Tag Archives: spiritual awareness

The Dichotomies of Life

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. 

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How Life Works

The Quintessence of Life

Earth Karma

Credit Unknown

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.

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How Life Works: The Law of Cause and Effect

The Karma of Thoughts 

One Species Among Millions

The Karma of Thoughts

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.

An Expanded Faith

Spiritual Forces
from steemit.com

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.

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A Statement of Faith

Faith and Spiritual Awareness

How Life Works: The Law of Cause and Effect

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?

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