Articles

I recently talked to my brother Paul about some computer problems he’d been having this past month. So I volunteered to help him. I’m no technical guru, but I am pretty handy with the basic stuff.

John Cali

Last weekend I went over to Paul’s house. We sat down at his computer and I asked him to show me exactly what had been going wrong.

We sat there for more than half an hour trying to re-create the problems, one-by-one. Bizarre though it was, all the problems had totally vanished.… Read more

Quite a few folks Spirit and I have talked with lately are having a hard time accepting all the changes in their lives. Many of them are seeing so many profound, sometimes scary, changes on the planet today — and in their own personal and spiritual lives. This includes me. Might you also be one of these?

John Cali

When I was younger I absolutely hated change. The status quo, even though it may not have been my ideal, was better than facing the uncertainty of change.… Read more

A few weeks ago on the internet I came across an article about how hard it is to be happy in today’s world. Intrigued by the topic, I printed it out and read it later that day.

John Cali

The author, clearly an articulate, accomplished, and spiritually aware writer, proceeded to lay out the reasons he thought happiness was an elusive goal for humans.

He argued that just because we think we deserve to be happy, it doesn’t mean we will be happy.… Read more

How many of us deliberately hide our talents or downplay our strengths? I certainly have in years past, many times.

John Cali

I know many of you are familiar with Ann Albers. Among her many activities, she publishes a wonderful weekly newsletter of channelled information from her spirit guides whom she calls, simply, “The Angels.”

In Ann’s newsletter last week The Angels said this: “Your talents, when hidden, do not serve you or the world. Change yourself, be willing to share what you love and do for the joy of it, and receive in return.”… Read more

Thich Nhat Hanh, the Vietnamese Buddhist monk, activist and writer, talks about “mindful consumption.” What is mindful consumption?

John Cali

Nhat Hanh’s use of the phrase, “mindful consumption,” has its roots in the Buddhist Fifth Precept. Here is part of that precept:

“Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful consumption, I am committed to cultivate good health, both physical and mental, for myself, my family, and my society by practising mindful eating, drinking, and consuming. I am committed to ingest only items that preserve peace, well-being, and joy in my body, in my consciousness, and in the collective body and consciousness of my family and society.… Read more

I grew up in a small farming town on the shores of Lake Erie in western New York State. It’s a quiet little town, pretty and peaceful. I suppose that’s part of what attracted so many Italian immigrant families, including my own family.

John Cali

One of my family’s old neighbors and friends, Tony, was recently featured in the town’s weekly newspaper. Tony died many years ago, but I still remember him clearly. He was a multi-talented and colorful character.

Tony was a self-taught artist.… Read more

John Cali

The other day I was chatting with Grant Connolly of ZPoint. Our conversation turned to the topic of perspective, and how powerfully our personal perspective or point of view can affect us, for good or ill.

The conversation reminded me of an article I’d read a few days earlier. The article, “Turning the Clock Back,” published in Cosmic Lighthouse, was an interview with Ellen J. Langer, Harvard Professor of Psychology.

Dr. Langer talked about a study she and a partner conducted with chambermaids.… Read more

In his brilliant best-selling book, Illusions, Richard Bach said “We teach best what we most need to learn.” I had a minor, but painful, reminder of this recently.

John Cali

Spirit and I are forever telling people it doesn’t matter what other people think or say about you, especially if it’s critical or destructive. All that matters is what you think of yourself.

The details of my painful experience don’t matter. What does matter is I allowed myself to get upset by a remark about my channelling from someone I love and respect.… Read more

Last week the Washington Post talked about the Great Aletsch glacier in southern Switzerland. What do glaciers have to do with God?

John Cali

In 1678 the devoutly Roman Catholic people of the isolated Swiss mountain villages of Fiesch and Fieschertal made a deal with God. They vowed to live virtuous lives if God would spare them from devastation by the then-expanding glacier descending upon them.

Today Great Aletsch is Europe’s largest glacier. And it’s melting, posing a different threat — flooding and the potential loss of the area’s primary water supply.… Read more

One of our newsletter readers recently wrote us asking “How do I get out (and stay out) of my body’s way to facilitate healing?”

Great question!

John Cali

Here’s the letter:

I was delayed in reading your article on physical disease. So sorry for the late response. But there is a question I would like to ask.

Would you offer some suggestions to assist with releasing resistance (mine is resentment). Or as Spirit puts it “Quit rubbing the poison ivy on your body .

Last week I received a brief, but powerfully moving letter from one of our readers, a Vietnam War veteran.

John Cali

Here’s the letter:

“Thank you so much for this (the video of The Way of the Warrior). It made me unload the gun. It stopped me from taking my life. I am a Vietnam vet who has chronic progressive multiple sclerosis.”

(Name withheld)

In a follow-up letter this man told me:

“If my letter will help others, please use it!… Read more

Danny, my 33-year-old next-door neighbor, died last week. Nearly everyone is saying he died too young, and what a tragedy it is.

Can we die too young? And is it a tragedy if we do die young?

John Cali

Here is part of Danny’s obituary from our local newspaper:

“He was a free spirit and loving person. He loved life and lived it to the fullest. He never met a stranger. . . . He was the best kind of trouble, the kind you knew had nothing but love for his friends and family.… Read more

Last week there was a great discussion on physical healing at a forum I belong to.

John Cali

The forum, Earth Heart Spirit, was started some years ago by my good friend, Mikala St. Germain. Mikala is also the moderator.

What particularly intrigued me was a question one of the members asked, and Mikala’s answer:

Member’s Question:

“Dear Mikala,

“. . . the question I’ve had for a long time . . . . Once we release the cause, (for) example, a habit, thought pattern, emotion, etc.,… Read more

You’ve probably heard it said you get what you expect. Do you really believe that? Many people I know don’t. Yet they always do get what they expect.

John Cali

We’ve talked about expectations in two earlier articles, one on July 8, 2008 and the other October 7, 2008. But I thought it time to revisit expectations since it’s a subject riddled with fear and negativity. I was reminded of this when I went for a haircut recently at Frank’s Barber Shop.… Read more

When Will You Die?, our article from two weeks ago, generated some interesting feedback from our readers, all of it positive. Except for one email.

John Cali

Here’s that one email, exactly as I received it — except it was in all-capital letters. In email lingo that’s called “shouting.”

“Do you always need to be so negative and morbid?

“Can’t you ever share a positive, uplifting, spirit empowering message to help us feel joy in our day?

“There are so many sad and depressing, doom and gloom messages out there, generated by the dark.

How do you feel about yourself? I mean everything about you, especially your physical body. Good or bad or somewhere in-between?

John Cali

Spirit and I have talked about self-esteem before, most recently in this article. It’s obvious that many — probably including ourselves, at least at one time or another — suffer from low self-esteem. It’s one of the worst causes of human misery on this planet today.

A Gallup poll reports 2 out of 3 Americans suffer from low self-esteem.… Read more

Ever ask yourself that question? I used to, but don’t any longer. I figure I’ll die when I’m ready, and not a moment sooner.

John Cali

The other day I came across an article and video on CBS News about a 112-year-old man in Great Falls, Montana, USA. At that age, Walter Breuning is the oldest man in America. Not terribly remarkable by itself. There have been older folks. But Walter is in near-perfect health and, as the article says, “.… Read more

This past USA presidential Inauguration Day I was out walking on the trail where I usually jog. It was such a beautiful mid-winter’s day, I wanted to enjoy it before arctic weather descended upon us once again.

John Cali

About a mile down the trail I saw a tall thin man walking slowly ahead of me with his little dog. As I came abreast of them the man turned and greeted me. His eyes were filled with sadness and I could feel his heavy energy.… Read more

You may have heard about the recent controversy surrounding Reverend Alberto Cutie (pronounced koo-tee-ay), a popular Roman Catholic priest in Florida. It seems Father Cutie was caught on film in some steamy scenes with a lovely lady in a bikini.

John Cali

As a former Roman Catholic who almost became a priest, I found Father Cutie’s situation interesting, to say the least.

The celibacy debate within the walls of the Vatican and beyond has been raging for centuries. Yet the church has stubbornly stuck to its requirement of celibacy vows for new priests.… Read more

We’re hearing more and more “bad” news lately — the global financial crisis, home foreclosures, swine flu, etc. The mainstream news media are doing their damnedest to convince us we’re all victims. Or, at the very least, potential victims.

John Cali

Many folks I know are buying into all the media hype and nonsense. The problem, of course, is if you believe you’re going to be a victim of the economy, swine flu, and/or assorted other disasters, chances are good it will happen to you.… Read more

My little town in the USA’s northern Rocky Mountains used to be a pretty laid-back place. Not much traffic, not much noise, not much pollution, lots of peace and quiet, lots of friendly folks. It was, and still is, a great place to live. But lately I’ve noticed a trend more typical of big cities, not little western towns.

John Cali

As I drive or walk around town, more and more I see people talking on cell phones in their cars.… Read more

One of our readers sent us several excellent follow-up questions in response to last week’s article, “Perspectives on Pain.” If you missed that article you’ll find it here.

John Cali

Following is our friend’s email, slightly edited. She’s given me permission to use her name and email address, should anyone wish to contact her. Her first name is Sam, and here’s her email address.

Ahh, John, I certainly sympathize with your friend. I don’t know what her pain issue is, but I do know a bit about pain, so I wish and pray for her for whatever needs to be healed.… Read more

This past week I received an email from a dear friend who’s had a long road of daunting physical challenges. Her latest one is learning to live with pain.

John Cali

Here is my friend’s email, slightly edited:

Dear John,

I finally today found last week’s message, Does Praying Do Any Good? I have had a series of really bleak years, feeling that my prayers are all “bouncing off the ceiling” — a really dreadful feeling to have!

I try to “know” as I once did so profoundly, that my prayers are “being heard” and will therefore be effective.… Read more

One of my dearest and oldest friends died two Sunday mornings ago. Some of you know her — Joan Bramsch. She was a gifted writer, publisher, teacher, spiritual seeker. And one of the most powerful, loving women I’ve ever known.

John Cali

Joan and I never met in person. Yet the bond of our friendship and love was deeper than that I have with other friends, and even some family, I have known “in the flesh.”

Joan was always so upbeat and happy, even when she was going through hell.… Read more

Last week one of our newsletter readers sent us a question about prayer. She wondered if praying does any good at all. Or is it just an exercise in frustration and futility?

John Cali

Here’s our reader’s letter:

“Hi John and Spirit,

“Thank you for the years of support and truth.

“I would like to know about the purpose of prayer. I have prayed for people and thought that this would keep them protected and secure in the physical, and yet they still get hurt and leave the physical unexpectedly.… Read more