Of all the bodies we have, physical, mental, emotional and spiritual, the spiritual one when developed will heal the others. It is also the most difficult one to fully experience,because of the nature of spirit. Our spiritual bodies speak to
Of all the bodies we have, physical, mental, emotional and spiritual, the spiritual one when developed will heal the others. It is also the most difficult one to fully experience,because of the nature of spirit. Our spiritual bodies speak to us most often without words, unlike the ego which is always chattering thoughts into our minds.
Spirit knows that humans have free will and only comes to our consciousness when invited. The ego doesn’t ever want much time to go by without a noisy mind chatter visit.
Spirit loves all equally, and so wisdom from spirit shows no favoritism. The ego is always looking for ways to make itself or the group, country, organization that we’re in be special. Such as “only put the name of a religion here will get to heaven.”
Spirit is everywhere, in a prison cell as well as on top of a holy mountain in the Himalayas. Spirit is always accessible to us if we invite spirit into our open hearts and minds.
Because spirit is love, we have to lift up our vibrations to a loving space to be able to feel the spiritual love that is always offered to us. That is why Jesus said for people to make things right with your brother (anyone) before you pray; and that to receive God’s forgiveness you must forgive others first. Grudges and anger come from the earthly plane, where king ego rules, not the kingdom of God.
Now here’s a benefit of forgiveness that you might want to consider. Until we are enlightened, we have a certain amount of physical and psychic energy at our disposal. Holding a grudge against someone sucks up that energy. Energy is neutral until we give it an assignment, and it then becomes positive or negative. Holding a grudge creates negative energy that stays in our minds. It brings us down.
Now when we truly forgive forever, so that the situation has left our minds, the negative energy that we were holding as a grudge against the other returns to us as neutral energy that we can use for creating our own health, and joyous projects. It heals us the most. That is why many religions have confession times. It’s to really forgive ourselves. Wouldn’t it be a good resolution to feel clean and clear with everyone before I pray or go to bed at night.
Our Creator is loving spirit and eternal. Being his children, we are also loving spirit and eternal. But not our physical bodies. Our physical bodies are of the earth. Many times Jesus attempted to teach this lesson. It is just very hard to not think of our bodies as us. We say “my arm, my leg, my cancer,” but the body is a vehicle for the eternal self to get around in the Earth time. Don’t worry. Your spirit was created incorruptible, no matter how much you mess up the 3D.
Other fruits of the spirit include joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness and faithfulness. Spirit never gives up on us, but we often get impatient with ourselves and others when they don’t meet our expectations.
We come to learn about spirit while we’re here mostly through learning what it is not. It would be enough to learn to live loving others as we love ourselves. Every conflict that we get into with another gives us an opportunity to do just that.
You’d be surprised at how easy it is. It can be taught at the very basic level in about two hours, and two opportunities are coming up. The first is at the free Martin Luther King Jr. Day this Monday at the Lihue Neighborhood Center from 10:30 to 2 p.m. While there won’t be a formal class taught, there will be handouts available for personal study, and I will be available to answer questions.
Also, there will be a presentation by the Rt. Rev. William Swing founder of the United Religions Initiative. The purpose of URI is “to promote enduring, daily interfaith cooperation, to end religiously motivated violence and to create cultures of peace, justice and healing for the Earth and all living beings.”
Ishaq Mohammed will tell his story of how he initially studied the Islam religion because he thought he would move to the Middle East, but upon study was inspired to convert from his Christian faith. Jesus is one of Islam’s holy men.
Service providers attending include Hospice, Share the Care, KEO, YWCA, Child and Family Services, RSVP-retired persons, Kauai Nonviolent Communication Center, Kauai Alliance for Peace and Social Justice, Community Emergency Response Team, Aloha Peace Project and the Kauai Hawaii Food Bank.
The food bank will be collecting food, so bring your extra produce and non-perishable items. It’s hard to be peaceful when your stomach hurts. RSVP will be collecting binders, dry erase markers of all colors, and pocket dividers with pockets on both sides for students at Waimea Canyon School.
The other opportunity to learn basic conflict resolution is on Feb. 7, from 1:30 to 4 p.m. at the Sun Village Club House. The class is free, taught by myself, a mediation trainer since 1999 and a teacher since 1975. Bring something to write with. Light refreshments will be served. For more information call Annaleah Atkinson at 652-7743.
Also, the Kauai Alliance for Peace and Social Justice will be presenting “Be a Peacemaker!” At the Lihue Library Conference Room from 4 to 6 p.m. Jan. 16. You’ll have an opportunity to be inspired by Retired US Army Colonel Ann Wright as she shares her exciting experiences standing up for Peace in the Pacific Rim. Free!
I’m in a study group now that has the periodic exercise of trying to remember or imagine what a person’s spiritual self is like as a way to reinforce it in ourselves. It’s not to be forced, but enjoyed. “Just let impressions come to you, and when they make you feel like smiling, know that you are feeling memory return.”
What you’ll be getting in touch with is the loving spirit that we all are. Sometimes it’s just easier to see it in another rather than yourself. And here’s another thought.
The true you and the true other person always get along! They were created by the same creator out of the same substance.
When we begin to remember that we are beautiful, loving beings on the inside, we become beautiful loving beings on the outside. We are happier, trusting that God is in charge, and that’s OK, because God knows what’s best for all. We become patient because we know where we will end up.
We become tolerant because we know that what happens in this lifetime is just a fleeting moment in eternity. We become gentle. Harm is the outcome of judgment, and we know we can’t judge with our Earth brains.
We don’t feel the need to defend ourselves if a person seems to attack us because we know the truth of who we both are. We are open-minded, and we are faithful. And all this leads to the peace that surpasses understanding.
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Questions?
Hale ‘Opio Kauai convened a support group of adults in our Kauai 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. For more information about Hale ‘Opio Kauai, please go to www.haleopio.org
