“You cannot, you cannot use someone else’s fire. You can only use your own. And in order to do that, you must first be willing to believe that you have it.” – Audre Lorde
June’s story
In the context of Audre Lorde’s quote and with the realization of philosophy and religion of Spiritualism I would like to work with Audre’s words in relation to the 7th principle, Eternal Progress open to every human soul.
First, I would like to adapt the word Fire to Inspiration.
Definition of Inspiration according to Oxford Languages:
1. the process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially to do something creative.
2. a sudden brilliant or timely idea.
We have infinite possibilities to grow and evolve spiritually. What this principle suggests is that we should strive to progress to a higher understanding of life, away from the ties of oppressive ideas and opinions that are taught. We should consider all that we have learnt so far, as a springboard to the world of infinity. The moment we become curious about something we have the choice to examine it, study the subject and become free thinkers and find that fire inside of us, that drives us forward.
I have found a beautiful example of this in “Richard Bach’s – Jonathan Livingston Seagull”. This is the story of a gull leaving everything behind to go out in the unknown world to explore, to find his own personal boundaries, to progress.
The discovery and investigation of quantum physics since the beginning of the 20th century is a wonderful example of the human mind struggling and stretching to find answers to complex and unsatisfying propositions. Quantum physics have also opened a doorway into solving mysteries that have to do with parapsychology. (Broughton – Parapsychology, the controversial science).Mankind have evolved from primitive barbarous ancient times. It has been a slow, painful struggle to the ‘more civilised/enlightened’ stage of existence we have in this world today. This struggle continues throughout existence on into the spiritual and will throughout time.
On an individual level, man struggle with their ‘lower animal nature’, their desire for sensuous pleasures, their greed and instinct for aggression. But we know we can progress away from this to higher fulfilment, to seek out nobler goals. We may accomplish progress but by doing so we become aware of even greater possibilities before us and through the Spirit world we are informed that this expanding awareness goes on forever.
Nature, human history and our own experience show us that the old resists the new. Change is unsettling, it is a journey into the unknown. The competing forces of progress with stagnation cause disharmony and negative influences. The 7th Principle “Eternal Progress open to every human soul” reminds us to seek out progress; that the potential for progress is inexhaustible and will inevitably lead mankind to higher and higher levels of Spiritual existence. We progress with love as a result of our experience and knowledge and all can share in this advancement if they so desire.
It is at this point, that I like to refer to Audre Lorde’s words again.
“You cannot, you cannot use someone else’s fire. You can only use your own. And in order to do that, you must first be willing to believe that you have it.”
(Audre Geraldine Lorde was born on February 18, 1934, in New York City, and went on to become a leading African American poet and essayist who gave voice to issues of race, gender and sexuality).
With love,
Juliet Joan
