As we know, social disorder and personal problems exist in human society and in our individual circumstances. We could end up diving into negativity about it if we are not careful. Staying awake at night with worry. Cursing fate for our plight. We might doubt if there is any source of goodness around.

Spiritual awareness is a rather vague phrase, but nonetheless it can lighten our load. We perceive a deeper side of reality when, for example, we notice a vital force that makes things grow and flourish, whether in nature or in personal life. Or when we feel in tune with a higher inspiration for our creative work. Or when we see evidence of design within the order of the universe.

However we think about it, we can see reality as something bigger than ourselves: as something beyond the physical. It transcends our bodily experience and material concerns.

Religion

Religious cultures throughout history have revered a similar idea displayed in various supernatural forms.

Today, in Western Europe, the churches are declining. However, many non-parishioners designate themselves as “spiritual but not religious”. You may not be committed to a taught faith, but try to find out what is true and what is good, and then start living a better life.

Western religion has a word in different languages ​​that means God. Some people also use a capital letter for the first letter of their word for what they feel is beyond themselves. The words used are Being, the Source, the All, the Divine, the Infinite, the Absolute, etc. These words can be used slightly differently.

The fountain

As I understand it, ‘the Source’ means that there is a source of light and spiritual love.

“I’m not aligned with a religious belief system, but I do have faith in something bigger, a divinity of some kind. I choose to call it ‘source’.” (Helen Leathers, personal development teacher)

Sometimes we can feel separated from this Source. However, we may believe that we have an ongoing connection to him. It is seen as a part of us when we seek wisdom, guidance, insight, or inspiration. People sometimes say that a focus on this higher energy allows us to remember our mission, our vision, and our reason for being.

If the Source is real and not a figment of the imagination, a question arises. How far can we trust him when times are tough? When we face what is bad in life?

the everything of everything

Some speak of the higher reality in terms of ‘the All’, that is, the all of all. The focus is on the totality of life, the totality of love, the totality of goodness, the totality of wisdom. This is a wonderful idea about what can excite and move us. However, I note that the term ‘the All of all’ also seems to imply the all of sickness, the all of selfish desires, and the all of madness.

We are aware of the Holocaust, of Stalin’s Gulag, of Pol Pot’s extermination camps. I would say that we are so horrified by despicable acts, such as genocide, terrorist assassinations and serial murders, that it is insufficient to refer to such atrocities as ‘bad’ or even ‘very bad’. We need to invoke a more basic idea of ​​the ‘evil’ of some actions and the delusions that try to justify them.

The chaos caused by natural disasters, the suffering of disease, and the evil of man’s inhumanity to man, have a very troubling influence on life as we know it.

The question of trust in the spiritual Source when faced with what is bad is challenging. What hope and trust can we place in the Source of good when we encounter evil? Here are some suggested answers.

purpose of love

Just as there is a design in the order of nature, is there not also a creative plan for humanity? An intention within the higher reality to bring stability and beauty to our lives? If love is the cause of all that is good, then I would say that the Source of love intends our growth and fulfillment.

According to this view, there is a purpose of the higher reality to achieve human happiness out of love. Love wants the best for who is loved.

“The essence of love is to love others…, to wish to be one with them and to dedicate oneself to their happiness.” (Emanuel Swedenborg, spiritual philosopher)

This loving purpose can be in the background when we cause suffering to ourselves. I would say that nothing happens by luck. We suffer when we lose our friends, our job, and the good regard of our loved ones. Where is a loving purpose within our unhappiness? Doesn’t it have to do with a self-pity that allows us to learn from our mistakes? Forcing us to face the reasons for our loss, perhaps complacency, laziness, and self-centeredness.

power of love

I believe that we are all potential channels for the power of love. When we connect wholeheartedly with Source, love can win out when faced with contempt, malice, or contempt. Its healing power, through our behavior can give comfort to those who inwardly suffer from a myriad of various problems. His power of understanding, through our words, can inspire good sense and enlightenment no matter what irrational fears are experienced.

Evil as no independent force

Another way to trust the Source is to not exaggerate any evil power. I am in favor of the idea that evil, while real enough in its effects if given mastery, does not really exist in its own right. In other words, social injustice, pain, misery have never been inevitable. What is chaotic and disorderly occurs because people have sometimes chosen to stand upside down. I see the evil of suffering, and hate as tragic and therefore the absence of order, the rejection of contentment and compassion. In fact, the investment of all that is good.

I would like to suggest that the cause of the chaos and disorder is not an evil power that some religions sometimes, and wrongly in my opinion, refer to as the Devil. Instead, an atmosphere of evil stems from the way humans have sometimes freely chosen to behave.

“It is human spiritual disorders such as lust, revenge, cruelty, and oppression that incubate disease and misfortune.” (Bruce Henderson, Swedenborgian writer)

It so happens that I hold the opinion that diseases and natural disasters are due to the negative side of this spiritual environment that surrounds us. So let’s all try not to feed their influence. Instead, we could turn to the spirit of love. This is demonstrated by the outpouring of service and kindness after disasters. Seeing others suffer can help us to be more sensitive and merciful.

Conclution

We all have the potential to be a vehicle for both good and evil. In very difficult times, it is not easy to put hope in the Source of love. But we all have a part to play in turning to Love Itself and helping with its plan to bring happiness to the world.