GalleryAnatomy of Surrender
When one thinks of the word surrender, one often feels that to surrender is to be defeated. One surrenders when they have become overpowered, no longer able to endure, incapable of victory. Within human society and military operations this definition is quite accurate. Surrender is synomous with defeat.
So, it is expected when one is asked to spiritually surrender that it could mean defeat. We have been powerless against our own demons and beleaguered and disheveled, fatigued and confused. We give up. And, indeed, this behavior is very much parallel to society’s concept of surrender.
Nothing could be further from the truth. Spiritual surrender has nothing to do with giving up; it has nothing to do with defeat; it has nothing to do with going to battle.
In fact, when one does not surrender, they are already defeated.
With that in mind, let us explore the concept of surrender and how it pertains […]
GalleryChance or Fate?
This question has haunted humanity since the beginning of time. It is certainly understood that physical existence is littered with the possibility and potential for calamity and tragedy. When a catastrophe strikes, an accident maims or kills, a natural disaster takes the lives of many, one questions if it was the “luck of the draw” or was there a purposeful and intentional focus toward these victims and locales. God has often been blamed for calamity and accused of singling out individuals or cities for destruction. A child born with a handicap is often seen as God’s will, or a young mother dying of cancer as some divine plan. Perhaps these statements, rather than offering an explanation or comfort, give an excuse to hide behind for what cannot be rationally explained.
There is some history to this belief that God wields the gavel of judgment against the world and its people. […]
GalleryTurn Around
Perspective and the point of observation are extremely important in one’s cognitive ability to comprehend what is being observed. Humanity, in its pursuit of spiritual truths, is often amiss in their point of observation.
In the past, we have used the analogy that any destination is but a short distance away, as well as being a great distance, depending on the direction you are facing. The example is if you are standing in front of your home, you are but a few feet from it. If you turn and begin to walk toward your home in the opposite direction, you will literally need to encircle the planet to reach your destination. So the distance to any destination is in direct proportion to your perception and, therefore, the perceived action needed to attain your goal. This truth reflects the interaction of the universe and consciousness, that any action is a movement […]
GalleryEmbrace Yourselves
It is often spoken of the spiritual value of being one with all things and that at the very essence of your being there is an inseparable bond between you and all creation. Though the oneness of All That Is is an irrevocable state of being, you participate in that union by embracing all that you encounter, be it an individual, an action, or a philosophy. It does not always mean acceptance or participation in it but rather a call to respond to it in love. Love re-unifies the scattered aspects of oneself created by the ego consciousness.
It is easy to embrace the beauty of a flower or the smile on a newborn baby’s face. It is more difficult when you witness evil, overt actions of selfishness and aggression, to incorporate that into yourself. When you embrace all aspects of yourself in love, you separate the wheat of consciousness […]