Experiencing Heaven: The Process of Enjoyment
Why do we enjoy our favorite movies?
It seems that the thoughts, memories, and emotions that our favorite movies stir within us, usher us into an invisible yet perceived experience that we greatly enjoy. Perhaps this is also why certain songs (music) are thoroughly enjoyed. The thoughts, memories, and emotions that are fanned into flame are particularly enjoyable to us.
Watching such a movie, or hearing a favorite song are experienced as "moments of heaven". These experiences are delightful and often keep us craving for more. Yet, if we understood the scientific process of what was occurring in such experiences, we would be able to duplicate these wonderful experiences at will.
As I consider my most wonderful experiences with movies, music, and spiritual experiences I notice that the "magic" of the experience first begins with an intention or anticipation.
At some point in the experience, typically at the beginning, I decide (intend) that the experience is going to be fulfilling. Either based on past experience, instinct, or sheer will, I decide that I am anticipating and intending on having a joyous and fulfilling experience.
After the intitial intention, I must then choose to hold my focus on the good and positive aspects of the experience. If my mind begins to focus on a negative aspect of the experience, or focuses on something else entirely (aka, not being present), then the magic of the experience can be missed (impercieved).
By recognizing these necessary steps for entering into a "different realm", we can see that it begins with our intention, beliefs, expectations, and our focus.
I believe this is why several of the New Testament scriptures instruct us to keep our mind and thoughts focused on "things above" (Col. 3:2); on things that are worthy, pure, and beautiful (Phil. 4:8); and on gratitude (thankfulness) (1 Thess. 5:16-18). Wherever our mind and thoughts go, our emotions and behaviors (collectively, our reality) soon follow.
Movies, book, stories, and music can be great methods of transporting our souls (mind and emotions) to wonderful places and experiences. However, these methods of soul transportation are limited, and arent always the most beneficial. I don't particularly enjoy listenting to other people speak, or the lyrics of many songs, unless I already know I can trust where those words and ideas are going to lead my thoughts, and therefore my soul. I only want to follow thoughts, imaginations, ideas, songs, and stories that will assist with guiding my thoughts and emotions into higher realms and perspectives.
To suit my preferences, whether fact or fiction, any stories, thoughts, imaginations, ideas, or songs that guide me into contemplating, meditating, or focusing on things such as adventure, nature, strength, beauty, kindness, or selfless acts of love and bravery, help me to encounter and experience the type of environment that I would call heaven. This may not be "heaven" for everyone, and therefore the topics might need to change for you.
When our thoughts and focus are drawn to business matters, worries, concerns, etcetera, it can drain our energy. Particularly thoughts that are not hopeful or solution-focused. This is because our "life energy" (joy) is being lost (spent) via lower thoughts and lower emotions. Only "higher" thoughts can reciprocate life energy. This is why sacred scriptures encourage us to think about "higher things". Focusing on thoughts of loving and encouraging truths, actually feeds our minds (and therefore our soul) with life energy. This is why reading and meditating on scripture (and other spiritual practices) can feel so invigorating.
Turning our thoughts away from mental loops of worry, and focusing on truths such as "all things (situations) will work out for the good", or, "I always have what I need and I never lack any good thing", can help to keep difficult situations from stealing our (joy) life energy.
We are constantly watching our own movies and hearing our own songs. These movies and songs are the imaginations, beliefs, and thoughts that you we allow ourselves to focus on. By freewill, we choose what we will think, believe, and feel. We may not choose all our circumstances, but we choose our beliefs, perceptions, judgments, and feelings about each circumstance. And whatever we choose creates our internal movie and song.
Pay attention to your beliefs, thoughts, perceptions, and judgments. Pay attention to how these make you feel. Discover what thoughts, beliefs, imaginations, stories, or songs make you feel alive. Discover these and start making them part of your spiritual practice. Focus on them, and be extremely grateful for them because gratefulness is a magnet for more. Gratefulness is the key to abundance, and the gateway to the presence of the Source of All.
Find things that make you feel excited to be alive (nature, animals, stories, friends, books, art, music...), and honor them. Treat them as holy. Treat them as gifts from the person most dear to you. Treasure these things that make you feel alive. Treasure the experience in your heart after a wonderful movie, song, or other experience. Stop and honor it as you would a respected dignitary who was crossing your path.
Learn to recognize the detailed aspects of the experience you enjoyed. Dissect it like a Chef doing tastings; with intelligence, respect, honor, wisdom, and dignity. This will teach you how to look deeper into joy. And, you will find that joy, (or whatever you focus on), increases the longer you ponder it. This is the same process many spiritual mystics have experienced when they began receiving previously imperceptible revelations: as they focus intently on a truth or idea, with humility and honor (gratitude and love), the object (idea) of focus begins to open up to them, unfolding numerous truths from multiple perspectives simultaneously. But, such experiences require the ability to focus the mind and thoughts.
This process isn't just for spiritual mystics. Many "geniuses" and entrepreneurs have discovered this as well. This is why many of them (Einstein; Tesla) have spoken about the importance of being in solitude, and the importance of imagination, creative thought, etcetera. For those who follow mental paths (imaginations) with a sense of wonder, joy, and humble curiosity, they will find some of the most amazing truths, ideas, insights, and realites. This has been going on for centuries. Few discover it.
Start creating your own reality of heaven by focusing your thoughts on higher ideals. Whatever things seem the most up-lifting, honorable, admirable, joyful, respectable, and life-giving to you, think about those things. Whatever truths eradicate your worries, think on those things. Whatever things make you laugh and smile, think about and recall those things. Sing about them, journal about them, tell God about them, share them with those who are determined to share and reciprocate your joy.
Heaven is within you, joy is within you, love is within you. Look for it and you will find it. When you find it, give thanks for it. Be grateful and it will multiply.
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