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Our cultural traditions provide us with a space in time to reflect upon past activities and plan for the future. As we search the malls and boutiques for appropriate gifts for friends and family, and celebrate the relationships in our lives through holiday parties and events, many of us also draw on the spirit of the season to look excitedly toward the birth of a new year. If we follow cultural rites to the fullest, this anticipatory climate leads us to develop a set of New Year's resolutions designed to implement some heretofore unattained goal, or to set a plan for "fixing" tendencies or habits that fail to serve us effectively. For those of us not inclined to follow the cultural norm, this transitory season may instead involve a deep analysis of inner processes with an eye toward understanding our purpose in life. For still others, the reflective impulse of the holidays serves to aggravate an already hectic life as we search our psyche for ways to do things differently next year while, at the same time, we bounce from store to store and party to party attempting to fulfill the expectations of others.

If the goal for this transition time is to set a course toward greater fulfillment in the new year, I would argue that all of these approaches by themselves are a bit off the mark when considered in the light of the wider reality in which we exist. While the reflective nature of the season is truly something in which to immerse ourselves, I believe that our normal, traditional understanding of what such immersion means continues to reinforce processes not in line with our ultimate fulfillment. Mere setting of goals for the future is not enough if divorced from an understanding of how physical manifestations interact with non-physical realities. I would further suggest that even those of us who use this time of year to reflect deeply on our inner processes and to look to the future through the eyes of our inner self, are also coming up short if the process is not grounded in a recognition of past accomplishments, an acceptance of natural tendencies, a full understanding of how probabilities operate, a faith in the nature of reality, and great expectations.

Setting resolutions - or any plan for that matter - is not merely a matter of deciding what events you want to materialize in your life, at least in the near term. There are effective or practical limitations to the effort based on the probability streams in which we are already immersed. For example, I am not likely to become a medical doctor next year because none of my choices in life have involved probabilities directed toward such an outcome. Nor am I likely to experience a reality where French becomes the national language of the US in 2001. Neither is in the realm of workable probabilities in light of my inclinations, likes, dislikes, abilities, and perception of reality. So, in my case at least, making a million dollars as a French speaking doctor in Oregon next year is probably not a realistic objective.

Likewise, resolutions designed to overcome "this deficiency" or "that problem" serve only to keep us focused on what is missing rather than launch us toward what is desired. Thus, any process of goal setting should be accompanied by a joyful recognition of our accomplishments. If we concentrate on what we want, daring to speculate on the miraculous, and remain rooted in the joy of our successful experiences, we can bring about almost any reality we desire within the range of workable probabilities.

We must also understand that the wider reality works in cooperation with our desires and objectives by definition. Though our traditional education suggests that the world is defined only by its physical characteristics, Seth's message suggests that there is a broader system at work that responds to our beliefs, attitudes, thoughts and emotions to manifest a physical reality based on our ideas, in cooperation with our inner self and the greater awareness of All That Is. If we completely trust and accept this understanding, then we can consciously design our plan for a new year (or life plan for that matter) with the confidence that the wider reality is supportive of its achievement, without feeling compelled, through doubt and uncertainty, to constantly monitor its progress.
Perhaps most importantly, we should challenge ourselves to hold great expectations, built, in Seth's terms, "upon a faith in the nature of reality, a faith in nature itself, a faith in the life you are given, whatever its degree...." (Dreams, "Evolution", and Value Fulfillment, Volume I, Session 891). It is not enough to develop a set of desires or resolutions and have general confidence in their manifestation. We need also attach a firm exclamation point in the form of expectation. This exclamation point serves to solidify our intention and draw the appropriate probability set to the forefront of alternatives. In short, we must expect our desires to become reality. "The elements of the physical world that are unfortunate can be changed in the twinkling of an eye through great expectations." (ibid)

The point here is that, if we want to consciously direct our lives with ease and confidence, our reflections and resulting resolutions must be rooted in both faith and expectation, as well as be supported by a recognition and acceptance of ourselves and an acknowledgment of our tendencies. Intent is not enough to affect the manifestation of our desires when we fail to recognize our capabilities, worth and chosen limitations. Nor is a strict intellectual understanding of the mechanics behind the physical and non-physical realities sufficient to support conscious direction of our lives if we do not have faith in the nature of reality and do not support this faith with complete trust and expectation. However, once we combine all the elements - knowledge of self, understanding and faith in the nature of physical and non-physical reality, and grand expectations — we may use the creative energy in our minds and imagination to consciously prepare a plan for our lives, confident that we have a glimpse into the formula for its successful implementation.

So what does this mean for all those list of plans, goals and resolutions we have all scrupulously prepared as guides to our future? In my opinion, it means that specific, practical goals should always be considered in conjunction with statements of intention that reflect an understanding of the self, probabilities, and the nature of reality. By themselves, our lists are merely thoughts waiting for activation. The key to their accomplishment lies in suggestions designed to ".... help focus the mind and the imagination" (ibid) to action. In fact, Seth provided Jane and Rob with a set of New Year's resolutions for 1979 intended, at least in part, for just such a purpose. I might suggest, then, that we keep the following ideas, outlined in note 1 to Session 891, in Dreams, "Evolution," and Value Fulfillment; Volume I, close at hand during those periods of reflection designed to establish plans for the future:

"One: I will approve of myself, my characteristics, my abilities, my likes and dislikes, my inclinations and disinclinations, realizing that these form my unique individuality. They are given me for a reason.

"Two: I will approve of and rejoice in my accomplishments, and I will be as vigorous in listing these - as rigorous in remembering them - as I have ever been in remembering and enumerating my failures or lacks of accomplishment.

"Three: I will remember the creative framework of existence, in which I have my being. Therefore the possibilities, potentials, seeming miracles, and joyful spontaneity of Framework 2 will be in my mind, so that the doors to creative living are open.

"Four: I will realize that the future is a probability. In terms of ordinary experience, nothing exists there yet. It is virgin territory, planted by my feelings and thoughts in the present. Therefore, I will plant accomplishments and successes, and I will do this by remembering that nothing can exist in the future that I do not want to be there."

I believe that practical resolutions developed with regard to these, or similar intentions, tend to resonate more closely with our inner purpose and guidance than wish lists formulated with lesser regard to personal inclinations and accomplishments. By coupling our desires with imagination, trust and grand expectation, under a framework that recognizes our inherent power and that joyfully acknowledges our ability to magically create, we are able to embark on a truly new experiment. An experiment that explores how the conscious expression of the will leads to enhanced personal fulfillment. This is one way that miracles happen.

Now to our publication: In this issue of Perspectives you will find other contemplative thoughts concerning the nature of reality. Brent Marchant, free lance writer from Chicago, IL, continues his exploration of his relationship to All That Is, Dr. Fred Alan Wolf, Ph.D., prominent physicist, author and lecturer, provides a question and answer piece on the nature of physical reality, and Lynda Dahl, author, presenter and former President of SNI, offers an excerpt from her new book, The Book of Fallacies. We sincerely appreciate the efforts of these volunteers. Their creative, informative and stimulating contributions provide the foundation for this newsletter. Please join us in expressing our deep gratitude for their support.

As a special note, for a limited time, Lynda's book is available exclusively through Brass Ring. We expect it to be well received as a prominent work on living consciously. So, if you would like to take advantage of Lynda's insights before they become available in general release, be sure to place an order soon.

The promotional pages of the newsletter reflect our continued expansion of the Brass Ring catalog. We have added some new titles and are also offering special pricing on selected items, so please take some time to explore the catalog listings in detail. Our product line includes the works of leading authors and traditional publishers, materials produced over the years through the talents of the former SNI staff, and unique offerings by new writers and small publishers devoted to expanding the boundaries of human potential. We hope you find something of interest.

Classified announcements promoting the creative efforts of our readers are contained in the news and information section on page 5. We suggest that you check this section to locate activities in your area and to learn about items of special interest. If you are aware of other activities and events that provide an opportunity for our readers to connect around new thought ideas, or have a desire to promote your personal efforts, please let us know. We will publish relevant submissions in future issues of Perspectives as space, interest and financial considerations permit.

Mary and I want to offer a heart felt thank you to all of our customers, contributors, and advertisers and for their past and continuing patronage of this publication and our bookstore. Without their psychic and financial support we would not be able to produce this newsletter. We sincerely enjoy preparing this publication and the opportunity it provides to gather information, share ideas and to connect with individuals of like mind. We hope that you find value in the material presented in these pages and will continue to support the growth of our store as we explore the boundaries of human potential.

Michael Steffen
Vice President, The Brass Ring Bookstore