Day 14

What am I doing on earth, so far from Home? I can no longer remember the bright fields from which I came, except in dreams. And even those I forget upon awakening. My heart's desire is to awaken from the dream of this life, in this life, that I may rejoice in the Divine Union here and now.  

I Am Ready To Wake Up Now!

from Pocket Full of Miracles

by Joan Borysenko, Ph.d.

INTERFAITH PRAYER OF THE DAY

Divine Spirit, thank you for a new day.  Just as I awakened this morning from the dreams of night, please help me to awaken from the dreams of the day that keep me separate from You.  Today, each time I find my mind dwelling on worries of the past and future, let me pray,

I am ready to wake up now. Heaven is right here, in this moment.

Then take a letting-go breath and switch from the worried small mind to the loving, spacious presence of Big Mind. 

Stay aware and awake!

from Pocket Full of Miracles

by Joan Borysenko, Ph.d.

A COURSE IN MIRACLES

Lesson 14
God did not create a meaningless world.
God did not create that war, and so it is not real.
God did not create that airplane crash, and so it is not real.
God did not create that disaster (specify), and so it is not real.
God did not create a meaningless world.

EDGAR CAYCE DAILY READING

Think on This...
What separates ye from seeing the Glory even of Him that walks with thee oft in the touch of a loving hand, in the voice of those that would comfort and cheer? ForHe, thy Christ, is oft with thee. Doubt, fear, unbelief; fear that thou art not worthy! Open thine eyes and behold the Glory, even of thy Christ present here, now, in thy midst! Even as He appeared to them on that day!

Reading 5749-6

SAINT OF THE DAY

St. Martin Luther King Jr.
The King Center

Short Biography video about MLK Jr. 

I Have a Dream video You Tube

MLK Jr.'s last speech - I've Been to the Mountaintop

RANDOM ACT OF KINDNESS
Donate to  the Souper Bowl of Caring at your local grocery store:
http://www.souperbowl.org/

RELIGIOUS HOLIDAY
Makar Sankranti  (Hindu)

Sankranti is the Sanskrit word in Hindu Astrology which refers to the transmigration of the Sun from one Rāshi (sign of the zodiac) to another. Hence there are 12 such sankrantis in all. However, the Sankranti festival usually refers to Makara Sankaranti, or the transition of the Sun from Dhanu rashi (Sagittarius) to Makara rashi (Capricorn).
For this purpose, the signs and houses of the zodiac are calculated using sidereal time, not tropical. As such it does not account for the Earth's precession. The festival therefore takes place around 21 days after the winter solstice (between December 20 and 23) that marks the starting of the phenomenon of 'northward apparent migration of the sun' or Uttarayana, literally meaning northward journey of Sun.
Considering the winter solstice marks the beginning of the gradual increase of the duration of the day. Scientifically, the shortest day of the year is around December 21–22 after which the days begin to get longer, hence actual Winter Solstice begins on December 21 or December 22 when the tropical sun enters Makara rashi. Hence actual Uttarayana is December 21. This was the actual date of Makar Sakranti too. But because of the Earth's tilt of 23.45 degrees and sliding of equinoxes, Ayanamsa occurs. This has caused Makara Sankranti to slide further over the ages. A thousand years ago, Makar Sankranti was on December 31 and is now on January 14. Five thousand years later, it shall be by the end of February, while in 9,000 years it shall come in June.[
While the traditional Indian Calendar is based on lunar positions, Sankranti is a solar event. So while dates of all Hindu festivals keep changing as per the Gregorian calendar, the date of Makar Sankranti remains constant over a long term, 14 January. Makar Sankranti is celebrated in the Hindu Calendar month of Magha.
Makar Sankranti is a major harvest festival celebrated in various parts of India. According to the lunar calendar, when the sun moves from the Tropic of Capricorn to the Tropic of Cancer or from Dakshinayana to Uttarayana, in the month of Pausha in mid-January, it commemorates the beginning of the harvest season and cessation of the northeast monsoon in South India. The movement of the Sun from one zodiac sign into another is called Sankranti and as the Sun moves into the Capricorn zodiac known as Makar in Hindi, this occasion is named as Makar Sankranti in the Indian context. It is one of the few Hindu Indian festivals which are celebrated on a fixed date i.e. 14 January every year.
Makar Sankranti, apart from a harvest festival is also regarded as the beginning of an auspicious phase in Indian culture. It is said as the 'holy phase of transition'. It marks the end of an inauspicious phase which according to the Hindu calendar begins around mid-December. It is believed that any auspicious and sacred ritual can be sanctified in any Hindu family, this day onwards. Scientifically, this day marks the beginning of warmer and longer days compared to the nights. In other words, Sankranti marks the termination of winter season and beginning of a new harvest or spring season.
All over the country, Makar Sankranti is observed with great fanfare. However, it is celebrated with distinct names and rituals in different parts of the country. In the states of northern and western India, the festival is celebrated as the Sankranti day with special zeal and fervor. The importance of this day has been signified in the ancient epics like Mahabharata also. So, apart from socio-geographical importance, this day also holds a historical and religious significance. As it is the festival of Sun God and he is regarded as the symbol divinity and wisdom, the festival also holds an eternal meaning to it.