Gigi Langer

Worry Less Now!

 Love More Now!

REFRAMING THE LORD’S PRAYER

I just couldn’t wait to send you this new article about the Lord’s Prayer, hot off the (digital) “presses.”


I hope you find it of interest, and perhaps worth sharing.

The next monthly newsletter (or blog) is coming mid-July, as promised.  (-:

Ack! They’re Saying The Lord’s Prayer!?!

Did you ever sit in a church or a 12-step meeting and cringe while they recited the Lord’s Prayer? I sure did! I wasn’t too sure of the wording, nor was I one-hundred percent willing to believe it. 

After a few months of blindly repeating the prayer (I wanted to fit in, after all!), I found this helpful explanation from Unity church, and it still makes a lot of sense to me. Maybe it will appeal to you. Or not. Check it out.

PS. At the end of the article, I’ve included the link to the entire chapter on the Lord’s Prayer from Emmet Fox’s classic, The Sermon on the Mount. It’s worth reading!
With love from Gigi 

The Lord’s Prayer (Unity Church of Ann Arbor)

Our Father who art in heaven: We are now yet more aware of your infinite and eternal presence, in whom we live and with which we think and create.
Hallowed be thy name: Your presence in us is whole and complete. It is the activity of health that heals, of intelligence that inspires, of substance that prospers, and of love that harmonizes. Your name—your nature—is perfection itself and truly worthy of our complete devotion. So, your name is hallowed.
Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven: We are your glorious possibility. We now let your perfect idea of us unfold in us and through us. Our desire for betterment is your desire to perfect that which you are expressing as us, as we let you have your way. We see ourselves doing that which you see us as being. We will to will thy will, and your heavenly kingdom is come—right here and now. Thank you, God.
Give us this day our daily bread: We really have no existence outside of your presence, for we are your presence expressing as us. Therefore, we can never be separated from the all-sufficient substance of your opulent universe. We now claim our divine inheritance, and perpetually manifest your abundant supply. So, you do give us now—this day—our daily bread. Thank, you, God.
Forgive us our debts (sins*) as we forgive our debtors (those who sin against us*): Your presence in us is our potential for dissolving all conflict or resentment. Your presence is Love, and it loves in us and through us as we forgive. It releases us as we loose and let go of all limited thoughts about ourselves or about those who seem like others. Yet we know that we are truly one in Spirit, so we forgive, and we are forgiven. Thank you, God.
Leave us not in temptation (Save us from the time of trial, and*) deliver us from evil (ego): Your presence in us is our light and our deliverance. There is no darkness in light, and there can be no darkness in us, as we are established in spiritual unity with your indwelling presence, which is “better than light and safer than a known way.” You do not leave us in temptation, but you do guide us through seeming trial. Thank you, God.
For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever: In all that we seek to be or do or have, we realize that only in your presence is our power to think, our very thought of aspiration. Your will is our will to commence. Your strength is our strength to continue. Your power is our power to achieve. And the glory of all our accomplishments belongs to You. Thank you, God.
Amen: This is the truth. It is done.
* Material with asterisk and in parentheses comes from the 1988 translation of the ecumenical English Language Liturgical Consultation (ELLC)

Emmet Fox’s Interpretation of the Lord’s Prayer


Worry Less Now; Gigi Langer

Gigi Langer has been sober 35 years, and holds a PhD in Psychological Studies in Education from Stanford University. Formerly crowned the “Queen of Worry,” Gigi resigned her post many years ago and now lives happily in Florida with her husband, Peter and her cat Murphy.

Worry Less Now Cover

My award-winning book, 50 Ways to Worry Less Now which describes how to reject the faulty thinking leading to addiction, dysfunctional relationships, perfectionism, and worry about loved ones. Check out the practical directions, personal stories, and other helpful suggestions. Amazon: 4.8 stars (Buy Discounted Paperback, e-book, OR audiobook HERE)

WHAT DOES “THY WILL BE DONE” MEAN?

In so many of our prayers we say, “Thy will be done.”

But what does that really mean? 

Our 12-step literature tells us that “my will and my life” refer to “my thoughts and my actions.”

So, when I say, “Thy Will be done,” I’m asking to align my thoughts with God‘s mind. 

Today’s Course in Miracles lesson (45) states, “God is the mind with which I think.”

And it asks me to practice connecting with my Higher Power’s mind as the only source of my thinking. 

In the suggested exercise, we look past the ego’s fearful, resentful, judging, selfish thoughts, and choose instead to tune into Universal Intelligence’s thoughts. 

 So, “doing God‘s will” is choosing to think God‘s thoughts, and to be still long enough to ask for those thoughts instead of our fearful mind’s inventions.

 Simple, aye? WHAT DOES “THY WILL BE DONE” MEAN TO YOU??

My award-winning book, 50 Ways to Worry Less Now describes how to reject the faulty thinking leading to addiction, dysfunctional relationships, perfectionism, and worry about loved ones. Check out the practical directions, personal stories, and other helpful suggestions. Amazon: 4.8 stars (Buy Paperback, e-book, OR audiobook HERE)

Worry Less Now; Gigi Langer

Gigi Langer has been sober 35 years, and holds a PhD in Psychological Studies in Education from Stanford University. Formerly crowned the “Queen of Worry,” Gigi resigned her post many years ago and now lives happily in Florida with her husband, Peter and her cat Murphy.

Cross Out The “I” of Ego’s Self-Will

worry less now gigi langer

I recently heard this spiritual message: We need to cast into the “sea of forgetfulness” the ego’s creations of self loathing, hatred, and missteps—because none of these represents the goodness of our true nature.

The Sea of Forgetfulness

It’s similar to A Course in Miracles: Nothing is real except love, the perfect truth of God’s creation. When we cast into the sea of forgetfulness our ego’s self-centered fear,  dishonesty, worry, and judging of others, we’ve claimed the miracle of Love.

For those of us recovering from addictions, these figments of self-will (especially resentments) threaten the fine balance of our spiritual fitness and, thus, our sobriety.

Unfortunately, when we let self-centered fear drive our decisions, we’ve elevated our ego, the almighty “I,” to the role of God–a sure recipe for disaster.

Crossing Out The “I” of Ego

Pondering the ego’s fixation on “me, myself, and I” reminds me of these words from a priest in Rumer Godden’s lovely book, In This House of Brede,

“The cross is ‘I’ crossed out.”

In this phrase, the cross-bar of God’s loving power “crosses out” the upright post of the “I” —all that is not love. As a result, we become generous and true to our highest self.

Do you want to live from this true source of love? Then work on rejecting the demands of the “I” for more security, more prestige, and more power. Instead, try molding your thoughts and dreams to the eternal truth of God’s will: goodness for all.

Pray, study spiritual teachings, meditate, help others—in short, become less focused on the “I” of your own self-seeking ego. You won’t believe the transformation in your life, creativity, and relationships,

In Worry Less NowGigi shares her personal journey as a prisoner of fear, worry, and substance abuse, along with practical techniques anyone can use. Award-winner with rave reviews: Amazon 4.8 stars.

Get special offers on the paperback, e-book, and audiobook HERE.

Gigi Langer Worry Less Now

Gigi Langer has been sober 34 years, and holds a PhD in Psychological Studies in Education from Stanford University. Formerly crowned the “Queen of Worry,” Gigi resigned her post many years ago and now lives happily in Michigan with her husband, Peter and her cat, Murphy.

REV UP YOUR SPIRIT WITH 12 POWERS

12 meditation

Given the state of the world, I think we all could use one of the most powerful meditations I know, The 12 Powers Meditation by Charles Fillmore of Unity church. It’s one of the most powerful meditations I know.

I use this body-mind-spirit practice whenever I have safety and health concerns; and it never fails to bring me strength, wisdom, and the power to trust life as never before.

Try The 12 Powers Meditation Now

Each of the 12 Powers has its own color and body location to visualize as you say the affirmation. I’ve memorized them in groups of four:  Faith, Strength, Wisdom, Love —  Power, Imagination, Understanding, Will — Order, Zeal, Elimination, Life. Give it a try now, breathing calmly and deeply as you visualize each color and say each affirmation.

BEGINNING AFFIRMATION: There is one presence and power in the universe, God, and I am one with it as the light of God surrounds me.

  1. FAITH: Indigo Blue at Crown of Head. The Christ** in me now activates Faith. I trust God**, knowing God’s will is for my highest good. I give thanks for the gift of Faith.
  2. STRENGTH: Pale Green at Lower Back. The Christ in me now activates Strength. I am strong and unafraid. Strength surges through me, giving me energy, endurance, and vigor. I give thanks for the faculty of Strength.
  3. WISDOM: Yellow at Solar Plexus, Under Rib Cage. The Christ in me now activates Wisdom (Judgement). I perceive beyond appearances, and am guided by Divine intuition into wise and perfect ways. I give thanks for the faculty of Wisdom.
  4. LOVE:  Pink at Heart. The Christ in me now activates Love. I am a radiating center of Divine Love, loved and loving to everyone (including myself). I give thanks for the faculty of Love.
  5. POWER:  Purple at Throat. The Christ in me now activates Power. My thoughts and words vibrate with spiritual power. I give thanks for the faculty of Power.
  6. IMAGINATION:  Pale Blue at Forehead. The Christ in me now activates Imagination. I see creative, new ways to do what is mine to do. New opportunities to experience God’s good are coming into my life. I give thanks for the gift of Imagination.
  7. UNDERSTANDING:  Silver at  Front of Head. The Christ in me now activates Understanding. God is present in all situations and in every relationship. The perfect outworking of every situation is being revealed to me now. I give thanks for the faculty of Understanding.
  8. WILL*:  Gold at Center of Head. The Christ in me now activates Will. Not my will but God’s be done in my life. God molds me and uses me as God wills. I give thanks for the faculty of Will.
  9. ORDER:  Dark Green at Belly Button. The Christ in me now activates Perfect Order. My spiritual path unfolds in its proper sequence. Divine timing and order are now established in my life. I give thanks for the faculty of Order.
  10. ZEAL:  Saffron/Orange at Back of Head. The Christ in me now activates Zeal. I am enthusiastic and excited about life. I feel good pouring through me and I experience miracles in my life. I give thanks for the faculty of Zeal.
  11. ELIMINATION:  Brown/Rust at Lower Abdomen. The Christ in me now activates Elimination (Renunciation). I am free of the past, and release all false and useless attitudes, emotions, and reactions. I am at one with God and with life. I give thanks for the faculty of Renunciation.
  12. LIFE:  Red at Reproductive Organs. The Christ in me now activates Life. Every cell in my being is charged with the pure, restorative life of God. I give thanks for the faculty of Life.

CLOSING AFFIRMATION: There is only one Presence and Power, God the good, omnipotent. Father/Mother God and I are one.

If you use this practice regularly, you’ll be amazed by your calm, trusting outlook on life—even when things appear scary and uncertain!

NOTES

*I changed “Will” to the color Gold (as in The Golden Key by Emmet Fox); and “Understanding” to Silver, as that’s how I first memorized them.

** You may wish to substitute your own terms for the words “Christ” and “God.” (“Christ” refers to your divine, true self; and “God” is your higher power as you understand it.) Also, you might say the affirmations in your own words.