So, why is reincarnation necessary?

Know anyone so set in their ways dynamite couldn’t move them off a position or opinion, whether it is a sports team, political party or issue? Most people by the time they have reached their 40’s have pretty much sorted out what they do or do not believe, are set in their ways, their mind effectively closed to differing opinions or points of view, any new growth effectively choked off by the weight of a “settled” mind, their character fixed, ignorance embraced.

IGNORANCE: n

1.  lack of knowledge or education
2.  unawareness of something, often of something important

Some where in the sands of time the term ignorance transformed from a simply descriptive word to a pejorative, to be ignorant simply means we are unaware or lack knowledge.

Our spiritual schooling involves the development of every aspect of character, for who can truly say they understand another until they have walked a mile in their shoes?

The lessons we need to learn to become spiritually complete are legion. Consider: To become a good leader first the lessons of humility and to resist the siren song of corruption absolute power sings is necessary. To live alone and be at peace and to live amongst many and learn to view all as equals, children of a loving God, regardless of how they may offend. To live childless and as a parent, to learn these things and so many others, and to do it from both the male and female perspective is a task far beyond the capacity of any single lifetime clearly, so our long spiritual schooling is not constrained by our limited understanding of time or the finality of flesh. Our Father is eternal and so are His children.

So our job now is not to concern ourselves with past lessons or those yet to come, but to reside in the moment, for though He was there in the past and promises to be there in the future, He resides in today, with us, His children. By keeping our eyes on Him who has all knowledge and power, ignorance melts away and our growth in spiritual understanding blossoms.

 #settled science, Zen, settled science, The Secret, Source, sacred cows, NOTW, morbid reflection, ACIM, Alanon,

The Spiritually Superior Trap

        The pitfall of self-righteousness has trapped and pulled down countless individuals. In most endeavors in life when we reach the top (think any Senator, sports star, billionaire, The President etc) there is a natural sense of awe surrounding the individual and their accomplishments. Accomplishments however do not elevate one spiritually “above” anyone else, regardless of how much money, power, fame or titles they garner. Additionally the destruction wrought by self-righteous entitlement thinking on those who were born into wealth and position would be cliché if its effects on them and those they touch were not so heartbreaking.

     The greatest and most damaging falls occur however when an individual garners a sense of superiority from the spiritual work they have done. Though they began with good motives, they succumbed to the trap. When we grow spiritually, unless we stay ever vigilant, we can lose ourselves in self and begin to “look down” on those seeking guidance from a self constructed tower of superiority to the point of even becoming unwilling to continue to experience new spiritual winds, losing sight of our role as messenger, our demonstration of spiritual principles the message, no one of greater import before God than any other. Entitlement thinking may be the dubious luxury of the rich and famous, with or without personal accomplishment, but spiritual entitlement thinking is deadly.

       Living on the Spiritual Basis we demonstrate the spiritual precepts we have learned in our daily life, for we cannot transmit that which we do not live ourselves. If we are attempting to teach a lesson we do not practice we will ultimately fail and fall victim to the dictum: “do as I say, not as I do” which is the golden gate of self-righteousness. We avoid this by staying vigilant and when spiritual entitlement thinking begins to make it’s self known, for it will, we turn to God and thank Him for knowing Him better, for keeping us “right” sized, our lives the demonstration of the new basis of living.

Bondage Of Self-Righteousness

        “Never try to force other people to accept spiritual truth.”  No one, absolutely no one will permanently accept anything crammed down their throat. Sure, they may go along for a time but as soon as they can escape, they will. It is amazing how many times this has been attempted through history, whether it be political, restricting living conditions, restrictions on personal freedom and initiative or individual expression, these attempts always fail eventually. The attempts, though always ultimately failing, continue because self-righteousness is a powerful aphrodisiac.

         Remember, self-righteous is not the same as being righteous before God. The righteous individual embodies humility, the self-righteous is holier-than-thou. The righteous, caring and thoughtful. The self-righteous, preachy and self satisfied. As children of the most high we strive to be righteous but stand guard watching for the trap of self-righteousness. 

         Today when someone tries to impress upon us their point of view as the only one, the “my way or the highway” approach, we avoid face to face combat or debate. Living on the Spiritual Basis the truth has become evident, that: the realm of Heaven is roomy, all inclusive, never exclusive or forbidding to those who earnestly seek. So our path is to pray for those still trapped in the bondage of self-righteousness and release them with love, not confrontation, to turn the other cheek. 

        The sands of time are littered with those who forgot or ignored this, though they began with right motives, they became victims, believing their own press, lost in appreciation of their personal rightness. They forgot that all are equal in God’s eyes, beholden to no one save Our Father, their path and spiritual growth the ultimate demonstration in truth. So, "Do not preach me a sermon, but show me one with your actions."