The “secret” to happiness is a consistent mindset of:
Gratitude
Thankfulness
And helping others
This will greatly diminish negative thoughts and attitudes, and being self-absorbed. In turn, this will result in greater expression of your spirituality.
Mother Teresa, an Icon of Compassion
Credit Unknown
…And when he came into the garden, he saw the boy sitting with his face in his hands, weeping. He asked, “Why are you crying?”
The boy replied, “When I think about all of the suffering around the world, it’s painful and overwhelming. I feel powerless to help.”
“But you are helping; your compassion has power. Acknowledging the suffering of others allows us to radiate healing energy. It also gets the attention of those in the spirit realm who have the ability to bring healing to the earth plane.”
Hearing this, the boy said, “If what you say is true, then compassion may be the universal remedy for suffering of all kinds! How can the solution be so simple?”
“As I said, compassion has power. It starts a stream of healing energy and motivates people to seek ways to help the afflicted. The help we extend to those in need is healing not just to them, but also to us.”
With that the boy wiped away his tears, gave his mentor a big hug of gratitude, and went away smiling.
Try not to grieve too long. Strive to transform your grief into gratitude.
Gratitude for the time that you had them in your life.
Gratitude for the wonderful times you had together.
Gratitude for the cherished memories that will never be forgotten.
Strive to create a legacy for them that is composed of memories of love and joy rather than grief and loss…
…For their connection with you is not severed by death.
My dear God, thank you for all of the blessings and gifts that I have; that I have had; and that I may have in the future.
But most of all, thank you for your love and compassion, not just for me, but for all of your human children.
May each person strive to love all people around the world without prejudice, fear, or favoritism.
Source Unknown
You’ve likely heard the saying that “eyes are windows to the soul.” Masking during the pandemic has led me to believe there is some truth to this.
With everyone wearing a mask, we are forced to focus on the eyes of strangers that we meet and engage in conversation. What I have found is that if you open your mind and remain present, you may see a beautiful soul behind the eyes of people that you meet.
When this happens, your communication will be beyond the form of words or conscious thought; rather, it will be a primordial sensitivity and understanding. An inexplicable knowing between strangers that is uplifting and joyful.
You might like to see the following related articles:
Explosion of Beauty
Copyright 2020
An explosion of beauty radiating hope, love, and compassion in all directions.
Open your mind, absorb it, and let it give your spirit sustenance!
Background
This is a guava tree blossom that I stumbled upon by chance. The flower is less than three centimeters in diameter. I have walked past this tree often over many years and this is the first blossom I have seen. The blossom quickly withered to an unrecognizable form within 24 hours. I could not find any others on the tree. Apparently, its bright radiance could not be sustained for very long. But if its uncommon beauty is fully absorbed by the observer, its affect on the spirit will be lasting.
Spiritual Radiations
Source: iamavatar.org
It seems likely that most people would consider love and compassion as universal qualities of a spiritual person. At the same time, study of the life of prominent spiritual figures such as Jesus and Buddha demonstrate other important attributes of a spiritual being.
The Four Immeasurables, also known as the Four Perfect Virtues, or as I prefer to call them, the Divine Virtues, are part of a more expansive integrated and intertwined spiritual wholeness. In my view, they are the four pillars of spirituality. The Divine Virtues can be seen as composing the “body” of the spirit. They are “internal organs” of the spirit. They keep it healthy, alive, and functioning the way it is intended.
The Divine Virtues of love, compassion, empathetic joy, and equanimity interact with, and inform one another. They are mutually inclusive. There is no need to reconcile one with the other; they all comprise a single being and a singular way of being.
Our personal joy and happiness arise naturally from practice of the Divine Virtues. Empathetic joy refers to joy in us arising from witnessing the special talents, successes, and good fortune of others. Empathetic joy radiates our love for the person being observed, and our gratitude for their God-given gifts.
Equanimity is mental calm, composure, and even temper in all situations. In the context of spirituality, it is a state of inner peace from which we are able to view the world objectively, without prejudice, judgement, or emotional reaction. It is a place from which love and compassion radiate.
The inner peace that fosters equanimity can be achieved through meditation, prayer, and for some, through Chinese internal energy arts such as qigong which incorporate mindfulness into the practice. All of these serve to calm and nurture the spirit, mind, and body.
Love and compassion go hand-in-hand and lead to joy and happiness. There can be no compassion if the element of love is missing and vice versa.
How can one have empathetic joy for the happiness and special gifts we see in others without love?
How can one have love, compassion, or joy in the midst of one’s own anger, hate, jealousy, greed, fear, or emotional reaction to difficult situations?
Through equanimity, we tame our emotions and reactions so that we can clearly and objectively hear and see what is before us, and seek understanding and appreciation through patience, love, and compassion. Equanimity provides the peaceful environment within which the other three Divine Virtues thrive, grow, and radiate.
As discussion of spiritual radiation can be found here
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Girl with a Pearl Earring
Johannes Vermeer 1665
Ultimately, spirituality is about people and how they interact with one another.
Like art, it is a personal expression of beauty, emotion, and soul.
We Exist in the Ethereal Spaces Between the Atoms
Copyright 2013 by Blair Atherton
Reblogged from livingthelifeofspirit.com
As noted in my book and in previous blog articles, I believe that our true life is one of spirit. That is why I promote the idea of living a life of spirit rather than one anchored in the physical world.
We were created in spirit and will remain so forever more. Our spiritual existence does not stop or go into abeyance during the brief periods when we are clothed with a physical body. We may lose touch with our spirit-self from time to time, stupefied by the many distractions of the physical world.
But in the background, out of the din, our spirit cries out for expression. The challenge is to have the presence of mind and desire to hear it.
Our spirit calls to us with the sweet, soft voice of a lover, to remind us that we exist in the ethereal spaces between the atoms of the physical world. We are merely passers by and should consider what spiritual legacy we wish to leave behind in the physical world, because that is the only thing that will follow us when it is time move on.
While all that is composed will eventually be decomposed, our spirits will continue to exist as a part of our everlasting Creator. Just as He has always existed and always will, so shall we.
Note: The last paragraph above relates to my blog article of August 2, 2013 titled All That Is Composed Shall Be Decomposed.
Copyright 2020
Where beauty, hope, and joy abide…look deeply and see one of the myriad faces of God!
Background:
These little flowers are less than a centimeter in diameter. They sprung from a weed growing in my backyard. I have been struggling with weeds in my yard for some time. I was totally disarmed by these guys. This was a reminder to me that, although oftentimes overlooked or unappreciated, there is beauty everywhere around us and in all things.
