The Secrets In Plain Sight!

Ten years ago, I created the first episode of this podcast.  Its title was "Can We Please Get Along?".  It seemed then (and still does) that we have more to share than we will ever have differences, and many of those differences don't even really exist!  So, then, why not?There's bad news and good news.  There are people who are working together today who would have never thought of doing so ten years ago.  And, people are making the discovery that some differences don't matter as much as they once thought.The problem is the folks who not only don't want to get along, but want to force division, controversy, and even raise issues to divert attention from real issues.  Blessed Be!

Some basic ideas that have been drummed into your head can become tools, and even weapons, in dealing with the words and actions we see from politicians, candidates, business executives, and various forms of bureaucrats as well as religious leaders.  Look at the "Golden Rule" that every Christian child learns in Sunday school, and the "Threefold Law" well known to every Wiccan.  After all, if someone bullies you, does that mean that the bully really wants you to bully him/her?Given the broad-brush statements about certain groups of people, how would someone feel if the same broad-brush were applied to them?  Not only is there a question of whether or not we can afford that kind of prejudiced thinking, it might keep us from seeing greater issues.  The Oklahoma City bombing and several other terrorist-type actions since then, for instance, had nothing to do with minority religions such as Islam.  We have a weapon immediately available which will let each of us know what a person is advocating.  Add a little to that, and you can get an idea of what we might have to expect from that person.  We might even be able to stop a snake before it strikes!  Blessed Be!

If there is one challenge facing us that is greater than any other, it is the challenge presented by hate.  Hate is no stranger to our history, even the history of the United States.  At least one early synagogue was equipped with an escape tunnel found necessary in European synagogues, and the Philadelphia cathedral's stained glass windows were set high enough to be out of reach of a mob's rocks.  The problem today, however, is that many of the preachers of hate are in positions which would ordinarily deserve great respect!  If there is anything more wasteful than hate, I can't think of what it would be.  And hate is so wasteful that it can lead to the downfall of an entire country.  While some might say that if there were no hate, there would have been no war against Hitler's Germany, the fact is that enforcing and administering their policies of hate caused Germany to divert vast resources and thousands of people for the sake of enforcing their hate.What can we do?  Much can be done and much has been discussed.  But a thought occurred to me which might work if a direct confrontation happens!Blessed Be!

Three holidays are celebrated within days of each other, depending on a person's spiritual path.  Each is associated with a particular spiritual path, each has its own unique set of roots, yet all three are celebrating the same thing!  And why not?  It gives us all something not only to celebrate, but also to cherish!To those who insist upon being totally mundane and secular, nothing is more final and absolute than death.  And, there is more than one way of dying.  If a person dies and is buried, if an entire people disappear into the mists of slavery, or if the world is plunged into the death known as winter, those of us who know and appreciate the spiritual see how that can and will be overcome! Blessed Be!

Meditation has many definitions, mostly depending on the person's teacher, the person's experience, and what the person gets from it.  For me, meditation is the next logical step from prayer.  I see it as the weapon which I use to bring my spirituality to bear on a subject.The various methods and teaching of various traditions about meditation might seem diverse, but they are very similar at the core.  And, as with anything that brings reward through effort, regular use improves the experience and the power.    Blessed Be!

While a military land mine can end someone's physical life, a spiritual land mine can end your spiritual life.  While a military land mine is buried in the ground by soldiers during an armed conflict, a spiritual land mine is often offered in public in what appears to be polite company.The three kinds of spiritual land mines are divine arbitrariness, nitpicking and guilt.  I've seen some wonderful people be spiritually ruined by them.  But by recognizing them for what they are and the lies at their root, you have a remedy!   Blessed Be!

There are some words I call "F-words".  They are proper and can be used in polite company.  Unfortunately, they begin with that letter, and have been so misused that, to some folks, their real meaning has been totally obscured!  Today, I introduce you to the 5-letter F-word "faith".Some seem to think of it as some sort of commodity, as if you might be able to buy it at a supermarket.  Many others seem to take pride in pointing out its apparent absence in some people.  It is my considered opinion that such thinking actually avoids the real definition of faith.Once you understand it and use it, it will surprise you!      Blessed Be!

February 20th is Tempest Smith Day.  On February 20, 2001, Tempest Kayne Smith died by her own hand.  She was twelve years old.  She had been tormented by her classmates for some years because she was shy, because she liked to wear black clothing, and especially because she chose to follow Wicca as her religious path.  At that age, time goes very slowly.  At that age, well-intentioned advice to confide in teachers, counselors and parents meet with trust issues.  Besides, how was it possible that the teachers and staff at her school would not have known, as blatant as some of the abuse was?I have been promoting Tempest Smith Day since the day I first heard of her.  I see her as a martyr, and as a patron of victims of bullying, especially religious bullying.In spite of hopes that things would get better, they have gotten worse.  We now have public officials and candidates for office who claim they want to deport people based on their religion.  What are we going to do?  Blessed Be!

It is amazing, the number of people who seem to need to hate.  And when they hate us, it might seem that the only two options to escape their venom are to either capitulate to their slogans or keep your beliefs to yourself.  And neither of those actually works, and in fact it will only increase their hate!  Fortunately, they have a vulnerability which they share with the schoolyard bullies we knew in childhood.You are strong where the haters are weak.  I know that I sometimes have to remind myself of both facts.  Those who hate have a weakness which can be their downfall.  Meanwhile, we have strength which we can depend on.  It begins not merely with maturity, but with growth that lets us avoid immaturity!  Blessed Be!

Have you been receiving harassment lately, especially religious harassment?  It happens a lot lately, and social media only added to the potential ways for it to happen.  On the internet, they are often referred to as "trolls", for their obsessive behavior.  It's even worse when it's someone you thought you knew.  In my case, one was someone I had known since high school and another was someone I had served with in the Air Force.  And past friendship does not curb their obsession or their verbal venom.There is much that can be said about them, but often not much that can be done about them except perhaps reporting and blocking.  But one factor about those "trolls" and other harassers actually works against them and for your benefit!Blessed Be!