Archive for death
with malice towards none…even Osama bin Laden
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Let us be The Nation of Love
If we rejoice at the death of another human being, how is it that we are any different than those who celebrated in the streets on 9/11?
A few days have passed since the death of Osama bin Laden, an event that came back to back with the Royal Wedding. The Wedding captivated us with Love, and we knew this because it felt Good and Life affirming. The report of bin Laden’s death did not feel good or life affirming. I’ve watched news accounts, read of the reactions of the American people. I’ve come to the conclusion that we are missing the point and a great opportunity. Abraham Lincoln would be disappointed.
“With malice toward none, with charity for all, …let us strive on to finish the work we are in, …to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.”
Abraham Lincoln, Second Inaugural Address, Mar. 4, 1865 16th president of US (1809 – 1865)
The Law of Attraction exactly matches like-minded people, bringing them together in elegant ways. Such was 9/11. For the past 10 years we have been embroiled in the “war on terrorism” locked in combat by matching thoughts of hatred and fear. We are missing the opportunity to take the Ordinary Heroes Journey, which is the spiritual journey.
Frequently I am asked how “spirituality” has any relevance to everyday, real life like business, politics, or war. The answer is always the same, every creation on Earth is a spiritual event, for we are the focusers of Source Energy. Source Energy, the Field of Awareness, the Christed Consciousness, Infinite Intelligence, the Field of All Potential is the field of Energy from which we create. It is the same Energy that creates worlds. We draw that energy through us and what we focus It on, is what we create here on Earth.
We say that we are a Christian nation whose foundations are in the teaching of Jesus whose entire message was Love. Period. So we are charged with not to worship him, but rather to become more Love right here in this physical life. The spiritual journey, which is the Ordinary Heroes Journey, is to become the Love that we are by answering the Call to Adventure. The Spiritual Adventure is about clearing out the human ego mind, the black box of false beliefs, limiting perceptions and biases that we focus Source Energy through. Without doing the personal development work of the spiritual journey, no spiritual growth happens and we mis-create. This is how we create aberrations such as war, disease, poverty and all things that don’t feel Good, which are without Life. Without Life is what we call evil: the absence of Love.
Every spiritual journey is about clearing out your black box so that you can be more Life, more God, if you will, in your everyday human life. Every religion ought to be about that as well.
Osama bin Laden was a man who did not take the spiritual journey by answering the Hero’s Journey Call to Adventure. However, he gave us the greatest gift: the contrast. Would you like to be like him or not? In the face of something we do not like or love, the toughest question anyone can ask is, How am I like him? Without this self reflection there is no spiritual growth, and the Call to Adventure has been refused, the opportunity missed. The world doesn’t change except that each one of us answers the Call to Adventure and goes on the spiritual journey to be the Love that we are in our ordinary human lives.
Osama bin Laden refused the call of personal development and spiritual growth but gave us the opportunity to change and transform ourselves by his presence on the planet. Will you refuse the Call to Adventure? Or will you heed the call and take the Ordinary Heroes Journey and become more Love?
With malice towards none and charity for all…these are not empty words, nor is it impossible. We have a great opportunity to become More than what we have been. It is not a national movement, but it is a personal opportunity from which America The Nation of Love will spring forth. I hold that space.
If you would like to take that Ordinary Heroes Journey, begin right now. Go sign up for the Free Online Course delivered in 52 weekly messages at Applied Spirituality.com.
Thanks for reading,
Kath
there is no death
Posted by: | CommentsGood Morning folks!
As I’ve been reading all the commentary about the disaster in Japan, it is clear that generally people think death is the ultimate punishment. “But they died!” Indeed, people die everyday; but there is no death. Life is a continuum and goes on eternally. In the Bible it says, “In my Father’s House there are many mansions” (John 14:2). This refers to states of Consciousness, Awareness. We return to Well Being from whence we came. To my mind, we high five each other and say, “That, was a great game!”
This morning I happened on a news item of a little boy, Colton Burpo, who had a “death” experience whilst undergoing surgery. He was 4 years old at the time. When he returned, he told of meeting his great grandfather, a sister who had been a miscarriage, and reports that Jesus had a smile that lit up the heavens. Some refer to this as heaven, I call it Well Being. It’s not just for the “good” people, but for everyone. Watch.
Many others have had this experience and come back to report the Truth of Life to the rest of us humanoids. I’d like to take it out of the religious context and put it into the natural context. Consciousness Is. Life Is…It is not a religious experience; it is a Life experience just as natural as winter becomes spring. As Colton describes heaven, we might want to rethink the death penalty. Maybe it’s the ultimate gift to send someone home…
Thanks for reading!
Kath
what are we to make of natural disasters?
Posted by: | CommentsGood Morning Everyone!
As if the 8.9 earthquake last week in Japan wasn’t enough. Then they suffer the tsunami that followed. Today health concerns take the forefront with the third explosion at a nuclear power plant. What are we to make of this size calamity? How is Well Being at play, because it is. But where? Natural events that have devastated human civilizations have been occurring since the beginning. Just recently there appeared the news story on Reuters that as a result of the tsunami, they believe the lost city of Atlantis may be found as a result. Most probably Atlantis was lost due to a similar natural event long ago. Most probably the inhabitants of Atlantis were similarly dismayed as we are today.
Yellowstone Fire 1988
I believe perspective is desperately called for here to understand the Flow of Life. Modern man has forgotten or perhaps never quite understood in the first place that we are natural creatures living on the planet just as the critters in the forest and the creatures of the seas. Similarly, were the dinosaurs natural creatures, too. What lies beneath our fears as watch events unfold in Japan, Haiti, Chile, and the Southern California fires is our fear of death. Modern medicine has devoted itself to thwarting death, as if it were the enemy. But death is part and parcel, integral to Life in this Universe. Destruction precedes rebirth. I recall the devastating Yellowstone fire of 1988. It raged for days seemingly destroying everything. Yet, in 1995 I had the opportunity to go on a pack trip into this forest and witnessed a carpet of lodge pole pine seedlings becoming the new forest. In 2002 the Cedar Fire raced through the back country of San Diego County, which I experienced first hand. Nearly 3000 homes were lost and over 300,000 acres burnt. Everywhere one looked it was a moonscape. Yet the neighborhoods and natural forests are thriving now. In the spring that followed the fire, new wildflowers were seen as a result, such as wild peonies.
This world, our planet Earth is an integral part of a Natural Universe which is elegant in both design and operation. Things come and go; it is a giant recycling system. Death and birth, extinction and new species, here today and gone tomorrow are two sides of the same coin. Yet, nothing is lost because everything has its base in nonphysical Source Energy Awareness, Consciousness – God if you will. We delight in the variety and the game, as Consciousness; because we know there is no death. Just new actors, new props on a new stage of infinite variety of forms.
New Growth Lodge Pole Pines Yellowstone 1996
With each event creatures on earth, human, animal, vegetable and mineral send out rockets of desire for the very opposite of what they are experiencing in the physical moment. These rockets of desire are the expansion and evolution of Life. They are the eternalness of All That Is. This results in evolution on earth. We choose again for something we want that feels better. Perhaps with this event we move away from nuclear energy and get crackin’ on sound technology or wind? These contrasts spur us to a new direction, better, safer, cleaner, easier.Nothing is lost; we are perfectly contained in, based in, and indeed are Well Being Itself. Perhaps an event of this proportion assists us in realizing beyond our body/minds by assisting us to awakening to Who We Really Are – Source Energy all of it – all of us- in physical form having a physical adventure in the eternity. Ask and it is answered; be still and receive the answer. The rebirth has already begun. All is well. This is Applied Spirituality.
valentine’s day is everyday
Posted by: | CommentsHappy Valentine’s Day to You!
Chelsea Garden, Solana Beach, CA
It was Valentine’s Day 1984. My Restaurant, Chelsea Garden, had just been reviewed by the local rag, The Reader, with rave reviews from Eleanor Widmer who regularly closed a restaurant a week with her acerbic comments. The Review came just in the nick of time. Having been open since December, we were only doing single digit dinners each night. Suddenly, we were famous on Valentine’s Day.
I was out running around trying to prepare for an onslaught of customers. When I returned, my Manager told me that someone had been by to meet me. I couldn’t imagine who or why. She said he wanted to meet the person who had finally won a great review from the Wicked Witch. He was a local restauranteur and club owner who invited us to come be his guests that evening after we closed. I passed it off turning my focus back to the business at hand. We were going to be very busy that evening; and, thank God, we were saved.
That evening after we closed, Manager and I went over to the Restauranteur’s Club as invited. It was very late, perhaps 12:30 am. There was a line at the door to get it. Standing there with a grin from ear to ear was a man whom I’d never seen before. As I approached, he asked me, “Can I help you?” I nodded, “I’m looking for Woody.” He grinned back saying, “You just found him.” In that nanosecond I felt as though I had already met him. I knew him, but of course, I didn’t. We stood staring at each other in the space of infinity both of us trying to fathom this irrefutable Connection. I looked at his face, seeing it for the first time; feeling his Spirit, I knew I’d known him for Eternity.
It was a love affair that has lasted for lifetimes. Woody passed away in 1997; but since then I’ve learned the absolute Eternality of Love. Love never dies and neither do we. At the time of Woody’s physical death, I was dismayed. Why did something so wonderful need to end? Yet over the years I have come to know that in Truth, Love never dies. It is a living breathing Entity that is Eternal leaving you free to Love over and over and over because you are so full. It is the unconditional Wind Beneath My Wings.
I wish this experience for everyone. Valentine’s Day is everyday.
Thanks for reading
Kath
freedom + love = JOY
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Our Founding Fathers
On July 3, my son Judd, married his beloved Kelly at the National Constitution Center in Philly. As you might imagine, it is quite the dramatic venue, dedicated to our Constitution and its signers, our Founding Fathers. Add this to the national holiday weekend, throw in a military wedding and oh, yes, a funeral; well, you have many, many layers of Love present all at the same time.
I was on an emotional roller coaster most of the time choking up over one thing or the other as my heart opened wider and wider, letting go of past and expanding to embrace more and more Love – Daring us each to be more Love. By the by, I wasn’t the only one. Anyone in the vicinity of this wedding was feeling the Power of Love and is forevermore transformed even if just a little.
From the very first when the kids checked into the availability of the National Constitution Center as their venue back in September, 2009 and found July 3 available, somehow we “knew” this was prophetic of something that had the potential of being big, transformative, and profound. Paradoxically, the week long festivities began with a funeral. Kelly’s grandfather, Pop, passed away June 24. Kelly’s birthday was June 25 and Pop and was buried on Monday, June 28. In the spirituality business we soon know to pay close attention when paradox or irony appear -for truth is now available to those who would but see. It was Pop’s idea, I’m sure, to prime the pump and get our hearts opening up. By his returning to Well Being – back into the fullness of Love, he beckoned us to reach into consciousness and follow him to feel the fullness of what he is now.
Peg, Kelly, Francine and Aileen at Geno's, Philly
With our minds now quietened to some degree and our hearts more available, we were pulled forward into the wedding which by now had a life and momentum of its own well established. By we, I mean my new family, the Kelly’s. This family is applied spirituality in application. They immediately and without hesitation or reservation opened their homes and hearts to me. We went to the funeral together, to the fitting of the wedding gown together; we wept together and partied together. I slept in Kelly’s old bedroom, and was even welcomed by their life-long neighbors. I had no idea going to Philly that I would come home with a new family let alone of such heart and quality. I knew my dream of having a daughter was coming true, but little did I understand that my life was expanding to include the entirety of family. How amazing is that? Did I mention the food? Turns out that Philadelphia has it’s own food that one has to try: the Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich, Tastykakes, and Water Ice to name a few. I tried them all; I delighted in the Water Ice (sort of a cross between gelato and a slushy). Tastykakes are the answer to Twinkies and kinda fun. The Cheese Steak Sandwich was not my cupper with cheeze wiz. But, what the heck, it was so much fun eating it with my new family.
Jarrod and Judd Sing The Power of Love
On Friday evening Judd and Kelly hosted a party at JDMcGillacudy’s on 7th. True to the concept of love including, not excluding, the kids chose to include everyone who had traveled from out of town for the “rehursal dinner”. This was a magical evening of family reunions, karaoke, dancing and of course, more food. Everyone was caught up in the party. One by one, then by twos, threes and even more, people got up and belted out their favorite songs on stage whilst everyone else danced and enjoyed the music. Later in the evening I was surprised to see both my sons doing a duet to “The Power of Love” by Huey Lewis and the News and the movie, Back to the Future. Come to think of it, Back to the Future and The Power of Love pretty much describes the whole event vibrationally speaking. It was past; it was present; it was future; it was love of family, country, friends physical and nonphysical. It was gratitude; it was appreciation; it was joy; it was fun; it was delight; it was magical; it was meaningful; it was expansive, inclusive and fulfilled. We were in our Oneness, aligned with Who We Really Are.
On Saturday once the Constitution Center closed, the events people magically transformed the interior for the wedding and reception. Everyone appeared one by one dressed in the finery. Grandparents, parents, friends, cousins, mothers (both Kelly and Judd have two each), fathers and brothers were all there to witness and be immersed in this multi-layered event. The music continued to be the clues to the plethora of vibrations present: Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring summoned Love at the beginning, followed by the The Secret Wedding from Braveheart and the recessional to All You Need Is Love as the newlyweds went through the sword arch. Readings were from 1st Corinthians 13, The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams, and the poem, The Master Speed, by Robert Frost.
Upstairs with the view out to Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell the reception commenced. First, there was dancing! No usual order or predictability to this reception. Everyone was bid to join in and did. Later, there were toasts and speeches. Between every course there was more dancing. Everyone danced with everyone in groups, pairs, singles, circles. On the wall was a slide show of Kelly and Judd growing up 3000 miles apart. Judd at the Pacific Ocean boogie boarding; Kelly at the Jersey Shore. Judd playing baseball; Kelly rowing in high school. Judd at Ohio State; Kelly at Annapolis. Judd getting his aviator’s wings; Kelly getting her masters. With each slide they were winding their way towards each other finally meeting on their first deployment to the Middle East on the USS Belleau Wood. On Tuesday, July 6, Judd went out to sea trials on the USS Boxer.
I wish so much all of you could have been enveloped in this. I truly wish the whole world could have, for but a moment, felt all that we felt: the beauty, the healing, the possibilities, the magic and come away changed forever for the Good as we have. Life IS! We expand and become More, which is the perfection of the way it is and the perfection of being natural Creatures – Source Energy in physical format – all of us in this Universe of Love playing in Joy. Enjoy a few more pictures. And, of course, thanks for reading! Kath
 The Groom, Judd |
 Kelly and Dad,Harry |
 Mr. and Mrs. Judd Kirk |
A Life Well Done
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Hello Everyone,
With the imminent release of my second book, Well Done: A Story of Applied Spirituality
, it is irony that a dear friend whose life was indeed, well done, has passed away.
Jack was my neighbor in Descanso. He has been wrestling with Parkinson’s for quite a few years. In the two years previous to my moving to Ohio, I became close friends with the Caldwells. I would go over and do energy work on Jack and Doreen, but what I got in return was a deep and abiding friendship and the privilege of being in the company of a couple whose marriage I truly admired.
Never did I hear a cross or demeaning word exchanged between them. Neither did one talk about the other behind his/her back. There was no sniping, sniffling or self pity. These two took the progression of Parkinson’s in stride, each one adjusting along the way. Jack to increasing confinement and inability to communicate his brilliant mind and thoughts, and Doreen with her increasing responsibilities for his physical care and all the home, financial and business duties. Never did either one of them utter any words of regret or self pity. They fully enjoyed that they were together and appreciated that fully.
The last time I saw either of them was at my farewell party which was hosted in their home so Jack could be there. With all that Doreen had on her plate, it was “no trouble” for her to host 60+ people to say good bye to me. I remember hugging Jack on that last day, knowing I would never see him again in the physical.
But I left him with my vision of Jack: “Jack,” I would say to him as I worked on him, “I see you standing on a Scottish Highland in your kilt, playing your bagpipes. You’re hair’s blowing and so is your kilt. You have a radiant glow on your face, because you’re free and happy and well.”
Jack died on Wednesday, 9.22.09. That night I heard him playing his bagpipes in my ear. He is home, well, and happy. Although I confess a great sadness that I can’t give him a squnch.
Jack and Doreen emigrated from Scotland to America in the 1970′s. They were a young couple and his trade was glass. They built a life, a family and a business here in America, in San Diego.
Life goes on, both here in the physical and in the nonphysical. But what a great adventure you had here, Jack! Well Done, indeed. Your life was an occasion, and you rose to it!
Thanks for reading!
Kath
Use Death As Your Advisor
Posted by: | Comments2009-07-02
Good Morning Everyone,
Years ago I had a friend who said, “Use Death as your adviser.”
Now normally humans spend as little effort as possible thinking about death. In fact we fear death. Who the heck would spend any time thinking about it? Yet, I found her advice compelling and wise.
The first thought that came to me was that if I were using Death as my adviser, It would change my perspective. Rather than thinking that I had all the time in the world, I would now view my decisions with more immediacy.
I wouldn’t procrastinate.
Rather, I’d get off my bumm and start living the life I wanted to be living right now and having the experiences that I wanted to experience. That thought alone coined a phrase for me, This Life is Not a Dress Rehursal. My life is right now, right here. Am I having fun? Am I doing the things I value? Am I meeting and exceeding the ideals that matter most to me – right now, today, with the people and circumstances at hand?
With this more urgent and immediate view of my life, today, this minute – would I choose to pick a fight, say something mean, let my ego lead the discussion, damage a friendship, divide or would I now choose to bring more love into the world?
Using Death as your adviser refocuses you on the priorities and the importance of this minute. What is it that you value with this person? What is it you value about how you feel about yourself? The choice is right now in every interaction: driving on the freeway, in the board room, at family dinner, at the gym, in the grocery.
It has been my observation that those who mourn the passing of loved ones most bitterly are those who have regrets and unfinished business. The regrets are always the lack of love or the expression of that love, which would have required opening the heart, but the ego ruled. Standing on principle, rather than the correct principle of Love, is always cause for regret. And unfinished business with someone is always about not being True to yourSelf.
Of course the premise is that once these people pass from view there is nothing you can do to put things to rights. They’re dead, of course, so we presume the opportunity is lost forever to make amends, express that love, or redeem yourSelf.
This is patently unTrue, but we believe that, which makes the pain all the more.
Time to understand death as an integral part of life and use the understanding to live life full out. Love like there’s no tomorrow; dance as if no one were watching; and be True to yourSelf.
Thanks for reading!
Kath
Earth Shrugs: Her Rebalancing Act
Posted by: | CommentsGood Morning!
It has dawned a sparkling perfect 11 day here in the mountains of San Diego County. We had a wonderful rain this past Sunday/Monday.
For those of you who might not know our weather here, it can be, and often is, the land of extremes. Until last Sunday I would venture to say that the official fire season was still not over, as we had so little moisture and lots of Santa Ana winds, which are usually hot and dry. This winter they have been cold and dry. However a wonderful soak finally happened and I am quickly reminded of how good it is to be where it actually rains and how happy everything is when they get a good, long drink of water. Ah, I so remember Ohio and Pennsylvania!
You also might not remember that this where we had a huge fire in the year 2003, the Cedar Fire which burned nearly 300,000 acres of San Diego County. That was quite an adventure to witness Mother Nature in all her glory. What I have noticed in the three years since the fire is the perfection with which the “recovery” happens. Fire it seems is the renewal, which is to say, that out of every death there is rebirth and resurrection.
Immediately after the fire it was truly a moonscape here. We dashed about putting all kinds of sand bags, straw wattle, netting, whatever to brace ourselves for the winter rains. However, the rains came slowly and sweetly that winter. In fact, it was that first rain of the season that enabled the fire to finally be contained.
All winter I noticed acutely that when it rained, just as it was about to be just a wee bit too much, it would stop. Then a day or two of sunshine would ensue, then another gentle rainfall. We had no landslides. Then the surprises: wild peonies poked their heads up where once they had been overshadowed by white sage. The white sage began to show leafing at the burnt stumps. True enough lots of oaks were lost, but also true that many were sick with Sudden Oak Death (who knows why they were dying) and almost all the pines were infected with a the Western Pine Bark Beetle. The forrests were sick and now where it was burnt, new and healthy growth could be seen anew.
The wild flowers that spring were astonishing, many of which I had never seen before. As the year progressed we noticed that the rodents were definitely having a field day. It seemed that anything that lived below ground was flourishing, even exploding. While their predators which had been caught in the fire were scarce and rebuilding. Here again one would think this was a travesty, how sad! But I can tell you that there is a rebalancing that is underway. I even remember learning this in biology in high school. When the food supply is abundant (rodents), the next thing to flouish is the predator. Last night I heard the yip, yip, yip of carousing coyotes, once again on the mend and growing as a community. In the last year I have noticed many more owls flying low at night as well as hawks which are proliferating. Of course we have mountain lions; and once, I suppose, we had wolves and bears which is why my neighbors are complaining that deer are now eating all that they have planted.
So life goes on, resurrects….even improves.
The newspapers called it a tragedy. The reports were all about the suffering and devastation. The truth is that many lives have vastly improved since the fires. Properties that were marginal in code and safety have been rebuilt or replaced with new and better. Places that had become dump sites have been cleaned anew. Mother Nature, had a tantrum. She said, “Clean-up Your Room! or I’ll do it for you!” Well, she did.
Perhaps we should notice that the Earth, a living organism, will do a giant shrug, a huge belch, or a tremendous sneeze in order to clear her sinus, and shake off something unhealthy. She does react to imbalance to preserve her own balance. Perhaps we ought to notice from the “small” shrugs...Katrina, Cedar, etc…that she’s feeling a bit unblanced and she will rebalance if we don’t do it for ourselves first.
Thanks for reading! k
Kath
