LOVELIGHT

Magazine

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Volume 1, Number 2***February 2004

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FEATURE ARTICLE: SUICIDE? by Tom Gustin (Yit)

There is a significant ambiguity regarding suicide. On the one hand, it seems completely wrong. On the other, it is considered one’s individual choice. Assisted suicide has been declared illegal, and therefore, “wrong.” Yet many find it their best choice. Why the disparity? Why so much confusion?

It has been many years since I last seriously considered suicide (thank God). These conjectures orbit my feelings during my darkest moments. And those who know me can confirm my surprise that I once ever contemplated suicide. Having stepped over these obstacles does not make me an “expert.” But I just want to discuss a few feelings leading up to, during, and after, these dark years.

First I must admit confusion. All sentient beings commit suicide. This they do in “death.” And there is room for doubt, from a Soul-perspective, even with those who have been murdered.

(Okay, I will give you a moment to be shocked. You might want even vehemently to disagree. Your own varying opinions might indicate that I am both foolish and ignorant.) But we all commit suicide when we die.

Would you agree that suicide is the act of causing one’s own death? If you answer yes, then I maintain that we all commit suicide. My functional definition of “death” is when your Soul departs this world, leaving behind the borrowed transportation system called the “physical body.” When my Soul decides that it has accomplished all that it came to do, It “leaves.” Anyway, when my Soul chooses to depart, It will design events to accomplish this separation of body from Soul. When that occurs, the Soul will have successfully committed suicide.

Simple observation can lead any thinking sentient being to this same conclusion. Notice how many people survive a “terminal” illness be­cause they have a mission to accomplish here. Conversely, many just roll over and die (literally) because they feel that they have no purpose for living on earth.

When I was young, a family (with five kids) that lived across the street suffered a terrible loss. A father was driving the family in a VW bug on a busy highway in the fog. Suddenly, an oncoming car appeared in their lane. Within two seconds, the father turned the car. Only he was killed (instantly). The family suffered only minor injuries. The father, an engineer, could have calculated the proper angle and timing to guarantee their safety.

During several conversations with family, they said that “Dad” had deliberately turned the car to save the family. He knew, they said, that he would at least be seriously injured, if not killed.

He knew, at an unconscious level, precisely what he was doing! This “gnosis,” exists at the Lovenergy level that bonds Souls together. It was not conscious. This heroic act of Love resulted in the physical death of only one. Was this a suicide?

It was not a conscious thought to commit suicide. His only intention was to save his family. But his automatic Love-driven reaction had the same result: He died. This reaction, perfectly coordinated by his Unconscious, accomplished a miracle of Love!

Depression is often linked with suicide. But the story of the VW Bug did not include depression. Still, let’s at­tach depression as a necessary ingredient for a self induced death to be called a “sui­cide.” During a firefight in Vietnam, a depressed soldier courageously saved his squad by single-handedly attacking the enemy. His comrades escaped. It was a “suicide” mission! But this act of courage saved many. Was it sui­cide, courage, or both?

When I was suicidal, I was not thinking “sanely.” Is depression, then, a form of “insanity”? And if depression is necessary for “suicide,” are all suicides committed by the insane? My constant numbed-out state of non-existence was pretty “insane.” There were no good feelings. There was very little logical thinking. I was just barely operating on automatic pilot. I was always crying. There was a volcano of anger completely bottled up inside of me. I was quite unreachable. A string of many other down-and-out, bottom-of-the slime-bucket, “dark night” feelings, haunted me.

Then a miracle happened in my life -- Joyce! Everybody needs a Joyce in his or her life! Big miracle. Thanks!

Back to suicide: Everybody is doing the best that he or she can during every moment of his/her life. This “best” depends on who she is, at that time, and her individual perspectives. This is true of everybody. Only when egobased comparisons are made do judgments appear as to who or what is relatively “good” or “bad.” Being a recovering Catholic has taught me much about judgment and tolerance.

It is not possible for me to know the intentions of another, or those of even my own Soul! So, what might look like “suicide” to an outsider might actually be part of a Soul’s plan to assist others. This help can come in the form of a voluntary self-death.

Therefore, I can never say that suicide is “bad.” A suicide might be an act of love for others. I need to try to see it from the viewpoint of the Soul. It just left Its host-body. It did not die. Not only that, but we all commit suicide at the time of our deaths. Then, we return Home. There is no other Way.

Even a murder victim might, in fact, be using that event as a deliberate opportunity to return Home! (Her exit was designed ahead of time by the great Unconscious.) She “resurrects two birds with one crystal”! For she gets to go Home, and also provides an opportunity for the murderer to learn a valuable lesson about the sacredness of life.

Perhaps our abhorrence of suicide is really our innate reverence for the sacredness of life. But, all life is about change. And there are two most significant milestones in every life. Those are: 1) “birth” (Soul taking on a temporary physical body, Mind-dreamed, to spiritually learn and grow), and 2) “death” (Soul leaving the “borrowed” physical body, releasing its energies to reform for another life).

Thank you for sharing this experience. I wish for you great joy and profound peace. Be all that you wish to be. What are your feelings regarding suicide?

 

Love to all,

 

YIT

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FENG SHUI CORNER by Pat Fields

 

This is the most important lesson in all of feng shui (pronounced, “fung shway’.”):

The “bagwa” is a feng shui “map.” It divides up a house, room, yard, etc. into nine areas to help show which part of the area affects which aspects of your life. To visualize the map, think of the ten numbers on a touch phone. Each represents a section of the “bagwa” or map: The “zero” represents the door, gate, or main entrance. The part of the area in the far left corner, Number 1 location, represents wealth and prosperity. Number 2, right across from the door or gate, represents reputation and fame. Number 3, the right corner of the room, represents love and marriage. Number 4, to the left between door and far corner, represents Health. Number 5, in the center of the room or area, represents good energy, Spirit, and Self. Number 6, to the right and between door and far corner, represents creativity and children. Number 7, to the immediate left inside the room, represents knowledge. Number 8, right in front of the door or gate, represents career and business, and number 9, to the immediate right of the door (gate), represents travel and influential friends.

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If a room is in direct line with a straight road, don’t use it as a bedroom. If car headlights shine into the room at night, use it for exercise, storage, computer work, play or other uses, but not for sleeping.*** Love, Pat

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CULTALERT!

 

 

Ken Wilbur has expressed fine ideas. But he has allowed a cult to coalesce around him. One of our friends, Diann Proffitt, has had personal experience with him, and we thought that her insights should be shared. For it is not just what a person teaches, but how she lives and behaves, that counts. This must never be neglected in searching for true, honorable spiritual teachers.-- Richard Francis

 

A QUICK L0OK AT KEN WILBUR, by Diann Proffitt

 

Ken Wilbur has written several academic books about transpersonal psychology.  The introduction of his work came through the University I attended in California.

The school offered a seminar of about fifty people.  Wilbur was not there. The tone seemed quickly to turn away from his work, and focus on his personality.  People were upset by the manner in which Ken's conduct erupted in hurtful, sarcastic blows towards any opposition!  In fact, he has published these defensive attacks. 

A friend commented, after reading one of these attacks, "Wow! He really tore her to pieces!"

The seminar was chaotic. The uproar was all about Wilbur's misconduct and his immature responses to people who expressed other viewpoints. To soften the crowds view of his hurtful sarcastic personality, one lady attempted to deflect the conversation. 

A book about his wife’s suffering from cancer made him a lot of money, smoothed over his personality, and publicly proclaimed the most intimate details of her most vulnerable moments.

However, maybe somewhere along the line it has helped “someone.”  But it just appeared that this “someone” was, more than anyone, Wilbur!

Next, we went to a Wilbur-party.  One of my male friends mentioned, "I was told to invite as many pretty girls as possible".  I guess that Wilbur was now in search of a new mate.

It began with everyone gathered around Wilbur to hear about transpersonal psychology.  Wilbur began the introduction followed by questions.  A woman posed a question from the perspective of Shamanism, in which there is no hierarchy, and all creation is respected in a spiritually equal way.

But Wilbur’s response came from the hierarchy-perspective. He sarcastically responded in a hurtful manner, and severely embarrassed the woman.  She stood up and said, "F___ you, Ken Wilbur!" and left.

Then, after the shock of this incident, everyone continued as if nothing had happened. It was like this until something else was said opposing Wilbur’s views.  It had something to do with gender issues, and one of Wilbur's followers said, "I'll show you gender" and dropped his pants briefly to show his genitals!  It was a circus-sideshow of chaos! Needless to say, when the pants came up, the discussion-time was also up.

The party was, I believe, designed for Wilbur's purpose of finding a new mate.  It was too bad, because many bright minds were there to explore transpersonal psychology. But studies of tp seemed to be only a pretense disguising a “dating game” for Wilbur.

He came over to me, and asked me out. So I pointed out my boyfriend (x-football player). Then, he hit on my girlfriend, who had also to point to her boyfriend.  Poor Ken! He just wasn't getting lucky with the ladies! We decided to leave shortly after that.

Lastly, I was invited to another Wilbur party, attended by only his “devotees.”  We had to park at the bottom of a hill and be escorted to the top of the hill by a devotee.  There was a huge poster of Wilbur's face plastered on the front gate.  Next, I went to the bathroom only to be greeted by another giant face of Wilbur in candle light.  It was a little weird, to say the least!

Everyone formed a circle. We all had to tell how we came to know Wilbur.  I passed, and my friend Ainslee  began to go through her spiel on diversity and feminism's viewpoint. (Diversity seems to be a "no-no" in Wilbur's circle.) Her feminist view was so funny, because she was so brave to speak her "opposing" truth in front of the group.

Ainslee and I wanted to leave shortly after the circle broke. But no one would take us back down the hill to our car!  I think that they were mad at us.  I don't think that they thought Ainslee's response was as funny and brave as we did!

Luckily, we were rescued by a late comer, whom we knew from school.  Jason (not being a "devotee") was coming just to explore a party.  Ainslee ran to the door saying, "Jason save us! save us! They won't take us back to our car!  You gotta get us out of here!"  He drove us back, and we warned him about the party. We all were laughing so hard we were crying.

Afterwards, I took all Ken Wilbur's books and got as much of my money back as I could.  Sorry, Ken, just not interested.  I'd rather sit in a sweet forest, on a romantic swing, holding diversity, and singing "forever and a day".      

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LOVEJOY: SMILES AND LAUGHS FROM HUMORTHERAPY!:)

The following is from our brother “Gator” (Ty Scharrer):

 

1. Sign in gynecologist's Office: "Dr. Jones, at your cervix."
2. In a nonsmoking Area: "If we see smoke, we will assume that you are on fire, and will take appropriate action."

3. On a Maternity Room door: "Push! Push! Push!"
4. In a Veterinarian's waiting room: "Be back in 5 minutes. Sit! Stay!"
5. At a Propane Filling Station: "Thank heaven for little grills."
6. In a laundromat: Please remove all your clothes when the light goes out.”

7. In an office: “After tea-break, staff should empty the teapot, and stand upside-down on the draining-board.”

8. In a safari park: “Elephants please stay in your car.”

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1. Don't assume malice for what stupidity can explain.

2. A penny saved is a government oversight.

3. The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing at the right time, but also to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the most tempting moment.

4. He who hesitates is probably right.

5. If you ate both pasta and antipasto, would the two annihilate each other?

6. If you try to fail, and succeed, which have you done?

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LOVELETTERS FROM OUR FRIENDS

Thanks a million for including me in the list of recipients for the ezine. I enjoy the way it wanders, it varies, it moves from random but related topics. It is very simple and very refreshing and presents itself such that the reader can take it or leave it, is free to make up their own minds on the subjects. And even in the one edition, you'd be surprised how specifically apt some of the articles were to me e.g. the one on Sai Baba, the one on Aries - my starsign. Thanks a million...

 

Love and gratitude, Lorcan

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Dear Shiningthunder,

 

First, yes I am in receipt of “Lovelight magazine"... Thank you!... What I saw... I liked. And it looks like something that I can easily share with some people that I would like to pass on some thoughts too! I just printed it and it will be my "special" thing to do today... I am anxious to read it. 

                                                                

 

...I am thoroughly enjoying the book "Brother Bird, Sister Blossom. I wish I could buy one for everyone I know!  It is so pleasant to sit and read one or two of the readings, and just reflect on the few words.  It feels as smooth as silk, and smells as fresh as air after a rainfall.... I am passing mine on to a friend for her to use in her "quiet time."... So I started my morning off with a couple of the readings:  Section 34 is of special interest.... It helps me direct my mind when things happen that are stressful and unpleasant....... I am very intrigued by Tao-Love.... Thank you for all of your Love and support that you put into the gifts that you offer us, and thanks so much... for putting this book together!

 

Much Love to all of you!

 

Gail (Flowersun)

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Hi Richard,

 

...Got a chance to read the first LoveLight magazine - it was so cool.... Are you placing this on your website?

 

Love Always

Kathy

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Dear Shiningthunder,

 

    The "e-zine" made it intact.  Thank you very much for sharing this mechanism for spreading the wealth of Love, as contributed by many friends.  Now that I have a feel for the format, length, composition, and topics, I feel that I can better contribute to your new-zine Love-zine, if you so desire....

 

Till later,

Love, YIT

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 Dear Richard,

 

Thank you for the reminder to tell my body it is loved.... It has become a custom to thank my body, and practice acceptance of it just as it is.  I am learning to celebrate and love it (frankly,... the last couple of decades have been a very loud message that it will not be ignored!)... Continuing to practice yoga and do deep breathing, etc. For much of my spiritual journey the body's importance was not understood, and certainly it was not cherished. The awareness of how precious this dear body is, and how hard it works, is a welcome one.  In meditation I received the assignment to love this body joyfully,... An overdue assignment, and one accepted with an open heart.... As for the “crystalization” of energy... the “firenergy” has become matter and is actually... crystals.... It seems as if there are all sorts of vague descriptions intended to convey difficult-to-describe experiences in holistic/energic healing. ... Thank you... One thing wholeheartedly believed is that "I" am not consciously... responsible for physical illness in any kind of "we create our own reality" way. Happily, that false idea is not promoted in... polarity therapy... Love, maribee

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 MINIPARABLE: ALWAYS ROOM FOR LOVE!

A professor picked up an empty mayonnaise jar and filled it with golf balls. She then asked the students whether it was full. They agreed that it was.

So she picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. She then asked the students again whether the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

She picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. She then asked once more whether the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous, “Yes!”

She produced a can of liquid and poured it into the jar. "Now," said she, "This jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things -- your relationship with god, your family, your spouse, your friends, your children, and your favorite passions. If everything else were lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, your car.

“The sand is everything else -- the small stuff! If you put the sand in first, there is no room for the big stuff.

“If you spend all your timenergy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to your happiness.

“Play with your children and grandchildren.

“Take time to get medical checkups. Take a friend out to dinner. Laugh and play! There will always be time to go to work or clean the house.

"Take care of the golf balls first -- the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand!”

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ECOLOGY AND SPIRITUALITY, by Rabbi Tom Heyn

This year, two Jewish holy days (Shabbat Beshallach and Tu b’Shevat.) converge. This is a good opportunity to see how two different aspects of our tradition coincide and coexist as one.

The first holy day inspires and validates the traditional belief in God's ability to suspend or contravene the laws of nature....

The second holy day celebrates God's presence as made known to us through miraculous events of a "supernatural" order. But the first holy day celebrates God's presence in the ordinary occurrences in, and manifestations of, the "natural" world.

The meaning of this holy day was expanded considerably by the sixteenth-century mystics of Safed. They celebrated this "New Year for Trees" with a ritual meal they modeled after the Passover Meal. Using different kinds of nuts and fruits, they sought to represent the various ways in which God's presence infuses and permeates the world.

The mystics taught, and perhaps even experienced, through the process of this ritual, that within the multiplicity and diversity of life, there is a hidden unity of all being. God and universe are related, not only as Creator and creature, but as inner essence and outer covering -- like a soft, sweet fruit in relation to its tough, inedible peel. In other words, God lies within or beneath the surface of all that is.

Both paradigms, or ways of thinking about God, exist as one within our tradition. Nineteenth- century Israeli poet, Saul Tchernikovsky, put it beautifully when he wrote, "Here on earth, too, God lives, not in Heaven alone. A beautiful tree, a newly plowed field: In them you will find God's likeness."

Yet the first paradigm, the image of "God in Heaven," has always been dominant [in our society]. Our tradition, our history, our laws, are all tied to the supernatural miracles of Redemption and Revelation, and to the Deity who caused them on our behalf.

But what if, for this holy day, we were to give extra attention to the lesser paradigm -- the simple awareness of God's presence in the natural world? What if, for a day, we were to look to nature itself, with its wonder, mystery, and beauty, as a source of religious inspiration?...

Unfortunately, in a world facing environmental crises that threaten the survival of our planet, I wonder whether we ... are up to that challenge. Life has so evolved that the fate of the biosphere itself is now determined by human actions.... It is clear that the fate of our planet, and our survival, now rests in our hands....

During this holy day let us glorify God, who made His presence known to us through miraculous redemption. But let us also honor the One whose Presence makes itself known to us through the natural world. Let us look to our environment, if but for a day, and resolve to be more sensitive to what true stewardship demands of us... And let our awareness of the Divine in nature move us toward greater humanity and compassion, not just for ourselves, but for all beings.
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Rabbi Heyn serves as chaplain at Cedar Village, Drake Center and Brookwood Retirement Community. He is also Co-founder and Director of the Jewish Spirituality Network of Southwestern Ohio (www.jsnswo.org). He hopes his commentary will inspire readers to do something meaningful (see www.coejl.org, www.nrdc.org, and www.loveministries.org).

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"When a poor person dies of hunger, it has not happened because God did not take care of him or her. It has happened because neither you nor I wanted to give that person what he or she needed. We have refused to be instruments of love in the hands of God to give the poor a piece of bread, to offer them a dress with which to ward off the cold. It has happened because we did not recognize Christ when, once more, he appeared under the guise of pain, identified with a man numb from the cold, dying from hunger, when he came in a lonely human being, in a lost child in search of a home." 

--Teresa. Contributed by Mooncat Dancing

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SPIRITUAL SOUND-BYTES

  “God/Goddess/Love is present in all people; we need only to re-train our eyes to... focus on the Love within. There is enough wealth in this world to provide the basic necessities for all creatures. There is no excuse for poverty, hunger, homelessness. Rampant materialism and greed are the evils in this case. Visualize a world where there is plenty for all.... May we change the world into the Paradise [that] it was created to be!”

-- Mooncat Dancing

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SPIRITUAL ONE-LINERS

"Live simply, that others may simply live"

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LOVE GIVES WHAT WE NEED, NOT WHAT WE WANT!

 

I asked God for strength, that I might achieve,
               I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey.
               I asked for health that I might do greater things,
               I was given infirmity that I might do better things.
               I asked for riches that I might be happy,
               I was given poverty that I might be wise.
               I asked for power that I might have praise of men,
               I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God.
               I asked for all things that I might enjoy life,
               I was given life that I might enjoy all things.
               I got nothing that I asked for, but everything I had hoped for.
               Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered,
               I am, among all men, most richly blessed.