For those of you who have been following my blog site, my apologies for not having published very many blogs for a while. Unfortunately, I have been distracted by a multitude of worldly exigencies that distract me from spiritual inspiration. I look forward to blogging again soon.
My holiday message to my readers:
I wish you and your family a wonderful holiday season as we rededicate ourselves to the spiritual values of faith, gratitude, and bringing kindness and light into the world.
From what I’ve learned, the best advice I can give to current and future generations is to trust the unknown spiritual processes that shape our lives by guiding us to where and what we are intended to be and by giving us challenges to overcome that will make us stronger. When faced with adversity, do not ask why; rather ask, “How can I respond in a way that is uplifting and affirmative?”
The old adage, “Everything happens for a reason.” is supremely true in our daily lives. Trust that you are being guided and follow the path laid before you. Along that path you will face failure and success; sorrow and joy; pain and pleasure; sickness and healing. These life contrasts lead us to greater spiritual understanding and shape us into more kind, loving, compassionate, and generous human beings. Expression of these four attributes along with experiencing the above dichotomies of life constitute the purpose and meaning of life.
You might like to see the following related articles:
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!
You might like to see the following related articles:
Fear not when death comes to call…
It will take you to another world
Free from the burden of the body.
A place of indescribable beauty,
Infinite possibilities, and profound opportunity.
Fear not, for you will be delivered into loving hands.
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.
Cause and effect applies not only to our interactions and treatment of people. It also applies to our actions concerning the natural environment and the planet as a whole.
As citizens of Earth, we have an obligation to not only care for one another, but also for all living things. We should view ourselves as stewards of the Earth, all of its inhabitants, and its physical and ecological environs.
We will be held accountable for our actions that result in, or contribute to, the destruction of habitats, extinction of animal and plant species, pollution, and climate change. Retribution for our past abuses of the planet have already begun.
You might like to see the following related articles:
The forces of cause and effect operate not only in response to behaviors, things we do or do not do, but also to the nature of our thoughts. If our thoughts are filled with love and compassion, then good things will come to us. If our minds are filled with anger, hate, or malice, then we will not have happiness and fulfillment, and spiritual retribution is sure to come.
You might like to see How Life Works: The Law of Cause and Effect. for a more general discussion of this topic.
It’s important to have faith…in God, yes…
But more generally, faith in the spiritual forces and challenges that shape our lives in ways that lead us to greater love, compassion, and spiritual awareness.
You might like to explore this topic further in the following related articles:
How Life Works: The Law of Cause and Effect
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.
You might like to see the following related articles:
Exploring Spirituality Beyond Religion 
You must be logged in to post a comment.