Aspects of The Self - Spirituality
DEVELOPMENT OF A SPIRITUALLY BASED LIFE
The Foundation for Change and Wisdom
It is not easy to make consequential changes in one's life. Just ask anyone who has tried. However, there is a method that, if followed closely, will most assuredly work. No one has ever fallen short or failed if they observed the following formula. Through the use of this formula, the steps to be taken will be revealed and refined, and the direction of one's life will unfold automatically. The goal or motive for the change is personal and individual, however the following formula can be used successfully by anyone who is willing to invest the time, energy and hard work.
Discipline + Determination + Desire + Dedication + Direction =
Successful Change
Discipline: training that corrects, molds, or perfects the mental/emotional faculties or moral character; control gained by enforcing obedience or order; orderly or prescribed conduct or pattern of behavior
Determination: resolving a question by reasoning; the power of deciding definitely and firmly; a fixing of the magnitude, position, or character of something; direction or tendency to a certain and specific end
Desire: to long or hope for; to express a wish for; emphasize strength of feeling and implies strong intention; conscious impulse toward an object or experience that promises enjoyment or satisfaction in its attainment
Dedication: an act or rite of submitting to a divine being or for a sacred use; a setting aside for a particular purpose; to become committed to
Direction: guidance or supervision of action or conduct; something imposed as instructive; the line or course on which something is moving or aimed to move or along which something is pointing or facing; a direct course of thought or action.
The wisdom that is found in the New and Old Testament of the Christian Bible, in the Pentateuch of the Hebrew Bible, and in other religious disciplines and practices can kindle a fire inside the soul. After many years of searching other paths, I finally came upon a formula for living my life in such a way that a deep sense of relief and peace of mind could be accomplished. I found that each person is born with specific Gifts of the Spirit, and when developed, will allow the soul of that individual to push beyond the boundaries of normal human experience and examine aspects of existence that lie well beyond the known realities of the world. The manifestations of living life based on spiritual principals are seen in the Fruits of the Spirit, as a person who is headed in the right direction displays at least one of these qualities.
Learning how to Live A Spiritually Based Life may appear at first glance to be unimportant, difficult, or not applicable to your life or to you as an individual person. In fact, the need for the development of the spiritual aspect of life or the use of spiritual gifts has been a point of discussion for over the last half-century. Religious and philosophical theories differ on their need, application and practicality.
The gifts are mentioned here as a source of information, comfort and personal growth, as it is through awareness of their existence and through the employment of their qualities, that their power can change your life. Knowing that the innate abilities could be developed and used as a tool for spiritual growth gives a sense of hope and optimism.
Talents used in supporting spiritual development in others manifestation comes through personal spiritual development and awareness found in First Corinthians; Chapter 12; Verses 8-10.
Gifts of Revelation - Mind Gifts
Wisdom: insight into divine will and purpose for self and others; showing or demonstrating how to solve any problem that may arise; ability to discern inner qualities and relationships
Knowledge: revelation of divine knowledge; insight into the divine will or plan for the individual and for others, that a person could not know of himself; the fact of knowing something with familiarity being gained through experience; the fact of apprehending truth
Discerning Spirit: insight into the realm of divine and spiritual things and places to detect plans and possible problems; ability to see into the hearts of others; ability to evaluate the motives and schemes of others
Gifts of Inspiration - Vocal Gifts
Prophecy: the ability to hear and repeat divine words of encouragement or possibilities of disaster not conceived by human thought or reasoning; to speak as if divinely inspired
Kinds of Tongues: the divine ability to speak to others in words, gestures, or ways that they can understand and is meaningful to them; the information is not necessarily understood by the speaker
Interpretation: The divine ability to help others understand situations or messages by the interpretation of events or occurrences, even though the interpreter may have no understanding of the situation personally
Gifts of Power - Working Gifts
Faith: divine ability to believe without human doubt, unbelief, and reasoning
Healing: divine ability to intercede and change the course of an illness or negative situation without human or ordinary medical intervention; assisting in the restoration of sound health and wholeness
Working of Miracles: divine power to intervene in the ordinary course of nature and counteract natural laws if necessary; the application of extremely outstanding or unusual events, things or accomplishments
The knowledge that each person has individual talents that are innate and available may be new information to some. Learning how to identify and use these gifts are important to anyone who is interested in learning how to Live A Spiritually Based Life. The "reap what you sow" model, of using your talents to enhance your life, is based on the concept that the manifestation of a meaningful life is equal to the amount of time and talent used.
The fruits - or manifestation of positive aspects of life - are mentioned here as a source of information, a benchmark to be noted as you work toward fulfilling your aspirations and dreams. Knowing what to look for, and work toward, makes recovery more attainable, giving one a sense of hope and optimism.
Through the use and practice of the following, each individual is sure to begin to give and to receive great comfort and delight in both personal and social relationships. People must learn that receiving what we want and need from others will come only but if first we give. By practicing each of the following qualities, you will become proficient and skillful at several of them.
Ways of relating and developing relationships with others found in Galatians; Chapter 5; Verses 22-23.
Love: affection based on admiration or benevolence; unselfish concern that freely accepts another in loyalty and seeks his good; brotherly concern for others; man's adoration of God; a strong devotion to the well-being of someone
Joy: experience of great pleasure or delight; a source or cause of rejoicing; the emotion evoked by well-being or good fortune; a state of happiness; excitement and gladness over blessings received or expected for self or others
Peace: state of tranquility or quiet; state of security, order, quietness, rest, repose, and harmony in the midst of turmoil; freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions; harmony in personal relationships
Long-suffering: patience; long and patient enduring of a situation(s); to bear long with the frailties, offenses, injuries, and provocations of others without resentment
Gentleness: kindness; act of being kind; amiable; not harsh, stern or violent; soft; delicate; mildness of manners or disposition; soft spoken, even-tempered and refined in character and conduct
Goodness: generosity; excellence; virtue; the state of being good, kind, virtuous, and generous in life and conduct
Faith: allegiance; loyalty; fidelity toward one's promise; firm belief in something in which there is no proof; complete confidence; the living, divinely implanted, acquired and created principal of inward and wholehearted confidence, assurance and trust, and reliance in God
Meekness: gentleness; enduring with patience and without resentment; not violent; humble; the disposition to be gentle, kind, indulgent, even balanced in temper and passions, and patient in suffering injuries without feeling a spirit of revenge
Temperance: self-control; moderation in the indulgence of appetites, passions, actions, thoughts or feelings; restraint
Discovering Divine Power in Everyday Life
To date, it has been impossible to photograph the soul, or observe the soul in visual form. Because of this invisibility, the soul is often neglected and forgotten. However, by reflecting on a specific event, sound or image, it is possible to imagine being in touch with the sensuous, nourishing elements that ensoul your world and your daily life. If you can let your mind become quiet and still and allow your thoughts be soothed into a deep calm, it is likely that you can begin to feel an expression of your soul's impact on your senses and your life.
In an earlier era, when philosophers, theologians, poets, artists and musicians spoke to our hearts, and we listened to their messages, the soul had a much more central place in our worldview. Although not experienced in any ordinary sensory way, the idea of an unseen powerful nature guiding our decisions is a virtually universal concept. For centuries it has animated notions about a pre-existence: immortality, heaven, hell, a divine creator, other lives, parallel dimensions, transcendence, space travel, and karma.
With the emergence of modern science and the focus on the mind and thinking, quantum physics, and scientific discoveries, many of the spiritual beliefs that once conveyed meaning and purpose to our lives have been lost. Psychology, which has pre-empted philosophy and theology as the authority on how we should live, has concerned itself almost exclusively with improving the self, coping with crises, and bolstering self-esteem. Accordingly, the soul, our point of connection between the self and the spirit, has been rendered powerless in directing our lives and our decisions.
Currently, the soul is viewed as a quality of consciousness, which must be nurtured if we are to live healthy, rewarding lives. Psychological symptoms such as addictions, loss of values, depression, emptiness, meaningless, loneliness and violence may be an indication that the soul is trying to get our attention that its destiny is unfilled, that it is starving for depth and meaning.
Many people wait for the pain of a crisis to create an opening in consciousness and the needs of the soul. However continued experience of deeply painful situations may be unnecessary, for those who have a desire to learn ways in which to avert the disruption and devastation of tragedy. Awareness of the soul's messages can be heightened through the rich visual images that are experienced through stories, participation in religious prayers, worship and reflection, journal writing, expression of feelings through music, poetry and other creative arts, appreciation of nature's beauty, and in open conversations with friends and peers.
Yet, questions remain. What is the source of the soul? What is the connection between the soul and the body? How is the soul related to moral integrity? What is the relationship between the individual soul to other souls, to nature, to the world, and to the universe? Until acceptable answers to this very personal question are determined, each individual soul will have to seek the answers for himself. There are various paths that can be traveled, and numerous routes that can be taken. Not all paths will be taken nor will a friend's path be your path. It may not be your first choice, nor second or third. But it will be the one that will finally work and help you to experience your soul and toward Living a Spiritually Based Life.