Merry Christmas!

Seasons Greetings!

Last night after attending Christmas mass, I had a wonderful vision as I gazed at the Christ child in the creche. The words of Jesus rang in my ear, the message was clear: We must come together as children, sharing the blessings of a loving creator.

The Universe is our playground, and the possibilities are unlimited. The Spirit connects us all together, to share the abundance that is the birthright of all God's children. The key to unlocking this great gift is to simply choose Love over Fear. A great feast awaits, and there is a place for everyone at the table.

Love is all we need to get together and share the feast and the incredible abundance set before us. With Love to guide our hearts and minds, there are no divisions to separate us, only possibilities.

Love, Peace and Light, to all of you, my brothers and sisters!

Blessings!

Rev. Alfred Voto, M.Msc.

All Creatures Great and Small



Ganesh and Me, along with some friends

I went to the movies over the weekend and saw "The Life of Pi", which is an allegorical story about the journey of a young man searching for God and the meaning of life. The use of animal imagery has been used for ages in both literature and cinema. In the movie, Pi ultimately found meaning to his life and reconciled his relationship with God. For a person to find the meaning of life at such a young age is remarkable, as most people often take years, or lifetimes, to reach this goal. But, coming on the heels of Thanksgiving Day, the movie made me think about my own life and the spiritual path I follow. In my life, 2012 marks a milestone 40 years in my working career, for which I am constantly grateful especially in the current economy.  

Pi used a Zebra, Orangutan, Hyena and Bengal Tiger to tell his story of redemption. Over the course of my life, I have owned a dog and a cat. Both have taught me valuable lessons. My cat, especially, taught me the patience needed in my practice of meditation. The dog, not so much, but there is a saying that "they also serve that stand and wait", and my dog always loyally stood by my side. However, in my personal spiritual pantheon, there exist two prominent personal dieties that I hold dear. When it comes to my success, I have often turned to Ganesh and Mooshika as my personal inspiration for endurance and resourcefulness. Ganesh, the elephant, has the strength and endurance to overcome all obstacles. Mooshika, the mouse, has the focus and resourcefulness to gain access to even the most minute and private spaces.

Just the other day, an esteemed colleague of mine even commented that she saw herself as an elephant, able to surmount the obstacles of life, along with the ability to never forget. Such attributes have also served me well and are embodied in Ganesh. The ability to remain focused on the small, intricate problems is the domain of Mooshika, and I don't ever undervalue this ability. I equate this as the "big picture" and "detail-oriented" parts of my working career. True success comes to a person who possesses both abilities. The ability to toggle between the two permits me to multi-task and succeed at a faster rate. I smile whenever I gaze upon my dancing Ganesh and his little helper Mooshika.

Each one of us has our own path and our own story of redemption. The main thing is to remain faithful to our own chosen path and to never give up in our quest for the meaning of life. Once you find your True North, so to speak, you will find that life will get easier and you will be able to retain incredible focus. The most important thing to remember is not to fall victim to the criticism of others, but to follow the intuition of your heart and soul. After all, your ultimate goal is to follow your bliss! Ganesh and Mooshika have helped me, perhaps they can also be an inspiration to you! 

Blessings! 

Alfred Voto, M.Msc.  

Rhythms of the Multiverse

I went to see the movie "Lincoln" yesterday and found it very well done and spot-on within the historical perspective. But, deep down inside my spiritual heart, it brought back in high definition the verses from the Bhagavad Gita concerning the Battle of Kurukshetra. The Steven Spielberg production of "Lincoln" could well have been set in ancient India. After all, didn't Abraham Lincoln himself talk about the "Angels of man's better nature"? The treatment of war in movies is mostly bloody and horrendously overdone. But, in the movie "Lincoln", the theme revolves around bringing goodness to light out of the over 600,000 deaths of the Civil War. The abolishment of slavery, established by the ratification of the 13th Amendment of the United States Constitution, would create righteousness in the wake of the violent war between the states. On the battlefield of Kurukshetra, the battle didn't focus on which side was right or wrong, but it was to prove the eternal aspect of the soul.

I have often imagined life to mirror technology. We are saturated by video games depicting violent death followed by immediate resurrection. Death is not permanent, but the "soul" of the action figure is brought back to life to fight yet another battle. In the second chapter of the Bhagavad Gita, it is stated that death is only an illusion and that the soul transmigrates to yet another dimension. In the third chapter of the Gita, we learn that everyone must engage in some sort of activity in this material world. But actions can either bind one to this world or liberate one from it. By acting for the pleasure of the Supreme, without selfish motives, one can be liberated from the law of karma (action and reaction) and attain transcendental knowledge of the self and the Supreme.

Dreams are a wonderful release from reality, but I wonder if they actually inform us of the truths behind our concept of reality. Carl Jung, the prominent psychologist of the 20th Century, believed that dreams are in fact messages from God. Have you ever dreamed that you can fly? Well, maybe we can fly if we followed the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth that "If you believe and have no doubt, you can perform miracles". On the topic of Karma Yoga, I can personally testify that suppressing the Ego and trusting in the infinite love of the eternal source of everything (God) can lead to infinite possibilities. I practice Karma Yoga. This has saved me from the dreadful concept of Hell and eternal damnation. Maybe Abraham Lincoln also understood this concept and strived to make the world a better place by valiantly pushing for the 13th Amendment as the righteous outcome of a bloody war?

The Multiverse holds infinite possibilities. Have you ever made the statement that you feel "Besides yourself"? Perhaps this is because we have worn many masks during the transmigration of our soul? We have been hero and villain and everything in-between during our various reincarnations. Shakespeare wrote "All the world's a stage, and we are mere actors walking upon it". Isn't this what life is all about, making villainous mistakes and then rectifying our errors by acting honorably? I think Abraham Lincoln understood this. I will go further and opine that Lincoln was an apt student of Karma Yoga. By putting aside the Ego's demand for recognition, we can surrender to Godhead and permit ourselves to become, as Saint Francis said, "Instruments of God's grace". All of the world's saints have believed this, from Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, to Mother Theresa in the slums of India.

I have many dreams that I hope to fulfill in this lifetime. But, I also know that, through Karma Yoga, I am already progressing along my path to enlightenment. I hope to meet you somewhere on the path! :-)

Blessings!

Alfred Voto, M.Msc.

Traveling in Sandy's wake

Taking off for a week to visit South Jersey was a needed break from the trauma of "superstorm" Sandy. In my lifetime, there hasn't been anything more disruptive to life than this hurricane. Being without electricity and heat was nothing compared to the loss of life and destruction of homes experienced by others throughout New Jersey and the Northeast US. When I say it was traumatic, I'm talking about the sudden realization that the future will be nothing like we previously experienced and that things will not soon return to "normal". In all my 60 plus years, I have seldom experienced such a sense of loss. Anyone who denies the existence of climate change is not facing reality. Chris Christie, the governor of New Jersey, recently made the comment that things won't return to "normal", and that life would be different.

Arriving in Atlantic County a week ago, I really didn't know what I would find. The media fed us a continuous stream of destruction and loss, but to actually travel along the Jersey Shore was something I wanted to experience for myself. Meg and I had made plans to vacation in South Jersey weeks before the storm. We are staying at the Marriott Fairway Villas, a place we have come to treat as our second home. We were always happy here, so we looked forward to being in a familiar and inviting setting. We were relieved to find that the Galloway resort sustained little damage and that everything was in order. There are no gasoline lines here and rationing was never imposed, unlike the northern counties.    

 

On Sunday, we took our first drive to Atlantic City since the storm. I had seen photos and videos of devastation on the news, so I already knew that things would be worse here than in Galloway. Almost two weeks after the storm, and there were still no lights along New Hampshire Avenue, the section of the city that faced the teeth of Sandy. I turned up Maine Avenue, which was covered with sand and debris. The sand stood in drifts along the street and covered remnants of the boardwalk that had been washed out to sea. We drove throughout the Inlet neighborhood and witnessed piles of ruined household goods and furniture piled high in front of dark and devastated homes. Frustration was etched into the faces of the residents, who continue to clear out their ravaged homes. We passed the Flagship Resort, where we have spent many a happy weekend, only to realize that we would not be returning anytime soon.

 

However, just a mile away, the casino areas were already cleaned up and power had been restored. It was business as usual for this commercial section of town. I am saddened to realize that residents of Atlantic City don't have the same clout as the mega-million-dollar corporations. The temperatures have dropped this week and my prayers go out to those who are struggling to stay warm. It's a week before Thanksgiving and I consider myself very fortunate to have been spared the ravages of Sandy. With so many individuals and families without a place to live in safety, Meg and I can return to the enjoyment of our home.

 

Witnessing the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy has changed me. I am grateful for every minute of life and the ability to enjoy the benefits of having a safe, comfortable home. I can no longer take things for granted. I also realize that everyone on planet Earth is connected...we are brothers and sisters of a merciful father. How can we turn our backs on those suffering with disaster and not feel obliged to help? Prayers certainly help, as do contributions to organizations like the Red Cross. But, I have been changed in a more beneficial way. I have a renewed attitude of gratitude and love for each and every minute of life and for all of God's creations. Let us all spread the love!

 

Blessings,

 

Alfred Voto, M.Msc. 

   

Why did the Chicken cross the road?

 

To see why the caged bird sings!

I spent the past few days in Mystic, Connecticut. The fall foliage was beautiful and the change in pace was refreshing. I went to Mystic Seaport, which is the reconstruction of a 19th Century seafaring community. History is portrayed in every exhibit, and you can witness the lifestyles that existed during this time period. Walking into the woodworking shop, I was able to see a craftsman working on various signs and plaques used throughout the Seaport. I stood there for about twenty minutes, watching other visitors come and go. Some of these visitors brought their children to see how things were done in the past. A couple of them engaged the workman in conversation, mostly about the type of wood or the tools used for each job. There was a break in the stream of people entering the shop and I was able to talk directly with Thomas, the workman. Our discussion was about the time spent working on each piece, and whether or not Thomas would have had job satisfaction back 100 years ago.

Thomas thought a while and asked me a profound question: "Did the Wall Street bankers who wrote sub-prime mortgages that ended in foreclosure have job satisfaction? And, if so, what remains of their work?" This made me think about my own working career, especially the long hours and struggle I went through over the years to succeed. I had to agree that most of the products of my toil were no longer in existence, and that a lot of my work went into what is called "pencil pushing" tasks. However, Thomas told me that he can still look at his work around the Seaport, as well as the work of craftsmen who came before. This really impressed me!

I went further and asked Thomas if his work gave him joy and provided meaning to his life. He stopped working and walked me over to a back storage area that contained a few plaques that were not prominently displayed at the exhibit. He chose two in particular to show me. They were both in Latin. The first one Thomas showed me asked the question: "Why did the Chicken cross the road?" The plaque also answered the question - "To see why the caged bird sings!" At this point, Thomas put the plaque down and waited for my response. I liked the way the letters were formed into the wood and the labor of joy Thomas must have experienced making the plaque.

Why does the caged bird sing?

Thomas and I could have stopped right there, but I pursued a further question: "And, I asked, why does the caged bird sing?" Thomas smiled at me and picked up a second plaque that read: "A caged bird sings because it's his ART!" Thomas returned to his workbench and simply stated that each one of us might have an occupation that we attend to on a daily basis, but it's our ART that gives our life meaning and brings us happiness! His laugh, and the smile on Thomas' face, said it all; he obviously had his art...and happiness in creating it. He was also a teacher, which is something each one of us can aspire to.

I stopped to think about all of the work I've done in my life and the long hours spent away from my family to provide a living. There were times when I wasn't happy with my lot. There were times when I wondered whether life had any meaning at all, let alone happiness and joy. Finally, when I was ground down to a nub by the pressures and demand of life, there came an epiphany of sorts. I credit the teachings of Joseph Campbell for the realization that each one of us should go deep inside our being and find the things that bring us happiness and fulfillment. His saying, "Follow Your Bliss", has often been quoted, and is intended to assist us in making the necessary changes in our life.  I think that all of us have had a similar epiphany, at one point or other in our life. 

The question for each of us is: "What would make us cross the road?" What are we looking to change in life? Have we found our bliss, or are we just going through the motions and acting out what we think will bring us happiness and meaning? Sure, there are many role models to choose from out in the world. We can act like any number of "successful" people. Many of us have become very good actors. Some of us have been "successful" in attaining affluence. The question we should ask ourself is: "Have we truly demonstrated the art that is deep within ourself, or are we merely acting out someone else's conception?" To truly create, we must find our personal bliss and have the courage to follow it.

God has given us all the ability to connect with the energy of the Universe; to find the inspiration to create the art that lies deep inside ourselves. Thomas, the craftsman, has found his bliss. He doesn't find his identity solely in his daily work. He goes beyond, and has also become a teacher and guru to those of us who still need to find our meaning and happiness. Everything that we create is the manifestation of our art. How we demonstrate our art is a personal matter. We don't all have to be masters of our chosen media, this is not the point. The main thing is that we find the courage to let our own light shine by doing the things that make us sing with joy! 

Blessings,

Alfred Voto, M.Msc.

Our Spiritual Lighthouse

Cape May Point Lighthouse, New Jersey

Let Your Inner Light Shine!

At the start of 2012, there was the realization that this year would hold new opportunities and changes. I asked for, and received, the benefit of inner vision. I meditated and used Karma yoga to assist me in connecting with the universe. I was patient, waiting for each moment to reveal its own special lesson and guide me along life's path. During my younger years, I didn't have the discipline of patience and often "took the bull by the horns", so to speak. I forced issues in my public, work and private aspects of  life, changing course quite frequently. I followed what the impatience of youth told me was the road to success. I was fortunate and for a time things worked in my favor. I could quit one job and find another within a very short period. I was on the fast track to the corner office and my future looked great. I was the first member of my family to go to college and receive an advanced degree. I found the energy to work full days and go to classes at night. I graduated with honors and it looked like I could realize two dreams at once: earning an annual salary over $100,000 and moving up in management. It was the mid 1980s and the future looked extremely bright!

By the end of that decade, however, the housing bubble burst and forced the economy to take a downward turn. Manufacturing jobs were being shipped overseas and I was laid off. I didn't know at the time, but my job as a certified Production and Inventory Control Manager would be harder and harder to come by. In fact, I haven't worked in that sector since the end of the 1980s. I found whatever jobs were available at the time and questioned where my future would take me. The wonderful up side of this questioning was my journey through the spiritual realm. I took the time to study and research every religious tradition available in my locale. I met lots of folks, many of which continue to be my dear friends today. My quest didn't lead me down any dead ends, even though I constantly questioned my path and had many concerns about the future. In 1993, I finished my masters degree in Metaphysical Science and finally found my spiritual base. I am grateful to all the Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish (Cabalistic), Catholic, Christian (all denominations) and Metaphysical professionals (either in person or through their books) who assisted me on my journey. I count them among my many angels!  

September is Fashion Month, with New York City's festivities being a highlight of the American scene. There are many such weeks still to come, as the 2013 styles are unveiled and released throughout the world. It may seem a bit odd, but I always look forward to buying Vogue Magazine's September issue and leafing through the over 900 pages. This morning, I performed my yearly ritual of reading Vogue, often bookmarking the pages that caught my interest. Observing the creativity of others inspires me. Even though I am a writer and blogger, I get inspiration from all forms of art and cultural exhibitions. So, as I looked at the offerings of fashion luminaries and read some of the articles, I got the inspiration necessary to make some changes in the remaining days of 2012. Remarkably, there was even an article, titled "El Dorado" and a layout of photos taken on a trip to Peru. As many of my readers know, I have written about my travels throughout the Andes of South America. So, to say the least, I was delighted to see current creations inspired by the Incas and to realize that fashion, art and culture are indivisible.

Therefore, whatever or wherever we choose to create, be it down the Jersey shore in Cape May, or in the canyons of Manhattan, for example, we are intrinsically part of the universe's creative energy. Just as I love to admire the creativity of others, I also value my own efforts, be they ever so humble compared with the masters. The lesson to be learned in all this is to realize that even during dry periods when we think we are not being creative, we are soaking up ideas and planting the seeds for our own future creativity by enjoying and blessing the works of others. Being grateful for all these blessings of life opens us up to the unlimited flow of energy from the universe. It's up to us, as individuals, to find the things that "turn us on" and inspire us to continually follow our bliss. This inspiration will also allow us to identify the areas in our life that need change. This journey of discovery is our birthright. Being patient and listening to the "still, small voice" within us, will motivate to pursue our bliss...and let our inner light shine for the world to see. :-)

Blessings!

Alfred

New Year's Greetings

New York City, viewed from Hoboken, NJ

2012 - A year of Hope
Ready, get set...Go! Many different thoughts and prophecies point to the New Year; some positive, others negative. January 1 has traditionally been a time to make resolutions for the coming year. Personally, I have already put my game plan into effect. I didn't wait for the ball to drop in Times Square, for me the New Year will be one of peace, prosperity and doing the things that I have already started doing. I am already experiencing love and abundance in my life, so much that my cup is running over with joy! During the waning hours of 2011, I made a fearless evaluation of my life. Not surprisingly, I could remember the times when I entered a new year with fear and apprehension. Questions always arose, like would I ever succeed in whatever job I had at the time, or would the economy improve? Perhaps people go out and drink on New Year's Eve to keep themselves from worrying too much about the future. At the end of the evening, however, one question must be answered: Do we find meaning to our life?

The person who has found the meaning to their life has found the treasure buried in plain sight. Whatever we need to succeed has always been inside us all along. The times when we felt that we weren't good enough were just clouds keeping us from glimpsing the true power within. Or, perhaps the reverse was true; maybe we were scared by the unlimited possibilities welling up inside us. Maybe we were so conditioned by a society that has a scarcity mentality that we forgot that our true power comes from the universe, where there is no scarcity, only abundance! 

Do we face life with abundant Love, which is our birthright, or do we let Fear rule the day? If we are true to our creator's design for us, we should develop a new perspective; to shift from being guided by fear, and instead, allow love to lead us into a prosperous and joyous future. To do this, a paradigm shift is necessary. We must be willing to accept change as being necessary in a successful life, and we should stand up and go forward. One person with great conviction can overcome a multitude of negative thinkers. The important thing is to keep going forward with great courage and eradicate negativity with the power of positive thinking. We must also take control and responsibility for our progress into our own hands. By letting others define us, we are giving up our freedom to reach for our true potential in life. 

We must also strive for transparency; to say what we mean and mean what we say. We must not duck and cover, but have the courage to speak our convictions. Flying under the radar is fine for a person with no vision of their potential, but for us who believe we possess the unlimited resources of the universe, this is not an option. The universe will always accept what we believe about ourselves, and will reward us accordingly. The Law of Attraction is perhaps the best example of this. We will attract people and things to us that mirror our true beliefs about ourselves. My advice is to listen to your heart's desire and let Love be your guide. If your heart is filled with joy and love, then you are well on your way to following your bliss!

I have had the privilege of meeting like-minded people, who truly believe in themselves and are willing to share the love and compassion necessary to lead others. Let us all agree that 2012 will be a true reflection of ourselves - our authentic selves. Let's support each other in making the necessary paradigm shift to lead our nation back to a mentality of prosperity and abundance. There will be a tipping point, when we reach critical mass and profess a new era of peace and love. If we listen to our hearts, prosperity and abundance will surely follow! :-)

Happy New Year,

Alfred