religion
Holding On To What Never Changes
Nature always inspires deep thoughts in me. There’s something about pausing to watch the wind rustle through the trees or to see the sun gently filter through the clouds that invites stillness and reflection.
Today, I found myself contemplating the constantly changing seasons. In the Northern Hemisphere, we are a month away from the summer solstice, and the days are becoming increasingly long and warm with golden light. The trees are lush and full, the air hums with the sound of insects, and gardens overflow with life.
Change is everywhere. It’s evident in the ripening of fruit, the intense afternoon heat, and the subtle shift in the season’s energy toward harvest.
It’s not just nature, either. Our lives are constantly evolving, too. Relationships shift, careers transition, health fluctuates, and dreams reshape themselves over time.
No matter where we turn, we hear messages such as “Change is inevitable,” and “Don’t be afraid of change.”
Yes, change is necessary. As spiritual beings, we are meant to continually grow and evolve. Change challenges us, stretches us, and teaches us.
But let’s be honest — sometimes it’s also deeply unsettling. This is especially true in times like these, when the world feels uncertain, divided, and fragile.
What It Really Means To Live A Spiritually Aware Life
It doesn’t matter who you are or what you do for a living. It doesn’t matter how much money you make, how popular you are, where you live, or how attractive others find you. None of these things define your true worth, and none of them guarantee the fulfillment of your life purpose and soul plan.
In the end, your spiritual wealth transcends any bank balance. The only bling that really matters is how much your soul shines from within!
Many of the most beautiful, caring, thoughtful, compassionate, and charitable souls walk quietly among us — unrecognized by the world’s superficial standards of success. They may not be rich. They may not be famous. They may not wear designer clothes or have thousands of social media followers. And yet, they truly shine!
What really matters is how you treat others, how you live your life, and how you embody your higher self and the light of of your soul in everyday moments. That is what counts in the eyes of God, Source, Spirit, the Divine. The essence of your spirit, not your resume or your reflection in a mirror, is what will leave your legacy in this lifetime.
The essence of this truth echoes throughout the world’s spiritual traditions, reminding us that attachment to wealth, superficial pleasures and material status can become hindrances to our spiritual journey and soul growth.
In Hinduism, for example, the Bhagavad Gita teaches that only those who see the divine in all beings and remain unattached to sense pleasures will find lasting peace. Similarly, in Buddhism, the Dhammapada warns that wealth can ruin the foolish, and the desire for wealth becomes an obstacle to enlightenment. The Buddha taught that spiritual liberation requires renunciation of attachment and the cultivation of inner clarity.
The Fascinating Phenomenon Of Table Turning
Table turning, also known as “table tipping” or “table tilting,” is a fascinating form of spirit communication that occurs during séances.
It involves participants sitting around a table and placing their hands lightly on its surface to communicate with spirit. The table then moves or tilts, or in exceptional cases floats or rotates, in response to questions posed to spirit.
Table turning became popular in the mid-1800s, a time when Spiritualism was quickly gaining popularity in Europe and North America. People were intrigued by the idea of communicating with the afterlife, and séances became a common social activity.
People in those days didn’t have the resources or easy access to mediums and channelers that we have today. So, small groups of family and friends would gather and communicate with the spirit realm.
Table turning was also considered a wonderful way to entertain guests at social gatherings and was even considered a parlor game. Even President Lincoln’s wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, is said to have attended and even hosted séances at the White House.
Other well-known spiritualists of the time, such as the Laurie family and Nettie Colburn Maynard, reportedly attended séances with the Lincolns. Mrs. Lincoln was deeply interested in spiritualism and mediumship, especially after the deaths of her sons, Edward and later Willie.
The Touching Tale Of The Praying Hands
In the fifteenth century, in a tiny village near Nuremberg, Germany, lived a family with 18 children. Yes, eighteen! To put food on the table for this mob, the father and head of the household, a goldsmith by trade, worked nearly 18 hours a day at his trade, as well as any other paying job he could find in the neighborhood.
Despite their seemingly hopeless situation, Albrecht and Albert, two of the older children, had a dream. They both wanted to pursue their talent for art, but they were well aware that their father would never be financially able to send either of them to an art academy.
After many long discussions at night in their crowded bed, the two boys finally worked out a pact. They would toss a coin. The loser would go down to the nearby mines and use his earnings to support his brother, who would attend the academy.
Then, after four years, when the brother who won the coin toss finished his studies, he in turn would support the mining brother to also attend the academy – either by selling his artwork or, if necessary, by working in the mines.
They tossed a coin one Sunday morning. Albrecht Dürer won the toss and went to Nuremberg to study art. Albert went down into the dangerous mines and spent the next four years financing his brother, whose creative work at the academy was almost immediately a sensation.
Albrecht’s etchings, woodcuts, and oils were far superior to those of most of his fellow students and even his professors, and by the time he graduated he was beginning to earn substantial fees for his commissioned works.
The Archangels: Divine Messengers, Emissaries And Healers
Throughout history and across spiritual traditions, archangels have been known as divine messengers and powerful emissaries of the divine. They are among the highest orders of celestial beings who guide and assist humanity in profound ways.
An archangel is a high-ranking angel, often described as a celestial being with special authority and a significant role in the higher realms.
The term “archangel” comes from the Greek words archi (meaning chief or head) and angelos (meaning messenger). They are considered leaders among the angels and act as intermediaries between the divine and humanity. They offer protection, guidance, and the execution of divine will.
While many religious traditions, including Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, acknowledge their existence, archangels transcend any one faith.
Many wisdom traditions and mythologies have parallels to archangels – celestial or divine beings who act as messengers, protectors, or mediators between the divine and humanity. Examples include the Amesha Spentas in Zoroastrianism, the Devas in Hinduism, the Bodhisattvas in Hinduism, and the Kami in Shinto.
Although different traditions vary in the number and identities of archangels, some are universally recognized and revered.
A distinguishing feature of archangels is their names, which typically end in “-el,” which means “of God” or “in God” in Hebrew. This signifies their deep connection to the divine will and their role as conduits between the higher realms and the earthly plane.
The Spiritual Significance Of 777
The number seven is a powerful sign when it appears in your life. Traditionally considered a lucky number, seven carries energies that can help expand various aspects of your life, allowing you to manifest greater results.
But seven is about much more than manifestation. It is a deeply spiritual number that often aligns with pivotal moments of deep understanding and transformation. When it appears repeatedly, it signals alignment with your divine purpose — a confirmation from Spirit that you are on the right path and an encouragement to continue your inner work.
The presence of the seven often marks periods of profound spiritual growth, offering insights into your role in the world and how you choose to show up for others.
You may notice a sense of effortless flow, as if guided by an unseen force. This occurs because your awareness of what serves your highest good — and the greater good — has expanded. Your intuition is sharpened, giving you access to universal insights and enabling you to act with greater compassion and wisdom.
Seven is closely associated with the expansion of consciousness. Its repeated appearance in your life may inspire you to explore spiritual matters more deeply, seeking wisdom in philosophy, metaphysics, and esoteric traditions.
This number encourages introspection and self-discovery, inviting you to reflect on your journey and embrace the deeper truths of the universe. Those who frequently encounter the number seven may also experience an increased connection to higher realms, noticing synchronicities, heightened intuition, and a greater awareness of unseen spiritual forces.
Reincarnation And The Karmic Journey Of The Soul
Reincarnation — the belief that the soul experiences multiple lifetimes through a continuous cycle of birth, death, and rebirth — is embraced by many spiritual and religious traditions worldwide. Wisdom traditions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and various indigenous belief systems integrate reincarnation deeply into their teachings.
For those who embrace the concept, reincarnation offers a transformative perspective on life and mortality. When we believe that our soul consciousness continues beyond this life, death is no longer something to be feared. Instead, it becomes a transition — a doorway to new opportunities for growth and evolution. Reincarnation provides a rich and expansive framework for understanding the soul’s journey.
Whether you fully embrace the concept or explore it with curiosity, reflecting on the interplay of karma and rebirth can inspire greater mindfulness, compassion, and purpose. In this view, death is not an end, but a passage — a gateway to continued exploration and spiritual progress.
Belief in some form of continued existence beyond this life is widespread. A 2011 Ipsos Global Advisor survey of more than 18,000 people in 23 countries found that 51% of respondents believe in an afterlife that includes beliefs in heaven, hell, and reincarnation. Specifically, 7% of respondents said they believed in reincarnation.
In the United States, a 2021 Pew Research Center survey found that approximately 33% of adults believe in reincarnation. This belief is more prevalent among younger adults under 50 (38%) compared to those aged 50 and older (27%).