured into the company as investors dreamed of striking it rich. When the gold proved to be fool’s gold, fortunes were lost. Charcoal pyrites looks like real gold and is easier to find. It glitters just like gold and is usually found in the same region where there are gold deposits. Its discovery brings short-lived joy because it’s, well, fool’s gold – like most lottery tickets you buy.

The phrase ‘all that glitters is notgold’ was introduced in the 12^th Century by French theologian Alain de Lille. His original phrase was, “Do not hold everything gold that shines like gold.” A more popular version of the phrase surfaced 300 years later. ‘All that glisters is not gold’ was used by Shakespeare in The Merchant of Venice, which was written in 1596. “Almost all of the gold ever mined is still around,” writes Peter  Bernstein in his book The Power of Gold.“Some of it sits in museums adorning the statues of ancient gods; some rests quietly in shipwrecks at the bottom of the seas.” Yet remarkably, Bernstein estimates, if all the gold ever mined were brought together in one place and formed into one solid cube, it would fit on board a single oil tanker. (That’s hard to believe, but the concentration of gold in one place shows how limited the resource is).

Phrases like: ‘All that glitters is not gold’ – ‘Sounds too good to be true’ – ‘Looks can be deceiving,’ are all phrases that remind us that there is more to life than bling.

Humankind’s attachment to material wealth, status, money, power, and prestige has enslaved millions of people to the lure of outer appearances. Humankind’s tendency toward gold fever – in all of its forms – has left us with lead feet when it comes to choosing spirituality over materiality. In your mind’s eye imagine a scene that took place 2,000 years ago. A Pharisee decked out in his silk garb and jeweled cap, his outer garment embroidered with precious stones and gems is standing next to another man. (Actually, Pharisees and Sadducees wore not one, not two, not three, but eighteen garments in all. The more garments you wore the higher your social status.)

The man standing next to him is wearing a modest himation over his unadorned tunic.( A himation is a rectangular garment that is wrapped around the body to provide protection the wearer from the elements.) The two men are standing there talking. As you look at the pair you can’t help notice the difference in wearing apparel. One looks extremely well off and the other looks like a man of modest means. If you judged by appearances you would say one looks rich and the other looks poor. But looks, as we know, can be deceiving. All that glitters is not gold! What if the man dressed in the simple tunic was Jesus? That might change your opinion as to who was rich and who was poor.

As we have mentioned in other blogs and on our website, spiritual understanding which leads to enlightenment is the gold standard. It is the Philosopher’s Stone. It turns base, materialistic thoughts into golden spiritual insights. It turns ordinary thoughts into divine ideas which are gold nuggets in a consciousness focused on abundance. Spiritual understanding, like gold, can only be obtained by washing away from it all that is not gold.

Revelation 21:21b says: “The great street of the city was of pure gold, like transparent glass.” People who believe in a literal Heaven believe the streets ‘up there’ are paved in gold. Is their desire to go to Heaven based on spiritual growth or gold fever? Is Heaven a form of gold rush? Forgive us if we offend you, but a literal translation of this verse is nothing more than ‘fool’s gold.’ It’s religious pyrite. It’s a materialistic bashing of a beautiful spiritual truth.

Let’s take a look at this verse from a metaphysical perspective:The ‘great street’ of the city is the Serpentine Energy, the Holy Spirit, the Kundalini Fire which flows up our spine when we are awakened. The ‘city’ is our Christ Consciousness. The ‘gold’ is the enlightenment that comes from our elevated spiritual understanding. The ‘transparent glass’ symbolizes the knowledge that there is no separation between us and Spirit. When we awaken the unbelievable power of the Holy Spirit, the Serpentine Fire within us, and unleash Its energies we will have struck gold. One day humankind will see its spiritual awakening as the true ‘gold rush.’

When enough of us search for that kind of gold, there will be heaven on earth. We will glisten and glitter as beings of light. We will stake our claim as spiritual beings who have awakened. We invite you to join us in that gold rush so we can transform the spiritual consciousness of the planet one golden nugget of faith, love, and forgiveness at a time.

Believe it or not, there are organizations which give you tips and instruction on sand art sculpting. There’s a huge market for sand castle supplies, videos, books, and tutors. You can even go online and find a master sand sculptor in you area. We visited the Neptune Sand Art Festival in Virginia Beach several years ago and were amazed at the quality of sand art. We were astounded at the size and detail of the creations. Some were 16 to 20 feet high. One was an incredible replica of a condominium project!

Of course, building a sand castle and building a condo are two different things. One needs a strong, permanent foundation. The other requires an exhibitor’s pass, tourists, sand art lovers, and judges to award prizes.

This article doesn’t literally refer to sand castles and condos on the beach. It has more to do with the kind of foundation you build your life on. It has to do with your consciousness. We’re talking Spiritual Enlightenment! And a story taken from Matthew sums it up nicely” Matt. 7:24-27: ²⁴ “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. ²⁵ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. ²⁶ But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. ²⁷ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

Let’s paraphrase this, and take it from a more spiritual perspective:

24. Whoever receives these words on twitter, FaceBook, or email, and applies them, builds their condo (their Spiritual Consciousness) on rock.

25. When hurricanes with names like fear, doubt, worry, and anxiety beat upon that condo, it does not fall because it is built on a solid foundation.

26. But whoever hears these words, and does not apply them, builds their condo on sand.

27. And when gale force life events and circumstances slam into that condo, it crumbles because it is not built on a solid foundation.

The implications of this text are pretty obvious. In each case the condos we’re referring to, the scriptures actually say houses, represent our consciousness.

If your spiritual consciousness is built on solid spiritual ground you will be able to withstand storms with names like fear, doubt, worry,  false accusations, accidents, and health challenges. You will be able to stand ramrod straight in the midst of cyclones of criticism, tidal waves of gossip, and the heat index of hot air buffoons.

On the other hand, if your spiritual consciousness is built on the quick sand of quick fixes, shifting sands of worldly appetites, and what Eric Butterworth calls the ‘spell of materialism,’ you will not be able to weather a spring shower let alone a category 5 human challenge.

We have suffered a few setbacks from time-to-time, just like everyone else. Some of them have brought with them a few turns and dramas that have surprised us. When you go through something like that, you learn the difference between ‘shifting sand friends’ and ‘rock solid friends.’

Have you ever been there? You also learn the value of applying solid Truth principles. And you appreciate the love and support of friends who believe in you. It takes a faith-based consciousness to stay above the slings and arrows of adversity. It takes a consciousness built on the rock of faith, not on sand of outer appearances.

If we’ve learned anything at all from our truth walk in Unity Cher and I have learned that we can work all things together for good. When humankind builds its consciousness on solid spiritual ground, there will be an end to wars and violence, hunger and homelessness, cancer and all of the diseases that can be cured if we truly loved and respected each other.

And so, I share again the message of Matthew 7:24-27:

• If your consciousness is built on solid spiritual ground, you can weather any storm.
• If your consciousness is built on solid spiritual ground, you can move beyond any human difficulty.
• If your consciousness is built on solid spiritual ground, you can create the future you want.
• If your consciousness is built on solid spiritual ground, you can make this year the best year you’ve ever had … as you walk the spiritual path on practical feet.

In this three-part series, we are exploring ways to help you with your spiritual growth as you become aware of what you saying. The example we’re using is the phrase, “Cross my heart and hope to…” We certainly don’t want to say “die!” Not what we hope for, if we are living life from the Truth of who we are!

Last week, we completed the phrase by saying, “Cross my heart and hope to SEE Truth!” This week, we have our second suggestion:

Cross my heart and hope to SPEAK Truth!

What this means is becoming acutely aware of what you are saying. We recognize the power of the spoken word, so even those of us who are inherently optimistic and positive must become conscious of what we are saying. For example, one of our favorite recommendations is to switch the phrase “I have to…” to “I get to…” It makes such a difference in Consciousness, and in the energy we feel!

This week, let’s look at two ways we use our words that can have a dramatic impact on our Spiritual journey and our human experience: Denials and Affirmations.

Denials are simply our way of crossing out error by refusing to give power to anything not in alignment with Truth. We aren’t saying it doesn’t exist. Goodness knows, if you have a fever and are coughing, your human self is definitely experiencing a health challenge. And if you have too  much month at the end of your money, your human self is experiencing a situation of lack.

But the effect of these experiences is where we can claim Truth! We can deny any power to them by simply stating: “You have no power over me!” When we experience anything out of Truth, simply proclaim, “I refuse to give you any power!”

When someone is speaking angrily or negatively to us, we can claim (to ourselves—not necessarily out loud!) “Your attitude has no power over my attitude.”

Then we want to follow that denial up with a strong affirmation of Truth. For example, we may say,  “I am one with God, and I am filled with radiant health and energy!” Or “I am one with /Divine Substance, and have plenty to share and spare.” Or  “I am filled with joy and a zest for living.”

And remember, we aren’t practicing magic here. Things do not become true because we affirm them — we affirm them because they are Truth!

As we learn to “Cross our heart and SPEAK Truth” we cross out error and move one step closer to Enlightenment. This week, as you continue to see beyond the appearance and SEE Truth, add a new adventure to your experience. Begin paying attention to the words you use, and be sure that you SPEAK Truth. Become aware of the different this makes in what you experience!

Next week, learn the third – and most important – recommendation for completing the phrase, “Cross my heart and hope to…”

How many times have you heard someone say, “Cross my heart and hope to die!” It is used to make it real clear that what the person is saying is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth! But wow! It is really a terrible affirmation! We prefer to finish that statement in a couple of different ways, to help you with your spiritual growth. This week’s article will explore the first way:

Cross my heart and hope to SEE Truth:

What this means is being able to see beyond the world of appearance, and see the Truth of every situation. Have you ever seen one of those Magic Eye posters, the ones that have a 3-D image hidden in an abstract geometric pattern?  They were very popular about ten years ago. When they first came out, we remember seeing one in the lobby area of a business. Both of us stared and stared, seeing nothing. Then someone walked by and told us to change our focus, and look beyond the picture — look through the picture.

We weren’t quite sure what he meant, but as we tried refocusing, all of a sudden, SNAP! It seemed like everything shifted, and there it was — a 3-D picture as sharp and as vivid as you could imagine.

Not everyone can see these 3-D illusions — it takes some effort to move past the appearance of the geometric pattern. That is exactly what is involved as we look beyond the world of appearance to see the vivid Truth.

To the world, there is the appearance of health challenges, but we know the Truth of who we are is absolute health flowing through every cell and atom of our being.

To the world, there is the appearance of lack, but we know the Truth of who we are is abundance and prosperity flowing.

As we cross out error thinking, we begin to stand in the Truth of what we know, and see  beyond that world of appearance…regardless of how much  the world, the media, and other people want to focus on the appearance of things.

As we learn to “Cross our heart and SEE Truth” we cross out error and move one step closer to Enlightenment. This week, practice looking beyond the world of appearance, and seeing Truth.

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