"Sleeps Unaware of the Clarion Call…"

Are you familiar with this line from an old song?  After 60 years of listening to the song I received some new insight that makes it more meaningful for me in this era.  

I will conclude with the song, but first let me share the insights with you by paraphrasing the song and its insights.  Then when you watch the song at the end it may help you to become more awake.

The medieval version of this song was about two lovers who had broken up and now set impossible tasks for each other in order to express the impossibility of their reconciliation. Woven into the modern lyrics is a second set of lyrics to make a striking counter point. So this song is actually two songs sung at the same time.

Let’s break down one interpretation of this song.

Michaelangelo’s “Creation of God”

The Creation of Adam (c. 1511–1512) is a section of the fresco painted by Michelangelo for the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican. The image is widely reknown and recognized.  What almost everyone has missed is the hidden message that Michelangelo inserted: a human brain associated  with the figure of God.

Spiritual Laws That Can Change Lives

"The World is not to be put in order; the world is order, incarnate."     Henry Miller

Spiritual Laws existed before humanity.... before Nature; whether we call them natural, spiritual, or higher laws they are guiding principles that apply not only to the mechanics of Nature, but also to the human psyche.  All we have to do is pay attention and practice them in our daily life.... and align our lives.... habits of diet.... exercise.... and work with them.  Also.... within spiritual laws and sexuality there are challenges that we can approach without struggle by embracing the moment.

Spiritual laws are beyond the concepts of morality and have little to do the cultural concepts of right or wrong. We know that sooner or later life will teach us the consequences of our choices through cause and effect, action and reaction. We eventually come to respect the spiritual laws and the power of nature.

The number of laws that govern the Universe are infinite.   Following are the spiritual laws that will benefit humanity in working toward the most positive expression of their life path. These laws can heal and balance our drives.... fears.... or difficulties manifested in relationships as well as  health.... or other any other type of problems that may arise. As we work the laws relevant to our life path.... we help to transform ourselves in the source rather than struggling with the symptoms.

The key to the power of a law is not just knowing it.... but applying it. We will know we are working with them because we will have changes in our actions.... feelings.... or perspectives. 

Get to know these laws and their practices and watch your life improve!

That's Life...

Most everyone has, at one time or another wondered about the meaning of Life. Usually they are searching for their purpose in life, but have you ever wondered what the meaning of the words used to define Life mean? Let's look at the meaning of Life.  

The ancient Greeks had three main words for life which are: 

Spiritual Character Building: Love

Divine love is more than just a fleeting emotional feeling or romantic inclination.  It's a deep, abiding commitment rooted in Divine character, emphasizing action, sacrifice, and loyalty. 

Spiritual Love is unconditional; this selfless, sacrificial love is given freely without expecting anything in return. 

Spiritual Character Building: Brotherly Affection

Brotherly affection, often referred to as "brotherly love", is a deep, familial love and affection that should exist among those who are of the family of the Divine.

It is feeling such a love and respect for others that one considers almost everyone a "part of the family."  It's a reflection of Divine love and is characterized by compassion, care, and mutual support, mirroring the natural bond between siblings. 

Spiritual Character Building: Godliness

Godliness refers to a life that is pleasing to God, to the Divine. 

The Divine has standards characterized by a commitment to living according to divine wisdom and with reverence.  It involves both an inward devotion and an outward expression of that devotion through righteous behavior. 

Essentially, godliness is about being like the divine in thoughts, feelings, desires, and actions; a mighty tall order for mere humans.

Spiritual Character Building: Endurance

Spiritual self-endurance, often discussed alongside perseverance and patience, refers to the ability to withstand trials, hardships, and temptations while maintaining faith and integrity.  

It's about remaining steadfast in one's commitment to the divine and divine teachings through difficult circumstances.  Spiritual endurance is not merely enduring hardship.  

Spiritual Character Building: Self-control

Self-control, or temperance –the quality of moderation or self-restraint – is defined as the ability to restrain one's desires and impulses, mastering one's actions, thoughts, and emotions, especially in the face of temptation. 

This characteristic helps spiritually faithful to resist temptation and avoid harmful behaviors. It involves making conscious choices to align one's behavior with the divine's character. It extends to thoughts, feelings, and internal states. 

Spiritual Character Building: Knowledge

In a spiritual context, "knowledge" encompasses more than just factual information. It signifies a deep, experiential understanding of the divine, the divine's character, and the divine's guidance, often involving a personal relationship and adherence to that guidance. 

It's not merely conscious awareness, but also an experiential spiritual application of truth in daily life. This knowledge is often gained through personal experiences, meditation and prayer, and studying wisdom literature, history and scripture. It involves discernment, perception, and the ability to apply truth to life situations. For instance, knowing that a tomato is a fruit is knowledge, but wisdom dictates not putting it in a fruit salad. True knowledge involves understanding what to do with information.

Spiritual Character Building: Goodness

Spiritual goodness signifies a moral quality of being virtuous, righteous, and benevolent, aligning with divine guidance and reflecting divine nature. It encompasses actions, intentions, and character that are considered praiseworthy and beneficial to others. Goodness is also seen as a fruit of the Spirit.  It is a characteristic that spiritual believers are called to cultivate and exhibit in their lives as one would cultivate other fruits.

Goodness is a core attribute of the divine, reflecting a character of love, kindness, and generosity.  But spiritual goodness goes beyond simply feel good emotions or presenting an image of goodness to the world; it involves actively choosing and doing what is right, both in terms of behavior and character.  

 

Spiritual Character Building: Faith

The Apostle Peter, in the biblical book of 2 Peter, lists eight characteristics of Spiritual character. 

Using AI, the following spiritual definitions and characteristics are explained and expounded for your consideration.

All eight characteristics will be shared over the coming weeks and will be linked together for your reference.

Understanding Your Energetic Self

 

Characteristics ~ Emotions / Behaviors ~ Beliefs ~ Energy

The following information will assist you in becoming familiar with each chakra system according to their functions, emotions and behavior patterns.  Taking time to contemplate the questions associated with each chakra will enhance your connections, communications, and relationships in all areas of your life. 

 

Rabbit Trails of Light, Part 2

In my original article Rabbit Trails of Light I presented the foundational blocks of energy so far as science has learned about them.  Here in part 2 I want to present to you a sketch of an understanding of A tree of life that may help to comprehend how some of these rabbit trails stitch together. 

A diagram at the end may help to pull it all together.

So lets start at the beginning.  Many are familiar that Genesis 1:1 says, in part, "In the beginning, God...."  From this viewpoint God existed before ANY of the universe existed.

 

Science is currently somewhat in favor of the "Big Bang Theory" which holds that the universe as we know it, ALL of its energy and matter, was compressed into a single point of energy; a singularity.  

Genesis 1:1 concludes that from this single point of energy was brought forth into existence everything that is.  God is in that single point of energy and everything that is came forth from this single dimensional point of energy.

Therefore, as we begin this investigation of A Tree of Life, at the very top of the tree, or even above the top of the tree shedding light onto it, is the first principle:

The Cost of Neglecting Your Spirituality

The following article is excerpted from the article The Cost of Neglecting Spirituality by Arsh Sarao.

What if the most overlooked factor in your health isn’t what you eat or how you exercise, but what you believe?

A doctor in a stressful practice found it difficult to lift himself out of the depression that medical practice brought to him. That’s when he decided to embrace a spiritual routine. He began meditating for a few minutes every day and hasn’t stopped since. According to him, this simple lifestyle change has helped him reclaim his well-being. He has come a long way from being an anxious and depressed intern to an optimistic, caring, full-time doctor assisting in the emergency room.

Studies find spirituality to be associated with benefits such as better mental health, longevity, reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and brain disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. A general culture of “neglected spirituality” has led many to find it hard to believe that there is a connection between spirituality and health.

Here are the benefits you might miss by neglecting spirituality.

The Pursuit of Happiness; The Long and Short of it.

The physical world claims that a LOT of things will give us security, happiness and a sense of well-being.  From buying the right kind of diaper to investing in the right kind of insurance.  There are NO shortage of things external to our bodies that claim to provide security, happiness and a sense of well-being.  

While such things in the extremely short term may provide a measure of internal happiness or joy, material things by definition are NOT eternal and do not provide eternal, or even long lasting joy or happiness.  Chasing primarily these things in life one often finds that they fail to deliver.  Like running on a hamster wheel, we expend a lot of energy and look like we are progressing, but in fact we get nowhere.

Insights to Humanity's "Nature Religions": Conclusion

This is a six part series of short postings of a longer article viewable at this link: Insights to Humanity's "Nature Religions".  These shorter periodic postings may make reviewing the article more time efficient for you.

The Ainu had no written language. Their stories were orally conveyed from generation to generation over thousands of years. Word of mouth was the only way in which their traditions were perpetuated. 

They believed conversations between deities sounded like music.  Therefore their stories were sung in epic poems called Yukar. Elderly women sang these stories to their grandchildren and thereby perpetuated the tradition of appreciation to, respect for, and admiration of the deities and of Nature. 

For example, in their traditional lifestyle the Ainu gathered firewood by collecting dead tree trunks and dry twigs but seldom acquired them by cutting down living trees. They respected the river-god and never drained dirty or contaminated water into a river or washed in a river; for all water courses were considered sacred and therefore had to be kept pristine.

Insights to Humanity's "Nature Religions": Humanity, the Heart of Reverence

This is a six part series of short postings of a longer article viewable at this link: Insights to Humanity's "Nature Religions".  These shorter periodic postings may make reviewing the article more time efficient for you.

When an Ainu house was built, the goddess of fire was invited to dwell in it through the performance of a special ritual. This goddess was an intermediary between humans and some of the deities. Traditional Ainu houses are therefore regarded as temples. A fire-hole was made in the center of the house to warm the house and to cook food. Once the ritual of fire ignition had been performed, the goddess of the fire was believed to have entered and taken residence in the fire-hole and the fire had to be kept alive from then on.  The recently arrived goddess of the fire was called abekakemat meaning “the lady of fire,” and after a period of a day or two, she was called abefuchi meaning “the grandmother of fire.”

Insights to Humanity's "Nature Religions": A Glimpse into Ainu Beliefs

This is a six part series of short postings of a longer article viewable at this link: Insights to Humanity's "Nature Religions".  These shorter periodic postings may make reviewing the article more time efficient for you.

Let me now introduce you to the traditional beliefs of the Ainu people that I believe may be quite similar to those of the ancient peoples around the world. 

The Ainu classified all souls into three categories.  The first consists of the souls of deities.  The Ainu concept of deities was different from that of most other forms of animism. Deities in this first group were the souls of creatures having powers and abilities exceeding those of humans, e.g. owls typically have far better night vision than humans; bears have far greater strength than humans; wolves have an endurance, sense of smell, and cunning far exceeding that of humans; killer whales and sea lions operate with ease and ferocity in a watery realm that humans seldom enter; and snakes, though much smaller than humans, still possess poisons that can easily kill. The souls of such creatures were all regarded as deities who wore their animal bodies only temporarily and gave them up to Ainu hunters when they were ready to enter the hereafter and therefore allowed themselves to be successfully hunted. 

Insights to Humanity's "Nature Religions": The Neolithic Revolution

This is a six part series of short postings of a longer article viewable at this link: Insights to Humanity's "Nature Religions".  These shorter periodic postings may make reviewing the article more time efficient for you.

The transformation from wandering hunter-gatherer societies to ones based on agriculture, resulted in dramatic regional population growth. 

This “Agricultural Revolution” as it is called, is regarded by many anthropologists as the single most important contributor to modern, organized society and the many civilizations that rose and fell thereafter.  Also known as the Neolithic Revolution, it was a gradual process that took place in many parts of the world as early as 11,000 BC, but some evidence suggests it may have started as far back 17,000 BC, some 19,000 years ago.