Your Spiritual DNA by Gregory Lawton

ABSTRACT We all know that the human body is formed and developed; from the first spark of life at the moment of conception, through the emergence and uniting of complex cells, to the growth of the embryo and the fetus, and finally to the complete and perfect expression of the human form that we call a baby. We also know that this amazing process is governed by a holistic compound that we call DNA or Deoxyribonucleic acid. Does DNA only contain information and coding that pertains to physical life, the animal form of the human body, or does human DNA also carry innate inherited characteristics related to mind and spirit? If there is “Spiritual DNA” it cannot be “contained” within the physical DNA or it would perish at the end of the life of the physical body. Our spiritual DNA would be encoded within the human soul which is attached to and connected with the physical body, but separate from it, and with the correct care and training it is eternal and everlasting.

Dr. Gregory Lawton Part One in the Holistic Study of Humankind – Mind, Body, and Spirit

All rights reserved. No part of this program or its content shall be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from Dr. Gregory T. Lawton, the National Association of Therapeutic Exercise, and American Health Source, Incorporated. Gregory T. Lawton, D.N., D.C., D.Ac. The Blue Heron Academy of Healing Arts and Sciences 2040 Raybrook SE, Suite 104 Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546 888-285-9989 Toll Free 616-285-9999 616-956-7777 www.blueheronacademy.com info@blueheronacademy.com Every effort has been made to ensure that permission has been obtained for use of text references herein. If any required acknowledgement has been omitted or any rights overlooked, please notify the publishers and omissions will be rectified in future editions.

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Your Spiritual DNA Part One in the Holistic Study of Humankind – Mind, Body, and Spirit From a talk by Dr. Gregory T. Lawton O SON OF MAN! I loved thy creation, hence I created thee. Wherefore, do thou love Me, that I may name thy name and fill thy soul with the spirit of life. The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh FORWARD I have identified three paths to knowledge and wisdom. One path is the path of science, another path is the adoption of authentic spirituality, and the third path is the path of the personal practice of selfimprovement, growth, and development. I consider this threefold approach to human development to be holistic in that it is an expression of the best aspects of the human mind, the expression of the health of the human body, and brightest manifestation of the human spirit. In this presentation I primarily address the path of authentic spirituality and the development of the human soul. INTRODUCTION We all know that the human body is formed and developed; from the first spark of life at the moment of conception, through the emergence and uniting of complex cells, to the growth of the embryo and the fetus, and finally to the complete and perfect expression of the human form that we call a baby. We also know that this amazing process is governed by a holistic compound that we call DNA or Deoxyribonucleic acid. “You have raised the point about the time of the appearance of the human soul. You are quite right in your deduction in this regard, as our teachings clearly confirm that the soul of man comes into being at conception.” Universal House of Justice, Lights of Guidance, p. 345-346 “The soul or spirit of the individual comes into being with the conception of his physical body.” Shoghi Effendi, Lights of Guidance, Page 504 DNA is an organic and holistic substance that science has labeled a molecule. The word molecule may be translated to mean a very small substance and biologists and physicists have been debating whether small particles, atoms, or even sub atomic particles are forms of life, especially since these substances and particles form all life on earth. However, most scientists think of atoms and molecules as nonliving substances which leads to the question, “How can nonliving particles create life?”. I am going to make a “quantum leap” and accept the premise that human understanding of quantum physics, sub atomic particles and wave forms, string theory, and the existence of an infinite field of energy that permeates everything or what I call the “Great Unity of All Things”, and what historically was

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called the ether, has finally, for those who comprehend the significance of these discoveries, united authentic spirituality with real science. It is amazing that all life on this planet originates from the information encoded within a single kind of molecule, DNA. DNA is a large molecule that can direct the incredibly complex chemistry of the living cell, reproduce itself, and even transform itself in response to new conditions. It is through DNA that all of the forms of life on earth are related to each other, from the earliest expressions of life on earth to the modern inhabitants of this planet, all life forms; from human to animal and from bacteria to insect are related one to each other. For example, as human beings we share 60 percent of our DNA with a banana. One wrong turn genetically and you would be sitting here today looking like a banana and fearful of monkeys. As human beings every part of our body, our limbs, our skin, our organs, our eyes, and our senses are all the result of 23 pairs of genetically inherited chromosomes. Every single cell in the human body contains the exact same 23 pairs of chromosomes but the coding in our genes tells every part of the body what form it is to take and what its job is. Our genes are made up of strands of a protein polymer that are woven together into the chromosomes. DNA molecules are linked like pearls on a very long string. Our genetic material is so complex that If you unraveled all of your DNA from all of your cells and laid out the DNA end to end, the strand would stretch from the Earth to the Sun many times. Further, you could fit 25,000 strands of DNA side by side within the width of a single adult hair. Contemporary research in human genetics has established, through extensive worldwide DNA testing, that all of the human beings currently alive on earth, all seven billion plus of them, are all ancestors of one single man. By identifying mutations in the Y chromosomes of men living in various localities around the world it is now known that all humankind is genetically related to a single individual who lived between 50,000 and 60,000 years ago. If our collective physical DNA is all derived from a single source how difficult is it to imagine that our spiritual DNA, the essence of our soul, also originates from a single divine source? Does DNA only contain information and coding that pertains to physical life, the animal form of the human body, or does human DNA also carry innate inherited characteristics related to mind and spirit? If there is “Spiritual DNA” it cannot be “contained” within the physical DNA or it would perish at the end of the life of the physical body. Our spiritual DNA would be encoded within the human soul which is attached to and connected with the physical body, but separate from it, and with the correct care and training it is eternal and everlasting. Over the course of the last decade I have become acquainted with other writers, speakers, and various religious leaders, who have attempted to elaborate on the topic of our spiritual DNA, in my opinion, none of them have presented a coherent or compelling explanation and their attempts have either been based upon religious fundamentalism and superstition, or they are too esoteric and lacking in a scientific explanation. PHYSICAL LIFE AND THE BODY A common saying regarding life and living is that we are, “spiritual beings having a physical experience”. In the Bahá’í writings, and in repeated instances within the writings, our physical existence in this life is described as “a dream” and a “mere shadow”. It is explained that this world is both temporary and 3|Page

illusionary. In the Bahá’í writings this world is described as shadow and dust and smoke and fire, and is it explained that this world is not the real world and it is not true reality. “This present life is even as a swelling wave, or a mirage, or drifting shadows. Could ever a distorted image on the desert serve as refreshing waters? No, by the Lord of Lords! Never can reality and the mere semblance of reality be one, and wide is the difference between fancy and fact, between truth and the phantom thereof.” Know thou that the Kingdom is the real world, and this nether place is only its shadow stretching out. A shadow hath no life of its own; its existence is only a fantasy, and nothing more; it is but images reflected in water, and seeming as pictures to the eye. Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Page 178 This world is also described, in the Bahá’í writings, as a womb within which the human soul grows and develops the characteristics and attributes that it needs to continue a healthy, happy and whole existence in the next life. The baby is formed within the mother’s womb and if the baby does not form normally it may be born into the physical world with certain deformities or disabilities. For example, the child may be born blind, it may be deaf, or it may not be capable of speech, in like manner, we are told that if in this world experience we do not develop spiritual characteristics and attributes we will be born handicapped in the next life. “As it is not yet shown while the child is in the womb of its mother, what its condition will be, whether it will have all the gifts of God or not, whether it will be perfect in all its members or not, whether it will be blind, or deaf, or dumb — but afterwards, when it enters the world, then it becomes clearly apparent if it is defective or not — so it is with the soul in this present state. Its perfection or its lackness is not understood until it enters the heavenly kingdom; then it is clearly seen, and then the soul understands whether or not it is lacking in the gifts of God.” ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Bahá’í Prayers 9, Page 48 In addition, in the Bahá’í writings, in repeated instances, we are told that everything that exists within this world of illusion, this temporary womb, this physical classroom, is a symbol or metaphor for some aspect of the next world or true reality. A metaphor is a device by which we can compare or identify one thing with another thing. All of the great teachers and Manifestations of God have used metaphors, symbols, and/or parables to teach humankind spiritual concepts. This teaching method is important and effective because it is almost impossible to change a person’s opinion, especially deeply held opinions on religion or politics, and the metaphor can be used to create a safe comparison, or to provide a nonthreatening meaning that invites understanding. “Know thou that every created thing is a sign of the revelation of God. Each, according to its capacity, is, and will ever remain, a token of the Almighty. Inasmuch as He, the sovereign Lord of all, has willed to reveal His sovereignty in the kingdom of names and attributes, each and every created thing hath, through the act of the Divine Will, been made a sign of His glory. So pervasive and general is this relation that nothing whatsoever in the whole universe can be discovered that doth not reflect His splendor.” The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh “For example, grief and happiness are intellectual things; when you wish to express those spiritual qualities you say: `My heart is oppressed; my heart is enlarged'; though the heart of man is neither oppressed or enlarged. This is an intellectual or spiritual state; to explain which you are obliged to have recourse to sensible figures. Another example: you say, `such an individual made great progress,' though he is remaining in the same place; or again, `such a one's position was exalted,' although like 4|Page

everyone else, he walks upon the earth. This exaltation and this progress are spiritual states and intellectual realities; but to explain them you are obliged to have recourse to sensible figures, because in the exterior world there is nothing that is not sensible. So the symbol of knowledge is light, and of ignorance, darkness; but reflect, is knowledge sensible light, or ignorance sensible darkness? No, they are symbols.” `Abdu'l-Bahá, Some Answered Questions, Page 85 Bahá’ís also believe that in this life they are preparing for an eternal and never-ending spiritual life of the soul. “Concerning the future life what Bahá’u’lláh says is that the soul will continue to ascend through many worlds. What those worlds are and what their nature is we cannot know. The same way the child in the matrix cannot know this world so we cannot know what the other world is going to be.” Shoghi Effendi, Lights of Guidance, Page 204 O SON OF MAN! Thou art My dominion and My dominion perisheth not; wherefore fearest thou thy perishing? Thou art My light and My light shall never be extinguished; why dost thou dread extinction? Thou art My glory and My glory fadeth not; thou art My robe and My robe shall never be outworn. Abide then in thy love for Me, that thou mayest find Me in the realm of glory. The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh MIND SPIRIT CONNECTION Many of you are familiar with the analogy that the human mind is the light that shines from the lamp of the soul. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá used this analogy frequently and when he said, “But the mind is the power of the human spirit. Spirit is the lamp; mind is the light which shines from the lamp. Spirit is the tree, and the mind is the fruit. Mind is the perfection of the spirit, and is its essential quality, as the sun’s rays are the essential necessity of the sun. Selected Writings of Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Page 449 I am not aware of any faith or religion that does not recognize the existence of the human soul and that does not define the human soul as our true reality. Prophets, spiritual teachers, religionists, and philosophers have, throughout history, referred to the existence of the human spirit and the rational soul. Bahá’ís believe that the words human soul and spirit, although used by various teachers, philosophers, and religions in different ways and by different names, are one and the same. For example, the spirit, which in the terminology of the philosophers is the rational soul, in the words of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá “…. embraces all beings, and as far as human ability permits discovers the realities of things and becomes cognizant of their peculiarities and effects, and of the qualities and properties of beings.” ‘Abdu’l-Bahá further explains that, “But the human spirit, unless assisted by the spirit of faith, does not become acquainted with the divine secrets and the heavenly realities. It is like a mirror which, although clear, polished, and brilliant, is still in need of light. Until a ray of the sun reflects upon it, it cannot discover the heavenly secrets.” Selected Writings of Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Page 449 Some teachers have taught that the human soul is incomplete unless it is “quickened” or “filled” with the “Divine Light” or the “Spirit of Life”. I will again refer to the Bahá’í writings, both because of my familiarity with them and the clarity with which they shed light upon this subject.

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“There is still another power which is differentiated from that of the soul and mind. This third power is the spirit which is an emanation from the divine bestower; it is the effulgence of the sun of reality, the radiation of the celestial world, the spirit of faith, the spirit His Holiness the Christ refers to when he says, "Those that are born of the flesh are flesh, and those that are born of the spirit are spirit." The spirit is the axis round which the eternal life revolves. It is conducive to everlasting glory and is the cause of the exaltation of humanity.” Selected Writings of Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Page 449 Just as we are born from the womb of our mother and we take our first breath of air when our soul is separates from our body and is born into the next world we must receive the “breath of the spirit of life” or the soul does rise to its full power and potency. There are some concepts that can only be expressed in poetry and in the following poem I have attempted to express a few of these concepts:

Where My Soul was Born Take this humble clay and Hold me once again in the Palm of your hand, Where my soul was born, And mold me "out of the Clay of love". Take this humble clay and Like sacred words from your holy book Breathe spirit into this empty vessel Spinning on the wheel of life. Make of me what you will A beggar’s bowl, a candlestick, An offering plate. Make of me a flower, a leaf, Or a sea shell Make of me a useful thing A giving thing A beauteous wonder of the earth below And of heaven above. I am as lowly as the earth your Hands have scooped me from. As lowly as the earth to which this molded Form belongs. As lowly as the earth to which this "moving form Of dust" returns. Take then this mortal form of clay And hold me once again 6|Page

In the hands from where my soul was born. In this world of matter and earth we rise when we are nourished and nurtured in mind, in body, and in spirit and in the next realm we rise when the polished mirror of our soul reflects the divine light, is quickened by the holy spirit, to reveal the latent and hidden attributes or our soul, our spiritual DNA. A WORD ABOUT FREE WILL AND OUR NEXT LIFE It seems appropriate at this point in our investigation of our intrinsic divine nature, our spiritual DNA, to briefly offer some concepts related to human free will. It should be obvious to any observer of human nature and behavior that we are collectively endowed with the capacity of free will. Human behavior throughout history is a testament to this. Human beings have the choice to choose between various forms of behavior that may be spiritually, morally or ethically defined as sinful or saintly, good or bad, or right or wrong. In the Muslim faith there are ninety-nine names of God and these names are thought to represent the various attributes of God. Briefly, these names describe attributes such as mercy, forgiveness, love, justice, and many others. In this world our bodies develop physical characteristics based upon our genetic inheritance, our DNA, and these physical characteristics include eye color, hair color, skin color, physical appearance, and our physical stature, shape, and symmetry. In short, what we look like to ourselves in a mirror and to the rest of the world. The Christian scriptures tell us that we have been created in the “image of God” and in the Bahá’í writings it is explained that this is a symbolic statement that means that we have been endowed with the ability to reflect the attributes of God, once again, mercy, forgiveness, love, justice, and many others. The Bahá’ís have a beautiful healing prayer, written by Bahá’u’lláh, and within it are listed at least 125 names or attributes of God. Here is a brief section of that healing prayer: “He is the Healer, the Sufficer, the Helper, the All-Forgiving, the All-Merciful. I call on Thee O Exalted One, O Faithful One, O Glorious One! Thou the Sufficing, Thou the Healing, Thou the Abiding, O Thou Abiding One! I call on Thee O Sovereign, O Upraiser, O Judge! Thou the Sufficing, Thou the Healing, Thou the Abiding, O Thou Abiding One! I call on Thee O Peerless One, O Eternal One, O Single One! Thou the Sufficing, Thou the Healing, Thou the Abiding, O Thou Abiding One!” Bahá’u’lláh, Bahá’í Prayers I am not certain how many names or attributes of God there are, like creation, they may be limitless. What I am certain of is that these attributes are encoded within our spiritual DNA. Life on this earth would not and cannot exist without light from the sun. Without the light, heat, and photons emitted by the sun no life would exist on this planet and the earth would be a barren rock. All life on earth derives its existence from sunlight; plants need sunlight to produce energy through the process of photosynthesis, microscopic organisms in our oceans need sunlight to live and to multiply, and animals and humans need sunlight for survival, for warmth and light, and for our food supply. From 7|Page

the smallest microscopic organism to the apex of life on earth, humankind, light from the sun is an essential and critical need. Sunlight creates nourishment for our bodies and without this nourishment we die. In like manner, spiritual light, is the source of life for the human soul. Without the physical light and energy of sunlight the earth and everything living thing upon it withers and dies and without the light of the great spirit, divine light, the human soul would perish. In a nutshell, all religious knowledge and religions, are a guidebook or owner’s manual on the nature of, and the care of, the human soul. These manuals (holy scriptures) explain that to properly care for our souls we need to do five things: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Love God. Obey God. Investigate God and creation. Reflect the attributes of God. Serve humanity.

In the manner that an automobile needs gas, oil, a charged battery, and regular maintenance our soul needs us to regularly practice and to act upon these five elements. Just as a car will not operate without gas, oil, or a charged battery, the human soul will not “function” properly unless we practice and acquire these five elements. Further, in the Bahá’í writings we find that souls that do not practice these elements are born “handicapped” into the next world. Using the analogy of physical handicaps such as being born blind, deaf, mute, or unable to walk, without the development of our spiritual attributes, we are born into the next life deprived of sight (perception), hearing (comprehension), speech (communication), or paralyzed (movement throughout the worlds of God). During our physical life, as is the nature of all things physical, our bodies and our characters can grow or regress, can advance or retreat. This is due to our free will. We can choose a healthy life or we can choose disease and death through a life of drug abuse and neglect of our personal health. The choice is freely ours. In the next life the soul can only move in one direction and that direction is towards God. In the Bahá’í writings we find this statement from Abdu’l-Bahá: “But with the human soul, there is no decline. Its only movement is towards perfection; growth and progress alone constitute the motion of the soul.” Abdu’l-Bahá, Paris Talks, Page 89 When I first learned that the Bahá’í writings taught that in the next life we have no free will it frankly scared the “hell” out of me. I thought what will we be spiritual robots? Then, I finally understood that the soul’s eternal advancement towards God, its capacity to mirror divine attributes, and its endless journey throughout all of the worlds of God – was a very good thing. In fact, I now view the future condition of the soul as “super free will” or “free will on steroids”. SPIRITUAL DNA Now we have arrived at the heart of this presentation, our conversation about spiritual DNA. If this world is a womb within which we are forming our spiritual characteristics and attributes, then just like our physical and molecular DNA there must be a blueprint for each unique soul that determines our

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individual spiritual characteristics, abilities, powers, and attributes. There must be in effect something like a “spiritual DNA”. “When we find truth, constancy, fidelity, and love, we are happy; but if we meet with lying, faithlessness, and deceit, we are miserable. These are all things pertaining to the soul, and are not bodily ills. Thus, it is apparent that the soul, even as the body, has its own individuality.” Here we can understand that just like the characteristics that we realize in human appearance related to DNA and genetic inherence our spiritual “form” is determined by our spiritual DNA. But we might now ask what exactly is the nature of the soul or what characteristics, attributes, powers, or abilities does the soul possess? In order for the soul to exist after the death of the human body the soul must be composed of some form of “energy” that is not limited to physical particles like atoms or organic molecules. In the Bahá’í writings it states: “The soul is not a combination of elements, it is not composed of many atoms, it is of one indivisible substance and therefore eternal. It is entirely out of the order of the physical creation; it is immortal!” Abdu’l-Bahá, Paris Talks, Page 91 In the Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh, Bahá’u’lláh explains in mystic and poetic language that we have been created “With the hands of power….” and that within us has been placed the essence of His light. “With the hands of power I made thee and with the fingers of strength I created thee; and within thee have I placed the essence of My light.” The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh From the Iman Ali we can derive this quote (which was also quoted by Bahá’u’lláh) "Dost thou reckon thyself only a puny form, when within thee the universe is folded?" We are indeed very intricate and complex beings because the known universe is understood to be infinite on the micro level, the macro level, and throughout the multiverses and dimensions – no matter which direction you go it is all limitless and eternal. Bahá’u’lláh also states, “I have breathed within thee a breath of My own Spirit, that thou mayest be My lover.” So while, as Shoghi Effendi explained, “The same way the child in the matrix cannot know this world, we cannot know what the other world is going to be.” we cannot know the exact determined nature of our soul, or its future capabilities and capacities, we can derive from the guidance that we have received that virtue and spiritual attributes are the keys to our future existence and continuously evolving development throughout all of the worlds of God. “Divine perfection is infinite; therefore, the progress of the soul is also infinite. From the very birth of a human being the soul progresses, the intellect grows and knowledge increases. When the body dies the soul lives on. All the differing degrees of created physical beings are limited, but the soul is limitless!” ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Paris Talks, Page 89 We can also apply the methodology of the metaphor to our existing physical characteristics and determine that our physical senses like seeing, hearing, and feeling will become the spiritual ability of perception. Our ability to move around with our limbs will become an ability to travel unconstrained by the physical limitations of time and space. But we are repeatedly reminded that whatever our future powers and abilities may be the most important attributes are our spiritual qualities and virtues: 9|Page

“The virtues and attributes pertaining unto God are all evident and manifest, and have been mentioned and described in all the heavenly Books. Among them are trustworthiness, truthfulness, purity of heart while communing with God, forbearance, resignation to whatever the Almighty hath decreed, contentment with the things His Will hath provided, patience, nay, thankfulness in the midst of tribulation, and complete reliance, in all circumstances, upon Him. These rank, according to the estimate of God, among the highest and most laudable of all acts. All other acts are, and will ever remain, secondary and subordinate unto them.” Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, Page 290-291 This concept of spiritual DNA may be nothing more than an interesting metaphor, but perhaps it is a useful one if it makes us aware of the vital importance of the opportunity presented in this life to actually contribute to the growth and development of our eternal soul, an opportunity that we did not have in our mother’s womb and may not have in our next life. DISCOVERING YOUR SPIRITUAL DNA When we want to study physical DNA we subject DNA samples to scientific testing and through the use of modern technological equipment, but how do we evaluate the nature of our spiritual DNA? What instruments or tools can we use to reveal the secrets of our soul’s spiritual DNA? When scientists wanted to understand human genetics they had to discover DNA and then they had to figure out its molecular structure, in other words they had to understand what DNA was. When we want to gain an understanding of our spiritual DNA we have a head start, we have our “owner’s manual’ which describes the spiritual nature of and attributes of the human soul. We do not know everything, because we will never know everything, “everything” (knowledge) is without limits and is constantly evolving. What is the process by which we can now begin to understand our spiritual nature and capacity? It is our experiences throughout our lifetime, our relationships, our loves, our losses, our friendships, our education and training, our vocation, our play and recreation, our adventures and explorations, our actions, charity and service, and the character of our spiritual life. It is through the course and conduct of our life that we can come to know ourselves and to identify our attributes, talents, and gifts. What are examples of attributes of the human soul and how do we perceive our expression of these attributes throughout the course of our lives? Just as in this life we are all different and we all reflect different personalities and qualities our souls have “individuality” and a unique spiritual DNA blueprint based upon how God created each soul and the capacities that He placed within each soul. Examples of the attributes of the soul include; truthfulness, love, patience, kindness, gratitude, faithfulness, loyalty, gentleness, joyfulness, charity, compassion, justice, detachment, purity, wisdom, forgiveness, and so many, many more…. One method by which to determine our unique spiritual attributes and capacities is to reflect on the qualities that we express in our interactions with others on a daily basis. To determine the sum total of your spiritual qualities first of all subtract your negative attributes and only focus on your positive qualities. For example, as you reflect on your daily activities and interactions what qualities did you manifest? Were you kind to someone, did you tell someone that you loved them, did you console a friend or co-worker who had lost a loved one, did you give money to a homeless person, did you 10 | P a g e

encourage a child, did you listen to someone who needed to talk about a difficult problem, or did you thank your spouse for their help and support? In each of these examples there is a virtue being expressed, just as you can mirror forth the light of your virtue every moment of your life. In like manner you can also observe the spiritual attributes of others if you watch them, listen to them, and observe their conduct and actions. When we see the virtues of others we are perceiving the light of God that they are reflecting. This is one way that we can learn to “know” God. It is important to adopt the practice of regular observation and accountability for one’s behavior and actions on a daily basis. By this method we can come to understand and to identify our shortcomings and to concentrate on the development of positive characteristics and attributes. We can adopt the practice of encouraging the ongoing growth of virtues within us. Rather than concentrating on pulling weeds from the garden of the human heart, we can instead plant new and more vibrant flowers while nurturing and encouraging their growth and development. You are a unique creation of God, you possess an eternal and deathless soul, and your destiny is to wing your way, to fly, and to soar throughout the infinite worlds of God. Called Forth to Soar The voices heard but by a few Breathe their essence into my heart and bid me, "Roar forth with a mighty voice." The light seen but by a few Touches my skin and commands me, "Dance, I call you to dance with abandon." The rain felt but by a few Enters the soil of my soul and implores me, "Grow, stretch upward, live, and blossom." These are the days of thunder and wind And the birds of our hearts are called forth to soar, To fly, and to climb their way to untold heights. How strange, how strange Nothing from the singer touches the heart of the listener, But still the heart is moved and the soul does weep. How strange, how strange That you are not moved by the song of this singer, Nor have you awakened to the morn of this divine melody.

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