Recently a headline in my local newspaper caught my eye.  It read, “Trend toward ’spiritual, not religious’ worries professor.”  The article describes serious concerns of Linda Mercadante, a Worthington resident and professor of theology that negative societal changes will result from the growing trend of those saying they are “spiritual” but not “religious.”  She states that recent studies have shown that at least 25 percent of the population fall into this category (spiritual, but not religious or SNBR), and that she herself used to as well.  She says repercussions may be a decline in moral values and structure, as well as social services, such as networking.  Mercadante says this should be a “wake-up call for religions” to actually practice what they really believe. 

I found this article to be fascinating in light of “the shift.”  As I have referred to in my former blog posts, we are rising to a new order of ourselves as human beings.  And part of this dimensional shift in consciousness includes changes that I believe explain the growing numbers of those identifying as SBNR.  These changes include:  greater intuitive discernment, decreased self-centeredness and separation, non-judgement and more forgiveness, unconditional love and less attachment, non-duality (ex., good/bad).   

All the world’s religions are based in the same core spiritual premises, namely the oneness of existence and the essence of love as the core of all creation.  However thousands of years of human interpretation have rendered this core essense unidentifiable as the various faiths have differentiated along ego-based lines to exercise control over their religious members and to discredit other religions.  What began as a love based core premise has turned into a fear based system of religious competition and control.  History readily displays the utter destruction and devastation that this path has rendered. 

The spiritual path of fourth dimensional consciousness invites us to see sameness instead of difference.  It invites inclusion versus exclusion.  It reminds us that our intuition is our direct connection to Divinity, and that no interpreter, bridge or tour guide is needed.  Indeed the most metaphysical and powerfully spiritual writings were edited out of the Christian bible in the fourth century A.D.  (For further info, read The Isaiah Effect, by Gregg Braden.) 

I want Linda Mercadante to know that all is well and that there is certainly no need to worry about the state of spiritual affairs.  In fact, I will invite her to read this blog post and to consider that what she notices with concern is clear evidence of the shift of human consciousness beyond categories and divisions, and into the holistic and loving understanding that we all seek, and ironically, that all the world religions were founded upon.

Much has been written in the past couple years about “the shift” which refers to this key slice of time in which we are now living.  One effect is an acceleration of time.  The earthquake in Chile on February 27th resulted in a shifting of the earth’s axis.  This shift caused a slight shortening of the length of each day.  This means that time is indeed going faster.  I was truly amazed at the physical manifestation of the dimensional energetic shift we have been learning about.

So much is being revealed to us.  The end of 2009 marked the end of a decade, but to numerologists it also represents the closing or ending of chapters.  It is interesting to see how many businesses and systems are being effected, and how much change is being stirred up in the economy and marketplace.  While the onset of change often frightens people, remember that it is crucial for life to renew itself.  Evidence is ever so close at hand as we see the snow disappear and bright green shoots beginning to appear.  Spring is our gentle reminder that change brings with it new growth and wonderful possibilities.

~Victoria

It is the last day of February, and I have been writing and speaking all month on LOVE.  While this month is short on days, I hope that for all of you, it has been long on LOVE.  Let’s consider expanding the association far beyond this one month of the year.

What was your Valentine’s day and month like this year?  How do you feel about LOVE anyway?  Kind of a weird question, isn’t it?  Conceptually redundant?  Not really.  While this word and topic has received a lot of airplay, very few of us are truly comfortable with LOVE, much less have a clue as to what it really is.  That is primarily because of fear.  What is fear?  This one is a bit more clear perhaps.  But I will define it as the pinching off of LOVE.  It is like not really breathing deeply, not opening up to the total expansiveness that a living breath requires.  That is how most people actually breathe most of the time, by the way.  And it is for exactly the same reason, fear.

Let’s not judge, but merely witness this four-letter “F” word for a moment.  What is it really?  How does it arise and what does it do to us?  It arises from our beliefs, which are based on our stories (life experiences and what we conclude from them).  And it restricts us in the name of survival and protection.  Herein lies the grand delusion.  Because anything that restricts you is a death grip.  Your deepest desires and passions are for freedom and joy.  It’s why you do anything.  You believe that it will give you more freedom or happiness.  While your desire is true, your aim is way off.  “You can’t there from here.”  Survival and protection will not lead you toward what you really yearn for.  You cannot get to LOVE from fear.  Never.  Ever.

Hmmmm.  It’s a vicious cycle.  Experiences of disappointment, hurt and pain leave us with fear and a cautious, protective posture towards life.  This raises sensitivity and focus on the unwanted aspects of living instead of on what we really and truly want more of (deep in our heart of hearts).  Much has been written and postulated about this tendency from a suvivalist perspective.  The reptilian brain thing, flight-or-fright, adrenalin surges, etc.  What’s a human to do?

You may have heard about  ”the Shift,” the end of the Mayan calendar, 2012 predictions.  I would suggest that you simply buy one book on all this, as someone else has done all the hard work of putting it together in a way that you (and I) can understand.  Do yourself a favor and get Gregg Braden’s latest, Fractal Time.  In short, it explains that we are at a very crucial point in human history, one we have never been at before in human existence.  It explains everything from the world speeding up to global warming, and everything in between.  So what’s all this have to do with LOVE, you may ask.  Here’s what.

You, me, we are being asked to rise to a new order of our human consciousness.  Well, it’s more than a request.  It’s a requirement.  We have bumbled along at levels of consciousness for thousands of years, gradually ascending to present levels.  But a sizeable leap is now required if we are to live heaven on earth, or even continue to live on earth at all.  This leap is about LOVE.  It is about shortening the distance between the head and the heart.  Indigenous cultures are all aware of the importance of this time in human history and have been anticipating its arrival for hunreds of years.  They are very glad it is here.  They are hopeful that we can rise to the occasion of our energetic invitation (call it “spiritual” if you will) to live, finally, a heart-centered existence.  To live LOVE as it truly is, UNCONDITIONAL.  This is the litmus test of true LOVE.  It only comes in this flavor, UNCONDITIONAL.  Anything other than this is fear (the four-letter “F” word, remember?)

I invite you to think (and feel) on these things as you live through this powerful time in human history.  Practice any ways you can that bring you closer to LOVE (and further from the four-letter “F” word).  Be creative and take it as lightly as you can.  Breathe as deeply as you dare.  Look for beauty everywhere.  See the heart and soul in everyone you meet.  Look into their eyes and let them look into yours.  Soften your face and open to smiling more often than not.  Hang out with babies and animals.  We are all in this together.  We need each other.  We are each other.  Become more consciousness in your every day.  Allow yourself to breathe and believe in the world your heart wants to live in.

We’re closer than you may think.