A Book, A Movie & A Preacher....

It's been probably close to 10 years since I have had the patience and interest to finish reading a book. I received The Mystical Life of Jesus by Sylvia Brown from my mother when I was out ill in September 2007. Today during my morning cereal and many, many months of reading here and there, I finished it.

Growing up a devoted Catholic and spending countless years being brainwashed to believe certain things, I don't know if I believe just everything she talks about but the majority of her book, makes sense to me. I believe we experience things here on Earth that we can't in our spiritual state hence the pain, the anger, depression and other strife's life has to offer. Of course the happiness, joy, laughter and even the physicality a human form offers us such as hugging, kissing and even sex is something we can't experience in our spiritual form.

I can't truly go by the message of the bible left behind from so many years ago when that message has been skewed with editing and withholding of people prior to me. I can't say or not say anything about the man Jesus because I have never met him or talked with him. What I can believe of the message Jesus had was love. I can believe the ten commandments because they make sense to live a healthy happy life. Basically, be good to one another and try your best to not let the hypocrisy of this Earth overwhelm you. In doing so you will build your soul.

I love the quote from the movie Stigmata where [Frankie is possessed by Father Alameida] Frankie: Jesus said... "the Kingdom of God is inside you, and all around you, not in mansions of wood and stone. Split a piece of wood... and I am there, lift a stone... and you will find me."

That is in essence the message, God (or whoever you call your higher power) is you, within you. You are linked to Him through you and you don't need a church, synagogue or temple to get there. If it works for you to take that moment to be closer to that inner you in a building set aside for it that by all means go. However; I don't believe that I'm going to hell or am not a good person for not attending services or confession as many religions or churches will lead you to believe.

I believe my life can and only will be judged by me and my all loving God in an effort to perfect who I am. There is no hell other than the place I step foot on right now and that is the planet Earth. This is my hell because here I endure the pain of losing a loved one, the grief of dishonesty, the shame of my weaknesses and the sorrow of my faults. I can feel joy and love but fighting to stay happy and not allowing other people to influence my worth is a struggle I believe I wouldn't have if I were in spiritual form.

That being said, I do believe there is something after our death here. There I will review my life to see how my life affected others and review how others affected mine. Hopefully, I will have taken away lessons from the things I experienced or experienced from the hand of others. Can I be angry, disapproving, judgmental and unforgiving of the people that have hurt me along my journey?

Yes.

Anyone knows that it's easiest path one takes to heal from the pain. Is it the true meaning of what Jesus set out to teach us on his short time here?

No.

Cant I be accepting, understanding, non-judgmental and forgiving of the people that have hurt or judged me along my journey?

Yes, but allowing them to do these things again is where the lesson lies.

It's not even Jesus that has to be the person you believe in. Different religions around the world teach the same thing. Be good to one another. The Eastern philosophies, which I'm partial too, are based on the struggles of good and evil, karma and the laws of the universe. The Native American cultures are based on the belief that you are to be one with nature and all things must be in harmony as well as your soul.

It's not like someone HAS to be Christian to believe in something greater than themselves or even if one chooses to believe in themselves as their higher power. One can't grow until you believe in SOMETHING.

Life is our classroom.