Spiritual Evolution

[scott snedeker]

Unconditional love:

Nearly all of us start in early childhood from this point. I certainly did. Everywhere I went people loved me because ...that's just the way the world was for that six-year-old.

Abomination:

by deliberate creation for the purpose of suffering and deserving of punishment.
Nearly all of of got this one from homophobic religious leaders using Leviticus.

Abused Martyr:

We knew or somehow suspected that we we being treated unfairly but could not speak out because of fear of consequences. (real and imagined)

Contender:

Our first effort for self actualization and self defense. Took a tremendous amount of courage for many of us.

Victor:

Our accumulation of successes in standing up for our right to be and live gradually growing as we keep up our courage. The first time we came out to everyone. Some entitlements actually felt for the first time. Indignation is now felt when they are trespassed.

Unchallenged:

Respect or lack of interest to challenge or changes in the attitudes of ignorant folks around us afford breathing room and breaks from the battle to survive. And perhaps moving to a better sphere of people.

Entitlement:

A true sense Felt that we are fully deserving of Joy in the way that is natural to us. A given by God that our purpose is to experience the joy His gifts bring to us. Assumption that everyone basically likes me the way I am and who gives a damn about those who don't.



And.........

(_____________:)


So Does anybody Have a suggestion for what the next step is?

[Zerbie]

Unconditional love:



And.........

(_____________:)


So Does anybody Have a suggestion for what the next step is?

Service.
Radiating back to the world the unconditional love within us, so that we do not create obstacles for the rest of the world in meeting their authentic selves. Giving to those who are where we *were* or who are worse off, so that in time they will be in power to nurture and give back to those who come after them.

[scott snedeker]

Of course, I should have gueesed such an answer from a generous soul like yourself!

[Zerbie]

Unconditional love:

Nearly all of us start in early childhood from this point. I certainly did. Everywhere I went people loved me because ...that's just the way the world was for that six-year-old.


Scotty, I am so glad you had that experience.

I'd like to go one further and point out that you still are loved just, 'cause. :love:

Seems only natural that once we wend our way back to that good place of being, the inevitable outcome will be stepping towards service and love in action.

[Zerbie]

I thought it might be fun to side-track your thread. With apologies for the side-tracking, here is something I looked up just for you, Scotty. :)

Scroll down to read about Otter.
http://www.sayahda.com/cyc3.html

[scott snedeker]

Cool I like how Otters represent play and spirituality together!

[antonyh]

Unconditional love:

And.........

(_____________:)


So Does anybody Have a suggestion for what the next step is?

Enlightenment:

Transcending all ideology you take your sacred place at the heart of everything.

[Vanessa White]

When I conduct trainings about the life span development for LGBT persons, the final stage of development is integration, or bringing all parts of self together. So, when I first read, and reread Scotty's listing, I thought a lot as Antony said, attaining enlightenment. So, by attaining full enlightenment or integration, or self-actualization, a person can offer service, by offering one's gifts or strengths to others, these stages develop not so much with chronological aging, but rather with coming out and opening up fully to self-love. :love::love::love::love:

[Zerbie]

Enlightenment:

Transcending all ideology you take your sacred place at the heart of everything.

This is beautiful.

Antony, thank you for verbalizing the importance of transcending ideology. Ideologies are limiting, yet we tend to forget that.

Thanks for this.
:dove::earth:

[antonyh]

This is beautiful.

Antony, thank you for verbalizing the importance of transcending ideology. Ideologies are limiting...



...and result in suffering.

[Zerbie]

...and result in suffering.

Correct. For all involved, including the holder of the ideology.