"Spirituality is a personal relationship
with the divine. It's not about performing rituals,
but about living your life with purpose and meaning."
- Deepak Chopra
Spiritual Journey Blog
Today I got a very meaningful phone call. It was a young woman who used to date Matthew. A few years ago, we opened our home to her as she was in a very difficult situation. When she was living here, she purchased a book that made me feel very uncomfortable.
It was a serial killer's recipe book. Growing up Christian, I had very strong beliefs about not allowing “evil” into my surroundings. And at that time, we were attending a local Christian church; in fact, it was the church that made me question Christianity and my participation in organized religion. She had so little, I went against my better judgement and allowed her to purchase it and bring it into our home.
I soon learned that what I thought was "evil" wasn't always right and that it was important to keep an open mind and heart toward others, even if their beliefs were different from mine. In the end, the experience taught me a valuable lesson about acceptance and compassion.
The phone call today took me aback, as she was calling first to thank me for sharing my hesitation on the book, and also to let me know that she had accepted Jesus into her heart. She also let me know that she, the pastor of her church, and his wife had burned the book. Although her decision to burn the book initially shocked me, I came to understand how crucial it was to respect her beliefs and treat her with kindness, just as she had done when she accepted Jesus into her heart.
After hanging up the phone, my past experience with Christianity and organized religion instantly came into reflection. I had just written and posted my last blog about Thoughts & Prayers. As much harm as Christianity may cause, it's a common religion that brings some a peace they've never felt before.
The joy a new Christian feels deep in their souls is always there. It exists from the moment we are born. This joy is the result of the newfound relationship with God and the assurance of eternal life. It can be a constant source of comfort and strength in times of trouble and for some lasts a lifetime.
What I have come to understand for myself is that joy and comfort come from within my own soul, not from some external source. God/Universe/Light is in each of us if we choose to connect to it. Moving away from the patriarchal notion that some external dictator is going to send my soul to heaven or hell depending on how I worship has been a very unfamiliar journey. In my reality said patriarch is just man's hand in the divine.
We can live in heaven in this life by connecting to the divine within us, we can experience a sense of peace, purpose, and fulfillment. It is up to us to cultivate this connection through practices such as meditation, gratitude, and compassion towards ourselves and others.
With all their flaws, Christianity and all other organized religions, can be a vehicle for finding a deeper connection to the divine universe around and within us. But it's important to know that this isn't the only way to find spiritual fulfillment. There are many other belief systems that offer their own unique ways to connect with the divine. Ultimately, it is up to each individual to explore and find what resonates with them on a personal level.
What is important, I've found, is to surround self with love and compassion, allow them to flow to and from you.
― Elisabeth Kubler Ros says “There are only two emotions: love and fear. All positive emotions come from love, all negative emotions come from fear. From love flow happiness, contentment, peace, and joy. From fear comes anger, hate, anxiety, and guilt. It's true that there are only two primary emotions, love and fear. But it's more accurate to say that there is only love or fear, for we cannot feel these two emotions together, at exactly the same time. They're opposites. If we're in fear, we are not in a place of love. When we're in a place of love, we cannot be in a place of fear.”
This is something I completely agree with. In my own life, I've started placing each of my emotions into those two buckets and, when reacting to other people, remembering that they are coming from one of those two places. This approach has helped me to be more compassionate and understanding toward others, as well as more aware of my own emotional state. It has also allowed me to create healthier relationships based on love and trust rather than fear and insecurity.
To my friends and family, I love you. I hope we all can find a way to connect to the divine beyond this world, while creating a peaceful heaven for those living breathing humans we ride this roller coaster called life!
Light love peace and prayers
Catherine (Cat) Valliere
My spiritual wellness journey has been a lifelong endeavor. When I decided to leave the corporate world
in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic I decided to delve deeper into spiritual well being. Since then, I have dedicated my time to exploring and understanding what it means to be spiritually whole.
On my blog, A'ho Namaste, I share my journey with others, offering insights and guidance on how to discover inner peace and contentment. Please join me as I explore the depths of spiritual wellness and create a life of greater meaning and purpose.
DISCLAIMER:
A'ho Namaste is creating peace movement content and this information is not presented by a medical practitioner and is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding any type of mental or physical issues. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read.
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