Sample
of Guidelights (First
Chapter- Overview)
Page 1 of 4
As I write these words at the dawn of the
new millennium, I see a growing spiritual crisis in the United States
and other developed countries. Although our science and technology have
brought us unprecedented material well being, we seem further away
than ever from true spiritual wholeness.
It is not that we no longer feel the need
for a meaningful spiritual life. On the contrary, in the fast-paced, stress-filled
world of today in which time for family and self is ever scarcer, we have
more need than ever for spiritual stability. The problem, which manifests
itself as a restlessness born of unmet needs, is difficult to pin down
but can be described with the vague observation that something very
big is missing from our lives.
Many are confident in their beliefs, yet
feel that somehow, something is missing in the actual practice of their
chosen religion. Others have simply lost faith. They have rejected traditional
religions, yet hunger for some kind of spirituality. Many people of both
types have searched in vain to find answers that will give full meaning
to their lives. My hope is that this work might suggest some answers to
some readers. Within these pages, I do not discuss the reality of God,
by which I mean an external, in some sense physical, in some sense conscious
being. I do not discuss the truth or falsity of the doctrines of the traditional
religions. I do discuss the reality of the Lord that lies within: The
pure goodness that lies within the heart of each and every one of us.
It is within their hearts that many feel something lacking. It is with
the heart that I am concerned here.
Meaning,
Direction, Spiritual Fulfillment, and True Happiness
Guidelights? Renewed spirituality? The Light
within? What's this all about?
It's about finding meaning in life, about
finding something that gives value to your life. It's about finding direction
in life. It's about finding spiritual fulfillment and true happiness.
As sentient beings, all of us have asked these BIG QUESTIONS.
In order to find answers to these questions,
in order to experience spiritual fulfillment, true happiness,
meaning, and direction in life, we must come to let the Light fill our
hearts. A pure goodness lies in the deepest, most sacred recesses of each
of our souls. We must open our hearts to this pure goodness and allow
it to manifest itself throughout our entire beings if we are to experience
wholeness. I call this pure goodness the Good, or the
Light. Many people spend their lives ignoring or actively trying
to suppress their basic goodness, because they are too busy, or selfish,
or afraid, or … . This is tragic, for the Light is the key to truly
living.
Goodness is the most basic emotional quality
of humanity. To deny its fullest expression is to deny yourself, to deny
your elemental identity. True spiritual fulfillment means
allowing this basic quality to reach its fullest potentiality. One who
suppresses this inherent goodness is like a great eagle that has been
caged and cannot spread its wings. Fulfillment requires us to satisfy
our most basic emotional needs. The greatest of these for humanity is
goodness, the fullest expression of which brings spiritual fulfillment.
Bringing the Good into our hearts satisfies
our most basic emotional needs; this brings true happiness.
When your heart fills with love and pure goodness, you will know what
I'm talking about. This happiness persists continually, unlike a fleeting
pleasure. It gives you the strength to face the challenges and tragedies
of life. It frees your soul from the continual desire to obtain THINGS
that will never bring happiness. It colors your view of the entire world,
bringing optimism- a mindset that dwells on the positive, rather than
the negative. It reveals the wonder of the ordinary. You notice the beauty
of the sky. You see the most extraordinary wonder, one that has been right
in front of you your entire life: Your own consciousness, your own being.
In this way, the Good helps you to comprehend the meaning,
the value, of your own life.
The Good also provides direction in
life. One who's heart fills with this pure goodness loves, rather
than hates, cooperates and helps others, rather than behaves selfishly.
The Good motivates acts of goodness. I also refer to the Good as the
Lord, for one who gives himself or herself to the Good becomes
an instrument. You must freely give yourself; the Lord does not take.
But when you do give yourself to the Lord, you become an instrument, a
force for good in this world.
The
Light
The Light is the love
The joy, the strength, and the vision
The life, the grace
The essence of creation
The wonder of the ordinary
Revealed by the supreme
Like the tiny motes that glisten
Suspended in a sunbeam
The beauty is the truth
Within the answer lies
Wise are the humble
For humble are the wise
And gentle is the word
The only path to right
Footsteps in heaven
Fall as softly as The Light
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