Scientists, therapists, philosophers, religious figures and more all agree that humans are multi-dimensional beings. We have physical, mental/emotional and spiritual bodies. They all need food and exercise. We’re great at feeding and exercising our physical bodies, good at feeding and
Scientists, therapists, philosophers, religious figures and more all agree that humans are multi-dimensional beings. We have physical, mental/emotional and spiritual bodies. They all need food and exercise. We’re great at feeding and exercising our physical bodies, good at feeding and exercising the mental/emotional bodies and fair at feeding our spiritual ones. Prayer and meditation are food for the spiritual body and living by the Golden Rule (treating others as we want to be treated) is its exercise.
Spiritual food and exercise nourish and strengthen our spiritual bodies. All people in all religions and outside of religions need this nourishment and it is accessible to anyone. It comes from a direct experience of feeling God’s loving presence.
There are many names for our Beloved Creator. Please translate my use of “God” into the name you use. God is love, and loves us all equally, not as humans who judge each other, but as the Father who knows the existence of love within all his creation.
Religions have been created to help us reach God and are based on someone’s direct spiritual experiences. That’s a great start. We need to know that God is real, even if we can’t yet directly experience the peace, joy, safety and love of his presence.
Yet the goal is to experience this for ourselves. It takes practice. We’ve listened to our own mind chatter for so long, that when we take time to “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalms 46:10) our own thoughts come up to distract us.
Many religions teach meditation to their followers, so that they can have the personal experience of spiritual connection. How does it work?
Imagine that God is constantly sending us love. It has no form or words. It is a radiating presence that is everywhere in the universe. Being God’s children, we also have this presence of love within us. They are meant to connect. Actually, they do, but we don’t experience it. The ego can’t understand it. Sometimes the mind will dismiss it as unreal, or even worse, insanity. That is why we need a “Higher Power” to help us.
Jesus knew that even his disciples didn’t understand all of His message. He directed them to wait for the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-5). The Holy Spirit always responds when called, and appeared to them (Acts 2: 1-4), and again when they had a problem with authorities, and prayed for help (Acts 4:31).
The result of that appearance was that “the company of those who believed were of one heart and soul.” Before, their egos had been more in charge. Different ones wanted higher positions. But now they were peacefully united.
The voice for God is a “still, small voice.” After all, it speaks love. Love is the one thing that can unite everyone, because it is a part of each of us. When we experience it, it feels like we are totally loved just as we are. Our minds become still and peaceful.
Conflict comes from brain thinking. Meditation’s goal is to turn that off. When we do that, God’s loving presence can come through. It helps your body, because every thought you have produces some response in the body. The body gets deep rest too.
I’ve used Christian scripture, because I’m most familiar with it, but Siddharta Gautama, Mohammed, Lao Tzu, Moses, Baha’u’llah, the Saptarishis and more were all able to have spiritual experiences by setting aside their personal egos and seeking God and/or the meaning of life. God is the heart of all religions, which are stepping stones to connection with him.
Mystics are people who have such a love in their heart for God and desire oneness with him so much that they have mystical experiences that lead to a change in their lives and can change the lives of those around them. Think of Joan of Arc or St. Francis of Assisi.
Practice makes perfect. You’ve been listening to your brain mind for as old as you are. Give your spiritual mind a chance to make itself known to you. It can only help make everything else better. I should add that I’ve been teaching meditation since 1976.
Wishing you much love on Valentine’s Day and always.
Hale `Opio Kaua’i convened a support group of adults in our Kaua’i community to “step into the corner” for our teens, to answer questions and give support to youth and their families on a wide variety of issues. Please email your questions or concerns facing our youth and families today to Annaleah Atkinson at aatkinson@haleopio.org
Most of us need a little mental coaching. Try a few of these things:
• Remember that when your peace of mind is challenged, it helps to give it a rest and go to the Holy Spirit, (higher power, voice for God) to help you solve the issue.
• Believe that it is natural and your right to have a spiritual connection with your maker.
• Set aside a time each day for spiritual prayer, and meditation, that isn’t after a meal.
• Stretch and/or exercise your body a bit so that you’ll be able to sit or lie still for awhile. Experiment to see what works better for you.
• Shut out the senses as much as possible. Turn off your mind by following your breath, perhaps focusing on it just over your heart.
• You could also try looking at a candle flame or a beautiful object without thinking about it.
• When your mind wanders, lovingly refocus it back to the breath or object.
• Try to do this for about five minutes the first day, adding more minutes until at least 20 minutes each time.
• Remember that the Holy Spirit answers every call, even if we don’t recognize it.
• Loving yourself is a key to making this whole thing work … not a selfish, “I’m better than you are” love, but acknowledging that love is a real presence in yourself and others. Yes, it’s even in the ones who have gotten off track enough to hurt others. Love is still within them, and waiting to be remembered and activated.
