Degrees of Separation
By Karen Ulvestad
It’s amazing the power of words, and how they affect our outlook on life. When is comes to spirituality, awareness of words is essential. On the surface, it does not seem to matter what we call our Creator or which words we use to describe our beliefs. This is untrue.
In the modern world, we struggle with connecting with other people, the environment or even different philosophies. Many call the Creator GOD (varies to religion), which equates to large, untouchable Deity. The books followed outline the “rules” to follow for the religion.
Since the written word lacks human emotion, we look to other people to give the words meaning, and how it affects our lives. It separates us from the Creator, ourselves, other people and the world around us. We end up with a narrow interpretation of words that have been translated from another language. . .hence adding to the degree of separation.
In addition, many of the traditions build monolithic buildings and monuments to show their devotion to their Creator. These man-made places are devoid of nature, and filled with manufactured items. Worship becomes cluttered with “things,” and the true relationship with the Creator, other people and the world becomes lost.
It’s easy to get lost. In truth, we are all one circle. All living things upon this planet depend upon eachother to survive. Humans are part of this circle, and we have let our “religions” or “belief systems” separate us from the whole.
The civilizations of the North, Central and South American continents came from a different point of view. Their culture and beliefs stemmed from being part of the circle of life. They believe that they borrow the land from their children, instead of inheriting it from their ancesters.
The land is a living being, created for them by the Great Spirit Chief (also known as Grandfather). It is the Creator that goes by a thousand names. Each tribe had different ways of honoring the Creator and all living things, yet they respected each others rights to believe in their own ways.
If we look at the difference in words used for the Creator, we will find that they leave us with two very different feelings. The word GOD is detached from the physical world, while the word Grandfather brings up the idea of family. The difference in these two words is like the difference of night and day.
Today, there are some beliefs systems that fall in-between these two. Many focus on love and compassion, which is closer to the idea that we are all family. The native civilizations treated the animals, birds and land with respect, and as part of the circle of life.
Many of us are fragmented in our beliefs, and focus on an individual piece of this whole. It is evident in all the causes that we subscribe to in our lives, whether it is animal rights or moms against drunk driving.
Our daily practices are our beliefs. Addiction is a belief system. It can stand alone, or with another religion or belief. It shows what we truely believe about ourselves. Our lives are a walking dictionary of who we are, whether we believe it or not. It is how other people see us. It is us. It shows our own truths to the world.
Many are searching for what is the truth. Maybe the truth is all of the spiritual and religious ideas together. Maybe we are all part of the truth. What we do and say in the world is a reflection of our beliefs.
Click HERE to Connect with your Daily Horoscope!
Karen Ulvestad is a Reiki practitioner, intuitive, writer and professional photographer. I have been on this path for most of my life. Through the process of learning, I have come to the conclusion that all things are related. I strive to come from a place of balance, peace and calmness.
