Asking for Backwards Blogging
Today, you are going to write the blog.
Sorry.. I probably sound pretty demanding.. but I just had this coolest idea ever. A Backwards Blog.
I’d like you guys to start up a super engaging conversation. Share your wisdom.
Topic?
Most of us understand that prayer/mediation is such a teeny tiny aspect of getting what we want…
but what is meant in the Bible, and in “The Secret” when they say,
“Ask and it shall be given unto you?”
Isn’t that a paradox?
To the person with the most convincing response (not the most accurate… rather, the one that’s defended best) will have their response as the topic for the next blog post. (with citation to their blog, of course)
What is meant by,
“Ask and it shall be given unto you?”
Spirit of Faith, Man of Action
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Hi Paul,
I wish I was answering this question earlier in the day – LOL. Anyway, to answer your question – I believe it is referring to what I call “easy chair” belief. We can't just sit back and wait for God to drop it in our laps, rather we have to ask for it – seek it – and then we'll receive and find it.
State what you are looking for and going for. Ask with your actions. That is what is meant. When you are out at dinner and the waiter asks you what you would like, you can't expect that they will read your mind and bring you what you want. You have to take action, go the restaurant, open the menu and ask for what you want in life. You should also share what you want with the people that you are dining with too. Inspire others to make good choices too.
The act of prayer and the stillness of meditation are separate.
Prayer is the thoughtful act of asking and meditation is the still point by which you allow it.
Asking without the stillness of allowing is mute. Allowing without acting on the inspiration that comes through your allowing is mute.
Through moments of meditation we receive guidance and insight. Few people know how to listen and act on those insights. Some hear them and never act or they hesitate. Hesitations become the bones decaying in the land of good dreams.
It is unfortunate that 'The Secret' focused so much on money because it is really when we are in line with our truest calling that great things are bestowed upon us. When your feet move to the beat of your hearts calling doors open, the right people appear and the lessons are clear.
Find your passion, follow it.
Ask, allow and believe with unwavering conviction.
Know it like you know the sun is coming up the next morning. Allow it like the trust you place on the feather of your dreams; your dreams that bring you back each morning to the place they stole you from. How can we even come close to defining the trust we must place in our dreams and wishes coming true?
Paul has asked us to define the impossible, but this is our role here on earth, is it not? To express everyday the unexplainable.
We might be the dreams and wishes of someone far, far away.
If you don't know what you want, you sure as heck aren't going to get there…. actually a useful cliche here is, “God helps those who help themselves…” I believe we're all here for a purpose, and sometimes we just need to get clarity on that before we can move on it. From that place of clarity its amazing what opportunities can present themselves before you — opportunities to ask…
“Ask, and it shall be given unto you.” I've never viewed that Bible quote as a “magic spell” for winning a ball game, or wooing a mate, or earning big bucks in the latest moneymaking scheme. Instead, I view this as an invitation to decide what is really, vitally important, at a life-or-death level, and save any requests for these situations only. For instance: A teen out late, after curfew. A home intruder. A cancer diagnosis. I do believe in saving your requests for situations such as these.
Ask and it is given. I think it's more like 'declare and you'll be inspired'. I think many people get hung up in the in what Debbie Stevens referred to as 'easy chair' belief.
They think all they have to do is ask. I think 'declare and you'll be inspired' is a more accurate reflection on the mindset necessary to 'receive'.
Joe Vitale declares he will write a book. Sees it, feels it, knows it. Then he watches TV or plays video games because he knows the inspiration will come.
When you have a personal relationship with Jesus , it means that whatever you ask in faith, will be given to you, he is asking you to pray in faith, and beleive that he will do what you ask, as long as it is inline with his character.
Paul,
We all have within us the means and ways to achieve our dreams. This is assisted by the Source, whatever name you use. Discover your desire, your passion in life. What work drives you to bring value to you and others.
Use faith and belief in yourself to turn this dream into a burning desire. With that you connect with the higher power in bringing those opportunities to you. The ways to accomplish this will become apparent, but you need to stay in the moment and become aware when these present themselves.
This is where YOU come into play. Taking action on opportunities that move you towards your goals helps you achieve them. Nothing will ever be handed to you by divine intervention. You are responsible for the actions you take towards your dreams. All of that may result in a wonderful, fulfilling life, when you go for it!
Val
The translation is simple – Ask and you shall recieve. The complication to the simple action is in the consistency. You can't ask for it once, twice, even a couple dozen times and expect it to show up. You have to ask for and live it. Live it in your actions, live it in your words, and live it in your mind. When coupled with time a singular focus, direction and commitment you will achieve anything you ask for.
Alternatively, if you ask and take little or no action steps you will recieve a very diluted version of your desires or something completely different because you have also asked for many others. This is what I see most often, which is a shortcut that doesn't ever work.
Know you can achieve anything! When you ask for it you are really asking yourself and how you put it into motion is your answer.
Hi Paul,
The first thought that comes to mind is when you “ask” it shows the ability to be humble, to let all that ego aside and to recognize there is something greater than yourself. When you are able to ask you allow the flow to move towards you, to embrace you, to nurture you. You must ask first because that is the beginning of true receiving.
Hey Paul…at one point Jesus tells his disciples…”you have not because you ask not.” And again…He tells of how if you are a child asking your Father for a loaf of bread, your father is not going to give you a stone (of course there are exceptions). We need to see and understand that God our Father is truly a Father who adores us and absolutely LOVES to give us good things. He happens to know ahead of time what those things are that we need and even want but He desires that we partner with Him in what He is doing…including what He is giving to us. When we ask, we are aware. When we are aware, we see. When we see, we can turn around and involve ourselves in the process and be thankful and grateful through it all. If God were to simply give to us without our involvement…then we would be nothing more than spoiled children.
Many Blessings Paul
Love reading the responses. Here's a great quote from Kevin Carroll of Katalyst fame (Big Red Ball) “A closed mouth doesn't get fed.” If you do not open your mouth to even ask, how is the Universe going to know what you are looking for?
Nicole, great response to a difficult question, but you have aswered so well!
Thank You!
Chester
Paul, I am Gary and new to TSA.
You have presented an interesting challenge. I will turn the tables a bit as I know my mind and am interested in yours, so I will provide a topic and get your take on it. (I guess if you feel it worthy)
Anyway here it is: A business coach of mine said something so profound to me that I have never forggoten his words; that stays with me always.
“No one gets all the gifts.” “So figure out what you do best, do those things and get other people to do the other things.”
My guess is that you might be able to write a wonderful blog with that simple but profound thought.
Gary
Gary, that's a very profound statement by your business coach.
After building the foundation of honesty, integrity, and compassion. That is the #1 Success strategy.
I like “No one gets all the gifts.” It's a very simple way of stating it.
Thanks! It gives a unique spin to what I share is “Do only what you are a genius at and delegate work to those who consider it play.”
To Your Genius,
Eiji
Great idea for the post! Paul, I hope this challenge is still open.
“Ask and it shall be given unto you?” means ask for exactly what you want, believe that it is coming and demonstrate your faith taking action and becoming the person who has the requested result.
The concept of asking is very powerful. All thinking is a series of asking and answering questions. The challenge is that most people don't know what the problem is or what question to ask. If you know enough to ask the question, you know enough to find the solution.
“The only difference between a problem and a solution is that people understand the solution.”
In various versions of the Bible, it states if you keep asking it will be given unto you. In business, there is a Billionaire Principle to ask 6 times for exactly what you want. Persistence like the little stream will always win over the rock.
Keep asking and it will be given, keep seeking and you shall find, keep knocking and the door will be opened to you are the 3 action steps in the Bible.
Ask, Believe, Receive are the 3 steps in the Secret.
Faith is demonstrated through action that you believe. God's delays are not God's denials and is a test of our commitment and faith. Do we continue to take action even after a delay? Do we continue to have faith after a setback? Or do we lose faith and give up?
In Cialdini's book on influence one of the most powerful laws of influence is the law of Commitment and Consistency. Belief and faith guides us through the tough times to continue in our commitment and consistency.
With faith the size of a mustard seed, you can move mountains. Don't quit 5 minutes before the miracle or 3 feet from gold.
In Think and Grow Rich there was a pattern that the riches came just one step after defeat had overtaken their mind. That one step demonstrated faith, the size of a mustard seed and the floodgates of abundance had opened unto them.
It truly is the ultimate success formula with help from a power far greater than ourselves.
1) Be clear and ask for exactly what you want
2) Believe and have faith that a way will be shown to you and people will come into your life to guide you
3) Demonstrate your faith by taking action and understand any obstacles and delays will strengthen us to become the person who has what we want.
Thanks Paul for this neat exercise. It helped me get clearer on my thoughts. =)
To Your Genius,
Eiji
In one part of one of my videos I actually talk about a similar subject…if you get frustrated and want to kick and scream and shout because something isn't working the way you want it, what do you do? I mean, we're grown-ups, we don't do that.
I taught my sons (born early 2007 and 2008) to stop crying and whining and instead come to me and ask me for help.
The concept of “Ask and it shall be given unto you!” is very much the same. There're things we can't do alone, but as long as we kick and scream and shout instead of focusing our minds on where we can find help we're unable to receive help even if it was given to us.
So my conclusion is this: Focus your mind not on the problem but on the place/person/whatever you can get help from. Clear your mind and articulate your needs and THEN you'll be able to receive help.
Paul i always like the way you do your blogs.
What is the secret and what is the power of the mind ?
Well i am reading a book ” Before the secret ” and it just open
doors to me.
you mind is the most power full thing God ever create and people still don't
understand how it works.
Your thoughts ( Fiath) that you think create your world out side and the
word's you say today create your tomorrows and people don' know it or
most people dont see it that way.
There is a text in the Bible that state ” Death and life is in the power of the tung
and if you use it you will eat the fruit of it” and word is created in the mind so
your outer world is created by the inner world and that is the Secret in short.
What you focus on the longest will become the strongest, see it like welding
that you do, if you just touch the two metal's that you need to stick like glue
one 's for a sec then it will broke ASAP but if you do a good job it will stick
for ever and that is the same with your thoughts if you focus constantly
on what you want Via Meditation or Prayer and in your daily living you
will get what you want.
Well i can go on and on but lets stop her for now … and see what will come out of it
Regards
Theuns
Ask and Ye Shall Receive. Ask. All you have to do is ask. Ask as you sit quietly and connect to God, the universe, universal energy or the source. There is nothing you have to do. Just ask, hold on to the vision of what you want, allow yourself to feel that intense desire in your soul, and then just go about your daily activities. The solutions, the steps to take, the path to follow will appear. In order to receive, you need to be attuned to the messages that come to you as you go about your daily activities.
Hi Paul,
for me “Ask and it is Given” is definitely 'true', especially after reading the book with that title by Esther and Jerry Hicks.
It sounds simply enough and basically it is. The reason it get's complicated is our thinking, which usually just happens on automatic most of the time.
Our feelings tell us whether we have been thinking thoughts that would help us along the way of what we want.
So if we use our feelings and adjust our thinking and predominantly feel good, then the chances of what we asked for can manifest.
Even if it doesn't manifest straight away, isn't feeling better worth the effort?
Cheers
Yorinda