So you want to convince that skeptic about the validity of your spiritual perceptions. This is a problem faced by every person with a spiritual perspective. Here's my video response. (And if you have a question you would like to ask me, Marcus T Anthony, about issues related to spirituality and the wisdom journey, write it in the comments section, below, or mail it to marcus@marcustanthony.com if you prefer discretion).
Marcus T Anthony (PhD) is a futurist of the human mind, writer and spiritual adviser. He is the author of Discover Your Soul Template and many other books.
Marcus posts a new article on CLN every Saturday. To view his articles, click HERE.
All of my life, I had been of the opinion that every person has a right to believe in whatever god they choose and to worship that god in whatever way suits them, or to have no beliefs at all. Yet, in 2002, I somehow attracted the attention of very aggressive neighbours who threatened to kill my family and me and burn down our home unless we moved out. We called the police, but our neighbours made a counter-claim of “racism” against me and I was taken to court and charged. My good reputation was destroyed and we have had to live with their threats ever since, as I refused to be brow beaten by their threats. So, my question to you is this: Why, when my family and I have practised a “live and let live” attitude, did we attract into our lives such hateful, racist, bigotted people? The only lesson it has taught me is to be wary of a certain religion and its followers.
Firstly Lynn, I make no claim to understand everything. I simply have a “spiritual” (or mindful) approach to life. I have been critical of various “law of attraction” philosophies, which I believe are often naive and simplistic. Do we really “attract” all events into our lives? I’m not sure that is true.
Nonetheless, it is true that all life events – including the process of dying – offer an opportunity to develop a deeper relationship with the mind. The events trigger reactions within the mind. We can learn to witness them and perhaps delve a little deeper to see if they reflect some deeper psycho-spiritual issues within the mind. These could be related to biographical, karmic or ancestral energy structures.
When spiritual crises occur – and I’d suggest your experince with your neighbours and the subsequent events were just that – the opportunity for deepening self-awareness can be even greater. This means assuming full responsibility for our part in the “drama”. This can be quite difficult, as the mind tends to want to see the other party as “evil”, and itself as a victim. This is why having some kind of mentor or counsellor who isn’t afraid to tell you the truth is very useful.
On the other hand, the truth is that there are some pretty nasty people in the world. Around 1% of the population has psychopathic tendencies. My preferred option with such people is to gently but firmly stand up to them, or if possible, avoid them altogether. The later option can be difficult if we are talking about neighbours, bosses and co-workers etc. But sometimes in extreme cases you have no choice but to get the hell out of there. Remember, many Jews, including Einstein, simply left Germany when the Nazis came to power. This must have been very traumatising. But in hindsight, those who did leave probably saved themselves a great deal of suffering.
Life isn’t always easy. Sometimes tough choices have to be made. Many times we may not fully understand why things happen, at the level of mind. No matter what “cause” you may identify to a traumatic life event (e.g. karmic, negative beliefs etc.), this is not the most important aspect of “awareness”, and you shouldn’t get caught up in demanding “God” give you a definitive answer. The most important mental quality to develop is the capacity to be fully present to life. If we are not present, we are in the mind – trapped in remembered pasts and (often) fearful, imagined futures.
Your spiritual realities is yours and it’s for you. It is NOT YOUR JOB NOR YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to convince anyone about spiritual realities. Mind your own business!! Your spiritual experience is private to you. It is OK if you want to share it, or not share it. But it is not your job and it really really doesn’t matter and SHOULD NOT MATTER if anyone else believe or become convinced about it!!!
Thank you Davitt Qxn that’s exactly what I was about to say.
Not their only problem, they actually believe these myths and fairy tales.
Should I convince anybody???….
Chris Kadlec Brann