HEAVEN AND HELL

Reverend Susan Bailey from The New Way shared a variation of this story in the service on Sunday. It is worth pondering.

There was once a samurai who wanted to learn the difference between heaven and hell. He sought until he found a master from whom he thought he could learn. He stood before the Master and asked him what was the difference between heaven and hell.

The Master took the samurai’s sword and, turning it to the flat of the blade, struck the samurai on the head. The samurai was surprised at this but chose to ignore it. He thought that the Master had failed to understand his question.

He once again asked the Master about the difference between heaven and hell. Again the Master struck the samurai on the head. The samurai staggered back and puzzled over this. He approached with his question for a third time and, before he could utter a word, the Master struck him a third time.

The samurai was now so enraged at this behavior that he grabbed his sword from the Master, raised it over his head and was prepared to bring it down on the Master’s head when the Master raised one finger and the samurai paused.

"That is hell," said the Master.

The samurai was instantly so overcome by the courage of this frail old man - to have risked his life for the sake of a stranger’s question - that he fell to his knees and bowed before the Master.

"That is heaven," said the Master.

GIFTS OF THE HEART

Today as I pulled out my notebook to jot down notes from the wonderful talk by Reverend Suzan Bailey of The New Way, I sent a silent prayer for the giver of the notebook.

A friend had picked up a small notebook to keep notes in one of my classes and she had brought one as a gift to me. I am constantly writing down whispers from the angels, so she knew it was something I could use. It meant even more to me, since I know she is on unemployment and money is not as easily accessible for her as for some.

When you give a gift of thoughtfulness it is always returned. When the person uses the gift or gazes at it they think fond thoughts of you. This is positive energy that flows to you wrapping you in a soft cloud of gentle love.

For all of you who give gifts of the heart, I send gentle love on the wings of an angel!

SUPPORTING EACH OTHER IN LOVE

Sunday at the POD gathering, I was honored to witness spirit in action. The Reverend Suzan Bailey had her fifth talk in a six week series about Jesus. She is unveiling the real Jesus that has sometimes been hidden under pages of religious dogma.

Each Sunday after her thought provoking words, we are blessed with special music by a featured singer, usually supported by the amazing choir…The Higher Sound.

This week, The Higher Sound supported Jose Cosme in singing Jesus Christ Super Star. I could sense Joe’s nervousness during the introductory music. However, it was beautiful to watch as he quickly shifted gears. As soon as the words began to leave his mouth, his vibration rose.

He forgot about the fact that he was on stage and all eyes were on him. I could see Divine energy flowing down into him. It filtered through the top of his head, through his throat, through his heart and then shot straight out his heart. As he belted out the words, I could see the gentle loving support of The Higher Sound holding his energy in a pure space.

When the last notes faded, it was replaced by cheers and a standing ovation! Everyone there was blessed as the energy of Divine Love had washed over us all.

Joe is not one that operates from ego. In fact, these words may make him a bit uncomfortable. However, I was led by the angels to share this experience with you. It was clear how Joe allowed the love of the choir, The Higher Sound, to support him in this. He couldn’t have done as well without that support.

Also, it was not about doing well. It was about sharing Divine Love. Because Joe allowed himself to step back, accept the support of The Higher Sound, and let Divine Love flow through him….he not only raised his vibration, but that of everyone in the room.

I am so blessed to have experienced this. Thank you Joe, and thank you…all the members of The Higher Sound. (They sing every Sunday, bringing us all into a place of more Light and Love).

So let us all remember this week as we go about our lives, to be a pure channel for Divine Love. Most of all, we must remember we do not do this on our own. Sometimes we may take the spotlight, sometimes someone else. But…Always…Always, we allow Divine Love to shine through us!