  Spiritual
This week: All We Need is Love Edited by: Sophy  
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Hi, I'm Sophy ~ your editor for this edition of the Spiritual Newsletter.
The Rev. Scotty McLennan, author of the book Finding Your Religion, compares humanity's innate need for spiritual searching to climbing a mountain. In his view, we are all endeavoring to climb the same figurative mountain in our search for the divine, we just may take different ways to get there. In other words, there is one "God," but many paths. I honor whatever path or paths you have chosen to climb that mountain in your quest for the Sacred.  |
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 All We Need is Love
I believe that at the center of the Universe there dwells
a loving spirit who longs for all that's best in creation,
a spirit who knows the great potential of each planet
as well as each person, and little by little will
love us into being more than we ever dreamed possible.
That loving spirit would rather die than give up on any of us.
"Life's Journey According to Mister Rogers -
Things to Remember along the Way"
Several years ago my husband and I bought a piece of artwork made by Brian Andreas, who makes "storypeople" out of wood, with messages written on somewhere on the "storyperson." I had heard him speak once, and bought several prints of his work to give as gifts -- each with a unique and beautiful saying written on or around the "person" -- but when we saw this wooden sculpture, we both wanted it so much that we bought as our anniversary present to each other that year. It hangs on the wall over our bed and says:
I read once that the ancient Egyptians had fifty words for sand & the Eskimos had a hundred words for snow. I wish I had a thousand words for love, but all that comes to mind is the way you move against me while you sleep & there are no words for that.
Love, of course, is at the heart of most of the world's religions and spiritual traditions ~ the love of the Sacred for us, and the love we have for the Sacred, for other people, and for the rest of creation. One can hardly do a search for spiritual things without also encountering love. And while in English there is really only one word we use to convey the variety of types and feelings associated with love -- I love my husband, I love my dog, and I love the beach all use the same word "love" as when I say I love ice cream, I love the Chicago Bears, or I love Maui -- in other languages than English, specifically related to spirituality or religion, there are many different ways to express different types of love.
For instance, the most well known alternative words for love can be found within Christianity. In the Greek New Testament there are several ways of referring to love. "Agape" is the more selfless, unselfish, unconditional love like that a parent has for a child (or God for humanity). There is also the kind of love known as "phileo" which is known most commonly as brotherly/friendship love (Philadelphia is known as the city of brotherly love"), but can also refer to appreciation of something one really enjoys. And "eros" is another Greek word for love (though it does not appear in Scripture), which refers to the passionate, sexual love between partners. Christians understand all love as coming originally from God, and because of the love of God, humans are, in return, to love other people (as well as God). In fact, according to Jesus, out of all the Jewish laws and commandments, the greatest was to "love God with all your heart, mind, and strength and Love your neighbor as yourself."
Within the tradition of Judaism,the Hebrew the word "Ahava" is the most commonly-used term for both interpersonal love between people and love of God. Other "love" words in Hebrew are "Chen" (grace) and "Hesed," which combines the meaning of "affection" and "compassion" and is sometimes translated in English as "loving-kindness." And in Buddhism,"Kāma" is sensuous, sexual love, which is considered an obstacle on the path to enlightenment, while "Karuṇā" is compassion and mercy, something which reduces the suffering of others. Adveṣa" and "maitrī" refer to benevolent, unconditional love. In Hinduism, like Buddhism, "Kāma" is pleasurable, sexual love, personified by the god Kama. In contrast to kāma, "prema" or "prem" refer to elevated love. The term "bhakti" is used to mean the higher, divine love, while "karuna" means compassion and mercy, which reduces the suffering of others. "Bhakti" is a Sanskrit term from Hinduism meaning 'loving devotion to the supreme God'. A person who practices "bhakti" is called "bhakta." Hindu writers, theologians, and philosophers have distinguished nine forms of devotion that they call bhakti, while others distinguish eleven forms of love. Fifteenth Century poet, Kabir, is one of the most well known authors of love poetry to the divine within Hinduism. (This info comes from Wikipedia.)
While there may only be one word in English for "love," there are certainly numerous ways we can express love to the Sacred, as well as to and for other people. So perhaps it's not such a bad thing that we have only one English word for love as maybe it can inspire us to show love more than speak of love. Once I was challenged to write a love poem without using the word love. ("Surrender" ) I chose to write about my husband, which seemed daunting at first, but once I started writing I realized that there were many ways to express the feelings of love I have for him without necessarily using the word. I invite you to consider taking the same challenge, either writing to/about a person, or to the Sacred -- you might just be surprised by the results!
As we celebrate love this month -- whether or not you have a "Valentine" in your life -- we all have someone who means a lot to us, someone we love. So I encourage you to find a way of letting your loved one(s) know how you feel about them -- and since there is only one English word for love, perhaps you'll decide to find a way to show your love without having to necessarily say the word. |
Below you'll find some spiritual offerings from other WDC members. Please let the folks know if you read their piece by leaving a thoughtful comment or review.
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Here are some responses to my last newsletter "Spiritual Newsletter (January 6, 2016)" about Epiphany:
From demorn:
I am a member of Epiphany Lutheran Church and we celebrate this date every year.
Zeke
As do most Christian churches - nice to have yours named for it!
  
From {suser:mshirae]:
Hi Sophy,
Once more you've written a beautiful article. The last paragraph in particular awakened a remembrance of just that kind of experience.
And you are right - fear keeps many of us from seeking out epiphanies.
Walking a road the majority aren't even aware of can prove challenging.
Mia
p.s. Thank you for including "Invalid Item" in your newsletter.
You are most welcome, and thank you for your thoughtful comment.
From: {suser:vaughanjones}
Hi there. Wonderful description of epiphany and thank you for his great newsletter.
Yesterday, on the 6th of January I experienced a wonderful epiphany. On our balcony there have been two pigeons who have nested under a table, and they have had four occasions of laying eggs, and have raised their chicks right there. We haven't every touched any of them or petted them in any way, we simply let them co-habit the balcony. Yesterday, late afternoon, I meditated on the balcony for a half an hour while concentrating on natural energies,and asked the universe and God what I am supposed to be doing in my life now. Five minutes after finishing, one of the chicks sat on the cross beam and stared at me. Suddenly it opened its wings, took flight, and settled briefly on by head, flapping its wings loudly for about twenty seconds, then returned to the cross beam.
Wow! This moment blew me away. As I said, I, nor any of us, has ever touched or petted these birds. I feel overjoyed and very blessed.
I am still waiting for further guidance but I believe that god is speaking to me.
Thank you for sharing this! 
From: ChrisDaltro-Chasing Moonbeams 
Thank you for featuring my poem SOON in your awesome WDC. Newsletter: Spiritual.
Christina Daltro
You are most welcome.
Thanks for all your comments - keep them coming! Until next time, Sophy
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Spiritual: February 03, 2016 Issue [#7453]
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