Today we begin the third and final installment in our Home Study of Lessons for Living by L. Taylor. If you have not already caught up on parts one and two of our series, I encourage you to visit them in our archives to help provide a foundation for today’s discussion!
Today’s text: Lessons for Living, vol. 1 transcribed by L. Taylor
Available at: www.hopeofthenewage.com
Study page: p. 234
Today’s study page is not even really a page; it is a paragraph of wisdom from our Guides regarding the experience of suffering in our world.
Turn on any media source and you are likely to be bombarded by images and descriptions–usually quite graphic–regarding the immense suffering in our world today. Blended into the mix you will also find stories of those who are doing their best to mitigate the effects of such worldwide challenges.
It is up to each of us to determine how we are called to help balance out the difficulties facing our modern world. Today’s Home Study looks at the Angels’ and Guides’ insights on how we can do our part (page 243, section 11/25/07. 5):
“When you see others fall away in times of difficulty…instead of feeling sad for them, which only compounds their energetic crisis, send them Peace and send them joy and send them blessings. Ask the Angels to go with them and be near them.”
In this brief paragraph, the Angels lay out a simple three-part plan: send those in need positive Energy, request that the Divine Presence be felt by them and finally, continue to shine ourselves. This third part may not be stated outright in the excerpt above, but as we all know it is an implied part of daily living.
When considering how to be of help to others, it is easy to forget that there are two ways of looking at our responses to life: the psychological and the energetic. From a psychological standpoint, it may appear perfectly fine to take on another’s sadness and join them in their suffering. In fact, many interpret the spiritual command to “bear with one another’s burdens” as meaning exactly this kind of act.
But from an energetic point of view, things look entirely different. As my Guides like to say, “Of what use will you be if you jump into the quicksand after them?” This simply reminds me that to let my own Light dim for the sake of another is not a help to either one of us. It might feed my martyr complex, but it doesn’t save anybody in the end!
Instead, we are called to be a brighter and stronger Light in the darkness when others are in need. It is our generosity, our kindness and our respect–not our pity and worry–that can help others find their way back to their own Inner Radiance during difficult times. This simple approach is the best way to throw a rope to a soul mired in quicksand.
Whether you are thinking of someone down the street or halfway around the world, the energetic directive is clear: Donate, volunteer, lend a ear…whatever you feel is appropriate for you, but don’t you dare crawl in after them. Do not allow the despair of another’s circumstances to dim your Light as well. Instead tie yourself to your own spiritual tree, grab a rope and toss them the line of your Light and support.
Today my friend shared a quip that relates to how our genuine positive Energy can make a difference in the world. She said, “Some ‘grin and bear it;’ others smile and change it.” Indeed, radiating our most positive and hopeful Energy is the easiest way each person can help change the world, one soul at a time.
Taking a pen and a piece of paper or journal, contemplate the following this week:
1. Who do I have a tendency to join in their misery? (it may be a being you know personally or not!)
2. What simple prayer can I say every time I see someone suffering?
3. Are there some organizations I feel called to support at this time? (human aid, animal rights, Earth preservation?)
4. What is a gentle way I can remind others that they can help by staying positive, not adding their worry to our world’s challenges?
Over the past month we have investigated some powerful but simple suggestions for living a more skillful spiritual life. Lessons for Living includes wisdom that has changed my life and the lives of many others. I hope you will visit our Hope of the New Age online bookstore and investigate this title and others, or simply print up free excerpts from our site’s Wisdom page.
For more book discussions, please peruse the other selections from our Home Study category. We also invite you to experience more uplifting insights from the Higher Realms at www.hopeofthenewage.com
Grace and Clarity 