Got Answers?

The Search For Answers

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“What is right for one soul may not be right for another. It may mean having to stand on your own and do something strange in the eyes of others.”….Eileen Caddy

Eileen Caddy MBE, 1917-2006, was a spiritual teacher and new age author, best known as one of the founders of the Findhorn Foundation community at the Findhorn Ecovillage, near the village of Findhorn, Moray Firth, in northeast Scotland.

Upon reading this quote I immediately turned to religion choices as the main topic. Religion is man-made, made to provide answers to the mysteries of life. Over time, some of those mysteries were solved by science and the pure passing of time. Other mysteries, Purpose of life, life after death, existence of a god, etc., remain. In ancient times many of these mysteries were answered by what we now refer to as mythology. AT the time, the answers were considered truth. Then, as now, those so-called answers did not resonate with everybody. Most kept their non-acceptance to themselves, out of fear of being ostracized (or worse) by their communities. People find their answers to the mysteries of life from many resources, often combing information and beliefs of multiple belief systems and personalizing them. Others take in the boxed-set of standard religions.

Who is right? Which belief system is right? They are all right for that individual because they fit the needs and provide believable, understandable answers to those who are searching. While we are all “one” we remain individuals with individual, unique thoughts, likes and dislikes. Imagine if we all talked alike, dressed the same, drove the same type and color car. Ditto for our religious and spiritual beliefs. Hard to imagine? None of the choices are wrong for those who opt to follow one or another path. As the saying goes, all paths lead to the same spot, whatever you call it.

Religion gives you hope, a sense of security, a calmness, peacefulness, an inner understanding, an understanding of the non-understandable – the mysteries of life. It doesn’t matter where it comes from, a book, a handed-down belief system, a 2,000 or 20,000 year old religion or a 5 year old one. If it fits an individual and causes harm to no one, so be it.

Be passionate about your religion while being compassionate toward others. Live it. Wear it on your sleeve if you like. Practice it in your everyday life. As you do, be respectful and mindful of those who follow a different path, for at the end of the journey, your paths will lead you to the same destination.

Blessed Be!

A Thanksgiving Day Blessing

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May the blessing of the Lord and Lady come your way on this Thanksgiving Day and all days.

May these blessings come your way, to cherished friends and loved ones, to brighten each and every day.

Let them be a reminder that life’s beauty is everywhere and bring the happy reassurance that there are those who care.
 

May this day bring a Thankful heart, a special faith that never will grow old, and the warmest, dearest memories that any heart could hold. 

May all be blessed with warm memories of past years and wonderful moments in the years to come.

May your word of the day be ‘Gratitude’.

Happy Thanksgiving and Blessed Be!” – Rev. Ron (Liomsa) Latevola

Gratitude 

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=art+garfunkel+gratitude&&view=detail&mid=11B5A0819349DC82658611B5A0819349DC826586&rvsmid=495A4B2B9FB9C8D41389495A4B2B9FB9C8D41389&fsscr=0&FORM=VDFSRV

Gone and Back Again

 

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There have been many accounts written and told about near-death and/or death experiences. I recently had a discussion with someone who experienced such an event. I will withhold their name for privacy reasons and will refer to her as Jane Doe. 

The event occurred in 1978 at the now UPMC Altoona Hospital. The day prior, Jane had been bathing in her upstairs apartment, also located in Altoona. Suffering from a bout with the flu, she was definitely not feeling well, as anyone who has experienced the flu can relate to. Finishing her bath, wrapped in a drying towel, she stepped from the tub and apparently fainted, falling to the floor with a loud thump. Her downstairs neighbor, hearing the noise, quickly ran to her aid and called for an ambulance immediately. She reclaimed consciousness as she was transported to the local hospital where she was diagnosed with dehydration and low-level of electrolytes. She was admitted to the hospital and ordered scomplete bed rest.                                                                                                                                 

Hooked up to IVs , she rested, sleeping on and off overnight. The following day, she felt a bit better but still weak. As she was talking to her mother on the phone she didn't feel any better or worse. Mid-sentence something happened. According to her hospital roommates (wards in those days, no semi-private rooms), they all heard a loud crash and saw Jane slumped over. Between the noise of the phone falling and the yelling of the patients for help, the nurses and staff came running. While this was happening, Jane found herself in a black hole. She recalls a sensation of floating, akin to the feeling of floating on water. She floated deeper into the black hole. A feeling of peace, contentment overcame her. As she floated, she heard murmur-like sounds from below. Her floating continued to take her further into the black hole. As she did, she noticed the blackness, darkness was getting lighter, less dense.

Her next recollection is that of CPR being done on her and a heavy feeling in her chest area. The doctor was talking to her only for the whole process she had just experienced to be repeated. Finally, this time while talking to the doctor she returned fully to her surroundings. She still felt weak, a bit confused and that her nurses were giving her "funny" looks and their short conversation exchanges were in bits and pieces. She started to put those pieces together as to what she had just experienced. Her heart had stopped, breathing had stopped, both twice. She remained in the hospital 7-10 days before being released home to fully recover her strength.

The review of what she experienced began and the after results. She recalls a calming effect during the event and afterwards a lack of fear when contemplating death. While her religious beliefs did not change as a result, she still believed in life after death for example, her paranormal awareness was heightened. While had experienced certain gifts since childhood, she seemed to be a stronger conduit and more attuned to the paranormal world.

As we all experience life in our own unique way, so too, do we experience the dying experience. All who survive to tell of the process refer to events and feelings as they experienced. They may differ from others but that does not make it less accurate. Some more detailed than others, some longer in length of time, some contrary to their previously held religious beliefs, but all life impacting events.

What are your thoughts? Have you, or do you know someone who has had a near-death experience?

Enough!!!!

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Over the years I have shied away from writing about politics and current events. Not that I was or am non- opinionated, but the political issues were hands-off due to my church's (Wisdom House Circle) tax exempt status and IRS restrictions. The current events always seem to get over-analyzed by the thousands of reporters and journalists.

But, today I feel compelled to render something about the chaos in the world, man's inhumanity to man, and the role of religion with respect to it. The recent attacks in Paris (11/13/15), on top of the 9/11 tragedy and countless number of cowardly, beastly acts by the self-proclaimed saviors of mankind, the jihadists, should have united the world against one target. But, that in itself is difficult since the jihadists are composed of many splinter groups, all with the same goal, but with different methods and targets. I am a pacifist and isolationist, according to some labelists, but also a realist (I really dislike labels).

Traditional logic, discussion and negotiation has little or no impact with some. Dr. Martin Luther King's quote: {"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light  can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that"} falls on ears of those with desires to be martyrs and face their death knowing they are loving and forgiving their slayers. For the majority of the world's population, self-preservation and/or safety of their loved ones are of paramount importance.

There are an estimated 320 million Muslim radicals/extremists/jihadists today all over the world. Current efforts to bomb suspected pockets of the terrorists have met with very limited positive results. The only active ground troops to speak of are Syrian and that's like...what's the worst of 2 evils?

No, I am not suggesting I have answers that can resolve a complex issue quickly. Mix religion, politics, egos and money and things get very, very complicated. I will, however, raise one question. There are approximately 1.6 billion Muslims world-wide. As stated earlier, about 20% are extremists/radicals, etc. Where are the 1 billion non-extremist/radical/terrorist Muslims? Where are the imams world-wide? The only ones I have heard about in the news are the few supporting the terrorist acts. Others insist the Muslim faith is a peace advocating religion. If so, why aren't the religious leaders speaking out condemning these vicious acts? Why aren't the billion Muslims rebelling against the violence? The terrorists have no limits on their targets, including Muslims who don't agree 100% with their ideology. Why is the world of 7.3 billion allowing this small percentage continue to create terror, fear, havoc in the world? Can the world indeed unite against 1 common enemy? What will it take for that to happen? Haven't we seen enough already? Didn't we see enough 14 years ago?

No, I don't have answers, just a lot of the same questions you probably have. I just needed to vent a bit and being an author gives me a venue to do so. If anyone else needs to release, please, feel free to use the reply boxes below. Your comments are always welcomed.

Blessed Be!

Prayer & Meditation

                
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“Prayer is when you talk to God; meditation is when you listen to God.”…..Diana Robinson

Prayer is an effective and powerful way to focus on Deity or a situation. (see earlier article titled “Invisible Power”) Prayer opens up that line of communication and puts out positive energy, but what then? Prayer is a request for guidance or assistance, direction, but how do we receive that which we seek? 

In today’s multi-media world it is often difficult to hear those special answering messages, even if they come from within us. We must quiet our thoughts and filter out the static of the outside world, focusing ourselves inward. Meditation is an act of doing just that. Like prayer, there is no right or wrong way. The right way is what works for you.

Do you have to use special words, in a precise manner at a certain time and/or place to speak to Deity? Not mine. You don’t even have to actually speak. Thoughts suffice.

Meditation has many benefits. On the mental and emotional side, it reduces anxiety and depression by enabling your body to balance itself. It allows you to make better decisions and improve critical thinking, aids in breaking unhealthy habits and improves communication with yourself giving you better control over what you think. 

Meditation also has physical benefits. It slows the heartbeat and metabolism. It clears your mind for better quality sleep. It slows your respiration for longer, deeper breaths. While refining your ability to focus on a goal or situation (aka visualization) it boosts your immune system by slowing the production of stress hormones like cortisol. The rest it provides gives the body a chance to recuperate, re-energize and counter fatigue.

A point I would like to make to those trying meditation for the first time is to be patient. You will not master it in one attempt. Start small using short periods of time. Stop when your mind and body says stop. Also, a big misconception is that the goal of meditation is to clear the mind completely. That may be the ultimate goal of some (thinking Buddhist monks) but not a realistic goal for most. Instead, stay single focused. If other thoughts come in, acknowledge them and quickly dismiss them, letting them pass through. The end results are very similar to people who knit, sew, play sports or games. While doing so they are single focused, blocking out the rest of the world. Afterwards they realize a relief, a calming when it is all said and done. So, don’t get discouraged or frustrated. Keep all senses open and you will hear your prayer answers in some form.

Blessed Be!

Gobble Day and Poof - The Holiday Season!!

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                       Holidays! Grrrrrrrr!!      

Before you read any further I must remind you to NOT kill the messenger. With that being said, there are 42 days until the Christian holiday of Christmas (As when this was written) and 38 days until the Pagan Sabbat of Yule! That’s right!! I can feel your stress already.

While I know it’s easier said than done, try to keep the joy in the season. By the way, wouldn’t it be wonderful to have that joyous, warmth to humanity feeling year round?  No reason for it not to happen.

In an effort to help de-stress, or at least minimize the holiday stress, I have accumulated some ideas to help reach that goal. They are not in any particular order. Find one or two or three that works for you.

That Perfect Gift Stress: Trying to find that perfect gift? Ask the person what they want or need. Shop early for a wider selection and stick to a budget.

Family Get-Together Stress: Ease the stress of family get-togethers by serving prepared foods. Schedule visits allotting time for recouping energy in between visits. This may mean simplifying and/or prioritizing traditions. Be reasonable and rational, not losing sight of the big holiday picture.

Holiday Blues: It’s OK to feel sad and to express your feelings, ala melancholy. Do not forget to take in some sunlight. The holiday season is also the time for seasonal affective disorder, which carries symptoms, often misidentified as normal holiday stress.

Holiday Anxiety: Take a walk. The rhythm and repetition of walking has a tranquilizing effect, decreasing anxiety and improving sleep, according to nutrition and wellness expert Alan Kulze, M.D.

Over-All Stress: Look to your hands. Apply firm pressure to the fleshy part of your hand between the thumb and point finger for 30 seconds. This “Hoku” spot can reduce stress and tension in the upper body. Try enjoying a spicy meal. Hot foods (and orgasms) trigger the release of endorphins, the natural chemicals that trigger feelings of euphoria and well-being, advises Dr. Kulze. Listen to some of your favorite music, holiday or otherwise. Doing so can relax blood flow and calms and aids heart functions, according to research form the University of Maryland.

Holiday Illness: Take time to laugh. Laughter helps your immune cells function better, per psychologist Steve Wilson.

In summary, do not try to over-do. Do not stretch yourself too thin. Do not push. Yes, the holiday season is a specific time of year, but, there IS always tomorrow. Besides, shouldn’t that holiday season feeling last year-round?

RELAX and ENJOY!!!

Blessed Be!

 

Mistakes: Lessons of Wisdom

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“Mistakes are lessons of wisdom. The past cannot be changed. The future is yet in your power.”…..Mary Pickens

Mary Pickens was a Canadian-American silent movie actress, 1892-1979. She was a co-founder of United Artists and one of the founders of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences.

Are there really “mistakes”? Life is full of choices and learning opportunities. That is the purpose of life – to learn how to become closer to Deity and/or to help others reach the same goal. We do this by experiencing varied situations.

When facing the results of our choices there are lessons learned, regardless of what choice we made. So, as long as we learn something from the resulting situation, can any choice be a mistake? One choice may result in an uncomfortable or difficult situation while a different choice, in hindsight, would have been smoother with an easier outcome. How do we make that first choice a positive one? We do so by acknowledging the process that led to the choice and the ensuing result. Were our motives pure or selfish? Was it powered by financial greed? Did we put our trust in the wrong person or people? Did we act hastily without all the facts? Did we act out of anger or to anger others? Did we depend on somebody else?

What do we do after it becomes obvious that the outcome was not the one we envisioned? Again, we make note of what transpired, make the most of it and promise ourselves not to make a similar choice again.

In the case where others are involved we should be mindful that while we cannot control the actions of others, we can control our reaction to them.

Our mistakes can also serve as a lesson to others. They can view our choices, results and our reaction to them. If done wisely, they can learn from our actions and use that info in their own choice-making process.

Look for the positive in any situation. Look and you will find it. Once found use it to assist you in making your future choices. Take something with you from any situation. Do not waste a learning opportunity.
Blessed Be!