The other day I wrote a post on questions I feel aren’t asked, and certainly not answered. Today, I am answering those questions based on my beliefs and experiences.
1. Q> When people say God spoke to me, what did the voice sound like? Was it someone else’s voice? Was it your own? Did you hear it from inside or outside of yourself?
A> I cannot say “God” has ever spoken to me. I cannot say this because I don’t know what’s God’s voice sounds like. Many years ago, in the face of a spiritual “crisis,” I was falling apart- or at least a part of me was falling apart. While in this intense crisis of the soul, or it has been called, “the dark night of the soul,” there was a voice, which spoke to me. It spoke in a gentle way. A neutral tone. Speaking wisdom. Perspective. Giving guidance and support. And the voice was familiar. It was my own, but it could not have come from the space where I was, which was dark, hopeless and afraid. It came from another space from inside. I now call this voice, The Voice Inside. Still, it is my voice, but speaking to me from a deeper, higher place. If this deeper, higher place is called God, which I am comfortable believing, then yes, God has spoken to me many, many times.
2. Q> When people say, I’m giving it to God where do they give it? What does that mean?
A> I cannot say, where people give “it” to God, but I can share my experience. Most recently, I was overwhelmed by all my ideas, which come from that inspired place I spoke of above- the place of God. Daily, I receive ideas, insights- and have difficulty giving voice to them all. I envisioned myself giving it to God, as a way to surrender, which I suppose is what “giving it to God” can mean. As I lifted up my “burdens”, immediately they were given back to me. This giving back said to me, these are yours and you can handle them. And not only this, but because I had surrendered them to this Higher Place, they are now “blessed.” They have been touched by God. But, it is clear God can do nothing with them. Only I can, if I choose.
3. Q> When people say, they are in heaven or in a better place when someone dies- where is heaven? How do you know it is a better place? Is there more to the death story?
A>
During my spiritual “crisis” I left my body, or so it seemed. All that was left- was everything, but form. In this formless state was a complete feeling of freedom. I was in space. Without body, time, area in the world- just space and ME in a concentrated ball of consciousness. I didn’t die (obviously), but when I returned to my body, I sensed this may be what happens. Now, beyond this initial euphoria, I have no idea. If I believe fully in reincarnation, then I sense pieces of me scatter until the point in which I return and they join together, filled with the desires and potentials of my new life. I also feel, just as we come from varying perceptions here on Earth, chances are when we exit, we will see what we believe we will see, what we need to see in order to transition. If we want to see our parents and grandparents, we probably do. If we believe there is a white light, like others have told us who have had near death experiences, than I would guess a white light awaits. All I do know, is WHAT WE REALLY ARE, is no longer in the body when it can no longer be alive. What happens to what we really are: well sometimes, it is okay to say, I don’t know.
4. Q> When people say, they want to teach their children that there is a power that is greater than themselves outside of them, what does this mean? Where is this power? Does this mean there is not a “larger” power within? What do they hope the child learns from this teaching?
A> I am in a place where it does not suit me well to believe ANYTHING is outside of me. I do not fear arrogance or ego in this statement either. I embrace power. Wisdom. Truth. To teach my children they have a force or an intelligence, known often as God, INSIDE of them is the most solid guidance I can offer. This way, they are not looking outside. They are not feeling inferior. They are not confused. If I were to guess, without knowing each individual’s belief, to tell children to believe in a power outside is to let them know there absolutely IS something powerful, and to trust in it, because in life, it will serve them to believe so. To understand this power is everywhere and in everyone- Well, wow that would sure make me feel like a pretty special kid.
5. Q> When people say, they will reap rewards for good deeds from the Lord, what are these rewards? And it’s opposite, how will God punish them for bad deeds?
A> Karma. Simple. We reap what we sow. We are responsible. Every action and thought has a consequence. We never need interfere with anyone’s “good” deed or “bad” deed. It is written. Concreted for them. I cannot believe there is a Lord or a God “up there,” who like an egotistical and insecure teacher, looks down upon her students, and says- “You bad. F. You good. A.” However, to know I AM responsible is the most freeing, liberating deal there is, and further to understand- life is generous in its lessons for us to learn and grow through our karmic law.
6. Q> I was reading some religious material. It said, “We can learn more about God’s personality from the Bible. For example, it tells us what God likes and doesn’t like, how he treats people, and how he reacts in different situations.” Yet, they say, “He is a higher form of life.” If he likes and dislikes, and reacts to situations, and has a personality- is this a higher form? Does your God have a personality? If so, does he also have a face? A body? What does he look like? And where does he live?
A> In thinking a lot about religion lately, here is what I believe. Some of us need rules. We need doctrine, which is black and white. That makes literal sense. That we believe we can follow. For me, even as a small child, sitting in church made me feel that something wasn’t right. When I read material, like what is said above, it makes me feel tight and restricted. For me, most religious law and doctrine, at least the way it is often presented is too confining to me. It doesn’t allow growth. It just stays stuck. We are alive beings. To stay stuck means death, maybe not physical death, but mental, emotional, spiritual death. We must grow. And to believe my God has likes and dislikes and reacts to situations- well it almost makes me laugh. Why do I want to look “up” to or toward a being that isn’t any higher than myself? I read an amazing verse from my beloved poet, Rumi: “God loves you is the ONLY statement.” Simple. No rules. No personality. No separation of who “He” likes and doesn’t like. “God loves you is the ONLY statement.” I don’t need God to have a body or a face or a personality. I only need to know LOVE is all there is and to pay attention to my journey as I move within that SPACE OF LOVE.
7. Q> It seems the word “spiritual” is getting a “bad” name. Perhaps it is overused. A Christian woman said she considers it a criticism if someone calls her spiritual. What does spiritual mean to you? If you had to define it, how would you?
A> I’ve always considered myself spiritual. What do I mean by this? I mean, I am actively, dutifully focusing my spiritual eye inward. I am moving through debris. Space. Beliefs. Desires. All toward what I truly AM. My core. My essence. It’s a journey, and because I consciously open my life to this journey, I call that living the spiritual life.
Today’s Soul Tip:
What are some questions you have about religion? Spirituality? God? Are there statements people make, where, as my aunt says, the bullshit meter goes off, yet you find yourself shaking your head in agreement just to be “nice.” To conform. I offer you to challenge these statements. You don’t have to do so with the person speaking them. One thing I’ve learned is when people need to believe something, it is best to just stay silent, or speak your truth holding no expectation to change them. So, when you feel that bullshit meter buzzing, and your authenticity is at stake, dig deeper. Go wider. Loosen the laws, and live your LIFE. Your truth.
Namaste,
The Soul Reporter
The Soul Reporter 