By Tom Russell

The artist Michelangelo often stirred up the hatred of the contemporary artists of his day. Many of them envied his magnificent abilities. One example was the architect Bramante.

Pope Julius retained Michelangelo to build his tomb. Michelangelo spent eight months in a marble pit personally cutting and selecting perfect stones. When he returned, he found the pope had second thoughts. Bramante had convinced the pope that building the tomb before his death was a risky thing to do. Out of spite, Bramante turned Pope Julius against the project. It was canceled.

Later the idea for another special project entered the pope’s mind. Bramante saw the project as a time consuming trap for which there would be little public recognition. Bramante recommended Michelangelo for the job.

The great artist saw the trap. He knew what Bramante was up to. He wished to turn the project down but did not want to refuse the pope’s request. So Michelangelo went to work. He spent many years doing the slow and tedious labor the project required.

It was the Sistine Chapel.

The inspiration that flowed through Michelangelo can likewise flow through anyone. Inspiration WANTS TO FLOW. It cannot be stopped. A living and powerful river, inspiration circumvents all obstacles. When handed lemons, the river makes the most delicious and refreshing lemonade you’ve ever tasted!

However, it is a key point that Michelangelo SAW the trap. He knew what Bramante was up to. As a result, he collected his inner forces for a complete victory.

One more grand lesson from Michelangelo. He said once, “The more the marble wastes, the more the statue grows.” After he finished the statue David someone asked him how he did it. Michelangelo replied, “I released the statue from the stone.” He chiseled away all that was unnecessary, and David emerged.

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August 2009 marks the three year anniversary of the SuperWisdom Presents: Time Out for Truth Podcast. With over 140 entries, this list of ten “not to miss” episodes may prove helpful to you. Thousands of podcast downloads each week circulate these practical, core principles of inner development to self-reliant Truth Seekers all over the world. Enjoy, and please share with friends. (Tom)

1. The Matrix – Life-Enriching Symbolism in this Classic Movie

2. Active Rest – The Most Effective Procedure Ever Developed to Release Stress and Tension

3. Bram Stoker’s Dracula – Free Yourself from Energy Thieves

4. How to Let Stress and Worry Pass You By – Why the False Self is so “Sticky”

5. J. Krishnamurti Dissolves the Order of the Star

6. The Flow Knows – Enlightenment in the Center of Life’s Turmoils

7. The Time Out for Truth Diet — How to Eat Your Way Into Eternal Life

8. The Human Shadow and the Path to Authentic Healing

9. How to Dissolve the Inner Critic and a Review of Jet Li’s Movie “Fearless”

10. Evoke Your Radiant Heart – How Pure Truth is Sweet and Subtle, Yet Very Challenging

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By Tom Russell

This article brings a viewpoint to your attention that may be entirely new to you. In the fast paced internet world of click and go, I invite you to slow down and linger here for awhile. Though concise, this article contains a secret with the power to change the entire direction of your spiritual quest. Read More »

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By Tom Russell

Visit the SuperWisdom Bookstores for either the hardcopy through Amazon.com, or the eBook edition.

Life’s Most Vital Discovery

Several people were on a walk with author and spiritual teacher Vernon Howard. While crossing a large paved parking lot, he called everyone’s attention to a little flower that had broken through. He pointed out its perfect relevance to our inner task. The seed’s yearning to express itself was so strong that a thick layer of concrete could not stop it.

People possess many different fears, but perhaps the largest one is unseen. It’s the fear that we’ll not be able to handle or contain the tremendous power of the awakened Heart. Therefore, we hold ourselves back. We live a life of reluctance. In this reduced state of energy all our problems “miraculously” appear. Read More »

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Co-host of the Time Out for Truth Podcast, Fred Lacy compiled this helpful list of great movies through NetFlix. Fred writes, “Some of these movies convey positive spiritual messages, while others present just decent or instructive entertainment.” Save time with this list and please share with friends. Read More »

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Taoism & Lao-tse

Art by Ruth Rand

Especially valuable in today’s hectic world, learning to flow with life heals stress and tension. In Pathways to Perfect Living Vernon Howard writes:

“The contrasting lives of two famous teachers show the difference between Forced Living and Easy Flow. Read More »

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By Tom Russell

    Several years ago my wife and I were in Colorado for a speaking engagement. We had an afternoon free and visited the local zoo, sauntering back to the exotic bird section. There we saw a circular fence, probably 18 feet high and some 60 feet across. It was very odd to us that the fence had no top to it. Read More »

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By Tom Russell

The prsent moment flows with Awareness. We receive awareness more than we generate it. Awareness unites your spirit, mind, emotions, and body. It grows whenever you grant it the opportunity. Therefore, awareness constantly probes the edges. Read More »

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By Tom Russell

Stress is amazingly persistent, even seductive. We get used to feeling tight and tense. Though positive thinking has its place, unless it is backed up by practical wisdom it tends to get overwhelmed and fade away. Practical spirituality is for living stress free.

Here are seven proven ways you can get a new handle on stress. Read More »

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Here is a wonderful selection of quotes from the
wise on all dimensions of relationships.

“So when you are listening to somebody, completely, attentively, then you are listening not only to the words, but also to the feeling of what is being conveyed, to the whole of it, not part of it.” (J. Krishnamurti)

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“Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves.” (Carl Jung) Read More »

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