Did you ever feel that life is real
                              and luck has come your way?
                    It’s been so long, but it’s finally come,
                              and now it is your day.

                    Did you ever ponder thoughts so deep
                              they seemed to be ideal?
                    Then to wake and realize
                              those thoughts you had are real.

                    Did you ever listen with ears so sharp
                              that you heard a voice within?
                    It said, “You’ve finally reached the door
                              don’t knock, just walk right in.”

                    Did you ever walk among the leaves
                              and shed a tear away?
                    Because you felt that life is real
                              and you knew it was your day.  

                                 by Jim Strohl

                    The pain will cease

                              and the suffering stop

                    When you face the truth

                              with all you’ve got.

                    The Source will shed

                              the needed light

                    For you to see

                              throughout the night.

                    You’ll find the strength

                              for the toughest fight

                    And receive support

                              through the longest plight.

                    The fears will lift

                              and the hurts subside

                    When you choose to live

                              and refuse to hide.

                    And the world unfolds

                              in colors bright

                    When you trust your Self         

                              to reflect the light.

                    And peaceful calm

                              will grace your life

                    When you always do

                              what you know is right.  

                              by Jim Strohl  

The mind unfolds
             Not an end to a means
                          But a means to endlessness.

As the body cringes
             The soul rejoices 
                          Free to be its source

Grieve not
             Neither the past nor the future
                          Can change the Reality of existence.

Exult in pleasure and pain
             For in its presence and absence 
                          Its nature is made known. 

Dwell not on the unreal
              The depths of Reality 
                          Express themselves in timeless waves
                                       of happiness.

Bath in the stillness of life
             For the deepest pools
                          Engulf supreme knowledge. 

                      by Jim Strohl 

                    Our perceived selves are like puffs of smoke
                    attempting to capture solid form.

                    To substantiate smoke-filled realities
                    we fiercely keep on puffing.

                    Despite persistent efforts
                    the satisfaction of form is never realized.  

                    Smoke endlessly fades into oblivion
                    making known the futility of puffing.

                    The weary puffer finally pauses.
                    The smoke begins to clear.  

                    Now a form emerges
                    Revealing the puffer behind the puff.

                                        – Jim Strohl  

Do not avoid desire.
See it for what it is.

There’s nothing to ever fear again
For thoughts created fear.

Threats come not from without.
It is always me I fear.

For mind perceives itself as split.
Viewing blame and vengeance real.

Learning to believe in attack
We crucify ourselves to heal.

Knowing that we hurt ourselves
The fear of God is gone.

Self-redemption then appears
And welcomes us back home.

– JES

                    Nothing is asked of you

                    As feelings flow from me.

                   
                    From mysterious origins

                    Waves swell through my being.

                   
                    Leading me to wonder

                    What could be their meaning?

                   
                    The pleasure so compelling

                    The mind bows to the heart.

                   
                    A soft internal whisper

                    Says this is just the start.

                    The power is delightful

                    Spontaneous, free, and pure.

                    Mind awakes from slumber

                    And fear can be no more.

                    The author of this story

                    Suggests no end in sight.

                    The resultant joy and glory

                    Leaves nothing else to hide.

                                   — JES