I'm working on a spirit guide project.
If you follow me on twitter or elsewhere, you may have noticed that I'm collecting questions about guides. I'm not only looking for the obvious questions, but the deeper ones, too--the philosophical questions--the ones that don't have easy answers.
Tracy and I were sitting outside in the sun with the dogs, and I asked him if he had any questions about spirit guides, about spiritual guidance in general, about all of this stuff that I do. We talked for a while about guidance, about the beings I think of as the spiritual allies. Does everyone have them? he asked. Yes, I said, yes. Everyone does. He asked me, Then why do some people suffer so terribly? Where are the spiritual allies of those in despair?
We were talking about spirit guides, but this is the same question of heard in theological discussions about the nature of God. Whether talking about God or the beings of God, my answer is the same. Right beside them, within them, before them and behind them in every moment of this life on earth.
If you follow me on twitter or elsewhere, you may have noticed that I'm collecting questions about guides. I'm not only looking for the obvious questions, but the deeper ones, too--the philosophical questions--the ones that don't have easy answers.
Tracy and I were sitting outside in the sun with the dogs, and I asked him if he had any questions about spirit guides, about spiritual guidance in general, about all of this stuff that I do. We talked for a while about guidance, about the beings I think of as the spiritual allies. Does everyone have them? he asked. Yes, I said, yes. Everyone does. He asked me, Then why do some people suffer so terribly? Where are the spiritual allies of those in despair?
We were talking about spirit guides, but this is the same question of heard in theological discussions about the nature of God. Whether talking about God or the beings of God, my answer is the same. Right beside them, within them, before them and behind them in every moment of this life on earth.
What this question really raises is the issue of what God is and what God does and what we're doing here in these bodies in the first place. It's the question that's been studied and pondered for ages and perhaps always will be. I know what I believe, and I know what I know, and I'm grateful for the deep abounding mystery, too, but that's not where this question led me today.
What I see in the heart of it is this: If our spiritual allies are here to assist us, why don't they alleviate our pain?
Even though my project is about spirit guides specifically, as I consider this question, I'm including in my answer the energies of angels, devas, and other spiritual allies -- the energies we call on when we pray, ask, intend.
Why does it sometimes feel that our spiritual allies are here for us and sometimes feel that they are far away? I believe the answer is multi-layered.
What I see in the heart of it is this: If our spiritual allies are here to assist us, why don't they alleviate our pain?
Even though my project is about spirit guides specifically, as I consider this question, I'm including in my answer the energies of angels, devas, and other spiritual allies -- the energies we call on when we pray, ask, intend.
Why does it sometimes feel that our spiritual allies are here for us and sometimes feel that they are far away? I believe the answer is multi-layered.
1. We don't know what it feels like to be without spiritual allies. We have no idea what it would be like to be here, living this physical experience, without the support of spirit. When we ask for it and allow it, our guides provide guidance and our angels provide comfort. We may not recognize it because we don't know what it's like to be without it.
2. We have free will. We make choices. We choose to move in and out of alignment with love. That doesn't mean the love isn't there, but it can impact our perceptions of it. People sometimes do unspeakable things to other people. People sometimes do incredibly loving things for other people. Our guides and angels are always urging to toward the later. What we do is up to us.
3. Our souls are on journeys. Sometimes the greatest pain comes from resisting what is. Sometimes the greatest pain holds within it our greatest gifts. We embodied with purpose, and I believe there are times when our guides can't give us the information we're asking for, because it's not the right time for us to know it. I don't believe that life is supposed to be pain-free. The contrast is important.
2. We have free will. We make choices. We choose to move in and out of alignment with love. That doesn't mean the love isn't there, but it can impact our perceptions of it. People sometimes do unspeakable things to other people. People sometimes do incredibly loving things for other people. Our guides and angels are always urging to toward the later. What we do is up to us.
3. Our souls are on journeys. Sometimes the greatest pain comes from resisting what is. Sometimes the greatest pain holds within it our greatest gifts. We embodied with purpose, and I believe there are times when our guides can't give us the information we're asking for, because it's not the right time for us to know it. I don't believe that life is supposed to be pain-free. The contrast is important.
When it comes to looking at other people's situations and wondering where their angels are, I believe there are two things of great importance:
1. We can't presume to know another person's truth. We can empathize. We can listen. But we can't truly know another person's story. We can't know what it's like to be in that person's reality. Even when things look bleak, we don't always know the truth, the underlying energy of things, the future.
2. We are the angels. When we look around the world and see suffering, we are not powerless. We are the physical extension of divine love here on earth. It is our call to stand up for one another, to be the force of love. If you look at the faces of starving children and wonder, where are their angels?, consider that we are their angels. We are the ones who have come into the physical. There is always something you can do for other humans, animals, the creatures of the earth. Prayer is an action. Holding loving intentions for others, asking for help on their behalf, surrounding them with love - these are real actions that have impact. We can't know what's best for other people, and we can't prevent "bad" things from happening - but we can love.
When you wonder where your guides and angels are, drop into your heart. In one way or another, you will find them there. If you feel alone, trust that you are not. You will find them there. If you feel hopeless, send love. You will find them there. If you can't find the words you need, go to the trees. You will find them there. If you feel stuck, keep walking. There is a light up ahead. You will find them there.
2. We are the angels. When we look around the world and see suffering, we are not powerless. We are the physical extension of divine love here on earth. It is our call to stand up for one another, to be the force of love. If you look at the faces of starving children and wonder, where are their angels?, consider that we are their angels. We are the ones who have come into the physical. There is always something you can do for other humans, animals, the creatures of the earth. Prayer is an action. Holding loving intentions for others, asking for help on their behalf, surrounding them with love - these are real actions that have impact. We can't know what's best for other people, and we can't prevent "bad" things from happening - but we can love.
When you wonder where your guides and angels are, drop into your heart. In one way or another, you will find them there. If you feel alone, trust that you are not. You will find them there. If you feel hopeless, send love. You will find them there. If you can't find the words you need, go to the trees. You will find them there. If you feel stuck, keep walking. There is a light up ahead. You will find them there.
If you are deepening your connection to your spiritual allies, an intuitive reading can help. If you're just starting out on this journey, you may want to try a guided meditation to assist you in your journey to meet your guides. Please join me on twitter or facebook for spiritual conversation, and submit your spirit guide questions.
