I have been feeling a little stuck lately and thinking that there should be a next step but I have not a clue as to what. So, after doing a lot of nothing, I asked Richard.
"What you need is self-love, self-care, and self-respect.
These do not come at the behest of the whip."
Ann: Richard, what is next here?
Richard Burton: You have developed the foundation, now is the time to take it out for a spin. Your purpose is not simply to record messages from previously deceased parties but also to open the channel for yourself. But first you have to allow yourself to feel the connection, to engage with your own soul.
Ann: And how do I do this?
Richard Burton: Start to practice your vision, your acuity in seeing when you are asked to do so, and listen carefully to success as well as error and, most importantly, the resonance in your heart. Clairaudience is easy for you, but sometimes writing separates you from an intimate connection with Spirit. You have found your stride with your readings for others; now you need to find your own place with Spirit. You need to be more engaged, not just a telephone transcribing wisdom from those who have offered us their guidance. Your life needs to change.
A: How?
RB; By engaging more with people. Your work with the local center is a first step then perhaps more work with your dogs. But most importantly you need to be able to engage on the level of your real self. You cannot care about flaming out. You cannot care that someone might know who you are or what you do. You just need to get out there and test yourself. The time has come.
A: Laurie on the blog says she wants to marry you.
RB: Many did, my dear, little knowing that I was in the process of reaping the whirlwind which pretty much ripped apart everyone and everything I touched. From this distance, however, it appears that I am doing better, and my thanks to Laurie for the compliment. Let us see if I can hold it in the road in my next incarnation; it is difficult to be human.
A: Coming back any time soon?
RB: No, I am needed here until this horror can be sorted out, so you are stuck with me for the foreseeable future.
A: Thank God.
RB: Yes, love, I do regularly.
Later
A: Richard, I have just watched a short clip from Pema Chodron who basically says that unless you have worked on yourself you cannot help other people because they will irritate you beyond belief. I haven’t done that work, and I think that might be why I don’t know where to go with my writings, the blog etc. Do you think I should do the 12 steps or a silent retreat?
RB: Do you want to?
A: No, but I think it might be what I need.
RB: If you do not want it with the intensity or a saint devoted to the Path, do not undertake it.
A: Thinking about making a retreat. That may be a way forward. My problem is that I don’t want to give them my car keys and have them tell me I have to give up chocolate or staying in bed and all the other slothful things I do.
RB: These are serious concerns.
A: Do I sense sarcasm?
RB: Well, if the shoe fits…. But actually no. These activities are those that give you a sense of space and control over your life, make you feel that you are in fact exercising choice rather than being railroaded into enlightenment. It is so important not to do violence to yourself. You already tend to think of yourself as a wayward child who needs discipline to straighten her out. Nothing could be further from the truth. What you need is self-love, self-care, and self-respect. These do not come at the behest of the whip. For too long your essential self has been demeaned, and you must commit yourself to avoiding that treatment at all costs no matter the source.
I know you think you will simply disappear into a puddle of chocolate, novels, and feel-good movies. However, has that ever happened? Sooner or later you always move off the dime, and you find that your down time has allowed the next right step to become clear. Not to worry, love, you will get up when you need to.
January 24, 2020