This week: Spiritual Learnings During Tough Times Edited by: SophyBells  
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Hi, I'm SophyBells ~ 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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Spiritual Learnings During Tough Times
During the coronavirus pandemic, it feels like we are on the cusp of something significant, either of a new global awakening or irredeemable chaos. At times it feels as if we are either on the edge of creating a new world, or on the verge of losing our world. The word we use over and over to describe this experience is "crisis." We are dealing with the COVID-19 crisis. We have a global health crisis. We are facing economic crises. While these types of crises aren’t new to human history, what is new is that they are all happening at the same time.
For me, sometimes knowing the root of a word can be helpful. In this case, Rev. Cameron Trimble points out the word crisis comes from the Latinized form of the Greek word krisis, meaning "turning point." Perhaps considering these current crises as a turning point – as an opportunity for a new awakening, rather than a calamity we cannot overcome, is what can help us through. Maybe this great turning point will inspire us to try and weave sense out of it by performing simple gestures of care along with colossal movements of justice and compassion.
One of the things I have noticed during the past several weeks are the thousands of acts of compassion and love and creativity that have been springing up in the midst of this global pandemic. As I walk the neighborhood near my home, I see hearts in windows, and messages of hope and optimism written like scripture on the sidewalks. The news shows us birthdays and weddings and anniversaries being observed, spread out across balconies and streets and sidewalks as people keep their distance and celebrate nonetheless. Sirens and bagpipes and trumpets exclaim gratitude for those working long hours tending the sick, stocking groceries, keeping up roads and bridges and communication lines.
All around us people are rising to the challenge. We’re finding we’re stronger than we knew, inspired by one another through a shared sense of common good, a shared attraction to generosity and kindness. So very many are working to create a kinder and more compassionate world precisely because of the pandemic. Of course not everyone is responding this way, but I am choosing to "look for the helpers," as Mister Rogers' mother told him to do when he was a child, whenever there is a catastrophe.
Personally, my faith experience does not compel me to believe that who-or-whatever "God" is created this pandemic, or ever intentionally causes suffering. For that matter, neither does God spare us from pain and suffering. Life includes pain and loss; it includes challenges and struggles that we wouldn’t have volunteered for and don’t deserve. Yet I DO believe that God is IS present whenever someone sews love in the wake of sorrow with simple gestures of care – as neighbors check in on neighbors; seamstresses make masks for first responders; landlords waive rent; and homeowners leave hand sanitizer for postal workers and other delivery personnel.
So far this crisis, this turning point has, if only for a moment, has compelled me to a live a more contemplative life. We are bound to our homes, invited into solitude. We are required to "socially distance" and shrink our worlds to the immediacy around us. Everything is slowing down as we try to slow down the spread of the virus. The engines of the world are grinding to a halt – and with it, our skies and waters are clearing, as mother earth benefits from a well-deserved rest. And from it all ... from the end of life as we know it, at least for the time being, we are finding new life. A Great Turning. A resurrection of sorts. “The ancients would say that this is an occasion of unveiling, exposing the pretensions of our world as well as possibilities of hope.” (Art Dewey)
What new things are you learning during the pandemic? What spiritual growth have you experienced as part of the challenges we face? Submit a comment or better yet - share a piece of writing, and I'll share it next month.
Stay well!
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Here is a response to my last newsletter "Spiritual Newsletter (April 1, 2020)" "Charting New Territoryl:"
From Quick-Quill 
Our church closed. We have branch churches all over the world that post their services on line. Sunday I visited Van Buren AR and then at 11 watched our service here on the west coast. I’ve found there is a variety of posts even among my Christian friends. Some are very worried. Others are looking to The scriptures for comfort. Some of us are discussing the why and looking to prophecy as being fulfilled. All in all we are doing a lot more communing with God.
Great to hear, thanks for sharing!
     
From Cynaemon 
Thank you for a lovely, positive and timely newsletter. Stay home and stay safe.
Glad you enjoyed it - and you are welcome! 
From ForeverDreamer
This is all good advice.
Thanks!
From Mia - craving colour
A timely and helpful reflection. Thank you Sophy.
Please keep your comments and suggestions coming! Until next time! SophyBells |
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