  Spiritual
This week: Edited by: Sophy  
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Hi, I'm Sophy ~ your editor for this edition of the Spiritual Newsletter. With Valentine's Day coming up this weekend, it seemed appropriate for us to talk about love. 
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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LOVE IS IN THE AIR
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.
Here is what it looks like:
http://www.storypeople.com/productImage/No-Words62707.jpg
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. In fact, larryp mentioned a few issues back that 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 my mother 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!
Here's wishing you a love-filled Valentine's Day -- 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.
Sophy |
Below you'll find some offerings from other WDC members about love. Please let the folks know if you read their piece by leaving a thoughtful comment or review.
Some other "love" poems that don't use the word "love" ~
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#721926 by Not Available. |
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And some other "love" items with a spiritual connection:
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#1524340 by Not Available. |
| |  | Acts of Love (E)
Reaching out to the world shows that you love - yourself, me, and everyone.
#1215710 by Kenzie  |
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#350451 by Not Available. |
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#931600 by Not Available. |
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Now for a few comments about my last newsletter on facing your fears:
From larryp
Hi Sophy
Great newsletter about fear. As a father of adult children, I sometimes lay in bed at night worrying about my children, fearful. I guess we never stop being parents. Two things I find helpful. One is taking the time to pray for the one I am worrying about and the other is to help myself realize that nothing I can do at the time, other than pray, can help the situation and that my worrying and fears will resolve nothing. Sometimes, I just have to let go, knowing that the situations are out of my control. Does it work? Sometimes. As the old Chief said in the classic movie Little Big Man, "Sometimes the magic works and sometimes it doesn't." Such is life...
Larry
All so true, Larry -- thank you for sharing your wisdom with us!
From tonistar
Over the years I have found that for about 85% the fears were groundless--didn't materialize and the other 15% were not as bad as I expected. But the greatest tool I've found to defeat 'any' fear, is the Bible and prayer. No matter the fear or anxiety, it can be met and overcome with these two tools.
Thanks for sharing with us about how you handle fear. I especially appreciate the comment about how most fear really is groundless -- so true!
From lindacheckmate
On the subject of fear: I first learned at church that when God is with you, you have nothing to fear. I began incorporating this into my daily life and soon found that I could quickly subdue all fears once I had asked God to help me through every scary situation.
livelylinda
Good advice -- thank you for sharing it with us.
From Zeke 
As He promised in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus will always be with us. This fact has often helped me to cut off foolish fears. Also, many times just exploring the fear in detail by thinking about what the worst that could happen was, has caused me to be able to put irrational fears into perspective.
I also use the technique of imaging the worst that can happen (called "actualizing and catastrophizing") and it really does help -- thank you for sharing!
Crosscott  also sent a personal note, which I will not share here, but wanted to acknowledge that I did receive, and am honored by your honest sharing. Blessings to you!
Please keep your comments and suggestions coming, they are greatly appreciated! And on behalf of myself and the other regular Spiritual Newsletter Editors larryp and kittiara -- thanks for reading! 
Until next time! Sophy
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Spiritual: February 11, 2009 Issue [#2880]
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