Why Is There Hatred In Religion?
Living Our Deeper Song
Ashe
(“Ah-Shay”)
The Creative in me honors the Creative in you!
I began to write this on the day the Gaza Strip was attacked by Hamas. It is another religious battle on our planet. I watch other nations rally to take sides. In the US, we have the Conservative Christians ready to destroy democracy and replace it with fascism. Fascist groups have come out against the Jews. Why does all this hatred exist and where does it come from?
I knew that researchers and academics generally categorize the world’s religions into five major groups: Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Judaism, but I was totally surprise to learn that there were over 4,000 religions, faith groups, and denomination that exist around the world today and a huge number of people who simply consider themselves deeply spiritual (like me). Why aren’t we just grateful that so many people are spiritual.
Google says: “Religion is a set of organized beliefs, practices, and systems that most often relate to the belief and worship of a controlling force, such as a personal god or another supernatural being.”
What causes conflict between religions?
“Although not necessarily so, there are some aspects of religion that make it susceptible to being a latent source of conflict. All religions have their accepted dogma, or articles of belief, that followers must accept without question. This can lead to inflexibility and intolerance in the face of other beliefs.”
The idea of “Dogma, or articles of belief, that followers must accept without question” is interesting. It was in a Comparative Religion class my senior year in college that I first became aware of so many different religions and wondered how we knew ours was “right”.
“Right” is not a measurement – how you live your life is. Do your religious beliefs lead you to be a kind, compassionate person and can you embrace all fellow humans whatever their spiritual practice?
What is the common thread in all religions?
“All religions explain that all humans come from the same Creator or Source into this world. In addition, all people will return to the same Source after life. This Source is absolute and inexplicable in nature, being beyond the scope of human comprehension. Religion serves to aid people in connecting with Source”
So are we arguing about what to call Source?
What do all major religions have in common?
“The thing is that all major religions have the Golden Rule in common. ‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.’ Not always the same words but the same meaning.”
So what happens? You don’t go to war if your core belief is love. You do not harm others if your core belief is “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
We’re back to dogma which we are taught to accept without question. Perhaps we need to examine that dogma and decide for ourselves.
“Primordialist or essentialist theories argue that the differences between the various religious and cultural traditions are among the main authentic reasons for the outbreak of conflicts between states or groups of individuals.”
“Conflicts, according to these theories, would be triggered by economic and social reasons or by territorial tensions. In these cases, the religious factor would be used by certain leaders to take advantage of popular support and direct it against an enemy in the name of a religious / sectarian opposition.”
“In the name of…” is that what has happened in the US as our democracy is threatened by ultra conservative religions? How do we change that in our world?
I call it Source, The Universe. All That Is, the Web of Life.
We must not fight each other. We Are One………
DEEPER SONG AFFIRMATION
I look deeply within myself to make certain I love others as I do myself.
DEEPER SONG PROCESS
- Do you love yourself? Begin there. Can you love others as you do yourself?
- If you choose, explore the premise and concepts of another religion. Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet has deeply resonated with me for fifty years. Although brought up as a Maronite Christian, Gibran, as an Arab, was influenced not only by his own religion but also by Islam, and especially by the mysticism of the Sufis.
- I am drawn to Shamanism. I use the shamanic journey to gain guidance and insights from my inner work. I am drawn to Taoism which is a Chinese philosophy based on the writings of Lao-tzu ( fl. 6th century BC) and The Tao Te Ching guides my path. The Tao (or Dao) is sometimes understood as the way of the universe. Taoism teaches that all living creatures ought to live in a state of harmony with the universe, and the energy found in it. Ch’i, or qi, is the energy present in and guiding everything in the universe. Taoism is mainly concerned with the spiritual elements of life, including the nature of the universe.
- Twenty-five years ago I moved deeply into The Center For Spiritual Living and became a practitioner, a member of the clergy. It is based on the work of Thomas Troward who studied all the world religions and was taught as Science Of Mind by Ernest Holmes. A core concept is “We Are One.”
- Perhaps explore some other religions and focus on the similarities rather than the differences. We are One.
===INNER WORK===
Deepen Your Inner Awareness
How Do You Stay Flexible?
“To be rugged is to be tough, determined, and durable. To be flexible is to consciously respond to altered circumstances or conditions, to adapt and bend easily without breaking. Put those together and the result is a gritty endurance, an anti-fragility that not only withstands change, but thrives in its midst.”
How flexible are you in your beliefs and actions? How do you stay flexible?
What Is Your Philosophy of Death?
There are a variety of beliefs about death. Shamans teach us that our spirit and soul depart through the crown of our heads on a journey back to the stars, where we have eight days to revisit places of unfinished business and release accumulated hucha – the uncooperative energy of discontent, energy that is not coherent with our intention – from our lives. In the end, we merge with the ONE—the living energy field.
I am very drawn to the books of Michael Newton who used hypnosis to examine what happens in our lives between lives.
What is your philosophy of death?
How Big Are Your Dreams?
You know that if you can imagine it, it can happen. So exactly how big are your dreams and expectations?
It has been a huge step for me to decide that I want to go for 204 since I will be 91 next month. That’s a bunch of years in which to get a whole lot of stuff done. So I’ve got to get to work. I just know that I have recently entered what is my deepest place of service so far. I have work to do. I have a difference to make. Look closely to see if your dreams and expectations are limiting your possibilities.
Are you allowing your vision to close you in – to limit the possibilities? Are you thinking small? Or are you thinking of future goals and achievements and possibilities that stretch out over the next 30 years? Do you expect enough of yourself?
===SELF-HEALING===
Take Responsibility for Healing Yourself
Use Visualization To Change Your Life
One of the most powerful tools we have to change our lives is visualization. It is an amazing way to try on a new situation to see how it resonates.
If you are considering a change, take time to visualize yourself in that new situation. See what new awareness you have. Use your imagination to explore the possibilities. Use visualization to change your life.
Alone Time
I’ve lived alone for most of my life and I value my ability to go deep within through meditation, to be free to follow my creative calling, to do what I want to when I want to.
How much time do you choose to be alone? And do you make space for those in your life to have their own alone time?
I have been sitting alone in nature to play my flute. I meditate in the morning when the sun comes in to warm my shoulders. I have a centering Qigong sequence I do before bed and I use triggers like getting up from my desk to prompt me to center myself.
How do you take time to be alone in silence?
===OUTER WORK===
Explore New Potential and Possibilities
How Do You Adapt And Thrive In Your Current Circumstances?
My counselor friend wrote
“You continually challenge yourself, not only with learning and curiosity, but also with opening yourself to adapt and thrive in your current circumstances.”
My big lesson is that I have to show up.
I moved into long-term care a year ago in October. I have found friends among the staff and now finally among the residents. I just needed to show up.
How do you find your circle of friends? Where do you go to meet you like-minded people? And when you find someone you like, do you follow through to know them better?
Looking back over my years of friendships, I realize that I found friends in activities in which we shared an interest. I met one of my oldest friends in a woman’s group in California thirty years ago. I met another when we were in the online membership group of one of Chis Brogan’s classes twenty years ago. I was paired with another friend in one of Sandra Ingerman’s shamanic classes. We have spoken almost every week for eight years. Another friend found me because of an excerpt from one of my books on the websites of some of the Centers For Spiritual Living. All of those connections came about because we were interested in the same thing.
Be pro-active in seeking out new friends. Know what you need in your life and find that through friendships. How do you adapt to and thrive in your current circumstances?
Rethink Your Life
My friend’s husband died recently and she is having to rethink this next phase of her life. Another friend retired a few years ago and is still in the process of defining her next 30 years.
There are many turning points in our life that ask us to stand at a crossroad and make a new decision. Sometimes that means we have to explore new pathways. Sometimes it means we have to explore new ways of doing what we love. One friend walks three miles a day. Perhaps she will start a small walking group of friends to encourage them to walk. She loves to garden, perhaps she could go help people in the community garden increase their skills.
When you get to a turning point in your life, take time to reflect on where you are and in particular remember the things you have left by the wayside. That includes gifts or interests or things you never got around to doing.
You can explore the new ideas or gifts that you’ve neglected or you can let things unfold, but you have to stay aware that new ideas and situations are constantly unfolding and nudging you to explore in a new direction.
What do people ask of you, need from you? What do you need to deepen your life? What gift and talent can you bring forward to add new dimensions to your life? Go exploring and throw open some new doors.
Approach It From A New Angle
This new way to deliver my newsletter cuts out a whole lot of work I had been doing that I didn’t need to do and I didn’t even realize it. Often we just keep going with the familiar. It took a move to a new environment to get me to rethink and revise big portions of my life. We can miss a lot of opportunities for growth and change when we do not move beyond the familiar.
How do you make change? How do you approach your life from a new angle?
Research What You Need
I researched and found exercises I can do for the circulation needs I have. Now I will figure out where to put them in my life and on what triggers I need to remember them.
What changes do you want to make that will enhance your life experience? Do that.
===DEEPEN YOUR SPIRITUAL PRACTICE===
Self-Healing Spiritual Practice and Deepening Awareness of Our Cosmic Oneness
The Seed Mantra Om (AUM)
The word Om is defined by Hindu scripture as being the original vibration of the universe, which all other vibrations are able to manifest. By chanting Om, we can align our frequency with that of the original universal frequency, which is essential in spiritual practice. It is expressed by this symbol – 🕉
It is a symbol of oneness.
This sacred syllable is not just one sound, it is actually three. Ah, ooh. mmm. Utter Om as you breathe out. You should spend 80 percent of your breath chanting “A-U,” and only 20 percent should be devoted to the syllable, “M.” The chanting of Om should initially be done for three times. Slowly, you can work your way up to nine times.
Use AUM to center yourself and to begin your meditation.
The Power Of Gratitude
Stop for a moment and notice how much you have to be grateful for – your life, your talents, your family, your pets, your friends, your mind, your health, your spiritual life and the way your life is unfolding.
How conscious are you of your many blessings? How do you express your gratitude? Do you turn and offer what you have/know/learn to others?
The form of experiencing and expressing your gratitude will vary. It’s pretty easy to hug a loved one in gratitude. Sometimes we remember to be grateful for our food and those who grew it and harvested it and delivered it. Maybe we remember to thank our bodies for all it helps us do. Periodically we remember to be grateful for our talents and gifts and our spiritual awareness.
You might offer gratitude to your day – at the beginning, the middle, the end. You might offer gratitude to the Universe for – well, everything.
Gratitude has great power to deepen our awareness. What form does your gratitude take? Do more of it.
Create a Ceremony For The Moon Cycles
Full moons, new moons, eclipses of the moon – there are many opportunities to connect with the energy of the moon.
Moon rituals create a sacred space for you to focus inward, set intentions, spread love, and feel empowered. You can practice a moon ritual on the days leading up to, the day of, or the days following the new moon and the full moon. For me it is a time to reflect, release, re-choose and recommit.
Reflect And Offer Gratitude
You might keep a journal that contains your intentions and your results that shows your progress and achievements and reminds you of your goals. Acknowledge yourself for the successes and offer gratitude to the Universe for its help.
Release
What is not working? What do you want to change? What do you need to release? Create an aspect of the moon ceremony in which you release, let go and move forward. Design a physical act that simulates releasing – tearing up or burning a paper with the intention written on it or blowing soap bubbles to release it.
Re-choose
In the space in your life that you have created by releasing what you no longer need or want, there is room to place what you do want. This can be in the form of imagining new possibilities or commitments or simply opening yourself up to new adventures.
Re-commit
After you release and make room for the new, commit to what you want to experience, expand, strengthen or create next.
Close with gratitude
Look over your life and offer gratitude or the support of the Universe and the many good things you have created together.
What kind of ceremony will you create for the moon cycles?
===MUDRAS OF POWER===
Surya Mudra (Mudra of the Sun) – vision, weight
Typically, our bodies have an ideal balance of the elements – Fire, Air, Space, Earth, Water. But when one of them is out of proportion or an imbalance occurs, it may harm the body. Mudras in yoga may help in the removal of imbalance in the body. Mudras are made with your fingers.
The Mudra of the Sun helps to control weight and obesity. Surya mudra is associated with earth and fire elements. It increases the fire element in the body that helps to maintain the temperature and improve the vision.
How to do it:
Surya mudra is performed by bending both ring fingers and placing the tips of them on the bases of the thumbs. Keep the other fingers straight or relaxed.
30 minutes of this practice at early hours of the morning is sufficient for getting the results. The Surya mudra yields more benefits when practiced early in the day.
Elements: Space+ Water
===HOW TO BE A STRONG CONTRIBUTING MEMBER OF THE CIRCLE OF LIGHT BEARERS===
Expand Your Role in the Rapidly Evolving Universe
How Supportive Are The People You Spend Time With?
Why do you spend time with the people that you do? What do you gain from it? How do they support you? How do you support them? It’s important to pay attention to the input of the people you choose to spend time with. Are they supportive? Or do they lead you down a path that’s not right for you?
We have to take care of ourselves. We have to be self-sufficient and self-determining. That means we must stay true to ourselves and our path and goals.
Don’t be a people pleaser. You don’t have to be a leader but you do have to stand on your own feet on your own ground. Do you do that?
I have plenty of people who are supporting me physically since I am in long-term care. I have friends that I speak with regularly on Zoom who support my life. I am developing friendships among staff with whom I exchange ideas. I have always chosen to be only with people from whom I can learn.
Do you at least have a good balance between those who nurture you and those you nurture? How supportive are the people you spend time with
===BROADEN YOUR HORIZON – EXPAND YOUR VIEW===
Raise Your Sights and Your Expectations
Do You Believe In Your Own Value?
How much do you value yourself? Do you appreciate and value your gifts and talents? Do you value your inner wisdom? Are you aware of the depth of your service in the world and do you value it?
How can you up your game?
I am contributing more deeply here than where I lived before but I did not plan it – it evolved – the Universe promoted me to move here and my impact greatly expanded.
We always have new opportunities to enter into deeper service than we may realize. Our very presence impacts those around us and a casual comment may open a door for another person, just as interactions with others may offer you insight into your role on your path.
Be more aware of how your presence impacts others, not so much to monitor it but to recognize how far-reaching your presence is. Value your gifts and your impact on the world around you.
===OUR EVOLVING FUTURE===
Support and Encouragement for our Unfolding Role in the Future
Do You Resist Change?
Change is constant. Every aspect of our life is in constant change. Which means we must be aware of our gifts and goals, stay flexible and keep choosing and changing.
Do you know what you value? Are you aware of the myriad of gifts you possess? Are you aware of how your presence affects others? Is your life going in the direction that is the most impactful for you? What do you need to change?
I’m experiencing major change because my current environment is triggering responses in me that have not been activated in a while. I am keeping aware of how I feel. Recent a stimulating conversation set me soaring and I realized how much I missed that kind of interchange. I’m not sure how to correct that but the need is very strong.
We have to create change for ourselves. If I need more stimulating conversation, I have to go figure out how to get it and where to get it. I have to decide to explore new ways to strengthen the right side of my body while I wait to get the left hip replaced.
The universe is always knocking on our door with new opportunities, new pathways and new gifts to expand. Embrace the opportunities that ignite you to change.
===REFLECTIONS OF A DEEPER SONG PODCAST===
The Two Vital Sides of Your Spiritual Practice
Listen to my
Reflections of a Deeper Song Podcast on
Apple / Spotify / Googleand the
Deeper Song Website
===CARA’S CORNER===
Self Responsibility
Doctor J took my hand, looked me in the eye and said, “We will do the surgery. It is not safe to have an open sore because bacteria can get in and go to the metal parts and they cannot fight it off.”
I had what I needed, my edema was holding me back and I was the only one keeping the hip replacement surgery from happening. I accepted that it is all up to me to do the work to self-heal. I took responsibility – no more salty snacks – which I knew was mine to do but couldn’t seem to do it. Now that I understand why – to prevent infection – I will zealously do my part.
What does it take for you to take responsibility and do the work?
===SING A DEEPER SONG ===
It Is Mine To Do
I am responsible for all of me – my life, my choices, my results.
I am responsible for all of me – my life, my choices, my results. I am the only one who can do the work and create the life I want.
I am responsible for all of me – my life, my choices, my results. I am the only one who can do the work and create the life I want. I go to work.
– Cara Lumen, October 2023
We create our future with every thought we think, every action we take. Move forward mindfully as you sing your Deeper Song.
Namaste,
Cara
Come Sing a Deeper Song
I help Transformational Leaders
deepen our relationship with the Unseen World
and expand our role in the New Consciousness
Cara Lumen, explorer, spiritual philosopher, teacher, guide, leads us on a journey of self-awareness, spiritual expansion and impactful service. She helps us believe in our value, trust in our gifts, express our passion in a unique manner and build something meaningful around our wisdom and expertise. She helps us sing a deeper song.
Live in the nowhere that you came from,
even though you have an address here – Rumi
Please forward this newsletter to a friend and suggest they
Join the Deeper Song Community
Past Issues of this newsletter are being curated on my site on a page called Insights.
Our Global Deeper Song Community
Our Deeper Song Community extends throughout the planet. Welcome new Deeper Song Explorers. I’d love to hear of your experiences – caralumen@gmail.com or let’s discuss on the Deeper Song Explorers!
Subscribe to this weekly Deeper Song Newsletter at www.deepersong.com
My Books
