In my view, the best times in life are those spent with family, enjoying nature, and pursuing adventures. While accomplishments at work can be satisfying, time outside of work is where we find the joys of existence!
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I want to share this beautiful poem about prayer by the Native American poet, Joy Harjo. It was not titled by the poet.
To pray you open your whole self
To sky, to earth, to sun, to moon
To one whole voice that is you
And know that there is more
That you can’t see, can’t hear
Can’t know except in moments
Steadily growing, and in languages
That aren’t always a sound but other
Circles of motion
Like eagle that Sunday morning
Over Salt River. Circled in blue sky
In wind, swept our hearts clean
With sacred wings.
We see you, see ourselves and know
That we must take the utmost care
And kindness in all things.
Breathe in, knowing we are made of
All this, and breathe, knowing
We are truly blessed because we
Were born, and die soon within a
True circle of motion,
Like eagle rounding out the morning
Inside us.
We pray that it will be done
In beauty.
In beauty.
Pain and suffering cleanse the soul and provide a means by which we pay our spiritual debts.
In my view, spirituality and religion are related, but not the same thing. Religion has arisen in an attempt to codify spiritual thought and ideas by the establishment of doctrines, creeds, stories, and other traditions – and to make it “experiential” through ritual and repetitive prayers.
But these things can distract us from the organic spirituality present in all of us. They can distract us from the spontaneous human experience of our spiritual nature and longing.
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Prayer will be heard with greatest effect when it comes spontaneously from the heart and soul expressing in your own words your desire to help others or to become a more spiritual person.
Do not pray for material things because God has already provided what you need. Do not pray for elevation of your earthly status, for it counts for nothing in the spiritual realm. Rather, pray for elevation of your soul through your expression of love, compassion, and service.
You might like to see the discussion of prayer that appears on pages 76-81 in The Teachings of Silver Birch, edited by A.W. Austin.
We have seen you gathered in groups around COVID 19 patients working together in an effort to save lives and minimize suffering. It is difficult work and requires you to find the courage to risk your own health to help the afflicted. Somehow you have found a way to work in the midst of suffering all around you and not let your compassion and grief overwhelm you. Your strength is greater than you realize.
Know this: You are not alone. There are spirits standing behind you to give you strength and support, and to aid you any way they can. We are witnesses to your unwavering commitment to help, heal, and save lives while sacrificing so much of yourself in the process.
For this you have been blessed and you will have a special place in our world when it is time for you to join us.
We have seen your tears and felt your grief for the lives lost in the dark hours of the long night. Do not hold back your outpouring of compassion and tears because its release makes way for renewed strength and commitment when the morning comes.
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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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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.
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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Exploring Spirituality Beyond Religion 
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