There is one major hurtle on the spiritual path. That hurtle is the belief that some people are worthy and some are not. Some people are good and others bad. Some people deserve salvation while others are damned to hell. This belief in degrees of worthiness is the path of the ego and is not on the path of the spirit, for God loves all of God's creation unconditionally. It is humans, who have separated themselves from the love of God, who have created these levels of hell.
The correction, of course, is forgiveness and surrendering our will to the Holy Spirit of God.
It is written in A Course In Miracles that problems appear to us in many forms with different circumstances and characteristics and levels of intensity. The Holy Spirit of God cares nothing about the form for the issue is always the same, our willfulness and illusions.
Surrendering to the Love of God fills us with the fear of giving up our egos and that, most of us most of the time, are not willing to do, yet. But there comes a time when our spirits will be pried lose from our bodies and how that goes for us will depend on whether we go willingly or unwillingly. If we have matured enough to not only go willingly but to welcome the incorporation into the Oneness we will find peace and bliss. If we are still immature and our fears prevent us from surrendering, we will have to learn more before we are ready, and perhaps, if reincarnation is accurate, come back again to the school on the earth plane to continue our education.
The bottom line here is that, if anything deserves our faith, it is the Holy Spirit who can help us solve all problems. The best joke I ever heard is this, "If you want to hear God laugh, tell God your plans." That's the funniest thing I ever heard. The best question we could ever ask of God is "What do you want me to do?" Ask the Holy Spirit of God to help us surrender our ego and joyfully join in God's loving will for us.
I really like that joke to and tell it to myself and others often. It always gets a somewhat self conscious laugh.
ReplyDeleteOne of the things that drew me to UU was the very first principle which is about the inherent worth and dignity of every person. It is so refreshing and at odds with President Trump's comments about people coming from shithole countries. The good news which UU affirms and promotes is so refreshing and inspiring the more I reflect on it the more it kinda takes my breath away.
ReplyDeleteLow self-esteem is a problem I have struggled with most of my life. My father told me constantly that I was worthless, an idiot, etc. He used to call me "fat butt" and ridiculed me constantly. I overate to compensate for my hurt and anger and at one point weighed well over 325 lbs. After years of therapy with my therapist telling me over and over that I deserved to be happy, I finally came to believe him, and then I was angry that no one had ever told me this before. Why did it take a therapist? Now I read this blog and I am re-learning the same lesson. Thank you for blessing my life.
ReplyDeleteWhen you turn things over to your Higher Power better things start happening. I wish UUs were a little less arrogant and condescending. My experience is that they tend to be a snobbish bunch thinking they are better than others. More humility and tolerance especially for people they feel are inferior and below them would be a positive move.
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