Welcome to Spiritual Enlightenment
At some point during my adult years, I looked back on my life and realized I was a fraud. My physical world was drastically out of alignment with my spiritual one. It was similar to cooking an elaborate meal while starving, but not being able to consume it. I grew up in a very strict Christian setting dominated by Southern Baptist doctrines. Church every Sunday, choir, usher board, trustee board, Sunday school, morning service, evening service... the environment was filled with bible-toting scripture-quoting tongue-speaking hallelujah shouting folks! Fortunately, I was exposed to many people of integrity and positive influences that instilled in me priceless values. My parents emphasized education until it was drilled into my psyche. On the flip side, I was fed a lot of half-truths, partial truths, and altered truths by so-called well-meaning people. Ignorance, closed-mindedness, pride, & arrogance are likely some of the causative factors. Therefore, I impersonated what a Christian should look and act like based on deficient information. There was no valid connection between the worldly me and my higher self. I impersonated what a Christian should look and act like, but I had no real relationship with my Creator. I prayed to a God I was told to pray to quoting the prayers I was taught to quote. Like a soldier taking orders from his commanding officer: You do as you are told and trained to do whether you are feeling it or not!
Out of Nowhere
I am not sure what event triggered my self-realization, yet it was life-transforming. The process is nowhere near complete rendering an ongoing journey. A crucial part of my being that was sleep woke up and jolted me to the core. Sadly, many people live their whole lives and depart without recognizing that crucial element. My recognition of that element catapulted my mind to a higher wave length. There was a burst of clarity illuminating my understanding of almost everything.
One major area of enlightenment is human sensuality--the mother of physical intimacy. The religious forums that dominate the media treat it like it is nonexistent (unless a scandal hits the news) or something to shun from discussion. In contrast, sensuality should be celebrated and promoted within a God-ordained context. Consequently, inner eyes open, new ideas blossom, paradigms shift, and higher consciousness ensues.
Spiritual enlightenment brings about intelligence and inner peace. It is not about being a Biblical scholar or expert on religious topics because I am neither--far from it! I started this blog not just to disperse information, but to gain knowledge and expand my horizons. It is truly about making a connection with God who leads us to connecting with deeper aspects of ourselves. Those deeper aspects make up the true self...not our careers, bank accounts, personal possessions, or physical bodies.
Our Eclectic Universe
The physical universe is evidence that the Creator loves diversity. A child of the universe, planet Earth, clearly follows suit with its potpourri of life forms. Within the same life form is remarkable variation ( different species of fish, plants, human racial groups, etc). Does it not stand to reason diversity is expressed on every level of existence/consciousness? It does not matter if you are Christian, Buddhist, Muslim, etc. because you are a different expression of the same universe. Different cloths of fabric are required to construct the quilt. I discovered that all religions contribute knowledge and perspectives that are necessary to complete life's masterpiece. It seems as if everyone has a piece to the puzzle of the universe that may never be fully explained on this realm.
The paths we choose to take to self-realization are possible through the gift from God called free will. I have discovered there are far more similarities than differences between the major philosophies that lend more support of each other than contradiction. Besides, I dare to count the numerous contradictions that exist just within the Christian faith. Historical and present events demonstrate other religions are plagued with the same multiple interpretations/variations. At one time, the news was flooded with horror stories of conflicts between the Sunni and Shiite Muslims...there is only one Quran is there not??? No one, no science, no religion has escaped the divisiveness of multiple perspectives. Conflicting interpretations give birth to confusion, disbelief, and disillusionment.
One will be greatly distracted if not focused on their own inner voice. It's the God inside of you and me. Ultimately, that is the key: Hearing your own inner voice because once that occurs everything else falls into place.
Laughter Is More Than Medicine
When was the last time that you laughed? I mean 'really' laughed? Was it a few minutes ago, 2 days ago, or weeks ago? I am not talking about giggling or snickering, but a deep belly chuckle? The kind of laughter that makes your eyes water and your belly muscles sore. The kind of laughter that make the people nearby look at you as if you have lost it! Did it start from something you saw, heard, or did it begin with a thought?
It seems that most people do not realize how therapeutic laughter is to the spiritual, mental, and physical health. Here a some of the benefits that are supported by scientific research:
- Reduces the hormones associated with feelings of anxiety and stress.
- Decreases the blood pressure.
- Activates your immune system to function better.
- Increases the release of the feel good hormones called endorphins. They give you a sense of well-being and are natural pain relievers.
- According to E.C. Lameaux 7 Health Benefits of Laughter, it is a fun ab workout that tones your abs. When you laugh, your abdominal muscles expand and contract similar to intentional exercise. It is also reported that laughter is a great cardio workout. It actually burns the same number of calories per hour as a slow to moderate walk!
There are research studies that found people who laugh more have fewer illnesses and live longer than their somber counterparts.
One's spirit feels lighter and more open with a sense of well-being that increases energy.
Does a burst of amusement activate a particular chakra? Some feel that the heart chakra is more involved because it is connected to emotions. There is some debate on the topic. It appears that laughter has such wide spread benefits, it likely impacts the energy flow of all the chakras.
So by all means, rent that comedy, hang out with that crazy friend that tells those hilarious jokes, or buy tickets to see your favorite comedian. Laughter is more than medicine, it is food for your soul.
What is your opinion on the benefits of laughter? How does the mental and physical benefits relate to spirituality?
No comments:
Post a Comment