Imagine by John Lennon

I was driving today by myself and lost in thought when the song Imagine by John Lennon started to play. As I was passing a church, so I thought well that is rather interesting timing. I had gotten an email from one of my friends the night before and we had been discussing back and forth about my Spirituality and Religion — same or different post.

She said something that was very profound:

Regardless of a belief system, when you get a group of people together, ego may prevail. (I say “may” not “will” because every group is different because people are different) Whether you believe in Christ, Allah, the Buddha, or Casper the Friendly Ghost does not matter. I’m not being flippant; I promise. You’ve got people. And sometimes people are the problem.

I am just thinking-okay, so we have someone like you, who communicates with the dead, and you think, “OMG, I have finally found my people!” And you do. Until things change. When some asshole “in charge” has decreed, “On Wednesdays, we shall all wear orange.” OR, “Felicia, you best NOT bring that nasty-ass potato salad to the potluck. It had raisins.” I think what’s tough–is when you’re searching for a community and can’t find it.

Finding Community

So I had my friend’s thoughts swirling in my head then this song comes on the radio. I have been struggling with my spiritual community or lack thereof. But it wasn’t the radio, because I had it turned off, once the song was done, I had silence. Spirit was communicating with me through the song. Listen very carefully, the words are so beautiful. It is a world of peace and harmony. The one that so many Spiritualist strive for, yet fail to achieve because they allow their ego to get into the way.

For so long I have been dealing with Spiritual Ego. I am spiritually tired. While I take credit for my own failings, I have also been caught in the cross fire of that of others. I just want to live in this beautiful ideal world shaped by John Lennon’s words.

Spiritualists Are Human

I often hear this song being played at Spiritual Services, in some they even have the words in their hymnals. Still waiting for one of these churches/organizations/fellowships really be that truthful in their execution of such a world. Too often people put their own agenda ahead of what is right. Just perhaps it is because they have lost their way and need to change how they teach. Everyone is so afraid of change that may result in loss of power or control.

The NSAC last updated their principles in 1944. They were to be a living document reflected by the current times. Many of the independent churches follow a variation of them. I was part of the group that developed the Reformed Spiritualist Church’s principles:

We Believe

in Infinite Intelligence, Universal Creator, Spirit, and as it is known by many names.
that the phenomena of nature both Physical and Spiritual are the expression of Infinite Intelligence.
We promote and firmly believe, the idea that no sentient being is beyond redemption, either of the living or in Spirit.
that consciousness continues to exist after the physical body ceases.
that the precepts of prophecy and healing are divine attributes and can be proven through mediumship.
that there are many rivers of religious beliefs, and that they all lead to the ocean of Spirit and Creative Consciousness, therefore religious dogma needs to be set aside.
that the highest morality is contained in the Golden Rule. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” That through service to others and stewardship of our Planet, we can achieve our highest potential and spiritual purpose.
that we are responsible for our own happiness or unhappiness, as we follow the existing Natural and Spiritual Laws of the Universe.

Why Spiritualist Fail to Imagine

It is our human nature that gets in the way of the pure love we come from. We are here to learn what it is like to not have it and push through the fear that results in its loss. Many humans forget that what we focus on is what we create. So let me invite you to imagine a better world for a moment. Now take time each day to improve this world one smile at a time, one random act of kindness, not engaging in conflict, or something greater to move the world forward. You don’t have to be Ruth Bader Gingburg, you just need to be you. A kind a loving person willing to believe they can make a difference.

If you believe you can’t make a difference – than that is all you can do.