Defining Spiritualism and How To Grow Spiritually - By: Duane Marchi

I would like to start my course review by 1st saying that I have never been big on reading, let alone a person who likes learning information from books. I have learned that there is no definitive source of "truth" in the world, however, there are many sources of information that provide keys to helping unlock our own individual understanding of truth and this individual understanding applies directly to our current soul age. What I feel is that we can only recognize information that our soul is ready for- if we're not ready for it, then we won't be able to understand it in this particular lifetime.

Everything about our new incarnated life was predesigned – who our parents would be (genetic makeup), where we live, astrological alignment, etc. Nothing is ever "predestined", which is why it takes many, many lifetimes to evolve to the next soul age.

Part of the process of the final transitioning is the gradual disconnect from humanity, as we prepare to move forward into the next evolutionary state.

ARmed with this information, I began the Defining Spiritualism course.

After completion, I came away with mixed feelings about the course, largely because of disagreements with the author. While he says at the end that he never attempted to be neutral, it truly showed through several comments he makes throughout the course.

However, from a historical overview perspective on philosophy, I enjoyed the course. I wasn't, however, in agreement with a few of the author's personal conclusions.

Here are a few of those disagreements that I found during the ULC Seminary course, which is based upon my own perception of what was written – right or wrong.

·        The author feels that ‘thought' can never answer the question regarding spiritual truth.

How can intuition be followed, if you are not able to understand or trust the intuition through thought? Words may be a limiting factor, but again, if you're ready, information will be decoded enough for you to understand. Yet, some of the things I've come to learn, even I cannot put them into words… but then again, this information was for me on my path, not meant for everyone else.

Synchronistic events are what I consider to be thought-related guidance. While some events may be intuitive, the vast majority are things that occur which are meant to make us ‘think' about what they mean. They help us to question, ponder, and dig deeper for information within ourselves. Truly, when you can achieve trust in combined mental, emotional and intuitive guidance, you will begin to understand everything on a much deeper level.

·        The author also made personal statements sounding like fact such as, "Help the people you minister to by encouraging social interaction. This is such a necessary part of the human condition…"

I can personally tell you that this is not true. That is the problem with many people, they teach in terms of absolute fact based upon their own personal beliefs and assumptions, that they leave those who don't fit that mold, feeling like there is something wrong with them. While people around us are excited about events or traveling, etc… we just have a sense that we have already done it, so why bother doing it again? It's easy to become frustrated and even more reclusive during this time, because so many people think there is something wrong with us, because we are not behaving like everyone else. The fact is, we are just aware of so much more than everyone else, that forcing ourselves to act like them feels pointless.

I think ministers or anyone for that matter, on a profound spiritual journey, would do well to avoid seeing in personal absolutes when it comes to teaching others.

      In closing my review of this Universal Life Church Seminary course, I'd like to include my favorite Buddhist quote, "Do not believe something, just because I've said it." I tell this to everyone I talk to about what I've learned. Therefore, I tell you now, don't accept what I've told you and don't believe what you read or hear, believe -- only that which you experience yourself, directly. The answers lie within, not outside of you.

About the Author

The ULC offers courses on Spirituality, spiritual growth and religion.

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/Duane-Marchi/212759

Additional Articles From - Home | Society | Religion