The Seven Principles of Spiritualism - part 6

Unbelievable.  It is only 6 years ago, that I first heard of Spiritualism, a religion, that has really captured me.  Studying and contemplating the Seven Principles, that form its basis has become a daily exercise.

Within these Principles I have found a way to live my life and explain to myself and to others if they are interested what they enfold. The beauty of them (for me) is that they are open to personal interpretation.
I must admit, that in the beginning they frightened me, not being brought up in a churchgoing family, they seemed strange and I wanted to stay away, afraid to lose my own being and becoming part of something that would "swallow" me.
Today's truth is, that it has given me richness and openness and ground for standing firmly on my own two feet .. well most of the time anyways.
These coming days I shall publish their interpretation as I saw and felt them four years ago with some addition.

Nr. 6 - Compensation and retribution hereafter for all the good and evil deeds done on earth

This principle sounds rather heavy and threatening. In a discussion in the SNUi philosophy class we have been looking at the formulation and decided in the end that the wording should be changed. The contents, however, can be interpreted in a way people can accept and understand.

We could say, for instance that when we are of service to others, are performing good deeds, are seekers of the truth, are progressing intellectually, we are doing good things, which will lead to spiritual progress and happiness.

A life of cruelty, neglect of others and our own advancement will lead to retribution, sometimes unhappiness. If we want to progress we will have to struggle to put right what has been neglected or done wrong.

Our life here on earth as well as our future life in the Spirit world is determined by our good and evil deeds.

What it means to me is that we have freedom of choice in the way we live our life and act in this world. According to me this is not a choice between black and white, there is always a lot of greys and there should be the awareness that living our life in a good way should help to ensure that our future experience is not that of suffering but instead of joy, light and happiness.

This is also a very complicated subject. When people are living their life in a “good” way and suffer nevertheless, how can one even begin to explain, that there will be compensation for that later. (This is a difficult subject, for are we meant to live our (good) life right now to enjoy or should we be busy “earning” credits for the time when we cross over?)

The date today is August 13, 2014

First of all: I do not like the word "evil". I would much rather speak of "heavy". Evil sounds so forbidden, so Dante like. I prefer to speak about "good deeds and deeds that could have been of benefit would you have considered them a bit longer". Oh well, it could be simplified even more in for instance: being convinced that there is life after this one here on earth, why don't we just set our goal towards developing and spreading joy, instead of hurting ourselves and each other. That last behaviour keeps us from growing and seeing the light within, that flame inside of us, that needs to be fed Spiritually. It is a choice, really. And then, again, these words are easily said in our part of the world where we can claim freedom.

A couple of years ago when I studied Inca Shamanism I was touched by their approach of life's energy.

There is no positive or negative energy. Use the words "refined" or "heavy" and you can work with it.

This rather interesting view can easily be applied. By changing your thought patterns it provides the possibility of a different outlook on things you used to consider stressful.