A Statement of Faith

From Wallpaperflare.com

Perhaps we all wonder at one time or another why there is so much pain and suffering. Why is life so difficult at times? Why do “bad” things happen to good people? And many other perplexing questions.

We have to accept that there are some things that we are not meant to know or that our current level of spiritual awareness precludes understanding. I believe in the old adage: “Everything happens for a reason.” This is a statement of faith in spiritual processes aimed at fostering our spiritual development. 

It’s important to remember that understanding what is beneficial or harmful to our spiritual development requires a view from the perspective of eternity to which we are not privy. Something thought to be “bad” now, may in fact, be good for our development in the flow of eternity. After all, we tend to become stronger, more spiritually enlightened, and to learn lessons best from adversity.

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What is Faith?

Faith and Spiritual Awareness

Step One

The Red Lotus: Symbol of Love and Compassion

Genuine, heart-felt compassion is step one for becoming a spiritual person. We cannot claim to be spiritual in any way without it.

Once we take that step and consistently look outward (as well as inward), we will have set out on a path to greater spiritual awareness.

Compassion is a powerful, unspoken prayer for mercy and healing for those who suffer.

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Compassion as Healing

Pillars of Spirituality

How is My Divine Self Revealed?

The Secret to Happiness

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.

Compassion as Healing

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.

For those who grieve the loss of a loved one…

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.

Thanksgiving Prayer

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.

A Glimpse of the Soul

 

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.

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With Spirit Eyes I See...

Spiritual Kinship

Explosion of Beauty

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.

Pillars of Spirituality

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

 

You might like to also see the following related articles:

The Four Immeasurable Minds

How is My Divine Self Revealed?

Spirituality as a State of Being

The Essence of Spirituality

Girl with a Pearl Earring
Johannes Vermeer 1665

Ultimately, spirituality is about people and how they interact with one another.

Like art, spirituality is a personal expression of beauty, emotion, and soul.