We start with a fundamental truth that we can too easily forget: our bodies come from particles of animal and plant life that once belonged to other plants or animals and so on backwards through time to the dawn of life on earth. Years from now bits of who we are today will form part of an infinite variety of living things. In essence the same material is simply being recycled through nature in different ways over time. So that on the most basic physical level we are one with our planet.
In our book Riverlution, where we explore the natural spiritual evolution of humanity, the section on womankind discusses the damage done by, "what may be called 'the war on women' – that is the widespread and systematic repression of women and all they stood for that has lasted for centuries". The age-old discrimination against women is a story sadly all too well known. Was it a war? In this article, we will be focusing on womankind’s search for a spiritual voice.
The image of the crucified Christ is central to traditional Christian thinking. It lies at the heart of the doctrine that Jesus saved humanity from sin by his supreme sacrifice. In the Christian Bible, the story of Jesus reaches its climax with his crucifixion and resurrection. So deeply embedded is this idea, that the Cross has become the symbol of Christianity.
As one of the key principles of Spirit of the Rainbow, trust in the process of our spiritual evolution acts as useful reminder for those who search for spiritual insight. Understanding this principle is one thing, however. Putting it into practice is another. Sometimes it is hard to place our faith in something that is not immediately evident. During challenging times we may even resist the notion of trust altogether. This is because the path ahead is obscured and we doubt we are moving in the right direction. Yet, as I am constantly learning, if we can find the grace to open ourselves even a little to the idea, we realise that support for our spiritual quest is right there.
Our soul experiences an almost limitless freedom. Only part of it inhabits our being, it is said. Much of it exists in higher realms where it is free to expand and explore. It accepts restrictions only to experience life in the denser regions on this planet. So when we talk of freeing our soul, it’s really about our task, which is to give it as much space as we can for it to work through us and to fulfil its mission here on earth. We, with all our emotional baggage, need to clean up as far as we can and let it shine through.
Even as we reach the end of the first quarter of the 21st century, our understanding of our human story is deeply influenced by our Victorian forebears. For them, our evolution was a more or less straight-line progression from primitive ape-like creatures to advanced modern humans, replete with all sorts of technological inventions which we have continued with till the present day. This has shaped the way we look at ancient peoples, who were thought to have lived in a world of ignorance and superstition, devoid of the benefits of modern civilisation.
Although there is almost endless debate about education, there is one question that is rarely asked, and it is the most important: What is education for?
A characteristically 21st century phenomenon has been the manifestation of the many-coloured splendour of genders, sexes and sexualities. Yet we have also seen a backlash from some religious conservatives. They view anything outside of the traditional world of the heterosexual male or female as the work of the devil. Striking therefore, that the Cathars, for all their austere medieval outlook, would have seen sex and gender in almost exactly the opposite way spiritually
Riverlution is the natural evolutionary flow of the universe, operating at both a spiritual and physical level. We can find it in the creation of stars and the rhythm of our own lives. It also guides the progress of the peoples of this planet, to fulfil our highest destiny.
In last month’s article, we explored why we have come to live in a world where there is enough for everybody but not everybody has enough. Key to this is understanding the need to see our world through the eyes of humanity, all humanity, rather than the narrow focus of one country, religion or community. Global problems need global solutions. So we need to work towards a world where we provide the essentials of life to all, dealing with challenges like climate change, as one people
At Education for Humanity, we're on a mission to delve deeper into history – not just the highlights but the character traits that shape historical figures. We recognise that these traits can often be contradictory. By examining historical figures through this lens, we can gain a more nuanced and holistic understanding of our human past.
In the industrialised world, people have come to rely almost exclusively on their intellect to discover and produce things – from new planets to smartphones – and it has resulted in some marvellous inventions and scientific breakthroughs.
The role of Cathar women has suffered two fates: to be demonised by their opponents and idealised by their supporters. Where does the truth actually lie?
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