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Spiritual Traveler
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Dr. Stewart Bitkoff
A Place To Worship
Dr. Stewart Bitkoff
Dr. Stewart Bitkoff
Magnificent Monastery
For the longest time, I wished that I had a church, temple, mosque or synagogue to attend. I could find no special place that called to my heart and helped my soul sing. In years past, there had always been a place: top of a close by hill; stream just below a reservoir dam; tree lined chapel set beside a lake; shaded path through a nearby park; or an old stone church, late at night, when no other person was there. In these holy places, I learned to hear the quiet whispers that flowed through my heart; some from my soul and others from that distant shore. These moments of joyous, quiet solitude and contemplation filled me with peace, reminding of my far away Home.
And just the other day, it occurred to me that I carried my sacred place with me and that the larger world itself now was my monastery. Each morning when I awoke and breathed deep, I was calling the Holy Name; and when I went to work or ran errands, I was singing hymns of praise. When I helped another person, I was raising us both into the Light, sipping from the Cup of Life.
And in this magnificent monastery of mine: each is free to come and go; sing and dance; create or destroy; all partners in the Cosmic Plan.
I wonder what this world would be like if each person, consciously, realized that this planet is a Grand Cathedral; and in our own private monastery, whatever we are thinking, doing, saying, creating or destroying is a prayer of sorts; generating an energy, combining with all the other energies, forming a symphony of vibrations, felt on an inner level by every creature in the Universe.
-SB
Which Is The Correct Religion
Q: In our tradition, we are taught those who do not believe the same as us are incorrect, and unless they change shall be punished by God/Light. Also, as responsible believers, we have a duty to try and correct their view?
A: Does the Father/Mother love only some of his children? Are not all children of God/Light?
Before there was organized religion, how did travelers worship? Were these millions all in error and abandoned by their Father?
To every place and time is a path or religion. Look to a traveler’s heart and their action; a good, loving person, who makes the world a better place, is a servant of God and has a religion to follow. Let God evaluate the measure of their lives; God’s mercy is without end.
* *
The Religions
Traveler: There is One God, yet, there are many religions: why is this so?
Master: Each traveler finds God in a different way. One may seek salvation as a loving husband and father, and another may find God’s Face on a distant shore.
Each traveler is a universe and in this vast expanse it is easy to go astray. Only God’s Kindness leads the traveler home.
Religion may be likened to a great river that feeds the land. The river winds its way as a mighty force and smaller tributaries are formed to serve the distant regions. Some travelers are satisfied to drink of the smaller stream and forget they must travel the river to its Source. Beyond the river’s gate, the Ocean is waiting.
Traveler: Where is the boat to journey the river, for I am ready to depart?
Master: O young one, you are so eager; yet you are already assail and your soul is the vessel. Your heart is the compass and God’s Mercy is the breeze at your back.
If you bow in prayer to God; God will provide all that you need and Guide you to the Ocean.
-SB
.
For the longest time, I wished that I had a church, temple, mosque or synagogue to attend. I could find no special place that called to my heart and helped my soul sing. In years past, there had always been a place: top of a close by hill; stream just below a reservoir dam; tree lined chapel set beside a lake; shaded path through a nearby park; or an old stone church, late at night, when no other person was there. In these holy places, I learned to hear the quiet whispers that flowed through my heart; some from my soul and others from that distant shore. These moments of joyous, quiet solitude and contemplation filled me with peace, reminding of my far away Home.
And just the other day, it occurred to me that I carried my sacred place with me and that the larger world itself now was my monastery. Each morning when I awoke and breathed deep, I was calling the Holy Name; and when I went to work or ran errands, I was singing hymns of praise. When I helped another person, I was raising us both into the Light, sipping from the Cup of Life.
And in this magnificent monastery of mine: each is free to come and go; sing and dance; create or destroy; all partners in the Cosmic Plan.
I wonder what this world would be like if each person, consciously, realized that this planet is a Grand Cathedral; and in our own private monastery, whatever we are thinking, doing, saying, creating or destroying is a prayer of sorts; generating an energy, combining with all the other energies, forming a symphony of vibrations, felt on an inner level by every creature in the Universe.
-SB
Which Is The Correct Religion
Q: In our tradition, we are taught those who do not believe the same as us are incorrect, and unless they change shall be punished by God/Light. Also, as responsible believers, we have a duty to try and correct their view?
A: Does the Father/Mother love only some of his children? Are not all children of God/Light?
Before there was organized religion, how did travelers worship? Were these millions all in error and abandoned by their Father?
To every place and time is a path or religion. Look to a traveler’s heart and their action; a good, loving person, who makes the world a better place, is a servant of God and has a religion to follow. Let God evaluate the measure of their lives; God’s mercy is without end.
* *
The Religions
Traveler: There is One God, yet, there are many religions: why is this so?
Master: Each traveler finds God in a different way. One may seek salvation as a loving husband and father, and another may find God’s Face on a distant shore.
Each traveler is a universe and in this vast expanse it is easy to go astray. Only God’s Kindness leads the traveler home.
Religion may be likened to a great river that feeds the land. The river winds its way as a mighty force and smaller tributaries are formed to serve the distant regions. Some travelers are satisfied to drink of the smaller stream and forget they must travel the river to its Source. Beyond the river’s gate, the Ocean is waiting.
Traveler: Where is the boat to journey the river, for I am ready to depart?
Master: O young one, you are so eager; yet you are already assail and your soul is the vessel. Your heart is the compass and God’s Mercy is the breeze at your back.
If you bow in prayer to God; God will provide all that you need and Guide you to the Ocean.
-SB
.
If you enjoyed this piece check-out my book Light on the Mountain; available on Amazon in paper and Kindle. Go to https://www.bit.ly/bitkofflight.
******************************
All reviews:
https://www.amazon.com/Songs-Against-Darkness-Stewart-Bitkoff/product-reviews/099157754X/ref=cm_cr_dp_d_show_all_btm?ie=UTF8&reviewerType=all_reviews
Note from Natalie: I am so proud and honored to have Dr. Stewart Bitkoff provide us with his new bi-weekly column "The Spiritual Traveler"
Dr. Bitkoff has been a monthly contributor for Mystic Living Today about 10 years
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