The Spirit of Life
Before I get into the topic I will tell some things about myself so you can better
understand how the path was forged that brought me from where I was to where I am.
I have always been intensely curious about everything. From the time I was able to
talk I started expressing this in a continuing stream of questions. For instance, I
once asked how a flashlight worked. The initial explanation was along the lines.
"The batteries make the bulb light up when you slide the switch." This instantly
brought to mind many other questions about bulbs, batteries and switches. I got
some answers, but they were not entirely satisfactory to me and I made it my business
to gain the knowledge necessary to understand in great detail how they work. Now, I do
in most cases reach a point where I say I'm satisfied with what I know. I am however
aware of my follow on questions and if time were unlimited I would certainly continue
the depth and breadth of my studies.
As a child, during my early religious training, I learned that preparing for the next
life is the most important thing people do in their lives here. I certainly did not
want my life to end in damnation so I took this very seriously from a very early age.
I became aware that there were several views about how to best prepare oneself for the
next life. I took opportunities to question anyone who would talk to me on the subject
about their views and beliefs. On several occasions I have undertaken serious, if not
scholarly, study on the teachings of a variety of religions.
Generally, I found that one can not engage in much questioning when studying a religion
with members of the religion. This is not to say that people were mean or uncooperative.
They simply did not have the answers at hand that would satisfy my need to understand.
So they sometimes became annoyed with my probing for deeper answers, but we always parted
on friendly terms. I think their reaction to my questions stems from the way many, if not
most, people approach these questions. This can be a very scary area for people to delve
into. The main fear is that you may find out you are not in a good situation to be able to
transition to the next life. In many cases this left me studying the sacred writings on my
own and observing to gain examples of the religion working in life. This seemed quite
natural to me since in my more worldly pursuits I always reached a point where my continued
studies relied primarily on my own efforts.
Now at about this point someone usually told me that my efforts would come to nothing.
"You must have faith and be receptive to the spirit to understand" was a typical
admonition. Well, as it turns out, they were right, but not the way they intended. Their
point, at least as I understood it, was that I should just take their sacred writings at
face value and not question further. My view was that the spirit led to my creation and
motivates me therefore my seeking a better understanding of my relation to the spirit of
life is entirely natural and proper.
As I have studied and observed, life starts out with three basic motivations that
enable living; They are eating, procreation, and control. Eating and procreation are
obvious, but perhaps control is not. Control at its most basic, is how people are
able to provide for food, their other basic needs, and successfully find a family
partner. Of course control gets much more complex in the details of how individuals
choose to provide those things they need and the things they want. Life driven only
by these three basic motivations results in people living their lives in a very
self-centered way. This way of life provides little happiness and is fraught with a
continuing stream of problems. The problems encountered are largely due to conflicts
with others since control is a major motivator in these lives. I believe that there is
a better way of living where spiritual motivation becomes a major influence on what we
choose to do and say.
I believe in a living spirit; it is part of me and I am part of it. Moreover, I believe
that this spirit is part of everyone and everyone is part of it. Therefore we are all
related in a very profound way. This further leads to understanding that we must help
eachother and avoid harming eachother.
Though many hold a similar belief, some have not personally experienced the spiritual
aspect of their nature, nor is it a continuing source motivation in their lives. Many people
go through life giving little thought to their spiritual existence except for special days
that they observe.
So what does this way of life that I have discovered have to recommend it? The short
answer is joy. No, I don't sing continuously, nor do I have a smile permanently frozen
on my face. I am still subject to all the problems people have. The joy comes from two
main sources. One is in sparkling moments when I experience something in a way that
allows me to know it to be part of my own personal existence and part of the nature of
the living spirit. These moments are often centered in something simple, but they give
me an understanding I did not have before. The other is in reduced conflicts with
others. I know everyone is an aspect of the living spirit. Therefore it is appropriate
for me, and it is better for me and everyone else if I avoid trying to control things
that don't really require control.
Copyright © by Liesel Siobhan
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