the TRUE SELF (the Divine, God within) ~John O'Donohue

"So, we first need to recognize our false self, then comes the struggle with our false self; and then... may it be an opening of our heart to allow the blossoming of the TRUE SELF (the Divine, God within)" - Sigrid Marshall

"Often we can't feel the presence of God because we don't let ourselves alone." ~John O'Donohue

I agree that it is in stillness and silence of our solitude that we become more aware of the presence of God or the Divine within us, as the verse goes, be still and know I Am (God/Divine). As the post mentioned, it may involve an initial struggle within to recognise our false self and comes to terms with our false self, and as we open our heart to embrace the totality of who we are, we allow our true self (God or the Divine within) to blossom. This reminds me of the enlightenment scene in the movie "Little Buddha" which illustrates how Prince Siddharta eventually conquered his false self (known as mara or the tempter) while meditating under the bodhi tree, and awakened to his true self. Similarly Jesus wrestled with his false self (or the devil) in the wilderness and prevailed, not giving in to the temptation to do something prove that he is the son of God because he has learnt to be still and know he is God incarnated, and his true self cannot be taken away or changed by doing or not doing anything.

John O'Donohue's quote is also remarkably true because it is usually when we are alone that we commune best with God through listening to the still small voice within us. It is unfortunate that in mainstream or evangelical Christianity, the followers are not encouraged to spend time alone as much as they are encouraged to "go to church" and "be in the presence of God" because the preachers would quote Jesus saying "when two or three are gathered in my name, there I am". However Jesus was not referring to a church building or organisation when he said that, and he was simply referring to his manifestation in terms of a collective body of Christ made up of people that is not confined to any particular location or religion or belief system. So this mistaken idea of "going to church" to be "in God's presence" has become a bondage to fear for both the preachers and the church goers to perpetuate the weekly system of church programmes in the name of God because they might be afraid if they don't go to the Sunday service, they may "miss God's voice" or God may not be pleased with them, and so on. Yet Jesus himself often spend time alone in nature to be with God/Divine, and the bible recorded he heard God's voice audibly not in a synagogue but in nature places, such as by the river or on a mountain, declaring he is God's beloved son in whom he is well pleased. Similarly when we are alone, we will hear the still small voice affirming our belovedness and innocence and divinity as pertaining to our true self. Love is who we are.

We are powerful and glorious beyond measure

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.

It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

– Marianne Williamson

I AM in the Now

There's a reason they call God a Presence - because God is right here, right now. In the present is the only place to find Him, and NOW is the only time. 

~ from "Eat Pray Love" book

Yes, God's presence is in the present for I Am is in the present and His words are always pleasant.

Proverbs 16 says "Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and health to
the bones."

Another verse came to mind: "Behold, now is the day of salvation, now is the time of favour."

Every moment is the now, and every moment is the time to experience salvation (freedom from religious lies that bring guilt and condemnation) and now is the time to receive favour because we have been reconciled to God knowing we are made in His image and we are one with Him.

We can enjoy the kingdom of God within us - righteousness, innocence, peace and joy in the present moment. Yes, no challenge is too great for us, for His grace IS sufficient for us, and His strength IS made perfect in our weakness. We can rest in His goodness and grace, for whom He calls, He also equips. Heaven is our present reality, right here, right now.