by B. Ann Patterson

Created on: June 15, 2010

"Be still and know.." are spiritual words.  To "be still and know  that I am God" is the complete command; a command which can lead any and every person to live fully as a spiritual being.  To give times of your life to become spiritual with personal strength from the deepest part of one's being, is to meditate.  To live in that way is to live well, to be truly spiritual, not religious but well in one's own spirit.

Agitation, confusion, pain, guilt and similar ways of feeling about oneself, do not bring peace and wellness to a person's spirit.  To find the ways of being that are peaceful, soothed, pain and guilt freedom, is to become spiritual within oneself.  Being spiritual is not about God and religion.  It is all about looking within oneself, and honestly knowing what is there and then, making specific changes when there is something negative within the self.  The process of seeking, knowing and changing is a way of meditation without denial.

Meditation, an art of being silent for periods of time for the single purpose of getting to honestly know and understand what lies within one's own spirit.  Complete honesty can lead to specific positive changes that are necessary if the individual is to follow the path of spiritual wellbeing, the path of peaceful living among all humanity.

Shakespeare reminded people that a person must first "know thyself" before that person can make the changes within the spirit that lives well among all people.  Perhaps one of the most difficult thing that many people are asked by their spiritual leaders or friends ask them to do; nevertheless, when the path to know oneslf is taken by one person, all humanity benefits.  During periods of meditation, to acknowledge the truth within and to acknowledge the steps that must be taken can then lead to betterment for all humankind.

Throughout history there have been people who decided that they knew exactly what and how people should change, they have taken control of people less vulnerable and have destroyed lives.  Those who have come under the leadership of such power-mongers have suffered.  The tragedies in Guyana where such suffering happened have proven this.  Unless an individual is willing to meditate, to know oneself honestly, and to make truly personal decisons to grow in spiritually positive ways, there can be no improvment of the individual's spiritual nature.

All persons seek the peace and comfort of perfect spiritual well being.  Not all can reach nirvanna, but all can become more well within their spirit and be at peace with people around them.

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